SUNDAY 7TH AUGUST 2022

No Respite for Nigeria as Oil Production Falls to 1.083m bpd in July Deficit exceeds 700,000bpd despite assurances of increased drilling Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The expectation that Nigeria’s current dollar crunch could subside soon has again been dashed as the country’s crude oil production remained below

expectation, slumping to 1.083 million barrels per day in July.

July’s production figure, sourced from the data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), followed the trend

in the country’s abysmally low drilling capacity in at least the last 10 months.

For the month under review, however, the country’s production allocation by the Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC) was roughly 1.8 million (1.799) barrels per day.

This means that Nigeria could not produce as much as 717,000 bpd or 22.22 million barrels during July. When valued at a

conservative price of $110 per barrel, the 22.22 million barrels were about $2.444 billion for the month.

While the rest of the oilproducing world and oil majors continue to enjoy high oil prices,

Nigeria’s case has been different.

Though the country currently needs every dollar it can get, as pressure on the economy, due to the near non-availability of the Continued on page 10

APC Considers Badaru, Umahi, Akeredolu, Five Other Govs as Presidential Campaign Directors… Page 10 Sunday 7 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 9980

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Buhari Seeks Drastic Measures against Killing of Six Nigeriens in S'East Gunmen kill six policemen, four others, abduct 14 Indians in Imo, Kogi Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his unequivocal condemnation of the attacks

against non-indigenes and law enforcement officials by terrorists in the South-east, promising all possible action in conducting a speedy investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Buhari’s reaction came amidst reports of the killing of six Nigerien citizens and the brutal killing of a number of policemen at their duty posts.

Gunmen had on Monday

attacked a building at Orogwe, Owerri, Imo State, which was occupied by mainly Hausa and killed six Nigeriens.

Also, suspected gunmen killed two policemen, two expatriates

and two company drivers in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The gunmen equally abducted 14 Indians who were on their way home from work at the

West African Ceramics when their Coaster bus was attacked.

Another set of gunmen also yesterday attacked and killed Continued on page 8

PDP, LP Tackle Oshiomhole, Say Tinubu Should Take Credit, Blame for Buhari’s Performance Urge former Lagos, Edo govs to apologise for misleading Nigerians Atiku, Wike’s face-off delays constitution of PDP’s presidential campaign council Party’s NEC to meet on Thursday over membership of council

Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have condemned the attempt by a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole, to exonerate the presidential candidate of the ruling party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu from any shortcomings of the President Muhammadu Buhariled administration.

The two opposition parties also asked the former governors of Edo and Lagos states to apologise for misleading Nigerians in 2015 and 2019.

This is coming as the faceoff between the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has continued to delay the constitution of the party's presidential campaign council.

Continued on page 5

CELEBRATING DAISY @ 70…

L-R: Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Defence, General TY Danjuma (rtd); his wife and celebrant, Daisy; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Taraba State Governor, Mr. Darius Ishaku; and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during the 70th anniversary of Daisy in Lagos…yesterday MUBO PETERS

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WELCOME TO EKITI… L-R: Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Cui Jianchun; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Chairman, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Prof. Yusuf Ahmad; and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Foluso Daramola; during the working visit of the Ambassador and NAEC delegation to the Governor’s Office, Ado -Ekiti…recently

BON, NGE, MRA Ask FG to Reverse N5m Fine on MultiChoice, Trust TV, Others You can’t gag media, CDD tells NBC Udora Orizu in Abuja The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) have called on the federal government to reverse the fine of N5 million each slammed on MultiChoice, Trust TV, TSTV and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for airing a documentary on terrorism.

The bodies also condemned the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) decision to fine the media outfits.

The NBC imposed a fine of N5 million each on MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DStv; NTA-Startimes Limited; and TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) for airing a BBC Africa Eye documentary, which “glorified the activities of Bandits and undermines National Security in Nigeria.”

Before the fines were imposed, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, had noted that the federal government would sanction Trust TV and BBC for “terrorism glorification” in their documentaries.

Mohammed said the federal government was aware of the “unprofessional” documentary where interviews were granted to bandit warlords and terror gangs, thereby promoting “terror” in the country.

But Executive Secretary of BON, Yemisi Bamgbose, in a letter dated August 4 and addressed to the DG of NBC, Balarabe Ilela, described the imposition of the fine as arbitrary and a violation of the NBC codes.

“BON has noted that NBC in the last few years has violated its own laid down procedures of handling complaints from persons or groups of persons or institutions against Broadcaster(s).

Section 14.3.1 says “The commission shall, on receipt of the complaint(s): (a) inform and require the Broadcaster to provide, within a specified period determined by the Commission, a response in writing and a recording of the relevant materials (b) request for copies of the relevant correspondence from the complainant.

“In the current case, the NBC did not provide any written evidence from any

complainant(s), nor did it issue any query to the said organisations that it claimed to have violated NBC codes.

“We note that failure to follow the laid down procedure would seem to suggest that NBC acted in an arbitrary manner and in violation of its regulation as provided in section 14.3.1 cited earlier. Section 14.3.2 made it clear that it is when

the Broadcaster fails to react or supply materials or make a response to the enquiries within a stipulated time limit that it shall be deemed as acceptance of the complaints.

“The sanctioned broadcasters were summoned to the NBC Headquarters on Wednesday 3rd of August 2022, only to be given letters of penalties without following due process.

“Furthermore, Section 14.2(1) (2) of the Code, stipulates a time limit for receiving complaints, and provides as follows; “Any person, group of persons or institutions aggressive, may complain with the commission within 14 days of the occurrence of the act or omission. A complaint received after 14 days specified in 14.2.1 shall not be entertained by the commission”.

In the case of Trust Television Network, the alleged offensive documentary was transmitted in March 2022.

“The alleged complaint was not brought to Trust Television Network until a letter of imposition of fines was delivered to Trust Television Network on Wednesday 3rd August 2022, four months after the transmission of the alleged

offensive TV documentary produced by the station which was transmitted 5, March 2022.

This is another violation of NBC codes by NBC.” BON, therefore, told the NBC to withdraw the fines imposed on the organisations for lack of fair hearing and violation of the codes of NBC as stipulated in Continued on page 6

PDP, LP TACKLE OSHIOMHOLE, SAY TINUBU SHOULD TAKE CREDIT, BLAME FOR BUHARI’S PERFORMANCE The leadership of the main opposition has however summoned a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on Thursday to decide and approve the headship and members of the party's presidential campaign council.

Oshiomhole had on Wednesday said on ARISE NEWS Channel that Tinubu cannot take any credit or blame for Buhari’s performance, stressing that the former Lagos State governor never participated in Buhari’s administration.

“You can’t say someone who never in any way participated in government should be credited with the outcome of government policies or be blamed either way,” he said.

“I think in apportioning blame or crediting people, you look at their role. It is a fact that Asiwaju by himself said, yes, he co-founded the APC. I was a co-founding governor of the APC along with Fashola and other governors but he never participated in governance, he never held any position in government, and he didn’t carry out a contract on behalf of the government so how can you credit him either way? This is just being fair,” Oshiomhole reportedly said.

But in a swift reaction, the National Chairman of LP, Mr Julius Abure, told THISDAY at the weekend that there was no way Tinubu can shy away from taking responsibility for the failure or success of the APC-led administration, which he helped to install in 2015 and 2019.

"Tinubu and Oshiomhole should by now be burying their heads in shame and apologise to Nigerians for misleading them.

"Nigerians have generally

concluded that the APC-led federal government has failed.

If Tinubu as the leader of APC cannot be blamed, who else do we blame? You see the problem with some of our leaders is that they shy away from their responsibilities and pass the buck and that is why Nigeria is in trouble.

"Leadership is about people owning up to their failure. We expect Tinubu to also own up to his failure in the performance of the APC-led government since he is a leader of the party. As far as we are concerned, the APC government is the worst government that we have ever had since 1999.

"Nigerian people have even concluded that PDP and APC have failed the country. I mean all the promises that were made

by Tinubu during the campaigns in 2015 and 2019 on behalf of Buhari, none has been fulfilled.

"So if Oshiomhole is saying that Tinubu should not take responsibility for the actions of the government which he helped to install and promote, who else will take that responsibility? Who else will take responsibility for the failure of the government?

"We expect leaders to take responsibility when there is a failure and also take accolades and praise when there is a success. Unfortunately, Oshiomhole is still defending a government that has failed.”

Abure added that Oshiomhole had all the opportunity to help advise the government when he was the National Chairman of APC. Also reacting to Oshiomhole’s comments, the Director of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign, Dr Doyin Okupe, told THISDAY that it would be ridiculous to separate President Buhari

from Tinubu when the former Lagos State governor is the national leader of the party that produced Buhari as its presidential candidate.

"If Buhari performed well in the governance of Nigeria, will Oshiomhole and Tinubu not latch on to the performance?

It is their liability. APC and Oshiomhole should accept him. It is too early in the day to deny Buhari.

"The best way to go on this, instead of denial is to apologise to Nigerians for the untold hardship Buhari and the APC have brought to Nigerians.

After the apology for the woeful performance, then, they should come up with the manifesto to clean up their mess,” Okupe explained.

"It is great disingenuous, fallacious and unacceptable to say that Nigerians should not judge Tinubu from the prism of Buhari. To do otherwise is to continue with the falsehood that APC represents," Okupe added.

On his part, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, also told THISDAY that the former Edo State governor should avoid living in self-deceit and denial as it would be ridiculous for Tinubu to deny Buhari.

“The comment by Oshiomhole is a direct admission that President Buhari and the APC are a failure. Tinubu told the entire world that he discovered Muhammadu Buhari, Babatunde Fashola, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Akinwunmi Ambode. Why deny Buhari now? He told us that he went to Daura to beg Buhari to come out. Why deny him? Buhari is the product of Tinubu and APC. So, they cannot deny him now,”

he said.

He continued: "It points to a fact also that the APC can never accept that it has failed Nigerians over the sufferings it brought upon the nation. The party APC is never a political party. It is a contraption assembled to blackmail PDP out of office "It is a party built on falsehood and denials. How can Oshiomhole say that Nigerians should not blame him for the failure of Buhari? He is the national leader of APC and Buhari is the president produced by the APC, it is their product,” he added.

Atiku, Wike’s Face-off Delays Constitution of PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council Meanwhile, the face-off between the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku and the Rivers State Governor, Wike has continued to delay the constitution of the party's presidential campaign council.

This development prompted the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party to intervene to hasten the reconciliation between Atiku and Wike. Both leaders were expected to use the weekend to meet members of their campaign team to select those that would be part of the larger reconciliatory meeting.

Atiku and Wike met on Thursday as part of the peace plans. Despite the dispute, Wike’s camp has ruled out defection.

It was gathered that the delay is to avoid any embarrassment to the party should they appoint members who are loyal to Wike and they reject the offer.

PDP had witnessed similar

embarrassment when the National Campaign Council for Ekiti State was constituted.

A party source told THISDAY that the party wants Wike to play an important role in the campaign.

PDP’s NEC to Meet on Thursday over Membership of the Council In a related development, the leadership of the PDP has summoned a meeting of the NEC on Thursday to decide and approve the headship and members of the presidential campaign council.

It was gathered that the NEC will also decide who will head the campaign council as the earlier plan for Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde to occupy the position has been dropped because he is seeking reelection next year and therefore may not concentrate on the presidential campaign.

Wike’s camp is said to have also kicked against the choice of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambawal as the proposed head of the campaign because of the role he played by stepping down for Atiku during the presidential convention.

At the last meeting between Atiku and Wike, it was gathered that the Rivers State governor rejected the choice of Tambuwal.

It was learnt that the PDP governors favour having a former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki as the head of the party’s presidential campaign council.

“These are some of the issues that the Thursday NEC meeting will decide," a member of the party’s NEC told THISDAY.

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NEWS

OUR CLUB IS 50…

L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Governor Dapo Abiodun; and President, Abeokuta Club, Mr. Tokunbo Odebunmi, at the 50th anniversary of the club in Abeokuta…yesterday

Abiodun, Amosun, APC in War of Words over Alleged Rigging of Gov into Office James Sowole in Abeokuta The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday engaged in a war of words over Amosun’s allegation that his successor was rigged into the office and must be removed.

Amosun yesterday broke his silence over the 2019 governorship election, alleging that Abiodun was rigged into office.

The former governor who claimed that Abiodun had since apologised, vowed that the governor would not return to power in 2023.

Amosun had backed Adekunle Akinlade who contested on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) against Abiodun who was the candidate of the APC. Abiodun defeated Amosun’s anointed candidate with a margin of 19,517 votes.

Abiodun polled 241,670 votes to defeat Akinlade who had

222,153 votes.

More than three years after the election, Amosun who represents Ogun Central in the Senate declared that his friend-turned-foe, Abiodun did not win that election.

He spoke weekend in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, after receiving an award from the Abeokuta Club to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the association.

He added that he had moved on because those who orchestrated the rigging had apologised to him.

“During the last election, thank God, Chief Osoba is here, I have said it; we won convincingly. They rigged, rigged, and ended up with 19,000.

“Some of them came to apologise to me. I can’t be mentioning names. We won that election. But I have moved on. We did our work; we will continue to do what we have to do. God will be with all of us,” the former governor said.

Speaking later in an interview

with journalists, Amosun declared that he was not in support of Abiodun’s administration, saying he must be removed.

He also assured his supporters that the next line of action would soon be made public.

“Just wait; very soon, you will hear where we are going next. You know my stand, and my stand is my stand. I am not supporting this administration that is there now. He must be removed,” he said.

However, Akinlade who was Amosun’s anointed candidate in 2019 is now the running mate of the PDP’s governorship candidate, Mr Ladi Adebutu, ahead of the next election.

Responding, Abiodun declared that he would not be distracted by any person who has a problem with self-delusion, noting "Ogun State is not anybody's father's inheritance."

Also in an apparent response to Amosun’s allegation, Abiodun has said that he would rather focus on his mandate and not join issues with anyone who

Adeleke Vows to Defend, Retain His Victory in Osun Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Governor-elect of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has vowed to defend and retain his electoral victory before the election petition tribunal, declaring that his emergence as governor-elect was in total compliance with the law and will of the people.

Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared the winner of the Osun State governorship election held on July 16.

He secured 403,371 votes to defeat Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 375,027 votes.

But Oyetola has challenged the outcome of the governorship election at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

In a petition dated August 5, the governor is asking the court

to nullify Adeleke’s election because he was not qualified to contest and that he was not elected by the majority of the lawful votes cast.

Oyetola said Adeleke forged the certificates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

In a statement issued yesterday on his behalf by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Osun State governor-elect declared that the July 16, 2022 election was one of the most transparent elections in recent Nigerian history. He vowed that the people's mandate freely given to him against overwhelming odds would be defended and validated.

According to the statement, the governor-elect said the PDP’s legal department would

take appropriate action on the filing, calling on his supporters at home and abroad to remain calm as "this divine victory cannot be stolen through the backdoor.

"I urge the good people of Osun State who voted massively to reject bad governance to remain calm. We are doing the needful to defend their mandate. We will do all within our powers to ensure judicial validation of our victory as this is an election globally certified as a great advancement in electoral transparency and integrity.

"We also want to reaffirm our faith in the judiciary as a bastion of hope and justice. We have unshakeable trust in God that this election petition shall end in another landmark victory for us and the resilient people of Osun State," the statement concluded.

wants to play God. Speaking with newsmen yesterday shortly after the grand finale of the 50th anniversary of the Abeokuta Club, the governor called on the people of the state to ignore his predecessor, insisting that he would not join issues with him.

"I will not be distracted by any person or persons who have a problem with self-delusion.

I will not be distracted by any person who does not appreciate that Ogun State is not anybody's father's inheritance; we are all stakeholders in this commonwealth called Ogun State.

"I am not going to join issues with anyone that wants to play God; I will leave them to God; God can deal with whoever is challenging His authority and wanted to play God. All I can say is that what we stand for in Ogun State is an administration that is committed to providing purposeful leadership and purposeful infrastructural development across the length and breadth of the state," he said.

Governor Abiodun, however, expressed his disappointment

that a former governor and a sitting governor in 2019 would cry that he was rigged out during the election.

"How can we on the outside take on an incumbent and then be accused of rigging out an incumbent in the same party?

Anyone can explain their failure whichever way they like; anyone can also begin to pant and threaten that they will do whatever," he added.

Equally responding to Amosun’s claim, the Ogun State chapter of APC, asked the people of the state to pray for Amosun because he is suffering from “political amnesia and out-of-office loneliness.”

The party, in a statement issued yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, described the ex-governors claim that Abiodun did not win the 2019 election as "an after-lunch belching of a man suffering from political amnesia and loneliness.”

“The quoted statement was not only an insult to the psyche of the people of Ogun State but also a sad indication that the former governor is yet to purge

himself of extreme arrogance and intolerance that were his trademarks, which earned him a suspension from our party, even as a sitting governor.

“The APC, therefore, calls on the public, and particularly our esteemed members, to pity and pray for the former governor as he suffers from political amnesia, loneliness and absolute lack of touch with reality.

“There is absolutely no truth in the specious utterance of the former governor who is still sulking from the electoral defeat of his surrogate party in 2019. Our party and candidate not only won fair and square but the victory of Prince Dapo Abiodun was also attested to by his co-contestants, many of whom later joined APC and are still in APC. “Having been witnessing the frustrating exodus of his former political allies who openly said they were tired of endemic lies; and his failure to wrest the party structures from the incumbent governor, the recourse by Senator Amosun to “elated” after-lunch belching is understandable and pitiable.”

BON, NGE, MRA ASK FG TO REVERSE N5M FINE ON MULTICHOICE, TRUST TV, OTHERS Sections 14.2. (1) (2).

Also, the NGE’s President, Mustapha Isah has called for the immediate withdrawal of the fine.

Isah said the government should see the media as partners in progress in its fight against terrorism instead of sanctioning them for performing their constitutional responsibility.

He said: “I have watched the Trust TV documentary severally and I did not see where it glamourised or glorified banditry. Such a report can help the government in its fight against terrorism.”

He also stressed the resolve of the Guild not to buckle under any circumstance in its duty of defending and promoting the cause of democracy and press freedom in the country.

On its part, the MRA urged NBC to rescind its decision to penalise media houses for allegedly broadcasting documentaries on terrorists.

The programme director of

the MRA, Mr Ayode Longe, in a statement, described NBC’s action as unconstitutional and repressive.

The group threatened to take legal action against the commission if the measures were not reversed.

You can’t gag media, says CDD Meanwhile, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has described the imposition of a fine on the media outfits by NBC as an attempt by the federal government to gag the press.

CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, described the imposition of the fine as obnoxious, oppressive and suppressive, asking the commission to withdraw it immediately.

According to her, the fine is a reprehensible attempt to gag the media and infringe on citizens’ rights to free speech and information.

“As the partner who supported Trust TV in

producing the documentary, we unapologetically emphasise that the documentary was done and aired in the public interest. The documentary was based on years of field research, representing all affected communities and proffered pathways to ending the conflict.

The calibre of persons featured in the documentary and those who attended the screenings, followed by a panel discussion, only speaks to our genuine interest in finding solutions to the conflict,” the statement explained.

“We are shocked to see how the National Broadcasting Commission violated its procedures by not giving the affected media organisations the right to a fair hearing and acting without receiving any written complaints from anybody as required by its law.

“As a regulator, we expect the NBC to act independently and professionally without succumbing to political pressure.”

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FACILITY TOUR...

L-R: Director, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo; Executive Director/CEO, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board, Mr. Charles Okoye; and President, Association of Progressive Traders, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Chief Ifeanyi Eric, at the ETOP UKUTT official visit of the Complex by the minister in Lagos…yesterday

Monkeypox: FG Puts Community Health Officers on Red Alert Onyebuichi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has urged the Community Health Officers (CHO) to be prepared for the outbreak of monkeypox disease in villages.

Minister of State for Health, Mr Ekumankama Nkama, gave the

charge at the 2021 induction of 477 Community Health Officers (CHO) by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria in Abuja.

According to the minister, the outbreak of monkeypox and other diseases has made it necessary for the country’s

health sector to be ready to track any possible challenges.

He noted that Community Health Officers, being among the first responders because they are closer to the people, must respond appropriately.

The minister urged the graduates to be more responsive

and operate within their level by making the necessary referrals when they are faced with challenges above them as they have been prepared and certified by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria as full practitioners.

Nkama said the administration

Apart from N41tn Public Debt, FG Owes CBN $47bn, Report Reveals Bill Gates-backed think-tank seeks $50bn for Africa’s loan scheme Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government has confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is being owed N20 trillion ($47 billion), which is yet to be added to the country’s outstanding public debt, according to a report by the Budget Office of the Federation.

This is coming as a think-tank backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is seeking $50 billion in aid to help debt-ridden African countries re-enter capital markets and avoid future defaults.

The debt figure was as of March 31, the Budget Office said, in a document, which gave the details of the country’s expenditure plans from 2023-2025.

The document was posted on the Budget Office’s website at the weekend.

Nigeria’s outstanding public debt is N41.6 trillion.

Even with the additional obligations, the country remains “within Nigeria’s self-imposed” limit of 40 per cent debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the report quoted

by Bloomberg.

The government plans to securitise its Ways and Means Advances (WMAs) from the CBN and revamp “it into a longer tenor amortising facility with a lower interest rate,” according to the Budget Office.

The country barely earned enough revenues to cover debt service payments in 2021, according to the budget office while in the first four months to April, government income of N1.63 trillion was less than the N1.94 trillion needed to cover debt-service payments, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed said, according to a presentation on the budget office’s website.

While the debt portfolio remains vulnerable to revenue and export shocks, “the challenges are being addressed by the government through its ongoing strategic revenue growth

initiatives,” the report added.

Meanwhile, a think-tank backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is seeking $50 billion in aid to help debt-ridden African countries re-enter capital markets and avoid future defaults.

The amount is an “average estimate,” said the President of the Paris-based Finance for Development Lab, which was launched last month, Daniel Cohen.

Cohen, who is also President of the Paris School of Economics, said the money would be used to “enhance” credit quality by providing guarantees and helping African commodity exporters and importers hedge against price volatility.

Some African countries, which hit capital markets as global interest rates plunged to a record low, are on the verge of default due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.

Sovereign dollar bonds from African countries trade on average at 1,007 basis points above the US Treasury yield, meeting the widely accepted definition of a debt crisis.

The laboratory, which develops the proposals and wants an established body to hold the facility, includes representatives from the Steering Committee of the United Nations Economic Committee for Africa and think tanks from Santiago and Accra to New Delhi. World Trade Organisation (WTO) DirectorGeneral Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela attended its launch, the report said.

The Gates Foundation provided $2.6 million in September 2021 to start the project, the Bloomberg report recalled.

“Last year, we interacted with passionate thinkers from the Paris School of Economics who brought new ideas and energy to the funding debate – from Francophone Africa to the Paris Club to the private sector,” the

foundation said in a response to questions.

“We jointly thought of a new organisation with the vision of creating an engaged community of think tanks and research centres that could help provide innovative, yet practical and evidence-based proposals meeting today’s financial challenges,” it added.

Cohen said he had begun talking to politicians,

including French leaders, about contributions to the fund, noting that the contribution could come in the form of International Monetary Fund (IMF) special drawing rights.

The lab is proposing rolling interest-payment guarantees and loan-restructuring and facilitation facilities to provide cash “sweet” to creditors to cut the length and cost of restructuring negotiations, a document said.

of President Muhammadu Buhari was doing its best to deliver health services to Nigerians and would want all hands on deck in taking it to a greater height.

On his part, the Registrar of Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, Bashir Idris urged them to distinguish themselves as they go into practice in future.

He said: “One of the missions of the Board is to improve the standard of community healthcare in Nigeria by regulating teaching, learning and practices of community health.”

The registrar said the orientation of the practitioners was essential in giving the newly qualified graduates the best possible start and integration into community healthcare, while proper training they had will help them grow and reach their full potential.

Chairman of Health Practitioners Registration

Board, Sule Galadima Sule, while congratulating the 2021 inductees, said the board will continue to offer relevant courses and programmes, especially in the emerging issues in the health sector.

He said CHO’s Training Programme was a full-time Programme of accredited Teaching Hospitals dedicated to promoting the ideals of professionalism and executing its statutory responsibility as mandated by the Act as the certification enables the recipient to perform both technical and managerial functions in primary healthcare facilities nationwide.

About 587 candidates were registered for the examination while 477 representing 81.2 per cent were successful in this year’s induction across the nation.

Most of the graduates expressed their joy at their induction and expressed optimism to excel as they joined the community health association.

BUHARI SEEKS DRASTIC MEASURES AGAINST KILLING OF SIX NIGERIENS IN S'EAST four police officers on duty at the newly constructed police station in Agwa community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, bringing the total number of people killed in the two states to 10 – six policemen and four civilians.

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the dastardly attack which occurred on Friday evening, just as it vowed to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the attack to bring the perpetrators to book.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, William Aya, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday.

The statement said: “Consequent upon the attacks on expatriates of West Africa Ceramics Company Ajaokuta and police escort at about 2000hrs of Friday 5th of August, 2022, the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka, has visited the scene for on-the-spot assessment and has equally ordered the deployment of additional operational assets consisting of operatives of the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Quick Response Unit, State Intelligence Bureau in synergy with other security agencies to restore normalcy in the area.

"Meanwhile, two expatriates, two company drivers and two police inspectors died in the exchange of fire with the hoodlums, before the Area

Commander and a detachment of military in the area reinforced the scene of the incident, and the attackers fled", the statement said.

Egbuka assured that the command is committed to working in synergy with other security agencies as well as patriotic stakeholders to make the state a safe and secure place for all and sundry.

He further tasked the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to commence investigations into the unfortunate incident to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the attack to bring the perpetrators to book.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said security agencies were working to ensure that the abducted children are rescued alive and the cowards who abducted them brought to book.

He added: “As a government that is accountable to the people, I wish to make the following statements concerning the breach of security in Ajaokuta Local Government Area and efforts at retaining the trust of our people in protecting them.”

He pointed out that the state is known for distinguishing itself in ensuring the security of lives and property of not only the residents but also travellers across the state which shares borders with nine other states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, gunmen yesterday

attacked and killed four police officers on duty at the newly constructed police station in the Agwa community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The attackers reportedly set ablaze the police station and destroyed the operational vehicles.

A source from the community, who pleaded anonymity, said some policemen and women numbering four who were on duty were killed during the attack.

He said: “Gunmen came around 12 am last night with one tipper vehicle, two Sienna vehicles and launched an attack on our community police station shooting sporadically.

“Two policewomen were burnt to death alongside two other policemen on duty; they also went to the house of one Okada rider known as Ejike in our village and shot him dead and wounded his wife who is now critical as a result of the gunshot injury she sustained.

“The hoodlums operated for about three hours; as I speak with you now, there is palpable fear and anxiety in my community; people are scared of their lives and many have fled to our neighbouring communities for their safety.”

Another source, who did not want his name mentioned, disclosed that one of the slain policemen was only two weeks old in the force.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Imo State Police

Command, Michael Abattam, a Chief Superintendent of Police, did not pick up his call.

In his reaction to the incident in Imo State, Buhari yesterday condemned the killings of nonindigenes and law enforcement officials by terrorists in the South-east.

According to a statement signed by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, the President vowed to undertake all possible action in conducting a speedy investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Shehu said the President’s reaction came amid reports of “the slaying of six Nigerien citizens and the brutal killing of a number of policemen at their duty posts.”

The president urged community and religious to speak more forcefully against the killings.

“Those who know should point at specific people who did this,” the President was quoted to have said.

“He expressed his administration’s unwavering commitment to peace and stability in the southeast and the entire country, saying that the reports of killings anywhere were sad and unwelcome,” the statement added.

The president offered his condolences to the families of the law enforcement agents murdered and to the government and people of Niger Republic whose citizens were cruelly beheaded by the attackers.

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APC Considers Badaru, Umahi, Akeredolu, Five Other Govs as Presidential Campaign Directors Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja There were strong indications last night that Governors Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State may emerge as the Presidential Campaign Directors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign for the 2023 general election, THISDAY has learnt.

Other governors being considered include Hope

Uzodimma of Imo State, Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Sani Bello of Niger State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.

THISDAY gathered that while Badaru has been pencilled down as the head of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign in the North, Umahi will take charge of the South.

The investigation also revealed that the ruling party has also created Zonal Directorates for the six geopolitical zones.

Each of the six zonal directorates, it was learnt, would be headed by a serving governor.

Multiple sources confirmed to THISDAY that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Imo State Governor, Uzodimma

will oversee the Tinubu presidential campaign in the South-east. The sources also disclosed that Governor Ayade of Cross River State will head the South-south.

According to the sources, Akeredolu will head the

campaign in South-west states consisting of Lagos, while Kano State Governor, Dr Ganduje, and Niger State Governor, Bello, will head the North-west and North Central campaign teams, respectively.

