SUNDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2021

Emefiele: CBN’s COVID-19 Interventions Account for 3.5% of GDP UBA publishes names, account details of forex defaulters

Nume Ekeghe and Dike Onwuamaeze AThe Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has disclosed that the apex bank’s

interventions to protect the economy from the impacts of COVID-19 represented 3.5 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Nigeria’s GDP was estimated at $432.29 billion

by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in the second quarter of 2021.

This is coming as the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has published the names and account numbers of some

customers who allegedly defied the forex policy of the apex bank.

Emefiele stated this yesterday in Lagos in his keynote address on the occasion of the Finance

Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) 2021 Annual Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration with the theme: ‘Financing Infrastructure and SMEs for Inclusive Growth in the

Post-COVID-19 Economy.’

The CBN governor who was represented by the Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, said Continued on page 5

UK Approves COVID-19 Vaccines Administered in Nigeria... Page 5 Sunday 26 September, 2021 Vol 26. No 9666

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SANs Tackle Malami, Insist VAT Not on Exclusive List Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos and Alex Enumah in Abuja

Senior lawyers yesterday faulted the claim by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of

Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), that the Value Added Tax (VAT) is on the Exclusive Legislative List.

In an interview in New York, Malami was quoted as saying that no state has

the power to lay claim to the collection of the VAT across the federation.

“A lot has precluded the state from collecting valueadded tax. One, generally speaking, as you rightly know,

the issue of the Value-Added Tax is an issue on the Exclusive Legislative List,” Malami said.

“And the implication of being in Exclusive Legislative List matter is that only the National Assembly can

legislate on it. The question that you may perhaps wish to address your mind on is whether there exists any national legislation that has conferred the power on the state to collect VAT. And my

answer is ‘no’.

“In the absence of a law passed by the national assembly in that direction, no state can have a valid claim to Continued on page 8

After 10 Years Study, INEC Says Nigeria Ready for Electronic Voting Insists national ICT infrastructure adequate for e-transmission of results Seeks clear legal mandate to implement scheme Says 93% of polling units have internet, GSM capacity to cover outstanding 7% Chuks Okocha in Abuja Determined to conduct credible elections in 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted on electronic transmission of election results.

It also disclosed that 93 per cent of the Polling Units in the country have internet and GSM facilities to cover the remaining seven per cent.

The electoral commission further revealed that the result of a 10-year diverse pilot programmes it conducted since 2011 and the discussions it held with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed Continued on page 6

Resident Doctors SMART-COLE AT 80...

Vote to Continue CELEBRATING Retired surgeon, Dr. JJ Ladipo; Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Dr.Wale Babalakin (SAN); his wife, Gbolahan; celebrant, Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole; Indefinite Strike... L-R: and Medical practitioner, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, during the 80th birthday celebration of Smart-Cole in Lagos…yesterday Pg 8

ABIODUN AJALA

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WORTHY HONOUR...

L-R: Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); recipient of Osun State Merit Award, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN); Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; and Olubosin of Ifetedo Kingdom, Oba Akinola Akinrera, during the presentation of award of recognition to Ali to celebrate Osun State at 30 in Osogbo...recently

UK Approves COVID-19 Vaccines Administered in Nigeria Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, yesterday debunked statements suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria were not approved by the UK. She added that the claim was “completely untrue” and should be disregarded.

The UK has also moved Nigeria to the "rest of the world” travel list about the travel rule billed to take effect from October 4, 2021.

In a statement yesterday, Laing said the UK approves of vaccines currently in use in Nigeria irrespective of the manufacturer.

She said that Nigeria is on the “rest of the world” list, with simplified travel measures.

She said the UK has so far donated 1.2 million vaccines to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to support the country in accessing COVID-19 vaccines.

She encouraged all eligible Nigerians to get vaccinated to help stop the spread of the virus.

“The UK is committed to global access to vaccines and is among the largest funders to COVAX. The UK has donated 1.2 million vaccines specifically to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to provide support,” Laing said.

“The UK strongly supports the work of the Nigerian health authorities and Nigeria’s vaccination campaign, and strongly encourages all eligible residents in Nigeria to get vaccinated. Only once we are all vaccinated can we end the spread of COVID-19.

“I would like to emphasise that any statements that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the UK are completely untrue. The UK recognises the Oxford-Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines used in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are manufactured.”

Speaking about rules concerning international travel to the UK, the high commissioner said the UK is using the COVID-19 vaccination

certification process to ensure people enter the country safely.

She said from October 4 the current travel system would be simplified and Nigeria which is currently on the amber list will be added to the ‘rest of the world’ list with simplified travel measures.

“The UK is committed to opening up international

travel and we are using our COVID-19 vaccination certification process to enable those wishing to enter the UK to do so safely. We know these matters hugely to many people in the UK and Nigeria – the extensive people-people ties between our two countries are at the heart of our bilateral relationship,” she said.

“From 4 October, the current system will be simplified.

There will be a single red list of countries and territories where stricter rules apply, and there will also be a ‘rest of the world’ list, with simplified travel measures.

The ‘rest of the world’ list will include countries currently on the UK’s amber list, such as Nigeria.”

It would be recalled that the UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, had on September 17, 2021, announced a simplified system for international travel in light of the success of the country’s domestic vaccine rollout that provides greater stability for industry and passengers.

The UK proposed to replace

the current traffic light system with a single red list of countries and territories to protect public health.

Testing requirements would also be reduced for eligible fully vaccinated travellers, who will no longer need to take a Pre-Departure Test when travelling to the UK from 4 a.m. of October 4.

EMEFIELE: CBN’S COVID-19 INTERVENTIONS ACCOUNT FOR 3.5% OF GDP the conference provided an opportunity to share the CBN’s experiences at boosting the economy by stimulating investments towards the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and critical infrastructure in the country.

He said: “Given the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on key economic variables, the CBN took several measures to mitigate the longterm effects on the growth prospects of the economy. First, policy measures were introduced to restore stability in the economy by supporting households that have been severely affected by the pandemic.

“Also, targeted interventions were introduced to support critical sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and health. Cumulatively, the bank’s intervention efforts represented about 3.5 per cent of the GDP.” Emefiele said that the CBN has equally developed and introduced low-interest and long-term finance interventions in tandem with the gestation periods of infrastructure projects in line with the bank’s developmental mandate to stimulate finance for infrastructure development in Nigeria.

The design of the interventions, according to him, was hinged on the need to develop enabling infrastructure in critical sectors to drive economic growth and development.

He said: “To fast-track, the development of infrastructure in the power and aviation sectors, the Power and Airlines Intervention Facility (PAIF) disbursed N312.77 billion to 73 projects to stimulate investment in the sectors, improve power

generation, support retention of sustainable jobs and enhance the living standard of the citizens through improved access to electricity.”

Emefiele acknowledged that the current level of infrastructure deficit in Nigeria “is a major constraint to economic development and attainment of growth average rate of at least five to seven per cent required to boost productivity and sustainable growth for businesses.”

He referred to the World Development Indicators (2019), which said that 56.20 per cent of Nigerians have access to electricity, while electric power consumption stood at 144.52 kWh per capita as of 2018.

He added that “while infrastructure deficit in Nigeria is estimated to be about 1.2 per cent of GDP, it is projected that the federal government needs to commit about $10billion annually to address the nation’s infrastructural deficit.”

The central bank governor stated that lack of access to quality infrastructure has been a limiting factor to MSMEs potential for growth and creating employment.

Emefiele said access to finance remained one of the biggest threats to MSME development with serious implications for productivity, economic development, and job creation.

“Access to credit has been identified as a critical enabler for the growth and development of MSMEs, as the overall credit gap for MSMEs in developing countries is estimated to be $5.2 trillion, representing 19 per cent of these countries’ cumulative GDP. Of this, the unmet financing demand from MSMEs in sub-

Saharan Africa is about $331 billion, representing 18 per cent of the potential demand for credit by MSMEs in the region.

“With over 42 million MSMEs in Nigeria, contributing 49.78 per cent to the nation’s GDP, 7.64 per cent of exports, and employing 76.5 per cent of the workforce, the sector is faced with numerous challenges that continue to limit the enterprises’ potential to contribute to economic growth and development.”

Emefiele referred to a PwC report, which said that access to electricity accounted for the major share of costs to daily operations of MSMEs, adding that the energy sector is overwhelmed by a plethora of challenges that ranged from operational inefficiencies to infrastructure deficiencies, which have resulted in inadequate electricity supply to households and businesses in Nigeria.

“This has contributed significant economic costs to MSMEs, thus hampering their competitiveness and contribution to economic growth. Specifically, the IMF has identified a lack of access to reliable electricity which costs the Nigerian economy an estimated $29 billion annually.

“The financing gap for MSMEs in Nigeria is estimated to be about N617.3 billion annually pre-Covid-19 pandemic, as less than five per cent of these businesses have access to adequate finance to support their working capital and business expansion needs (PwC).

“Other constraints to MSME development in Nigeria, as noted in the survey, included difficulty in finding customers, infrastructure deficit, insufficient

cashflows, multiple taxations, regulatory burden, and suboptimal implementation of the provisions of the MSME policy,” he said.

UBA Publishes Names, Account Details of Forex Defaulters In another development, the UBA has published the names and account numbers of some customers who allegedly defied the forex policy of the CBN. The individuals were said to have applied for Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and bought cheap dollars at the bank but did not use it for the purpose.

The account numbers and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) of the defaulters were included in the publication on the bank’s website.

According to the bank, the beneficiaries committed the offence after applying for fake tickets or visas.

The UBA disclosed this in a publication on its website titled ‘CBN FX defaulters,’ at the weekend.

It stated that it took the step “In compliance with the directive of Central Bank of Nigeria mandating banks to publish the names of defaulters of the forex exchange regulation.

“Based on regulatory directives, the following customers cancelled their trips and failed to return the PTA availed to them despite several emails, text messages and follow up phone calls.”

The bank added that the customers presented fake visas to apply for PTA. Banks had earlier sent

messages to their customers to notify them that travellers who bought foreign exchange from banks for travel purposes but failed to embark on the trip two weeks after their scheduled travel date must return the forex to the banks.

According to the banks, this was a directive from the CBN. The banks had also disclosed that defaulting customers who presented fraudulent travel credentials or cancelled their tickets and failed to refund the purchased PTA and BTA within two weeks, as stated in the signed customer declaration form, would have their identities and bank verification numbers published.

The CBN had in a circular to all banks dated August 30 and signed by the CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Mr. Haruna Mustafa, stated that the trend if not curbed, presented a risk to the integrity and stability of the forex market.

“CBN, therefore, directed banks to publish on their websites within two weeks the names and BVN of defaulting customers who presented fake travel documents or cancelled their tickets and failed to return the purchased PTA/BTA, as stipulated in the customer declaration form signed by them.”

Speaking at the end of bankers’ committee press brief, the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, had noted that: “Banks have been criticised for not being able to handle PTA and BTA transactions and just to let people know that we would continue to exercise the due diligence required concerning KYC and compliance.

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Buhari: Nigeria Making Progress in Tackling Security Challenges Lauds US support against terrorism Boko Haram not weakened, House minority caucus replies Buhari Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that Nigeria is making appreciable progress in solving the myriads of security challenges facing the country.

Nigeria has also hailed the United States of America’s support for the fight against terrorism in the North Eastern zone of the country.

This is coming as the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has faulted the claim by Buhari at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), that terrorists have been so weakened in Nigeria that they are now preying on soft targets Buhari's Media Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, in two separate statements at the weekend said President Buhari met separately with the Prime Minister of Netherlands as well as US Permanent Representative to the United Nations at the sidelines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America (USA).

At the meeting with the Prime Minister of Netherlands, His Excellency Mark Rutte, the president assured the PM that Nigeria was dealing with terrorist elements troubling the country.

“We are preoccupied with security, and we are getting somewhere,” the president assured, adding that the

North-east and the South-south, which were the issues in 2015, are stabilising, while efforts are on to restore calm to the North-west, North-central, and other restive areas.

On the economy, the president said the country took decisions to shut the borders, “eat what we grow, and curb smuggling,” noting that if

that had not been done, “we would have been in serious trouble. We are lucky to have taken the decision when we did, otherwise things would have been impossible with the advent of COVID-19.”

On the issue of military coups in West Africa, President Buhari told his guest that he was surprised at the attitude

of those tampering with the Constitution of their countries, to stay longer in office.

He assured that ECOWAS was doing the needful to address the developments.

Prime Minister Rutte congratulated President Buhari on how he successfully leads a country of over 200 million people, wishing Nigeria greater

advances.

Also on Friday, President Buhari declared that the support by the United States of America has made a great difference in Nigeria’s efforts to stamp out terrorism within its borders.

At a meeting in New York with the Permanent Representative of America

to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda ThomasGreenfield, the President indicated that America’s support was a morale booster to the military and the people of Nigeria in general.

With the supply of the Super Tucano aircraft purchased from Continued on page 10

CATCH THEM YOUNG...

L-R: Representative of Chief JK Gadzama (SAN); Mr. Kunle Ogunba (SAN); Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Forum, Mr. Tobi Adebowale; and President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata, during the NBA Young Lawyers’ Summit in Abeokuta… recently

AFTER 10 YEARS STUDY, INEC SAYS NIGERIA READY FOR ELECTRONIC VOTING that the national infrastructure is adequate to support the electronic transmission of results.

In its position paper on the desirability of electronic voting and transmission of results in real-time, signed by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the electoral body said it had developed adequate structures and processes to successfully transmit election results electronically.

The commission sought a clear legal mandate for the implementation of the electronic transmission of election results with the Electoral Act amendment.

INEC argued in the position paper dated ‘September 13, 2021,’ that the “electronic transmission of results will improve the quality of election result management and that our engagement with stakeholders shows that the Nigerian public supports it."

In the paper titled: ‘INEC Position Paper No.1 2021: Electronic Transmission of Results,’ the commission stated that the technology and national infrastructure to support the electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria are adequate.

“Consequently, if the choice was up to INEC, the commission prefers to transmit election results electronically once the necessary legal framework is provided,” it said, adding that “the transmission of election results electronically is both desirable and doable”.

The commission argued that the recent debates in Nigeria over the provision of Clause 52 (3) of the Electoral Bill 2021 regarding the electronic transmission of election results “have been marked by entrenched partisan positions, incomplete information, unsubstantiated fears, groundless conspiracy theories, and profound misconceptions.”

It further stated that it was curious that its perspectives on this very important issue of election management remain either completely absent in the debates or at best misconceived.

INEC explained that in the course of the National Assembly seeking to amend or repeal and re-enact the Electoral Act 2010, a national debate has arisen over the commission’s readiness and the capacity of national infrastructure for transmitting election results electronically.

"It is worthy of note that none of the sides in this controversy appears to substantially question the desirability of electronic transmission of election results. It seems that only the preparedness of INEC and the capacity of national infrastructure are questioned,” it added.

INEC noted that many Nigerians had called on it to make its position on the issue public.

The commission disclosed that its positions on the issue were informed by a decade of

its technical field experience, piloting, and engagement with critical stakeholders, particularly the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on electronic transmission of election results.

It argued that a decade was not a short time for it to determine whether it was ready.

INEC stressed that its intervention in these debates, particularly through its position paper, should not be misconstrued as denuding the powers of any other agency or authority to perform its functions or to hold views on the issues in question that are contrary to those of the commission.

INEC stated that the answer to the question of the desirability of electronic transmission of election results in Nigeria today may be summed up in three words – trust, efficiency, and safety.

The electoral body disclosed that the verdict of Nigerians was that a progressive application of technology to election management increases trust in the electoral process.

“When the commission introduced the biometric register, chip-based voters’ card, and Smart Card Reader (SCR), they were widely acclaimed to be behind major improvements in the quality of elections, particularly in 2011 and 2015. Since then, Nigerians have pushed for more and more reduction in a human intervention that could alter the wishes of voters in elections,”

it explained.

The commission said in line with the aspiration of Nigerians, it has continued to work tirelessly to introduce appropriate, targeted, and safe technology to electoral activities, adding that the most recent was the introduction of online pre-registration for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

INEC also said the health and safety of people must be paramount in all electoral activities, including elections.

INEC said the conclusion it drew from the “diverse pilots conducted since 2011 is that the country is ready for electronic transmission of results. The national ICT infrastructure is also adequate for the electronic transmission of results. This is underscored by all the discussions we held with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and the regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), over the ten years of these pilots, but especially between 2018 and 2019. It is important to share the outcome of those discussions to underscore the commission’s conviction about the readiness of the country for electronic transmission of election results".

On its engagement with NCC and MNOs, the position paper noted that "INEC has had a longstanding partnership with both MNOs and NCC." "Over the years, they have partnered INEC in sending bulk SMS, providing

shortcodes, assigning e-lines, as well as mapping networks for the use of Smart Card Readers, all of which have been invaluable to the work of the commission. This partnership has continued with the discussion on electronic transmission of results,” INEC added.

INEC noted that on January 30, 2018, its chairman, Yakubu had paid a visit to the NCC and asked for partnership on the commission’s task of conducting free, fair, and credible elections, particularly as it concerns telephony and data transmission support for the electoral process, ahead of the 2019 general election.

“Subsequently, the two commissions established the INEC/NCC Joint Technical Committee on Electronic Transmission of Election Results, which was co-chaired

by Mr. Ubale Maska, the NCC Commissioner for Technical Services, and Dr. Mustapha Lecky, an INEC National Electoral Commissioner,” it said.

According to INEC, the Joint Technical Committee included all the major MNOs. It further disclosed that the final report of the committee signed by the Co-Chairmen and presented August 9, 2018, had noted that mobile networks adequately covered 93 per cent of INEC Polling Units with the capacity to cover the outstanding seven per cent.

"The committee went on

to allocate Polling Units to the four major mobile network operators – Airtel, Glo, 9Mobile and MTN – to transmit election results,” adding that a total cost implication of N395,123,000 was worked out for the services covering the cost of SIM, system configuration and integration, system support and data bundle with one-year validity.

It said the Joint Committee also made other technical recommendations, including the allocation of one terabyte (1TB) of data bucket per 10,000 SIMs per annum by the network operators and configuration of one Access Point Name (APN) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) “by all operators towards INEC platform to enhance security”.

The committee disclosed that the detailed work and recommendations involving the major MNOs and the NCC as the regulator of telecommunications in Nigeria, profoundly convinced it that electronic transmission of election results was possible for the 2019 general election.

"INEC expected to receive a clear legal mandate for electronic transmission of election results with the Electoral Act amendment that was ongoing at the time to commence implementation.

Unfortunately, that did not happen,” the position paper added.

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Resident Doctors Vote to Continue Indefinite Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Striking resident doctors in the country have resolved to sustain their ongoing industrial action until their demands are met by the federal government.

The strike by members of the National Association Resident Doctors (NARD) has entered its seventh week, with their parent body, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), also threatening to embark on solidarity strike if the dispute is not resolved by next weekend.

The resident doctors are demanding payment of arrears of salaries of their members on GIFMIS platform as well as approval of new hazard allowance for the health sector, among other demands.

Rising from its Annual General Meeting (AGM) that ended yesterday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi State, NARD said that it had unanimously resolved by vote to continue the total and indefinite strike action.

A new national leadership also emerged at the meeting with Dr Dare Godiya Ishaya as the new president of NARD. NARD said that: "After critical appraisal of the performances of both federal and state governments on all the issues that led to the ongoing strike as stated above, the AGM unanimously resolved by vote to continue the total and indefinite strike action until our minimum demands are met".

In a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Dare Godiya Ishaya; Secretary General, Dr. Suleiman Abiodun Ismai; and National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alfa Yusuf, the doctors said that federal government should ensure that their demands are urgently met before normalcy would return to the health sector The resident doctors said they

are demanding the payment of the Medical Residency Training allowance within 72 hours since the money meant for it is available and verification of the list for payment has been completed.

They also demanded payment of the arrears of salaries of their members on GIFMIS platform within 72 hours while the migration process continues.

Other demands of the Resident doctors include: "Withdrawal of the case against us in court in the interest of peace; and payment of our withheld August and September salaries".

NARD said that federal government should prevail on various state governments to urgently "pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed our members in the state tertiary health institutions as stated above".

In the communiqué, NARD said they were committed to the smooth running of the health sector, but can only do so when their welfare is given the desired attention.

"We, therefore, call on all wellmeaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to set aside all technicalities as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari

and resolve the aforementioned demands in the interest of the masses and our members who are currently suffering because of the ongoing strike action," it said.

Earlier during the AGM, the doctors bemoaned the delay in payment of death-in-service insurance benefit to the next-ofkin of the fallen heroes despite their sacrifices to the country.

They expressed concerns over the conditions of their members under different state governments' employs, especially Abia, Imo, Ekiti and Ondo states, where their members are being owed

20 months, six months, four months and four months’ salary arrears, respectively.

They meeting also observed with serious concerns the poor response of most state governments in domesticating the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 while commending states like Delta and Benue for adopting the law.

In particular, NARD expressed appreciation to the governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who has paid its members the 2021 MRTF during the ongoing strike.

The meeting lamented the acute manpower shortage in

most tertiary health institutions and the attendant burnout effects on its members.

The communiqué said that NARD observed with serious concerns that despite several meetings with the presidential committee on salaries and other top government stakeholders on the review of hazard allowance for health workers, the hazard allowance still remains a paltry N5,000.

It also noted the non-payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance to some of the members in federal and most of its members in state tertiary institutions.

CEMENTING TIES...

Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari, during their bilateral meeting in New York…yesterday

SANS TACKLE MALAMI, INSIST VAT NOT ON EXCLUSIVE LIST a collection of Value-Added Tax. “The responsibility, right and constitutional power to legislate on a collection of VAT is exclusively and constitutionally vested in the national assembly and not in the state,” Malami reportedly explained.

But in separate interviews with THISDAY, some senior lawyers challenged the minister to point out where VAT was mentioned in the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Human rights lawyers, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Dr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), among others, faulted Malami in separate responses to THISDAY’s inquiries.

But another senior lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) expressed the belief that Malami was misquoted, not heard properly, or misrepresented in his claim that VAT is on the Exclusive Legislative List.

On his part, Mr. John Baiyeshea (SAN) said whether it is the federal government or the state that is legally empowered to collect VAT, is a decision of the court and not the AGF or any lawyer.

The collection of VAT has been a subject of national debate since Justice Stephen D. Pam of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt ruled that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) lacked the power to collect taxes not listed under Items 58 and 59 of Part I of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.

The FIRS had challenged the decision of the Federal High Court at the Court of Appeal,

Abuja Division.

The appellate court had ordered the Rivers and Lagos State governments to maintain the status quo, pending the resolution of the legal dispute on the matter.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the appellate court that directed all parties to maintain the status quo, the Rivers State Government approached the Supreme Court, asking it to set aside the decision of the appellate court.

Citing different judicial precedents and constitutional provisions to disprove Malami’s position, Falana said the constitutional powers and competence of the federal government “is limited to taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains which does not include VAT.” Falana argued that in both E.C. Ukala versus FIRS and Attorney-General of Rivers State versus FIRS, the Federal High Court held that there “is no constitutional basis for the FIRS to demand and collect VAT, Withholding Tax, Education Tax and Technology Levy in Rivers State or any other state of the federation.”

Specifically, the human rights activist contended that the federal government “cannot collect VAT or any other species of sales, or levy other than those specifically mentioned in items 58 and 59 of the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution.”

He, therefore, argued that the two decisions “cannot be faulted on legal grounds. Until the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court sets them aside, to that extent, the decisions of the Federal High Court remain the law and as

they cannot be impugned by any ex-cathedral statement or political opinion of any public officer, no matter how highly placed.”

Falana said since it would be problematic to set aside the judgments of the Federal High Court, the federal government might wish to embark on a consultation to let all the stakeholders appreciate the need to have a central collection system through the FIRS. Falana, a former President of the West African Bar Association (WABA), however, observed that the federal government should be prepared to review the unjust distribution formula if it wanted the FIRS to collect the VAT. Falana said in 2020: “The total VAT collected was N1.53 trillion. Apart from the allocation of 15 per cent to the federal government, the FIRS deducted four per cent as a collection fee while the Nigeria Customs Service deducted seven per cent from import VAT. There are some criteria involved in the distribution of FIRS that ought to be reviewed.”

Falana argued that having acknowledged the lacuna in the Constitution, the FIRS had mobilised the National Assembly to amend the law, noting that the attempt to use the federal legislature “will not work, as it is a non-starter.

“In Attorney-General of Ogun State versus Aberuagba, the Supreme Court stated categorically that the Sales Tax Law of Ogun State was invalid as it encroached on the exclusive legislative powers of the federal government. That

was the prevailing situation in the Second Republic. But the judgment is not applicable under the current political dispensation.

“In other words, the VAT cannot be located in either the Exclusive or Concurrent Legislative List. Hence, it is a residual matter within the legislative competence of the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation,” Falana noted.

He, however, explained that the federal government might wish “to propose an amendment to the Constitution by putting VAT in the Exclusive Legislative List since another constitutional review is in progress.

“It is pertinent to point out that VAT was increased by the National Assembly last year, albeit illegally. But the increase has not had any positive impact on the Nigerian people.

“The essence of paying VAT and other taxes has long been defeated as governments have abandoned the provision of social amenities for the people,” he said.

Faulting Malami’s position yesterday, Ozekhome observed that the VAT “is not anywhere reflected in the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution.”

The senior advocate noted the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division held that the VAT was not a matter within the Exclusive Legislative List.

He, therefore, added that the VAT “is a matter, which the state governments can or should legislate upon. As a result, there is now a law in Rivers State, which makes VAT an exclusive matter within the

jurisdiction of the state. That is the present position.

“So, the mere pronouncement of the attorney-general in the faraway US cannot change the law, neither can it change an extant subsisting judgment of a competent court of law, which has not been set aside by the Court of Appeal. And that remains the law.”

On his part, Adegboruwa reinforced Ozekhome’s viewpoint, challenging the AGF to explain why the FIRS wrote a letter to the National Assembly to list the VAT on the Exclusive Legislative List if it was already there.

He, therefore, contended that the VAT “is not on the Exclusive Legislative List at all. If indeed it were on it, why would FIRS write a letter to the National Assembly, seeking to put VAT on the Exclusive Legislative List?”

The senior advocate added that all states across the federation “are thus entitled to make laws on VAT, through their various Houses of Assembly.

“This is the best way to end the controversy on the VAT. The federal government has no power in law to dabble into any matter that is not within its competence,” the senior advocate explained in his three-paragraph.

Another senior lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) observed that a court of competent jurisdiction “has made a pronouncement which has been appealed. The matter is subjudice. The golden rule in ethics is that the appeal court should be allowed to rule before any further comments for or against".

Raji expressed the belief

that the AGF was misquoted, not heard properly, or misrepresented.

He, however, advised that all parties should focus their attention on the contents of their brief of arguments to be filed before the appeal court or Supreme Court as the case may be.

Similarly, Baiyeshea (SAN) said whether it is the federal government or the state that is legally empowered to collect VAT, is a decision of the court and not the AGF or any lawyer.

The senior advocate noted that he would not want to make the same mistake by the AGF by commenting on a case that is already before the court, Baiyeshea said: "I will not like to make the same mistake with Malami by commenting on a matter that is before the Court of Appeal presently.

“All lawyers and indeed senior lawyers should know that we are not permitted to comment on or express an opinion on subjudice matters.

"Be that as it may, whatever the AGF has said will not matter.

What matters is the decision of the superior court (in this instance, the Court of Appeal), which we are all waiting for.

The matter will not stop at the Court of Appeal.

“It will certainly get to the Supreme Court. Whatever pronouncement the Supreme Court makes (based on interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Constitution), will eventually be the law.

Therefore, what the AGF or any other lawyer or persons have said or may say, will at best be speculative opinions.”

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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

NEWS

Sanwo-Olu Reveals Plan to Vaccinate 30% Lagosians Within One Year Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday disclosed that he had mapped out a plan to vaccinate at least 30 per cent of the state’s population within one year.

Sanwo-Olu also challenged the world leaders to work towards equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution to people everywhere, especially in the world’s poorest countries.

The governor, who made these remarks yesterday at the Global Citizen Live event in celebration of healthcare workers who are at the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic, also restated the state’s commitment to prioritising vaccine equity among its entire population.

Global Citizen Live is part of a once-in-a-generation day of unity with artists, celebrities, and world leaders coming together to create change and impact climate and poverty.

The 24-hour broadcast event featured performances and speeches from locations around the world, including Lagos, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Sydney, and more.

A-list Nigerian artists, Femi Kuti, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Made Kuti and Seun Kuti all performed at the Lagos show hosted by TV personalities Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Nancy Isime.

Speaking at the concert, Sanwo-Olu said a substantial proportion of a population would need to be vaccinated to lower the overall amount of virus which can spread in the whole population.

According to him, it is important that the world’s most populous black country and, indeed, the megacity Lagos, achieve herd immunity at the same time as all countries.

In Lagos, Sanwo-Olu explained that 405,000 persons “have received the first dose of AstraZeneca and these 289,000 have had their second dose. For Moderna, we have administered the first dose to 230,000 persons.

“This gives us about a 1.2 percent herd immunity, which is far below the minimum WHO target of 60 percent of

the population,” the governor told his audience at the concert.

At the current rate, SanwoOlu said it would take about

three years “to achieve our herd immunity target of vaccination of at least 60 percent of our population. We cannot continue

at this speed if we seriously want to beat this virus.

“Lagos State will commit to prioritising vaccine equity

among its entire population.

We plan to partner with the private sector once again to procure, store, distribute and

administer vaccines across the state under the guidance of federal and state government laws.

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP...

L-R: Vice President, President, Association of Issuing House of Nigeria (AIHN), Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe; President, AIHN, Mr. Ike Chioke; Director General, Operations, Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda; Executive Commissioner Operations, SEC, Mr. Dayo Obisan, at a meeting between SEC and AIHN in Lagos… recently

Aisha Buhari Debunks Alleged Plan to Install Brother as Adamawa Gov Allegation baseless, says Buni

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has debunked claims that she was plotting to hijack the Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressivess Congress (APC) to install her brother as governor of the state in 2023.

The Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party and the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has also described the allegation as baseless.

The wife of the President was accused of planning to assume full control of the party structure to install her younger brother, Mr. Mohammed Modi, as the governor of the state in 2023.

It was further alleged that

the plot has created uneasy calm in the state chapter of the party.

When her brother lost the 2018 governorship primary election to the party's candidate in the 2019 general election and the former governor, Muhammadu Bindow, the president’s wife had slammed the APC for not providing a fair and neutral arrangement for its primary election.

However, it was alleged that the First Lady; the Chairman of the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party and the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; a former National Vice-Chairman, North-east Zone, Mustapha Salihu, and the Financial Secretary of the party, Mr. Saidu Naira, are manipulating the congresses

in Adamawa State to ease the way for the first lady's brother.

The First Lady has however denied the allegation, describing it as baseless.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Aliyu Abdulahi, she said her brother contested the last election without her hijacking the structure of the party and wondered why she would do it now.

The first lady stated: "Of course, this is a baseless allegation, it is untrue; there is no iota of truth in it. Look at it this way, if she was to do that for example, he contested before and she did not do it.

"Is she a member of the National Executive Council (NEC)? She's not a NEC member of the party; she's not a National Working Committee (NWC) member, she's not a

caretaker committee member.

I have not seen Buni in that house with her and in fact, the congress of the state I'm sure has not even held.

"If someone has a fear of something that did not happen or that is going to happen, is that not speculation? The first lady is not like that I assure you, she doesn't get involved in this kind of thing. It is untrue, it is baseless."

On his part, Buni said the allegation was barren, dry, baseless, and flimsy.

Buni, while reacting through his Director General of Media and Publicity, Mr. Mamman Muhammed, said the caretaker committee under his leadership could not labour so hard only to engage in self-destruction.

Buni added: "It is very important to let those casting this senseless allegation that

APC under His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State and Chairman CECPC, Mai Mala Buni has surpassed the charade the accusers were accustomed to. There is no more cutting of corners. They either do the right thing or remain in illusion.

"The caretaker committee under Governor Buni cannot labour so hard to rebuild the party only to engage in selfdestruction."

Buni assured that the committee was committed to building a strong party free from parochial sentiments to stand the test of time and to remain Nigeria's leading political party.

He said the party would not condone the addiction of creating stories with wild and deflated allegations to give the party leadership a bad name.

country, in the fight against Covid-19.

The lawmakers opined that the speech lacked definite personal commitments towards a credible electoral process especially as the nation approaches the 2023 general election.

The lawmakers said: "The speech did not reflect on the closure of schools and crippling of education in many parts of our country, where normal life has been destroyed by terrorists, neither did it show any empathy towards the victims of terrorism attacks. Our caucus is worried that in reflecting on violent conflicts, Mr. President’s address conveyed no personal commitments that can guarantee an end to poor and undemocratic governance, human rights abuses, poverty, ignorance, injustice, and inequalities that are prevalent under his watch, even after identifying such as

the causes of conflicts.

"Moreover, our caucus is worried that Mr. President’s speech did not portray any decisive roadmap towards economic recovery and food security; had no personal commitment to end corruption in his administration; had no personal commitment to end borrowing or show a clear-cut plan to repay the huge debt being accumulated by his administration."

The Caucus, therefore, urged Buhari to always cross-check the content given to him by his handlers to ensure that his position, especially on the world stage, captures the reality as well as aspiration prevalent in the country.

This, according to the lawmakers, is because such addresses ought to serve as an unblemished working document for interventions and solutions at various levels of governance.

BUHARI: NIGERIA MAKING PROGRESS IN TACKLING SECURITY CHALLENGES America, and other helicopters on the way, President Buhari said ending the security challenges in Nigeria was only a matter of time.

On how the country was able to mitigate the scourge of the Coronavirus pandemic, of which the Ambassador said the Delta variant was “very virulent,” the Nigerian leader disclosed that a special team was raised by the federal government, which in conjunction with states, educated people on safety methods, “and we are not doing badly vis-a-vis our population.”

According to him, COVID-19 does not discriminate between small and big, rich and poor countries, “so we all have to collaborate and work together.”

President Buhari said leaders have to respect their people, part of which is to obey the term-limit clauses in their constitution.

“I am surprised when people spend the maximum term possible, and then tinker with the constitution, to stay longer.

“In Nigeria, we try to educate our people to appreciate the democratic system. Elections should be safe and secure, with no coercion of any form.

People should elect the people they want. That would grow democracy,” he said.

On climate change, President Buhari said the impact had been badly felt in the Lake Chad basin area, with more than 30 million people affected, deprived of access to fishing, farming, animal husbandry, and causing irregular migration and other anti-social acts.

The president then canvassed concerted action on inter-basin water transfer from the Congo Basin to Lake Chad.

In her remarks, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said about 70 per cent of her work at

the UN centre on Africa and expressed worry about the recent military takeover in Mali and Guinea.

Boko Haram Not Weakened, House Minority Caucus Replies Buhari Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has faulted the claim by Buhari at the 76th session of the UNGA, that terrorists have been so weakened in Nigeria that they are now preying on soft targets The Caucus in a statement issued yesterday by its leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu said it had reviewed Buhari's UNGA address and was depressed that it did not reflect the ugly reality of the failures of his administration, as well as the economic, security, and social ruins that have confronted the

nation under his watch.

The lawmakers argued that in reality, insurgents have become so emboldened under Buhari's watch, and are now attacking military formations, kidnapping and killing gallant officers while overrunning communities and murdering citizens without restrain.

The caucus argued that Buhari’s speech is a great disservice to the nation by not presenting the true picture of affairs in the country; the human rights violations, corruption, incompetence in his administration; the excruciating hardship, escalated insecurity, national divisiveness, and infrastructural decay under his watch, thereby blocking avenues for desired intervention in the various ailing sectors.

The Caucus also expressed shock over claims in the speech that his administration built isolation centres and emergency hospital wards, all over the

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

EDITORIAL

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

JAILBREAKS AND NATIONAL SECURITY The spate of jailbreaks is worrying. The prisons should be decongested and made more secure

T

he growing number of attacks on prisons around the country is best viewed as a metaphor of increasing social unrest than as mere infrastructure meltdown. It is true that existing prisons are bulging. It is also true that the facilities have decayed. Even more undeniable is the fact that facilities built by colonial administrations have no provisions to restrain convicts in a freer realm. But more worrisome is the fact that the society whose ills and misdemeanors the prison system is designed to correct has become more complicated. Therefore, we now have prisoners that are more sophisticated and daring than those hired to keep and retrain them. Moreover, those outside prison walls that are determined to free some inmates have acquired greater capacity than the protection system around the prison walls.

In the past five years, at least a dozen prison facilities across the country have witnessed violent attacks with thousands of inmates released. Many of these inmates who are still at large include the condemned and those serving life terms. Before the bloody 12th September attack on medium Security Custodial Centre in Kabba, Kogi State, there had been several jailbreaks. During last year’s nationwide EndSARS protests, the Oko and Benin correctional centres in Edo State were attacked with 1,993 inmates freed. Tragically, one of the escapees from the Oko Correctional Centre, according to the police, ‘ran back to his village on the same day’ to kill the prosecution witness who testified against him during his criminal trial.

What should particularly concern the authorities

is that the tempo of attacks seems to have heightened in the past one year. Last October, the correctional centre in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State was broken into with 58 inmates freed after some officials had been injured. Within the month of April this year alone, there were four attacks. First, gunmen broke into the Ikoyi prison in Lagos with explosives and dynamite. Then there was a jailbreak at the Bauchi custodial where inmates and officers were injured before the attack on Owerri correctional centre. In these daring attacks, inmates were let loose.

While many questions arise from the frequency of these attacks, what is important for now is to find solutions to the problem.

One, the criminal justice system needs to operate at a rate that disallows prison congestion. Sadly, efforts at decongesting our prisons or ameliorating the plight of the awaiting trial inmates have for several years come to naught because the criminal justice system is skewed against the poor.

The courts therefore need to work in shifts while prisons should constantly update their records of inmates. There are reports that there is no reliable data of inmates in our prisons and for that reason, there is no way to track many of those recently released.

We need reforms that will make our prisons more secure. Such pursuit of security must be predicated on a quest for enduring social justice in our nation

Letters to the Editor

I

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

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

B

ut there is a bigger challenge. Across the country, the prisons where convicts and suspects were dully sent for punishment or custody have suddenly become sources of internal security threat. To address the problem, we need reforms that will make our prisons more secure.

Such pursuit of security must be predicated on a quest for enduring social justice in our nation. In the current context, there is little difference between prison inmates and citizens imprisoned by fear, insecurity, and an unjust social order.

Overall, the training and equipment of our prison guards need updating in line with the current state of our security ecosystem. More importantly, the trend in which our ever-frequent breakdowns of social peace and order is accompanied by attacks on prison facilities is of deep concern. It is a manifestation of the classic viewpoint that prisons and courts that sustain them are part of the infrastructure of social injustice.

Prisons become bastions of an unjust order. To break down prison walls becomes a metaphor for liberation and even mini revolutions. But when the storming of prisons and freeing of inmates become an act in the service of freedom, then we are all endangered.

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

NIGERIA, LEADERSHIP AND A FLAWED FEDERATION

n 1914, when Lord Lugard, Nigeria`s colonial governor at the time, contrived to amalgamate the Northern and Southern regions of Nigeria into one country, perhaps he did not forsee that his contraption of convenience would someday lead to intractable problems for the country.

The country trudged on, finally crossing the line of independence on the 1st of October 1960.

The journey was anything but smooth. The ill-timed intervention of the military in the politics of the country largely precipitated the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-70 which shattered

the country`s fragile unity, perhaps beyond repair.

Nigerians are unanimous that one of Nigeria`s principal and most pressing problems is the acute dearth of good leadership. This dearth of good leaders has seen people who ordinarily should be in jail take charge and direct the affairs of the country. Because they are incurably incompetent, they continue to steer the ship of the country into stormy seas.

The question of leadership has directly put in issue the system of government in a multi-ethnic country which has seen an unjustifiable concentration

of power in the federal government at the expense of the states and local governments.

It was always going to be a difficult arrangement.

Under a constitution hurriedly enacted as the military hastily retreated to the barracks under mammoth local and international pressure, chaos was always going to ensue at some point, with critical areas of the constitution blighted by ambiguity and in many cases, sheer narrowness.

So, every Nigerian conversation has featured murmurs of discontent about how the country is set up to fail and what can be done to remedy the situation.

Agitations for secession echo almost across the entire country. Even louder has been the calls for restructuring as the country teethers on the brink of collapse. With insecurity raging and the economy desperately clinging to the dregs of fast shrinking oil reserves, the country indeed faces a critical hour.

The battle lines have been drawn. On one side are those who for the sake of the country`s future insist that things must change in the country. On the other side are the incorrigibles who do not care if the country burns as long as things remain the way they are. This second category of people find themselves in powerful positions of authority. Wielding the power of their offices, they

proceed to forcefully shut down any and every conversation about restructuring.

Until their dark ends are brought to a screeching halt, the cou nt r y w i l l on ly cont i nue to r e t rog r e s s.

D e mo c rac y i s about t he power of t he pe ople. It i s not about t he conce nt rat ion of power a ny where. It i s about t he devolut ion of power to ord i n a r y pe ople. Because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, every society that hopes to grow should watch it lest the power that should belong to the people be usurped and used to crush them.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

NEWS

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

Nigeria Living on Borrowed Times Without Restructuring, Afenifere Warns Laments plight of peasant farmers Asks Ogun gov to sign enact anti-open grazing bill Gboyega Akinsanmi

Nigeria may be living on borrowed times if the clamour for restructuring continues to fall on deaf ears, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has warned after a meeting at the weekend.

ARG, a welfarist sociopolitical group, lamented the molestation of Nigerians across geo-political divides and the economic deprivation of Yoruba peasant farmers from their legitimate occupation.

The group expressed these concerns in a three-page communique issued after a three-day retreat held In IjebuImushin, Ijebu East Local East Government Area, Ogun State Recently.

The agitation for restructuring started in 1993 after the annulment of June 12 presidential election presumed to have been won by the late business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola. The agitation led to civil transition on May 29, 1999.

In 2005, Obasanjo convened the National Political Reforms Conference in response to popular demands then. But the conference ended abruptly amid allegations of a third term agenda by the former president.

Also, former President Goodluck Jonathan convened the National Conference in 2014 under late Justice Idris Kutigi to address imbalance and injustice that characterised the federal

system. lection and distribution of the 1999 Constitution perpetually of all the security agencies intelligence gathering systems in In 2018, lastly, the All Progres- Value Added Tax (VAT) are does, they should not be that should have nipped these the resolution of the problems sives Congress (APC) set up a symptoms of the breakdown blamed for their clamour,” violent acts in the bud, and in their joint domain,” the Committee on True Federalism of trust within the federation, the ARG observed in its called on all security agen- communique said.

The communique called on to devolve more powers to especially between the federal three-page communique. cies to awaken fully to their Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo the federating units. But the and state governments.”

It expressed grave con- responsibility. report of the committee had It, therefore, called on all the Abiodun to sign the Anti-Open It, therefore, called on Presi- cern about the debilitating been dumped in the archive dent Muhammadu Buhari “to insecurity incidents across governments in Yorubaland Grazing Bill, 2021 into law since of history. acknowledge that he is not the the country, which amongst “to as a matter of urgency the State House of Assembly Given these failed attempts to only one in love with Nigeria’s others include kidnapping, collaborate with one another had passed the bill.

The communique, however, restructure Nigeria, the ARG, in continued existence, Yorùbá maiming, molestation of to strengthen the Amotekun its communique, called elected self determination activists Nigerians and in particular security agency to enable them commended the Governors of officials from the South-west to do, just that there must be the economic deprivation of offer reasonable level of protec- Southern Nigeria States for their align strongly with the wishes justice and equity for all Nigerian Yoruba peasant farmers from tion to people in their domain. boldness in enacting a law that of their people and subjugate citizens.

“They should also explore the bans open grazing and herding their legitimate occupation, their personal interest to that It condemned the lethargy place of formal and informal of cattle.

“If however these are denied as of their people.

The communique noted that the unshaken faith of the Yoruba people in the need to restructure Nigeria was captured in the Yoruba Agenda in 2005 as “Regional Autonomy or Nothing.”

It warned that the recalcitrance of the ruling clique and the presidency “can only push moderate Yoruba people to the wall, as can be derived from the present clamour for self-determination.

“Nigeria may therefore be living on borrowed times as long as the strident calls for restructuring continue to fall on deaf ears. We therefore reaffirm the need for an urgent restructuring of Nigeria.

“The debate that preceded the implementation of Amotekun security initiative, the ‘inchoate’ nature of local council L-R: Deputy governorship candidate, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Onyeka Ibezim; governorship candidate, Prof. Chukwuma development authorities and Soludo; Anambra State Governor; Chief Willie Obiano and his wife, Ebele, arriving the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square for the flag-off of the DAVID-CHYDDY ELEKE the ongoing furore over col- governorship campaigns of the party in Awka...yesterday

CAMPAIGNS HAVE STARTED…

Soludo, Uba Shun Guber Debate as Other Candidates Present Manifestos David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Senator Andy Uba Friday night failed to join other candidates to defend their manifestos ahead of the November 6 governorship election.

A socio-political group, Kwechiri Unity Forum in conjunction with Rise TV had held the debate for all the 18 governorship candidates in the state, for the November

6 election, to present their programmes to the people.

The debate, titled: “2021 Anambra Governorship Election: Face the Voters”, was attended by only five candidates.

Those in attendance were candidates of; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Mr Valentine Ozigbo, Accord Party; Dr. Godwin Maduka, Action Alliance (AA); Chief Ben Etiaba, African Democratic Congress (ADC); Dr. Akachukwu Nwankpo and Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Col. Geoffrey Onyejegbu.

Other candidates who

shunned the debate included Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dr. Obiora Agbasimalo of Labour Party, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Young Progressive Party (YPP), among others.

ARISE NEWS Channel presenter and former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who anchored the programme alongside two panelists grilled the candidates on their manifestos.

The governorship candidates in attendance took the opportunity to speak on their intended programmes, which

dwelt on leadership, economy, agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, security, among others.

The co-convener of Kwechiri Unity Forum, Mr. Emmanuel Obieze, who spoke to THISDAY said invitations were sent to all the candidates, and the group ensured that they personally received and acknowledged their invitations.

“I don’t know why they did not attend. We invited all the candidates. The idea was to give them the opportunity to defend their manifestos before Anambra people.

“I would not like to say they

are afraid of facing Anambra people to explain their manifestos, or to say that they do not have any, because they did not state the reason for their being absent,” Obieze said.

Addressing his supporters at the campaign flag-off yesterday, Soludo said he was confident of winning the November 6 governorship election, adding that candidates of other political parties in the race were not his match.

Soludo said he was confident that there are some political parties in the race who Anambra people will never vote for, even if they held the people of the

state at gunpoint.

Soludo said: “I thank APGA for the ticket it gave me on June 23, and the over 50 support groups who for years continued to clamour for me to aspire for the governorship position.

“They have been demanding for me to come and run, some of them are people across party lines, and some who are not even politicians have been calling me and saying that after the tenure of Governor Willie Obiano, the best thing that can happen to Anambra is for me to come and continue.

Anambra people want APGA to continue.

COVID-19 Caused 33% Drop in GDP, Udom: Opponents Plotted to Derail Our Govt, But We Survived Health Minister Reveals Charles Ajunwa

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ekhanire yesterday disclosed that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had dropped by 33 percent as a result of COVID-19.

The minister, also, disclosed that the country had lost over 2,000 persons to the outbreak of the pandemic.

He revealed this in Benin City, Edo State, during the Southsouth town hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination organised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 in

collaboration with the NPHCDA At the meeting, the health minister explained that the federal government needed to vaccinate 70 percent of the population to effectively curb the spread of the virus.

He explained that the way out of this “is to get vaccinated because those who had taken the virus have full protection while the unvaccinated are exposed to danger and casualty.”

Also at the meeting, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib yesterday disclosed

that so far about 4.680 million persons have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in Nigeria.

According to him, the meeting is aimed at discussing the COVID-19 vaccination; addressing mutual concerns; reaching a consensus and supporting the on-going efforts by the federal and state governments to ensure citizens are safe and protected against the virus.

He 1noted that of the 4.680 million persons, only 1.865 million have been fully vaccinated with two doses, adding that this is below the target of reaching health immunity.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel yesterday revealed that opponents plotted to derail his administration and assassinated his character, but he survived their plots.

Udom explained that he was able to survive the plots due to what he ascribed to his personal attributes including sense of purpose, sincerity and hard work, which according to him, helped in no small measure.

He made this disclosure at the thanksgiving service for the Commissioner for Lands and

Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno to celebrate his appointment in Ikot Ekpene Udo, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area (LGA).

The thanksgiving was also organised to mark the one-year anniversary of his mother’s death and the 35th year wedding anniversary to his wife, Patience.

Speaking at the thanksgiving, Udom explained that he survived side talks, attempts to assassinate his character and plots to derail his administration at different times.

Udom, who was flanked

by his wife, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel, the deputy governor of the state and members of the state executive council used the opportunity to praise the conduct of Eno, saying he did not use his privileged position as a senior clergy to lobby for appointment.

The governor said Eno’s service to the state came by merit.

He said: “If you are serving with a mark of sincerity, there will come a time that Akwa Ibom people, those who insult the governor will come to realise that this governor came, served and did his best for this state.”

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

OPINION

RESTRUCTURING – THINGS FALL APART OR FALL INTO PLACE The restructuring debate should be about the users of the system, not about the system, contends Jeremy Gaines

T

he federal government is not working, in the sense that however much effort the respective cabinet members may put in, the results are not to the benefit of the populace. Over the last five years, unemployment has soared, and is now well over 50 percent among young people. At the same time, the naira has crashed against the dollar, ever more of the annual budget is being consumed to service existing debts, and capital expenditure has dwindled into insignificance. Seemingly, all federal government manages to do successfully is pay the salaries of government employees – but even that is now faltering.

Recently, came the sudden realisation by Presidential announcement that the country should double its spending on education. In other words, next year the budget for education will be doubled. No targets or KPIs have been announced. No word as to which areas of education will receive the funding.

No clarification on whether the budget will simply be gobbled up by an already large ministry of education – that is not responsible for rolling out universal basic education anyway.

This is reminiscent of the manifesto for the first period of the present administration, which promised to double spending on health. Nothing of the sort has happened.

We can infer two possible things from this: The federal government is fatally flawed as an institution. Now, if this is indeed the case, then this would mean a separate institution is urgently required to discharge the functions of the federal government.

Many have been clamouring for more powers to be devolved to the state governments for this reason. The logical conclusion here would be that the states must be well-oiled functioning entities in their own right in those areas in which the federal government is currently falling short.

The inefficiencies of federal government seemingly coincide with an inability of government to meet its unitarian purpose and support all the geopolitical regions of the country in like measure.

This has sparked what for want of a better word can best be described as reverse-irredentist movements that advocate the return of ruling power to their particular region, be it a real geographical region or a fictional entity. Things are falling apart, many say. But into what would perhaps be the more apposite question…

Let us play a thought experiment for a moment and conjecture that many state governments are not performing any better than the federal government. The paltry levels of IGR and the inability of countless state governments to provide the primary healthcare and primary education that is their core mandate would seem to be evidence of this. Some who support this assumption have suggested this means that the country’s system of federal versus state and/or federal and state (depending on your perspective) has failed and should be replaced by a parliamentary system of government such as pertained in the early days after Independence.

In the current situation where the nation is faltering on the

brink of socio-economic disaster (mass unemployment, mass poverty, GDP levels that are back on a par with those for 1980s), two possible solutions have dominated public debate and discourse. The first maxim offered is that we need to restructure the balance between federal government and state governments.

The second, alternative recommendation is that we rethink the very form of political system we use.

There are good grounds for assuming fundamental problems require fundamental solutions as the latter address fundamental causes. However, to date neither camp has presented compelling evidence in favour of their case. Nor has there been consideration of whether a time of crisis is really the most appropriate time to fundamentally alter your system of government. After all, the focus should surely be, as the pandemic has shown us, on containing the crisis before we set about addressing the weaknesses of the (health) system.

So let us review the situation. Is the root problem that of the structure of government per se? If we rephrase that question it could read: Do the three arms of federal government do what they are supposed to do? Obviously, the one or other of them does not, otherwise the country would not be in a crisis not attributable to exogeneous factors. However, and this is an important point, will that detrimental state be altered by a devolution of powers? Surely the same interests, the same or similar persons and parties will persist.

The fact that the institutions of federal and state government manifestly malfunction may not be connected in any way to their not being fit-for-purpose, other than in the sense they do not have the right in-built checks and balances to ensure that they function correctly irrespective of what regime or group of individuals is in power. We could further conclude, therefore, that what we are seeing is not the failure of the system of federal government or, for that matter, of state government, but the failure of the persons who populate that system.

The standard manner of checking the activities of the individuals populating governments (politicians and civil servants – yes, they are supposed to serve) is accountability. Indeed, accountability is at the core of all democracy. In the sense

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that the ultimate act of being held accountable for your actions is whether you are re-elected or not. At the lower levels, there is accountability in the form of being forced to resign or, in the case of civil /public servants being dismissed.

Whether it would not be better for the strength of the democratic fabric of Nigerian society to have people removed from office by other means in-between elections is a moot point, as is the question of whether there can be accountability in the Nigerian setting if the political parties do not present ideologies and therefore choices.

After all, if there is no clear difference in ideology, then a party or programme can hardly be held accountable for system failure (i.e., macroeconomic management failures at present), but only an individual. However, if you dismiss that individual, the party still remains in power, deriding the idea of accountability. In light of the above brief remarks, intended merely to question the givens in the current discourse, we need to address ‘restructuring’ differently as an issue. If we take the allocation of national resources by budget, then the mark of efficiency would be if the budget items make a positive difference and promote the wellbeing of Nigerians. It is a logical imperative in such a view that restructuring must automatically guarantee better service delivery.

Put differently, those calling for restructuring must assume that today’s civil service, if structured more in terms of subsidiarity, will provide better public service. Looked at this way, we should reformulate the “restructuring” question and ask: Will resources be better used (or wasted less) if the division of responsibilities between state and federal governments is changed more in favour of subsidiarity and less in favour of a unitarian system? This avoids the ‘restructuring discourse’ getting bogged down in a debate over ‘state policing’ versus the NPF as the best antidote (or placebo, depending on your viewpoint) for insecurity.

Now adjudicating on efficient allocation of resources and their effective delivery (public service) is something that can only take place rationally on the basis of hard data. In other words, we need to reformulate the ‘restructuring’ debate even further and discuss the pros and cons of the various iterations of a new states/federation balance in terms of what the data shows. To that end we need to analyse why neither the Federal nor the state governments have delivered / have been able to deliver good primary healthcare or primary education (the constitutional obligation of both and two fields in which they explicitly interact). The data shows neither has performed with particular merit.

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Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

LATEEPHAT YOYINSOLA MAKANJUOLA AT 70 Olusegun Adeniyi pays tribute to Makanjuola, mother, educationist and author

T

he phrase, ‘Behind every successful man is a woman’ has become a bit contentious due to its patriarchal roots. But when viewed from the point of family and support spouses render one another, it is not difficult to accord more credit to women in relationships. That way, we can better appreciate the sacrifices they make to preserve unions and advance the wellbeing and progress of their partners, children and extended family, especially in our environment. It is within that context that I join family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate Mrs Lateephat Yoyinsola Makanjuola, who is 70 today. A wife, mother, teacher, and role model, Mrs Makanjuola is a wonderful woman who has impacted the lives of many beyond her immediate family.

Women have great potential to influence people around them whether it’s a friend, partner, colleague, or their own children, according to Javita and Murali Poduval in their book, ‘Working Mothers: How Much Working, How much Mothers, and Where Is the Womanhood?’. Their work interrogated the significant personal and social adjustments women make at home and in the workplace as well as the way many positively impact their immediate environment. As Mr Remi Makanjuola, chairman of the Caverton Group, has always told some of us close to him, whatever he has been able to accomplish has been due to divine providence and the unflinching support he draws from his wife.

Mrs Makanjuola is by every standard, a silver-spoon. She is daughter of the late renowned chartered accountant and banker, Salmon Beckery (S.B) Folami and on the maternal side, she is granddaughter of Sheikh Alli Balogun whose death, on 13th July 1931, was announced in the Daily Times lead story next day as that of a ‘Merchant Prince and Philanthropist.’ Yet despite her privileged background, it is Mrs Makanjuola’s uncommon humility that those who encounter her often reference as the true measure of who she is. Perhaps because the humility she exudes is one that is both ennobling and empowering.

Ever since I met her in 2005, shortly after my encounter with her husband, Mrs Makanjuola has remained simple, kind, and unaffected by the trappings of wealth and affluence around her. She is not only a contented and generous woman who cares deeply about others, she believes, like her husband, that once we have enough, we also have a responsibility to lift as many people as we possibly can from the tide of hardship, whether economic or otherwise. And there are few people more authentic in their dealings with others than her.

On the professional side, Mrs Makanjuola has had a fulfilling life outside the family orbit. Aside a brief stint in banking in Nigeria (Wema Bank) and enrolment into the London Institute of Bankers, Mrs Makanjuola developed a passion for education rather early and has pursued her dream with a tenacity of purpose. Having chosen the Montessori Method of Education that is based on ‘self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play’, she worked abroad, including as an instructor at the Kennedy Montessori School in Chelsea, London and the Melting Port Foundation School, Irlam in the City of Salford, Greater Manchester. Upon returning to Nigeria in 1978 with her young family, Mrs Makanjuola’s teaching career began at American International School, and later, Adrao International School, both in Victoria Island. She then decided to venture out and in1985 established her own school: ROLAM Preparatory School.

The idea was to provide a unique environment that would instill in children the foundation needed for an all-round education at a very young age, in close collaboration with their parents. In my interactions with her on a subject that remains dear to her, Mrs Makanjuola believes that every Nigerian child deserves a strong foundation for learning.

Preparatory school offers small classes where attention can be devoted to each pupil, their talents can be easily recognized, and potential difficulties identified early. Skills,

including leadership, can be duly acknowledged and nurtured. It is therefore little surprise that many high-profile Nigerians have passed through Mrs Makanjuola’s tutelage either at the schools where she taught or at ROLAM she superintends.

I have learnt from Mrs Makanjuola over the years that good teachers are indeed second parents. They are inquisitive and sensitive. They see things others don’t and they ask appropriate questions with a view to knowing where and how to help. Our last address before we moved to Abuja in 2007 was Abraham Adesanya Millennium Estate in Ajah, just about a kilometre to the Victoria Garden City (VGC) where the Makanjuolas then resided. That ensured that my wife and I (sometimes with the children) visited their house quite often. And we were always welcome.

On those occasions, Mrs Makanjuola came across as a mother, a friend, guide, and mentor. She was easy to relate with and she listened. On the lighter side, being an ardent supporter of Manchester United Football Club married to a ‘long-suffering’ Arsenal Football Club Platinum member, it is entertaining and fun being around her during premiership matches at weekends.

I understand that no big ceremony will mark Mrs Makanjuola’s ‘induction’ into the Septuagenarian Club.

That is the way she wants it. But some of us will nonetheless join her husband and children (Bode, Niyi, Rotimi and Lolade) for a modest in-house celebration. She will use the occasion to present her books, including ‘In the Light of Islam for Children’ and ‘Moral Values for Children’s Exploration,’ with the proceeds and remaining copies donated to schools. It is just like Mrs Makanjuola to devote her special day for a worthy cause.

I wish her many more fulfilling years in good health.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

15

LETTERS

NIGERIA AND THE 2023 PRESIDENCY

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ower. It excites and incites. It can excite hope and strength, or incite tension, hate and bitterness.

Why should the regional background of the next president be a vexatious issue, evoking threats and recriminations? Why should brothers be at daggers drawn with each other over the geography of power? What happened to gentlemanly ententes, negotiations and trade-offs? What happened to the Nigerian agenda – if there was ever one? Brothers sheathe thy swords.

If the principal interest of acquiring power at the centre is to steer Nigeria and all Nigerians to a path of peace and development, why should the geography of power be such a caustic issue? If the interest of all Nigerians is of consequence why should the axial disposition of power be the minatory contention?

Well, except the latent grail of obtaining power at the centre is to pursue regional and sectional agendas, I see no reason for the pyrotechnics and why we cannot come to an accord on where power should orbit in 2023.

Really, leadership in Nigeria has been blighted by ethnic and religious blots. A new leader is elected, but he gets there and makes

ethnic protectionism his pastime. So, Nigerians are wary because power is not deployed for the benefit of all, but for the convenience of a few. The north may be skittish that power orbiting to the south will be to its own detriment, and the south could be uneasy that power subsisting in the current axis will further diminish its interest -- a clash of titanic interests and agendas. But what happened to the Nigerian agenda? One for all and all for one?