Similarly, the Gombe State,

Yahaya, has been proposed to head the North-east.

“The proposals are however subject to ratification by the NWC and approval of President Muhammadu Buhari,” a member of the NWC told THISDAY last night.

Obi's Supporters Shut down Nasarawa with One-million-man March Traders, youths sympathisers and supporters of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi yesterday shut down commercial activities in Nasarawa State as the party organised onemillion-man march to register their support for its candidate in Lafia.

The state Chairman of the party, Alexander Emmanuel, said the one-million-man march was to sensitise, conscentise the people of the state on the need to elect credible leaders in the 2023 as well as sending signal to other political parties who claimed Labour Party does not have a structure.

He expressed confidence that the party would win the 2023 presidential election and all elective positions in Nasarawa State, adding that the residents were tired of bad governance and were ready to vote for the party’s candidates in the coming elections.

“I accepted the request of the support groups, business class, the youth and members from other parties to embark on this sensitisation rally because I want the people to understand the need why they should elect credible leaders into office in 2023, and it is also to prove a point to other political parties who always say that our supporters are only on the social media,” he said.

Commenting on the rally which drew participants from over eight local government areas of the state, a business man in Lafia, Kenneth Otublu said traders in the state closed shops and forfeited all the gain to show their concern for Obi. According to Otublu, the sufferings and hardships inflicted as well as the increasing cases of insecurity on Nigerians has called for drastic change.

“This is why we have sacrifice today to come out and show our support, solidarity for Labour party and the presidential candidate Peter Obi. Nigerians must vote in 2023 fou our children to return to school, to crash the high cost of food items and other issues that will help Nigerians out of the hands of APC”.

On his part, Secretary of the

Coalition of Peter Obi Candidacy Movement, Wilson Kingsley, said residents of the state were tired of the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government at the federal and state levels which was why they came out in their numbers to support the former Anambra State governor.

Wilson said Women for Peter Obi, Peter Obi Support Network, Peter Obi Ambassadors, Like Minds for Peter Obi, TakeBackNaija, Nigeria Needs Peter Obi, Peter Obi Movement for President, Associates of Peter Obi, among others have all pledged their support for Peter Obi. “These one million supporters are those who belong to the registered 56 groups across the 13 LGAs of the state. We are not campaigning at the moment because the Independent National Electoral Commission have not given a go-ahead. What we are doing today is a march to declare our support for Mr. Peter Obi.

CAPACITY BUILDING...

L-R: Sales Head, Freshworks, Mr. Francis Sirus; MD/CEO, Infytel Communications, Mr. Anant Sabat; and Country Manager, Freshworks Inc, Mr. Winston Vimal Raj, during the user-based training and workshop organised by Infytel Communications in ETOP UKUTT collaboration with Freshworks Inc to promote the latter's product in Lagos …recently

ASUU Replies Keyamo, Says FG Using Delay Tactics to Prolong Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has responded to the statement credited to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, accusing the federal government of not showing any commitment to reach an agreement that will end the ongoing strike by the university lecturers.

Keyamo had on Friday stated on a live TV programme that it would be unrealistic for the federal government to borrow money to pay the salaries of lecturers.

“Should we go and borrow to pay N1.2trillion yearly?” Keyamo queried.

“You cannot allow one sector of the economy to hold you by the jugular and then blackmail you to go and borrow N1.2 trillion for overheads when our total income would be about N6.1 trillion. And you have roads to build, health centres to build, and

other sectors to take care of,” the minister reportedly added.

However, responding yesterday in a telephone interview with THISDAY, the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke alleged that the federal government appears to be deliberately delaying the signing of an agreement with the union to prolong the dispute.

He lamented that a prolonged crisis in the university system in the country may lead to a mass exodus of highly qualified university staff to other countries.

"Nigerians should ask the federal government what they have proposed to pay, what have they done about it? Have we ever mentioned N1.1 trillion any day?

"You see, what we are seeing is that government officials just go to the media and speak every day without having any idea what they are talking about. We are going to respond appropriately,” he said.

Reacting to the proposed salary increase for lecturers which the

government said would probably gulp huge amounts of money, Osedeke said ASUU did not mention any figure during negotiations with the government team.

"We have never mentioned any amount or done any calculation. It is not our duty to do any calculation, we are asking for a salary review after 20 years; it is their duty to state the amount they will be able to pay based on what we proposed and we have done that with two committees- Munzali Jibril and the recent one -Nimi Briggs and we reached an agreement but they went back and they didn't reach out to us.

"This time again, they set up a committee headed by Prof. Nimi Briggs and we finished with the committee and they still didn't get back to us. Keyamo is talking about the figure, but we can't talk about figures when we have not reached an agreement,” he added.

Responding to Keyamo’s claim

that the federal government cannot afford to pay the lecturers a new wage, the ASUU’s president said: "Let me put it this way; if you send a lawyer to represent you in a case, will he go and sign an agreement without getting permission from you?”

Osedake said that the federal government was fully represented in the talks that led to the proposal.

"In that committee, we have officials from the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission; Ministry of Labour and Employment; Ministry of Education, Federal Character Commission; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning. They were all present at the negotiation on the draft proposal and nobody complained,” he said.

He said that even if the government had any reservations or disagreements with the draft proposal the best way was to get back to the negotiating table to sort things out, instead of going

to the press to play to the gallery.

He said that as of yesterday, the government had not reached out to the union on the matter.

On the move by the government to repudiate the Briggs proposals, Osodeke said: "By labour laws, they have no right to repudiate it. It f you have an issue, you go "More importantly, these delay tactics may lead to the loss of our best brains in the universities, by the time it ends.

Do they think that they can owe university lecturers six months without consequences? Is there any country in the world where that will happen?

"The result is that they will leave in droves to other countries.

And many of them that will remain will not take the university job serious again because they are used to other things they are doing which they have found out are better than teaching. It is the Nigerian students and people who will suffer it."

Of the country’s recorded 35 terminals/streams, the NUPRC data showed that Ajapa, Ima and Anambra Basin remain non-producing, while TuljaOkwuibome started producing in 2022, after a period of dormancy in 2020 and 2021.

The new low production became worse in May when 1.024 million bpd was recorded.

In June, it was 1.158 million bpd, according to self-reported data by the government, however, it has fallen again to 1.083 million bpd in July, far from the projection for the period. It was also markedly lower than the production for April, which

stood at 1.219 million bpd.

Similarly, Nigeria produced 1.398 million bpd in January, 1.257 million bpd in February and 1.237 in March, according to the NUPRC data.

But despite the huge gulf between expected and actual production, the Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva, had recently said the gap would be filled by this August.

Sylva's comment came after similar assurances by the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kyari, that the country would drill enough oil to cover the deficit by December last year.

NO RESPITE FOR NIGERIA AS OIL PRODUCTION FALLS TO 1.083M BPD IN JULY greenback continues to mount, the slump in oil production has dashed this hope.

For months, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has not been able to remit a kobo to the federation account.

The company blamed the extant subsidy payment regime as well as the massive ongoing oil theft in the Niger Delta.

In addition, Nigeria has fingered years of declining upstream investment, inability to restart oil wells shut in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as well as outright sabotage by oil-producing communities

for its lack of capacity to raise production.

If there’s no improvement

by September, the production deficit is likely to get worse, since OPEC and its allies agreed to an increase in oil production this month, following calls by the United States and other major consumers for more supply.

In the latest round of distribution of quotas, Nigeria got a modest 4,000 bpd increase, raising its production quota to 1.830 million bpd for September as opposed to the 1.826 million bpd output it got for August and 1.8 million bpd in July.

Nigeria only managed to hit

just 1.158 million bpd in the June assessment after it fell to a record low of 1.024 million bpd in the previous month of May. In the 2022 budget, the federal government pegged the crude oil benchmark at $73 bpd with the projected oil production put at 1.88 million bpd A recent THISDAY review indicated that Nigeria produced less crude oil in the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2020 and 2021.

It showed that Nigeria’s total of 220.016 million barrels of oil drilled in 2022, is less than the 302.4 million in 2020. That’s

roughly a 27.15 per cent decrease.

The NUPRC data further showed that in the first six months of 2021, when the world had started recovering from the pandemic, Nigeria also surpassed this year’s six-month drilling total for the same period by 28.6 million barrels.

Specifically, while the country managed to produce 302.4 million barrels in 2020, it drilled 248.6 million barrels in the same period in 2021, but it quickly degenerated to 220.016 million barrels from January to June this year. That is an 11.29 per cent change between 2021 and 2022.

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News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Ekiti Allocates N100m Monthly to Defray N12bn Pension Debt Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi yesterday revealed that the state government had earmarked N100 million monthly as a first-line charge to defray N12 billion pension debt under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Fayemi clarified that the State Public Service had fully keyed into the Contributory Pension Scheme in a bid to alleviate the suffering of the retired public servants in the state and as a poverty alleviation strategy

among retirees.

He made these remarks in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday when the State Pension Commission (PENCOM) commenced the payment of retirement benefits to the 20212022 beneficiaries of the CPS. Speaking at the presentation of the payment document to the beneficiaries, Fayemi said the move “is part of the activities of our administration to complement the monthly release of N100 million apparently to defray the N12 billion debt owed the pensioners under CPS.”

Fayemi, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, added that his administration “is considering various options to liquidate the huge debt before the expiration of his tenure.”

He commended the PENCOM for commencing the payment of the retirement benefits of the 2021-2022 beneficiaries while acknowledging the contribution

of the commission to the success of his administration.

He added that the move had contributed to the development of the state, describing the payment as the beginning of a new life for the public servants in the state, especially the introduction of the CPS. He reiterated the readiness of the state government “to continue to alleviate the suf-

ferings of the senior citizens by making regular payment of their benefits a top priority.”

Fayemi stressed the need for the employers of labour that are yet to fully participate in the scheme to brace up and key into the system.

He said: “I regret that some of the retirees had died while waiting for their entitlements in the

past years. This could be attributed to poor governance by the immediate past administration.”

Also at the presentation of the payment documents, the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Pension Commission, Mr Folabi Adebiyi, said the commission had made series of landmark achievements under the present administration.

Ibom Air Clarifies Flight Q10307 Incident Chinedu Eze Nigerian domestic carrier, Ibom Air yesterday clarified reports indicating that its Flight Q10307 operated by its Airbus A220 aircraft recorded an incident.

The airline also explained that the pilot in command noticed a malfunction after landing in Lagos from Abuja, took precautionary measure and aborted taxing to the domestic runway.

The General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Ibom Air Aniekan Essienette made the clarification in a statement yesterday, revealing that the aircraft took off from Abuja at about 10:30 a.m. with 128 passengers.

The statement said the crew had to abort taxing to the domestic terminal and disembarked the passengers at the cargo apron of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos from where they were moved by buses

to the domestic terminal, known as MMA2.

“We would like to bring to your attention the reason behind the disembarkation of our passengers at the Cargo Apron of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos.

“Ibom Air Flight Q10307, the 10.30 am flight from Abuja to Lagos departed on time and landed normally at the international runway in Lagos, on schedule at 11.41 am.”

Upon taxiing off the runway, the statement explained that the pilots noticed an indication from the main wheels, suggesting a malfunction.

It said: “In accordance with company procedure, rather than taxi the full distance to the domestic terminal, the crew opted to turn off into the international cargo apron from where stairs and buses were positioned to disembark the passengers and taken to the domestic arrival hall.

Rotary Club Raises Fund for N32m Intervention Projects The Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central has said it is committed to make more humanitarian impact through projects and activities in the avenues of service as defined by Rotary International.

The President of the club, Adebukunola Soile-Balogun revealed at the Investiture of the Board of Directors at the weekend, revealing that the projects outlined for the new year would cost over N32 million.

She identified the areas the funds would be deployed to include peace and conflict prevention/resolution; disease prevention and treatment; and water and sanitation. Others

are maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and economic and community development.

Soile-Balogun, who received the baton from the club’s Charter President, Deji Shonuga, is the second president of the club, which was chartered by Rotary International in March 2021.

Other Directors, who were also installed included the President-elect, Rotarian Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi; the Vice President, who is also Public Image Chair, Rotarian Muyiwa Akintunde; Secretary, Rotarian Vincent Isaac; Treasurer, Rotarian Remilekun Bada and Club Administrator, Rotarian Tolulope Ajimotokan.

NASARAWA FOR OBI… Thousands of traders, youths and political supporters marching in support of the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Oba in Lafia, Nasarawa State... yesterday

Group Accuses Ayade of Imposing PDP Member as APC Deputy Governorship Candidate Chuks Okocha in Abuja Cross River State Governor, Prof.

Ben Ayade has been accused of imposing a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Peter Odey Agbe as the running mate to the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Otu Bassey.

This contained in a petition the Cross River State Council For Good Governance (CRSCGG) addressed to the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, insisting that Odey “is a member of the main opposition just before he

was nominated as the deputy governorship candidate.”

The petition, signed by the Chairman of CRSCGG, Mr. James Udoh and its Secretary, Emmanuel Akpan, asked the APC national chairman, claiming that Odey’s name was not found in the register of Cross River APC. A court affidavit sworn at the Federal High Court sitting Abuja by Ekanem Asoquo had revealed: “Peter Odey Agbe is a registered member of the PDP and was hitherto sponsored by the PDP to contest the state House of Assembly election in 2023.”

Consequently, the group petitioned the APC national chairman, claiming that the PDP had issued Udoh and Akpan the certificate of returns having won the election to represent his state constituency in the state.

The petition argued that the group “has checked the membership register of the APC in his ward and as the time of their petition, Otu and Odey are still members of the PDP.” The petition also claimed that Odey’s name “is not found in the register of the APC. Yet, he was imposed on the governorship

candidate as his running mate.

“They know it as a fact that even when the APC caretaker committee extended their registration of exercise to all intending members that Odey Agbe never registered or revalidated his membership of the APC, thus retaining his membership of the PDP “That this is a ploy to by the governor to cause the APC to lose the forthcoming gubernatorial election and ensure that he wins his senatorial election at the next National Assembly election in the state,” the petition claimed.

AMAC Chairman to Appeal Judgment Nullifying Election Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr. Christopher Maikalangu at the weekend said he would appeal the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Election Tribunal judgment nullifying his emergence as winner of the February 12 area council elections.

Maikalangu, who won the

council election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called on his supporters to remain calm for the needful to be done.

This was revealed in a statement his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ephraim Audu and Senior Special Assistant on Media, Kingsley Madaki jointly issued in Abuja Friday night.

“Following the judgment at the FCT election tribunal, the leadership of Abuja Municipal Area Council has renounced the judgment that was passed in favour of the All Progressive Congress (APC).”

The chairman, therefore, called on his supporters to remain calm and not take laws into their hands as his legal team had already appealed the matter

at a competent court.

Maikalangu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner of February 12 AMAC chairmanship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He polled 19,302 votes to defeat Murtala Usman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 13,240 votes.

Catholic Archdiocese Begins Assumption Novena

Insecurity: Nigeria Police Missing Abba Kyari, Says Suleiman

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos today begins Novena for the Solemnity of Feast of The Assumption.

The nine-day programme, which begins at 4pm daily at the Archdiocesan Mariam Shrine, St. Agnes Parish, Maryland will feature daily Confession, Rosary and celebration of the Eucharist.

The Host is the Archdiocesan Association of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Other programmes include Stations of the Cross, Anointing

A security expert, Mr. Abdu Suleiman has explained factors complicating insecurity and incessant attacks in Nigeria, saying Nigeria Police may be missing the services of the likes of DCP A Abba Kyari and his crack team of detectives.

Suleiman opined that someone like Kyari was at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and other heinous crimes in Nigeria.

According to him, someome like Kyari fought crimes doggedly at the risk of his life and

of the Sick and Vigil. The Novena, which ends on August 14, will culminate in the Solemnity of the Feast on August 15.

AssumptionisoneoftheDogma’s of the Catholic Church, which holds as an article of faith; that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven at death.

That is why today, those who go to pilgrimage in Israel will find that there is no record of the tomb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her son did not allow her body to see corruption.

family.

Suleiman, a trained retired US soldier, said: “Despite the limited resources and difficult terrain, he was able to ensure the country was not over ran by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers etc, something all Nigerians and foreigners can attest to.

“But that has changed. Nigerians seem to be sleeping with two eyes open. They are investing in vigilante and embarking on taking more security measures, which is costing huge financial

burden. Many wish the days of Kyari can still come.

“Since the creation of the Nigerian Police, no officer has been able to do what he did in combating heinous crimes like terrorism, kidnappings, armed robbery, murders etc despite claims by some envious individuals, who believe they were more qualified to be in charge and be awarded medals than Kyari.

“But these individuals have forgotten that if their fathers’ names are not Kyari and their

own names are not Abba, they can not be called Abba Kyari.

“The moon and the sun do not contest to shine, they all shine at their convenient time.

People who sleep and wake up from their comfort zone won’t be recognized or be rewarded.

“Nigerians, what is happening to our sense of reasoning that we cannot tell ourselves the truth?

Do we have a replacement for DCP Abba Kyari in the entire Nigerian police organisation?

Or in all the Security Agencies in Nigeria?”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7 , 2022

BUSINESS

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

$V &RQYHUVDWLRQV 6KLIW WR 1HZ Opportunities in Nigerian Economy Before now, discussions at business and economic fora had centred on the frightening dimension of the Nigerian economic crisis and its implications for the living conditions of average Nigerians. But currently, the tide seems to be changing as stakeholders are now focusing on the pathways to economic recovery, reports Festus Akanbi

I

n recent times, Nigerians have expressed disappointment in the direction of the nation’s economy amid the pervading spike in the cost of living. $SDUW IURP WKH VXVWDLQHG LQÁDtionary trend which manifests in the high cost of food and essential commodities, the spike in energy cost, crash in the value of the local currency, the Naira, and the ELWLQJ HͿHFWV RI WKH FRQWLQXHG LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ of the controversial policy on fuel subsidy have pushed Nigerians to the brink.

However, respite came the way of the Nigerian economy last week when the nation’s currency, the naira sustained two consecutive day rallies on the parallel market on Monday and Tuesday as it strengthened to N665 to the dollar after it had hit its lowest of N718 two Fridays ago.

The same feat was recorded at the I&E foreign exchange market where the naira appreciated by 0.03 per cent as the dollar was quoted at N428.88 against the last close of N429.00.

But the question raised by some watchers of the unfolding scenario included whether the moderation in the foreign exchange market is sustainable in the weeks to come. They also wanted to know how the federal government will tackle a host of other problems making life unbearable to Nigerians.

The Problems Nigeria’s economic potential is constrained by many structural issues, including inadHTXDWH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH WDULͿ DQG QRQ WDULͿ barriers to trade, obstacles to investment, ODFN RI FRQÀGHQFH LQ FXUUHQF\ YDOXDWLRQ and limited foreign exchange capacity. Other issues confronting the nation’s economy include low capacity utilisation of crude oil production, the rising debt burden, curUHQF\ GHSUHFLDWLRQ XQWDPHG LQÁDWLRQ DQG rising interest rate on Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating.

In the face of the emerging economic uncertainties, one of the questions begging for answers is how long can the federal government continue to patch the economy, given the costly transition programme ahead. Economists also want to know how redeemable is the Nigerian economy, the implications of the depletion of the excess crude account which would have naturally VHUYHG DV D EXͿHU LQ D SHULRG RI XQFHUWDLQW\ as well as Nigeria’s economic prospects in the face of the current borrowing binge.

In his contribution, Founder/Chief ExHFXWLYH 2΀FHU &HQWUH IRU WKH 3URPRWLRQ RI 3ULYDWH (QWHUSULVH 'U 0XGD <XVXI H[SODLQHG that the worsening insecurity in Nigeria is a major problem for investors in the economy.

He added that many industrialists especially those who are in the agro-allied sector are grappling with challenges getting raw materials from the crop-producing areas of our country.

He said it is a matter of urgency for the government to address all factors which have continued to negatively impact capacity utilization, turnover, cost of production and the value delivery to shareholders. Some now source raw materials from neighbouring West African countries Nigerian Economy Redeemable Speaking on the fate that awaits the NigeULDQ HFRQRP\ LQ DQ LQWHUYLHZ ZLWK 7+,6'$< a Lagos-based economist who is also the

to price stability for food.

Ahmed

([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU &KLHI 5DWLQJ 2΀FHU 'DWD3UR /LPLWHG 0U 2ODGHOH $GHR\H expressed optimism about the redemption of the nation’s economy despite its current uninspiring indices.

According to him, “There is no irredeemable situation. Countries around the world had one time or the other faced political and economic challenges.

Through dedicated leadership and creative reforms, they overcame.”

He was quick to point to the successful KDQGOLQJ RI WKH JOREDO ÀQDQFLDO FULVLV D few years ago, in a manner that provided a safeguard for customers’ funds in Nigeria, saying that “the present challenges of LQVHFXULW\ ULVLQJ LQÁDWLRQ DQG VFDUFLW\ of foreign exchange can be addressed by rethinking our economic policies and reorganisation of the security architecture.”

Depletion of the Excess Crude Account Speaking on the implications of the depletion of the excess crude account which peaked at $ 20 billion around May 2007 only to crash to $380,000 as of last week, Adeoye explained that what it means is that Nigeria now has limited RSWLRQV IRU IXQGLQJ LWV GHÀFLW EXGJHW +H maintained that the ability to also support critical needs will also be impaired, saying consequently, borrowing will continue to dominate the strategy for funding government undertakings.

“However, where servicing of debts becomes a big burden, the government may begin to cut down on spending relating to critical assets supporting industrialisation. Therefore, production may be impaired and export constrained.

This might lead the country resulting to importation with further deterioration in the value of the currency.,” he stated.

Accelerating Developments through Borrowings 7KH 'DWD3UR FKLHI LQVLVWHG WKDW ERUURZing in itself is not bad, saying it might be a good funding option, especially for underdeveloped or developing countries

Adeoye

like Nigeria. According to him, this allowed for the acceleration of developments and funding of the government capital expenditure.

He pointed out that the desirability of borrowing should therefore include three major considerations.

“These are the purpose of the loan, the cost of borrowing, and the conditions attached to such borrowing,” he said.

Adeoye believes that loans could be contracted if it is going to be put to optimal use. Not only that, conditions attached to borrowing as well as the cost to be paid will LQÁXHQFH GHFLVLRQV RQ WDNLQJ VXFK D ORDQ He noted that in Nigeria’s case, the worry today is about the burden of the debt.

“The measure of debt has always been WRXWHG DV 'HEW WR *'3 7KLV IRU PH KDV EHHQ PLVOHDGLQJ EHFDXVH *'3 GRHV QRW SD\ WKH debt. What pays debt is revenue. My worry today is the proportion of the government 5HYHQXH WKDW LV QRZ DSSOLHG WR GHEW VHUYLFLQJ ,I QRW FKHFNHG LW ZLOO QRW MXVW DͿHFW capital expenditure funding but operating expenditure as well.”

1LJHULD &DQ ([LW ,QÁDWLRQDU\ 6WDJH Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics’ ODWHVW UHSRUW $GHR\H VDLG ULVLQJ LQÁDWLRQ ZDV largely due to the cost of food and energy.

7KH 'DWD3UR FKLHI WKHUHIRUH IHDUHG WKDW WKH erosion in purchasing power might constrain demand and erode the incentives to produce.

This, he added, might restrict economic growth in the nearest future.

He believed that Nigeria can exit the LQÁDWLRQDU\ SHULRG EXW LQVLVWHG WKHUH LV QR TXLFN À[ WR 1LJHULD·V SUREOHP He said that to manage the problem of ULVLQJ LQÁDWLRQ WKH URRW FDXVH RI WKH IRRG energy, and foreign exchange crisis must EH JLYHQ GXH DWWHQWLRQ 5HJUHWWLQJ WKDW WKH problem of insecurity has constrained the northern region which happened to be the food basket of the nation, Adeoye maintained the urgent need to tackle the security problem to avert severe food problems. According to him, an improvement in security among other reforms will increase food supply leading

Priority Areas He believed that the solution to Nigeria’s economic problems revolves around the issue of security, saying the priority today is security. “There is no meaningful development without peace. With the security VLWXDWLRQ ÀUPHG XS DJUR EDVHG DFWLYLWLHV ZLOO EH HQFRXUDJHG 7KLV FDQ DOVR LQÁXHQFH direct foreign investment within the country leading to considerable improvement in the unemployment rate,” he said.

Another low-hanging fruit according to him is the urgent need to industrialise the country. “There must be the establishment of industrial parks spread across the country.

These should be complemented with the resolution of the epileptic power supply.

With these, the economy will be properly GLYHUVLÀHG DQG H[SRUWDWLRQ HQFRXUDJHG towards earning foreign exchange.

“Human capital development is also important. The education curriculum should be designed to align know-how with employer expectations as well as professional SURÀFLHQF\ DQG FRPSHWHQF\ 7KLV FDQ DOVR JHQHUDWH UHPLWWDQFH DQG DPHOLRUDWH WKH HͿHFW of the scarcity of foreign exchange.”

However, he disagrees with the monetary authorities on the current modalities for tackling the crisis in the foreign exchange market, insisting that the current method LV QRW VX΀FLHQW “Just manipulating the monetary variables will not improve the foreign exchange. There LV WKH ÀVFDO VLGH WKDW UHTXLUHV LQWHUYHQWLRQ The country must deliberately put in place measures that ensure it can earn foreign exchange. In other words, Nigeria must do more to encourage export which will allow it to earn forex than its import.

The Bond Market?

On Nigeria’s performance in the bond PDUNHW WKH 'DWD3UR R΀FLDO H[SODLQHG WKDW as a country, the involvement is that of stabilisation and fundraising strategy. He said the current revenue problems have necessitated the need to constantly engage with the National Assembly to secure approval for borrowing.

He said, “I think the last initiative was not pursued on account of rising rates at the international market. Aside from this, the government has raised money essentially IURP WKH IRUHLJQ JRYHUQPHQW 5HFDOO WKDW Nigeria recently suspended plans to raise about $950 million from the Eurobond market due to unfavourable market conditions.”

6RXQGLQJ FRQÀGHQW DERXW 1LJHULD·V potential, Adeoye noted that at the local level, the government has been reducing its issuances in order not to have a crowd-out HͿHFW RQ FRUSRUDWH ERQGV “The government has not defaulted on any of its debt obligations. Therefore, my view is that in terms of debt servicing the country has fared well. However, the point of concern is the sustainability of the pilling debts,” he said.

Nigerians have dwelt so much on various crises besetting the economy, and no one should be surprised that politicians will dramatise these to score political points in months to come when political campaigns start. However, it is instructive to focus on how to crawl out of the economic mess the nation has found itself instead of wasting time counting our losses.

16

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7 , 2022

ECONOMY

Arresting Naira’s Depreciation In this piece, James Emejo argues that the responsibility of preserving the value of the local currency rests not only on the central bank, but also on stakeholders and Nigerians in general a strong export base over an unbridled appetite for importation. ,W VX΀FHV WR VD\ WKDW PRVW RI WKH SUREOHPV manifesting in the foreign exchange administration as well as currency stability are largely structural following the inability of past and FXUUHQW DGPLQLVWUDWLRQV WR HͿHFWLYHO\ GLYHUVLI\ the base of the economy, reposition agriculture as well as boost non-oil exports.

Emefiele

T

he depreciation of the naira against other major currencies particularly the US dollar has been one of the raging controversies in the economy in recent times.

The naira is currently exchanged for N416.68 to the dollar at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) Window of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and hovered around N705 on the black market.

However, attention has been focused on the latter segment which the CBN Governor, Mr. *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH KDV UHSHDWHGO\ GHVFULEHG DV WDLQWHG RQO\ DFFRXQWLQJ IRU ÀYH SHU FHQW of total foreign exchange market share - and therefore cannot be used to determine the worth of the local currency.

Understandably, the apex bank had since been at the receiving end of critics who erroneously heaped all the blame at the bank’s doorstep over the depreciation.

The CBN Act, 2007 accords the apex bank the overall control and administration of the PRQHWDU\ DQG ÀQDQFLDO VHFWRU SROLFLHV RI WKH federal government; ensures monetary and price stability; issues legal tender currency in Nigeria; maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency DV ZHOO DV SURPRWH D VRXQG ÀQDQFLDO V\VWHP in the country among others.

Foreign Exchange Dynamics To a greater extent, the value of a country’s external reserves determines the strength of its local currency – the more dollars in the reserves, WKH EHWWHU FKDQFH WR HͿHFWLYHO\ GHIHQG DQG preserve the value of the naira.

But in a situation whereby forex accretion to the external reserves has dropped drastically in recent times and the existing volume depleted while preserving the worth of the naira, challenges in the demand and supply chain become inevitable.