Since we are cognisant of our problems; we know where the house started to cave in, is it not logical that we reach a consensus in the leadership value of the next president in 2023 -- such as his antecedents, credentials, proven leadership and managerial abilities, demonstrated patriotism, expansiveness and respect for diversity – but with ethnic/regional background as a secondary value?

We need a Nigerian president – not one that will be defined by his geographical or ethnic character. Yes, a president that will be utilitarian in the deployment of power for the benefit of all Nigerians. So, whether north or south, it will not matter where the president comes from; there will be a sense of belonging and national affability among a majority of Nigerians.

We need the Nigerian agenda – not northern or southern agenda.

The pursuit of power should be for the protection and preservation of all. We made some mistakes in the past with successive leaderships; we should be bold enough to correct them. We cannot seek change, but persist in the same pigeonhole mentation. How do we reorder the system when we insist on the status quo because we want the pendulum to swing our way? We must be able to distinguish between primary and secondary value.

Some prominent Nigerians and groups have been heating up the cauldron with their

intemperate comments on the 2023 presidency.

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, was reported to have made some uncharacteristic comments on the geography of power in 2023.

Baba-Ahmed reportedly said: “We will lead Nigeria the way we have led Nigeria before whether we are president or vice-president, we will lead Nigeria. We have the majority of the votes and democracy says vote who you want. Why should we accept a second-class position when we know we can buy a form and contest for first class and we will win? Why does anybody need to threaten us and intimidate us?

HOW TO END WITCH BLOODLETTING IN ADAMAWA

T

he Advocacy for Alleged Witches(AfAW) calls on the government and people of Adamawa to take urgent measures to end the savage treatment and killing of suspected witches in the state.

This call has become necessary following rampant cases of horrific torture, abuse, and murder of alleged witches in the region. In a recent report, the police arrested 21 persons suspected to have killed seven alleged witches in the state.

In a telephone conversation, the police public relations officer, Yahaya Suleiman confirmed the arrest of these suspects.

He noted that the suspects have confessed to perpetrating the crime.

He explained that in some cases some of the suspects led the lynch mob to abduct, torture, and kill their parents suspected of witchcraft.

The police officer said that the case would be charged to court as soon as they concluded the investigation.

This incident of witch killing is not an isolated case. Adamawa

has become notorious for witchcraft accusations and witch trials. They have been other cases of witch persecution and trial by ordeal in the state. Too often witch hunters connive with village heads to carry out these atrocities. State courts also indulge in witch finding and trials.

In a particular case, a state court asked seven persons to restore the health of a three-yearold girl. These seven persons including a 60-year-old woman and five children, were accused of inflicting a strange illness on the three-year-old through witchcraft. These reported cases are only the tip of the iceberg of witch-hunting in the state.

AfAW urges the government and people of Adamawa to join hands and stamp out this menace. The witch craze is sweeping across the state because authorities have failed the people; state institutions have failed in the duties and obligations to the people. The police should do more to tackle and end witch bloodletting

in the state. Apart from prosecuting suspects and perpetrators of witch torture and killing, they should organize public education and enlightenment program across the community. The police should factor in witchcraft accusations in their community policing programs. The Ministry of Health in the state should also include the topic in its public health education programs.

Witchcraft is a form of superstition. People believe in witches out of fear and ignorance of nature and how nature works.

Witch persecution happens due to misconceptions about causes of illness, death, and other misfortunes. So witchcraft accusation is a health education issue.

The state chapter of the National Orientation Agency should take the awareness campaign to the communities.

The various village heads should be rallied and mobilized to take preventive measures against witch persecution and killings. The National Human Rights Commission in the state

should become more proactive in ensuring the promotion and protection of the human rights of alleged witches. Human rights officers should not wait for victims to come and file complaints.

They should know that as in the recent case the victims usually die.

Their relatives are either their murderers or they collude with the witch hunters. Or they live in fear for their lives and safety.

Civil society groups should do their bit and use their local insights to address this clear and persistent instance of moral failure.

Ending witch bloodletting in Adamawa is a collective dut y and responsibilit y. AfAW is ready and willing to help the government and people of Adamawa fulfill this important duty, and ensure the eradication of this dark and destructive phenomenon in the state. r -FP *HXF EJSFDUT UIF "EWPDBDZ GPS "MMFHFE 8JUDIFT XIJDI DBNQBJHOT UP FOE XJUDI QFSTFDVUJPO JO "GSJDB

We will get that power, but be humble because power comes from God. We inherited leadership and being honest is not being stupid. The north has pride; we are humble enough to know that we are going to run Nigeria with other people but we are not going to play a second fiddle to anybody.

We may not have the most robust economy, there are people who are trying to strangulate us even more than we are being strangled.’’

I have followed the statements of Baba-Ahmed over the years and noticed his dispassionate assessment of polarising national matters. It is the reason I find his recent comments untoward. But besides Baba-Ahmed, other prominent persons and groups in the south have been suffusing their demand for power to the region with corrosive statements and threats.

Brother should not threaten brother.

Naturally, when leaders in the south make indecorous statements about power

shifting to the region in 2023, it provokes a reaction from the other side. I think matters of this complexion require tact and diplomacy – not threats or counter threats.

Even if most people agree that power should orbit to the south in 2023, there is still a need for popular consensus.

We all have to work together. Leaders only deepen the sectional fears and widen the chasm by making uncontrolled comments. Where the next president should come from is a collective decision, no region or group should be isolated or made to feel threatened over this.

Political, religious, group and community leaders should be disciplined in their public comments on the 2023 presidency. They should know that there can only be an election if the country is peaceful and secure. They should not incite chaos with undisciplined statements.

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RE: FFK: THE STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE AMBASSADOR

A

n article with the above headline was published in the CICERO column of THISDAY on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

Under normal circumstances we would not respond to this write up given the fact that there appears to be a media frenzy going on right now about the fact that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the Saduakin Shinkafi, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, due to the fact that we hold your newspaper in very high esteem and have immense respect for your editorial team and publisher, we felt it was appropriate to set the record straight and disabuse the minds of your readers with a clarification and short response.

For the record, we have no objection to the writer’s remarks about Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) or even about his motives for joining the APC or for even participating in politics over the last 30 years. Needless to say we reject such assertions but we lose no sleep over them. We consider it nothing but an opinion which, though unwarranted and unkind, the writer is entitled to have and express. That is what free speech and democracy is all about.

What we do object to, however, and strongly

too, is for him to attribute fake quotations about FFK to President Olusegun Obasanjo, and claims that Obasanjo said things about him which he never did.

This is nothing but an attempt to legitimise a false narrative about what FFK stands for and has fought for all his life and to turn fiction into truth.

Needless to say, it cannot be allowed to stand or go unchallenged.

For the record it is not true that President Obasanjo ever made such derogatory remarks about FFK to the effect that he is "a good boy who will dance for food" or anything close to it.

Even though this fake news and patently false and fabricated quote has been all over the social media since 2013, we have ignored it.

Fake quotes attributed to high profile public figures is nothing new on social media but for a serious newspaper to use and legitimise them without any recourse to the purported author or attempt to verify their veracity is unacceptable.

We urge you to kindly publish this letter in order to set the record straight.

Meanwhile we continue to hold you and your newspaper in the highest esteem and we wish you well.

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16

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

BUSINESS

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

Stock Market: Bearing the Brunt of Volatility in Naira Value As the uncertainty in the foreign exchange market and the attendant erosion of the value of the Naira continue to take a heavy toll on the economy, investment analysts said the unfavourable development is sending Mitters to portfolio investors and multinational firms, who are already finding it difficult to repatriate their funds in dollars, reports Festus Akanbi

N

igerianmonetaryauthorities are in a desperate situation. This desperation is underscored by the sheer onslaught against saboteurs in the foreign exchange market on one hand, and the cocktail of measures designed to halt the dangerous fall in the value of the Naira.

But can anybody blame the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN , 0r. GodZin (meÀele, for being agitated during his press conference a fortnight ago, where he unmasked operators of the controversial Aboki FX, for misleading the Nigerian foreign exchange market?

6ome Ànancial market analysts who threw their weights behind the crackdown on fx market manipulators pointed out that the pains and dangers of the persistent volatility in the forex market have extended beyond the limit of importers, parents, and travellers who desperately need few dollars to meet personal obligations and emergencies, to multinational companies and portfolio investors who need dollars to repatriate their dividend abroad.

FX Scarcity takes Toll on Capital Market THISDAY investigations showed that some foreign shareholders are Ànding it di΀cult to access their dividend because some of the companies where they hold shares could not muster enough dollars to cover the naira values of their dividend.

Other categories are companies undertaking heavy construction works, which need to import heavy machinery which can only be procured in foreign currencies, especially in dollars. This category of companies is said to be at the receiving end of the foreign exchange market volatility. Their inability to import all the needed machinery is said to be impacting their performance, a pathetic situation that investment analysts described as a recipe for failure at the end of the operational year when investors would be waiting for the dividend.

This scenario has been blamed for the uncertainty in the stock market leading to a Áurry of desperate activities of investors. This is coming on the heels of the report that foreign investors’ exit impacted the Nigerian eTuities market negatively in the Àrst seven months of 2021 as investors lost N973.2billion.

SpeciÀcally, market capitalisation, which measures the value of all stocks dropped by N973.2billion in seven months to N20.083trillion from N21.057trillion the stock market opened in 2021.

Investment analysts believed that the high exchange rate volatility in Nigeria, among others, led to a precarious operating environment which can be attributed to the reason why Nigeria was not only unable to attract an appreciable chunk of foreign investment to its fullest potentials but also had a limited domestic investment.As such, despite the vast investment opportunities in agriculture, industry, oil and gas, commerce, and infrastructure, very little foreign investment capital was attracted relative to other developing countries and regions competing for global investment capital.

Lower Naira Value, Lower Purchasing Power for Stocks Market analysts, who called for sustained eͿorts to stabilise the fx market said, the capital market is already having its share of the negative development in the value of the Naira.

Responding to THISDAY inquiries, Managing Director Chief (xecutive O΀cer, SD D Capital ManagementLimited,Mr.IdakoloGabrielGbolade, explained: “The sustained fall of the Naira will negatively aͿect the capital market because the value of the Naira drives the price of stocks in the capital market.

Some stockbrokers during a trading session...

“The movement of stocks is determined by the law of demand and supply. The lower value of the Naira will cause lower purchasing power for stocks and factors like inÁation, interest rate, exchange rate, and government policies are key factors that aͿect investors decision as regards taking positions in the capital market.”

On his part, Executive Director, Cordros Capital Limited, Mr. Femi Ademola believed that the instability in the value of the Naira may not aͿect local shareholders much, explaining, however, that foreign shareholders will be seriously aͿected.

According to him, “Investors in the capital markets generally seek two types of returns; asset return and currency return. While both domestic and foreign investors seek attractive asset returns, only foreign investors are usually concerned with currency returns. This implies that the most signiÀcant implication of the fall in Naira values is the reduction in the activities of foreign investors in our capital market. It is not that foreign investors are looking for a strong Naira.

What they require is a stable currency so that they can protect whatever they earn as asset return.

“Some domestic investors also benchmark their portfolio in foreign currencies; hence they are interested in a stable currency. In addition, stock exchanges are globally benchmarked in USD; hence a fall in Naira value will negatively impact the value of the exchange.”

Due Diligence For domestic investors seeking to invest in stocks at this time,Ademola called for due diligence before making a choice.

Asked to advise potential investors in the Nigerian capital market, Ademola said, “On the one hand, the fall in Naira values is beyond the Nigerian capital market, since currency trading is not a strong activity in Nigeria yet. On the other hand, investing in the Nigerian market will always be in local currency while the investors would be expected to hedge the currency exposures whenever required. My advice to investors seeking to take positions in the capital market is to conduct very sound research and invest in stocks with

strong potentials that match their expectations and investment horizon.

Investors with foreign currency exposures should seek appropriate hedge to their exchange risk. They can contact professionals for help.”

The Cordros Capital Director believed the Nigerian capital market seeks to provide asset returns that are large enough to meet the investors’ expected return and currency return if required.

Discerning investors, according to him, understand that the capital market will always provide investors with good returns over time.

He pointed out that knowledge about this may require active management that may only be provided by professional managers. “Active investors would also know how to create a diversiÀed portfolio, both across asset classes and among stocks. This may require a temporary move away from a particular asset class to another but not away from the market.”

On his part, Gbolade explained that “New investors taking a position in the Capital markets must look at the performance of the sector and the company they wish to invest in taking cognisance of the antecedent of such companies in the past and their proÀtability traMectory as well as government policies as regards their sector/ company of interest.”

He, therefore, advised shareholders to diversify their investment into the money market which presently has the capacity for higher proÀtability as against stocks, bonds, and bills.

Devaluation of the naira has a direct impact on the price of stocks. This is because the stock market is like a leading indicator and reÁects the mood of things to come before any other market does so.

However, analysts believe that potential investors might keep away from the market to watch the performance of the Naira and activities at the market for now, instead of investing.

What that means is that investors will need more money to maintain their standard of living.

That may imply that they may have to sell oͿ some stocks to enable them to meet their recurring expenditures. Cumulatively, this explains the selling pressure that has kept the market down.

This trend is likely to continue for some time.

They pointed out that the upsurge in interest rate from the increased inÁation might make investors divest from the market.

“Even foreign investors will divest from the local capital market of a depreciated currency, and this will lead to bearishness,” a stockbroker told our correspondent.

He said this is so because the fall in the value of the Naira hurts the purchasing power of investors.

“What that means is that investors will need more money to maintain their standard of living.

That may imply that they may have to sell oͿ some stocks to enable them to meet their recurring expenditures,” he said.

Insulating Share Price Values Analysts are divided on the possibility of sharp movement in share price as a result of the foreign exchange crisis. In his opinion, the MD of SD D Capital Market Limited said companies’ share prices/ values are continuously losing value due to the inÁationary trends in the economy and that the weakness in the value of the Naira is causing foreign investors to divest from the capital market.

However, Ademola disagreed, explaining that the Naira value may not necessarily cause an upset in share values. “There are many conditions that aͿect a company’s share prices. These include Ànancial performance, economic and industry trends, and perceived management capabilities. The exchange rate situation will not directly aͿect share prices. It can only aͿect the Ànancial performance of listed companies.

For example, the cost of sales may increase due to the increased cost of imported inputs and other foreign currency-denominated expenses.

“If the company has obtained loans in foreign currencies for example through bank loans or corporate Eurobonds, the fall in Naira will increase in the Ànance costs and reduce the company’s distributable proÀts to shareholders. This way the company’s share price can be negatively aͿected,” Ademola stated.

18

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

BANKING

Osinbajo

Emefiele

Polaris Bank Chairman, Muhammad K. Ahmad

As Polaris Bank’s VULTe Redefines Digital Banking Polaris Bank’s massive investment in core information technology infrastructure has lent impetus to what has today become a stable Ànancial services to its customers with the VULTe platform becoming the new bride in the digital banking ecosystem, writes Nume Ekeghe

R

ecently, the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), in its report titled: ‘Instant Payments – 2020 Annual Statistics’, disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic had accelerated the adoption of instant payments as more people are switching to electronic channels for funds exchange.

The report noted that mobile accounted for 43 per cent of total transactions in 2020, while 35 per cent were with Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), indicating that 78 per cent of total transfer transactions were carried out using mobile devices.

While the Fintechs have recently hugged most news headlines as disruptors in the Ànancial space, very little is often reported of the traditional banks that have shown immense agility in digital banking, especially in helping to stimulate macro-economic growth.

Aside its legacy status as a regulatoryinduced intervention in 2018 and its notable investment in digital transformation and stellar Ànancial performance, Polaris Bank has quietly but steadily raised the ante in digital innovation. The bank had recently revealed that its digital bank, VULTe, had recorded over one million customers in less than four months after its formal launch in May 2021.

This feat, is phenomenal in the emerging history of digital banking solutions in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa and a major boost to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Ànancial inclusion drive.

A precursor to this achievement was a prior pronouncement by the bank’s Chairman, Muhammad. K. Ahmad, during the launch of the platform. Mr. Ahmad had declared: “VULTe is our Àrst major step in giving back control to our customers who have remained loyal to their bank over the years.”

The Acting Managing Director/CEO of the bank Mr. Innocent C. Ike, while interacting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the tour of Ànancial services exhibition stands at the justconcluded 14th Annual Banking and Finance Conference held in Abuja, explained the bank’s journey to attaining over one million customers on the VULTe platform noting that VULTe by Polaris Bank is testimonial to the bank’s commitment in enabling the unbanked and the underbanked into the Ànancial system through the use of their mobile devices.

Analysts have lauded the latest digital customer enrolment by VULTe as the fastest customer acquisition by any traditional bank via a digital banking platform in Nigeria in recent times. Polaris Bank’s massive investment in core IT infrastructure has lent impetus to what has today become a stable Ànancial services to their customers. The investment has also provided a budding digital platform, which has contributed in growing the bank’s agency banking network called SurePadi and digital lending product, Polaris Salary Advance.

They also note that this will further accelerate the CBN and federal government’s Ànancial and economic inclusion drive especially given Polaris Bank’s spread to many communities across Nigeria. Onboarding a critical mass of customers on the digital platform will stimulate economic activities amongst the poor, who can open a bank account from the comfort of their homes and pay for essential products and services in minutes.

Polaris Bank’s customer acquisition is also taking place on the backdrop of the momentous growth in internet penetration in the country, which has witnessed over a hundred million internet users in Nigeria, a 22.1 per

cent growth between January 2020 and January 2021. This Àgure is projected to grow to 142.73 million by the end of 2026.

VULTe is a digital bank that provides customers with convenient solutions beyond their basic banking needs and enables end-to-end account opening, ensuring that customers can open and transact their accounts without entering any physical bank. They can also make QR code payments, make debit card requests, issuance, and activation.

Sharing his experience on the one million customer milestone within a record time, Mr. Ike attributed it to the scalability of the Platform, which ensures continuous improvement in the platform’s features as well as the personalised user experience which has transformed customer service to self-service. In his words, “we thank our customers for making this possible, it challenges us to do more to serve you better” Expressing his excitement, the bank’s Chief Digital O΀cer, Mr. Dele Adeyinka, noted that VULTe has so far “attracted many users in the Ànancial and non-Ànancial sectors who seek business partnerships to boost the value oͿerings to their clients and customers. Many businesses have shown growing interest in the Platform’s Open Banking Services through its Application Programming Interface (API). The Open Banking service platform provides secured access for businesses to deliver unique products and services to their customers.”

Among the early adopters of VULTe Open Banking services are Ànancial technology Àrms, Ànancial services providers, merchant aggregators, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), covering education, agriculture, manufacturing, and publishing. Others include large businesses

and government /revenue-generating agencies.

The platform supports services such as the seamless opening of the virtual account, bill payment through transfers, automated payment notiÀcations, online payment gateway, payroll management, and Know Your Business/Know Your Customer (KYB/KYC) proÀles.

The global Consulting giant KPMG, in its Digital Channels ScoreCard Report, released in August 2021 sub-titled: Leveraging Superior User Experience (UX) on Digital Channels to drive Retail Banking Growth in Nigeria. The report provided an industry perspective of how eͿective banks are in delivering products and services to customers as customers traverse a range of journeys to access products and services on four distinct digital channels – mobile banking, Internet banking, USSD, and Chatbot. The Scorecard covers 13 anchor journeys grouped into Àve thematic areas: Digital Onboarding; Payments & Transfers; Digital Lending; Self-Service and Customer Care.

Several industry reviews and customer insight a΀rm that VULTe by Polaris Bank is sailing on all parameters with a growing platform capability to provide more beneÀts and convenience to its customers.

They further noted that critical to the success of most digital transformation initiatives as in the case of VULTe is execution. The management of the Bank has been resilient and consistently shown the capacity to execute its digital transformation initiatives impacting in the areas of people, brand identity, business, technology, products.

With the recent scorecard, Polaris Bank through its VULTe platform has become the new bride in the digital banking ecosystem.

This feat will no doubt ignite a renewed conversation on how incumbents can disrupt self in the value creation process especially in designing platforms that can help scale other businesses.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

19

ADVERTISING

Aleobua: Consumers Now Lead Conversations in Advertising More than before, policymakers and brand owners are waking up to appreciate the importance of advertising, public relations and other legs of marketing communications and businesses because of the intervention roles played to stimulate the economy in recent years. In this interview, the Chief Executive Officer at Modion Communications, Odion Aleobua, speaks on the various stages of evolvement of the industry and how the digital revolution has impacted the practice in recent times. Raheem Akingbolu brings the excerpts

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hat can you say about the challenge of talent retention plaguing the PR and Marketing Communica-

tions landscape?

The challenge is not peculiar to the PR and Marketing Communications industry, although it can be more pronounced in some industries compared to others. One of the multi-faceted eͿects of Covid-19 and its attendant economic contraptions and health challenge is the increase in talent attrition.

Our most valuable resources at Modion Communication are our people, and despite the economic conditions during the pandemic, there were pay increments rather than employee retrenchment. Beyond the economic dynamics, we pay meticulous attention to their overall well-being. Businesses must look after their people.

The evolvement of social media and advancement in technology seems to have dealt a great blow on creativity. Do you subscribe to the view that social media or technology is a threat to the creative growth of traditional marketing communications?

Technology has truly revolutionised consumer behaviour as well as how people interact with and consume media. It has broadened access to creative communications and enhanced creative output as well. With technology, we are fusing Computer Generated Imagery (CGIs) and special eͿects into the creative spaces with more intensity and high-deÀnition output that allow us to come close to reality with our creative storytelling.

We are creating magic, and digital technology enables the target audience to experience immersive interactions and engagements.

Digital technology has also democratised and expanded the creative boundaries and won newer tribes of the community. There are young creative renegades out there equipped with the latest tools and developing mind-bending videos, animations, and music that brands are happy to jump on for consumer engagement. Creative agencies and consultants have to accept that the space is democratised and fashion ways to incorporate them into integrated and comprehensive strategies for brands. :KDW LV \RXU YLHZ DERXW DͿOLDWLRQ DQG are you looking towards that direction in the future?

A΀liations are pivotal for global integration and business growth. It is a nice-to-have arrangement that must be approached with a clearer understanding, mandates, and contract sanctity. We indeed look forward to an a΀liate arrangement in the nearest future.

COVID-19 and the lockdown that characterised most of the year 2020 appears to have changed the way things are done in the industry; how did you adjust to it and movLQJ IRUZDUG ZKDW DGYLFH FDQ \RX JLYH WKH marketing communications practitioners?

The PR industry was not exempt from the economic realities that indeed coloured the year 2020.

The diversity of our client portfolio helped the agency navigate the pangs of the pandemic. Going into the future, practitioners need to pivot towards a hybrid of new and mainstream platforms, which should be value creation and solutions-led.

Aleobua

:LWK \RXU \HDUV RI H[SHULHQFH ERWK DW FOLHQW DQG DJHQF\ VLGHV KRZ ZRXOG you evaluate the practice of advertising between the 1990s and now?

The practice of advertising in the 1990s has been completely disrupted with the recent digital explosion. The adverting messaging then focused on their understanding of the consumers, but today, the consumer leads the conversations that ads have adjusted to ensure they get their mindshare. Today’s consumers leverage digital technology to instantly engage or cancel brands based on their social sentiment rating.

Ads promoting product oͿerings alone, as was the locus in the 1990s, are no longer compelling enough. Today, infusing social impact messaging or aligning with a social cause are powerful adverting tactics that get the consumers interested in your product or services.

New media platforms have also provided more accurate tools to target consumers with ads and the metrics to measure performance and conversions. These capabilities have attracted ad spend as more brands get attracted to these tools to precisely reach their targets.

One outcome of the many media consumption patterns is the ‘Áeeting attention span’ occasioned by the volume of information available in a matter of micro-seconds. Hence, today’s advertising message needs to be kept simple

yet leave consumers with an impacted value. The underlying principles of advertising still hold; technology has only led to incredibly diͿerent ways of thinking and doing.

When Modion Communications was HVWDEOLVKHG RQH ZRXOG KDYH WKRXJKW WKH DJHQF\ ZRXOG ÀQG LW WRXJK FRPSHWLQJ ZLWK ELJJHU DJHQFLHV EXW LW VWDUWHG going to pitches with the so-called big agencies and won in most cases. What is the strength?

The agency is peopled by creative people whom I can beat my chest are the best in the world; young men and women driven by a sheer passion for redeÀning what marketing communication is and how it will continually impact our world today and in the future. These values are a big draw for the clients we currently work with or those that are referrals. ,Q UHFHQW WLPHV \RXU DJHQF\ KDV become one of the most celebrated within and outside Nigeria; considering the number of awards it has raked LQ ZKDW DUH \RX GRLQJ GL;HUHQWO\" In our six years of existence and indeed from our Àrst year, we have had the opportunity to provide creative communications solutions for brands that are way older than our young existence.

Our diverse portfolio has expanded our strategic and creative insights. The

Agency’s innovative solutions are guided by thorough insights and a series of iterations and think tank sessions that tagged the ‘ideas reÀnery’ to interrogate and arrive at the most compelling results and solutions for our clients.

%H\RQG WKH DZDUG LI \RX DUH WDSSHG WR name one campaign you have handled in recent time that excites you most and impacts WKH ERWWRP OLQH RI \RXU FOLHQW·V EXVLQHVV which one will you single out?

In arriving at the superior results, we envision for our clients, the campaigns, and communications solutions we proͿer are tailored to the core objectives hence a diversity in our execution.

We love the gripping “See Finish” teaser campaign for Leadway Assurance, but the story of Dele Fathia is intensely inspiring.

Dele’s determination to achieve success through education aligns with the Nigerian Can-Do spirit, so it is a relatable emotional and social cause worthy of emulation and reward. We leveraged our understanding of cause marketing and using the power of one person’s story to illuminate a broader issue to build a winning campaign.

Conceptualising a PR strategy for Lumos Solar to light up Dele Fathia’s home after a picture of the schoolgirl doing her homework at night with illumination from an ATM facility went viral on social media is our Agency’s ultimate fulÀlment. It is also a tactic that won the Àrst-ever Platinum Saber Award for Nigeria and qualiÀed Modion Communications for the Global Sabre Award Finale.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

20

ENERGY

Nigeria’s Slippery Road to PIA Implementation In August, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a steering committee which would oversee the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). But as if in a hurry to see the process considered as early as possible, he has since then taken other steps to fully ensure that the law that will unlock the enormous potential in the oil and gas industry is put into operation. Emmanuel Addeh writes that while some of the decisions have been greeted with some applause, others have attracted mixed feelings

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oughlysixweeksago,President Muhammadu Buhari signed intolawthePetroleumIndustry Bill (PIB), a piece of legislation thatwillserveastheframework for operations in the oil and gas industry.

Having suͿered several setbacks for close to 20 years, starting from the period the entire process was Àrst initiated, the bill, now anAct, underwent arguably the most tortuous journey in the history of law-making in the country.

In his Àrst major move, Buhari picked members of the PIAsteering committee which is headed by theMinisterofState,PetroleumResources,Timipre Sylva, while the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) serves as head of the coordinating secretariat and the implementation working group.

However, the process was fully triggered last week when Buhari in his capacity as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, under Section 53(1) of the new Act, directed the incorporation of the NNPC Limited.

The president also approved the formation of a new board, which would be overseen by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as well as replacing the board member representing the South-south, Senator Magnus Abe, with Constance Harry-Marshal, a lawyer.

He also dropped Dr. Stephen Dike, whose position will be o΀cially Àlled by Senator Margaret ChubaOkadigbo,formerSenatePresident,Chuba Okadigbo’s widow.

BuhariretainedtheservicesoftheGMD,NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari as Chief Executive O΀cer and Mr Umar Ajiya as Chief Financial O΀cer of the corporation on the new board.

A Political NNPC Incorporated?

The appointment of a board for the proposed NNPC Limited has generated the most controversies of all the steps so far taken to begin the process of implementing the new law.

The view by many critics is that for a company that is transitioning to a fully commercialised entity and looking to do away with the perception that it is perpetually tied to the apron strings of the federal government, it was an own goal to have selectednon-industryactorstomanthosepositions.

Although a number of the appointees to the board have considerable experience in the oil and gas industry, yet their exposure to politics, many believe would detract from the verve and focus requiredofabehemothliketheNNPCintransition.

“Whatever the case, this board won’t deliver the levelofgovernancethattheNationalOilCompany (NOC) needs for an Initial Public OͿer (IPO).

Nigeria, they say, never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity!

“This decision has serious implications for the new NOC, particularly its governance and funding going forward. By law, the NOC may not have recourse to funding from public funds.

That road is now permanently blocked.

“So, it has to seek alternative sources of funding for the several projects that need to be undertaken through the transition. The industrialised nations, theinternationaldevelopmentbanksandthemajor Ànancial institutions are aligned on climate change and will minimise spend on upstream crude oil projects as we rundown to 2030.

“After that period, expect zilch for oil projects.

This leaves natural gas projects as the only hydrocarbon that will be supported by the global

also requested amendments to the new PIAand expansion of the membership of the boards of the upstream regulatory commission as well as the midstream and downstream petroleum regulatory authority.

The president hinged his desire to alter the new law on the need to ensure national balance in appointments into the boards in a request which was contained in a letter dated September 16, 2021, and read during plenary on Tuesday by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Furthermore, Buhari requested amendment to Sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b) which provides for the administrative structure of the PIA 2021, to increasethenumberofthenon-executivemembers from two to six on the upstream as well as the midstream and downstream boards.

In addition, the president proposed the deletion of sections 11(2)(f), 11(2)(g), 34(2)(f) and 34(2)(g) from the Act, which would see the removal of the ministries of petroleum resources and that of Ànance from both boards.

An oil rig

Ànancialcommunityandthatwillnotbeautomatic anyway,” a top industry source who preferred to remain anonymous told THISDAY. He added that NNPC’s partners are also under immense pressure to minimise spending on fossil fuel projects, hence there will be more divestments from lower quality assets and provinces.

Accordingly, save for deepwater oͿshore and gas-prone Nigerian assets, he noted that Nigerians should not expect NNPC’s IOC partners that would ordinarily support the funding of upstream projects to come to the table.

He added: “The next possible option would have been an IPO, but the PIA says shares can only be sold by competitive bidding and does not explicitly provide for an IPO route. Without doubt, this option must have been on the table for inclusion in the PIB but inexplicably not taken aboard.

“Politics and discipline however hardly walk together in Nigeria. One of the drivers for the PIB over the long season was that Nigeria needed to insulate its NOC from the political system. The appointment of this board kills a great story for an IPO. To be blunt, this is a poison pill – you can’t take a political board to global investors more so given the history of the predecessor corporation,” the top industry henchman noted.

AsideArarume and Okadigbo, other members of the board are: Dr. Tajudeen Umar (North-east), Mrs. Lami Ahmed (North-central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North-west), Constance Harry Marshal (South-south) and Chief Pius Akinyelure (South-west).

The appointments further appeared to have gone against the letters of the new PIA which recommends that appointees into the board must have experience in the oil and gas or related areas.

For instance, described as a career politician, Ararume from Imo State was the pioneer state chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) and later theAll Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Imo State between 1998 and 1999 and was elected to the Senate to represent Imo North (Okigwe) constituency.

In his comments, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Petroleum Commerce Research

Chair, University of Cape Coast Oil & Gas Studies, Prof Wunmi Iledare, noted that the new board looked more like “business as usual” despite the planned commercialisation of the national oil company.

Iledare opined that the likelihood of investors having conÀdence in the board is “very low,” adding that it appears government has made up its mind to continue to fund NNPC Limited, which is not even incorporated The Upstream, Midstream & Downstream Boards But the dampening eͿect of the announcement of the NNPC Ltd. board seemed to have been quickly erased by the list of persons to head the upstream as well as the midstream and downstream agencies sent to the national assembly by the president.

For the upstream, the president nominated Isa Ibrahim Modibbo as Chairman, while the Chief Executive O΀cer was listed as Mr. Gbenga Komolafe. In addition Hassan Gambo was mentioned as Executive Commissioner, Finance andAccounts while Ms. Rose Ndong is the Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management.

ThepresidentfurtherretainedMr.SarkiAuwalu whocurrentlyheadstheDepartmentofPetroleum Resources (DPR) as the Chief Executive O΀cer of the proposed midstream and downstream authority.

HelistedtheChairmanoftheauthorityasIdaere GogoOgan,AbiodunAdenijiasExecutiveDirector, Finance and Accounts, and Ogbugo Ukoha as Executive Director, Distributions Systems, Storage and Retail Infrastructure.

But Komolafe’s appointment has generated a lot of excitement within the industry, given his antecedents and his many years of experience in the industry.

A core oil and gas man, Komolafe has held leadershippositionsatvariouslevelsoftheindustry as well as the possession of three degrees in three diͿerent Àelds of academic research.

President Seeks Fresh Alterations to New Law In his letter to the lawmakers, President Buhari

“The proposed amendments will increase the membershipoftheboardfromnineto13members, that is, representing 44 per cent expansion of the board size. This composition would strengthen the institutions and guarantee national spread and also achieve the expected policy contributions,” Buhari noted.

However, the belief is that the president could have simply made it a south, north appointments if indeed it was necessary, rather than overpopulating the boards with a nominee from each geopolitical zone.

On the removal of the two ministries from the boards of the agencies, the president explained that they already have clear-cut roles and could carry out those responsibilities without necessarily being on the boards.

“The two ministries already have constitutional responsibilities of either supervision or inter-governmental relations. They can continue to perform such roles without being on the board.

“It is also important to note that administratively, the representatives of the ministries in the board will be directors – being same rank with directors in the institutions. This may bring some complications in some decision making especially on issues of staͿ related matters,” he maintained.

Will It Prompt a Floodgate of Amendments?

But with the proposed amendments sent to the national assembly by the president, the fear is that there could be a Áoodgate of calls for new alterations to the contentious areas of the law.

Although, the lawmakers are yet to openly begin deliberation on the new portions of the law, where the president is seeking amendments, there are already calls from some quarters asking constituents to pressure their representatives to use the opportunity of the president’s request to make other necessary alterations.

For instance, the state governors have expressed concern over the 30 per cent allocation for frontier exploration in the PIA, saying if implemented, it will deplete the Federation Account from which they draw from monthly.

The governors are also against the vesting of ownership of the NNPC Limited in the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, without mentioning the statesandthelocalgovernmentswhoaresupposed to be co-owners.

21

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS FOLAKE OKUNAIYA:

Despite Unstable Economy, Nigerian Milliners are Doing Well Folake Oladipupo Okunaiya has a diploma in law and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language from the Olabisi Onabajo University, Ogun State. She has been the Creative Director of Belle Signature for 13 years, the Convener of Milliners Network Nigeria, and Founder, Milliners Association of Nigeria. In this interview with Oyinlola Sale, Okunaiya explains how millinery in Nigeria has grown to become globally recognised

T

However, with a beautiful and creative display by Nigerian milliners, we have head wears designs in the local fabrics we have a beautiful turban, etc.

he millinery sector in Nigeria has become globally recognised because of the bold step you took to create a platform that has grown beyond your imagination, now tell us what inspired you to create it?

As a milliner for 13 years, I have watched the industry grow over the years. I know we could achieve more as a tribe than working alone in our space and my passion for my craft and creativity inspired me to want to create an industry that could be exposed and brought to global recognition as I could see a lot of creative milliners doing awesome things that the world should know about.

Milliners, who are also hat designers, have become innovative, looking back at when you created Belle Signature. What has changed, in terms of the industry?

I can boldly say a lot has changed in our industry, starting from the millinery material, we’ve had a whole lot of new options in terms of materials to work with which have also expanded our range of beautiful creations.

When I started, there was not much acceptance with young people doing the business but now, it’s different as we have young, vibrant, and innovative milliners in the industry.

Also, in the past, most people would rather buy imported hats and fascinators but now, there is a lot of acceptance of our creativity locally and internationally. We are paving the way. Now, we all know the world is a global village, and with the use of social platforms as a marketing tool Nigeria’s millinery is taking a new leap.

To be a hat designer, you must think relatively outside the box, how do you get that inspiration?

I get my inspiration mostly from the concept of events. Colours also inspire me to create beautiful pieces.

The choice of materials to be used to create a piece also inspires me. I like to work in a space and this helps me to tap into my imagination and it guides me to create lovely pieces The Hat Exhibition is just around the corner and based on your past experiences, it has been a success, so what should we expect to see at this year’s event?

This year’s Hat Exhibition promises to be bigger and better, we have invited dignitaries from all works of life including government officials/ ministry who are related to our line of business. We expect representatives from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Bank of Industry, and commercial banks. We are also expecting participants from businesses and media houses. Other

What did it take for you to establish Belle Signature?

I would say it took me, passion, hard work, consistency, understanding times and seasons in my business, and staying focus.

The economy is unstable and yet you import most of the materials you use for hat-making, how have you managed to survive over the years?

Nigerian milliners as we have established, are very innovative and creative and with what the economy is saying now, we have been working more with locally sourced materials.

We are learning to improvise and get more creative, using available materials at our disposal and I must say this does not reduce the standard and quality of our work but rather it helps us to see and appreciate the available resources/materials around us.

This has helped us to look inward and appreciate our locally available materials and limit our dependence on the imported things.

Ok nai a Okunaiya

We are learning to improvise and get more creative, using available materials at our disposal and I must say this does not reduce the standard and quality of our work but rather it helps us to see and appreciate the available resources/ materials around us attendees include CEO of fashion houses and most importantly, millinery lovers

Looking at our tradition in Nigeria, the idea of wearing hats or fascinators is a western culture,

how do you infuse the African style?

I would say wearing head wears is part of our culture as our women in most parts of Nigeria have their head wears as part of their dressings.

As the Convener of Milliners Network Nigeria, what do you hope the platform will achieve in five years?

In five years, I’m hopeful that we can convince all millinery and fashion lovers to buy made in Nigeria millinery pieces.

I’m hopeful that milliners in Nigeria will be better appreciated in their craft and paid a premium for our craft. I’m hopeful that in five years, milliners in Nigeria will have global recognition and be exposed locally and internationally.

I’m hopeful that in five years, we would have more Nigerian milliners exhibit their works at international fairs.

In five years, I’m hopeful that the government will also recognise our industry and give supporting such as grants to our members.

Now, let’s look at your contemporaries in the industry, which hat designers are driving the industry together with you and are also placing the sector on a global map?

We have quite a several designers in the industry driving and placing the industry on a global map.

We have milliners like Graces Hat with over 40 years in the industry, S.Mofenik, Ab Debonair, Molly Hats, Kiki Concept, and Bridals, etc.

It’s important to mention that every milliner under the umbrella of the Milliners Association of Nigeria is driving the vision of placing Nigeria millinery on the global map.

22

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 23Sept-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 159.08 160.41 -1.74% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.97% Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.51 317.51 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 107.59 108.64 -2.93% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.12% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.30 3.46 -3.03% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 8.07% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.01 134.66 0.76% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 -14.11% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.43 20.02 7.16% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 429.89 442.85 7.37% ARM Ethical Fund 38.20 39.36 13.33% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.10 -0.89% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.98 0.98 -6.79% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.39% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.38 106.38 4.59% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,036.75 1,036.75 3.68% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.30% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.66% Paramount Equity Fund 16.29 16.59 1.86% Women's Investment Fund 135.79 137.34 2.03% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.39% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 119.20 119.97 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.74 107.74 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.64% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.43% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,161.66 1,179.64 0.88% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,420.28 1,420.28 11.65% FBN Balanced Fund 190.66 191.89 1.59% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.60% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

N/A 156.78

N/A N/A 158.78 3.71% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.98 1.58 1.19

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 6.12% 3.98 2.77% 1.61 3.66% 1.19 4.68% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.72% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.78 2.85 -2.51% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 153.40 153.68 -1.35% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.27 1.31 0.98% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 1.11% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.43 1.45 4.86% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,152.84 1,152.84 6.13% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.26 11.31 7.52% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.13% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.67 1.70 7.11% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.62 11.62 -4.47% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.87% PACAM Equity Fund 1.69 1.70 6.66% PACAM EuroBond Fund 113.33 115.31 3.22% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.03 133.27 8.24% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 10.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,283.22 3,317.43 2.22% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.25 233.25 3.74% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.21 1.23 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 307.87 307.87 4.48% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 225.52 228.69 3.29% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.38% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,375.40 10,516.03 -1.16% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.27 1.27 3.96% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.74 115.74 4.20% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 103.98 103.98 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.30 1.32 1.86% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 4.87% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.88 8.48% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.39% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.47 120.47 5.24% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.06 2.97% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.33% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.79 12.90 7.79% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.09 14.24 15.45% Zenith Income Fund 24.39 24.39 1.69% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.44%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 53.37

10.62% 5.66%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.31

13.41

0.67%

120.25 96.17 17.10 18.10

123.23 98.29 17.20 18.20

0.00% -3.06%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.74 5.44 17.32 1.00 19.49 157.26

3.78 5.52 17.42 1.00 19.69 159.26

-0.78% -4.28% 6.74% 7.18% -4.99% -28.47%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

23

24

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

26.9.2021

AUWAL RAFSANJANI HIS LIFE AS ACTIVIST AND PATRIOT Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), hails from Kano State. His daily life is a wholesome blend of activism and patriotism. Soft spoken with a simple disposition, he exudes a sense of boldness and courage, accumulated through several years of activism and advocacy for a better society. Recently appointed as the head of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Rafsanjani reveals to Funke Olaode his latest mission- which is to mobilise Nigerians to demand positive change in the electoral process.

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

50

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

COVER

Inspired by Late Aminu Kano, Tutored by Attahiru Jega

A

uwal Musa Rafsanjani, a graduate of Political Science from the Bayero University has toed an unusual career path since his childhood days. His passion for Nigeria informed his commitment for a better society where every citizen will be treated fairly and equally. This often occupies his mind. You may conclude that his life revolves around activism as he sleeps, breaths, and eats activism. His passion for humanity has taken him round the globe where he has met with world leaders and other philanthropists working on Africa’s development.

“I was inspired by the late Aminu Kano as a child. In his lifetime, he has been an inspirational person to many people especially in the city, because he was against injustice and liberation of the downtrodden masses. That actually resonated with many of us as young children. And as an adult, I embraced activism wholeheartedly,” he opened up.

Rafsanjani grew up in the cosmopolitan city of Kano which has been a commercial nerve centre of the North for centuries, drawing nationals from many nations. Recalling his early days with nostalgia, he said it was a wonderful experience.

“My growing up in Kano I would say was an attribute of luck, because we were all born and brought up in the city centre. My grandparents up till the seventh generation were all from the same locality within Kano. My parents were basically traders, and also scholars, because most of the people in Kano back then were traders, and also into Islamic scholarship. In 1991, my father died in his early 60’s. My mother is still alive. My grandma and grandfather whom I lived with while growing up have both passed as well.

“I went to Rumfa College, Kano. It is the famous colonial secondary school where the late Emir of Kano, the late General Sani Abacha and many other elites in Kano attended. My parents were all into Islamic scholarship, so right from home, you will get Islamic training on how to recite Quran. My parents were exposed to Islamic education which is also complimented by English education,” he said.

Though born by parents who were traders, Rafsanjani vowed to toe a different career path. Having had orientation for political liberation with the consciousness of fighting for the masses, it wasn’t difficult to adapt by the time he entered Bayero University Kano to study Political Science. Here, he met the likes of Professor Attahiru Jega who was his teacher and other people of like minds. He became unstoppable.

Recounting his journey into activism he said, “I first cut my teeth as an activist under the tutelage of prominent Nigerians and academia. I was fortunate to be in Kano where former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and other prominent political scientist lecturers groomed me. Prof. Jega was my classroom teacher. They taught us political economy and activism.”

While in his first year at the institution, he enrolled in the Student Movement. Later, he was elected into the Students’ Government Union of Bayero University as one of the executives. In 1992, he became the Assistant-General Secretary of National Association of Nigerian Students’ (NANS). In addition to student activism, he was a member of Women in Nigeria (WIN) a political organisation, and though a supposed women gathering, issues such as women marginalization, exploitation, gender equality and development of women were advocated for by male and female members.

“You need both men and women to put hands together,” he added reflectively. While fighting for the cause of his fellow students as an undergraduate, Rafsanjani was already hobnobbing with older activists outside the campus. He was part of the group that formed Campaign for Democracy (CD), an organisation led by the late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, Democratic Alternative led by the late Dr. Alao Aka Bashorun, and also a member and coordinator of United Action for Democracy (UAD) led by Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. Unperturbed by constant harassment and intimidations by the government and its agencies, he balanced academics with activism just as his other colleagues. In fact, they excelled in their studies because with activism, they had better understanding and approach to studies.

“Even though many a time we would be out there mobilizing Nigerian people against the military dictatorship of the then General Ibrahim Babangida and the late General Sani Abacha, we were ahead of many students that were in the classroom.”

After graduation from Bayero University, Kano in 1994, he launched out fully by establishing the Centre Society Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). Prior to that, he was learning the ropes under the establishment. He had his youth service under the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAP), a human rights organisation which was organised by progressive minds led by the late Emma Eze Azuh as Executive Director. He was the first Programme Officer in Abuja in 1995. He was with them till 2001 when Center for Democracy and Development, led by current governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who was the executive director, invited him to join the organisation in the Abuja office. He was there till 2005.

“I felt there was a huge gap in the way civil society are advocating on issues in Nigeria. And having struggled with others to disengage the military before 1999, I thought that the civil society should constructively engage the legislature who has the constitutional and legislative power to make laws and remove those laws that impede human rights.

I came up with an intervention that would help. And

Musa

through the mentorship of people like Dr. Abubakar Momoh, General Ishola Williams, the late Emma Eze Asu, I was able to form CISLAC and carried out its mission. Today, CISLAC is one of the most famous legislative and policy engagement organisations in the country.”

Life of an activist is full of ups and downs: harassment, intimidation and imprisonment. He had his own share of arrests.

“I was once expelled, rusticated and suspended from school. I was rusticated from the university at a time because I was hosting the convention of NANS in Bayero University and the military regime at that time, General Ibrahim Babangida insisted that there must not be any convention for NANS. At that time, I was an official of NANS and Bayero University was to host the convention. As a result of hosting that convention, we were rusticated from the school, while some were suspended.

“Of course, our comrades stood for us, our lecturers at that time Prof. Jega, Engr. Uwaje, Ibrahim Hassan in political science department, and quite a number of them came to our support. Even when the issue came to the Senate of the university, they actually argued in our favour.

Also, some of our senior comrades who were lawyers also wrote to the university and it was resolved,’’ he recounted.

The rustication only affected one academic year; it still didn’t stop the peaceful activism. Rafsanjani believes in society with justice, equality, equity and corruption free. Even with the CSOs’ efforts, corruption seems unending.

“Honesty, CSOs’ are trying. The truth is that, if we all keep quiet and allow impunity, corruption, injustice, and bad governance to strive, we will all regret it as we are already suffering its consequences. Had it been that we have not been talking, what we would have experienced in this country would have been worse than they currently are.

“The little intervention we are doing is towards raising the consciousness of Nigerians to be alert, responsive, and responsible and also resist attempts by people who do not wish the country well or want sabotage the country, by exposing their atrocities and insist in accountability. This is what has brought the level of sanity we are still enjoying.

“Under CISLAC, we have successfully eradicated the enactment of Public Procurement Law, which was one area that have been abused in this country. We have also successfully advocated for Freedom of Information, and the enactment of the fiscal responsibility law, and we have also been supporting and encouraging the Code of Conduct Bureau, EFCC and ICPC in all the works they have been doing.

“Now without this legal framework that we have, the corruption would have been overwhelming. We have also been fighting the country to recover some stolen assets. We are at the fore front of advocacy for the return of Nigerian stolen assets both domestically and overseas. That is why our office in London and New York have been focusing on the internal recovery of our assets. Locally, we have also been doing that. You could see that the little support that we are providing to government and the Nigerian people, is helping in terms of getting the government to be responsive and responsible. If we weren’t doing all these, you can imagine the kind of situation we would be in this country. It will be totally ungovernable.”

Recently, CISLAC boss was appointed to head the Transition Monitoring Group (TFG), a body which responsibility is to observe and monitor how election delivers good governance. Excited with this new role, Rafsanjani promises every Nigerian of his team’s commitment to this cause.

“I am emotional, overwhelmed and excited to honour this clarion call. I am desirable of a better society and this is another way to show my commitment.”

Reeling out his agenda, he said their role is not only to observe elections that will bring a leader that will last four years but to hold them accountable, ensuring that elections delivers good governance. “We are going to ensure that there is a total reform of political parties in Nigeria, because political parties have become a platform for gathering power without delivering the dividends of democracy. Political parties have become totally commercialised, privatised and lacks internal democracy, thereby depriving members of those political parties from contesting elections because they aren’t spending money, or they have no godfathers irrespective of their popularity in their constituencies.

“You know it is only through these political platforms that you can contest elections. There is no provision for independent candidate. Nigerians have been left with the bitter option of choosing from whoever the parties present in party A or B, irrespective of the candidates’ past records. This is why the TMG under my leadership is determined to ensure that political party reforms are carried out to sanitize how leadership process can be improved.”

As he kickstarts his journey as TMG helmsman, he calls on all to participate because Nigeria’s progress is a collective responsibility.

“You too are involved,’’ pointing at this reporter before continuing. “The media too should take a deep study of the political environment, take a continuing interest in the political affairs of this great country, understand and suggest areas they feel are in need of further engagements by the TMG so that we can all move into the field to succeed. I want everyone to be conscious that a better society will only come through the collective struggle and determination to ensure justice.”

Rafsanjani has spent 30 years of his 53 years fighting for a corruption-free society. Having learnt from veterans, he is also impacting the younger ones positively. “It is important to engage the younger ones because we come from a tradition of certain senior comrades, and also taking corrections when we did something wrong. We are also very mindful of the fact that if comrade said don’t do this, this is not good for us as comrades, we will not do so. We respect our senior comrades, we follow their footsteps and I am happy that all the things they have taught us are being implemented. I’m hoping to also make same positive impact in terms of teaching and learning on other younger generation.”

With joy that emanates from his three decades of activism, he vows to forge on until he breaths his last.

“This is my calling. This is a life action. I will only stop activism when I’m no longer alive. So long I am still alive, I will continue to advocate for the betterment of Nigerians in social justice, free and fair governance, transparency and accountability in this country. As long as God keeps me alive and healthy, I will continue to fight on,” he said.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

51

GLITZ LIFESTYLE

Mariam Longe Living Healthy as A Working Mother Mariam Longe’s face is very familiar to many viewers of the television show, “Your View” where she is a co-host. Her level-headed nature makes it hard to reconcile her quiet persona with her love for vultures. In this rare encounter with Yinka Olatunbosun, she reveals how she has balanced her work, lifestyle and advocacy

M

ariam Longe is a true Nigerian: born and raised in Jos, lived in Ebonyi state for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps before moving to South-west to work in Lagos. For obvious reasons, she represents the Northern part of the country on the popular television show on TVC, “Your View,’’ and like other co-hosts, she had other day time jobs. Having been educated at St Louis College Jos, she proceeded to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria to study Economics.

Her first job after the NYSC was to work as a front office manager at an exclusive spa and gym. Perhaps, being around clients who took exercise routines seriously had an impact on her life. Later on, she worked at an Oil and Gas servicing company and then as a bank and pension fund administrator. She began to contemplate her own business and started a corporate gift and souvenir business.

“I am currently running my lifestyle brand which focuses on healthy eating and general healthy lifestyle. Recently, I started my interior design and styling business alongside being a co-host on the TV Show, Your View,’’ she revealed.

As a wife and mother of two children — a boy and girl — she had never taken her healthy lifestyle for granted. She still has a body to die for and has decided to help others achieve this dream of living healthy through advocacy. Many women have enormous reasons, if not excuses, not to keep fit. Some who are genuinely willing to get back in shape had started but stopped because they did not have nannies or spousal support to help them embark on the fitness routine. This has led to a lack of self-confidence, depression and sometimes this degenerates into sheer envy of others who are able to stay fit through a healthy lifestyle. Longe understands the whole dynamics of a healthy lifestyle and also respects others’ choice to live as they desire.

“I am deeply involved in healthy lifestyle advocacy. That’s exactly what it is. My journey to where I am today is quite an interesting one.

I grew up in a family where quite a number of them took their fitness very seriously. They would pay attention to what they ate and they would work out. Since I was a child, I knew that they were important things to do even though I didn’t really practice them

as religiously as my older family members. I married a man who works out nearly every day,’’ she recounted.

Her turning point came after having her children. The weight gain was involuntary and the workout didn’t seem to be working out.

“I was finding it difficult to shift and I would fall back on what I knew which was the regular workout, with eating tiny portions of food followed by weekends of binge eating. When I realised that my old formula wasn’t working, I started doing my research online and I would read about the different kinds of diets and I tried different kinds. I would see some changes but I couldn’t sustain it,’’ she said.

Then she met a lady called Alex and was introduced to a three-month keto programme which was life-changing. Not only did she lose weight, but she also stopped experiencing pains such as the random knee, neck and back aches.

She stopped medication for migraines.

“I would go to bed and sleep, wake up, become energised and excited for the day. I had to share what I had discovered with everyone.

I would refer all of them to Alex but eventually, a lot of people prevailed on me to coach them personally.’’

She started Lifestylewithml two years ago to help others dealing with unhealthy weight issues.

“We have Lifestyle with ML Community and this is a group of women who have been through the weight loss programme and decided to form a support group, to help and encourage each other and constantly update ourselves on new information about our healthy way of life. We share recipes. We encourage one another and advise one another. For me, much more than a weight loss programme, the community is what I am most grateful for because everyone needs a support group and we support each other because together, we can go far,’’ she revealed.

She does not think it is only celebrities who should embrace a healthy diet but they could inspire others as role models. There are other kinds of diet plans that others have found to be beneficial and Longe thinks that everyone has the freedom to decide which works for them based on personal research.

When asked how she strikes the work-home balance, she revealed that she never hesitates to ask for help.

“It is okay to ask for help; to delegate and know what is a priority to you and what you alone can handle. And what it is that can be

delegated. I am human and I make mistakes sometimes. I am happy that I have a very supportive family and they give me all the help and support that I need,’’ she responded.

The popular culture in Nigeria glamourises curvy, plus-size women.

And generally, slim women do not always get the same respect as chubby women. Longe believes that whatever a person’s size is, no one should be body shamed.

“If some feel that plus size is more respectable, carry on with the plus-size with all the confidence in the world. If you are any size between plus size and a slim person, carry your body with confidence. It is important to know that people who criticize others for their body types are mainly just ignorant. When people know better, they do better. People need to understand that we are created to be different. There is beauty in diversity.

And we should learn to celebrate that.

What is most important for me is that whatever size that you are, make sure that you are healthy and you are eating well and exercising. It is not always about weight loss. It is about maintaining a healthy weight,’’ she said.

Longe doesn’t have a typical breakfast lunch or dinner; she only eats when she is hungry.

“Sometimes, I do intermittent fasting so it could be once in a couple of days.

Because of that, I never have breakfast, lunch or dinner. But I will tell you two of my favourite things on the keto diet. You see my keto salad, I have my lettuce, eggs, fish, meat, pepper, salt, and my coconut oil. Then I love BPC coffee.

“What people need is just information. When you ask people to leave their favourite meals, do not replace them with some bland tasteless meals, it is like punishing them. There are so many tasty nutritious meals out there and people should research, ask questions and join groups where people share healthy recipes that would help them. I know parents that feed their children sugar and they don’t do it with any ill-intention. If a parent is taught why making children dependent on sugar could form the foundation of an adult dealing with various illnesses, no parent

would want to do that to their children,’’ she argued.

While reflecting on her work as a co-host on “Your View”, she remarked that the show has been a blessing to her, despite the moments of heated arguments and strong opinions.

“Each of these women is a big personality with strong opinions. It is so interesting how though we are specifically picked for our diversity, difference and backgrounds, we have a relationship where we understand that each and every one is vital to the show and the relationship on and off the screen. And each one brings a different perspective. So, you learn to be more open-minded and respectful of others’ points of view,’’ she said.

Long before TV, she had adopted this principle to guide her speech. “The quote says before you speak ‘THINK T - is it true; H- is it helpful; I- does it Improve upon silence; N- is it necessary; K - is it kind. Every time when I am on the show, when I speak, that guides me.

Also, I have the responsibility to be fair and by fairness, I mean open-minded and know that my opinion is based on my experience. I know that there will be opposing opinions and valid arguments based on people’s perspectives. I am open-minded enough to learn from it. I owe myself the responsibility of owning my truth, for after all is said and done even with the best of intentions I know my words will sometimes be misconstrued but I leave the responsibility and burden of interpretation on the listener,’’ she said.

One fun fact about Longe is her love for space exploration stories and vultures. The latter may sound scary to those who only run away with the dictionary meaning of vultures.

She believes that vultures are very important to our ecosystem and population.

“Vultures have very corrosive and acidic bellies that when they feed on all those leftover rotten meat that we see around, they are helping us in reducing the spread of some diseases. A lot of dead animals that die have all sorts of diseases, bacteria and poisons like rabies and anthrax. When the vultures eat them they help to reduce the spread of these diseases and poisons. More vultures, fewer diseases,” she revealed.

Despite being a very strong woman, she sheds tears after watching emotional movies, hearing a moving story, listening to a beautiful song and voice.

“I’m just an overflowing well of happy tears,’’ she said.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

GLITZ TRIBUTE

Makanjuola: Teacher, Matriarch at 70 Babatunde Jose pens a glowing tribute to an Amazon, a leading educationist with a strength of character, Yoyinsola Makanjuola, who clocks 70 today.

K

ind yet resourceful, quiet yet steely, pious yet accomplished, Alhaja Lateephat Yoyinsola Abimbola Awero Makanjuola embodies the salient attributes of the African matriarch. She is the unassuming matriarch of the Makanjuola family, the loving and good wife of Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, the affectionate mother of four well-bred children, and the beloved “Auntie” of the pupils she has nurtured as a devoted teacher and educationist for almost 50 years. As she clocks the landmark age of 70 today, she can look back with gratitude to Allah on the immeasurable joy she has brought into the lives of many and use the opportunity to rededicate herself to doing much more in the service of God and humanity.

Born on 26 September 1951, at Idun Shagbe, Isale Eko to a well-heeled Lagos family, her father was the late Salmon Beckery Folami (S.B Folami), a renowned chartered accountant at the then Standard Bank of West Africa, now First Bank of Nigeria. Also one of the Executive Directors of the then National Bank of Nigeria, S.B. Folami was a scion of the famous Folami family of the late Taiwo Olowo dynasty of Lagos. Their progenitor, Taiwo Conrad, hailed from Isheri and was a descendant of the famous Olofin Agbodere of Isheri, an Awori who traced his roots to Ile Ife. Taiwo Conrad was so enterprising that the suffix ‘Olowo’ (monied man) was added to his name. He was a very generous man as his great-granddaughter would later turn out to be.

Her mother, late Rianat Ojuolape, was the first daughter of H.M. Ali-Balogun (LLB) of AliOloko fame and the first grand-daughter of Pa Ali-Balogun, a business mogul in Lagos Island. It would be recalled that in 1924 during the Lagos Central Mosque Imamate crisis, Ali Oloko felt slighted and went on to build his own mosque, with an Imam. Ali Oloko was a deeply religious man, and so would be his great-granddaughter.

His wealth has remained the stuff of legends.

Despite that she was born into privilege on both sides of her family, she was raised on several key values such as the love of education.

Her educated parents did not abandon her like other female children whose parents abhorred sending the girl-child to school.

Her immersion in Western and Islamic education would shape her future career choice. She would grow up to become a teacher, a life vocation that would earn her the sobriquet ‘Auntie’, as she is much loved by her students. The recently crowned Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, was once her pupil. So also was David Oyelowo, OBE, the Hollywoodbased, British actor and multiple award winner.

Yoyin started on this path when she commenced her early education in 1955 at the St Mary Convent School located on Broad Street, Lagos, from where she later proceeded to Tinubu Methodist School for her primary school education in 1956. For her secondary education, she attended the well-known Aunty Ayo Girls Comprehensive Secondary School at Ikoyi, Lagos.

During her secondary school years, she excelled in extracurricular activities. She was Secretary of the French Society between 1967 and 1968 and in her final year was a School Prefect and simultaneously the President of the Geographical Club.

After her secondary education, she worked briefly at the Foreign Exchange Department of Wema Bank and later enrolled into the London Institute of Bankers. Her yearning to further her education and her innate love for children made her proceed to the United Kingdom in 1972 where she attended St. Nicolas Training College for Early Learners to obtain Higher Diploma in Childhood Education in Nursery and Primary, both under the Montessori Method of Education. She later worked as an instructor at the Kennedy Montessori School in Chelsea, London and the Melting Port Foundation School, Irlam in the City of Salford, in Greater Manchester.