7KH &%1 KDV FRQWLQXRXVO\ FODULÀHG WKDW LW does not print foreign currencies – of which the US dollar is the dominant exchange currency in the country. ,Q HͿHFW WR ERRVW GROODU DYDLODELOLW\ LW PXVW

be earned through the export of goods and commodities- but amidst a weak export base and following the adverse impact of the JOREDO ÀQDQFLDO FULVLV RFFDVLRQHG E\ WKH &29,' SDQGHPLF DV ZHOO DV WKH FRPmodities supply chain distortion as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine, leading to energy crisis among others, the impact on forex accretion to Nigeria is better imagined.

According to Professor of Economics and Member, Monetary Policy Committee of WKH &%1 3URI 0LNH 2EDGDQ ´7KH ODVW VL[ years have witnessed economic turbulence in the country, marked by two rounds of UHFHVVLRQ WKH GHELOLWDWLQJ HFRQRPLF HͿHFWV RI &29,' DQG WKH QHJDWLYH HͿHFWV RI downturns in the global oil market.

“Under the circumstances, the naira exchange rate has not only assumed greater prominence in macroeconomic adjustment, but it has also become very well-known to stakeholders including market women and men who use it as a reference in the pricing of goods and services.”

Reasons for Exchange Rate/Naira Devaluation Contrary to the belief of some people that the present exchange rate crisis, as well as the weakening currency, was a result of the inability of the CBN to properly manage the Fx regime, several factors some of which are not under the control of the monetary authority play a role in determining the stability and worth of the naira.

Given that 80 per cent of the federal government’s revenues come from crude oil exports – and also determines the level of external reserves accretion, it is easier to understand that any demand and supply challenges in production and pricing both in the domestic and local markets could DͿHFW IRUH[ DFFUHWLRQ WR WKH FRXQWU\

Company (NNPC) Limited to remit oil sales to the federation account, under the claims of underrecovery has impacted the ability to improve the external reserves position. The corporation had RQ GLͿHUHQW RFFDVLRQV DQQRXQFHG LWV LQDELOLW\ to make returns to the government largely as a result of subsidy payments.

According to the central bank, NNPC only remitted about $1.78 billion to the CBN in six months, representing an average of less than $300m monthly compared to $3. 4 billion remitted LQ D PRQWK LQ 2Q D PRQWKO\ EDVLV WKH CBN requires at least $1.8 billion to fund the import obligations of Nigerians. +RZHYHU (PHÀHOH KDG PDQ\ WLPHV UHLWHUDWHG the commitment of the bank to meet all legitimate demands for forex, especially funding import obligations of Nigerians despite the current difÀFXOWLHV RFFDVLRQHG SDUWO\ E\ WKH QRQ UHPLWWDQFH of the corporation to the apex bank.

But faced with the challenges in the oil secWRU WKH &%1 KDG GHOYHG LQWR WKH ÀVFDO VSDFH in ensuring that the non-oil export sector is strengthened to aid FX accretion through variRXV LQWHUYHQWLRQV LQFOXGLQJ WKH 57 QRQ 2LO Export proceeds Repatriation Scheme and 100 for 100 Policy on Production and Productivity (100 for 100 PPP), both of which have recorded VLJQLÀFDQW LPSURYHPHQW LQ IRUH[ LQÁRZV LQWR the country.

Convertibility Challenges for Naira The issue of convertibility of the naira also remained a major concern in strengthening the currency. International transactions are done using the dollar and other currencies. The fact that Nigeria is still largely imported dependent and low on exports also hurts currency appreciation.

2QO\ UHFHQWO\ WKH 'LUHFWRU *HQHUDO :HVW African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Dr Baba Musa, said non- convertibility of currencies including the naira poses challenges for Fx management.

He said the fact that all the currencies in 113&·V 1RQ 5HPLWWDQFH $;HFWV 1DLUD·V WAIFEM member countries are non-convertible Performance raises the need for policymakers to appreciate 2QO\ UHFHQWO\ WKH &%1 LQGLFDWHG WKDW WKH the skills necessary to manage exchange rates. failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum But currency convertibility is also a function of

Firming up the Naira 5HFHQWO\ (PHÀHOH H[SODLQHG WKDW WKH REMHFtives of the country’s exchange rate policy were to preserve the value of the domestic currency and maintain a favourable external reserves position, adding that the FX regime further seeks to ensure external balance without compromising the need for internal balance and the overall goal of macroeconomic stability.

The central bank governor also said the overarching goals of the apex bank are to achieve exchange rate stability that ensures a viable H[WHUQDO VHFWRU DQFKRU LQÁDWLRQDU\ H[SHFWDWLRQV and improve and support economic growth.

The CBN governor added that the thrust of exchange rate management by the bank was to allow the market system to determine the H[FKDQJH UDWH SDULW\ LQ DQ H΀FLHQW PDQQHU devoid of the activities of speculators and rent-seekers, stressing that the bank’s choice of exchange rate regime had at all times been determined by the prevailing economic fundamentals, adding that it is not uncommon that the dynamics of the external and domestic economy lead to a change in regime.

The Chief Executive, Globa Analytics Company Limited, Dr Tope Fashua, said the value of the naira was tied to patriotism and nationalism stressing that a “lot of the value of your currency is made up of perception actually - what do people think about the currency? If those who KROG WKH FXUUHQF\ GRQ·W KDYH FRQÀGHQFH WKDW currency is in trouble”.

According to him, the local currency remained an embodiment of the people as well as fundamental to the economy, pointing out that the US dollar had remained strong partly because it is protected from losing its value.

Fashua, who said he had never seen a single transaction done in naira in international trade argued that the “more the demand created for a currency the stronger it gets”.

This particularly holds in the Nigerian situation where most top politicians and businessmen among others have chosen the dollar over the local currency thereby tending towards the dollarization of the economy at the expense of the former – and despite an existing law which frowns at such practice. +RZHYHU WR ÀUP XS WKH QDLUD 2EDGDQ LQ D SDSHU RQ ´2YHUYLHZ RI )RUHLJQ ([FKDQJH 0DQDJHPHQW DQG (FRQRPLF 'LYHUVLÀFDWLRQ LQ Nigeria”, recommended among other things, the revival and rebuilding of the productive sectors of the economy to achieve higher capacity utilisation and competitive manufactured exports; vigorously implementation of the Development Finance interventions of the CBN targeted at increasing non-oil export earnings; RT200 FX Programme, 100 for 100 Policy on Production and Productivity, Export Development Fund, Non-oil Export Stimulation Facility, among others. $FFRUGLQJ WR 2EDGDQ ´)RUHLJQ H[FKDQJH supply and the stock of external reserves provide D JRRG EDVLV IRU WKH HͿHFWLYH PDQDJHPHQW RI a country’s exchange rate. Both, in terms of availability, play a major role in determining the exchange rate of a country while the exchange rate, on its own, can be used as an instrument to manage scarce foreign exchange.

“The recent shocks manifested in oil market VOXPSV WZR UHFHVVLRQV LQ ÀYH \HDUV DQG &29,' WR QDPH D IHZ KDYH WR D KLJK degree, scared foreign capital away from the country with adverse implications for the stability of the exchange rate.

“Therefore, the necessity to boost the productivity and earning capacity of the economy cannot be overemphasised. This will enable the preservation of the long-term value of the naira as well as the stability of the exchange rate.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7 , 2022

17

TELECOMS 3DQWDPL ZDV RI WKH YLHZ WKDW IXUWKHU WD[ RQ WKH sector would impact negatively on its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Pantami said the ministry would take further VWHSV DSDUW IURP WKH SXEOLF UHMHFWLRQ RI WKH ÀYH SHU FHQW WD[ ´:H ZLOO H[SORUH RWKHU PHDQV WR UHYHUVH LW As a minister, based on the provision of the Constitution of Nigeria, Section 148, we are H[HUFLVLQJ WKH SRZHUV RI 0U 3UHVLGHQW 7KDW LV what the constitution says. At least, I am a major VWDNHKROGHU ZKHQ 9$7 ZDV LQFUHDVHG WR SHU cent, we were informed. I was not consulted on WKH ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ µ 3DQWDPL DGGHG Stakeholders’ View Industry stakeholders have thrown their support for the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who KDV RSHQO\ UHMHFWHG WKH SODQQHG ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ LQ WKH WHOHFRP VHFWRU &KDLUPDQ RI the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, insisted WKDW WKH QHZ WD[ EXUGHQ ZRXOG EH SDVVHG WR subscribers if the federal government should implement it.

Adebayo said: “It is a strange move, it appears D ELW XQXVXDO ([FLVH GXW\ LV VXSSRVHG WR EH DSportioned to goods and products, but we are surprised this is on telecom services. We will continue to support the government butALTON will not be able to subsidise this on behalf of VXEVFULEHUV LQ DGGLWLRQ WR WKH SHU FHQW 9$7 PDNLQJ LW SHU FHQW SD\DEOH E\ VXEVFULEHUV WR WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW µ The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, (ATCON), Ikechukwu Nnamani, has also rejected the plan E\ WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR LPSRVH D ÀYH SHU FHQW GXW\ on telecom services. Nnamani said such a plan should be stopped immediately because it would DGG WR WKH H[LVWLQJ FKDOOHQJHV IDFHG E\ WHOHFRP subscribers.

7KH ([HFXWLYH 6HFUHWDU\ RI $7&21 $MLEROD 2OXGH VDLG ´7KH ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ RQ telecom services will not be in tandem with the present realities, adding that the state of the LQGXVWU\ LV DOUHDG\ EOHHGLQJ µ ([HFXWLYH 6HFUHWDU\ $/721 *ERODKDQ $ZRQXJD VDLG WKH ÀYH SHU FHQW WHOHFRP H[FLVH duty on telecommunication service providers, would not be healthy for the industry because telecom services providers already pay two per cent of their annual revenue to the NCC. 7KH ([HFXWLYH 9LFH &KDLUPDQ &(2 RI WKH Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof.

8PDU *DUED 'DQEDWWD VDLG WKH ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH duty was to have been implemented as part of WKH ÀVFDO 3ROLF\ PHDVXUHV EXW WKH LQGXVWU\ considered the earlier scheduled commencement date of June 1, 2022, inadequate. ´,Q WKLV UHJDUG , PXVW DFNQRZOHGJH WKH HͿRUWV of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who assisted in our engagement with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to make for better consultations and EHYHUDJHV WREDFFR DQG IXHO 7KH\ DUH VSHFLÀFDOO\ stakeholders. imposed by the government on products, during TheControllerGeneraloftheNigerianCustoms PRUH H΀FLHQW LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ µ KH VDLG Pantami added: “As the telecoms industry production and distribution stages, but it is being Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), who was regulator, the Nigerian Communications Comconsidered for services rendered in the telecom represented by the Assistant Controller at NCS, mission has engaged with the Federal Ministry sector by the Ministry of Finance, which telecom Lami Wushishi, in her remarks said: “All active subscribers have described as a mismatch since WHOHFRP VHUYLFH SURYLGHUV PXVW SD\ WKH ÀYH SHU of Finance, the Nigerian Customs Service, and consultants from the World Bank to get needed telecom operators do not manufacture, but only FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ µ FODULÀFDWLRQV 7KHVH HQJDJHPHQWV HQDEOHG XV WR RͿHU WHOHFRP VHUYLFHV better understand the objectives and proposed :LWK WKH SODQQHG LQWURGXFWLRQ RI WKH ÀYH Opposition SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ LW PHDQV WKDW IRU HYHU\ FDOO The Minister of Communications and Digital LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ PHFKDQLVPV RI WKH H[FLVH GXW\ PDGH E\ WHOHFRP VXEVFULEHUV WKH\ ZLOO SD\ ÀYH Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has however QRQHWKHOHVV µ He advised the implementing agencies of govper cent of the total cost of the voice call, which RSSRVHG WKH SODQQHG ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ ernment to meet directly with telecom industry will be deducted from the subscriber’s account on telecom services, insisting that such a plan is by the telecom operator, and remit same to the detrimental to the growth of telecoms in Nigeria. stakeholders to address areas of concern.

JRYHUQPHQW 7KH ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ LV Pantami who kicked against the plan at a Subscribers View an additional fee that the telecom subscribers telecom forum in Lagos, organised by the Nigeria Some telecom subscribers who spoke with KDYH WR SD\ ZKLFK LV GLͿHUHQW IURP WKH FRVW RI 2΀FH IRU 'HYHORSLQJ WKH ,QGLJHQRXV 7HOHFRPV THISDAY, have equally rejected the planned the voice call itself.

Sector (NODITS), an agency domiciled in the Nigeria Communications Commission, said he LPSRVLWLRQ RI D ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ RQ Planned Implementation ZRXOG H[SORUH HYHU\ OHJLWLPDWH PHDQV WR VWRS telecom services.

President, National Association of Telecom 'HVSLWH WKH H[LVWLQJ SHU FHQW 9DOXH $GGHG WKH SODQQHG ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ WD[ RQ WKH Subscribers(NATCOMS)ChiefDeoluOgunbanjo, 7D[ 9$7 WKDW 1LJHULDQV SD\ IRU JRRGV DQG telecom sector. services, the federal government, through the Pantami faulted the timing and process of hailed Pantami for protecting telecom subscribers Ministry of Finance, has perfected plans to impose LPSRVLQJ WKH ÀYH SHU FHQW WD[ RQ WKH WHOHFRP RQ WKH LVVXH RI ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ ´, DP DQRWKHU IRUP RI WHOHFRP WD[ WKURXJK WKH ÀYH industry, insisting that part of the responsibility happy that our Minister is feeling our pains as SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ of a responsive government is not to increase VXEVFULEHUV 7KH ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ ZLOO EH DQ DGGLWLRQDO EXUGHQ WR WKH H[LVWLQJ EXUGHQV The ministry made this known last week in the problems of the citizens.

Abuja, during a stakeholders’ meeting, organised Pantami claimed that he was yet to be contacted in the telecom sector. We are solidly in support by the Nigerian Communications Commission R΀FLDOO\ WKXV KLV LQDELOLW\ WR PDNH KLV FDVH \HW of the minister’s position and we as telecom (NCC).

“If you look at it carefully the sector contributes subscribers, will go to any length to stop the The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, who WZR SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ SHU FHQW 9$7 WR WKH planned implementation because it will not be GLVFORVHG WKLV WKURXJK DQ $VVLVWDQW 'LUHFWRU 7D[ economy and you want to add more to create KHDOWK\ IRU WKH WHOHFRP VHFWRU µ 2JXQEDQMR VDLG Now that the Minister of Communications Policy, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and additional hardship. This cannot be tolerated and Digital Economy, as well as telecoms National Planning, Musa Umar, said the ministry DW WKLV WLPH DQG LW ZLOO EH UHVLVWHG µ decided to begin the implementation, but after 3DQWDPL XUJHG WKH WD[ PDVWHUV WR H[SDQG WKH subscribers, including industry stakeholders, a few years that the idea was muted and agreed scope of other sectors that are not contributing DUH RSSRVLQJ WKH SODQ WR LPSRVH D ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ LQ WKH WHOHFRP VHFWRU LW ZLOO EH JRRG upon for implementation. to the economy to do so.

7KH $VVLVWDQW &KLHI 2΀FHU LQ WKH PLQLVWU\ “We must come together and salvage the sector. for the government to rescind its earlier position Frank Oshanipin, who presented the Ministers’ Only the telecom sector contributed 13 per cent and re-consider having a meeting with telecom speech said the delay in the implementation DQG \RX ZDQW WR DGG PRUH 7KLV LV XQDFFHSWDEOH µ LQGXVWU\ RSHUDWRUV WR ÀQG QHZ ZD\V RI ERRVWLQJ its revenue generation. was a result of government engagement with Pantami added.

Discordant Tunes over 5% Excise Duty in Telecoms Sector

Emma Okonji writes on the controversy surrounding the planned LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI WKH ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ RQ WHOHFRPV services by the Ministry of Finance, its economic implications and the opposition from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which is vehemently kicking against it

T

he controversy between the two arms of the federal government, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, over the LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI D ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ RQ WHOHFRP services, could ground development in the telecoms sector that has contributed so much to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if not properly handled.

Twoweeksago,theMinisterofFinance,Budget and National Planning, ZainabAhmed, who was UHSUHVHQWHG E\ DQ $VVLVWDQW 'LUHFWRU 7D[ 3ROLF\ Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Musa Umar, announced the plan of WKH ÀQDQFH PLQLVWU\ WR EHJLQ WKH LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI ÀYH SHU FHQW H[FLVH GXW\ RQ WHOHFRP VHUYLFHV which she claimed has been in the Finance Act: 2020 but has not been implemented.

6KH VDLG WKH ÀQDQFH PLQLVWU\ KDV RUGHUHG telecom operators to begin the collection from telecom subscribers in all voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS), and data services they render to telecom operators and that after such collection, payment must be made to the federal government every month, on or before 21st of every month.

But last week, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, vehemently opposed the planned implementaWLRQ RI WKH H[FLVH GXW\ LQVLVWLQJ LW ZLOO IXUWKHU LQFUHDVH WKH JURZLQJ QXPEHU RI WD[HV LPSRVHG on telecom, thereby bringing untold hardships to telecom subscribers who bear the brunt of LPSRVHG WD[HV The 5% Excise Duty 7KH H[FLVH GXW\ LV D VSHFLDO IRUP RI WD[ LPSRVHG RQ VSHFLÀF NLQGV RI JRRGV OLNH DOFRKROLF

18

AUGUST 7, 2022 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

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

AYO AROWOLO

GOLD

INVESTING

WEALTH CAPSULE 27

Q&A Session With My Billionaire Friend (2)

B

ased on feedback from readers, we started featuring a Q&A session where readers get to ask my Billionaire Friend questions.

Send all questions to ayo.arowolo@ thisdaylive.com with the title QUESTIONS FOR MY BILLIONAIRE FRIEND. You can also text your questions to 08086447494. They will be treated as well as the ones sent via email.

We are happy to present the second set of questions from readers and the responses of my Billionaire Friend. 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

Artist Impression of my Billionaire Friend

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

Anybody who makes a journey without having a plan should blame his/herself if he goes astray on that journey. It is very important you have a solid plan and keep track of this plan. This helps in paying attention to areas where improvement is needed

QUESTION 1 WHY DO I NEED A WEALTH PLAN? You said in one of the conversations that building wealth requires a plan. I am just wondering why that is the case. Is it not possible to build wealth without the so-called plan?

One author appropriately puts it this way: If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Building wealth is the same as constructing buildings and cultural land, dams, bridges, and so on.

The building of wealth is a worthy goal like all these others. Thus, in this circumstance, we are discussing how to achieve a specific goal. If a man intends to achieve a set goal, he tends to be successful at it if he has a clear plan. Planning, in this case, is about defining your goals, defining and developing your strategies and tactics, and setting out programmes towards achieving your goals. Strategy here is in terms of how you want to go about ensuring that your set goal of building wealth is achieved.

What I am saying is that you need to create a wealth plan. A wealth plan is a detailed form of looking at the micro and macro-environment and devising ways and means of achieving wealth creation. In other words, it is designing systems, designing structures, and designing qualitative and quantitative inputs into achieving wealth.

But when you don’t plan, you are invariably setting up yourself for failure. I usually like to use the account of creation as detailed in the Book of Genesis to illustrate this point. Take your time to read Genesis chapters 1 and 2 and ponder on the creative process employed there. Many people have got their lives upside down. They do what they should do first, last and what they should do last, first. Lasting success cannot result from such living.

I have encountered individuals who embark on housing projects when they don’t have established sources of income. Invariably, such people truncate their careers and ultimately abandon the housing project. God is a process-driven being.

He is deliberate in everything He does, and if we are truly His image, we should act in the same manner. God usually visualises the project He wants to embark on, sees the end from the beginning and carefully activates in sequence all activities that would be necessary to accomplish that project. He would do first things first, middle things, middle and last things last. In His creative work, God created light before the sky and sky before the land and land before the vegetation, and vegetation before the stars, and the moons and the stars before the living creatures, and the living creatures before human beings.

Think for a moment. Assuming He created living creatures before vegetation or human beings before vegetation and living creatures, what would happen? That would have been a recipe for confusion! And God is not an author of confusion. Good planning helps you put the first thing first and the last thing last.

When you live without a plan, you should not blame anyone if you die in penury. Every youth should have a plan for his or her future.

And you must be completely devoted to that plan. Your plan must be absolute, the prioritising of things like buying Aso-Ebi should be out of it. Frivolous party goings should be out of it, and the issue of buying unnecessary expensive fashion items should be out of it. The truth is building wealth entails savings that must be devoid of consumptive expenditure. It is a journey of absolute focus.

“Anybody who makes a journey without having a plan should blame his/herself if he goes astray on that journey. It is very important you have a solid plan and keep track of this plan. This helps in paying attention to areas where improvement is needed.

QUESTION 2 WHAT IS IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ME? In almost all your sessions, you have emphasised the need for personal development. Could you be kind enough to educate me more on this and how I can go about it?

Let me start with this quote credited to Henry Ford: I think that much of the advice given to young men about saving money is wrong. I never saved a cent until I was forty years old. I invested in myself – in the study, in mastering my tools, in preparation. Many a man who is putting a few dollars a week into the bank would do much better to put it into himself.

Even if I use the whole of this space to explain the importance of making personal development a way of life, I can still not exhaust it. Personal development is a leveller; it can catapult you from a position of disadvantage into a vantage position in your area of interest. Not all eyes see; not all ears hear and not all minds perceive. Personal

development helps you to train your mind to see better opportunities or to see opportunities better. When you commit yourself to develop your mind, you will begin to accurately interpret events around you and understand why God positions you right where you are now. When your mind is not developed, you simply pass the opportunities (in the form of problems and challenges) and go to your imams and pastors to pray those problems out of your life. Ten years ago, did you ever hear any word such as Zoom? Zoom became prominent during the lockdown period when people could not move around, yet they had to communicate. The owner had been nurturing this idea for years before the lockdown period. So when the opportunity came, he seized it with both hands and legs.

Today, the owner is a multi-billionaire. That is how enduring wealth is built. Spending money on personal development enlightens your mind to see opportunities that fly all around you. Step out of your comfort zone; make mistakes but get back on your feet again and soldier on. If your mind is not developed, you will not see those opportunities when they come because, in most cases, they disguise as problems. Have you not observed that while many Nigerians are jetting out of the country permanently to other countries, nationals of other countries are trouping into Nigeria to exploit the incredible opportunities that abound in Nigeria? We now have garri and yam flour made 100% in Nigeria, packaged and resold to Nigerians by the Chinese. Nationals of other countries are establishing modern factories, producing goods from here which are then re-routed. That is why the Bible says that a lazy hunter does not roast his catch.

As to how to go about it, I recommend that you pick a particular field that is of interest to you and draw a 7-year personal development plan for yourself in which you read and study books, acquire specific knowledge and also seek mentorship or apprenticeship opportunities in that area. If you don’t back out, your profit would soon appear for all to see.

QUESTION 3 You mentioned in one of your articles that we should deliberately plan to give back to society some of the wealth we make. Why do you consider this so important and at what point should I start to practise this, while I am building my wealth or when I have built it?

Good questions. As we mentioned in one of the conversations, everything we own here on earth is only on a lease to us; it would pass on to others when we die. The best decision that the wealthy should make is to remain detached from the glamour and ego of their wealth and create happiness for themselves through habitually giving and giving to society’s needy.

Man was not created to own anything. As mere trustees, everything owned by man does not belong to man. We need to learn from Alexandra the Great, who was the ruler of Persia but died at 33 years of age. Alexandra the Great was quoted to have asked his pallbearers to ensure that medical doctors line up the route to his grave and that both his hands must extend outside his coffin throughout the procession to his grave. When asked why this was his request, he informed them, “I want the world to see that even as great as I was, before my death, no doctor could save me from dying”.

Again, when asked, why he wanted his two hands extended outside his coffin, he said “I want the world to see that even though, I owned so much of the world, I took nothing away. By so doing, my two hands would be seen by all, to be empty to my grave”.

I have lived by that rule since I was 32. My

knowledge of positive psychology and theology has guided me in being aware and conscious that I am a mere TRUSTEE in relation to all that I may possess in life. Indeed, we humans own nothing here on earth. “We came to this world with nothing, and we shall leave with nothing. We are mere trustees of God Almighty. As provided by the Bible in the book of Genesis, God is known to have created everything and decided on the sixth day to create man by saying, “let us create man in our own image” to manage all created things. Hence, we are merely only managing whatever wealth we own while living and in death whatever we own surely belongs to God. This should always be our guiding principle in the pursuit of building wealth. We should realise that we have primarily only come into this world to live and survive. There are three classes of wealth builders; some of us are positive wealth builders; some others are neutral wealth builders, and some others are negative wealth builders.

The neutral wealth-builders are those who live to build wealth solely for the benefit of themselves and their immediate families. The negative wealth-builders are those who build wealth through any means and who, in the process create turmoil, pain, and hardships for others for their sole benefit. This class of wealth builders are conscienceless, selfish, self-conceited, evil, greedy, wicked and pursue wealth, no matter who or what gets destroyed in the process.

To this class of wealth builders, any means always justifies the end. Such people only build wealth for their perceived pleasure, without giving happiness to others, except themselves. Indeed, negative wealth builders can be found at times to build wealth without spreading happiness even to their immediate families. Their immediate families may be suffering pain, and hardship, without an iota of care for them.

The category wealth-builders for which this series is addressed are the positive wealth builders. Positive wealth-builders are those who live their lives meaningfully in line with Professor Seligman’s school of positive psychology.

Positive wealth-builders habitually give more than receive. They spread happiness, love, and joy to others while building and holding on to wealth.

Positive wealth-builders make it their philosophy to develop others, make others happy, develop their society, develop their nation and make a significant difference in the life of many others in the world. Anyone who has been able to create a business, which employs other individuals, puts food on their table and even goes beyond that to give out part of their wealth to society has grown beyond being just a tree branch but into being a huge tree. By so doing, they contribute to society’s wealth distribution system. We thus need to celebrate a few of them here. As to when to start to give back, start from where you are and from what you have; just develop the heart of blessing others from the little you have, and you will see how God will start to expand your coast.

QUESTION 4 WHICH BOOKS TO READ ON WEALTH For an individual like me just beginning to build wealth, which books would you suggest I start with?

I would recommend these for a start. One, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Two, The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clarson.

Three, Multiple Streams of Income by Robert Allen and One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen. Start with those four; read them but most importantly put the insights you gain from them into practice.

Can’t wait to catch up with you next week.

Anyone who has been able to create a business, which employs other individuals, puts food on their table and even goes beyond that to give out part of their wealth to society, has grown beyond being just a tree branch but into being a huge tree. By so doing, they contribute to society’s wealth distribution system

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T H I S D AY MONDAYSunday MARCH 14, 2022 7 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 9980

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

BOLA TINUBU’S UNFORCED ERRORS NNANKE HARRY WILLIE urges the APC Presidential Candidate to correct some past mistakes

See Page 22

COLONIALISM, LEGALISM AND FRACTIOUS DEMOCRACY Nigeria is yet to be properly initiated into the norms of civilised democratic behaviour, writes KATHLEEN OKAFOR See Page 22

EDITORIAL DEALING WITH NATIONAL INSECURITY

See Page 51

WEALTH DICKSON OMINABO urges government to live up to its responsibility

THE VANQUISHING STATURE OF THE NIGERIAN STATE T he Nigerian State is being vanquished - the nation tilt towards nihilism as insecurity overwhelms the land. Terrorists and other criminals are taking citizens to hostage, the civic space is shrinking, the economy is collapsing, businesses including airlines are shutting down, the nation’s currency is on a free fall, poverty is alarming, hope is diminishing, fear is abounding. In the midst of this, the government seems feckless - those in power are confused and rudderless on what solution lies for us in a time like this. Citizens live in fear of terror and death. Bandits and terrorists are encroaching on new territories every day and every week. Death is no longer a big issue, it has become a daily occurrence and the tolls of deaths are seen as mere VWDWLVWLFDO ÀJXUHV Terrorists and other non-state actors are triumphing over our collective peace and security. Public and private schools in Abuja and Nasarawa State are being shut down because of insecurity. The theatre of war is expanding every day, as terrorists are relocating to new areas in search of legitimacy. From the north-east which used to be the epicenter of terrorism for years, non-state actors have successfully transformed the north-west to an axis of banditry, the north central and of course Abuja has become the new stage of violence and criminality. The south-east is almost lost to unknown gunmen and ethnic agitators who now dictate the pace of governance and give orders on days that should be working days and sit-athome. The south-south and south-west are neither safe nor secure, kidnappers and other criminals rule supreme and citizens are left with the horror of fear and death.

Attacks in Nigeria are almost becoming a broken record, hardly any day passes without an attack in a community or an abduction of citizens. These attacks KDSSHQ LQ TXLFN VXFFHVVLRQ VR GLIÀFXOW to even comprehend the details and contextualise the issues. While you are yet speaking on one misfortune, a greater misfortune will occur. So unfortunate that this time, terrorists are no longer restricting themselves to soft targets, they are hitting hard on the nation’s fortress of defence and symbols of strength.