Before going to England, Yoyin met a young man whom she would fall in love with and would later marry in the United Kingdom. He is Muyinudeen Aderemi Makanjuola, her husband of 45 years and still going strong. It started as a chance meeting at a ‘prom’ party, when Remi Makanjuola wooed the lady he would later describe as ‘the girl with the twinkling eyes’. She did not stay long

Makanjuola

at the party. A mutual friend, Bisi Elias, had to play the role of ‘chaperorn’. He introduced the two and there started a love that would blossom into marriage.

Shortly after their meeting, Remi won a scholarship to proceed abroad for his university education. Fortunately, Yoyin too was billed to proceed to England for further studies.

Unfortunately for the duo, however, Remi’s scholarship was to Bulgaria where he had to learn the language and where the weather was inhospitable. Remi did not enjoy his stay and had to ask for a reposting which the scholarship board approved. That was how Remi found himself in Leicester University in the UK and was thereafter reunited with Yoyin. They did not waste time. At the earliest opportunity in September 1976 at the age of 28 and 25 respectively, they got married at the Wandsworth Wedding Registry, London.

Meanwhile, Remi had moved to the University of Manchester for his post-graduate studies. It was here that Yoyin gave birth to their first child, Olabode, who today is the Managing Director of the Caverton Group, and a scion of the Makanjuola dynasty. A testimony to the hard work and parental guidance of the duo, Olabode was a product of the University of Leicester too, where he graduated with a first degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later earned a master’s degree in Trade, Shipping and Finance from City Business School, London. The couple returned to Nigeria in 1978 and with her foreign experience, she took up teaching jobs at the prestigious American International School, Victoria Island, Lagos, from where she moved on to Adrao International School also in Victoria Island, and later to St. Saviour’s Trust School located within Railway Compound at Ebute Metta, Lagos.

In 1985, Yoyin established her own school: ROLAM Preparatory School. With her zeal for raising children and preparing them for the future, she has since then been and remains the

Proprietor/Administrator of ROLAM School, a school widely renowned for quality education, producing pupils who progress to highly reputable schools and institutions.

With time, Yoyin’s family grew with the birth of Adeniyi, Rotimi and their only daughter, Lolade—all of whom she nurtured with her husband to become successful in their chosen fields. Adeniyi, her second son, studied Financial Economics at the prestigious University College of London, before he took up flight training as a rotary wing pilot. Rotimi obtained a degree in Economics from the University of Bradford, followed by an M.Sc. from Cass Business School. Ololade studied Computer Science at Kings College before obtaining a Master’s in Air Transport from Cranfield University. They have all grown into worthy ambassadors of the Makanjuola clan and sound professionals. Though Yoyin and her husband never planned for their children to study with Caverton in mind, Allah has used these children to prove that He is the best planner.

Significantly, Yoyinsola has proven to be a very good wife, a life companion, and a most compassionate helper. There is no wonder that the love she and her husband found 47 years ago is still waxing strong. Yoyin, no doubt, has been the soul of the fantastic Makanjuola marriage.

The husband’s state of mind depends on the home to a great extent. It is the duty of the wife to, among other things, keep a healthy environment at home and to share, discuss and find solution to problems jointly. This I know that my friend Remi does all the time. She cares for and empathises with the less privileged. Her love for football is endearing. She is a lifelong fan of Manchester United. She also loves music

and dancing—particularly for her husband who loves playing music.

She is above all a devout Moslem; never one to miss her annual pilgrimage. An active member of NASFAT and the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, she belongs to many educational bodies including the World Organization for Early Learners (she was at one time the organisation’s Social Secretary), the Association of Private School Owners, and the Olive Baden Powell Society for Girls Guide.

In addition to the above, she belongs to the following organisations: 6O+ Advocacy (an NGO), Society for the Elderly in the Society (member of the Governing Board) and International Girl Guide Organisation.

Yoyin and her husband have been blessed by Allah and the society has given them much honour, it is therefore expected that they should give back to society. In this spirit of payback, she is donating three of her publications, being launched as part of her birthday celebration, free to schools and children.

The books among several other children’s books she has written are: “In the Light of Islam for Children,” “Who am I?” and Moral Values for Children’s Exploration.”

Despite the blessings, Allah has also visited his tests on her, even right from childhood-at seven- when she lost her loving father. Her faith was again tested when she lost her mother while she was in faraway England. Her husband Muyinudeen gave her succour with a promise to care for her.

She would lose her grand-daughter, which caused her much pain. Then again, part of her beautiful home and citadel was gutted by a mysterious fire, which occasioned family’s need to relocate pending repairs.

We are therefore pleased to celebrate a good wife, who has turned 70, our very own Lateephat Yoyinsola Abimbola Awero; a good mother, friend, sister, grandmother, and amiable wife of 45 years of our friend and brother, Muyinudeen Aderemi Makanjuola. We wish her many happy returns.

* Jose lives in Lagos

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

53

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

The Temple Company, YouTube Music Bring Future Insiders to Nigeria Stories by Vanessa Obioha

The Temple Company CEO, Idris Olorunnimbe (1)

For four days, young adults interested in building careers in music and technology will be tutored by seasoned experts in a new programme, Future Insiders.

The programme initially launched in the United States, is put together by The Temple Company and YouTube Music.

“We are delighted to embark on this project with YouTube as we believe that music, tech and the youth are key catalysts to a progressive future,” stated Temple Company’s Founder/CEO, Idris Olorunnimbe.

The Temple Company is well known for providing the support and infrastructure that African talents need to realise their latent creative potential through various initiatives such as Temple Masterclasses, Photography courses, Production & Talent internships and other training initiatives.

Future Insiders is an immersive four-day course that provides resources to help participants build a career in music and tech. Its main objective is to provide a platform to develop the youth by giving them assistance and access to professionals to help guide them in their respective journeys.

It is part of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, a multi-year $100 million fund dedicated to amplifying and developing the voices of Black creators and artists and their stories.

The fund was created through the idea of investing with an intention: to present fresh narratives that emphasise the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice careers.

Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa, YouTube, Addy Awofisayo, expressed confidence in partnering The Temple Company for the programme.

“We are very excited to bring together the meaningful work of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund with The Temple Company’s long-standing efforts to empower and promote the artistic aspirations of African creatives. The Temple Company has long been a fixture of the African entertainment industry and we are honoured to partner with them on this important work.”

The speakers and panelists will cut across various sectors in the music and tech industries. It will offer the audience valuable insight, and the chance to learn and engage on various topics ranging from ‘Creating an Identity in Music’ to The ‘Business of Rhythm to Visual Direction’.

The programme will be hosted by actress and singer, Bisola Aiyeola, while panelists include popular Nigerian musician, Zlatan Ibile and music producer, P.Priime. Also speaking at the programme is renowned musician Barry Van Zyl. Scheduled to run from September 27 to 30, 2021, the programme is strictly for persons between 18 and 25 years old with a passion for music and tech. It will be held virtually and physically in Ogidi Studios, Lekki.

Big Brother Naija: Will Saga’s Emotional Meltdown Cost Him the Game?

Big Brother Naija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemate, Saga, was an emotional wreck during the week following the 24hour disappearance of his love interest, Nini. Big Brother asked Nini to play a prank on the housemates by leaving the house secretly for 24 hours. Her disappearance saw Saga weeping, camping in front of the Diary’s room, and distancing himself from other housemates.

He was simply inconsolable. His actions elicited mixed reactions from viewers. While some saw his behaviour as disturbing, almost bordering on obsession considering that Nini had not given him the green light yet, others thought his actions were evidence of his love for the lightskinned housemates.

Saga is not the first housemate to fall head over heels in love with another housemate in the game. Last year’s edition saw a similar trait in Ozo and his love interest Nengi.

With Saga up for eviction alongside WhiteMoney, Nini, Angel, Pere, and Queen, his chances to survive the final week of the show may or may not be ruined by his behaviour. Fans of the show have in the past voted for a strong character over an emotional one. But with the unpredictability of the game, anything can happen. Saga may survive the eviction tonight and join Liquorose, Emmanuel and Cross in the finale. The reality show will be crowning a new winner next Sunday, October 3.

Music greats like Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Wizkid were aware of their hunger to pursue music as a career from an early age. This self-awareness has helped drive their successful careers. Coker Olorunfemi sees himself in a similar light with his budding career as an afro-fusion act.

Famed as Femi Factor, the singer began his journey into making music when he started singing in the church choir at the early age of eight, gleaning the basic rudiments. Eventually, the Kwara native sent ripples across the music industry with the release of his 2017 debut single ‘Rajo’, an afro-fusion blend highlighting patience and hope as its central themes.

“The song was my love letter to hustlers in the community to continually stay persistent in their quest to attain success, even though the socio-economic situation isn’t in their favour,” explained Factor. Furthermore, he elaborated his creative process, stating that his life’s experiences have thus far played a major role in influencing his sounds and lyrics. Although he is not signed under any record yet, Factor doesn’t let that stop him in his tracks, he doggedly promotes himself. The indie act is currently under a distribution deal with Jungle Entertainment Digital Distribution. This allows him the creative control most signed artists aren’t privileged to.

So far, he has released three extended plays (EPs): ‘CruiseTape’, ‘Afrobyte’, and ‘Lstn Up’. ‘CruiseTape’ has earned him 200,000 pure downloads in an era where streaming platforms have made purchase of singles and albums less attractive. Similarly, he has enjoyed high streaming numbers with all of his projects.

A graduate of Covenant University, Ota, the singer dons many different togas that have been instrumental to his success on the music scene. A marketing consultant, he oversees a nineto-five agency that provides consultation for brands and media outfits. Arguably, he understands the dynamics of the music terrain he finds himself in and adjusts accordingly.

With his creativeness transcending the music realm, he also has put to good use his ability to create viral content on social media. It is little wonder why he has collaborated with brands such as Samsung Nigeria and Canon Northern to birth some of their most successful social media campaigns.

According to Factor, his goal is to build an empire that will outlast him through music while making an impact in other spheres of his creative life. He knows he has got the X factor.

Saga

Is ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ Back?

From all indications, it seems the popular TV game show ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ (WWTBAM) will be gracing our TV screens soon. A new trailer and press release from the BLK HUT media suggests that the TV game show which made Nigerians millionaires through a set of questions is coming back.

The show first aired on October 8, 2004, until June 25, 2017, when it was temporarily canned. The show boasted educating editions, formidable participants, and a deep

wealth of knowledge. Aroma Ufodike emerged as the first winner of the show, carting away N10 million.

Although no official date has been announced, the organisers have however disclosed that the grand prize is N20 million.

“As a company, our desire is to continuously deliver creative, intelligent and professional content to the market for the people and partner brands,” said the CEO of BLK HUT media, Hakeem

Condotti.

“In the production of a brand with WWTBAM stature, we are able to show our range and capacity to this effect. We are proud to be bringing international quality content right to our screens again in Nigeria, be it on TV, Digital, Cable, or Mobile. As part of the much-needed Covid relief that we all need as a nation, WWTBAM is back to entertain, educate and once again, have viewers on the edge of their seats and creating millionaires every week!!”.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

HighLife

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

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

Stamp of His Honour: Igho Sanomi Says Taleveras Resolute to As Marwa Becomes pioneer African Participation in LNG Trades Eight Y Aare-Atunluse of Yorubaland Chieftaincy appointment in Oyo, the centre of culture and political development in Yorubaland has never been arbitrary or random to say the least. Rather, it is based on meticulous selection based on integrity and patriotism without regard to any ethnic cultural bias. As the only monarch that can confer chieftaincy title to a worthy man or woman to cover the whole of Yorubaland, in exercising this right, His Imperial Majesty, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has identified so many positive attributes which have clearly stand out BrigadierGeneral Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as a detribalised and worthy man to be honour with the prestigious title of the Aare Atunluse of Yorubaland.

Early this week, the Alaafin, through a formal letter addressed to the Adamawa-born retired General, had informed him of his decision —and after due consultation with the Oyomesi (the traditional cabinet of the Alaafin who are the kingmakers) — to confer him with the prestigious Yorubaland Chieftaincy title. The conferment ceremony, which will hold at the Royal Palace of the Alaafin in Oyo town, Oyo State, at a date yet to be announced, is expected to witness the presence of royal fathers and traditional chiefs in different parts of the country, businessmen and women, celebrities and other prominent personalities both within and outside the country.

Of course, the resume of the Aare Atunluse designate is rich and illustrious: starting with his noble birth to his enlistment in the Nigerian Army and his meteoric rise to the position of Deputy Defence Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, United States; Military Governor of the old Borno and Lagos States; Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy; and Defence Attache at the Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York; a meritorious service to the nation which culminated in his appointment as the boss of the NDLEA. His performance in those various assignment over the years especially in his new task as anti-drug czar tackling the menace of illicit drugs consumption by mostly youths and in that vein confront frontally the dealers leading to successful seizure of humongous amount of illicit drugs as well as prosecution of some barons across the country.

Sanomi

As one of the first major event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) post COVID pandemic, Dubai witnessed the stylish and warm gathering of major gas companies attending the Gastech, hosted

by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, last week.

(LNG) markets, a space devoid of active African owned trading participants.

Taleveras said it is still looking to cement its role as Africa’s leading independent trader of LNG the fastest growing fossil fuel. It said it plans to increase and expand its supply sources of LNG in other to maintain a vibrant portfolio to support such demand growth. Taleveras recently became the first African owned company to establish a long term supply contract of LPG from a Mont Belvieu, USA facility.

“As the world continues to deal with the severe impacts of market demand and the impact of Covid-19, the fundamentals are supported by a growing population and energy demand, LNG will continue to remain a high growth industry based on a growing economy worldwide,” a Taleveras senior trader on LNG had said during a presentation To many industry watchers and analysts, Taleveras, which has enjoyed success since its incorporation in the late nineties, has had to navigate innumerable challenges in the evervolatile and political oil and gas industry.

Today Taleveras is increasingly gaining a respected position as a resilient company that keeps thriving on in the gas markets.

Lioness of Bourdillon: Triumphs and Grace of Senator Oluremi Tinubu at 61 When most people visualise the home of the Lion of Bourdillon, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they usually see one who is like him in many ways: Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Even as the wife of the top dog of Nigerian politics, Senator Oluremi checks all the boxes for an impactful political figure and legislator. She is not only brilliant in her policymaking, but she is also far more influential on and outside the floors of the National Assembly compared to some of her peers. At 61, Senator Oluremi wears the grace of a swan: lovely to behold and sending ripples across administrative and constitutional waters.

The history books suggest that there might have been more than a few African chieftesses in the past. With daring women like Senator Oluremi in the present, that claim is not difficult to accept. Here is one who stands and sits alongside the movers and shakers of the country as a no-blushing, no-nonsense mover and shaker herself. Truly, an allround figure is Senator Oluremi.

The Senator came to the limelight

as Lagos State First Lady but almost immediately took up the mantle of representing Lagos Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. That was in 2011. Her characteristic remark that a purposeful life is one of service is evident in the years since. This is likely what drove her to earn a diploma from the Redeemed Christian Bible College (which is why she is often called a Pastor), a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Ife, and a National Certificate of Education in Botany and Zoology from the Adeyemi College of Education.

Among the many bills she has sponsored, two stand out: the bill to create State police to tackle insecurity from the roots, and the bill to improve the reach and value of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). For these and several others, Oluremi has received one award of excellence and impact after another.

One of the most recent ones came from The Guardian during the International Women’s Day Summit 2021.

At 61, Oluremi is only a little less influential compared to her husband—as far as national politics is concerned. Even

Tinubu

so, her methods are far more graceful. To her, to be or not to be is not the question but how to serve.

Glad Tidings as Grand Master of Entertainment, Femi Aderibigbe Joins Golden Club

Aderibigbe

Marwa

Speaking on the sidelines of Gastech 2021, Taleveras Global Head of Gas, Igho Sanomi, stated that: “There is hardly any other energy source that provides such broad wins, being that gas is used for heating, cooling and cooking in our everyday lives. It energizes heavy industries, contributes to key economies and keeps emissions at very impressive minimal levels. At Taleveras over the last 5 years, we have taken a long term view on the future of gas and pursued our business plan aggressively. This greatly propelled our pursuit and development of a strong LNG portfolio at a time when most market participants had little belief in the future of LNG. In essence, we called the LNG market correctly and still continue to keep a long term view.

It has been a challenging journey so far, primarily due to extreme levels of market volatility, coupled with supply challenges in Nigeria, but overall we remain firm, resolute and optimistic in our strategy to pioneer the involvement of Nigerian and African owned establishments in global LNG trades”.

Sanomi’s comment was greeted with enthusiasm at the event, his company is pioneering participation of African owned companies in global Liquefied Natural Gas,

There are businessmen and there are businessmen. In Nigeria, there is no doubt that some of the most daring and successful of both groups have long since crossed the threshold of the golden age. Those that have yet to or are

only a few years in are the real masters of the business sector. Within this group, Femi Aderibigbe is very close to the top.

In a handful of days, this grand master of entertainment will clock the golden age of 50, securing his position as one of the most successful business persons in the country.

They say that natives of Ijebuland in Ogun State have as natural an instinct for business as fish for water. This observation has been proved to be true time and time again. Aderibigbe is the not earliest or latest evidence of this claim, but there is no questioning its authenticity in his accomplishments and expansion over the years. Come October 2, 2021, he will join the golden club and stand alongside his equally successful seniors as pillars of that old and illustrious community.

Even among his fellows from Ijebu, Aderibigbe stands out for the multiplicity of his interests. These interests can be summed up in one word: entertainment. That is why even though

Aderibigbe is one of the most dazzling figures in the Nigerian entertainment domain, only a relative few know his true name. The majority of Nigerians know him simply as Kwame, a grand master of entertainment and show business.

Attached to this grand master’s name are brands like Orisun TV, Prime, Magic Factory, Television Entertainment Network (TEN), among many others. Thus, Kwame is himself a brand that has eclipsed so many others. And no wonder, considering that he started nursing this passion when he was only a teenager and managed to travel the entire orbit of mainstream media and show business before he clocked 30.

More than three decades have gone by but Aderibigbe is infinitely closer to the top. At 50 and after, there will doubtless be many more milestones with Aderibigbe’s name, all of them flashing his cool and characteristic distinction.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

HIGHLIFE

High Society Mourns with Merrymaker, King Sunny Ade over His Wife’s Death

Sunny Ade with late wife, Hon. Risikat Ajoke Adegeye.

These are not the best of times for the household and friends of legendary Juju musician, King Sunny Ade (KSA). Even Nigerian high society, with its many shades

of sentiment, has been shaken by the death of the wife of the illustrious performer, Hon. Risikat Ajoke Adegeye. Even now, a deluge of condolence messages is running over KSA’s household from all over the world.

A purposeful life is a life well-lived. In the face of disease and death, there is only so much that the human spirit can do. This is the overwhelming sentiment over the sad episode of the death of Adegeye. Before her death in the early hours of Tuesday, September 21, 2021, she was not only the wife of KSA but also a revered former Honourable Member in the 6th Assembly of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Alas, death is a blind harvester of human life.

According to reports, the death of the former representative of Amuwo-Odofin came on the heels of illness. While some reports

hold that she had a long battle with cancer, others vow that she passed away after a brief illness. However, the official press release from the family agrees to the latter report.

Nevertheless, a big fraction of Nigerian high society has released official and private messages of commiseration. Even the President, Muhammadu Buhari, has sent words of condolence.

Adegeye’s passing has been felt by so many because she was a woman of influence, passion and compassion. Although it would seem as if the deceased is leaving behind only her husband and son, George Folarin, there is a long line of people who have benefitted from her big heart and philanthropic gestures over the years. Moreover, she contested for many positions to assist in the empowerment of women all over Nigeria.

3UD\ $NDQLPR 8GRÀD ZLOO Not Be Another ‘ATM’ for Politicians In the rugged bids piling up in preparation for the 2023 general elections, the status of Akwa Ibom is no less eye-catching than any other State. Even Governor Udom Emmanuel, despite his deep-seated influence and expected grasp of the politics of his state, is not able to quell the people’s longing for a fresh leader, one that is not bound by the restrictions of his forebears; one that can check the boxes of excellence, compassion and vision without the baggage that typically accompanies such leaders. Is Akanimo Udofia a suitable candidate for Governor Emmanuel’s mantle, or could he wear the grace of this imagined leader?

Akwa Ibom people are ready to go all out to support whomever they will support. At the moment, there are quite a number of fractures within political parties, partisan groups, and other unofficial coalitions that usually band together to see their will done. One of the major causes of the seemingly universal inner conflict

is what to do with aspirants like Udofia. And yet, Udofia himself is not without his problems.

It is a fact that Udofia is a well-balanced individual. His canvas of wealth reaches into every direction. This has made him one of the more popular choices to succeed Governor Emmanuel. However, as a few analysts have noted, this is also a trial for him. In Udofia’s attempt to win everybody over, he risks becoming a wellspring of fortune for more experienced politicians, especially the ones behind his campaign schemes.

So far, although Udofia is a renowned businessman, there is a consensus in some quarters that he is not very well known, especially among the grassroots. Thus, there are many opportunities for a budding politician like him to connect to the people. For this purpose, money is a reliable bridge and Udofia just happens to have it in excess.

Will Udofia manage to retain much of

“This life, I can’t kill myself,” has become a popular cliche now, thanks to its overuse

by Nigerian youths. This is the imagined sentiment of Obeahon Ohiwerei, the former MD/CEO of Keystone Bank. After shocking the world by giving Keystone bank a fortune in the form of a complete turnaround, Ohiwerei reportedly took off into the sunset. According to some, the accomplished banker handed in his resignation; according to others, private matters mandated his decision for seclusion. Regardless, the fact is that the man left the public scene, and there he has been ever since.

One is not likely to find a banker of Ohiwerei’s calibre in the glassy walls of most Nigerian banks. In many ways, the man has surpassed the image of the typical banker-MD with a large belly and larger ambitions for hegemony. In fact, one might argue that Ohiwerei is the exact opposite. No sooner had he saved Keystone bank from certain expiration than he took a step back himself.

Outsiders may not remember but Keystone bank faced the same crisis of

New Lease of Life for Keystone Bank MD, Obeahon Ohiwerei

Ohiwerei

Akinyelure

Payback Time for Pius Akinyelure

Udofia

his wealth in the coming days or will he gradually become the next big ‘ATM’ for cunning politicians? Time will tell. termination that every other banking/ financial institution has faced after colliding with the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The kind of debts that warrant AMCON’s presence is like permanent markers that seldom wash off. And yet, this is exactly what Ohiwerei did upon his assuming the role of Keystone bank MD/CEO. Not long after Ohiwerei took over as MD, Keystone bank recovered its groove, became like a dazzling beauty that customers could not resist, and even outstripped its former glory. Folks expected that the antecedent of this move would stick around for at least a decade, but Ohiwerei did not.

Upon leaving Keystone bank, folks again expected him to launch a financial institution that would be on par with at least the mid-range banks and money houses. But Ohiwerei did no such thing.

The last anyone heard, he had decided to relax in Canada and take a break from all things banking—a break he has been pushing off since the start of his banking career in 1991.

For Jide Omokore, Good Times Are Here

In Maya Angelou’s tribute to South African hero and past president, Nelson Mandela, she wrote that “...No sun outlasts its sunset, but it will rise again and bring the dawn.” The sun of well-known businessman, Jide Omokore, is rising again and bringing along its dawn.

Considering all that the native of Kogi State has gone through in the last two to three years, the peace and tranquility of the present day are enough to make him mushy.

Others may not be aware of the many trials that Omokore has faced, but those who have followed the story of former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, should be aware. After the former minister was accused of walking off with the bulk of the proceeds from her industry/sector, nearly everyone who had a close business relationship with her bore the brunt of that charge. Omokore was not exempted.

As a thriving businessman with a multiplicity of interests, from oil trading and exploration to marine, haulage services, steel, dredging engineering and property

development, Omokore has quite the network of associates. Yet, his tango with Alison-Madueke, among other things, roped him in with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Eventually, even the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) got involved, and Omokore’s luck seemed to only worsen.

But all of those times are past. The sun has come for the Chairman and Founder of Energy Resources Group once again. According to reports, both the anti-graft and ‘anti-debt’ agencies are gradually letting Omokore out of the bind that has stifled him and his businesses in recent times. Thus, the man has earned himself a little breathing space and might even return to the limelight in a few months.

Moreover, his wife, Lady Angela Ebagua, has already reinvented herself with the La Madison, a massive event centre that sits on a choice location in Lekki, Lagos. Although this is only the start of something new for Ebagua, it is undoubtedly the evidence of something good for her hubby. By this and every other indication, good and colourful times are here again for Omokore.

Omokore

The change of administrative vestment at the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) has attracted a lot of attention in recent days. Among the reactions to the appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari are excitement, envy and even contemplation.

However, when most people consider that Chief Pius Akinyelure was retained as a board member, the reaction is usually astonishment at the fact that the man’s service to the nation and his party is paying off.

The reappointment of Akinyelure to the board of NNPC might not have come as a big surprise to those familiar with the company landscape.

It is a reappointment, after all, and this is far more common than a fresh appointment. However, times are changing and as more influential figures drift into the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it would not be strange for them to do such new appointments as compensations or further incentives. Thus, Akinyelure keeping his position (from his original appointment in 2016) indicates that he is far more valued compared to his peers and likely to be even more valuable in the coming days.

For those in the know, Chief Akinyelure is not only a political figure but also one with the qualifications to occupy the chair in the NNPC boardroom. The man is not only a certified accountant, but he is also an oil industry technocrat with close to four decades of operative experience in the industry.

In fact, he has walked the halls of ExxonMobil and retired as an Executive Director in Finance and External Relations. Even so, his career profile extends beyond the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry to other business and administrative interests and sceneries. Politics is one of these.

At the peak of his political career, Akinyelure is said to have been very close friends with some of the most influential figures in the country, including a former Governor of Lagos State, Senator and High Chieftain of the leading political party in the country.

Moreover, between 2014 and 2018, Akinyelure was the National Vice Chairman of APC in the South-West.

Thus, his political feelers are long and far-reaching, the same with his years of service.

Perceptive folks chalk up Akinyelure’s reappointment to his devotion to his nation and his party.

His commitment in the past has paid off—and continues to. Indeed, there’s no better time to be Chief Akinyelure.

56

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode: Fanny Power All I can say is that this man get mind o. Come and see the level of abuse. For one man to stand up on a stage and call on Nigerians to pelt him with tomatoes and he takes it with so much pride and gusto needs to be studied. My brother Chief Fani-Kayode is a different specie.

The man ‘no send’, na him own concern am. If him mind tell am say, Buhari is no longer a vulture, so be it.

The other day on Channels TV, the man asked him if there was any kind of financial inducement, he look the short guy with one kain eye and say, ‘I am wealthy, I come from strong pedigree’ My father…. My father…. My Father….

Who no get father na wahala o. The

wealth me I no see o but not a problem, that no be the issue.

Chief Fanny has shown the very strong resolve he is made off. His inconsistencies show the kind of consistent ‘embolism’. Mbok my people, I just put that one there. No bother look for the meaning even me I no know.

For the Fanny Power wey I know, he go don carry tooth pick dey read this my article looking for one word o. Just one word wey he go take abuse me. But me, that I be cunny man, I put word wey despite all him big talk about pedigree no go understand before he start to call me ‘stupid and insulting and a man of low pedigree whose father was but a

NASIR EL –RUFAI: STOP THAT BREAKDANCE It was the late maestro, Ras Kimono, who popularised this phrase. It is used for someone who is dancing against the tune.

This is what my brother and soon- wouldbe friend Nasir El-Rufai is doing. Look, this open grazing had been established to be the main source of desertification in the northern part of the country almost 30 years ago.

I saw a report in which Prof Pat Utomi was quoting one big Northern politician who as commissioner had commissioned a report on desert encroachment and it was established that one of the main causes of encroachment was this open grazing and you know Prof no dey lie.

By the way Mallam, do you know how to dance soapy? Let me explain, it is that boy, Naira Marley, that started it. That is when you put your right hand out and hold your palms as if you are holding your ‘you know what’ and be moving the hand back and forth and be jumping like fire brigade using their hose to quench fire.

That is what it looks like you are doing because you seem to be dancing soapy with this matter in a desperate attempt to quench this fire.

The southern state governors have taken a position, they have signed it into law; the best we can do at this time is to obey the law and look for more modern ways of continuing with the business.

If you ask me, I will advise that you invite all herdsmen to Kaduna so we can have the largest open grazing enclave in the world.

The benefits are humongous. Let’s do this and stop the soapy and breakdancing. I am an orphan oooo.

ABDULFATAH AHMED: THIS IS ‘BLUE FILM’ Abi what else can we use to describe this one. One lawyer- I will not even dignify him by calling his name- instead of doing the work they send him, started to shoot video.

He turns himself to my brother Frank Olize gleefully, announcing the occupation of His Excellency’s mansion on behalf of AMCON. Lawyer turned Reporter in his almost bad English informed us that instead of oga to come and negotiate, he was ‘posing’ and as such since the law is no respecter of persons, he has come to take over. At some point, he shouted ‘Oya everybody, come out of this house now oooo, come out o or my 35 policemen will move in. The video showed two who were looking quite confused and starved.

Be like this lawyer suffer during oga’s 8 years’ rule in Ilorin. Be like during that time nothing drop for him table as you could not miss his bad belle. No professionalism at all in this one. Which kind lawyer is this one sounding and looking like a bus tout? Real agbero lawyer.

Come and see the shouting as he recorded himself – I am Barrister ………. Come out o, everybody come out oooo, I have come to seize this house, Nigeria must move forward, he screamed. I wonder if he has even done his covid test.

Anyway, I have seen a saner response from oga’s team who have said they were still in negotiations with AMCON on the matter; and that the whole thing was a mix up with co-mingling of the liabilities with others they knew nothing about. They went ahead to state that the shares that were used as collateralization for the facility was not sold down to pay off but talks were still ongoing.

Looks like at this point, only my brother, Olumide Akpata, the President of NBA can pull this his colleague back o. Meanwhile check, the man fit never pay him dues sef and na the commission on this matter he is waiting for to offset 20 years unpaid due.

Leave me abeg, make I yab am.

bites and continue to work for the cohesive reclaiming of Nigeria by all Nigerians.

This man should be taken into the Big Brother House so we can all watch him have his bath. We do not need this type nor his sentiments in the new Nigeria we are building. Kai.

HAKEEM BABA AHMED: A MOUTH ‘RUNNETH’ This person is the spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum and he can talk anyhow. I don’t even know him sef but the recent comment ascribed to the baba that his ‘North will not play second fiddle’ made me look him up.

It is not today this person has been running mouth o. As I google the name all sort of inciting and very provocative statements were attaching to his name and I begin to wonder what is really wrong with this person.

The sad thing in all of these is the fact that very inconsequential people who cannot even win one vote on their street will now be posturing as if they are speaking for the whole region.

Mbok which one is second fiddle, which one is population. Is it population they are still using to brag in this day and age? He should not allow me to be asking him what ‘they’ have done with the so-called huge population. What are the socio-economic developmental indices saying about his population?

This man has a problem and his problem cannot be solved by engaging him at this low level of thinking. The best is to ignore these provocative statements and leave them at the level where they belong – mere sound

DONALD DUKE, PAT UTOMI: NOT AGAIN Every time, these same people will be forming one movement or the other.

They will call big press conference carry themselves in front of camera and be speaking big English and after two days it will fizzle out. It’s like na career now for them.

Four days ago, they have formed new one again o. They call this one Rescue Nigeria Project and their man and AMCON ‘inmate’ former Governor of Kwara State in his remarks was quoted as saying that because of the non-inclusiveness of the administration, insecurity and the rest is our lot. He went on to say that they want to rescue the nation and give back to us.

Be watching by next week everybody go go back to them ‘side chicks’ and we go rest.

No be today, they have been forming this thing since Abacha died.

The first time we were all excited. We all run around looking for office to register after all the noise everything end. Be like they have done this like three times, mbok I have stopped counting.

Come and collect my N5,000 if by next week we are still talking about this their RNP. Na joke. Me, I don run o.

El –Rufai

Ahmed

Olashore

lowly postmaster at the Ebute Metta Post Office and as such does not have the family standing to look at me and talk.’

One wonders if Chief would even allow us be walking or breathing if he was Prince Charles. I just tire. Please, you have decamped and finally landed in APC, your plate for PDP is still waiting, we know na, less than six months when person annoy you or your meat no complete for plate you will come back again and Buhari will resume his life as a vulture and agent of the devil. Abi no be so you call am. Ignore this one abeg.

Fani-Kayode

BIMBO OLASHORE: LET’S GO THERE You know I am an investment banker.

Real one o. People will be calling me a

Ojo

57

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS former investment banker because I no dey comb my hair. I am a qualified stockbroker licensed to deal on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Now whether I know the price of First Bank shares or not is neither here nor there. The most important thing is that I pass the exam.

Anyways that is how I heard small information that one of our icons, Prince Bimbo Olashore was up to something. That is how I call him to come and thank him for supporting Awo and Aremu. You know I have sense. I be real sense man. Daddy say come and I went and stumbled on the project.

Three of the most iconic works on Investment Banking in the works. He opened up two manuscripts for me to go through and what I saw was pure Gold. Mad Gold. The first was a book on Corporate Finance and the second his autobiography.

I read through the Corporate Finance Handbook and was just screaming. If I had something like this beside me starting out as a rookie investment banker, shey I would have been making the kind of billions that would have put me in Forbes and Nicholas Nyamali would not have sacked me claiming that me I don’t have GTB culturembok see culture o.

His autobiography was madddd! The little I read threw me off my feet. I didn’t even know that at some point he was even a Director at Ecobank. I saw it there o and so many other things that would show that this silver spoon really fought and worked hard to achieve his iconic positioning in the industry.

I swore myself to secrecy. I begged to be allowed to review the works when they were out and he agreed. I pledged not to say a word about the books and left his office in a hurry to go and eat afang at Valevinmbok the afang in that place is mad and distracting.

Well, I no sure say Prince dey read my column, people like that na business page he dey read so there is a very high chance that he will not see this piece except some busy body go and tell him o. You people had better keep this to yourself. If this thing leak, I will cross carpet and join Fani Kayode in APC and you don’t want that.

IS ALBERT OKUMAGBA REINCARNATING? You see when something wants to happen, that is how things will be falling into place like that o. That is how my brother Kayode Fadahunsi reaches out and says, ‘Edgar, can we see? I say what does this bear bear man want from me na. He saw me at Cactus and Mike Adenuga and allowed me to pay N15,000 for one sandwich. Me I am still vexing with him so what does he want. I say ok let me honour him and go.

Just as I was about going, Nonso Okpalla the indefatigable- I also don’t know the meaning of this word, but I hear Soni Irabor use it a lot at events when he wants to introduce mercurial figures like Obi Cubana. So, my brother Nonso if you google it and the meaning you no like no vex – called and said, ‘Edgar, I hear you are working with Kayode on the BGL Book? I say which book Kayode say I should come and see him o. He said ok.

Kayode is a great man. He talked me through our days at BGL and the culture that drove that institution to become the biggest independently run investment banking franchise in all of Africa. He talked about the culture and the energy that drove people to super human endeavours.

My people, I was there. I felt it. Albert made us believe we could do mighty things. He would come and say, ‘Edgar, where is my N5bn we are taking over the market? I will just jump up and be running like a crazed man plucking cash, closing deals and creating tremors. BGL made people work for five days non-stop, BGL created champions, giants and industry makers. It was a massive revolution with Albert at the core.

Kayode wants to bottle that energy in a book so that it can be replicated nationwide, forming an engine room for the renaissance of the Economy. Nonso is sold and so many other people are sold.

Challenge is, who will write it? Me? Make I go baf first. Water has not touched me in the last five days. Kai.

OLADAPO OJO: LOOKING FOR NIMO You see yourselves? Those of you that will not be watching cartoon will now not know who Nimo is. Well, Nimo has nothing to do with this write up I just put am there because I don tire small.

Anyhow this young man, Oladapo Ojo who runs one of the biggest Production Studios in West Africa is on a quest to find mathematical genius on the continent.

That this is a brilliant counterfoil to the ‘soddomfest’ that is the Big Brother Africa show which daily assails us with all sort of inanities.

The CruxDeals is in search of the greatest mathematical talents in Africa and would pay $10,000 and would also come with the title the mathematical champion of Africa.

18 students from all over Africa are being sought after through a very challenging and robust solution process after which they will converge in Lagos Africa for another exciting mix of Quiz show format and Reality House thingy for 28 days.

Why any sane person will not support this one beats me. I support this wholeheartedly as the need to wean our youths away from the other intoxicating one where they will be doing one kain has become imperative.

Welldone bro.

SUBOMI SUJIMOTO: CONTRADICTION IN SALES This ‘bobo’ can make noise. I just tire.

His latest noise is the one about 1% of something and the rest of us who do not belong to that one should look away.

Such a brilliant concept. I love it. Arrogance in sales. It’s very bewitching and attractive.

The campaign targets a very niche market and deliberately snubs those who are not in that category. It does not mince words; it just asks the rest of us to go away.

But the problem here now, is that this bobo now goes to put the advert on ‘Linda Ikeji

blog’ where the remaining 99% of us are there gossiping and talking about fried plantain.

I just laugh at the tardiness. You are professing a niche market and arrogant positioning and you jump into a whirlpool of the retail market. Over 2m people are there daily looking for Bobrisky’s hairy buttocks and seeing who Tontoh Dike will be dating next and who Jim Iyke is threatening to beat.

As if that was not enough, one day, I was in my office thinking of what to do when some scraggy looking youths bounced in.

Sorry sir, they echoed, we are from Sujimoto and we are selling real estate. I said which one, the 1% of the 1%? They said yes. Can we brief you?

I just laugh. This Sujimoto na ‘chinese film”.

So, I come be 1% of the 1%? I say to them ‘Please, I am amongst those people on your billboard. You are asking to look away ooo.

The leader of the team, one young skinny but very beautiful lady who looked like she was just coming from Choir Practice at the Methodist Eleja Church in Oke Metta, replied and said- Bro no mind that one, you go buy house? Piss catch me.

Suji bobo hustle is real mennnnnn!!!!!

OBADIAH MALAIHA: SAD!!, SAD!!!, SAD!!!!

Kai, the news of this passing really pain me o. Now we get news real time online and once it hits you, you will be praying that it is fake news. The news will first filter through all these gutter blogs and then slowly more respectable platforms will be announcing it.

Finally, ARISE TV will drop it and you will shout, ‘It has finished.’

That is how this one came and then it was confirmed. This man was fighting a different battle for truth. He was fearless and was the equivalent of that Chinese grocery shopper who happened on the Tiananmen Square in Beijing and saw a

OGHOGHO OSULA: A BELATED BIRTHDAY GIFT Ok guys, if you have not met her, you have not met the essence of beauty and intelligence. You see Madam was Managing Director at Afribank Trustees or something like that. I used to go there to beg for deposits when I was working at Magnum Trust Bank. My then Oga, Segun Oluyori will say, ‘Edgar is my champion oya go and get the deposits.’ Me sef, I will carry okada and run towards madam’s Broad Street office and will collect better deposits.

She was kindhearted and was a good listener. Sessions with her were empowering and sweet. Then I used to see someone’s picture in his office and he will say that is my oga. I never used to connect because from the picture it was looking like Prophet Elijah because of the gray beards.

Then we lost touch and I think she

Osula

surfaced at Coronation Trustees at some point and disappeared.

Then I met my lord Julian Osula through my forever lord Chike Ogeah. He was so nice to me. We were trying to sell a transaction to him and wanted him to invest. He asked for a meeting and said, ‘Don’t worry, let me pass it through my madam. You know she too is an investment banker and understands these things.’

I didn’t link it that the madam he was talking about was Oghogho. Then one day, I went to his office and lo and behold, I saw madams picture and screamed, ‘this is your madam? Small world.

Happy birthday my dear Sister and God’s blessing and protection to you and your lovely family. Welldone

tanker rolling towards unarmed students and jumped in front.

Wetin concern the man. That is the question I almost would have asked him if I had met him before he passed. From his background, he was an elitist bourgeois rising to become the enviable Deputy Governor of the CBN. He for just jejely keep quiet and be swigging whiskey with his colleagues and be enjoying the rest of his life.

But no, his passion for Nigeria and justice would not let him sleep at night. He started crying and wailing for Nigeria. Making statements that was making people fear for his safety. Did he care? No o. He just went on till he finally passed.

One less hero in the struggle, but for him we will continue the fight. He would be remembered, mark my words.

OLUMIDE AKINSAYA: A WORTHY OPPOSITION Let me tell you guys one small story about this brilliant gentleman who is making waves building beautiful malls including the wonder they call Tropicana Mall in Uyo. So I said, I wanted to be President of the Command School Alumni and some powers that be say, I cannot be President.

They wanted Taiwo, a brilliant young wellarticulated lady, as president.

The choice was clear, sheer class as against my gruff Shomolu devil may care self and the alumni was divided. Come and see argument, struggle and pushing.

I pushed o; caused trouble, shouted and moved mountains to be president. The more I struggled, the more I wasn’t making a headway. This Taiwo was beating me in all areas of the elections and she was getting very strong support.

So I decided to go coy. I called my brother Olumide Ohunayo – we repeated together. You know me I do form 4 three times and Olumide do am twice. But he fail before me and he form the bedrock of all the ‘olodos’ wey dey support me.

I say, ‘Bro, who dey behind Taiwo. Why are we not moving forward? By now we suppose don take out this girl make I form government na.

Olumide was to be my Chief of Staff and had already prepared my acceptance speech.

Olumide who unknown to me had already done a Fani Kayode on me said, na Olumide Akinsanya. I say which Olumide, the one with big head wey no dey see well? He say, you don start, na so you go loose election dey yab people.

I say ok make we go see am. My Chief of Staff say no worry. Olumide is firmly on Taiwo’s side and they form the 85 set and they are determined.

I say but no be that set wey me and you repeat go join? Me sef na the same set. The fact say you don repeat before me no mean say dem go don indoctrinate you, common set up the meeting.

That is how we met Olumide Akinsanya with his people. Gbenga Ismail, Binebi and one or two other people. They were frowning because I don abuse dem tire-the kind abuse wey Fani abuse Buhari before he see the light. But these once were not as welcoming as Buhari especially Binebi who was just frowning.

I say, ‘My people I am part of you. If not that I pass common entrance early enter Secondary School before all of una, we for don start school the same day. But you cannot beat destiny, you see that I failed and now we are mates and before I fail, I have already sent Olumide Ohunayo to you who failed a year before me.

Please edakun, awon egbe ati awon aburo mi ema je ki omo girl taiwo yi pa mi na. (meaning: my age mates and younger ones, don’t let Taiwo kill me) I break am to Nolly-Yoruba make dem understand am well.

Olumide smiled and said, ‘Edgar, drink Hennessey make we gist better leave election, that has already been concluded.

The Jagaban of Command had spoken. I withdrew from the election when I saw the kind of defeat Jonathan suffered in his last election coming towards me. Me, I no dey shame I withdraw and run away. Come and see junior girls crying.

Anyways, today Olumide Akinsanya is creating waves. Apart from building and managing the very best malls in the country, he just recently started working with the Oyo State Government to revamp its healthcare sector through some very stupendous infrastructural developments.

Great guy, well done my brother. Let’s meet in Uyo, abeg. I owe you.

58

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Real Estate Giant, Becky Olubukola Rules Her World In the real estate and property world, the name Bstan Homes is fast becoming a company to beat. The company is one of the major real estate companies in the country that would compete favourably with many of its counterparts across the continent of Africa. Driving this rapidly growing outfit is beautiful, intelligent and industrious Dr. Becky Olubukola, who has brought some finesse to the business of estate acquisition.

The Abuja-based property developer is highly rated and she has been one of the biggest property developers in Abuja for many years where she has built a strong reputation for herself.

Her company Bstan Homes is one of the biggest real estate companies in Abuja and its environs with more than five estates in Abuja and those estates are strategically situated to cater for the needs of people in those areas.

Some of its estates include Beverly Hills Estate, Emerald Estate, Aris City Estate, Casablanca Estate, Primerose Estate, BCC Estate, Primeville Estate, Rosepearl Estate, Harmony Estate, Rosehill Estate, Rosepearl Estate, and Pinnacle Estate.

As gathered, the woman came into the business to solve the myriad problems of housing confronting many in the country. This, we gathered, she is gradually resolving.

Olubukola who is also the Erelu Atunluse of Erinmoland in Osun State has also spread her tentacles to Lagos where she is currently making her impact felt. She leads a reputable construction and real estate organisation, which has completed more than 25,000 housing units in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt over the last 12 years in business. She recently began 10,000 units of affordable homes across five states in the Southwest.

Olubukola is a graduate of Civil Engineering from the University of Benin she has an MBA in Estate Management and Construction from Curtis University Australia and recently bagged a PhD in Housing and Estate Management at European-American University (EAU) Dominica USA. She has been a major advocate of the MDG goal for housing deficit in Africa with her focus on affordable homes across Nigeria. This has earned her a seat at the table as a member of the Presidential Committee on Housing Sector and Construction Abuja.

Olubukola is a certified member of COREN, a chartered fellow member of Project Management Institute (PMI), Quality Assurance & Quality Control QA/QC, a member of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), with numerous awards recognising her longtime support of the real estate industry and service to humanity. She bagged Pan-African Distinguished Achievers Award in 2018; Northern Youth Council Award, Outstanding Professional Women in the Built Environment 2018; Ambassador for Girl-Child Education in Africa; Icon of Peace of The Year (African Youth For Peace Assembly); Icon of Professional Excellence/Impact in Real Estate Sector & Amazon of Economic Prosperity in Nigeria among others.

Oil Top Player, Abayomi Awobokun, Celebrates at 43

Awobokun

Wealthy music star, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, otherwise known as K1 de Ultimate, has made a fortune and is living large. His home in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, famously called Ule Omo Ojusagbola, is a palatial mansion, with all the luxury appurtenances.

He can afford a lifestyle filled with luxury watches, expensive cars and luxury designers; and he hangs out with the rich and the famous. The super rich musician, who is known to ‘acquire’ wives the way one acquires shirts, has done it again!

The Fuji star has recently introduced his new ‘catch’ to his family, including his aged mother who has also given them her blessings, friends as well as trusted allies.

The new lady, who has succeeded in stealing the Mayegun’s heart, is Emmanuella Oladunjoye Morounropo, a beautiful society lady and businesswoman.

Fondly called Ella by her friends and admirers, the beautiful lady is the Chief Executive Officer, Party Dreams Limited, a thriving company that supplies gifts, party packs and clothes for kids. The musician is reported to have met Ella’s family, and expressed

Abayomi Awobokun, CEO, Enyo Retail and Supply Limited, has succeeded in etching his name in the minds of active players in the oil and gas sector in the country. Call it luck or grace, his story is one that many would find very interesting anytime.

Even now, many talk about him in glowing terms, especially because of his expansion drive, since he ventured into the oil and gas business. He is being celebrated by all because he has been able to grow the company, despite the retail arm of the value chain being almost saturated when he started Enyo.

Since he ventured into the business, his strategies, which have given him fame, have endeared him to a lot of people in the sector.

Last Monday, the debonair oil top

Music Star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal’s New Found Love his intention to marry her. A source revealed that since his request was granted, he has commenced preparations for the final steps to his marital journey with his love interest.

Ella’s love has radiated K1’s heart that his day is not complete without showering her with adulation and panegyrics on his social media handles. It was gathered that K1 met and fell in love with Ella over three years ago.

Another source revealed that the lady who holds the title of Otun Iyalode of Igbehin in Abeokuta, Ogun, had, in the past, dated a renowned monarch in the South-west.

According to the source, she was so much in love with the monarch that she did everything humanly possible to replace his former wife when they got separated.

NNPC Top Shot, Inuwa Waya, Ready to Live His Dream

Waya

player clocked 43, and he was joined in the celebration by family members, friends and associates, who took turns to eulogise him.

Awobokun, who holds a Master’s degree in International Business from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, is a 2016 recipient of the Young Global Leader award from the World Economic Forum (WEF). He was also nominated by the Choiseul Institute in Paris as one of the top 100 under 40 business leaders in Africa. Until he started Enyo, he had been the Chief Operating Officer of Oando Plc and later the company’s Chief Executive Officer of the downstream business in Nigeria, West Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

In one of his deathless quotes, Brazilian lyricist and novelist, Paulo Coelho, said: “Never allow waiting to become a habit. Live your dreams and take risks. Life is happening now.”

It seems Inuwa Waya, General Manager, Shipping, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has imbibed the sense in this witty saying, as he is said to have resigned his appointment from the corporation last week.

The resignation, it was gathered, takes effect from December 2021.

Though he has not yet disclosed his next move, a source claimed that his name had been reverberating in the political setting of his state. He is said to be eyeing the number one job in Kano state after Governor Ganduje has completed his constitutional second term in office in 2023.

A source said: “The 58-year-old man has worked underground for his age-long ambition, which he has kept to his chest. But it’s time for him to let the cat out of the bag.”

He began his public service career with the

Wasiu and New Wife

]“She practically abandoned her home in Lagos and relocated to stay with the monarch for more than one year, but she was jilted, making her heartbroken,” the source added.

Kano State Ministry of Justice as State Counsel in 1989. On August 26, 1991, he left the Kano State government to join the Legal Unit of the NNPC. In his over 30 years of service to the NNPC, he served in various departments, where he worked in different capacities. Apart from serving as the Legal Officer in charge of Litigation, Property, Research and Corporate Law in the corporation, he was also appointed the Technical Assistant to the Group General Manager, Legal Division, between 1998 and 1999.

In 1999, he was posted to Hyson Nigeria Limited, a joint venture between NNPC and Vitol S.A., as the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser. Between 2009 and 2011, he served as the acting Executive Director, Services for the company before being redeployed to serve as the Senior Technical Assistant to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC between 2011 and 2014. He was appointed General Manager of the Tenders, Contract Administration and Petroleum Upstream Department of the NNPC, and later acting Corporation Secretary/Legal Adviser.

Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Goes Underground?

Olubukola

Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar is regarded as one of the biggest and most powerful men in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The Kogi State-born billionaire came into the public glare when he claimed ownership of an imposing edifice that sits majestically on Gana Street, adjacent TranscorpHilton Hotel in Maitama District of Abuja. Prior to that, the ownership of the building had been shrouded in mystery, leading to rumours swirling around the capital city.

Aside from this, he has reportedly made good fortunes in the property

business and building technology.

Abubakar’s business empire includes oil and gas, real estate, telecommunications and many others.

However, since he had a little brush with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2016 over an alleged nonperforming debt, he has since gone underground, thereby making tongues wag over his disappearance from the public.

Abubakar

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

Cynthia Morgan

26.09.2021

Ayra Starr

Evi Edna Ogholi

FOR LOCAL DIVAS, IT’S BEEN A TALE OF FLEETING LIMELIGHT MOMENTS Foreign music labels, intent on promoting gifted Nigerian female artists, should first acquaint themselves with the industry’s history, which is replete with flash-in-the-pan success stories, writes Yinka Olatunbosun

F

rom Evi-Edna Ogoli to Ayra Starr, Nigerian music scene has been awash with exceptional female music stars with great voices and powerful messages. But history has shown that their careers often peaked too soon. And maybe it is the same story in other climes for after former Fugees singer and rapper Lauren Hill broke the record at the Grammys with her first and only album as a solo artist, she was on a downslide – sentenced to prison for tax evasion.

Even in South Africa, Brenda Fassie’s career was coloured with instances of personal struggles with drug addiction. She fought against apartheid but lost the struggle against her own demons and eventually died of cocaine overdose. Fassie’s songs still inspire goose-pimples till date. While most of these female artists take to other showbiz ventures, some simply desert the scene, leaving fans disappointed while rumourmongers have a field day on their prolonged silence.

When Nigeria’s Queen of Reggae, Evi Edna Ogoli released her hit song“Happy Birthday”, it became a generational anthem for birthday ceremonies. The Isoko reggae musician who often sang in her indigenous language was the pride of the 80s, becoming a brand ambassador for Pepsi in 1990. Her exit from the stage lights was often linked with her separation from her producer and manager-husband. Though, she is still active in music, she reportedly lives in France.

Ogoli’s story is similar to Esse Aghese’s. Esse is known for popular songs like“Back to the Basics”.

“Bendel Girl in Lagos”and“Fine Peppersoupe” amongst others. She has such a lovely voice and her kind of pop sound was way beyond the sound engineering techniques of the time.

And the scintillating duet with Segun Arinze –“Dreams Come True”– was like any award-winning duet that the world had ever experienced: “Endless Love”,“Somewhere Out There”,“Islands in the Stream”and more. Anyway, Esse has since relocated to Ireland and there is very little known about her from reliable online sources.

Peggy Essiet of the Mandators fame sang alongside her husband Victor in songs such as “Rat Race”and“Apartheid”but left the music scene in the early 90s as a result of the harsh political climate in Nigeria. The couple divorced while in United States of America. Peggy died in 1999 and it seems Victor has not been forgiven as he was accused of abandoning her. No one got to see the beautiful Peggy rise in music beyond what she did with her husband.

Princess Bunmi Olajubu, who sang beautiful, cross-generational music anthems like“Bata Mi A Dun Koko Ka”and“Save Nigeria Today”, passed at 52 with a career that was abruptly pruned.

Christy Essien-Igbokwe, fondly called the“Lady of Songs”, is famous for the certified platinum classic song“Seun Rere”. Though she hailed from Akwa-Ibom, she made the song a crossover hit of all time and later emerged as the first female president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Igbokwe was a fighter on and off stage. EMIS, a private telephone company secured their license – the first of its kind – with her backing. At 50, she pulled off her fighting gloves as she died after a brief illness.

The Samba Queen, Stella Monye known for the love song“Oko Mi Ye”had a very promising music career but suffered a tragic setback with her son’s domestic accident. She was on a national assignment when this incident happened but like some heroes of Nigerian history, she didn’t get government intervention for

her personal challenge. From calling for public donations to overseeing a series of surgeries for her son outside Nigeria, Monye was emotionally sapped and her comeback attempt is yet to land her on the centrestage.

Sasha P, the first lady of Nigerian hip-hop is a law graduate and the first Nigerian female artist to win the best Female award at MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA). Her stagecraft was constantly criticised for being lacklustre even though she spat the venom on the microphone.

She wasn’t listed for shows and even with her hit comeback track“Adara”, she had to pursue her passion in fashion designing and humanitarian work.

Kelechi Ohia, the popular female rapper known as Kel is famed for the single“Waa wa Alright”. She was all shades of promises when she shot into the limelight with the right rap persona. Asides the scandals and rumours about her that linger on the internet, she has new music that are still many kilometres away from trending list.

The former OAP and rapper, Chemistry struck a chord with music fans when she featured in the collaboration initiated by DJ Jimmy Jatt. The album The Definition had the song titled“Too Much”, on which she featured before she left for US to reconnect with family. Blaise, another blazing rapper who featured on the same track, faded off the charts and slowly, the curtain closed on that era of music revolution.

Recently, Chidimma, with the moniker Miss Kedike cut her secular music career short when she launched into gospel. After the fake sex video saga, Chidimma didn’t quite recover from the shock of the double-edged nature of the secular music scene love and hate. Her gospel music choice was a very polarising moment for

her already shrinking fan base. When Di’ja, the Mavin sensational singer, dropped“Awww”, the song enjoyed airplays and the mainstream music world’s attention was drawn for the first time in a while to a female singer from Northern Nigeria. Alas! She married and fans were divided.

Some were happy while some thought she married at the peak of her career, which breaks an unwritten code for success in music. Maybe.

Perhaps, the most annoying short-lived fame was Cynthia Morgan’s. Her sexy patois in“German Juice”is still banging and yes, even-trained music ears couldn’t tell that she was a Nigerian singer and not a Jamaican when she first launched out. From a controversial personality to an uncontainable character, she was like the music version of Titanic. The seemingly unsinkable talent sank amid reports of lack of support from her manager and other funny stories.

This is 2021. And music fans again are showing love to another super-duper fly music artist Ayra Starr. At 19, she is“fully-booked”turning heads and butts with the smash hit,“Bloody Samaritan”.

Tems, the 26-year-old singer on Wizkid’s billboard hit“Essence”is emerging fast on the international scene with collaborations with the Canadian rapper, Drake which has earned her a second entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Apart from Asa, she is the first alternative music artist to have reached such milestone in her budding career. It’s inevitable to think of her future as well as Ayra’s in the music industry that is very hostile to women. With the intervention of foreign music labels, the story may change for good for the truly gifted female artists. But first, they must get familiar with history, learn from the mistakes of others and the strength of the few successful female artists in Nigeria that can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

ARTS & REVIEW\\EXHIBITION

The artist and a part of her work on display

OUR CITY, OUR INTROSPECTION: ART, MONOLOGUE, AND PERFORMANCE

Chikaogwu Kanu

T

he Colour of Our Hearts Is the Colour of Our City, 2015-2021 is the theme of Amarachi Okafor’s ongoing solo exhibition at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos. It is a travelling exhibition that began in Abuja in 2020. The Lagos tour of this show opened on September 11 and runs till September 25. In this exhibition which focuses on the people and their places in the city, the artist interrogates individual’s contribution to the development of his/her city and/ or nation. In other words, it is a patriotic-oriented form of aesthetic engagement. According to the artist“I am concerned about humanity and our role and place in society, … I preach hope and joy-lifting spirits...” Consequently, the exhibition questions how the people have helped and/or undermined the growth and prosperity of their city/nation. To achieve this objective, the show

is designed to be interactive, and it allows the audiences, while walking around the exhibition space to leave part of themselves in the work by leaving a note of their contributions to the city in the“pouch”which forms part of the city architecture as represented in this exhibition. I consider this interaction monologic, though. Nevertheless, the show which was thoughtfully conceived and clinically rendered in the gallery space couldn’t have come at a better time than now, in view of the many challenges that have bedevilled the nation. A great patriotic effort indeed. Though a commendable effort, the monologic approach to this conversation which I consider to be lopsided might probably not be able to distill a true picture of audience-city relationship which the artist seeks. It only“allows the audiences to pass through the city without allowing the city pass through the audiences,”a scenario that is probably counter-productive to Okafor’s“societal reform mission”as suggested by the overall objective of the exhibition. This observation then brings

me to a reading that I consider to be democratic, dialogic, and probably promises more fruitful engagement.

This dialogic reading is inspired by the #EndSars protest of 2020, which is the profound impression the ongoing exhibition left on me. Every inch of this show – the body of work on display and its installations, and the ambience of the gallery space invokes in me the nostalgic feelings and the essence of #EndSars protest. The picture is in three parts – the bigger picture and two inserts, all from the same body of work. The bigger picture is the entire body of work in the gallery space, and it comprises a harmonious arrangement of different sizes of cartons and colourful pouches that suggests a beautiful and densely peopled cityscape with skyscrapers. While the cartons represent the skyscrapers, the colourful pouches within the carton space reminds me of the #EndSars protesters in the city. The artist, in orderly arranged pouches, reenacts the orderly manner in which the protesters at the Lekki toll gate,

BOOKS

FEMI MORGAN PUBLISHES THE YEAR OF FIRE Yinka Olatunbosun

F

emi Morgan, a Nigerian writer, publisher, media consultant, and art curator, has offered a new book to the national and international reading public. The Year of Fire is a collection of poems published by Baron's Cafe, an imprint of Fairchild Media.

The Year of Fire explores rage and anxiety in national and cosmopolitan Nigeria spaces.

The book engages the current poetic mutations where oralist, modernist styles are moulded into verses that reach the senses within and beyond the frame of Nigerian poetic tradition. The poems are bold, clear, thoughtful, visible, and tangible.

The poems on Oshodi assert a time frame for the collection.

Part of the collection was curated when the writer took his observer's brush to listen to the colours of language of the suburbs. Other poems are markers of this poetic engagement

that resonate with the period of the COVID19 lockdown.

Femi Morgan has written six books of Poetry, Silent Drummings (2008), Poetry of People (eds 2015), Song of Travel (2016), Whispers (2019), Renegade (2019) The Year of Fire (2020). The Year of Fire was first published internationally within a collective of Black poets and writers. The book can be found on Amazon as well as on the Baron's Cafe website.

All previous works have received critical reviews, have contributed to poetry subgenres, and have relatively become markers of time, landscape and age.

He is the author of six books of poetry was on the longlist for the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation Prize in 2015. He was selected for the Writivism Poetry Workshop in the same year.

His book Renegade has been on the shortlist for the 2019 Pius Adesanmi Memorial Prize for Literature, selected amongst the 2019 Lagos Book and Arts Festival books, LABAF, and is currently being translated to Portuguese. Femi Morgan has also curated art and culture projects for more than ten years.

He is married to a chef, they live on the edge of Lagos, Nigeria.

Lagos conducted themselves before the shooting incident that led to the mayhem, violence, and wanton destruction of public properties.