A timeline of the recent attacks in Nigeria tell a sad story of a nation being vanquished by non-state actors. From the attack at the Military University in Biu ,Borno State to the one at Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna last year, bandits have continued to gain access to our civic space, attacking more strategic areas such as the Abuja- Kaduna train, Kuje Prison in Abuja, the president’s advance team in Katsina, the Presidential Guard Brigade in Abuja and military checkpoint in Zuba, Abuja, not omitting the Owo incidence in Ondo State and

the many others across the country. In WKH ODVW ÀYH \HDUV WKHUH KDYH EHHQ DERXW 12 jailbreaks, with an estimate of 3,400 inmates let loose. All these attacks have come with severe casualties, but without urgency of action from the government.

To think that a day will come when bandits will kidnap policemen in uniform and attack these strategic places as we have seen in recent times beggar belief.

At least, not under a government whose major policy thrust was on security. To put things in proper perspective, at the heart of our nation’s security challenges are the issues of bad governance, poor intelligence, the dearth of justice as well as other human security concerns such as hunger, poverty and unemployment.

Another challenge is the lethargy on the side of security professionals. The lack of comprehensive strategy on counterterrorism and internal security has continued to make security a far cry.This point seems acknowledged by the nation’s National Security Adviser(NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno who in a recent comment underscored the security challenges in the country and the frustration from citizens. He said: “We are in a YHU\ GLIÀFXOW VLWXDWLRQ DQG &RXQFLO understands. Mr. President understands people’s concerns about the growing insecurity, but I can assure you that there’s no straight, cut and dried method

of dealing with this thing unless all of us embrace each other. I know people are wary, people are tired; people are beginning to gravitate to other places for self-help. The truth is that help is rooted in everyone working for the other person.

“The truth is that no country can HYHU RYHUFRPH WKH GLIÀFXOWLHV RI DQ DV\PPHWULF FRQÁLFW E\ YLUWXH RI WKH IDFW that the enemy of the state is embedded within the population, within the wider society. It is true that the local people are averse, they’re scared, they’re ZRUULHG DQG WKHUH·V QR FRQÀGHQFH 7KDW is understandable. But without their support, without their cooperation in terms of giving information, it makes it very hard for the operational elements.”

Although the statements by the NSA seem plausible, the point must be emphasized that the -whole- of -society approach to security as suggested by WKH 16$ ZLOO EH YHU\ GLIÀFXOW LQ WKH Nigerian context where there is a huge WUXVW GHÀFLW EHWZHHQ JRYHUQPHQW DQG citizens especially between security personnel and civilians. Already, there are many citizens who accuse the security operatives of conniving with bandits and other criminals. They cite the dereliction of duty by some security operatives, the lack of justice as well as the disproportionate use of force when tackling security issues in the country. Some in the south for example, have raised concerns over the extent of provocation with which military operatives engage with them. In the south-south, it is not uncommon to see the military invading communities at the slightest provocation, subjecting residents to different inhuman treatment; however the same force cannot be seen in their engagement with bandits and other terrorists in the north.

Without a doubt, the whole- of- society approach remains the best option to addressing Nigeria’s security impasse.

However, this will be impactful when government has institutionalized the whole-of -government approach which requires government actors like the military, police, immigration, customs, and other ministries, department and agencies of government to cooperate towards prevention and tackling of violence and other causative factors of insecurity. Government needs to get serious with the pursuit of justice; criminals and merchants of crimes are WRGD\ GLJQLÀHG DQG GHLÀHG DV WKH\ gloat about their crimes. To this end, the government must wake up and accept the reality that our nation is collapsing.

This is time for action and not buck passing, a moment for responsibility and not excuses.

2PLQDER LV WKH &RPPXQLFDWLRQ 2IÀFHU DW WKH Goodluck Jonathan Foundation

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Nnanke Harry Willie urges the APC Presidential Candidate to correct some past mistakes

BOLA TINUBU’S UNFORCED ERRORS egos and ambitions of his own rising stars.

BAT’s unforced error number three is the recent tendency for Tinubu to speak extempore or speak off-script.

This has created more problems than JRRG IRU KLV FDPSDLJQ 7KH ÀUVW ZURQJ move was actually in announcing that becoming president of Nigeria was his ‘life-long ambition’. Though this is factual, it is unlikely to sit well with Nigerians who are not his supporters.

An emphasis to serve the nation would have been more like it. It gave the unfortunate impression that Tinubu was desperate and was ready to do anything to achieve that ambition even if it is not in the best interest of Nigeria at this time.

7KH DERYH JDIIH SDOHV LQ VLJQLÀFDQFH however when compared with the recent Abeokuta outburst where he screamed ‘Emi lokan’ (It’s my turn) and seemingly derided President Muhammadu Buhari as having failed three times as a presidential aspirant and only succeeded when he (Bola Tinubu) went to repackage him and VXFFHVVIXOO\ SXW KLP LQ RIÀFH 7KLV story was most unnecessary in such a gathering. The APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, subsequently frowned at this and, clearly, he and many of his fellow northern politicians may not really have forgiven Tinubu over the unfortunate issue despite what seems to be playing out in the interim.

The fourth unforced error by Tinubu must, of course, be the rather illbelieve that Tinubu had over-reached advised decision to pick a Muslim as himself in trying to push his personal his running mate for the presidential interests or tried to curtail their own elections despite his being a Muslim individual ambitions. A lot of these himself. This is particularly numbing have happened through unforced against the background that there was errors committed by the man Asiwaju a phenomenal push against it from a cross-section of Nigerians, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself.

For a celebrated strategist, it is some of his very close associates such curious that Bola Tinubu did not make as Babachir Lawal, former Secretary peace with major Yoruba blocs before to the Government of the Federation proceeding with his presidential (SGF). Indeed, Lawal has openly FDPSDLJQ MRXUQH\ ,Q KLV ÀUVW WHUP DV warned that he and Christians in the Lagos State governor, Tinubu broke north will work assiduously against ranks with Afenifere which played the ticket. This was all so unnecessary. a critical role in his emergence as Clearly, Tinubu took the wrong counsel governor and ever since there has on this, the mood of the country is not been no love lost between him and right for this.

As if to rub salt on injury, Nigerians the organization. The smart thing to have done would have been to go woke up to trending videos of alleged back and make peace with the group rented fake pastors who ‘graced’ the but for inexplicable reasons, he didn’t. RIÀFLDO XQYHLOLQJ RI .DVKLP 6KHWWLPD The same applies to the Odua Peoples’ as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the APC. This was apparently to make Congress.

The second category of unforced it look as though all the hue and cry errors is not making peace with his against the Muslim/Muslim ticket erstwhile disciples such as Babatunde was a ruse. It was, to say the least, quite Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, Muiz disingenuous.

Perhaps, Tinubu’s greatest unforced Banire, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Rauf Aregbesola and a plethora of other star error is putting the realization of his politicians from the South with whom presidential ambition and faith in the had long fallen out in very avoidable ego hands of a group of people who had originally vehemently opposed his slug fests.

A recurring complaint against the candidacy as the APC presidential Jagaban Borgu is his tendency towards ÁDJ EHDUHU XQWLO SHUKDSV DIWHU the diminution of rising stars in his Atiku Abubakar emerged as the ÀUPDPHQW 0RVW RI WKRVH VWDUV DUH PDP candidate and subsequently presently either aloof towards his enjoyed a torrent of Dollar rains in campaign or totally against it. It goes Abuja during the APC primaries.

Can Tinubu correct his unforced without saying that the bitter hate campaign against Vice-president Yemi errors? Can he slow down on this Osinbajo in the run-up to the APC brand-decimating trajectory, or will he primaries has festered deep open continue to dig deeper into this cul de wounds that are unlikely to heal before sac?

The ball is BAT’s to play. the 2023 elections. There are some things that money and position cannot buy for some men; Tinubu should have Willie is the ‘Audacious Brand Champion’ known by now how to manage the The Tinubu brand aka BAT is much loved and promoted in certain quarters but the brand is equally hugely detested and maligned in other quarters. One can say that there is no middle ground for any stakeholder in the Nigerian political scene, you are either for Tinubu or against him!

He has made great friends and great enemies for himself in the course of his chequered political career.

His fans and loyalists are deeply enamoured with him for what they EHOLHYH KH KDV GRQH WR EHQHÀW WKHLU careers and lives and would go overboard to support any venture and decision that Bola Ahmed Tinubu asks them to support.

His most bitter detractors and political rivals on the other hand are mainly former political partners who

Nigeria is yet to be properly initiated into the norms of civilised democratic behaviour, writes KATHLEEN OKAFOR

COLONIALISM, LEGALISM AND FRACTIOUS DEMOCRACY $FFRUGLQJ WR .DUO 0DU[ DQG KLV SURWpJp Friedrich Engels, the history of the entire society is a history of class struggles which have ranged between Patricians, knights, plebians and slaves, etc. In the Middle Ages, after Ancient Rome, there were struggles between feudal lords, vassals, guild masters, journey men, apprentices, serfs, the Bourgeoisie, the Proletariat, and people of the North, South, East and West.

After the slave trade, the main objective of British imperialism had been to source raw materials for British factories and also to expand commerce as in other colonised territories like India, Canada, Australia, Ghana, etc. Originally, our country Nigeria was geographically known as Royal Nigeria Company territory and extended to the Cameroons, Benin Republic (Dahomey), Niger Republic. Our first British Consul in 1847 was a business explorer called John Beecroft before Lord Lugard, etc. Under the Consuls, colonial supremacist Laws and practices juxtaposed on our traditions, religion and rulership practices.

Our colonial masters did not submit to or complement our native laws and authorities perhaps due to the mass illiteracy, amorphous adjudicatory systems, multi-ethnic, multireligious and multi-lingual constraints, etc.

Rather, special courts were created applying English laws and rejecting all native laws and customs as being “repugnant to natural law, equity and good conscience”. By the time Nigeria became politically independent, it had become clear to all and sundry that the democratic principles, immoral capitalism and dialectical materialism advocated by the British were diametrically alien or somewhat repugnant to our culture, indigenous level of homegrown socio-economic consciousness and development. Authoritarian colonial governance had already been instilled on our generally illiterate, feudalistic, barbaric slave DQG KXPDQ WUDIÀFNLQJ SURFHVVHV ,QGHHG many slaves were sold or ostracised for noncompliant behaviour like debt defaults.

On the electoral front, the standard ingredients of democracy and acceptable processes have still defied universal definition.

Also, the present legitimacy of our Constitution has been widely and astutely challenged as not being autochthonous thereby, strictu sensu rendering all actions based on the Constitution to be nugatory, meaning actually that our democracy is a mere civilian dispensation or at most an inferior democracy. Not being autochthons, the federal structures and particularly the delineation of local governments culminated in entrenching and configuring electoral success for those who crafted the Constitution.

For Nigerians, the political will to incorporate the basic elements of western liberal democracy has consistently been at a very low ebb. Such basic elements remain basic supremacy of the Constitution, separation of powers, checks and balances, sanctity of the ballot-box, independent and strong Bar, freedom of expression, due process of law, independence of the judiciary and above all a legitimately accepted Constitution.

The consequence of the false claim that the people’s consent was secured for our Constitution questions the very essence of democracy especially as the rule of law has not redressed errors and injustice perpetuated on the voiceless who are all intended benefactors of democracy.

Early practice of democracy in Nigeria had been characterised by military regimes hijacking political power which held the country hostage for over three decades, i.e. 1966 - 1999.

Militarism, political thuggery, hijacking of ballot boxes and monumental corruption stamped authoritarianism and fascist precepts over our nascent democracy, thereby truncating and retarding our progress towards democracy Undoubtedly, one has to be persuaded that we have submitted to unrealistic optimism over achieving social order by government of laws and of men on mere statute books, white washed political process as well as unreliable and unrealistic census figures. The foundation

of fractious democracy has rather been entrenched on conflicting judicial orders, widespread disrespect for law and order, rising incidents of self-help, parochialism, ethinicism, religious and internecine bigotry, ineffective law enforcement agencies making fidelity to law for peaceful development and good government a sore phenomenon.

Clearly, there is an inevitable interrelationship between democracy and an effective legal system which confirms that our democracy is still a work in progress.

Nevertheless, both democracy and the Rule of Law must co-exist as two sides of a coin to avoid fascism and blind adherence to the wiles of dictators, sit tight corrupt politicians, anti-democratic forces, and a creeping state of anomie and socio-economic decadence.

Undoubtedly, Nigerian laws and legal systems have substantially undergone huge revision and reform to accord with indigenous values and perceptions of the people especially as regards criminal law, corporation and commercial laws, as well as civil and criminal adjudicatory systems.

Nevertheless, our home-grown democracy has failed woefully to generate underlining thought foundation or integrating our historical jurisprudential elements, experience of honesty, communal or cooperative entrepreneurship towards socio-economic welfarism of people, obedience to authorities, security against invaders to achieve security, food sufficiency, infrastructural facilities, etc.

Expectedly, the lack of solid foundations of democracy has precipitated the emergence and sustenance over time by tumultuous poorly educated, disoriented, job seekers and traders who have plunged into politics as a commercial business for self-sustenance without necessary political orientation of competence, good disposition and character necessary for effective leadership.

Of particular significance is that the “common good” ideology in the Constitution has, however also been selfishly interpreted by many politicians to mean sectional good of their immediate tribal, political or religious communities as a tool to subjugate their uneducated followership. In consequence, recent political parties’ primaries attest to the fact that our borrowed democratic principles have not yielded or effectively transformed us or refined our collective and individual dispositions and sensibilities needed to midwife a composite nation after independence. Having endured nearly 100 years of British colonial imperialism, Nigeria has not been properly initiated into the norms and practices of decorous and civilised democratic behaviour.

This is not surprising as in spite of the fact that prior to this political dispensation, and particularly before independence in 1960, our people had effortlessly imbibed obedience to laws and obeyed the whims and caprices of feudal lords, traditional rulers, unelected elders whose authority flows from forced and violent ruler ship, and barrel of the gun.

Our national colonial antecedents make it imperative that the bourgeois, the elites and corporate Nigerians must be involved in the current class struggles. These classes of people should start by convincing Nigerian politicians that democracy without the democrats will be herculean if not elusive in the quest for an effective legal order.

Nigerian professionals, pro-democracy activists, human rights lawyers and civil campaigners and technocrats must jump into the ring with political gladiators.

Also, lawyers must now be ready, willing and able to be at the vanguard of the struggle for a better society through democracy because we lack a viable alternative.

Prof. Okafor, FCArb, FICIArb, can be accessed via: Ke_okafor@yahoo.com. She teaches Law, at Baze University, Abuja

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

DEALING WITH NATIONAL INSECURITY The authorities must do more to find an end to the perpetual nightmare

F

ollowing their meeting with military Meanwhile, what is happening in Nigeria today chiefs and heads of security and exposes a growing dysfunctional security system intelligence agencies on Wednesday, that lacks the basic skills for crime detection and Senate President Ahmad Lawan would rather wait for post-mortem after the deed described the level of insecurity in the had been done. Unfortunately, rather than address country as “most frightening because these problems in a professional way, the relevant it is like there is nowhere to hide, nowhere to authorities have resorted into drafting the army to go.” At the graduation ceremony Course 30 of the streets for law enforcement--a duty for which the National Defence College (NDC) on Friday, WKH\ DUH LOO HTXLSSHG 7KLV GHÀQLWHO\ LV QRW DQG President Muhammadu Buhari also admitted that cannot be the way to gather critical intelligence. Yet “the number of violent unprovoked attacks on WKLV NQHH MHUN DSSURDFK WR ÀJKWLQJ FULPHV PRUH citizens appears to be on the increase.” But beyond WKDQ DQ\WKLQJ HOVH GHÀQHV RXU ODFN RI VHULRXV lamentations, authorities in Abuja must see the approach to basic issues. growing violence in different theatres across At the risk of sounding repetitive, we state that the Nigeria as a challenge to EHVW DSSURDFK WR ÀJKWLQJ the future of a country crimes remains effective that is fast becoming a intelligence gathering At the risk of sounding repetitive, we state that the best approach to fighting NLOOLQJ ÀHOG that not only helps in preFrom North to South empting and disrupting crimes remains effective intelligence gathering that not only helps in preand East, hundreds criminal activity but is of people are being also indispensable for the empting and disrupting criminal activity but is also indispensable for the killed almost daily by investigations of crimes. bandits and insurgents But only a well-equipped investigations of crimes who seem to have and professional police overpowered the can gather the close-tocapacity of the state. What we need to interrogate the-ground information that is necessary for such therefore is a government that can neither defend exercise and where this crucial intelligence does not nor protect citizens from dying cheaply and ÁRZ DV LW LV WKH FDVH WRGD\ LQ 1LJHULD WKH V\VWHP needlessly in the hands of a cocktail of violent is endangered. How do you put a price to the YDJUDQWV %HVLGHV WKH YLROHQFH WKDW GHÀQHV WKLV thousands of people dislodged from the jobs and season in Nigeria speaks to a national psychology their homes; of children, men and women whose that has devalued human life to the lowest level. lives had been cut short; of more people slipping Apparently out of desperation, some governors into the poverty net or on nervous investors? Or are asking residents of their states to acquire indeed the cost of mobilising and deploying the guns to defend themselves against these criminal military troops to 34 of the 36 states in a federation gangs. Last week, Governor Samuel Ortom said that is not at war with any country but itself? the Benue State government would procure AkAnarchy or the state of nature is the only other ULÁHV IRU LWV QHZO\ HVWDEOLVKHG VHFX ULW\ RXWÀW name for a situation in which casual killers compete Community Volunteer Guards. A few other to take the lives of innocent people almost as a governors are planning to take similar action in sport. We therefore insist on bringing killers of all what can be seen as not only as an indictment on hues to justice in an open transparent manner. This federal leadership but also a prelude to anarchy. will require a complete retraining of our police and Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons security agents to protect lives. As we had cause (SALWs) in the hands of unscrupulous elements to point out recently, perhaps aside the 30-month resulted in breakdown of law and order in some civil war, Nigeria has never been so threatened by of the failed states on the continent, with Somalia security challenges as it is today. But this culture and Libya as prime examples. Such proliferation of impunity persists because the relevant security HTXDOO\ OHG WR GLIÀFXOWLHV LQ FRQÁLFW UHVROXWLRQ DV agencies have not succeeded in apprehending the was the case in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the entrepreneurs of violence to bring them to justice Letters to the Editor recent past. in accordance to law.

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

LETTERS

NIGERIA’S NEW VOTERS AND OLD APATHY It is fair to say that as Nigeria`s situation has continued to deteriorate, every year that goes by has ended up bringing the country to a place of fresh challenges.

If things were not so bad before the 2015 general elections, then the ruling All Progressives Congress would not have been as surefooted as it was when it stood on the monumental failures of the Peoples Democratic Party to tell Nigerians that it was time to look elsewhere.

Nigerians did look elsewhere. But seven years down the line, many Nigerians are wondering if indeed they should have looked elsewhere, and especially if they should have looked at the APC. Such is the nostalgia and even the nausea.

The greatest challenge Nigerians have had to contend with since 2015 is insecurity. Before 2015, terrorism had already encroached into Nigeria. But the steps the monster had taken then were at best baby steps, the devastating bombings in Madalla in 2014 and other similar terror

attacks notwithstanding.

The story has since changed from 2015.

Emboldened by the weak response of the Nigerian state, the menace which was largely restricted to Borno State in the Northeast has since spread to neighbouring states. As Boko Haram has spread its tentacles, it has splintered into different equally deadly groups. Equally alarming is the fact that the group has shown other forms of terrorism like banditry, and other devastating attacks on Nigerians and the Nigerian state with little or no consequences.

With the terrorists rapidly gaining grounds, they have added the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria`s seat of power, to the cities in their crosshairs.

For many Nigerians, between raging insecurity and rampaging poverty, there is no easy choice because while hunger gnaws at Nigerian intestines, fear torments the heart – fear of those who can nonchalantly halt a moving train, kill

more than half a dozen passengers on it, abduct others and keep them for months.

Data from previous general elections in Nigeria show that Nigeria has never lacked registered voters. What the country has always lacked is the number who go out on election days to vote.

This invariably shows that between those who grumble that votes don’t count and those who hang back in their houses on election days for fear of violence, there are indeed many who simply do not vote, losing out on performing a key civic duty in the process.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, between June 2021 when the continuous voter registration exercise resumed and its close on July 31, 2022, about 10.49 million new voters were added to the election register, with about 84 per cent of them young people aged 34 and below.

According to INEC, there were about 84 million registered voters during the ODVW HOHFWLRQ LQ :LWK WKH QHZ ÀJXUHV

the total number of registered voters in Nigeria should be closing in on 100 million which is about half of Nigeria`s entire population.

It warms the heart that many of these new voters are young people. The hope is that they will run the race till the end.

Experience has shown that those who foster bad governance in Nigeria have always reveled in the simultaneous struggles of Nigeria`s electoral body and voter apathy.

However, as the country has continued to fall apart at the hands of those who EHQHÀWHG IURP D KLVWRULF WXUQLQJ RI tables at the polls in 2015, Nigerians must remember that they can take their destiny into their own hands in 2023 and summarily retire many of those who do not care if Nigeria burns, either because they are close to their graves or have their sights set elsewhere.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

7 . 8. 2022

Adeshola Cole-Alegbe Chronicling a Fragile Childhood to Tech Dynasty Adeshola Cole-Alegbe is the CEO of TRITEK Consulting Limited, a multi-award-winning IT company helping many candidates within the African community secure roles within the IT sector. Through her training platform, she has empowered Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. A victim of racial abuse, Cole-Alegbe rose above adversities to prominence. In this no-holds-barred interview with Funke Olaode, Cole-Alegbe attests to the power of vision in navigating life’s uncertainties.

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

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COVER

Why I’m Passionate about Helping NigerianYouths in IT Sector

A

deshola Cole-Alegbe belongs to the category of individuals who wouldn’t allow their pasts to define them. Her life is like an open book in the library.

In a recent encounter, she did not hold back on every episode of life whether pleasant or unpleasant.

Born in Hackney, United Kingdom in 1981, Deshola as she is fondly called was subject to a lot of racial abuse. She grew up in Birmingham and was the only black person in her school at the time.

Adeshola had a challenging childhood; having been fostered from the age of two to 11 years, her upbringing was a rollercoaster of physical and mental abuse.

Growing up, her relationship with her parents was somewhat hindered by the relationship she had with her foster parents. She had a complicated relationship with her mother during her teenage years. And when things became complex with her foster parents, her parents decided to take her to Nigeria to have a more disciplined upbringing.

She went to International Secondary School, Lagos and Lagos State University (LASU) and was only allowed to come back to the UK once she had graduated from university. Adeshola graduated with a Second Class Lower degree in Literature in English.

Like so many people at the time, she went back to the UK and did odd jobs here and there; cleaning, working in a bakery. She finally secured a bank job, which opened up a plethora of opportunities for her to work in a professional environment. She realised her passion for Information Technology and mentorship in her later years, which led to the birth of TRITEK Consulting Limited.

To date, Adeshola has helped over 700 candidates transition into IT roles such as project management, business analysis, cyber security, change management to enable them to secure IT roles. Tritek has a plethora of highly skilled mentors and trainers who are equipped with knowledge, skills and experience to train and coach candidates towards achieving their goals.

Adeshola’s role in the IT sector hasn’t gone unnoticed. She is a recipient of multiple awards, including Mentor of the Year 2016, Woman of the Year 2018, IT Company of the Year 2020, recipient of the award for youth empowerment, 2021 and the Woman of the Year 2018 and just recently, emerging CEO of the year, 2022.”

Looking gorgeous in her wrap around wine dress, the Tritek boss exudes that sense of confidence and fulfillment. Considering her life trajectory, Adeshola is one woman whose only goal is to help African youths grow in the world of IT. “Growing up was not easy; I lived in a very rural area. My foster parents raised me in a very military-style way; not allowed to sit or stand until to do so; sometimes I would sleep in a bathtub, and I was not allowed to put on the lights when going upstairs to sleep. It was tough.”

Adeshola rose above adversities against all odds. But what gave her that strength to succeed?

“Career-wise, just like so many other people, I’ve done a lot of odd jobs when coming back to the UK. I worked as a chambermaid for many years, then worked in banking for a good ten years.

I got tired of the work, politics and inability to progress within my career, so I transitioned into tech, which led to the genesis of Tritek consulting limited. I had a passion for mentorship and decided to create a company that would help the community transition into the beautiful world of tech.”

Fostered at age two, Adeshola believes in an adage that time heals wounds. “Being fostered was a very strange experience, but it brought out

Cole-Alegbe

that tough exterior in me. I was the only black person in my school and probably in the area where I lived. I was constantly ridiculed for my skin colour and how I looked at the time. I had no friends and spent most of my childhood defending, fighting and standing up for myself. My foster parents subjected me to both physical and mental abuse, and it was only when I was much older that I realised the life I was living wasn’t a normal one.

“Migrating to Nigeria was a huge culture shock and a rude awakening.

I struggled to adapt in the initial years and worked with the strict culture and education. The educational system was way more advanced than what I had been exposed to in the UK. My grandmother raised me, and it was a strict upbringing. Watching people get whipped with the cane and also being

a partaker of it is a big culture shock in itself. People struggled to understand my accent, and I struggled to adapt to the culture. For me, my strength came from what I experienced in my younger years whilst in foster care and having to stick up for myself and defend myself.”

Although she said she had overcome the trauma, she struggled with the way she looked for many years- a deficit of self-esteem.

“I was constantly mocked because of the shape of my nose and lips. Now, I embrace who I am and am proud of how I look. I still struggle with sleeping alone in the dark because of what I was made to do when younger, but all in all, it’s created a tough exterior in me.”

A literary ‘heart’ in the field of technology, Adeshola said she only transitioned into IT (without

prior training) because IT was and still is a most sought after career path.

“I desperately needed a change from working in the banking sector for ten years,’ she recalled her journey into information technology.

“I did not receive any formal training, nor did I do my master’s. I just went to a training firm that specialises in IT training and also provides experience. It is from this training that I was able to secure a role as a project manager. Again, I always knew I had what it takes. My pastor told me many times that I was destined for greatness, even though I doubted him. I’ve always had a thirst for success, and I’m a super hungry person when it comes to success.

Once I put my mind to something, it has to be great.”

For her, her literary background was not a waste in the IT sector. She forged ahead with writing and research combined with an innovative mind to create TRITEK.” Adeshola believes that the government still has roles to play for the IT sector to be more inclusive of youths.

“I have employed several youths within my organisation, and I am constantly blown away by their level of intelligence and expertise. It would be a great shame if all these skills went to waste. The government needs to be the facilitator of change and open-minded. Innovation and technology are here to stay, and projects should be initiated to accommodate these changes and thereby provide employment opportunities. The government should also support Africans in the diaspora who are helping the community with employment opportunities. Skills training sessions, workshops in universities, partnerships with private sector companies to enhance productivity, reviewing the curriculum to accommodate technology and IT, and so much more. I feel it’s more of a skill issue than a will issue. The youth of today want to do better. They want jobs, but they lack the resources and skill set to do so. The government could invest in companies like ours so we can’t help reduce the level of unemployment by training, upskilling, digitalising the workforce and thereby creating more employment opportunities.

“That will be a challenge until we accept that a change is needed and change our mindset. We need to give back without receiving anything in return. Support our people more and use their services. As Nigerian entrepreneurs, I think we have a huge role to play in supporting the society, especially the youth of today and tomorrow.

We should not neglect our people, because we are successful. They need us. They need our expertise, and I think it’s time we give back in the best way possible. Show people that you care and you’re passionate about what you’re doing. Not everything should be profit-driven.”

As an African woman in business particularly tech, which is male-dominated, she is not immune to gender prejudice. The TRIKET boss has been married for over a decade but has known her husband for 20 years. “I am married to Dele Alegbe and have three adorable children: a 13-year-old girl and two boys, aged 7 and 5.

“We met when I was in Nigeria, living with my grandmother in the Iju area of Lagos State. The attraction? Hmmm, “He was good looking and very softly spoken.

He has been highly supportive. He knew what I could do and pushed me to do better.

He has a lot of wisdom, and that’s important when you’re in business, dealing with so many people. He lets me do what I need to do, and that’s really important to me.”

Giving tips on life lessons, she said: “The way you start out is not necessarily the way you will end up in future. Never be defined by the mistakes you’ve made or who you were in your younger years. Take that leap of faith and do something you’re good at.

Whether you succeed or fail, the beauty is that at least you tried! Only do what you are passionate about and not what everyone else is going on about! Be true to your ethnicity, embrace your culture and promote where you come from with positivity. I am proudly Nigerian and will continue to be so.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾AUGUST 7, 2022

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HighLife

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

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

Jimoh Ibrahim as Unveiling the New GMD… Real Reason Tony Elumelu Anointed Alawuba History Maker

Ibrahim

These are great times for a lot of people in Nigeria, including the well-known lawyer, politician, businessman, and philanthropist, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim.