Recall that in October, 2020, the youths of Nigeria stormed the street in protest against Police brutality as epitomised by the SARS - Special Anti-Robbery Squad, an arm of the Nigerian Police. The youths alleged that SARS had turned to a killer squad, killing and maiming innocent citizens it was meant to protect instead of fighting robbery which it was created to checkmate, hence the need to scrap it. So, juxtaposing my reading of the exhibition with the artist’s concept suggests the opposite of Amarachi’s intents. For instance, instead of asking how their lives have defined the development of the city as the artist’s intent suggests, the protesting youths, inquired how the city (SARS) had remained a thorn in their flesh, in view of the fact that their contributions to the nation were not appreciated. Instead, they were killed

by SARS (city). This is indeed dialogic and more engaging interaction that might probably lead to police reform, and engender a more cordial police-citizen relationship.

The body of work, which is quintessentially postmodern in essence and form, reveals a pleasing composition of cartons and pouches sewn in colourful fabrics that engages the people-city narrative. This harmonious arrangement of elements and forms suggests a warm imaginary city that pulls the audiences into an interesting and sustainable conversation made possible by the dialectic between orderliness and disorderliness evident in the work. This same paradox also holds the work together as one fascinating form. Being present at the exhibition, walking through the space, and interacting with the work was indeed an amazing experience as I saw myself helping the artist finish the work process, she began since 2020. So, I consider the show a success as the artist actually achieved her objective of creating a participatory environment that affords the audiences the opportunity of joining in the completion of her concept and studio process through a documentation process.

Amarachi holds a BA in painting and an MFA in sculpture, both from the University of Nigeria Nsukka as well as an MA in curatorial practice from the Falmouth University, Cornwall, UK. Her consistent practice since 2003 has not been without some rewards. For instance, she was a recipient of the UNESCO Aschberg artists’award in 2007- leading to a residency at Lademoen Kustnerverksteder (LKV) in Trondheim, Norway.

She was also the Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Connections recipient in 2009 which supported her travels for research projects and a collaborative exhibition. Amarachi has also been granted residencies to Nkd – Norway and to Popopstudios, Nassau- Bahamas. Upon graduating from Falmouth University, Amarachi won the Art Department’s internship scholarship that year. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally. ˾ ËØߘ ËØ ËÜÞ ÒÓÝÞÙÜÓËؘ ÍÜÓÞÓÍ ËØÎ ÍßÜÜÏØÞÖã Ë ÎÙÍÞÙÜËÖ student of Art history in the Department of Fine and ÚÚÖÓÏÎ ÜÞݘ ØÓàÏÜÝÓÞã ÙÐ ÓÑÏÜÓ˘ ÝßÕÕ˘ áÜÓÞÏÝ from Lagos.

61

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

Confronting Medical Insecurity in Nigeria Given that medical security sustains the civilisation of any country, the unfolding decay and demoralisation in the Nigeria’s crucial health arena could spell disaster if not properly addressed, writes Louis Achi

T

oday, medical insecurity is spiralling dangerously in Nigeria.

Worse, it is indifferently being watched by the authorities mandated to provide critical moderation.

It’s no secret that despite her strategic clout and eminent position in Africa, Nigeria is sadly underserved in the crucial medical arena. Health facilities - health centres, personnel, and medical equipment - are inadequate. This scenario is even more harrowing in rural areas.

Various reforms have been famously put forward by the federal government to address the wide ranging issues in the healthcare system but they are yet to be implemented at the state and local government levels.

Indisputably, the nation’s health care system remains weak as shown by lack of coordination, fragmentation of services, serial labour issues, dearth of resources, including drug supplies, inadequate and decaying infrastructure, inequity in resource distribution, and a very deplorable quality of care. This scenario is spawning medical tourism among the elite.

Worse, lack of clarity of roles and responsibilities among the different levels of government, have compounded the situation.

Almost two months after proceeding on strike action, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) with over 16,000 members, has insisted that it would not call off the industrial action until its demands were met. The association held this position despite the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire’s meeting with its leadership on Monday last week.

NARD declared the strike action on July 30 at its National Executive Council meeting with the theme ‘The Nigerian doctor, an endangered species: grappling with a pandemic, poor workplace infrastructure and security threats.’

NARD National President, Dr. Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, had cited federal government’s failure to implement the agreements it signed with the union 113 days after it suspended the previous strike as the reason for the fresh strike.

The association had vowed to defy a recent ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordering its members to return to their duty posts. The order, which came almost seven weeks after the doctors embarked on the industrial action, was based on an application filed by the federal government.

Having appealed against the National Industrial Court’s judgment ordering members to resume duties, NARD is sustaining its seven-week-old nationwide strike.

Ehanire

The government had sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of the striking NARD across the country from further continuing with the industrial action. The government is also seeking to legitimise the no-work-no-pay policy against doctors.

In the court’s ruling on August 23, Justice Alkali said he based his order on the prevailing health crisis in Nigeria and the need for the doctors to resume duties as essential workers, to curtail the wave of COVID-19.

It could be recalled that in 2020, medical practitioners went on industrial actions thrice over demands for allowances for treating COVID-19 patients and increment in basic salary.

NARD is also demanding the payment of COVID-19 treatment allowances in the absence of death-in-service insurance, having lost at least 19 of its members to the pandemic, while also protesting the shortage of manpower in public hospitals.

Unfortunately, while the federal

government and the striking doctors continue to bicker, patients who throng public health facilities get little or no care. Medical residents, doctors practising to become specialists, make up the larger number of the medical workforce across federal and state tertiary hospitals. There is more.

To-date, many hospitals have long halted the admission of new patients.

Those on admission are forcibly discharged or directed to private hospitals.

More unthinkably, the health sector might completely shut down as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), with over 44,000 practising/registered members and other affiliates, including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), may join the ongoing strike.

NMA President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, about three weeks ago after the association’s National Executive Council meeting in Benin City, Edo State, told journalists that in the event that the government failed to implement the

agreements after the expiration of its 21day notice, they would be forced to declare a nationwide strike and join the resident doctors.

The emerging consensus is that the federal and state governments must of necessity show courtesy to the nation’s doctors and other medical personnel. Even as the industrial action lingers, many of NARD members are leaving the country in droves for greener pastures as evidenced by the recruitment drive of medical personnel by Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health and other foreign entities that appear to appreciate their skill sets much better.

NARD’s industrial action is the fourth within the past two years over the same issues. And unfortunately, at the core of their angst is government’s constant failure to meet the agreement voluntarily reached with NARD over its demands.

When medical insecurity is added to the current activities of terrorists, so-called bandits and rampaging rogue herdsmen, then its goodbye to the Nigerian project.

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

*RYHUQRU (O 5XIDL·V *D;H

El-Rufai

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State is not new to controversies. But his recent statement that the anti-open grazing laws being enacted by his southern colleagues could not be implemented was impunity taken too far.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Abuja on the killings of farmers by herdsmen across the country, which has changed to herders/farmers crisis, the governor chided the southern governors for enacting Anti-Open Grazing Law in their states.

In what appeared to be a subtle threat, the Kaduna governor reportedly said the law is“not implementable” He further argued that it was“not a matter of populist legislation or saying tomorrow this or that.

It is not a solution”.

He accused them of“politicising”the killing of farmers by the herders, which led the states to make the laws. “What is unhelpful is the politicising of the situation and pass legislation that you know that you cannot implement.”

El-Rufai added: “The Northern States Governors Forum has already taken a position that open grazing is not a sustainable way of livestock production.

And we must move towards ranching.

“But moving towards ranching cannot be done overnight. We have to plan, we have to have resources and we have to implement it.”

Kaduna State has become a killing field and the governor cannot find a solution to the killings, yet he is directing other governors not to make laws to stop the escalation of the killings in their states.

It is only in the fraudulent Nigerian federation

that a state governor can interfere on the laws being made to ensure security of lives and good governance in other federating units.

El-Rufai wants his fellow governors in a federation to wait until his kinsmen-herders are ready for ranches before they are stopped from ravaging other people’s farmlands, destroying crops, raping women, sacking villagers, seizing their lands and killing those who question their atrocities.

Luckily, the Kaduna governor met his match in the person of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’Forum and Ondo State Governor, who chided him, saying if he was properly quoted and his views not misrepresented, then it was obvious that he“is struggling hard to export banditry to the South under an expressed opinion that is laced with mischief.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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BRIEFINGNOTES

Marwa’s Record-breaking Drug War Since Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) assumed office as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the anti-narcotic agency has broken the record in the drug war, having arrested some of the hitherto untouchable drug barons and seized over N100 billion worth of narcotic substances within eight months, Ejiofor Alike reports

B

efore Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) took over as the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in January, the agency had lost its steam in the drug war.

On assumption of office, Marwa warned that Nigeria could no longer fold its hands and watch the rising cases of drug use in the country.

He noted the unacceptable level of drug abuse in the country, insisting that it must stop.

“I would like to warn those who engage in the dastardly trade of importation, export, cultivation, processing, manufacturing, trafficking, sale and consumption of illicit substances to stop forthwith or be prepared to contend with the NDLEA,” he had reportedly said in his maiden address to the officers of the agency.

Marwa matched his words with actions as the NDLEA waged the war against illicit drugs with the speed of light.

To wake the demoralised NDLEA personnel from their long years of slumber and motivate them for the challenges ahead, Marwa had immediately set up a harmonisation committee to address the issues of low morale and stagnation in the career path of personnel.

Following the recommendation of the committee, Marwa, five months later, approved the immediate promotion of 3,506 officers and men to their next ranks, thus breaking the jinx of long years of stagnation in the agency.

A breakdown of the list of the promoted officers and men showed that eight Assistant Commanders General of Narcotics (ACGN) were elevated to the rank of Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN); 20 Commanders of Narcotics (CN) to Assistant Commander General of Narcotics; 54 Deputy Commanders of Narcotics to Commander of Narcotics; 14 Assistant Commanders of Narcotics to Commander of Narcotics; 150 Assistant Commanders of Narcotics to Commander of Narcotics; and 350 Chief Superintendents of Narcotics to Assistant Commander of Narcotics.

A total of 630 Superintendents of Narcotics were also moved to the next rank as Chief Superintendent of Narcotics; 41 Deputy Superintendent of Narcotics to Superintendent of Narcotics; 481 Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics I to Superintendent of Narcotics; 157 Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics I to Deputy Superintendent of Narcotics ; 12 Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics II to Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics I; 187 Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics II to Deputy Superintendent of Narcotics; 119 Chief Narcotic Agent to Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics I; 47 Chief Narcotic Agent to Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics II; 1,006 Senior Narcotic Agent to Chief Narcotic Agent; Four Narcotic Agent to Chief Narcotic Agent; 68 Narcotic Agent to Senior Narcotic Agent; one Narcotic Assistant I to Senior Narcotic Assistant; and 78 Narcotic Assistant I to

Marwa Narcotic Agent .

However, within six weeks of Marwa’s assumption of office, NDLEA had seized N60 billion worth of drugs from different parts of the country.

The agency’s seizure of 230 tonnes of cannabis in Edo State, under Marwa’s watch remains the largest single seizure in the history of the agency.

Under Marwa, operatives of the agency unmasked and launched raids on online drug traffickers, and intercepted motorcycles belonging to courier companies, which were used by despatch riders in the door-to-door distribution and sale of drugs.

Even drug dealers, who sell the illicit substances through Instagram account, have been tracked and arrested in the renewed war against drugs.

The agency did not spare a serving officer of a law enforcement agency, who was selling illicit drugs to students of a federal university in Ogun State, as the officer and one of his salesmen, a motorcycle rider, were also arrested.

The officer, who served at the Lagos State Command of the security agency, was identified as Abayomi Popoola, while the name of his despatch rider was simply given as Ogah.

Within Marwa’s first 100 days in office, the NDLEA seized over N80 billion worth of drugs from different parts of the country, making many Nigerians to imagine how the drug cartel had profited immensely from the illicit trade.

The agency also arrested no fewer than 5,000 suspects and secured 500 convictions within the first five months.

Within the same period, a total of 3,000 offenders were charged to court, while 2,303 individuals were counselled and treated for drug-related problems.

Marwa has also taken the drug war to the Church as major drug dealer wanted for attempting to export 69.65kilogrammes of cocaine, heroin and cannabis to the United Kingdom through the NAHCO export facility of the Murtala Muhammed

International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, was arrested in a church at Ojodu, Ikeja area.

Operatives of the NDLEA had traced the wanted drug dealer, Mr. Stephen Afam Ikeanyionwu, to a popular pentecostal church at Mike Ajari Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos where they arrested him soon after he stepped out of the church service.

His arrest followed the interception of a consignment of illicit drugs weighing 69.65kg going to the UK through the Lagos airport on Thursday, August 12, 2021.

The illegal baggage had been sent to the airport for export through a freight forwarding company, which in turn gave a driver to deliver at the NAHCO export facility.

After the arrest of the driver, follow-up operations and investigations were carried out to unmask the true identity of the owner of the consignment, who was arrested three days later in a sting operation.

Also, a former Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Asekun Kehinde Sakiru, was also arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja.

Asekun, according to a statement by the NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, was alleged to be a notorious drug baron and had been on the wanted list of the agency.

Marwa’s drug war has also contributed very significantly to the war against crimes as the NDLEA’s efforts have helped to reduce the supply of the illicit substances to criminal gangs across the country.

But the federal government’s war against insurgency and banditry received a direct positive impact of the Marwa’s drug war when the NDLEA on September 8, intercepted loads of Captagon, a brand of Amphetamine meant for insurgents’ camps in Nigeria, at the Apapa port in Lagos.

The NDLEA chairman, who had revealed that the container passed through three countries, had also vowed that the agency would not rest until everyone connected to the consignment was arrested and prosecuted.

“Going by the street value of about $25 per tablet, the importer would have raised $11.3million, which is equivalent to N6 billion.

“Imagine the impact of this drug in the hands of criminal gangs or a fraction of the profit from its sale being used to fuel criminalities across the country, we can think of our worst-case scenarios and they will still be farther from the repercussions that could be unleashed on the country,” Marwa reportedly said.

As the country awaits the outcome of the NDLEA’s manhunt for the importers of the N6 billion drugs, there is no doubt that Marwa has taken the drug war to an unprecedented level, which should be sustained.

But one thing he must be conscious of, is not to allow himself to be carried away because any little slip would tarnish his image and rubbish all his good work and efforts.

NOTES FOR FILE

Endless Dehumanisation of Civilians by Military The latest viral video where a commissioned female officer of the Nigerian Army was seen humiliating and brutalising a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has again brought to the fore, the Nigerian military’s penchant for committing all kinds of atrocities against civilians at any slightest provocation.

The worst culprit is the Nigerian Army personnel, who rampage the streets, markets, roads and other public places, searching for‘bloody civilians’to torture, humiliate and sometimes, kill for frivolous reasons.

No God knows what on earth the female corps member could have done to warrant such a dehumanizing treatment.

It is on records that in Lagos, for instance, these

uniformed men enjoy all kinds of privileges and do not pay transport fare in vehicles that do not even belong to the government, yet they look out for flimsy excuses to torture drivers, conductors and other law-abiding citizens on the roads.

Instances abound where the Nigerian military personnel have killed even policemen performing their lawful duties with little or no consequences.

In July this year, men of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had stormed the Ladipo spare part market in Lagos and shot at unarmed traders, killing one person, following an argument over N98,000 motor spare parts purchased by an army personnel.

In the latest viral video, a female officer identified as Lt. Chika Viola Anele, was seen hitting and

pouring unknown liquid substance on a fully kitted female corps member, also identified as Ezeiruaku Ifenyinwa Fidelia, who is serving her national assignment at the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Calabar, Cross River State.

The young officer Anele demonstrated that she and her colleagues were trained to act like “mad dogs”when it comes to the treatment of civilians.

Though the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, has disclosed that the officer had been identified and would be sanctioned, such a promise has always been the official reaction of the military when public outcry forces it to react to atrocities of its men against civilians.

Yahaya

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Southern governors

Anti-open Grazing Laws Test Southern Governors’ Unity Vanessa Obioha writes that the signing of the anti-open grazing bill into law by southern governors is a litmus test to achieving their common goal in the 2023 elections

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t the time of filing this report, Lagos was the latest southern state to sign the anti-open grazing bill into law.

Before the Centre of Excellence signed the bill, the Delta State House of Assembly was the latest to pass the law, joining the list of the southern states that signed the bill prohibiting open grazing.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday, signed the bill into law. Under the new law, Lagos will no longer tolerate herders who occupy unapproved public areas and private land with their livestock for grazing. It also prohibits the act of moving cattle around public places by herders.

Enugu, Osun, and Akwa-Ibom signed the bill into law almost a fortnight ago, after their assemblies passed it.

Some other southern governors have also implemented this agreement made by the southern governors at their meeting in Lagos last July. The governors who unanimously agreed that the next president should emerge from the southern region had set September 1 target for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all its member states.

Following the incessant killings of farmers by herders, the Southern Governors Forum had met in Delta last May to discuss the rising insecurity in the country. It was at that meeting that the governors agreed to ban open grazing in their member states, a decision that triggered differing opinions, especially from the northern region.

“The forum observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the southern part of the country has created a severe security challenge, such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives, including pursuing various productive activities, leading to threats to food supply and general security. Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across southern Nigeria,” according

to communiqué read by the Chairman of the forum and Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at the meeting.

Apart from the governors of Anambra and Cross River who were absent, the 15 governors present showed unity as Akeredolu addressed the press.

But shortly before the September 1 target, only five governors had signed the bill. Akeredolu nearly missed the target as he signed the law on the eve of the deadline on August 31.

So far, Rivers, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Oyo, Abia, Osun, Ebonyi, Ondo, Enugu, Lagos and Akwa Ibom have signed the bill into law.

The bill has passed through the first reading in Anambra State House of Assembly.

The governor of Ogun State, where the bill already exists, has not signed it.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has tactically opted out of the agreement, seeking a partnership with the herders instead.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State seems to be dragging his feet in enacting the law, drawing the ire of a group, New Nigerian Initiative (NNI), who urged the governor to follow the steps of other southern governors that have enacted the law.

The group during a protest in Benin said that “it has been transparently and sufficiently established that Fulani herdsmen are the ones unleashing terror and fear in Edo State by the horrible and shocking cases of the late Jide Sowore and the recent kidnapping of the elder statesman, Dickson Imasogie, among other isolated cases.”

The scenario painted by the group is a sign of the perilous times that await states that renege on the agreement. The number of deaths and abduction attributed to Fulani herdsmen in the last few years has not dwindled. More than 2,000 people were killed by Fulani herdsmen between 2017 and 2020 according to a report released last year by José Luis Bazán, an independent

researcher and analyst, based in Brussels, Belgium.

This year, the herdsmen went on a killing spree in states such as Ebonyi, Enugu, Plateau and Benue.

Like the NNI, the Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, is insisting that open grazing will not be allowed in any part of Igboland. The group said that it would engage South-east governors who are yet to initiate action on the ban on open grazing. It assured that it will engage Obiano and Uzodimma but the success of that engagement is highly doubtful. Going by the disposition of these governors, there is no assurance in their cooperation.

Meeting in Enugu again on Thursday, September 16, the southern governors urged states that were yet to pass the bill into law to do so without hesitation.

Passing the bill into law is only one part of the bigger problem, implementing it is the main elephant that must be slaughtered. In some areas where the law has been enacted, herders can still be seen grazing their cattle without fear of arrest.

Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir elRufai alluded to the impunity of the herders and their above-the-law posture when he attacked the southern governors last week, insisting that the anti-open grazing law is not implementable.

“What is unhelpful is the politicising of the situation and passing legislation that you know that you cannot implement,” he said in a meeting at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Abuja.

While he supported ranching, he however, noted that it won’t be an immediate solution.

“We have to plan, we have to have resources and we have to implement it.”

According to him, Kaduna State would require about N114 billion to put together 14 ranches.

Apart from the South-west states, where Amotekun, the South-west security outfit seems to be on the lookout for defaulters, other states would have to set up regional security outfits and

arm them to ensure that the law is implemented.

The South-east zone is particularly affected by the killings of farmers by the herders. The once peaceful states almost became a killing field.

This led to the formation of Ebube Agu security outfit, which some states accepted grudgingly.

But this outfit is not yet well-equipped to combat the dangerous herdsmen. The blood-thirsty herders are ruthless and in possession of sophisticated weapons.

The governors addressed these security issues in their last meeting, stating that they “encourage the full operationalisation of already agreed regional security outfits, which would meet, share intelligence and collaborate to ensure the security and safety of the region.”

Again, the continuous absence of South-east governors at the meeting was an indication of a lack of commitment on their part. At the last meeting in Enugu, the governors of Abia, Imo and Ebonyi were absent. They sent their deputies instead. Interestingly, Anambra, which is among states where herders kill farmers did not send any representative.

The governors of Ekiti, Oyo, and Cross River were equally absent but represented by their deputies.

Beyond protecting the people and their means of livelihood, as well as halting the advancement of the criminal herders in the region, the anti-open grazing bill is a litmus test to the southern governors as it will test their solidarity in achieving a common goal, which is to have the presidency zoned to the South. It is pertinent therefore that they show a united front in tackling the Fulani herdsmen menace. So far, they have spoken with one voice in matters such as fiscal federalism, collection of value added tax by state governments and the Petroleum Industry Act. If they pass the anti-open grazing bill test, it will make them a formidable force to reckon with as the 2023 elections draw near.

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All Eyes on Aregbesola over Oyetola’s Second Term Bid It is no longer a secret that there is no love lost between the supporters of the Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, and those of his predecessor and the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

Ejiofor Alike and Yinka Kolawole write that all eyes are on the minister to take a position on the second term ambition of the governor

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espite spirited attempts to keep their disagreements out of public view, signs that all was not well between the Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola and his predecessor and Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola became a public knowledge in March 2020 when the governor approved the reversal of the single school uniform, ‘reclassification’ of the public school system and the abolition of single-sex schools introduced in 2013

by Aregbesola.

Oyetola was Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff when he was the governor of the state.

The two leaders were ardent supporters of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, until recently when strong indications emerged that the minister and the former Lagos State governor had parted ways over the 2023 presidency.

The reversals of Aregbesola’s education policies were approved during the state executive council in Osogbo.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, had told journalists that the state considered 10 of the 26 recommendations by a panel led by Olu Aina, set up to review education policies of the Aregbesola’s administration.

To dispel insinuations that the governor was fighting his predecessor, she had argued that the panel became necessary after the clamour for the policy reviews by educationists, school administrators, missionaries and school owners.

Issues reviewed include the introduction of ‘Opon Imo,’ otherwise referred to as tablet of knowledge, issuance of primary school leaving certificates, change of schools’ identities, ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), operations of Osun State University, merger of basic and high schools across many communities, among others.

Despite her efforts to exonerate her boss from the decisions leading to the reversal, the supporters of Aregbesola, who spoke in hushed tones as at the period because the two leaders were still pretending to be working together, had insisted that Oyetola deliberately took the steps to rubbish the achievements of his predecessor.

With this reversal, many believed the governor had drawn the line for a political battle between him and his predecessor.

In June this year, Oyetola also reversed another policy of Aregbesola, with his approval of the reversal of the state’s Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO) to the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).

As part of the education reform policy of the Aregbesola’s administration, TESCOM was changed to TEPO, which enabled the administration to hire and cater for the welfare of teaching staff within the secondary school sector of the state.

In line with this, Aregbesola had created three education districts in each of the three senatorial zones of the state with each headed by a Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary overseeing them.

But Oyetola had embarked on the reclassification of public schools from elementary, middle and high school to primary, junior and senior secondary school.

The battle between the two leaders deepened at the recent Congresses of the APC. Supporters of Aregbesola were known to have organised parallel congresses to challenge the governor’s camp.

Osun APC Caretaker Secretary, Mr. Razaq Salinsile, who identified with ‘The Osun Progressives’ (TOP), a group backed by Aregbesola, said party members were attacked in Ile-Ife, Ilesha and Boripe local government areas, amongst others.

Salinsile became Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff after Oyetola had resigned to pursue his governorship aspiration, having emerged as the candidate of the APC. Salinsile, who also accused the Congress Committee of supporting Oyetola’s group (Ileri Oluwa Movement), said about 20 per cent of wards collation centres were visited by the people in charge of the exercise.

He had declared that his group was collating results of the ward parallel congress it held across the state for onward transmission to Abuja National Headquarters of the APC. He insisted that the congress committee refused to

Aregbesola (left) and Oyetola associate with other stakeholders in the party, except members of Oyetola’s group.

But the APC Caretaker chairman in the state, Prince Gboyega Famoodun, who spoke through his media consultant, Kola Olabisi, said the exercise was violence-free.

Famoodun also said all stakeholders were involved in the activities towards the congress, stressing that Salinsile that complained that his group was sidelined, abandoned his office at the state secretariat.

The battle between Oyetola and Aregbesola took a dangerous dimension when the TOP, a caucus of the APC backed by the former governor, alleged that officials of the state government and the party were planning to attack and assassinate the leaders of the group.

According to TOP, the alleged plan had been reported to the security agencies for investigation and other necessary steps.

While speaking at a press conference, TOP Chairman, Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi, said the planned attack was as a result of the group’s struggle to restructure and re-energise the party, coupled with the outcome of the last Ward and Local Government Congresses of the APC, where it had a good show.

“It is important that we bring to public knowledge this evil intention. Despite that, we have informed relevant security agencies, who had assured us of taking steps to investigate the information and as well ensure protection of the lives of the leadership and members of our caucus.

“The Oyinlola government, which we challenged in the past, was not as virulent as the Governor Oyetola-led government of our party, since the struggle started.

TOP had also denied the allegation that it led the invasion of political thugs at the party Secretariat during the Ward Congress Appeal Committee.

APC’s caretaker chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun and some members of Oyetola’s cabinet had earlier accused the group’s chairman, Rev. Adelowo Adebiyi of leading the attack on members of the party.

But in a swift reaction, the state chapter of the APC had described as inglorious lies, baseless and perfidious, TOP’s allegation that there was an attack and assassination attempt on some leaders of the group by government officials believed to be Oyetola’s cabinet members.

In a statement issued from party’s Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy and signed by its Director, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, APC had frowned at what it had described as Adelowo’s fabricated allegation, insisting that he failed to substantiate his claim with verifiable facts and evidence.

APC had also insisted that there was no shred of truth in the allegation, adding that the onus of proof was the responsibility of the leadership of TOP.

The ruling party said it was surprised that Adelowo, a religious leader and immediate past Chairman of the party in the state, could be dishing out unfounded and fabricated lies to misinform the public purposely to discredit the ruling party and the government, all in the name of politics.

On his part, Oyetola had in his reaction, appealed to the members of the ruling APC in the state to give peace a chance and allow the appeal process run its full course.

He had also condemned what he termed the “unruly behaviour” exhibited by some aggrieved members of the party at the APC Secretariat in Osogbo, saying no sane society would condone any act of lawlessness.

Apparently worried that the battle between him and Aregbesola’s supporters might deny him the minister’s support for his second term bid, Oyetola had last week argued that TOP was not speaking the mind of Aregbesola, regarding his re-election.

Oyetola, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said having worked for the success of Aregbesola’s eight-year reign, there was no reason Aregbosola would not support his re-election bid.

According to Omipidan’s statement, Oyetola spoke while featuring on a live radio interview as part of the activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Osun State.

The governor was answering a question on the activities of some chieftains of TOP, who are claiming to be Aregbesola’s loyalists.

He said: “Well, those people – I’m not too sure about the people that have been saying that they are saying his (Aregbesola’s mind). I believe he (Aregbesola) is my brother and I believe at any point in time, he wants my success because I worked very hard for eight years for his own success as well.

“If people are saying that (that they won’t support me) I’m not too sure they are telling the story from his (Aregbesola’s) own heart. He remains my brother. They are not speaking his mind. Like I said, I don’t see why he would not be willing to support me if the people say they want me.

“Talking about issue of second term, my attitude is to deliver on what I am currently doing. I don’t want to be distracted. It is service to the people. If the people believe that they want me to continue, so be it. It is not a desperate situation.”

As the people of Osun State prepare to elect a new governor on July 16, 2022, all eyes are on Aregbesola to take a position on his successor’s second term ambition.

Aregbesola remains a critical stakeholder in Osun politics and his support or otherwise could change the narratives.

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CICERO/REPORT

2023: Researchers Foresee Battle Royale Communication researchers, who gathered in Port Harcourt recently for the eighth annual conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, reported their findings on the recent elections of the Fourth Republic, as a prelude to the forthcoming 2023 campaign.

Charles Okigbo who was among the researchers writes

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lthough the 2023 presidential election is 17 months away, it did not appear so distant at the eighth annual conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), which was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where many communication researchers reported their ongoing investigations on the recent elections of the Fourth Republic, as a prelude to the forthcoming 2023 campaign.

This is a continuation of similar election campaign research reports that were given at the 2021 International Conference of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) at Bayero University Kano which was held from May 25 to 28. Some of the remarkable presentations at the ACCE Conference in Kano include Mr. Ralph Anyacho of APCON reporting on the uses of radio and television commercials, Mrs. Susan Agbo, also of APCON reporting on the trends in election advertising, and Dr. Nnanna Nworisa presenting on the semiotic analysis of outdoor advertisements, among others.

ACSPN and ACCE are the two foremost associations of communication teachers, researchers, and practitioners in Nigeria, and they lead in applied action research aimed at addressing our multivalent social problems, especially in political communication and governance.

The two recent presidential elections of the Fourth Republic were the subjects of three separate but related presentations at the ACSPN Conference in Port Harcourt. These were on Themes and Frames, Radio/Television Journalism and Newspapers’ Reporting of the 2019 election cycle. They are part of the larger and comprehensive study of the 2019 election being coordinated by three partners, namely C&F Porter Novelli (Nigeria), North Dakota State University

(USA), and ORBICOM, at the University of Quebec (Canada). This pan-Nigerian study was designed to determine how various forms of communication, especially newspaper journalism, print ads, radio-television journalism, commercials, outdoor ads, and public relations, were used by the two major political parties.

Among the specific objectives of this ambitious research project are identifying the trends in election campaign communication, establishing the nature of and the differences in the strategies of the major political parties, and providing the foundations for an eventual explanation of “the Nigerian factor” in the framing of our election communication.

One of the most attractive presentations on this research group at the ACSPN Conference in Port Harcourt was from Dr. Jude Ogbodo of Ebonyi State University (ESU) and Mrs. Stella Jibrin of the National Press Council (NPC). Other members of their team were Drs. Greg Ugbo of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, and Henry Duru at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Using the intriguing concept of “media capture”, they tried to explain how many journalists appeared to be at the service of politicians and party stalwarts, instead of being nonpartisan objective reporters, chroniclers, and analysts. This research is building on earlier studies that Dr. Ogbodo started in the United Kingdom, which is now being extended to the coverage of Nigerian elections by newspaper journalists and editors.