Recently, he made history and entered the permanent books of the University of Cambridge when he graduated with a Doctor of Business degree at the university.

It is something of a new page in the history of the University of Cambridge and no other than Ibrahim is the first entry on that page. Although it might have seemed like a sure deal for Ibrahim, he is the first person to receive that award in 800 years.

To show full appreciation for Ibrahim’s accomplishment, a lunch party was held in his honour at the University Arms, on Regent Street, Cambridge. And it was during the lunch party that the man’s success really shined, especially with his thesis about ‘How Megaprojects are Damaging Nigeria and How to Fix It: A Practical Guide to Mastering Very Large Government Projects.’

Indeed, Ibrahim has shown himself to be a true academic and Nigerian, especially with his thesis. In his position as the Chairman and CEO of Global Fleet Group, even with the corporation’s business interests across West Africa, the man’s heart has always beat for Nigeria.

It is the dawn of a new era at the United Bank for Africa (UBA). Even with economic trials faced by most sectors, Tony Elumelu and his ever-progressive group of decision makers have decided on the best replacement for the GMD position, formerly held by the brilliant Kennedy Uzoka. This replacement is none other than Oliver Alawuba, who has been with UBA since 1997.

Anybody who knows anything about UBA’s operations understands that the bank always prepares for the future. So it is with the new appointment of Alawuba to the GMD position. Close sources noted that Alawuba’s big promotion came on the heels of Elumelu’s approval, and there is a reason he was selected for the enviable position.

While announcing Alawuba’s takeover, Elumelu noted that Uzoka has exhibited transformational leadership, especially in putting the customer first. The Heirs Holdings These are truly happy times for the DG of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe. Some days ago, Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu took his time to praise and commend the NCAC DG on the many things he has accomplished in every position he has held.

And with so many praises from the number one person in Lagos, a place deeply beloved by Runsewe, the NCAC man has been elevated infinitely and is now far nobler than the majority of noble Lagosians.

There is no doubt that being hailed and hallowed by one’s principal is a reality that considerably few have come to know. For Runsewe, this reality might actually become something of a lifestyle and that is because of the seriousness with which Governor SanwoOlu lauded Runsewe’s accomplishments, comparing them to things only people who love the entire nation of Nigeria would do for their cities.

The governor’s encomium to Runsewe came about when the latter visited the governor. Sanwo-Olu stated that Runsewe is one of the handfuls whose minds are always set to the tune of “What can I do for

Okulugbo

Encomiums as Sanwo-Olu Commends Runsewe

Runsewe

Alawuba

Nigeria’s unity and cohesion?” Sanwo-Olu’s commendations are logical considering the extent to which Runsewe is working to make sure that the forthcoming National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), the EKO NAFEST 2022, is as big a deal to Lagosians as SanwoOlu and Runsewe are making it.

In Sanwo-Olu’s defence, there is probably no one so committed to making the festival a success as Runsewe. And this shows. It is Runsewe who is so very sure that Lagos’ hosting of the event will redefine both the state’s economy and Nigeria’s. It is Runsewe who continues to insist that gathering under the umbrella of things like NAFEST is a healthy proposition for national unity. It is Runsewe who is clear on the fact that culture can be adopted as the vehicle to crash down the majority of the limitations holding back the country from being its best.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s praises of Runsewe are not far-fetched at all. Such individuals are needed to shine their lights on different parts of the country, bringing illumination to problems and suggesting lasting solutions to them.

Auwal Abdullahi in the News Again

Sir Kenny Okolugbo Throws Lavish 50th Birthday Party Age has always and will always be a kind of landmark to recognize the value of human life. That is why birthdays are such eventful things. On the one hand, they help us better capture our lives in the light of relatives and friends. On the other hand, they make every annual remembrance something worthwhile for memories. And so it is that Sir Kenny Okolugbo, the former Commissioner that represented Ndokwa Nation in Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) just clocked 50 and celebrated it in the grandest way possible.

At this time, it should no longer come as a surprise that someone as prestigious as Okolugbo is wealthy enough to throw a truly lavish party in celebration of his birthday. What is surprising to many people is that the DESOPADEC man is just now clocking 50. With all of that wisdom and courage, not to mention the youthful persona, who knew he was only 50, only now walking the path of the golden people?

man also noted Uzoka’s immeasurable contributions to the launching of UBA in Mali, the acquisition of a wholesale banking license in the United Kingdom (UK), and the establishment of a branch in United Arab Emirates, Dubai, specifically. So, based on all these, no ordinary person can continue from where Uzoka stopped. Only a person as gifted and devoted to UBA as Alawuba.

Every year of Alawuba’s 25 years in UBA demonstrates his dedication and loyalty. It is on this account that he has been appointed many times to occupy senior roles, including the positions of UBA Ghana CEO, CEO of UBA Africa, and Group Deputy MD. Thus, Alawuba’s bump up to GMD of UBA Group along with similarly gifted individuals like Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Ugochukwu Nwagodoh, Alex Alozie, and Emem Usoro, is a big win for UBA worldwide.

Abdullahi

Things indeed are happening in Nigeria that very few people are aware of. While the group of disadvantaged people known collectively as the Masses are busy stressing their minds and friendships with who will be president in 2023, the more focused people are busy planning to acquire big businesses. Like Auwal Abdullahi, the son-in-law of Ibrahim Babangida. If the word on the media waves is true, then it is Abdullahi who will soon become the proud owner of Polaris Bank.

To begin with, very little is known to the general public about Abdullahi compared to what is known about his father-in-law. This is not strange at all until one realizes that he holds the prestigious title of Sarkin Sudan Gombe in Gombe State. Therefore, his name should echo from the Northwest to the Middlebelt. But it does not. Because he is a private person. And yet, this rumoured deal with the Central Bank

of Nigeria (CBN) is guaranteed to make Abdullahi something of a town square topic.

According to the reports which have not been confirmed by the related authorities, CBN is intending to sell Polaris Bank to Abdullahi for roughly N40 billion. This is no big deal, except that there are people who are saying that the apex bank rescued the bank with about N1.2 trillion. Thus, in selling the bank to Abdullahi for N40 billion, Nigeria loses 97 per cent of its money and gains an old bank sold to one of her lesser-known sons.

People are complaining not because the deal is a bad one but because it has not been made public. In fact, even though it reportedly has the presidential seal of approval, the powers that be have allegedly stifled every report concerning it, at least, until the transaction is finalised.

How Tokunbo Wahab Tamed ASUU in Lagos State There is no denying now the fact that Lagos State’s Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Tokunbo Wahab, is an amazing character. In the last two years, he has been on the front page of newspapers around the country. Why? Because he has been nothing short of a blessing to Lagosians, especially in the area of education. Recently, it came to light that he is the reason that many tertiary students in Lagos are not throwing away their lives as they wait for universities to resume in the country.

Often, when Wahab is mentioned, it is because he has done some amazing work in the area of education in Lagos. In fact, by now, it is clear that one of the defining characteristics of the government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is his fiery cabinet, and Wahab definitely tops the list with regard to the strength of purpose and intellect. Both of these admirable factors have played a significant role in preventing Lagos State University (LASU)

from joining the industrial action authorized by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The strike commenced in February and continues to gather momentum now. And while tertiary students around the country are wallowing in despair, LASU students are fine and flourishing. All of this is because Wahab got Governor Sanwo-Olu to convince the management of the school in 2019 to join hands with him and improve the condition of things. Following that meeting, LASU staff earned an increase of 40% in subventions, an implementation of the minimum wage across the board, and a consistent payment of the backlog of salary and other payments owed to the workers at the university.

Even though the deal also included a small increase in school fees, it was obviously worth it. And now, while their peers shed tears all day long, LASU students continue with their studies.

All because Wahab is a visionary individual,

Wahab

armed with an understanding mind and a solid relationship with his principal, Governor Sanwo-Olu. No wonder the Governor is never stingy with praises for Wahab.

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HIGHLIFE

Top Dignitaries Honour Governor Dapo Abiodun at Father’s One Year Memorial Service By itself, human life is fragile. It takes someone else or something external to make our lives impactful and significant. In the case of the late Pa Emmanuel Adesanya, father of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, it was he who sounded the horns of value in the lives of other people. Thus, as Governor Abiodun remembered his father a few days ago, homage was paid to the late educationist and life coach.

Tributes have been pouring in from all over the country. Most of these tributes only remember Pa Adesanya as the father of Governor Abiodun, whereas others remember him as the disciplined instructor

who taught others to live according to the moral code hidden in their hearts. Nevertheless, every person remembered the late legendary character as an impactful figure and one of those who contributed significantly to the wave of progress currently ongoing in Ogun.

Pa Adesanya passed away on August 2, 2021, in the United Kingdom.

He was 89 at the time, but so very proud of all he had accomplished, but more so of what his children accomplished, especially the governor. Thus, at the one-year memorial service, Baba Teacher, as he was fondly called, was remembered for more than just his own life.

Double Celebration for the Jangs in Jos

Abiodun

Lonely World as Governor Gboyega Oyetola is Gradually Losing Associates

Oyetola

Life is not all easy for anybody, especially those who are in top positions. After all, they

can never really know who is really rooting for them and who does not care but is simply going through the motions to get paid. Such is life for Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola.

According to the word on the street, many of his associates have begun dumping him as they seek greener pastures on account of his recent loss in the gubernatorial election.

Things are never cut-and-dried in Nigeria’s brand of politics and democracy. Thus, it was a surprise that incumbent Governor Oyetola lost his re-election bid and had to watch his old opponent, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) take over his position.

But this loss is gradually building up to be a difficult sentence for Oyetola as reports are gaining ground to the effect that his erstwhile ‘loyal supporters’ are leaving him.

To be sure, it was a sad day for Oyetola who

was so very sure that his All Progressives Congress (APC) momentum in Osun would not be broken by anyone, least of all an old rival. But both Oyetola and APC lost to Adeleke who polled 403,371 votes, leaving Oyeto la with 375,027 votes.

Many analysts claim that Oyetola lost the election (and is losing his friends and associates) because he refused to solve the quarrel with his predecessor, Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola. Considered a more influential favourite of the locals, Aregbesola might have been able to hold off Adeleke and PDP. Unfortunately, it seems as if Oyetola believed in himself and his people. Now that the cards have fallen and his people are allegedly disappearing like mist on a Sunday morning, what will the Governor do?

Mayor Akinpelu Plans High-Octane 60th Birthday Shindig for Wife These are great times indeed, for the family of media mogul, Mayowa Akinpelu, better known as Mayor Akinpelu. Today, August 7, 2022, all roads will lead to Lagos as he celebrates the 60th birthday of his wife and lifetime sweetheart, Madam Olufunke.

And considering the mark that the Akinpelu family has made in Nigeria, it is only expected that the top of Nigeria’s social and corporate circle will be there to clink glasses and lay well-deserved eulogies at Madam Olufunke’s feet.

According to the media buzz, it is Akinpelu’s foremost intention to have all of Nigeria know that it is his darling’s 60th birthday. Therefore, whoever is good friends with his family is expected to grace the event, bringing joy and deep appreciation to the

Akinpelus. Moreover, the event is scheduled to be held at R&A City Hotel, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. Thus, there is more than enough space to accommodate everybody, big wig or local wig.

Indeed, this is a happy time for the Akinpelus. Not so long ago, Akinpelu clocked 60. No less than President Muhammadu Buhari took his time to craft a fine birthday note to the media mogul, wishing him long life and continuous strengthening of the journalistic mind that stirs the public to the awareness of major issues.

So, now that it is the turn of his wife, Akinpelu naturally wants a louder celebration.

Thus, it is certain that the event will be a defining moment for the family and their wellwishers.

Between Prominent Lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and Dahiru Mangal

Mangal

This is not at all a good time to get in-between prominent legal practitioner, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), and popular businessman, Dahiru Mangal. According to reports currently making the rounds, the lawyer is set in his ways to call Mangal to order and get him to remunerate his losses on account of the incident he had with Mangal’s establishment, Max Air. According to Adegboruwa, Max Air did him and others like him a great disservice when they delayed their flight at the Lagos Airport some days ago and refused to compensate them for the forced postponement. Not only did the airline charge them excessively, but they also held them back from meeting their travel goals, effectively wasting their time and money.

It was gathered that the heat of the incident

Akinpelu

caused the lawyer to throw all caution to the wind and call out Max Air for what he considered the truest manifestation of wickedness. Moreover, everything has been made worse by the fact reported to Adegboruwa that the delay happened because several Max Air aircraft were diverted for the wedding of the daughter of a prominent politician, and so he had to wait with other passengers for 12 hours even after paying N125,000 for an hour trip to Abuja.

Of course, those conversant with the recent goings-on in Nigeria would remember that it was recently the wedding of Fatima Shettima, the daughter of the APC Vice-Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima. It was because of this event that Mangal’s Max Air had to divert planes and offend Adegboruwa and the other passengers. Unfortunately, it does not yet seem as if any apology or compensation for the waste of time is forthcoming.

So, yes, Adegboruwa is definitely going to get into the same trousers as Mangal. Unless someone steps in between.

Plateau State is currently enjoying the after-effects of the double celebrations that took place a few days ago, as the people of the state honoured the family of their former Governor, Jonah Jang. The happy man, along with his charming wife, Ngo Talatu, played host to a lot of their relatives, friends, and associates in the colourful 2-in-1 event that made Jos stand still.

It was their 50th wedding anniversary and also the 70th birthday of the former First Lady of the state.

For the Jangs, the celebration was received with the typical grace that has become synonymous with them. As they celebrated in the state capital, Jos, goodwill messages continued to flow in from every corner of the country. Nevertheless, none of that joy could compare to the delight to be found in the celebrants themselves, especially Madam Jang.

For those that don’t know the Jang family, they were the number one family in Plateau for two consecutive terms, 2007 to 2015. During this period, Jang, an Air Commodore, used different methods to establish Plateau as a strong point of economic growth and progress. In many ways, Jang was successful, which is evidenced by the cheers his wedding anniversary elicited from the people even though it was supposed to be a quiet event.

Even now, there are still strong residues of his work, albeit they are gradually being eroded by the multicoloured hands of political rivalry.

Nevertheless, the 78-yearold former Military Governor of Benue and Gongola states is still doing

For Bolaji Kuku, It’s a Private World One of the easiest ways to earn prestige in Nigeria is to have a wealthy and impactful family. Journalists will mention your name often and parties will list you as a guest of honour. These are the kinds of ‘privileges’ that Bolaji Kuku determined to ignore when she began to make waves in the corporate world.

Today, despite having carved out a niche for herself, she is content with staying within the bounds of her private world.

The late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, was a formidable figure. During his lifetime, he raised a lot of political and corporate whirlwinds, with him as the centre. Curiously, that tendency has outlived him, as can be found in his children. Even Kuku, although she lives a private life and is unencumbered by the desire to be illustrious or renowned, except when it is based on her own achievements.

Jang

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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 ˾AUGUST 7, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Abdullahi Adamu: A Lion in Church If you have not seen the video, hurry up and check it out. It is the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in church shouting ‘Praise the Lord.’ The hypocrisy of it all is puke inducing. So, you have forged on your collapsing contraption called a National party a Muslim – Muslim ticket and it is to be going to churches to be shouting crap that will placate Christians and make them vote en masse for your pre-historic candidates.

My brother, this is the sycophancy and hypocrisy that has kept us where we are as a nation. A self-assured candidacy will not pander to the hubris of a Christian fellowship if they truly believe in the purpose of their vision. You go ahead and sell your plans and if anybody is not willing to see what you are bringing to the table simply because you have a Muslim-

Muslim ticket, then that person is not worth speaking to.

Recently, I met a young man, Mohammed Tanko who said he was from Adamawa and I told him, “You must be voting for your town’s man, Atiku,” and he made me cry.

“Edgar, I am voting for Obi. We are tired. Nigeria today needs a leader who is selfless. A leader who understands our issues and even if he cannot solve it, he will not worsen it.”

Now if Obi fits this in my estimation is what I will not state, but the point is that some people have gone beyond all of this prebendal politics that you are playing and are looking at the bigger picture.

Bring your Muslim-Muslim ticket to the table and tell us emphatically what exactly are your plans and stop all of these crass gerrymandering in churches to placate supposedly angry

Christians.

I am a Christian, in fact, a small GO and millions like me do not give a hoot if you drop Muslims from the presidency to the councillor. What we need is good governance, a government that will take us out of the woods. Bring out the good men, no matter their religious inclination.

Simple.

This rain wey dey fall, is not asking which religion you are before it hits you o. Is it not the same market we are all going? Are we not all losing jobs together? Are we not all being killed and maimed out of existence together? Who is getting it better today? Muslims? Or Christians?

My brother, the only thing democratic in Nigeria today is suffering and poverty. So, stop dancing around churches and smell the coffee. Thank you.

TEE MAC’S EMBARRASSING U-TURN Tee Mac had just delivered one of the most devastating blows to Mr. Tinubu’s aspirations. He not only destroyed the man but strengthened his credibility by telling us they were in-laws. This justification went very far in solidifying his statements.

To rehash, he was quoted as saying that Tinubu was too old and weak to be of any use to Nigeria at this point. He even told us that papa squatted in London in their house and that he has stopped eating in their house for a bit.

When I read this, I asked myself: What kind of in-law is this one na? This is the kind of in-law you will slap. My in-law Etim – who will be 50 this Monday – will never try this o. I will slap him.

This na yeye in-law o, although a nationalistic one who was only trying to save Nigerians from the impending and looming disaster should this presidency dawn on us. Are we sure baba even pay dowry complete? You know with what we are seeing and hearing about certificate or no certificate, we cannot be too sure again o.

So, after that talk, they must have called a family meeting on his afro. Given him severe warning and threatened to expose him. Bobo fear o. Run, forget him bleaching cream and comb to Arise TV to grant an interview where he even worsened the

whole thing.

It was a private conversation o, I am surprised as to how it went viral and I am angry that a private discussion went to the public, he screamed at the TV cameras.

Well, my brother, private or not, we have heard. As an in-law, you know these things better than the rest of us and we thank you for confirming what we already know.

But for me, next time keep your beautiful mouth shut and be very wary when talking. These are not times for loose lips.

Even me that is basket-mouth, I used to think before I talk, especially where it concerns your in-law because there are too many moving parts around papa.

My advice.

SHEIKH AHMAD GUMI: WHAT IS GOING ON? People have been asking me who I will vote for and it’s looking like I just might abstain.

Everyday, when I look at these three, I still cannot fathom how 200 million Nigerians ended with these three to choose from.

The broom-carrying one already looks like when a small breeze blow am now, he go fall. The umbrella one is just gaffing up and down looking tired and really worn out.

The ‘Obidient’ one is just playing to the gallery, mouthing all sorts of things because he knows that, that is what we want to hear – did you see his humiliating turn in Osun?

So, me just dey siddon look. I sha know that when the time comes, God in His infinite wisdom will step in and intervene. Shebi na Ojota bus stop I dey when He intervened for Abacha own. When He is ready, He will intervene and give us a true Nigerian President- these three na pantomime.

So, while we are waiting for Jah to step in, I come dey look this Gumi. The man seems to know what we all don’t know. The insecurity problem is looking intractable.

Fear cannot even begin to describe what we are feeling right now and daily the capture of Kabul by their cousins keeps replaying in my head.

Attack on Abuja? Just 45 minutes to the Presidency? My people, if you were thinking this thing was a joke before, you must now wake up and smell the coffee.

What if? Aaaghhh!!!

Is it not IBB that asked Etim Inyang, “my brother, where’s Anini?” When that common thief took on the whole of the old Bendel State. Today, we do not even know who to ask the question. Is it the Chief of Army Staff? or the Navy Chief? Or DSS? Or IG of Police?

If you ask me, na to ask Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. If I ever meet him na to ask him, “Daddy, what is going on?” Because it is looking like he alone has the answers to this question o.

Gumi

Mac

Rone

Adamu

My sincere advice is to make him Coordinating Minister for Security with all the Armed Forces reporting to him and he in turn will report to the President.

Yes, there is precedence. President Jonathan appointed Ngozi Okonji-Iweala Coordinating Minister for Economy.

If una never tire, me I don tire from fear.

Every night now na nightmare; bandit will be pursuing me in my dream. Shey my own is still dream, millions of Nigerians are facing them in real life. Dodging bullets, getting kidnapped and beaten up all in a day’s job.

Mbok, make Abubakar Gunmi coordinating Minister for security o. Na beg ooo.

SAM OMATSEYE AND THE FEAR OF AN APOLOGIST The most fearsome ‘destroyers’ of Nigeria’s destiny are the intellectuals who lend their prowess to missions inimical to the country’s continued wellbeing. I am not afraid to say that in that house is Mr. Omatseye lives in the biggest master bedroom.

After years of glorious service to his profession and in the twilight of a once glorious run, he now lends himself to servitude. His right. I would not blame him because nobody can judge a man’s

Omatseye

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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 ˾AUGUST 7, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS trajectory since we are not the Almighty.

All I have done instead is to stop reading him and watching him on TV. But when I saw his tweet, meekly hanging his life on Peter Obi as a result of the mad feedback he was getting from his lame article – Obituary, I laughed.

When you take positions that are not based on any conviction, this is how you react.

You run and hide under the table with every little wind. You title your article morbidly -Obi-tuary, you make allusions to Biafra, a very sensitive and vexed issue, you pull in Nnamdi Kanu into the equation. Were you thinking a red carpet will be rolled out for you?

Of course, they will come at you in droves.

So, pulling Peter Obi into this mess is only strengthening him and making you look like a three-day Afang.

It is a poor play at servitude or relevance.

It’s a showy way of telling your masters that you are taking bullets for them o. If I was your oga, I will sack you today so that you don’t run towards me with a beehive on your head.

Sad that people like you that we grew up reading can reduce themselves to this level of intellectual infamy. You know you can do these things with elegance. You can do this thing in a classy way, but no, you must do it the owambe way.

Please read Segun Adeniyi, read Chidi Amuta anytime and read me on Atiku Abubakar – many times a hit and you will see just how you can take positions elegantly without seeming that you are losing your head over a pot of porridge.

I belong to no one but a bowl of Afang.

ASARI DOKUBO: THE FEAR WITHIN It is with huge fear and respect that I am writing this one o. You will notice that I will not tear into the Lord the way I just did with Sam. Sam, worse he will do is to report me to six people. Lawyer go write to me or he will slap me if he see me for go slow. But this one, if I try myself, na me know where I go go pick my testicles. Lol. So, I tread with caution. I no for even comment, but that video of his Royal Majesty walking through the street in a full show of power cannot be ignored. Mbok, come and see power, fully armed escorts and that costume he wore? It was majestic, regal and attractive. He had the poise of a powerful royal. Those types we used to see in history books and that used to come with appellations like – conqueror of Mesopotamia and consort to the Queen of England.

Only God knows where he was going that day. If he was going to seek a beautiful bride, I am sure his father in-law would not only give him the bride but add his own wife and mother in-law in tow.

That procession was beautiful in its ugliness. I loved it especially the show of tradition but still queried the armed men.

Obviously not of the Nigerian state so that dampened my enthusiasm. Still a beautiful procession. Bro, you are doing well. No vex o.

JULIUS RONE: A QUICK CELEBRATION Let me quickly rejoice with my brother the Gas King – Mr. Julius Rone. Mr. Rone’s company, UTM FLNG Ltd has just won the prestigious Ingenious Company of the Year at the last Nigerian Oil and Gas Summit.

If you know Julius very well, this recognition will not come to you as a surprise. He has been consistently dogged in his pursuit of gas as an alternative earner for the country.

Set up about 10 years ago, the firm was established to among others be involved in the direct sales and direct purchase of crude oil and other allied products. Julius has in those years delivered a huge indigenous conglomerate that has forced its way into global reckoning. Congrats my brother.

LEKKI TURNING INTO DIRTY, SPRAWLING SLUM

And they will be saying they live on the island. This week, something took me to Ikate and the sprawling dirt and decay was quite apparent. The poor laying, the decaying infrastructure for such a relatively new town development is so disappointing, I almost puked.

Lekki was a promise. It was expected to be a new vision for urban living in Africa. Fuelled by the new affluence of the Obasanjo era, it grew and grew. It became the ‘go to area’ for the new rich.

It expanded from the new toll gate area and breached almost the Chevron area.

Buildings rose, developers made billions.

Landowners started rubbing shoulders with oil sheiks and land owning families became royalty, carving for themselves little kingdoms and gallivanting around the place with newfound wealth.

Today, as a result of an incestuous relationship between government, greedy

landowners and primordial developers, what we have in Lekki today is a huge slum complete with drugs, crime and prostitution.

As I drive down Ikate, all I see are buildings mostly built within the last 10 years in varying states of disrepair and desolation. It is sad and annoying.

Built in clusters of demonic encircling, some already sinking with walls painted in green algae coming out from poor plumbing, you begin to wonder what really drives this tripartite alliance of wickedness.

Lekki is gone. The flooding is crazy as a result of terrible planning. No drainage and where you find some, they are blocked. Boreholes opened near sewage pits; we are just joking with bubonic plague. If God is not with us, the epidemic Lekki will foster in Africa will not be a child’s play.

KHALIFA MUHAMMADU SANUSI II: A REGAL AND HISTORIC TURN I have tried not to be using this column to ‘sell’ my products o. But when history is about to happen and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is carrying the story through 2,000 media outlets; will I now come and keep quiet?

It will look one kind na.

Because of the historic nature of this production, I will write about it. So, as you read, theatre lovers will watch a historic and never before seen theatrical exposition in Lagos and Abuja simultaneously. I tell you this is mad, where Lagos and Abuja will be watching the play at the same time.

The highly revered Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II will be on stage as himself. He will appear in a powerfully curated scene with veteran actor Yemi Shodimu where he will speak on issues bothering on the historical antecedent of his rich pedigree and also make some commentaries on modern day engagements.

When Khalifa saw the press release, he

Sanusi II

called and said, “Duke, I wanted this to be a surprise so it doesn’t detract from the play.”

“My Khalifa,” I began, “please don’t vex, I was too excited.”

What he didn’t know was that NAN had been attending rehearsals, and had gotten wind of it and was about to release the information to the public. I had to beat them to it.

Already, the Etsu Nupe, the Emir of Zazzau, Governor Nasir El-Rufai are leading a huge contingent of prominent Nigerians to the play.

Now the mystery, people are asking me – where will the Duke watch it, Lagos or Abuja? And I just dey look them.

For this insecurity period, I will come and tell people my movement? Mbok, me dey Shomolu o. I no be actor, I no be director, I no be Senator. I am just an ordinary Duke. I belong to no one, no be me. I dey my house. We have to delegate it. Don’t worry. We will all be fine in this country.

Now we have begun to see a movement back to Victoria Island and Ikoyi. The new rich who still have their wealth are migrating back as they see the encroachment of slum lifestyle on them.

So now those who live in proper Ikoyi are saying, “I don’t go to Lekki for anything,” and Lekki mumu people are still saying, “I don’t go to the mainland for anything.”

Mbok, stay in your slum and smell your opened cesspits and waddle through your floods and watch your daughters being pimped out and your sons fall to the hands of drug lords, give me my Shomolu any day.

This one is nobody’s fault but the fault of the axis of evil – government, landowners and developers. This falls on them. Simple.

CHARLES “AREA FADA” OPUTA: PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS I am heart broken. I have seen a cryptic note sent in by my all-time mentor the great Charly ‘Area Fada’ Oputa that shows that his 45 year marriage to the super beautiful Diane Oputa may be coming to an end.

I will cry ooo. Fada, I will cry ooo. For me, this was one of the greatest love stories ever.

She was your two and a half and she stood.

I loved both of you together and it was because of the mad respect that I had for your union that I did not do anything about my crush on her.

Fada, let me tell you this very clearly, I have had a crush on Lady Diane for over 30 years. Her ebony rich beauty and full African form has always been a permanent fixture in my mind. In my book, ‘Anonymous Nipples’, I wrote a whole chapter on her beauty and gave you the book. I know say you no read am.

I am begging you to do everything within your powers to keep this union sir. What a wicked man! Why you no divorce am long ago? Why now? Why not in the 80s make you see what we for do. Now that we are looking at great grandchildren you want to run away after blocking us all these years.

We no go gree.

Seriously, Fada, 45 years is a thing of joy. It is a milestone that most will never see in their marriages. Please na beg, no gree. If na she want go, no gree. Please let’s go and beg her. I will sing for her and she will calm down.

Please can you give me her number, I be expert for begging women. I understand how to beg women. Nothing dey weak woman more than when full grown men with tattoos and earrings stand in front of her and be crying. I can do it o. She will calm down.

This must not happen o. Kai! SUPER BRILLIANT JOURNALIST, AMOS ETUK Bros is the Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Akwa Ibom. The vibrancy he has brought to this role is unprecedented. I recently heard that he was reelected to another term. This is historic because it has never happened in the history of the state Chapter.

Immediately I heard, I reached out to congratulate him. He is a brilliant soul; I met him several times during my journeys in Uyo to plug two of my plays.

His brilliance and pure understanding of national and regional issues continue to astound me.

Akwa Ibom is on the verge of change. The people are asking for a new deal, looking away from the status quo and trying to birth a new leadership with the promise of prosperity. I discuss these unfolding eras with Amos almost on a daily basis and his love for Akwa Ibom is apparent even as he says, “my brother, na God hand we dey for Akwa Ibom.”

I say well-done bro. You owe me Afang, you know say you sabi dodge, you will not dodge this one. When Akan Udofia emerge, I go land Uyo and you go give me my Afang. For now, leave me for my selfexile o in Shomolu.

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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 ˾AUGUST 7, 2022

GLITZ TRIBUTE

I

started hearing of the iconic name “Daisy Danjuma” when I was in high school in the 90s and she’s been ‘reigning’ since then. Her life is an inspiration to women and girls of today and the future.

Nigeria is blessed with heroes and audacious fellows whose heroics across different human disciplines have put the country in global record books but here’s a Shero, who I define as such not just as a novel gendered adaptation, but in the acknowledgement of her unusual knack for the spectacular – the kind that only a few human beings have exemplified through the history of our nation.

Mrs. D - Mother Hen, matriarch and mentor plus former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and corporate leading light fits conveniently into this exclusive class of greathearted women for many reasons. One, she has dedicated her life to the service of the country in many notable ways, especially where it involves the development and protection of women and children and their health and wellbeing. That commitment headlined her role in the Nigerian Senate between 2003 and 2007 where her skilled use of reason was widely popular, her advocacy was razor sharp and her voice was highly respected.

Though she’s since taken a backseat from active politicking, she’s remained highly sought after and relevant in her party and state’s political landscape, not only as a notable torchbearer but as an accessible and down-to-earth counsellor to younger politicians, especially those of the female folk.

The political crop love attention but ‘Mrs. D’ stands tall as a different breed and belongs to that rare and vanishing category of politicians who are averse to the politics of bitterness but heavily subscribed to the ideals that make for a healthy democracy and the revival of our country.

Her broad experience is superlative and what she’s accomplished with the organisations on whose boards she sits on, is remarkably astounding especially with engineering the complete turnaround of their financial fortunes and the improvement of processes and procedures that build sustainable systems and legacies. These factors testify to how well-rounded Mrs. D is as a problem solver, one who has an eye for talent, who’s not meddlesome, who gives people room to grow, exercise their autonomy in their roles and learn from their own mistakes.

Mrs. D’s ‘sheroics’ are rich enough on the strength of her own merit, but even more phenomenal in the light of her highly celebrated and awe-inspiring marriage to one of Nigeria’s historical father figures, elder statesmen and philanthropists par excellence, General Theophilus Danjuma, GCON (rtd), whose substantial contributions in the thematic areas of health, education, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, peacebuilding, social cohesion and community development have carved a secondary niche for both of them in public life, aside their professional successes and exploits as astute business people of note. I’ve had the rare privilege of serving under and working with General and between him and his wife, my understanding of inclusive and empathetic leadership, accountability and efficiency have deepened by at least 200 per cent in the past 2.5 years.

Even though Danjuma has a vibrant

Daisy Danjuma: Beautiful Substance, Solid through Generations In this moving tribute, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji shares memories of her encounters with the elegant Daisy Danjuma while enumerating her outstanding qualities that etched her name in the timeless book of history

Danjuma

and well-run Foundation, Mrs. D has mastered the art of working behind the scenes without posing for photo ops. I for one know that she does philanthropy almost spontaneously and I’ve prayed a couple of times that God should put money in the hands of people who like her know that the purpose of life is measured the most by the marks you leave on the lives of people who have nothing to give you in return. As long as you have a need, Mrs. D ‘dey for you’ as young people would borrow from pop culture lines and I’m often enthralled by her extreme passion for the downtrodden and internally displaced persons across Nigeria especially in her home state in Edo where’s she’s constantly working to put several children and youths through school and sending food and healthcare consumables to cater to their needs as often as possible. The church also gets a chunk of her social good.

Away from the business and politics of being Mrs. D, she’s been some sort of an enigma in my life’s journey.

Extremely warm, attentive and sweet, it’s an absolute rarity for a visitor to leave her house without a gift, even if it’s as little as drinking water which she will probably serve you herself, anyway.

She’d take her calls and return them if she misses them. Always welcoming with a broad smile, no ringing of bells or barking orders as one has seen in some quarters of elite folk - here’s a hands-on wife and mom who still enjoys cooking for and tending to her family. And she loves her fresh fish, sweet yams and mangoes, home girl to the very core. I watch Mrs. D with keen admiration each time we get to talk about serious issues or gist about other cool stuff happening around the world.

Fervent in her principles yet thoughtful in the quality of her words and the way she treats people. She has a rich opinion on practically every human angle issue but I’m also fascinated by the fact that she’s an avid listener who’s happy to learn from just anybody regardless of age, gender or socioeconomic status.

At 70, Mrs. D’s impeccable finesse and stunning beauty have endured through the years and how she has sustained that ravishingly beautiful hair, skin and girlish deportment is a lesson for younger women to be mindful of what they eat, maintain exercise routine and a healthy lifestyle.

Had Roy Orbison met Mrs. D when he recorded his 1964 hit rock song, ‘Pretty Woman’, he most likely would have agreed more that pretty isn’t the end of beauty.

With all of these endowments and in all these positions, her simplicity and humility, despite being from a prominent family in Benin and an accomplished woman of timber and calibre, has been one of her several endearing traits. Mommy D’s characteristic expression of happiness is contagious, that one will wonder if anything ever bothers her.

As she switches to the side of the 70s, her colourful life of substance speaks to the possibilities of a transformed nation-state if and when individuals conduct their works and lives with a clear sense of purpose and excellent standards.

Mrs. D, our Mother General, it’s perhaps one of the greatest honours of my life to be an adopted daughter to you and our Daddy General. I wish you every blessing, every step of the way.

Thank you so much, Mrs. D, for everything you are to me. Even my husband and children have very fond memories of you and all you do for us. I love you, Mama.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

7. 8.2022

Even in Creative Sphere, Realities of Times are Taking their Toll With an enviable track record as Nigeria’s longest-running art fiesta, Life in My City Art Festival’s regional exhibitions deserve better positioning in its contemporary art space.

Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, who saw the Lagos edition on Wednesday, says

S

uch is the consistency of the wow-potentials of the Life in My City Art Festival’s Lagos exhibitions that the expectations of this year’s edition – WKH ÀUVW VLQFH WKH &29,' lockdown was lifted – were ratcheted up a notch. But truth be told, the wow moments at its last Wednesday, August 3 event held at the Thought Pyramid Art &HQWUH LQ ,NR\L ZHUH IHZ DQG IDU EHWZHHQ And depressing though this may sound, the looming spectre of invention fatigue among the young contestants seemed to have joined IRUFHV ZLWK WKH FUHDWLYLW\ VWLÁLQJ GLVWUDFWLRQV RI WKHVH WLPHV WR KDXQW WKH RͿHULQJV Give the artists credit, though; even in the naive, enthusiastic manipulation of their FKRVHQ PHGLXPV LW ZDV FOHDU WKDW HͿRUWV were made to leave lasting, creative impressions on the audience, even if this endeavour seemed cerebrally contrived. For instance, traces of latent potential in the works of two obviously-skilled ceramicists or clay sculptors—namely, SamuelAbidemi’s “Ewa&OD\µ DQG ´,GL ,OHNHµ DV ZHOO DV 2OXEXQPL Atere’s “Fecundity” and “Community”— imply that the artists might yet go places JLYHQ WKH ULJKW FLUFXPVWDQFHV 2I FRXUVH the same could be said about Elizabeth AdeROD ,EDWD\R·V WH[WLOH RͿHULQJ ´0LQG IXOµ 2OXZDVHJXQ $GHRMR·V SDLQWLQJ ´(VSULW GH &RUSVµ DQG GUDZLQJ ´6LOHQFHGµ DQG 'RULV 2Q\LQ\H &KXNZXPD·V SKRWRJUDSK\ VHULHV $ 6WDUH WR EH 6DYHG , DQG ,, As for the exhibition’s real head-turners, 2ODGXQQL 0RVKRRG *ERODKDQ·V PDVWHUO\ drawings “Perturbation” and “Allure”, +DIHH] 2ODOHNDQ .DUHHP·V ´6LOHQW 1RLVHµ DQG +DQVRQ 2NHUH·V PL[HG PHGLD ´'LOHPPD RI /LEHUW\ 9HUVXV 2WKHUµ GHVHUYH WR EH awarded the laurel wreath. These works stand out as solitary beacons in the tangle of visual impressions, which even the curator ZLWK WKH PRVW SURÀFLHQW VNLOOV ZRXOG KDYH been hard pushed to assemble.

That said, it is interesting how little the theme of this year’s exhibition – like the ones EHIRUH LW ² VHHPV WR EH HLWKHU VXSHUÀFLDOO\ adhered to or outrightly ignored. Granted, the theme, Paradox of Muted Echoes, which is another way of saying that things are not always what they appear to be, must have left many of the contestants scratching their heads in their attempt to unravel the mystery. ´,W DOVR VHHPV WR VXJJHVW WKDW VRPHWLPHV silence being a vital part of sound, may be a potent device to enable us [to] hear from within, but it still presents a paradox,” the IHVWLYDO·V DUW GLUHFWRU 'U $\R $GHZXQPL explains in the exhibition catalogue. %XW WKHQ WKH ÁLS VLGH RI VXFK QRW VR ZHOO thought-through foisting of such conceptual themes on these barely exposed younger artists is their tendency to adopt a one-sizeÀWV DOO DSSURDFK WR WKH DQQXDO FRPSHWLWLRQ ZKLFK LV EHVW NQRZQ E\ LWV DFURQ\P /,0&$) ,QGHHG LW LV QRW LPSRVVLEOH WKDW VRPH RI

the works would have been hastily produced, if not blatantly dredged up from past collections. As for the jurors, they must have had quite an interesting time in the online selection of these works, which they deemed suitable for the physical regional exhibitions.

Talking about the regional exhibitions, the Lagos edition was only one of the handful so far, which include Abuja, $XFKL %HQLQ DQG 2QGR HGLWLRQV ,W LV DW these regional exhibitions – the second of the competition’s three stages – that WKH WRS ZRUNV IRU WKH JUDQG ÀQDOH exhibition in Enugu will be selected.

'XULQJ WKH JUDQG ÀQDOH H[KLELWLRQ which is scheduled to be held from SatXUGD\ 2FWREHU WR 6DWXUGD\ 2FWREHU DW WKH ,QVWLWXWH RI 0DQDJHPHQW DQG 7HFKQRORJ\·V ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &RQIHUHQFH &HQWUH WKH /,0&$)·V QDWLRQDO MXU\ ZLOO decide the eventual award-winners IURP DPRQJ WKHVH ZRUNV Meanwhile, the awards and gala nights, which will be held this year RQ 2FWREHU DV WKH FOLPD[ RI WKH WKUHH VWDJHV RI WKH /,0&$)·V VHOHFWLRQ SURcess, are often graced by distinguished personalities drawn from all spheres of life. Among these, such visual arts leading lights as El Anatsui (who is also a patron of the annual event), the soon-to-be nonagenarian Bruce 2QREUDNSH\D WKH ODWH 2OD 2ORLGL WKH ODWH 2ODELVL 6LOYD -HUU\ %XKDUL .XQOH )LODQL 6DQL 0X·D]X WKH ODWH 1VLNDN (VVLHQ 3HMX /D\LZROD -RH 0XVD )UDQN 8JLRPRK 6DP 2YUDLWL %ODLVH *XQGX *EDGHQ &KLMLRNH 2QXRUD DQG 7RQLH 2NSH DPRQJ RWKHUV KDYH DW various times featured prominently at the colourful event.

7KHUH KDV DOVR EHHQ WKH KLJK SURÀOH SUHVHQFH RI WKH /,0&$)·V VSRQVRUV and supporters, as well as strong representations from the government and traditional institutions. ,QGHHG WKH DZDUGV DQG JDOD QLJKW have always been the meeting ground for such dignitaries as the Enugu State JRYHUQRU ,IHDQ\L 8JZXDQ\L WKH 2EL RI 2QLWVKD ,JZH 1QDHPHND $FKHEH 1LJHULD·V IRUPHU KLJK FRPPLVVLRQHU WR WKH 8. &KULVWRSKHU .RODGH WKH former Cross River State governor, 'RQDOG 'XNH WKH JURXS FKDLUPDQ RI +RQH\ZHOO *URXS 2ED 2WXGHNR and the founder of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, among others.

0HDQZKLOH WKLV 1LJHULD·V ELJJHVW youth empowerment art platform has come a long way since its inception in )URP LWV PRGHVW EHJLQQLQJV DV DQ LQ KRXVH SURMHFW RI &KLHI 5REHUW 2UML·V DGYHUWLVLQJ DJHQF\ 5RFDQD 1LJHULD Limited, it soon elicited the interest of the Alliance Française network

Dilemma of Liberty Versus Other, mixed media 47 x 47 inches by Hanson Okere

and the French Embassy and, not too long DIWHUZDUGV DWWUDFWHG KLJK SURÀOH VSRQVRUV OLNH 'LDPRQG %DQN )%1 +ROGLQJV the Enugu State Government and, more UHFHQWO\ WKH 071 )RXQGDWLRQ ,W LV QRW surprising therefore that the top-echelon VWDͿ PHPEHUV RI WKHVH RUJDQLVDWLRQV KDYH also graced the awards and gala night.

The awards, which come with cash SUL]HV DUH FODVVLÀHG DV WKH RYHUDOO ZLQQHU the categories’, endowed and consolation SUL]HV 2QO\ UHFHQWO\ WKH ZLQQHUV RI WKH IHVWLYDO·V DQG HGLWLRQV ² VL[ GUDZQ from each edition – were joined by the six WRS ZLQQHUV RI WKH HGLWLRQ IRU DQ DOO H[SHQVHV WULS WR WKH 'DNDU $UW %LHQQDOH WDJJHG 'DN·$UW ZKLFK ZDV EDQNUROOHG E\ Professor El Anatsui.

After so many years of its unmistakable LPSDFW RQ WKH FRQWHPSRUDU\ 1LJHULDQ DUW VFHQH WKH /,0&$) H[KLELWLRQV VKRXOG E\ now have transcended the realm of the Silent Noise by Hafeez Olalekan Kareem ordinary.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7 , 2022

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

Confronting the Existential Scourge of Ritual Killings Emboldened by the emerging strong non-state actors and weak state control, underreported cases of ritual killings in the country are rising, adding to the list of existential crises bedeviling the nation, writes Louis Achi

A

Amidst prevailing uncertainty, poverty, joblessness, illiteracy and some level of fetishism in the nation, an increasing number of Nigerians have opted for extreme means of survival, notwithstanding how

bizarre.

Worse, there is no empirical correlation between the deadly human rituals and the instant wealth usually promised through magical potions by predatory herbalists and voodoo practitioners. But clearly, as in other proven bloody impunities in the country which are not being harshly punished, this audacious carnage will persist.

According to a report in the American ‘Foreign Affairs’ magazine, the rising incidence of ritual killings in Nigeria, “reflects a weakening state control and Nigerians’ desperate attempts to achieve economic stability,” through diabolical means.

One of the most celebrated cases of ritual killings was that of the Port Harcourt serial killer, Gracious David-West who reportedly lured seven young ladies with high-risk lifestyle across Lagos, Imo and Rivers State to hotels and murdered them, allegedly for rituals.

In another terrible case, Miss Iniobong Umoren, a young job-seeking graduate who was raped and murdered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last year, was allegedly used for ritual purposes. Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy, University of Uyo, was killed on April 2021.

It is heartening that an Akwa Ibom State High Court last week sentenced Uduak Akpan, Umoren’s killer, to death by hanging for murder.

There have been hundreds of reported and unreported cases of ritual murders in Nigeria.

To effectively confront and cage these killers and restore civilised peace to the country, there is crucial need for the state to quit dithering and subscribe to a higher value on life and human dignity.

The federal government and sub-nationals must also firm up to restore law and order to the polity. The justice system and relevant laws need to be jazzed up.

A studied, and holistic response is urgent

Google.com notwithstanding the other bracing challenges from the economic realm to terrorism and banditry. Several cogent posers necessarily arise here: How can sentient beings possibly believe that money sprouts from human parts? What is unfolding is indisputably a growing sense of quirky survivalist desperation to acquire wealth without work.

How should the Nigerian state react to a problem posed by ignorance and greed? How can the authorities put an end to these grim acts of violence against fellow beings and the society at large?

The legendary Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani disagreed when Nollywood was blamed for the increasing ritual killings among Nigerian youths. According to him, “we have to blame ourselves. The ritual killings are written in the newspapers and broadcast on television. But nobody blames it on the newspaper, but Nollywood is much easier to pick up on.”

He provides more insight into the reasons behind the profane scourge: “So we take part of the blame, but nobody talks about the audience because essentially, Nollywood is like a consummate of small businesses controlled

by distributors and marketers.

“They respond to the audience’s demands; so, why does the audience keep buying films of that type? If the audience stops buying them and says, no, listen, we don’t want any of these ritual movies, the case will disappear.

Therefore we have to look inward, let’s start from the home, what are we giving the next generation.

“We also have to start a reorientation because social media popularises rituals. So, we have to be conscious of using social media, which is good. Then we discard rubbish.”

Although some will pitch that ritual murders have been in existence for long and nothing can be done about it but this is a flawed argument. Could it be that the African culture’s accommodation of the constant need to spill blood as a form of ablution is the reason for these killings? Should the society then condone or subscribe to sheer barbarism to make money?

From Tunde Kelani’s clarifications, it then may not be fair to allege that the media created an imaginative correlation of spirits bringing money to people after ritual killings?

Could this have been used to bolster the claim that ritual killings lead to money? Could the media have increased the problem? Or was it because they wanted to sell sensation to people and make money?

Although Kelani conceded that both Nollywood and the media should take part of the blame, he nevertheless correctly identified the audience as equally culpable because the two industries respond to the audience’s demands as they keep buying gory films of that type and give attention to such bloody content?

This where regulatory agencies like the Censor’s Board and NBC can step in and wield the big stick.

But then looking at the big picture, human sacrifice has been a part of the human consciousness from the old times. In primitive societies the sacrifice of a human being was considered the highest form of sacrifice.

Even in Europe this was practiced in the early centuries according to James George Frazer in The Golden Bough where he made reference to a certain king of Sweden who sacrificed nine of his ten sons to gain longevity!

Whereas societies in the advanced world have moved on, some African countries and Nigerians are still stuck in time. There is the superstitious and fetish belief that the life of a child or a mother or a stranger can generate wealth. Perhaps it is possible, as the notorious ‘yahoo yahoo’ boys believe.

But this is sheer gibberish and fundamentally unscientific, barbaric and extremely backward in the 21st Century. Some have been reported to use their close relations for ritual. It has also been reported that some politicians also indulge in this inhumane act as a way of winning elections, maintaining power and getting ahead in life!

How many ritual killings did the Elon Musks, Bill Gates, the Mark Zuckerbergs, Warren Buffets, the Mo Ibrahims, the Dangotes and many other billionaires do to make their money?

What ritual killing did the software developers in India or Silicon Valley perform to achieve such phenomenal success?

Again, it bears repeating that the barbaric impunity of ritual killings will persist except the society swiftly and sternly punishes all proven cases of this type of criminality.

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

Why is Uzodimma Always in Aso Rock?

Wike Uzodimma

What is Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State always looking for at the Presidential Villa? This is one question many analysts asked when he was spotted in a photograph with President Muhammadu Buhari last weekend during a courtesy visit.

The Imo State governor is accused by his political opponents of not concentrating on governing the state. They have wondered why he can’t he always stay back and solve the security challenges confronting the state, and also save his state the huge resources associated with his frequent trips to the Villa.

Since Uzodimma became governor in January 2020, his state has become the hotbed of insecurity in the South-east with news of killings, arson, abductions and ritualist-related killings dominating

the media. Consistently, he has always blamed the opposition and exonerated himself.

Initially, the governor had blamed insecurity in the state on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

But after being tackled by the group, he recanted and shifted the blame to a former governor of the state and senator representing Imo West senatorial district, Rochas Okorocha.

But Okorocha and other stakeholders, including separatist agitators accused the governor of being behind the insecurity in the state, accusing him of attempts to silence those who are not happy with his style of governance.

It is not in doubt that once in while governors visit the president to brief him on issues concerning their states. But Uzodimma’s trip to the Villa

has become too frequent. Even the governors of terrorist-ravaged states in the North such as Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara and Borno who are also in the same political party with the president, do not visit the Presidential Villa like Uzodimma.

Even Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State who manages the biggest economy in the country, and equally in the same political party with the president does not run to the Presidential Villa like Uzodimma. This is why many are wondering what he is always looking for.

As the 2023 general election is approaching, many are concerned that the governor may soon add members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to his list of those sponsoring mayhem in the state.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7 , 2022

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BRIEFINGNOTES Can Lalong Douse Tension over APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket?

Following the backlash that greeted the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party has appointed Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State as the Director General of its Presidential Campaign Council in a strategic move to pacify Northern Christians. Ejiofor Alike writes that Lalong, who is believed to enjoy the support of forces that are against the indigenous people in his state, will battle the challenge of acceptability among Northern Christians

A

s part of its fence-mending efforts to reconcile with Christians across the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) last Thursday, confirmed the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Mr. Simon Lalong, as the Director General of its Presidential Campaign Council. The ruling party had provoked the ire of Christians in the country when its presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election, Senator Bola Tinubu, appointed a fellow Muslim and former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

Tinubu was accused of ignoring the religious factor and the current mood of the country to choose Shettima as his running mate in a MuslimMuslim ticket last proposed by the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, who ran with a fellow Muslim, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe.

Though the APC presidential candidate had stated that “the spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023,” many Christians argued that the Nigeria of 1993 is different from the Nigeria of 2023.

Many Christians insisted that it was not proper for the APC presidential candidate to compare the politics of 1993 when religion was not a factor in Nigeria, to the current situation in the country.

According to them, the country is currently divided along ethnic and religious lines, with Christians being killed by Muslim terrorists and indigenous people being sacked and displaced from their ancestral lands by the rampaging Muslim herdsmen across the country.

Northern Christians are particularly angry as they claim that Tinubu rubbed it on their faces that none of them is competent to be Nigeria’s President or Vice President, because they would not be accepted by the northern Muslims who are the majority in the region.

BeforeTinubu settled for Shettima, there were speculations that northern Christians such as Lalong and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara were being considered by the former Lagos State governor.

Apart from beingTinubu’s fellow Muslim, Shettima’s past record as governor of Borno State, particularly his alleged controversial role in the April 14, 2014 abduction of over 276 Christian Chibok school girls in his state did not endear him to Christians in the North.

Since his emergence, many northern Christian members of the APC, includingTinubu’s erstwhile strong ally and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal,

Lalong have been leading a campaign against the APC. But in a strategic move to douse the tension and woo northern Christian voters, the ruling APC last Thursday confirmed Lalong, as the Director General of its Presidential Campaign Council.

The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, disclosed this to State House Correspondents shortly after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Adamu reportedly said: “We are here to see Mr. President to brief him and to get his approval of plans that we are having regarding our campaign outfit.

“And once we have his approval, we intend to make major disclosure. We’re on the same page with the presidential and the individuals who will play various roles in the campaign.

“The DG (Director General) of the campaign is seated by my right here - Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

“WehaveaspokespersoninthepersonofFestus Keyamo. The deputy spokesperson is Hannatu Musawa. This is what we came to discuss with the president.”

Adamu explained that the choice of Lalong was based on his ability to do the work required to

ensure victory for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in next year’s presidential elections.

Indeed, APC needs a strong and widely influential northern Christian to shore up its dwindling popularity among the northern Christian voters.

But does Lalong fit into this shoe?

Lalong, who hails from Ajikamai in Shendam Local Government Area, a predominantly Christian-dominated area in the state, has held several influential positions in the course of his political career. Many believe that these positions are sufficient for him to have gained enough popularity and acceptability among Muslims and Christians alike.

His political career started in 1999, when he won the Shendam constituency seat in the state House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He emerged the Speaker of the state House of Assembly in October 2000.

Lalong was elected twice as Chairman of Nigerian Conference of Speakers from 2001- 2002; and National Chairman of forum of All former Speakers of Nigeria. He was also Chairman of formerStateLegislatorsofPlateauStateChapter.

ThePlateauStategovernoristhecurrentChairman

of the influential Northern Governors’ Forum.

His journey to the Rayfield Government House in Jos began in 2015 when the people of Plateau State protested against the PDP-led administration of former Governor Jonah David Jang for flouting the power rotation arrangement in the state. Lalong, the then governorship candidate of the APC, was the greatest beneficiary of the protest.

Even some members of the PDP mobilised against Jang because he wanted his kinsman, the late Senator Gyang Nyam Shom Pwajok to take over from him.

Though Lalong won the governorship election, PresidentMuhammaduBuharilostthepresidential election in the state.

However, on assumption of office, Lalong allegedly became too close to forces that are believed to be against the interest of the indigenous people in his state, who are predominantly Christians.

For instance, unlike his Benue State governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, who was vociferous in his condemnation of the foreign herdsmen who were on rampage in his state, Lalong was accused of not putting the blames on the appropriate quarters when Plateau farmers were killed and villagers sacked by Fulani herders. Many had accused him of deliberate inaction to win the love of the enemies of his people for his reelection. It was due to his poorhandlingofthekillingoftheindigenouspeople that forced the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to pelt his convoy with stones on one occasion.

It was this embarrassing incident that jolted him to threaten the foreign invaders and land grabbers for the first time when over 200 persons were killed in Barkin Ladi LGA area in the state.

When herdsmen intensified attacks on Benue farmers despite the Anti-Open Grazing Law enacted by Ortom to curb the crisis, Lalong had publicly blamed his Benue State counterpart for enacting the law, which he claimed was responsible of the escalation of the killings. But in the absence of Anti-Open Grazing Law, Plateau State under his administration, remained a killing field.

The Plateau State governor was also alleged to be among the first set of governors to accept the proposed creation of cattle colony, which was rejected in the South and Middle Belt.

HiselectionasChairmanofNorthernGovernors’ Forum was said to be a payback by forces that are believed to be favoured by his style of handling the security situation in his state.

Many are concerned that Lalong’s obvious failure to protect the indigenous people of the state from gruesome killings and displacement from their ancestral homes by herders, may make his acceptability by northern Christians difficult in his new assignment.

NOTES FOR FILE

Buratai’s New Stance on Tackling Insecurity

Buratai

Lately, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has been pontificating on how the federal government can tackle insecurity in the country. Speaking as a guest lecturer at a one-day symposium on National Security, organised by Arewa House in Kaduna, Buratai, who is now the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, reportedly called for dialogue between governments and armed groups. He argued that a growing practice of engaging in dialogue with all parties to a conflict had emerged since the mid-1980s.

He noted that he aligned with the approach being promoted by a revered Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi.

When did Buratai realise that the federal government needs dialogue and negotiation to end

insecurity in the country? Is it after he left office that he suddenly realised that the country needs dialogue to end insecurity?

Many feel that if he had done what he preaches now, perhaps, the level of insecurity would have considerably reduced.

Why did he not vigorously pursue this step to in order to save lives?

As the longest-serving Army Chief, why did he not negotiate with any of the aggrieved groups?

He supervised the Zaria massacre of Shiites in 2015. He used his ‘Operation Crocodile Smile,’ and ‘Operation Python Dance’ to provoke the once peaceful Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to establish an armed wing. He never negotiated with

any of these groups. He compulsorily retired 38 senior officers unjustly in one fell swoop without following due process. When the courts ordered him to reinstate some of the officers, he displayed his disdain for rule of law and bluntly refused.

Many feel that his pontifications are attempts to garb himself in new clothing as a reformed diplomat.

It is believed that he intends to venture into politics in future like his erstwhile colleague, the former Chief of Air Staff, who is now the Bauchi State governorship candidate of the APC. So he evidently wants to reveal a more fashionable personality to appeal to the public. What he does not realise is that this public is not made up of fools.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7 , 2022

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CICERO/REPORT

APC Haunted by Buhari’s Performance Not many Nigerians were convinced last week when a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, attempted to distance the presidential candidate of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, from the lacklustre performance of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last seven years, Adedayo Akinwale writes

T

he former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, stirred controversy last week when he absolved the party’s presidential candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of the blame for the poor performance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Oshiomhole, who featured in a programme on ARISE NEWS Channel, stressed that it would be unfair to blame the former Lagos State governor for Buhari’s performance because he never held any position in the government.

Tinubu, who had boasted publicly in Abeokuta, Ogun State that he installed Buhari in 2015, received scathing criticisms from Nigerians following the abysmal performance of the government on insecurity and economy in the last seven years.

Buhari, who was Nigeria’s military Head of State between 1983 and 1984, first contested the Presidency on the platform of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) in 2003 and lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

In 2007, he lost to another PDP candidate, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In 2011, he formed a new party, the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), contested on its platform but lost to Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP. In 2014, four political parties, the CPC, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), merged to form the APC on whose platform Buhari contested and finally won 2015 the presidential election.

Tinubu had recently opened up on his role in the emergence of Buhari as the President in 2015. While addressing the Ogun State APC delegates at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, Buhari, after losing the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections, vowed not to contest again.

The former governor of Lagos State said he went to Katsina to persuade Buhari to contest and subsequently supported him to win in 2015. He boastfully told his audience that he brought the president out of political retirement, and assisted him to emerge as president.

But ahead of the elections, the APC presidential candidate has come under fire on two fronts. While he is battling the key role he played in assisting Buhari to power, he is also facing criticisms for choosing a fellow Muslim and former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

The Buhari-led administration in the eyes of many is the worst the nation has ever experienced since 1999. From the banditry and insurgency that have characterised the polity leading to numerous deaths and homelessness, to rising inflation due to poor management of the economy and massive corruption, there is a level of fear pervading every part of society.

In the past seven years, Nigerians have had nothing but diatribes and regrets. The hope of a better life as promised by Buhari during his electioneering year in 2014 has turned into despair as daily reports of insecurity, economic hardship and corruption continue to confront Nigerians.

In both the northern and southern parts of the country, so many lives have been lost in recent times. Even those who were abducted by dare-devil bandits from an Abuja-Kaduna-bound train over months ago are still in the captivity of the terrorists. The disturbing trend is becoming worrisome.

Against this backdrop, many Nigerians have been wondering how the APC presidential candidate would convince

Tinubu the people to vote for the party given that President Buhari’s performance sheet is filled with red marks. More so, how will he reignite hope in his party without mentioning how he has contributed to the problems?

But Oshiomhole stressed that Tinubu should not be blamed for Buhari’s performance because the former Lagos State governor never participated in governance at any level in the current federal administration.

He stressed that it would be unfair for anyone to hold Tinubu responsible for the performance, policies, and policy implementation of the current government.

He said: “You can’t say someone who never in any way participated in government should be credited with the outcome of government policies or be blamed either way. I think in apportioning blame or crediting people, you look at their role. It is a fact that Asiwaju by himself said, yes, he co-founded the APC. “I was a co-founding governor of the APC along with Fashola and other governors but he never participated in governance. He never held any position in government and didn’t carry out a contract on behalf of the government.

So how can you credit him either way?

This is just being fair.”

Many believe that Oshiomhole missed the point because during the party’s campaigns ahead of the primaries, Tinubu at a grand rally at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos, promised Nigerians that he would deliver a united and banditryfree Nigeria if elected president. He told the gathered youths under the aegis of Progressive Youth of SouthWest who had declared their support for his presidential aspiration, that Nigerians were tired of excuses and

Oshiomhole lamentations of the past.

“You must change the story of potential, the story of banditry, you must change the story of tribalism,” he reportedly explained.

The APC presidential candidate had apparently admitted that the present administration failed to unite Nigerians and make the country bandit-free. To sell himself appropriately to the youths as the saviour Nigeria desperately needs, the National Leader of the APC tackled Buhari on his comment four years ago about Nigerian youths being indolent.

Buhari made the popular expression “Nigerian youths are lazy” during a Commonwealth Business Forum in London in 2018. He described Nigerian youths as lazy folks who only want the good things of life without working for them.

“More than 60 per cent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil-producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free,” Buhari was quoted as saying at the conference.

During the rally, Tinubu indirectly responded to Buhari, telling the youths that they cannot be blamed for being “lazy” with the erratic electricity supply in the country. He said no nation can witness “rapid development” without electricity, adding that the country cannot continue to give “excuses” for failure to generate a stable power supply. He noted that the country is blessed with enough gas that can be used to generate electricity and even export to European countries.

He further urged the youths to revalidate their Permanent Voters’ Cards and be ready to vote in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Many observers believe that Oshiomhole’s statement is the hypocrisy the APC and Tinubu handlers are known for. They wonder if Tinubu was in government under

Babatunde Fashola, Akinwumi Ambode and Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governors of Lagos State when he took credit for the performances. They also wonder why he should not be held responsible for Buhari’s performance whom he boasted to have installed.

“Tinubu claimed credit for the successes of Fashola Ambode and Sanwo-Olu recorded in Lagos. Was he in their governments when he did it? Now he is turning around to say that he was not in the Buhari government, which he personally boasted and claimed in Abeokuta to have installed.

What a shame! I don’t know why it should be Oshiomhole that would be sent to tell Nigerians this. And yet he boldly sat in the studio and told Nigerians that Tinubu cannot be held responsible for Buhari’s performance. This is the height of hypocrisy of APC and Tinubu’s handlers are known for,” said Folarin Adeyemi, a political observer.

An analyst, Mr. Abraham Ona, wondered why the former Edo State governor would extricate Tinubu from Buhari’s failure when he admitted that he brought him to power.

“Oshiomhole was in Abeokuta when his principal declared he put Buhari in Aso Rock. What is this man talking about? His ignorance, denial and deception cannot help this time around that both young and old are tired of you people and have woken up from slumber,” he said.

Also, another political commentator, Ugo Emeka said when a former party chairman is running away from the record of his own party in government, it means then there is a problem.

“There is really fire on the mountain when a former party chairman is running away from the record of his own party in government. How in the world can this man summon the courage to ask Nigerians to vote for APC? Fifteen years ago, if anyone had ever prophesied to me that Oshiomhole would turn into what he has currently become, I would have believed the prophet was a lunatic. But it is happening now.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7 , 2022

CICERO/ISSUES

Six Years after, 38 Army 2ͿFHUV 6WLOO &U\ IRU -XVWLFH Despite obtaining judgments from the High Court and Court of Appeal, the 38 senior officers of the Nigerian Army, who were compulsorily retired in 2016 unjustly, are still waiting for justice, Vanessa Obioha writes

D

oes the low morale of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army have anything to do with the way they are being treated, especially in the face of the insecurity threatening the country? This is the question that came to mind when Col. Danladi Hassan, one of the 38 army officers arbitrarily sacked in 2016, sought the intervention of the Minister of Defence, Maj.Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), after the army disregarded the court injunction ordering his reinstatement.

Hassan and 37 other senior officers were forced to retire by the army in 2016. The mass dismissal affected nine major generals, 11 brigadier generals, seven colonels and 11 lieutenant colonels. The news of their retirement on June 9, 2016, sent shockwaves across the nation. The spokesman of the Nigerian Army then, Brig. Gen SK Usman had declared that the officers were compulsorily retired on “disciplinary grounds, serious offences.’’

The “serious offences,” according to the authorities included partisanship during the general election of 2015, involvement in arms procurement fraud and jeopardising national security. The then Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen Mansur Dan-Alli (rtd) and the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (rtd) himself, corroborated Usman’s statement, alleging further that due process and fair hearing were granted to all the officers and were found guilty by a competent legal procedure.

“It took us a painstaking procedure to ensure we did not pick innocent ones. We started with one inquiry from One Division GOC to the other. After that, we subjected it to legal review. After the legal review, we forwarded our recommendations to higher authorities for consideration. So, it took us time; we have our own process also; our administrative process dovetailing into legal review and so on,” Buratai said at the time.

However, it did not take long for Nigerians to know that none of the 38 officers was queried, charged, tried or found guilty of any offence, let alone even appearing before any court-martial. Investigations into the army’s act showed that they acted illegally, thus leading to the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordering the reinstatement of Hassan and other affected persons. However, the authorities have continued to defy the court’s order.

Several of the officers who felt the Army breached its extant rules and regulations in carrying out the retirements took their grievances to the courts to clear their names.

This was after they had appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention and reinstatement, but no response came from the presidency or the army.

Seven of the officers have since won their cases in courts, which ordered their reinstatement into the Force. The officers who got judgments against the Army are Maj. Gen. Ijioma, Cols Hassan and Suleiman as well as Lt. Cols Arigbe, A.S. Muhammed, Dazang and Mohammed.

Added to these seven are two officers who obtained National Assembly’s resolutions ordering their reinstatement.

Some of the officers who are still in their 40s are hoping that the authorities would carefully look into their cases in the interest of justice to continue to offer their military service to the country. Hassan is among those still waiting for the Nigerian Army to reinstate them as ordered by the court.

On June 28, 2022, Hassan’s solicitors submitted a letter on his behalf to Magashi’s office, urging him to prevail on the army to obey the court orders that declared the retirement

Yahaya of their client illegal. The solicitors reminded Magashi that on January 25, 2022, they had forwarded to his office the judgment of the National Industrial Court that set aside the compulsory retirement of Hassan.

“Unfortunately, since the receipt of our letter in January 2022, and the Army Council meeting in March 2022, our client is yet to be reinstated by the Nigerian Army in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the final arbiter in a matter such as this,” the letter read in part.

The letter noted that Hassan has been subjected to extreme hardship, and emotional and psychological trauma for not less than six years and still counting “in disregard of a subsisting and valid judgment of the National Industrial Court, affirmed by the Court of Appeal ordering our client’s reinstatement and payment of his salaries and allowances.”

In 2018, the army first suffered a defeat at the Abuja National Industrial Court in a suit filed by Hassan seeking N1 billion as damages to void his compulsory retirement. The court would later vindicate the colonel in 2019 after nullifying the untimely retirement by the army.

The trial judge, Sanusi Kado, had ruled that the Nigerian Army failed to convince the court

about the disciplinary grounds for the compulsory retirement of Hassan. The army authorities, including the Nigerian Army Council, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Armed Forces Council, decided to appeal against the decision of the Industrial Court.

In December 2021, however, Justice Stephen Adah, reading the lead judgment of the threemember Appeal Court panel vindicated Hassan again by ruling that the appellants lacked merit in their suit.

The court also noted that “it was in that respect that the court now held that the compulsory retirement of the claimant was declared null and void; letter of compulsory retirement also set aside and he was ordered to be reinstated and a letter issued to that effect, reinstating him into the Nigerian Army with all rights and privileges”.

Though six years have passed since the army’s compulsory retirement, the arbitrary manner they were sent packing has remained a ghost haunting the force.

Not a few observers feel that this perhaps may be one of the several factors responsible for the perceived low morale in the rank and file of the Nigerian Army. They argued that a situation where injustices are meted out on

officers with arbitrary retirement or failure to o obey judgment when a court of law orders, would o weaken their morale and lower their performance. w Curiously, before he retired, Buratai disregarded tthe judgments of the courts and the resolutions of the National Assembly. The army authorities o who run to the National Assembly for bogus w aappropriations to prosecute insurgency war ttreat the resolutions of the federal lawmakers with contempt and disdain. This has also raised w eyebrows about the Army’s willingness to provide e jjustice to the officers.

In delivering his judgment on February 5, 2020, in Col M. A. Sulaiman v Nigerian Army 2 aand others, Justice Sanusi Kado corroborated tthe officers’ arguments, insisting that the ““compulsory retirement of the claimant (Col MA Sulaiman), is hereby declared null and void.”

Other judgments followed a similar pattern with the judges denouncing the actions of the w Nigerian Army against the officers and ordering ttheir immediate reinstatement, promotion and payment of all their entitlements.

Analysts have argued that if the Generals ccannot be reinstated because age and years of sservice have caught up with them, the colonels aand majors who are much younger in age and yyears of service, still have a lot of contributions tto make in the Force.

To further validate the claims that the officers were innocent of the allegations against them, w it was reported that several of them were not even in Nigeria when they were compulsorily e retired without a fair hearing.

For instance, Lt. Col Thomas Arigbe was a Directing Staff on a two-year Exchange Programme with the Ghana Armed Forces at tthe Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while another, Col. MA Suleiman, a C national merit award winner for the safe rescue of several foreign hostages, was in Chad as o military attache where his experience fighting tthe insurgents was being utilised.

This is also the case with Col. Hassan who led the troops in recapturing Bulabulin and Damboa from Boko Haram in August 2014.

A retired senior military officer who spoke tto THISDAY suggested that the best way fforward is to grant justice to the innocent aand unjustly retired officers. He particularly noted that the officers who went to court and won must be innocent in every sense of the word because they would not possess the boldness and moral courage to do so unless they were guiltless.

The retired officer who did not want his name mentioned, said that the image of the army has been damaged by the false accusations against the officers and the lack of fair hearing.

He added that he wasn’t surprised that the judiciary provided justice for the officers to put a stop to the army’s impunity that led to victimising the officers.

“Injustice is injustice; injustice to one officer is an injustice to all. Justice cannot be built on acts of injustice. It appears that the army is deliberately delaying this issue for time to ensure that the compulsory retired officers’ coursemates complete 35 years of service like the senior ones. For the junior ones, they are hoping that they exceed the age bracket for their respective ranks. This is to ensure that legally they have no careers to return to, as the conditions of service prescribe 35 years as the maximum number of years an officer can serve. There is also a maximum age of an officer per rank,” he said.

He, therefore, urged the military authorities to display the requisite honour and moral courage to obey the respective court judgments without prejudice and reinstate the officers in the interest of justice.

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INTERNATIONAL US-China Relations and Nancy Pelosi’s Visit to Taiwan:The Foreign Policy Implications for Nigeria

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nited States relationship with the Peoples’ Republic of China has always been fraught with suspicions and competitive challenges. Of these challenges, the question ofTaiwan appears to be the most critical, especially from a Euro-American perspective. The criticality of the question is best explained by two conflicting strategic interests with that have a politico-economic and militaro-strategic character. At the politico-economic character level, the Western world wants Taiwan to be geo-politically and sovereignly detached from Mainland China, while China only accepts the rule of‘One Nation, Two Systems,’that Telephone : 0807-688-2846 is, non-negotiability of the territorial integrity of Mainland China and e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com Taiwan, but freedom for Taiwan to continue to operate its capitalist system of economic governance and co-exist with the socialist system in Mainland China as an integral part of Mainland China.

True enough, China ruled over Taiwan for over 1000 years before Japan did occupyTaiwan for fifty years, 1895-1945. However, following the end of World War II in 1945, when Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces, China reclaimed Taiwan. In the same vein, when the Chinese intermittent civil war that began in 1927 ended, Chairman Mao Zedong founded the Chinese Communist Party and the Peoples’ Republic of China in 1949. This new development compelled the defeated nationalists (The Kuomintang) to flee from Mainland China to Taiwan. It was these defeated Chinese nationalists that laid the foundation for the agitation for an autonomous, self-determined democratic Taiwan nation since then.

At the strategic interest level,Taiwan is of geo-political importance to both China and the United States.Taiwan is required by the United States to contain China, while for China, Taiwan is needed for national sovereignty purposes. Geo-politically, Taiwan is only 112 miles from the coast of Mainland China. It is the world’s largest producer of semiconductors which are mostly used in smart devices. In fact, theTaiwan Semi-Conductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) produces chips for The Apple and many other technology companies across the western world. In this regard, in preparation for a possible Chinese invasion ofTaiwan, the US House of Representatives recently passed the Chips and Sciences Act, the aim of which is to facilitate more conductor production on US soil.

Besides,Taiwan is an island in which China and the United States are particularly interested. China does not want the closeness of United States influence in its territorial waters. True, the island is useful for military deployment purposes, and therefore, not in the interest of China to have the United States’ presence through Taiwan in its Onyeama neighbourhood. It is against this background that the visit of Nancy Pelosi took place on Tuesday, 2nd August 2022. the Western world has actually been aiding and abetting this agitation all along. In fact, there was the US-Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 that was done under President Jimmy Carter to provide Nancy Pelosi’s Visit to Taiwan military assistance, especially defense weapons, to the Taipei Nancy Pelosi’s visit was controversial before, during and after it took authorities in Taiwan. Consequently, in light of the foregoing, place. The controversy is essentially defined by conflicting strategic many observers have thought that Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was fears. First is the fear of possible domino effects of the Russo-Ukrainian ill-timed and not in the US national interest. war. Can the war be taken as a likely model for China in its attitudinal Before the visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry threatened that disposition towards Taiwan? In other words, can China decide to Pelosi’s visit would be considered as a hostile act of aggression invadeTaiwan in the mania of Russia?The world has not been able to and that Pelosi’s visit would surely attract counter measures. deter and has avoided any direct military confrontation with Russia?

Many Chinese were against this type of threats. For them, the If China invades Taiwan, can the international community muster threats are not serious enough. Some of them have reportedly the necessary courage to also stop the imminent Chinese invasion? asked the Beijing government to shoot down Pelosi’s aircraft.

The second strategic fear by theWest is also explained by Xi Jinping’s This suggestion of shooting down Pelosi’s aircraft is extremist, reported new vision which is perceived to be hegemonic. When Xi most unfortunate and uncalled for. However, the suggestion Jinpingcametopowerin2012,heexpectedChinese‘globaldominance’ clearly shows the extent of Chinese animosity towards Pelosi’s by the year 2049 to coincide with 100 years of the founding of the visit to Taiwan. Apparently in consonance with this animosity, Communist Party rule. The West have generally tried to contain this Beijing has announced some trade sanctions againstTaiwan and ambition in different ways, and by so doing, they have created new has also said that there would be targeted missile drills around political lulls that are driven by mutual suspicions and new challenges.

Taiwan after the visit of Pelosi.

Thirdly, as noted earlier, Taiwan is populated by about 23 million During the visit, Pelosi met with theTaiwanese President,TsaipeoplewhofledMainlandChinafollowingthedefeatoftheNationalists Ing-Wen,inTaipeiandnotedthattheworld‘facesachoicebetween at the end of the Chinese war. Thus, in terms of indigeneity, culture democracy and autocracy’and assuredTaiwan of continued US and lifestyle, they are Chinese, except in politico-economic ideology. support. This statement of support means little because the US However, the Western world is trying tooth and nail and by manu policy onTaiwan is quite ambiguous. On the one hand, the United militari, to win Taiwan to its side, by preaching the gospel of plural States accepts the‘One China Policy’but is simultaneously still democracy and westernisation, but to which China has consistently aiding and abetting the separation of Taiwan unofficially. Thus, shown a vehement opposition. China is unconditionally claiming Pelosi’s statement of support for Taiwan is quite questionable. sovereignty over the island and is not prepared to negotiate.

And without jot of doubt, China’s mania of response to the Indeed, no one is disputing the fact of Chinese origin of Taiwan visit of Pelosi is unexpected. It suggests another US foreign policy or the fact of Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. What is in dispute is miscalculation after that of Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the the agitation of the Taiwanese self-declaration as an independent, context of Russian invasion, theWashingtonian authorities were democratic country. Taiwan is claiming its own leadership, political clearly advised to avoid NATO’s expansion towards Russia but system, national constitution, and military. And without whiff of doubt,

Bola A. Akinterinwa

And true enough, the principle of uti possidetis juris, adopted in 1810 by Latin American countries to prevent unnecessary territorial disputes following their accession to national sovereignty was, for the same reasons, adopted in 1963 by African countries in their OAU Charter. Thus, based on Article 1, Chapter 1, Part 2 of the UN Charter which has it that the purpose of the UN Charter is ‘to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and selfdetermination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace,’ there is no doubt that it is the aspect of external self-determination that is referred to. Internal self-determination is not rederred to. By implication, like Taiwan is trying to opt out of China, the Yoruba and the Igbo ethnic stocks are contemplating opting out of Nigeria for various considerations. They are most likely to have international support. Has Nigeria any anti-self-determination foreign Policy?

To what extent can foreign policy defend the constitutional provision of indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria in light of the legality of the principle of self-determination in international law? Without doubt, if China invades Taiwan, with the same attitudinal disposition towards Russian invasion of Ukraine, another precedent would have been laid and the same attitude should be expected in Nigeria if the agitation becomes more violent

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VIE INTERNATIONALE

deaf ears were turned to the advice. In fact, Russian invasion was expected but not at the time it did occur.The current misunderstanding between Pelosi’s America and the Chinese on the visit is not in any way different. Pelosi was advised not to travel to Taiwan at this material time but she refused, apparently acting under the rule of separation of powers. But, how do we explain the rule of separation of powers when strategic interests are stake? Who is more correct, Joe Biden or Pelosi in the quest to promote the national interest of the United States?

President Joe Biden noted earlier in the year that the United States would give active support to Taiwan should China decide to attack Taiwan. However, President Biden did not support Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Pelosi has gone toTaiwan to project US values of democracy, rule of law and transparency in political governance. She already left the country but the visit has generated a fresh military tension which has the potential of another inter-state war from the perspective h of the Western world or a civil war, from the angle of the Chinese o government and people. Even if President Joe Biden has condemned g P Pelosi’s visit, an anti-thesis, so to say, there is no disputing the fact that tthe United States has confused the Sino-American environment of 25 years ago when the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 Newt Gingrich, visited Beijing and the environment was friendlier N tthan what obtained during Pelosi’s visit. By then, Honourable Gingrich was a Republican. Pelosi visited as a Democrat. 25 years ago, China w was not yet talking about global dominance or US decline. Under w Xi Jinping, the story is a little bit different, etc.

X All along, US foreign policy efforts have been aimed at controlling aand containing the emergence of China as another major superpower.

TThis is why, in the eyes of Joe Biden, the visit of Pelosi negates his sspirit of economic and diplomatic strategy of containing Chinese power and influence in Asia. In containing China’s power, President p Biden has been arming Australia with nuclear-powered submarines B within the framework of the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and w United States) project. AUKUS’objective is to enable Australia become U tthe seventh nation to operate nuclear-powered submarines, after tthe US, UK, France, China, India and Russia, by building a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia. This is why relationship n between Australia and China has also become more challenging b tthan ever before.

Although there is no disputing the fact that AUKUS project will sstrengthen the defence partnership among the three signatories, tthe mutual animosity between them as a collective, and France, aas the initially contracted provider of Australia’s nuclear-powered subs, has not been helpful. Indeed, France is seen to be friendlier with China while the AUKUS wants to fight China more frontally.

As the Canberra, Washington and Westminster authorities put it, the indo-Pacific AUKUS pact is to‘defend our shared interests in the region’and‘bring us closer than ever’in terms of security, technologies and defence-related science.’ Besides, Joe Biden has also initiated a regional economic pact just to checkmate the increasing economic power of China in the Asian region.

As noted by Jane Perlez, ‘the fear is that the trip, which will also include stops this week in South Korea and Japan, is an unnecessary provocation that distracts from the allies’ efforts to counter China’s military might and economic clout (vide her “Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit Risks Undermining US Efforts with Asian Allies,”The New York Times, August 3, 2022). In this regard, China’s policy attitude is simply to dominate the Asian region. And true enough, China has considerably invested financially and diplomatically for this purpose, persuading all the Asian regional leaders that the United States is a distant and declining power with a broken political system, while China is their natural partner by geographical location, political propinquity, and territorial contiguity. But what is the implication for Africa in general, and Nigeria, in particular?

Foreign Policy Implications for Nigeria As good as the foregoing arguments and intentions are on both sides, the major source of concerns is the gradual militarisation of the Taiwanese geo-political environment, which now has the potential to precipitate another type of Russian invasion in Taiwan. The invasion is already in the making on both sides. Japan, in sustaining the US policy strategy on China, ‘has also moved troops, anti-aircraft artillery, and surface-to-ship missile defence batteries to the country’s southern islands…’

Before then, China had banned Australia’s exports of wine, lobsters and coal following its government’s call for an international investigation into the origins of COVID-19. In fact, China still maintains its economic sanctions on South Korea for allowing the United States to deploy, in 2017, a missile defence system, called Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), which largely relies on AN/TPY-2 (Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance).TheTHAAD is‘a missile defence radar that can detect, track and discriminate ballistic missiles.’

Consequently, in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, what will Nigeria’s policy stand be? True, Nigeria has a ‘One China Policy and Two Systems.’ It is for this reason that the Government has not allowed Taiwan to have a diplomatic mission in Abuja, but a Trade Mission located in Lagos. Even when Taiwan fraudulently tried to open a diplomatic mission in Abuja, China complained about it and the Government instructed thatTaiwan should promptly relocate its Trade Office to Lagos. But this is not the real problem. The concern is that Nigeria-Taiwan relations cannot be likened to Nigeria-China or Nigeria-United States relations.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Metaphor of the Leaning Tower

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he cry is getting louder that the Nigerian state is about to fail. In the attractive parlance of some foreign reporter, the pessimists insist that the Nigerian house is about to fall. Not quite, I say.The note of perennial pessimism is merely a way of speaking, a cross generational refrain. It is not new. It has in fact been passed from generation to generation.The Nigerian house is merely maintaining its original form, a permanent tilt on a precarious brink.

Perennial discontent is the home ground of those left outside. Writers both local and foreign are united in their embrace of the spectre of the imminence of the Nigerian Armageddon.

A collapse is imminent. But it never comes. A foreign writer, John Campbell, who used to be an ambassador here put it more urgently in his book title: Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink.

In another seductively titled book, Thieves of State another foreign reporter, Sarah Chayes captures an aspect of Nigeria’s numbing existence.

Previous generations of fiery -eyed idealists crowed and cried about the creaky tower. Unknown to this generation of latter day pessimists, this tower, like the LeaningTower of Pisa, has always been on the incline.The four degree incline of the bell tower is the result of a faulty foundation. Yes, a faulty foundation created a miracle that has persisted to give the world something to be fixated on; a miracle of geometry and an attraction for tourists. Maybe Nigeria was accidentally designed to be the world’s permanent showcase of greatness unfulfilled.

My favourite metaphor for the enduring tragic lure of the Nigerian state in perpetual disrepair remains the LeaningTower of Pisa. It is attractive because it is perennially on incline.To the observer, it is about to collapse. But it never falls over. It is beautiful because it is a tragedy always about to happen, but that manages never to happen.

From a distance, it looks like it is going to topple over any moment. But the years go by.

The tower leans still but never falls. It was a design error that turned into an accident that never happened. Architecture professors have studied it endlessly to understand why. Mathematicians have gathered and propounded theories on the angle of inclination. Conferences have been held and scholarly disputations rage as to why the tower has not collapsed and may never collapse. Pessimists argue it may still topple over time. Optimists and vested interests praise it as one of the wonders of the universe, a heritage to be preserved for the posterity humanity. Secretly, they point to the millions of tourists who throng the site annually and leave behind hundreds of millions of dollars over which politicians debate the budget endlessly.

Nonetheless, its attraction is its perennial inline. The nightmare of permanent anxiety becomes a tourist attraction. From all over the world, people too bored with the humdrum of straight and normal towers pay to come and see this wonder of eternal tragic imminence. But this incline is in the very nature of tragedy itself.

The tragic collapse could happen any moment but sometimes never does, for years, decades and even centuries. Instead, more devotees and tourists throng the site. UNESCO names it a historical site and one of the wonders of the world.

The incline becomes an industry that sustains itself. Vendors and retailers make a fortune from the tragedy that just wont happen but is forever threatening. Millions of merchandise; T-shirts, mugs, pens, fez caps, selfie stands and art pieces sustain throngs of curious tourists from far and near.

The government feigns indifference from a veiled distance. But government actually invests heavily to sustain the perennial incline.

They have invested millions of dollars in payments to the best construction firms in the world to prop the tower in its incline.The challenge is never to make the tower stand straight.

It is to keep it in its perennially inclined beauty.

Beauty in deformity, something that the old Irish poet, W.B Yeats would call a “terrible beauty”.

If this tower were ever to stand straight, towering to the sky in magnificent splendor

Lai Mohammed like other skyscrapers the world over, the tourist bazaar will cease and revenue will dry up. Retailers and vendors of sundry paraphernalia will close shop and the last revelers will follow. The street entertainers and musicians that live off the tourists will sound their last trumpets and their saxophone will retire in rustic disuse.

The place will be deserted, no longer the United Nations of curious humanity that we all have come to know and treasure.

Even the UNESCO list of famous historical sites will shrink by one significant entry.

For the Nigerian iteration of the leaning tower, the political behemoth bequeathed by the British, it has produced generations of patriots and idealists armed with a permanent discontentment, a habit of unhappiness.They see the leaning tower and scream for help. But the tower never topples and may never topple. Its attraction is a curiosity of appearance, the conclusion that it could fall at any moment.

But unknown to even the most patriotic idealists, it is in the interest of its keepers, the leaders, that it remains this way: perennially in disrepair but always in business.

Reciting the classic parameters of nation state health, decline or failure is pointless in this place. Nothing rational applies or makes sense here; Nigeria is like no other place on earth. This place was never intended as your typical nation state. Like the Leaning Tower, this place is a creation of a deliberate error in its foundation. At best, perhaps it was intended to be an arrangement, a convenience, a compromise, an understanding. Younger generations now call it a project, the Nigerian project.

You embark on a project, hoping it will thrive and fly. If it does not, good luck to us all…The younger generation are careful to avoid the term citizen in describing themselves and the rest of us. We are now called stakeholders as in a joint stock company, voting demographics by political hacks, statistics by the economics minded or just variables by pure mathematicians

and statisticians. To call us citizens would mean conferring us with justiciable rights and the state would then have obligations and responsibilities towards us. This state, if indeed it were one, now owes us nothing.

Instead, we are all made to feel like a multitude of guilty debtors to the state. If the state is dysfunctional, it is our fault. If some evil collective or crime syndicate makes off with the treasury, we are made to feel guilty and compelled to pay more taxes. We are made to pay tributes to the sovereign King for that original sin of being allowed to bear the title of a Nigerian. For that sin alone, you are visited with the worst calamities that humanity has ever endured.

You have to secure your own household from intruders, drill your own well or borehole for water, rent a few of the state’s police if you desperately need more security than you can afford. If you live in the township and dream of a good life away from the darkness of your village and the coven of witches after your success, be ready to buy a generator to dry your sweat if only to tell your less fortunate neighbor, “I pass you, my neighbour o!”

If junior decides to develop a temperature at night, you bear the extra burden of running to the local chemist or make shift hospital to pay for a cocktail of fake pills from the backyard laboratories of India and Pakistan prescribed by a quack in lab coat. In the morning, the school bells will ring and the certified illiterate in the neighbourhood school will mount a sentry at the school gate to ask for the overdue and overpriced school fees. He must have planned the assault with your landlord who made sure his was the first face that confronted you at the doorway this morning.

Against the insistence of those crowing that the Nigerian state has failed, there is a palliative position. The state has not failed totally. Nor is it likely to cave in in a catastrophe.

But what we are presently witnessing is an incremental shrinkage of the Nigerian state in its capacity to discharge its functions to the citizens, to itself and to the rest of the world.

Wherever the state is overwhelmed by counter non- state forces, it yields ground

and abandons post. If some local governments in Borno, Yobe, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara states are under permanent Boko Haram and ISWAP coalition control, the state takes flight. An effete officialdom just takes flight and quietly excludes the ‘ungovernable’ spaces from the map of the nation and moves on. Or better still, deceives those who cannot speak English or tune to the BBC that all is well.

The latest illustration of this rule by abandonment or the tyranny of the shrinking state is the national rail network.The Nigerian Railway Corporation has just (August, 2022) announced the suspension of its services from Lagos to Kano and from Itakpe to Ajaokuta till terrorists stop bombing and interrupting rail services in an area that is equivalent to the entire length and breadth of the nation. Earlier, the rail services along the busy ad strategic Abuja to Kaduna route had been suspended after jihadist terrorists bombed the rail line, stormed the coaches and abducted over 100 passengers. Close to 50 of them remain in captivity after huge ransoms were paid to free the others. The rail lines and services paid for by Chinese loans are out for now in a nation that keeps crowing about the efficacy of infrastructure in alleviating poverty and uniting a divided nation. We are paying the loans and interests but have no trains!

Nearer home, Nigeria is beautiful because it is imperfect, even rough -hewn. It is not quite like anywhere else in the world. It is palin and simply Nigeria. I live in Lagos, the heartbeat of global cacophony and hotbed of instantaneous universal madness. The police want to arrest a young Danfo duo for traffic offences. They obey the police by clearing off the main street. They park their rickety sunflower bus by the roadside on a busy street in central commercial Lagos.

But they decide on a drama sketch apparently rehearsed.

Instantly, both boys decide to strip butt naked, dangling in full view of all on the open street and adjoining market. Someone screams a warning to the police: “keep clear of them o!

When madness degenerates to nakedness in the market, it is risky to go near the naked ones.

If they bite you, you, too, will go raving maad!”

Spectators gather. Some run away in horror. But the policemen looked at each other and did the wise thing. They run away! The Police College never trains you to arrest two naked mad men in the middle of a crowded street. The boys laughed at the fleeing cops and quickly put on their clothes. Mission accomplished.They zoom off in the yellow bus. Lesson: Fear naked mad men in the sun on a crowded Lagos street! Never a dull moment. The beauty of every Nigerian moment is the moving train of tragedy and comedy rolled into one. Nigeria: Always new.

Always in motion.

Those who dream to correct Nigeria’s terminal incline do not understand where we are coming from. They may not even know us.

Nigeria was born in deformity. It has lived with its cocktail of infirmities to become the bad place we all love to call home. When I consider the catalogue of woes that define today’s Nigeria and for which citizens and foreigners alike perpetually excoriate the country, it seems they have all been here even before the birth of the modern Nigerian state. It is a matter of degrees.

Our ailments have always been there.

The corruption. The nepotism. The ethnic divisions.The religious divide. The sporadic occasional xenophobia. The compulsive bloodletting.The attachment to violence as a means of settling inter communal differences.

The mercantilism and comercialization of even adversity. The preference for mediocrity and compromise over merit. The love of bend bend and wuru wuru over the straight and narrow route. All these have been with us forever.

The endless pre-independence conferences with the colonialists and the freedom rallies were not about building a nation. Looking back now, they were about the upliftment of the politicians; the early lawyers and their foreign friends who decamped from the logo of the United Afrcia Company (UAC) to embrace the flag of the new Nigerian nation. The nationalists were courageous men and some women nonetheless. They could look the British in the face and demand independence for the territory.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N QUESTIONS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES MUST ANSWER assess the intellect in their thought process.

Is this too much to ask? For a country full of educated and enlightened people, we do ourselves a world of disservice when we give an easy pass to those seeking to lead us. We need to make them sweat their way to power.

For one, it is not enough to commission experts to produce glossy manifestos. Anyone can do that. It is not enough to say “check out the details in our manifesto”. No way.

Speak to us about your new and specific ideas.

Also, it is not enough to speak persuasively about the plans. Instead, the plans should be vigorously interrogated to determine if they are reasonable and realistic. Doing both does not necessarily guarantee implementation, much less effective implementation, which is the most important thing. At the end of the day, voters are still taking a gamble. But it will be a calculated gamble. Plans provide a basis for informed assessment and a tool of holding candidates to account.

Therefore, it is not just enough to say “I will fight insecurity”. You are not talking to kids, for crying out loud. What will you do differently, dear presidential candidate? We were told in 2015 that President Muhammadu Buhari would deploy his military experience to secure the nation better than President Goodluck Jonathan, who was considered too weak. Despite all the shots we have fired since then, we are still like this. So, dear candidate, what do you think the problem is? Do you think it has to do with the capability of the military? Is it the intelligence gathering? Is it a fear of international sanctions for human rights abuses? Is it corruption? Or is it an

impossible mission?

Actually, we cannot say with all honesty that the Buhari administration has not made efforts to tackle the security challenges. It has shut down telecom services in parts of the country, enforced national identity registration, enforced mobile phone registration, and enforced linking NIN to SIM cards (even hurting the growth of the telecom sector in the process), but are we safer? It bought jets and made a big show at the Eagle Square in 2019, changed service chiefs, controlled media narration and cracked down on international NGOs, but are we safer? What then are we not getting right? Do we need more boots?

Do we need an overhaul of the security setup? Do we need foreign help?

“Oh no, you don’t understand! Do you know how many attacks the security agencies have prevented?” I agree: it is not all bad news. I do not downplay the success stories and the sacrifice. Rather, I am wondering that despite all, we still feel so vulnerable.

How can we save the security forces from further “decimation” — as Gen Babagana Monguno, the national security adviser, recently described the killing of soldiers in Bwari? That is the key question. “I will fight insecurity” does not cut it for me. While I admit that security strategies are not for public consumption, a candidate can still speak intelligently to these issues to assure us that he has thought things through.

Public finance is the second issue I would like the candidates to dissect appropriately.

We are spending more on debt service than we earn. How, in naira and kobo, would you address this, dear presidential candidate?

Also, you want to cut expenditure. Thank you very much. But how much would you cut from expenditure per year? N1 trillion? N2 trillion? From what budgetary lines? Salaries?

Allowances? Training? Trips? Consumables?

We need the specifics, backed with real data for every budgetary item to be cut down on.

Any Taiwo, Tanimu and Tochi can promise to “cut expenditure” and “grow revenue” while campaigning. The real question is how would you do it?

We have to seriously discuss the subsidy issue, the elephant in the room. Going by the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategic Paper (MTEF and FSP), we have projected to spend N6.72 trillion on petrol subsidy alone in 2023 — far more than we will spend on health care and education. Given that no presidential candidate wants to say things that will affect his electoral fortune, our culture is to politick.

Yet, the candidates need to tell us what they will do about the subsidy bill. Will they retain subsidy? How will they fund it? Will they remove it partially or completely? How will they manage the gains for the benefit of over 200 million Nigerians?

I have by no means touched on all the major issues. There are many others that the presidential candidates must equally speak to: how will they finally solve the ASUU problem so that strikes will no longer be part of our academic calendar? How will they deal decisively with a civil service that keeps ballooning but is mostly inefficient, corrupt and regressive? How can our civil service become world-class? How do we maintain and deepen the fight against corruption as

well as check potential abuse? How can we get millions of youths off the job market?

Above all, how can we get Nigerians to fall in love with Nigeria again? How can we renew and rebuild this beautiful, beautiful nation?

As we seek to reboot Nigeria, we need a proper conversation with the presidential candidates on these critical issues. We have been skirting around certain issues and going back and forth because of the exigencies of politics. This is not to be unexpected. No president wants to risk social upheavals.

No president wants to be unpopular. But, realistically, we are going nowhere if we continue along this trajectory. We will keep lamenting daily and things will never ease up or get resolved. By continuing to avoid the hard path, the next president will destroy whatever hope of putting the country on the right track. Nothing is called gold until it passes through fire.

Come to think of it, why should you seek to become president, going all over the country canvassing votes, without demonstrating convincingly that you know what the job entails and you are ready to do the needful? I am not saying tell us all the details. Some things have to remain confidential. But don’t talk to us as if you are addressing a bunch of Sunday School kids. Let us have your concrete plan. You can only implement a plan when you have one. Giving us your plan is not the magic solution but it is a necessary condition that can be made sufficient with implementation, monitoring & evaluation and accountability.

Let us elevate our politics. We should not even be debating this!

And Four Other Things…

NOT FINE The almighty National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Wednesday fined Trust TV, MultiChoice, TelCom Satellite and StarTimes for airing a documentary on banditry, making good the threat by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of information, days earlier. The contention of the government is that the documentary glorifies banditry.

Globally, governments regulate the broadcast media more strictly — after all, it is the state that issues the frequencies and the licensing gives it some leverage. But at what stage does regulation conflict with press freedom?

Rather than resort to muscle-flexing, I think government should engage more constructively with the media on these issues. Dialogue.

JUSTICE FOR UMOREN On Thursday, Uduak Akpan was sentenced to death for the murder of Ms Iniobong Umoren, a graduate of University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Umoren had been lured to her death last year by Akpan, who promised her employment. Credit to social media for the attention given to the crime. Otherwise, she could have been considered missing today. Her killing highlighted once again the unmitigated wickedness in our country. Why lure an innocent lady to her death? Hanging Akpan can only offer some closure to her family: nothing can bring back their beloved daughter to their arms. Let’s pray this swift justice will send a message to other would-be murderers out there. Sad.

REMEMBERING BETHEL Do you still remember Baptist High School, Maraban Damishi, Chikun LGA, Kaduna state?

In the early hours of July 5, 2021, bandits invaded the school and kidnapped 121 students. They even killed some of them. What many Nigerians don’t know is that some of the students are still in captivity. We have virtually forgotten about them. The attack on AbujaKaduna train and the kidnap of scores of passengers in March 2022 pushed Bethel off the radar. If the bandits had succeeded in their attempt to kidnap students of the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, recently, attention of the train victims would also have gone down. We just have to find a solution to this menace by any means. Distressing.

COMMON SENSE Nigeria missed out on a sure gold medal at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday when the para-powerlifting entrants turned up late for the women’s lightweight event. Although they arrived minutes to the 3pm start, the devil was in the details: they were to be there an hour ahead for the inspection of kits. All the rules were handed down before the games started.

Nigeria had always won the gold in that event, so it was going to be a piece of cake. Who should be held responsible for the tardiness?

With all the civil servants and officials at the games, was no one designated to take care of scheduling? If there was someone and the person failed, is there a punishment?

Scandalous.

AKIN MABOGUNJE: A RARE BREED DEPARTS Mabogunje. I used to file it as political talk.

But sometime in 2006, he gave me a bulky envelope full of pictures from a modest family gathering to mark Professor Mabogunje’s 75th birthday. Ibrahim-Imam, who is currently the President of the King’s College Old Boys’ Association, had been in the same class with one of Professor Mabogunje’s sons.

That started a relationship that made him a family member.

When Professor Mabogunje turned 80 in 2011, Ibrahim-Imam wrote a tribute entitled ‘Mabogunje: Exceptional Scholar, Exemplary Father.’ It was a touching tribute by a nonbiological son, one that spoke not only to the density of networks that used to be the pride of this country but also to the late professor’s deft balancing of work, acclaim and family life that many of his contemporaries could not boast of.

“It started by sheer coincidence nearly 40 years ago,” Ibrahim-Imam wrote in 2011. “His second son, Gboyega, and I grew very close at King’s College… Through the unusually generous and kind disposition of the patriarch and the matriarch of the family, this series of associations has given me all the privileges of a bona-fide member of the Mabogunje family and granted me the rare honour of growing up under the wings of a colossus.

“The family lost Professor Mabogunje to the academia many years ago, long before most of us were born. I will say he is our own special gift to Nigeria and to the world.

But despite that he was and still in high demand at home and abroad and despite his incredibly punishing schedules, he always finds quality time for his family.

“My earliest and most subsisting impression of him is that of a man who gives freely of himself to the world, but does not use that as an alibi to abdicate his primary responsibility to his family. For instance, he was religious about visiting days at King’s College. I recall that he was always there and he always made

Late Mabogunje every visit count. In his presence, you felt like the most important person in the world.

He would hug you, kiss you on both cheeks, give you pocket money, and tell you stories.

And daddy loves telling stories and sharing analogies.”

The second indirect encounter I had with the professor was through my friend and brother, Olusegun Adeniyi, who had great things to say about the great intellectual beyond his well-documented academic achievements. Adeniyi told me that his late principal, Yar’Adua, was fond of Professor Mabogunje for his uncommon decency and unassailable commitment to Nigeria. Yar’Adua had appointed the professor as the head of

a committee on land reforms, a cardinal but unrealised part of his 7-Point Agenda. The testimony from Adeniyi is remarkable because the public image of many highly respected Nigerians, including intellectuals, is the exact opposite of their private manifestation, especially in the presence of power and when exposed to opportunities to extract patronage.

Adeniyi later captured part of what he had shared with me about Professor Mabogunje in Chapter 9 of his book ‘Power, Politics and Death,’ his account of the Yar’Adua years.

Adeniyi wrote: “Mabogunje was one of a few people for whom the president (Yar’Adua) had tremendous respect. He would later give the reason without any prompting: ‘You know why I like that old man (Mabogunje): he is one of a few people who have never sought a personal favour from me. Every time he comes here, all he discusses with me are issues concerning the country, and if I don’t send for him, he won’t make an appointment to see me.”

Professor Mabogunje’s intellectual record is enshrined in the public domain, and it is speckled with so many firsts. He became Nigeria’s first professor of Geography at just 34 years. In 2017, he won the Vautrin Lud International Geography Prize, the highest prize in that field, and the only African to have won it till date. He was the first African President of the International Geographical Union and the first African to be elected as a Foreign Associate of the American National Academy of Sciences.

Until his death, Professor Mabogunje was one of the globe’s preeminent experts on urbanisation. When he turned 75, UNHabitat created the Professor Akin Mabogunje Project (PAMP), which culminated in a book jointly published with Cities Alliance, titled: ‘Foundations of Urban Development in Africa: The Legacy of Akin Mabogunje.’ His doctorate thesis at the University College

London, naturally, was on ‘Lagos: A Study in Urban Geography.’ And his most seminal book is ‘Urbanisation in Nigeria.’ It was published in 1968, remains a foundational text in urbanisation, and is cited widely across disciplines from health to economics.

Professor Mabogunje retired from the academia shortly before he turned 50 in 1981. Together with late Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, one of Nigeria’s foremost economists, he founded two entities: PAI Associates and Development Policy Centre (DPC). For about four decades after his retirement, he stayed active, serving in many and diverse capacities, leveraging his towering intellect and immense passion for the benefit of society. Among others, he served as a consultant to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), as a board member of the Directorate for Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), as the Executive Chairman of the National Board for Community Banks, and as the Chairman of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform.

A very decent and warm man, a devoted father and husband, an accomplished academic and development practitioner, Professor Mabogunje lived a long, fulfilled and busy life of exertion. Now, he has gone to take a deserved rest. Despite that he was highly understated and unassuming, Mabogunje’s accomplishments and character speak for him and immortalise him already. The greatest tribute Nigeria can pay to him is not in those flowery but standard press statements. And as desirable as it might be, it is not even in naming a major street after him in Abuja for the significant role he played in planning the capital city. Our greatest tribute to him will be to eventually undertake the needed reforms that will change land from largely dead assets to active capital for the upliftment of the poor and the transformation of our country.

That is Mabogunje’s unfinished assignment, and one of Nigeria’s outstanding burdens.

71

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2022

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Ofili Becomes Third Nigerian Woman to Win 200m Final Medal Amusan, Brume target Games’ gold medals to cap fantastic season Duro Ikhazuagbe

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avour Ofili became the third Nigerian woman after Mary Onyali (1994) and Blessing Okagbare (2014) to win a medal in the 200m at the Commonwealth Games.

The 19-year-old ran 22.51 seconds last night at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham to place second behind Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah (22.02) .

The Jamaican’s winning time was new Game’s record. The Tokyo Olympics double sprint champion was favorite to make it sprint double at this edition after winning the 100m earlier.

Namibia’sTokyo Olympics 200m silver medalist, Christine Mboma finished third in 22.80 seconds.

Ofili’s silver medal win is the second of such medal Nigeria has won in the event after Mary Onyali who ran 22.35 seconds to place second behind Australia’s Cathy Freeman in 1994.

Nigeria’s record in the event now reads one gold after Blessing Okagbare’s 22.25 seconds blistering run eight years ago in Glasgow, Scotland and two silver medals.

Interestingly the three Nigerians that have qualified to run in the final of the half lap event have ended on the podium.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s 28-year wait for a men’s 200m medal has been extended to 32 after former World U20 champion, Udodi Onwuzurike could only finish in sixth place (20.76s) in the final of the event Saturday evening.

Onwuzurike had made history as the first Nigerian since 2006 (16 years) to run in the final of the event.

The last time Nigeria mounted the podium for a 200m medal at the Games was in 1994 in Victoria, Canada where Daniel Effiong was presented a bronze medal for finishing third (20.40s) behind Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks who ran a new 19.97 seconds Games record to win the gold while England’s John Regis won the silver medal.

David Ejoke won Nigeria’s first medal in the event in 1966 albeit he ran over 220 yards at the time.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan will be aiming to make it icing on her cake win-

Favour Ofili...won the silver medal of the 200m event of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham...last night ning the Commonwealth Games gold barely a month after setting a new world record at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA. Amusan will also be targetting the 12.65 Games record set in 2006 by Jamaica’s Brigitte FosterHylton after a 2.4m/s tail wind rendered the 12.40 seconds she ran in the semifinals untenable.

The 25-year-old is also going to make history

as the second sprint hurdler in Games history after Australia’s Sally Pearson (2010 and 2014) to successfully defend the event’s title if she wins this evening.

She will join Blessing Okagbare as only the second Nigerian track and field athlete to win two gold medals at the Games and the first to win gold at two (successive) Commonwealth Games.

The petite athlete will also become the first Nigerian athlete to win gold at the African Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships in the same year.

World Championships silver medalist, Ese Brume, will reclaim the long jump title she relinquished without a fight four years ago in the Gold Coast, Australia.

Chelsea Battle Everton to Scrappy Win in Season Opener

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helseaopenedthePremierLeagueseason with victory over Everton as Jorginho’s penalty decided a scrappy contest at Goodison Park.

ThomasTuchelintroducedsummersignings Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling from the start but it was one of Chelsea’s established stars whosettledaffairswhenJorginhorolledacomposed penalty past Jordan Pickford in first-half stoppage time following Abdoulaye Doucoure’s foul on Ben Chilwell.

Everton, without a recognised striker following the sale of Richarlison and injury to Dominic CalvertLewin, battled gamely but were woefully short of quality and threat in attack.

PREMIER LEAGUE Manager Frank Lampard’s cause was not helped by a serious early injury to defender Ben Godfrey, who was taken off on a stretcher following a challenge on Kai Havertz, with Yerry Mina another casualty in the second half.

Chelsea survived in relative comfort and were able to give a debut to new signing Marc Cucurella, the defender signed from Brighton in a deal that could eventuallybyworth£62m,astheymadeitawinning start.. Chelsea never needed to touch the heights to beat Everton but manager Tuchel will still be delighted to simply start the season with a win after a turbulent summer.

Joringho has scored 20 goals for Chelsea, with 18 coming from the penalty spot - that is the highest percentage in Premier League history for anyone to have scored more than 10 goals

Edo GroomingTalents with Maiden Gymnastics Championship Adibe Emenyonuin Benin City

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n it’s reaffirmed drive to groom young gymnasts for global competitiveness, the Edo State Government has organised the maiden edition of the Gymnastics Clubs/Associations Super Championship.

Speaking at the opening of the championship held at the Indoor Sports Complex of the Samuel

Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City, wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, urged the 17 clubs participating in the maiden edition of the championship to display good sportsmanship.

The 17 clubs participating in the championship are drawn from eight states.

“We have always preached extracurricular activities and I believe this is part of it. I encourage you all to be the best you can, especially for the contestants.

“For the coaches and the organising team, I urge you to do the right thing and ensure that rules and regulations are very well adhered to so that we can have a standard championship.”

The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs. Sabina Chikere said that the competition is geared towards developing the state’s athletes.

Accordingtoher,“Oneofthemandatesforthesports commission is to go to the grassroots. We want to

go back to grassroot sports development because that is where we really want to get them young.

With that, we will be able to harness that potential and mold them into what we want them to be.”

The Permanent Secretary added that that the commission is working on incorporating sports into the school curriculum in the state, noting,“We are trying to bring sports back into the school curriculum.We are collaborating with the Ministry of Education to see how to bring sports back to the school. It is going to be part of their academics because sports is not just an outdoor thing.

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“When I listened to him yesterday, I felt very disappointed. We are in a country where someone who has risen in the legal profession can come out to completely misinform the public. It is so sad and I feel so pained.” – President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, describing the comments credited to the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo (SAN), about the union’s strike as disappointing.

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Questions Presidential Candidates Must Answer

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ext month, campaigns for the 2023 elections will kick off officially. I used the word “officially” advisedly: campaign has practically taken off on TV and Twitter. Many presidential candidates are already marketing themselves. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his All Progressives Congress (APC) opponent, even took time off the other day to exchange missiles over Muslim-Muslim ticket. Mr Peter Obi (Labour Party) has been reeling out captivating statistics and keeping fact checkers busy.

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (New Nigeria Peoples Party) has been talking a good game everywhere as well.

The most interesting battles so far are on Twitter. Supporters of the presidential candidates are steadily trading cyber threats and insults. It is a race to the bottom: who can take the standard of public conversation to the lowest, meanest level? Who can say the vilest things? I must confess I am amused by every bit of it. Electioneering periods are usually the most exciting for us and the 2022/2023 season has lived up to the billing so far, with more to follow. We were born for elections. Nothing excites us on a prolonged run like electioneering. It is a

Tinubu and Atiku festival. Nigeria is not a boring place, but the spice that comes with the elections is like a tonic that keeps us hyperactive night and day.

It should be pure fun if not that Nigeria is in a bad place and the next president has his job well cut out. It is not going to be a tea party. Retweets, likes and vile comments

cannot tackle these challenges. World-class branding cannot change our situation. In my previous article, I wondered why anybody would want to be president at this point in our history. I listed a number of complex challenges ahead — such as fighting insecurity, taking tough decisions on the management of the exchange rate, on subsidies, on funding

of public universities, on the civil service, on sectional agitations, on debts, and the rest. Fellow Nigerians, do not be deceived: there is no easy way out.

On Twitter, over-excited Nigerians have already solved all these problems on behalf of their favourite presidential candidates. Easy peasy. After all, the goal of electioneering is to get power first. What happens thereafter is for thereafter. When we get to that bridge we will cross it, isn’t it? We learn nothing from history. In fact, we disdain history.

And I am not talking about the history that people always lament is no longer being taught in schools. I am talking about the history we are living through, the history we are experiencing. Otherwise, we should have a sober electioneering this time, full of controlled promises and calm expectations.

My apologies: I am preaching to a wall.

Regardless, we should be asking the candidates hard and specific questions as full-blown campaigns start. For whatever it is worth, we should grill them on their agenda.

Electioneering must go beyond the usual “I will” and be elevated to “How I will”. This is not the super solution to our problems, but at least we can get to know if the candidates truly understand the issues. We can gauge the depth of their comprehension. We can Continued on page 70

WAZIRIADIO Akin Mabogunje: A Rare Breed Departs POSTSCRIPT

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n Thursday, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished intellectuals, Professor Akinlawon ’Ladipo Mabogunje, breathed his last. He passed on ten weeks shy of his 91st birthday. He was a man of great thought and consequential action, one of those that balanced theory with practice. His impact extended far beyond the boundaries of his primary field, and he was rightly described as an ‘intellectual without borders’. Yet, he was a very unassuming and profoundly decent man. They don’t make them like Mabogunje again.

I met Professor Mabogunje only once, and for about an hour, and what an experience that was! The meeting was on 28th February 2014, and it wasn’t planned. Olusegun Adeniyi and I ran into him inside a plane heading to Abuja from Ibadan. Adeniyi had got close to the renowned professor when the latter served as an honorary adviser on land reform to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Adeniyi introduced me to the academic and development expert. And by some fortuity, my seat was next to his.

As I later shared in a tweet, I had an immersive and profound tutorial on that

one-hour flight. It was more than going back to school. I was literally seated at the foot of wisdom. He exuded great range beyond the world of geography and urbanisation, for which he had achieved global eminence.

His unplanned discussion with me touched on democratisation, development, local governance, associational life and the centrality of strong levers of accountability to all of them.

He told me of an experience he once had when he was on a fellowship in an American university in the late 1960s. He was living in a small community with his family. As a resident, he was invited to a community board meeting on the need to introduce French Language as a subject in the local schools to prepare the kids better for a changing world.

He said he was fascinated about the level of debate at that local level, the consensus created from reasoned deliberation, and the commitment to increase taxes to implement the decision. For him—and for me, his one-hour, starry-eyed student—that was model local governance in practice: deliberation, joint decision-making, and active stake-holding.

He challenged me to read or re-read Alex de Tocqueville’s classic book ‘Democracy in America’ and to pay attention to the

Frenchman’s observations about township democracy and how the spirit of American democracy is deeply rooted in the local governance exemplified by the townships of New England in the 1830s. I had had some faint familiarity with Tocqueville’s classic work, but more about how America’s deep associational life explains the depth of the country’s democracy. I actually didn’t read Tocqueville. I became aware of his insights through Robert Putnam’s more recent and equally insightful books on social capital: ‘Bowling Alone’ and ‘Making Democracy Work’.

But the bit about local governance was new to me. I was intrigued that local governments in America served as schools for democracy and governance and as laboratories where important norms like deliberation, compromise, consensus-building, transparency and accountability are tested and imbibed. As someone concerned about how the promise of decentralisation has been achieved mostly in the breach in Nigeria, I found the tutorial and references by Professor Mabogunje exciting. On that flight that day, the professor of Geography could have passed for a professor of Political Science or Development Studies. But this shouldn’t have surprised

me, given the different fields that intersect in urbanisation, Professor Mabogunje’s area of specialisation, and his cross-disciplinary exertions over time.

At the time we met, he was already 82.

But his brain was razor sharp. And he was eager and willing to share, to help cut through the fog. He could have kept to himself or pretended to be sleeping or busied himself with newspapers. I would still have been grateful for the luck to sit next to him and for his pleasant disposition.

But he chose to engage with me as if he had known me forever and he was enthusiastic in sharing his knowledge and experience.

The plane eventually touched down. He gave me his phone number and his email address, and asked me to keep in touch. I called to thank him. We exchanged a few text messages. That was the first and only time I ever met him.

But I had met him much earlier indirectly through two other people who had relationships with him. The first encounter was through Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, my Kanuri egbon, who always spoke highly of his Yoruba father, a certain Professor Continued on page 70

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