A complementary presentation was based on broadcast journalists’ choices of themes and framing approaches in the 2019 election. It came from Professor Bala Musa at Azusa Pacific University (USA), Dr. Erere Joy Anho of Delta State Polytechnic, and Dr. Osita Aniemeka of the International Center for Development Affairs (ICDA, Abuja). They concluded from their analyses of FRCN, NTA, AIT, and Channels TV coverage that

“radio and television are the most effective media of mass communication for elections because they transcend the barrier of literacy to reach prospective voters wherever they are.” They underlined the necessity for “independent, free, and responsible” broadcast journalism to guide voters “to make the right choices of their elected leaders.”

These various research endeavours on the 2019 presidential election campaign are an outgrowth of the abiding interest in election communication research by committed Nigerian scholars and practitioners, under the aegis of the ACSPN, ACCE, and some of the oldest departments of communication in our universities and polytechnics.

Of note is the pioneering research by Mr. Ayo Oluwatosin, who as the MD/CEO of the Rosabel Group, had conducted a critical assessment of the uses of advertising in the 2015 election. This was the eighth Edition of the ACSPN Empowerment Series, at which he reported that both PDP and APC “used all media types”, especially social media “which was heavily used to connect with the young population and spread messages.”

He found marked differences between the two political parties, although they both engaged in “massive road shows to experience voters.”

Propaganda was a mainstay of both parties, as was negative advertising. As a pointer to the nature of the 2019 campaign, Mr. Oluwatosin concluded that it was ironic that the ruling PDP did not communicate its several achievements but rather “seemed fixated on bringing the APC presidential candidate down” with negativity.

Subsequently, Professor Rotimi Williams Olatunji of Lagos State University led in the Ford Foundation-supported comprehensive research on the 2015 election campaign. In this multi-method study of audience perceptions, print advertisements, radio/television commercials, social media content, foreign consultants, outdoor advertising, and political interest groups, the researchers found

much to criticize about how the two parties managed their campaigns. They recommended using more social media, employing greater creativity, enforcing regulations, and curtailing propaganda and hate speech in future presidential campaigns.

The ongoing multi-team investigation of the 2019 presidential campaign is building on these existing studies, and all these efforts are directed to having a better handle in understanding and explaining the nature of and the trends to expect in the forthcoming 2023 presidential campaign.

The results so far show that there are some similarities and some marked differences between the two major parties All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in their thematic emphasis, use of communication strategies, recourse to multimedia approaches, employment of emotional appeals, and the involvement of partisan political action groups. As Mr. Ayo Oluwatosin found in the 2015 election, the campaigns are “money spinners for the Nigerian press.” This is part of the reason that many journalists and their media houses appear to be victims of “media capture” as Dr. Jude Ogbodo and his team found in their analysis of newspapers’ coverage of the 2019 campaign.

The similarities and differences between the two major political parties in their approaches to campaign communication can have significant impacts on the eventual outcome of our presidential elections. ACCE and ACSPN researchers, as well as many communication practitioners agree that advertising, journalism, public relations, and other forms of communication can be part of the decisive determinants of eventual electoral outcomes.

The battle lines for the 2023 presidential contest are being drawn already, with the campaign architects and election researchers laying early plans for the expected battle royale for what is shaping up to be the most important electoral contest of the Fourth Republic.

Good governance and the sustainable nurturing of democracy in Nigeria requires adequate support for election research that uses mixed methods to determine the nature, methods, and effects of professional election communication. In this regard, organisations such as ACCE and ACSPN deserve reliable support from local and international funding agencies.

According to Professors Charles Okigbo, Bala Musa, and Muhammed Musa, three renowned Nigerian communication scholars who are active in both ACCE and ACSPN, and engaged in the ongoing research on the 2019 election while looking to design studies of the forthcoming 2023 campaign, “election communication research should not be a footnote or an afterthought; it is a strategic investment for the common good, and it deserves more funding support than we accord it now.” ˾ ÕÓÑÌÙ ÓÝ Ë ÜÙÐÏÝÝÙÜ ×ÏÜÓÞßÝ ÙÐ ÞÜËÞÏÑÓÍ Ù××ßØÓÍËÞÓÙØ ØËÖãÞÓÍݲ

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

GAVEL

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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

Will the Senate’s New Anti-Kidnapping %LOO 0DNH D 'L;HUHQFH" Udora Orizu writes on the need for a greater focus on the enforcement of the existing anti-kidnapping laws, rather than enactment of new legislations to combat the ever-evolving crime across the country

Lawan

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espite the several measures put in place by the Nigerian government, kidnapping has continued to be prevalent all over the country. Since the advent of militancy in the Niger Delta, kidnapping has continued to gain ascendancy in the country, despite the executive and legislature’s eͿorts to nip it in the bud. The crime has evolved to a more terrifying tactics, from the activities of the ‘unknown gunmen’ and armed herdsmen in Southern Nigeria, to banditry and the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northern part of the country. The Chibok and Dapchi girls incidents were some of the embarrassing cases where Nigeria’s image in the global arena was plummeted.

The adverse eͿects of kidnapping in the country have become worrisome to the Nigerian state as well as the global community. To successfully prohibit the crime of kidnapping through the law is an ongoing battle for the government.

According to Section 14 (2) b, of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

The government fulÀlls this provision by enacting and enforcing through its arms, various laws to maintain peace and order. One of the legislations include the Terrorism Act of 2011 which prescribes 10 years imprisonment for hostage-taking.

The spate of kidnapping in recent times in Nigeria has led to the enactment of new laws via Acts of the National and State Assemblies to address the menace. The legislative arm of the government as expected through several laws, prescribes stringent mechanisms in

Usman

response to the increase in kidnappings in the country. However, these laws enacted by the legislators have largely been ineͿective, mainly due to non-enforcement.

During plenary last week, the Senate passed for second reading yet another Bill seeking life imprisonment for kidnappers.

With people being kidnapped, killed or ransom paid on daily basis, with several kidnappers yet to be convicted, one can’t help but wonder the essence of all these laws.

After all, the aim of criminal law and criminal justice system is for punishment, deterrence, retribution and rehabilitation of oͿenders, and where a law fails to achieve any of its main objectives, it becomes inherently defective.

States Anti-Kidnapping Bills At the state level, since 2008 many state governments have introduced their own antikidnapping laws in an attempt to combat the crime. At least 15 states have so far made kidnapping a capital oͿence.

The states include Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Imo, Edo, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Cross River, Rivers, Lagos and Ebonyi.

For example, the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2017 passed the law on prohibition of kidnapping. The Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied OͿences Law was enacted in 2013 while the Oyo State Kidnapping (Prohibition) Law, 2016 was enacted and signed into law in April, 2016.

In Ebonyi State, Section 3 of the Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Related Matters Law (CAP 55) which came into force on 9th October, 2009 states that anyone found guilty of kidnapping in the state shall on conviction be liable to be sentenced to death. In Imo State, the former governor, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim signed the anti-kidnapping

bill into law in 2009, vowing that defaulters would pay with their lives. In Rivers and Enugu States, their lawmakers had passed the law prohibiting kidnapping, making it an oͿence punishable by death sentence.

Previous Bills Passed by the Senate In September 2017, the National Assembly passed into law the Kidnapping Abduction Act, which provided for a 30 years’ term of imprisonment for anyone caught colluding with an abductor to receive ransom for any person wrongfully conÀned. A death sentence was equally provided by the Act for anyone whose kidnapping activities led to the death of any person.

In July, 2020, the Senate proposed the raising of the punishment for the oͿence of kidnapping from the current maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment to a sentence of life imprisonment.

These resolutions of the Senate followed the third reading and passage of “A bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act CAP. C.38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”

The Bill, sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), sought to delete the statute of limitation on deÀlement, increase the punishment for the oͿence of kidnapping, and remove gender restrictions in the oͿence of rape and other related matters.

The Bill also sought to eliminate the present time frame for reporting and prosecuting deÀlement cases in Nigeria as well as remove gender restrictions on the oͿence of rape by further educating on the propensity of rape on both male and female victims.

The New Anti-Kidnapping Bill At the plenary last Tuesday, the Senate passed for second reading a bill proposing

life imprisonment for the oͿence of kidnapping or any form of abduction, wrongful restraint and conÀnement.

The bill sponsored by former governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central) seeks to, among others, introduce stiͿer punishments and punitive measures to combat and prevent kidnapping in Nigeria.

Leading debate on the bill, Senator Amosun observed that kidnapping is a major security challenge confronting Nigeria in recent times.

According to the ranking Senator, the light punishment for the oͿence has continued to make it grow and assume horrendous dimensions with a negative impact on the economy.

Amosun lamented that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of kidnaps for ransom of both locals and foreigners in all of Africa.

Citing recent statistics released by Neil Young Associates International – a specialist crisis prevention and response consultancy group – the lawmaker noted that Nigeria accounted for 26 per cent of kidnapping and ransom incidents globally.

He bemoaned the worrisome development, warning that the trend has the potential of negatively aͿecting Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment.

Amosun said: “The impact of kidnapping on both economic and daily life has been devastating. For many Nigerians, kidnapping is far more devastating than the carnage of Boko Haram in the North-east, or the carnage in the Middle Belt over land, pasture and water use between farmers and herders.

In the rich oil south-south, kidnapping is often seen as a manifestation of the insurrection over how oil revenue is distributed.

“Overtime, the pool of potential victims has shockingly been expanded. Most victims are often poor villagers, sometimes kidnapped indiscriminately, a departure from the targeted kidnapping of wealthy people.

They struggle to pay ransoms because of their relative poverty; and this has resulted into many victims being killed in the process.

“While the insurgents in the North East now thrive on the proceeds of kidnappings, criminal elements in the South-east and South-west are also having a Àeld day. In fact, kidnapping has now become a big and lucrative business.

“This bill also provides more punitive measures for ancillary crimes Áowing from the commission of the crime of abduction, like death or grievous harm. To achieve the deterrent eͿect, life imprisonments is proposed for the oͿence of kidnapping, particularly where death results from the act. The law is made stricter by ensuring that recipients of any proceeds of the act of kidnapping are heavily sanctioned with term of imprisonment of up to 30 years.”

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill after it was debated, to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. The Committee, which is chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele was given four weeks to report back to the upper chamber. :LOO WKH 1HZ %LOO 0DNH D 'L;HUHQFH" EͿorts to curtail kidnapping in the country have failed in large parts due to weak sanctioning and ineͿective implementation of the existing laws. While the safety of lives and property in this era of kidnapping across the country could be checked through enactment of anti-kidnapping laws, the provisions in Amosun’s Bill is quite similar to several anti-kidnapping bills enacted overtime. It is therefore recommended that the government and legislature must embark on an aggressive enforcement of the existing laws as an unenforced law is no law at all. Also, the police must ensure that victims are not only rescued but perpetrators of the crime are brought to book and punished appropriately.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

67

INTERNATIONAL Australia’s Nuclear-powered Attack Boats: US-UK Magouilles or France’s Independent Dependency?

F

or a long time now, the leadership of the world, as provided by the United States, has either been jealously condoned or courageously challenged by other aspiring great powers. While the United Kingdom tries cautiously to sustain a warm rapprochement with the United States, being its former colonial master, France does not appear to accept US mania of foreign policy leadership, especially in terms of US superiority. Rather than for the French to accept American leadership or superiority in whatever context, they prefer to share leadership responsibility in the conduct and management of international questions.

There was the time former French President Valérie Giscard D’Estaing first proposed in 1974 a dialogue between the rich and poor countries in order to address energy and economic problems. When this suggestion did not fly, despite discussions by 27 countries that continued until 1977, President d’Estaing changed the dialogue on 15 January 1979 to a trialogue among the European Economic Community, the United States and Africa. In this regard, Africa was to be used essentially as a source for raw materials for the further development of the developed world. Dr, Okoi Arikpo, Nigeria’s Commissioner for External Affairs, vehemently opposed the French agenda. Europe was to provide development resources. The United States was to assume responsibility for security. Additionally, France was also required to protect the collective NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) interests because of her colonial experience in Africa. Thus, France wanted to share in the responsibility for global leadership with the United States, but the United States was not much favourable to the French agenda.

This leadership struggle was renewed last week with France’s strong disagreement with the United States over Australia’s decision to renege on the contract it signed with France on the purchase of 12 French diesel, nuclear-powered attack boats. The French considered the contract as the Contract of the Century.

Australia has, in lieu, settled for eight UK-US more sophisticated nuclear-powered attack boats. In this regard, to what extent can the French government go considering the Anglo-American interests in the matter? How will the French respond to the Sino-Russian involvement concerning the dispute over who has sovereignty over the South China Sea? France has the support of the European allies in her dispute with the United States on the contract with Australia but the United Kingdom, which has Brexited out of the European Union constitutes an impediment in dealing with Australia. Quo vadis?

Background to the Dispute In 2016, the Government of Australia called for international bids for the building of 12 submarines for the Australian Navy.

France, Germany and Japan submitted bids and France won the A$50bn (€34bn; £27bn) contract. The French were to build the 12 Shortfin Barracuda submarines in Adelaide using Australian steel and creating 2,800 jobs. The call for open bids was prompted by the existing ageing Collins Class submarine fleet and the need to acquire a stronger submarine capability to conduct surveillance operations, Australia, being an island.

While the French began construction of the first phase, relationship with China became an issue, especially at the level of the Five Eyes alliance which comprises the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Five Eyes group was established during the Cold War as an intelligence mechanism to monitor the then Soviet Union and share classified intelligence. However, in May 2020, the group decided to expand its roles beyond security and intelligence, to include respect for human rights and democracy.

It was on this basis that in November 2020 China was accused of stifling democracy in Hong Kong. In the eyes of China, allegations of stifling democracy were unnecessary interference in the domestic affairs of China, and which should not be condoned.

This is one of the reasons why China constitutes a major dynamic in the making of the AUKUS. The problem in this case is two-fold: is the AUKUS primarily aimed at undermining the French or primarily targeted at the Chinese? The answer may not be clear-cut. What is not disputable, however, is that both the United States and the United Kingdom have onions to grind with France and the AUKUS serves the purposes of containing the feathers of the two countries.

Secondly, New Zealand has adopted a more cautious policy attitude towards China. New Zealand does not want a strained relationship with China, unlike the four others who have accused the Chinese of various international infractions: mistreatment of its Uyghur population in the Xinjiang province, de facto military

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Biden takeover of the South China Sea, suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, as well as threatening to take back Taiwan by 2049.

For various reasons, and particularly because China is the most important export market for New Zealand, New Zealand has refused to join others in the anti-China strategic calculations, even though New Zealand is acknowledged to be one of the frontline proponents of defence of human rights.

As explained by Frank Gardner, the BBC Security Correspondent, ‘New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, declined to join in this Western condemnation of Beijing, saying “it felt uncomfortable” with expanding the alliance’s role by putting pressure on China in this way.’ More important, even though the New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardem, admitted that ‘differences with China are becoming ‘harder to reconcile, the country still prefers to pursue its own bilateral relations with Beijing,’ Gardner has said. Thus, the understanding of the tripartite contract agreement, AUKUS, cannot be separated from the regional geopolitics as a dynamic.

The dispute between France and the United States, which has profound, coincidental and immediate causal factors, is another major background factor in understanding the AUKUS. The profound causal factor is essentially about global leadership rivalry between France and the United States. This struggle for global or shared leadership largely explains why there has always been many irritants in Franco-American bilateral ties regardless of public claims of warm rapports on both sides.

For instance, recall the case of the French-British turbojetpowered supersonic passenger airliner, The Concorde, especially how US opposition to the alleged too much noise of the aircraft in the United States led to the non-viability and eventual closure of the airline business. The supersonic passenger airliner was designed to fly from Europe to New York in only three hours.

It was considered by the Franco-British entrepreneurs to be a good technological breakthrough in terms of the velocity of the aircraft.

Second, recall also the movement of the NATO Headquarters from Paris 17è, France to Brussels, Belgium following France’s withdrawal of her military integrative membership of the NATO. Explained differently, membership of the NATO is of two types: integrative membership at the military level and political membership. Militarily, Article 5 of the NATO pact provides that

True, France can be seriously embittered but the AUKUS pact is now a fait accompli. There is not much the French could do about it, except in looking at the damages for the repudiation or denunciation of the agreement. France as a medium power cannot confront with ease a coalition of forces, like the U.S. a superpower, the U.K a great power on its own right and Australia. Unlike in the past when France could call on her former colonies to join her battles against Germany during the World Wars, any French disagreement with the Anglo-Saxons cannot but leave the French alone to fight. True, democracies do not go into war with themselves. Therefore, there cannot be any hot war between the U.S. or the U.K, on the one hand, and the French, on the other. If we admit of this hypothesis, the next challenge for France is reconciling her independentist disposition in NATO politics and going along with the Anglo-Saxons in their anti-China strategy or accepting to engage with China alone. This may imply a house divided against itself at the NATO and EU levels. Whatever is the case, China is an emerging superpower that the AUKUS pact cannot stop and that French grudges against it can only boost and serve as a catalytic agent in the making of the new superpower.

an attack on any member signatory to the pact is necessarily an attack on the whole membership, and, therefore, warranting a collective response. In such a situation, the NATO Chief Commander was always an American who the French saw as always giving instructions without prior consultation with the French Government. The French were not happy with this vertical type of command-relationship. This partly led to an irreconcilable disagreement and NATO’s decision to relocate its headquarters from Paris to Brussels, Belgium. It was the former NATO Headquarters that was turned into the modern-day University of Paris-Dauphine.

Third, and perhaps more important, is the current French protest regarding the UK-US entente with Australia which wants to acquire nuclear-powered submarines on the purchase of eight sophisticated nuclear-powered attack boats. The contract was done in 2016. What is particularly interesting at the level of leadership struggle is the diplomacy of the repudiation of the contract. For example, the French government has it that it was sent a letter from the Australian authorities explaining extreme satisfaction with the French submarines.

In the words of Hervé Grandjean, the spokesperson of the French Ministry of Defence, ‘on the same day that President Biden and Prime Minister Morrison made the announcement, the defence ministry and Naval Group received an official letter, a letter with an official stamp on it, from the Australian navy.’ More important, he said the ‘admiral who is overseeing the project in the Australian Ministry of Defence made it clear that he had ‘taken a close look at the state of progress in the contract, in line with the contract, and was extremely satisfied that performance of the French submarine was excellent, which clearly means that we were to move to the next phase of the contract.’

Many questions can be raised at this juncture: how do we reconcile sending a letter of commendation to the French and also denouncing the contract? When did the negotiations for the contractual agreement with the U.K. and the U.S. begin? How do we also explain the fact that all the three Anglo-Saxon allies, Australia, U.K. and the U.S, have shared Indo-Pacific interests with the French, and yet, there is an apparent gang-up against the French? Why were there no diplomatic exchanges on whatever might have prompted Australia’s new direction, so that the French would not have been caught unawares?

Australian Defence Ministry noted on 15 September 2021 that ‘the formal exit of a system review had been achieved as required under the contractual arrangements in place at the time.’ Does the contract agreement not require giving notice for withdrawal?

Without doubt, France was mistreated, and she is not in any way happy about it even if the contract agreement reportedly provides for non-notification. For allies, this type of mistreatment should not be condoned if the alliance is to be sustainable in the foreseeable future.

Fourth, the AUKUS is primarily done as a preventive or countermeasure against the rising military profile of China.

When the contract with France was done in 2016, probably the rising military profile of China was not quite visible by then. Now that China is perceived to have an emerging superpower status, the need for more powerful submarine fighters dawned on the Australian government to change position. In all cases, it is a manifestation of preparation for the new Cold War in the making: It is the U.S. and its allies versus the Chinese, and in essence, with the sympathy of the Russians.

UK-US Magouilles or Independent Dependency?

The United States under President Joe Biden appears to want to build a new foreign policy image that will de-emphasise war-war, to the advantage of jaw-jaw, policies. President Biden made it clear at the current 2021 UNGA that US foreign policy would henceforth emphasise ‘relentless diplomacy’ and restore better understanding with U.S. allies in the next decade to the detriment of ‘relentless war.’ In other words, it is no to ‘relentless war’ and yes to ‘relentless diplomacy.’ Can President Biden successfully chart a new foreign policy direction that can nip in the bud the Sino-Russian and French challenges? In which way is this relentless diplomacy going to be different from gunboat diplomacy, especially in light of AUKUS pact?

Without doubt, the Americans want to sustain their leadership of the world, while the French are still quietly working towards the restoration of la grandeur de la France as espoused by General Charles de Gaulle in 1960. The British, who led the world with their industrial revolution, do not want to be left behind in the current global leadership struggle, an objective that explains in part Brexit politics and the strengthening of stronger alliance with the United States. While many great powers are seriously struggling to replace the United States as leader of the world, the Americans themselves have not shown any visible disposition to call it quit. This point may also explain the need to circumvent France’s supply of 12 diesel electric submarines to Australia. A diplomatic row is already in the making as a result. For China, AUKUS is ‘extremely irresponsible.’ In the words of the Chinese Foreign Minister, the pact ‘seriously undermines regional peace and stability and intensifies the arms race.’The Embassy of China in Washington simply described it as an expression of ‘Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice.’

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

68

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Buhari: Dead End of the Mythic Presidency Chidi Amuta

I

n the pantheon of Nigerian rulers, President Buhari occupies an uncontestable stool. He is the first leader to return to power on the strength of a faulty myth rather than on a record of demonstrable achievements. The political marketers of the Buhari candidacy in the count down to the 2015 elections were armed mostly with nothing concrete beyond a lingering myth. Somehow a Buhari myth had accumulated in our public consciousness.

It was a myth of honesty, personal discipline, considerable integrity, Spartan lifestyle, patriotic commitment, fidelity to transparent and effective governance with minimal tolerance for corruption.

Above all else, the Buhari myth was predicated on a certain perception of strong leadership, the will and courage to do unpopular but necessary things in the national interest. In the popular mind, Buhari’s two-year tenure as a military dictator and mindless authoritarian between 1983 to 1985 was remarkable for his appeal to a certain patriotic spirit and the ignition of a higher nationalism in a more disciplined society.

These were the driving tools of the Buhari myth.

The political entrepreneurs of the nascent All Progressives Congress (APC) tapped into and marketed this myth to Nigerians in the run up to the 2015 presidential race. It worked. Buhari got elected principally to re-enact the content of the myth around him. The nation wanted the opposite of Mr. Jonathan’s flaccid presidency.

In the absence of any other serious contender, Buhari seemed a logical choice. And so, he won.

But six and half years down the slope, has the reality of the Buhari presidency lived up to the myth that propelled him into Aso Rock? That is the critical poser for those now desperately searching for a Buhari legacy.

In recent times, the myth of the strong leader has emerged as a major category in political thinking. It is predicated on the consideration that the triumph of liberal democracy in most parts of the world has not erased the yearning in some societies for aspects of authoritarian leadership. It seems to be the case that societies that have passed through periods of authoritarian rule and transited to democracy occasionally relapse into a craving for elements of strong leadership. This yearning comes calling in times of social and economic distress. Sometimes, when current problems overwhelm the slovenly ways of democratic rule, societies with a memory of more brisk times can use the instruments of democracy to invoke strong leadership. The most authoritative source book on aspects of the myth of strong leadership as a political phenomenon is Archie Brown’s remarkable book, The Myth of The Strong Leader.

Leaders that thrive on myth either inherit or create their own myths. It is rare for persons to have national leadership thrust on them based on myths of doubtful veracity. Buhari would seem to be lucky to have had national leadership literally conferred on him because the mob were made to believe he was a good man. Once Buhari’s originating myth was force fed to the electorate, his limitations were accommodated. His shroud of messianism was a good camouflage for his deficiencies.

If he said little, it was not the result of obvious oratorical limitations but because he is a man of few words and loud actions. If he could not set up a cabinet after over three months in office after his election, it was because he was being meticulous to avoid mistakes and to exclude bad people from his government. If he seems frequently lost in the complexity of national problems and shows little understanding of issues, it is because you do not need to be a professor to rule Nigeria with problems that seem so obvious to ordinary street folk. His acolytes were on hand at every turn of the road with sacks full of alibis and a torrent of excuses.

Now, with the benefit of hindsight, Mr. Buhari’s draconian two-year tenure was nothing but an opportunistic commandeering of the legacy of the illustrious Murtala Muhammed regime. In fact, the coup d’etat that brought Buhari to power in 1983 introduced itself to the Nigerian public as a successor regime to the Murtala era. Therefore, the emphasis on patriotism, nationalism, discipline, and aversion to corruption became standard fare and fell into place. Buhari and his frowning deputy, Tunde

Buhari Idiagbon, deafened the airwaves with loud noises about patriotism, discipline, law and order, and anti-corruption. A fake Murtala regime was in town and a nation suffocating under a corrupt political dispensation was poised to swallow anything that resembled authoritarian discipline.

Perhaps, the impulses that made the return of the Buhari myth appealing to the Nigerian populace are rooted in our national history. We are a struggling young democracy of less than two and half decades with a backdrop of over three decades of military dictatorship. So, when our democratically elected leaders fumble and shuffle, they create some nostalgia for the tolerable authoritarian episodes in our past.The lingering myth of the strong leader is therefore part of our political consciousness. Democratically elected leaders tend to be rather sedate and less dramatic while their authoritarian counterparts seem more earnest, brisk and dramatic.

Nigeria is not alone in allowing an existing popular political myth to drive subsequent leadership selection. In South Africa, black nationalism throughout the Apartheid era was driven by the myth of Nelson Mandela as the epitome of black virtue, courage, leadership and redemption.

There was a belief transmitted from generation to generation of black South Africans that somehow all the wrongs of Apartheid will be righted once Nelson Mandela was released and assumed leadership of the country. It all came to pass once Mandela was released and became elected president of a multi racial South Africa.

Mandela understood and exploited the burden and power of the myth around him. From the onset, he insisted that he would ‘reign’ while his younger deputy, Thabo Mbeki, would‘rule’the country. And ab initio, Mandela clearly stated that he would be a one term president. So, he spent his years in office flying the banner of his leadership myth. Integrity, principle, moral rectitude, racial pride, forgiveness, inclusiveness, reconciliation and respect for human rights and racial diversity were the hallmarks of Mandela’s mythic presidency.

Above all, he carried the burden of restoring the respect and dignity of the black race from centuries of denigration and global insult. Beyond South Africa, the Mandela myth travelled the world to garner respect for the black race in the

imagination of the world. To come face to face with Mandela was to meet the mythic essence of all great African historical figures and the illustrious trajectory of the black race. Even after he left office, Mandela remained a pilgrimage personage, an approximation of man become god. Let us be clear. Invoking the Mandela myth to enliven discourse on Buhari and his faulty myth is not intended to diminish the towering stature of the great Madiba.

Now that the Buhari presidency is entering an inevitable lame duck phase, tentative appraisals of the man’s legacy are in order. For Buhari 2.0, power point presentations have begun. A few roads and bridges here and there are being dusted up and projected. Rail roads from Abuja to Kaduna, Ibadan to Lagos, Port Harcourt to Maiduguri and one from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic are being showcased. The ever lingering Second Niger Bridge is likely to be completed under Buhari’s watch.

But the worsening internal security situation and phenomenal corruption remain worrisome and embarrassing. Matters like the quality of national leadership and overall governance remain outside the purview of Buhari’s inhouse assessors.

There is a worrying mismatch between the elements of his enabling myth and the results now glaring the nation in the face. Buhari’s 2015 and 2019 campaign footages have made a copious comeback on social media. The public seems lost in the lack of alignment between what was marketed as the Buhari myth and what is emerging as the reality of his legacy.

His previous virulent attacks on previous governments have resurfaced as the direct opposites of what has become of Nigeria under his watch.

The public is more perplexed by the sheer hypocrisy of the man of illustrious mytholgy. The apostle of patriotic sacrifice and crude ‘Nigeria first’ has spent more time in London hospitals for earaches and unknown ailments and hardly a few minutes of consultation at the Aso Rock clinic. The president’s numerous health vacations have frequently sometimes been amid endless strikes by doctors and other medical personnel at home who are asking for paltry allowances and other routine remuneration. The preacher about personal frugality and modest lifestyle has ended up staging lavish royal weddings

for his offspring mostly at state expense. The pontiff of family values and discipline in the first family has watched helplessly as his own First Lady virtually relocated to the opulence of Dubai only to make periodic reappearances at convenient showy occasions.

As a crusader for anti-corruption, Buhari has so far managed to keep his own hands off the public till. Yet there are too many rumours that he could be surrounded by all manner of crooks who are allegedly associated with all manner of deals and rackets. Reported instances of official malfeasance under Buhari’s watch tumble out in the news with a frightening rapidity. The accountability of government agencies is best measured by the nearly a thousand government agencies and departments that have not had their accounts audited for the better part of the last 5 years. The conflicting accounts of the NNPC directly under Buahri as well as the lorry loads of disclosures of stealing and fraud in the NDDC mostly under Mr. Buhari’s tenure say something of the plight of corruption under this anti-corruptionadministration.

Insecurity under Buhari is in a class by itself.

For a presidency that thrives on shifting blames for national travails to his predecessors, the frightening insecurity of life and property under this mythic presidency is perhaps the highest in the history of the nation. Not even in the years of the civil war was the life of Nigerians as insecure and cheap as in Buhari’s ‘peace time’ Nigeria. The Boko Haram jihadist insurgency has been alive for 10 years, 6 of them under Buhari. Assorted squads of so-called bandits and brigands have since joined jihadists and terrorists to create a Hobbesian state of nature in most of our northern states. An unrelenting double-digit inflation now ravages the country just as the national currency has eroded terribly in value. We are witnessing the largest migration of Nigerians into poverty under any one administration since independence.

Worse still, an army general whose public reputation derives partly from having participated in a civil war of national unity has spent the better part of the last six years as an elected leader literally ripping the same nation in bits in what many agree is the most divisive government in the nation’s history. In 2015, we were simply Nigerians united by a rejection of Jonathan’s bumbling presidency. It was not a perfect union or a paradise. But we were better than this miserable present.

Today, we find ourselves bitterly divided.We are now Northerners versus Southerners, Christians versus Moslems, Biafrans, Oduduwans, Niger Deltans, Middle Beltans, Fulanis, Hausas, Idomas etc. Our partisan divides pale into insignificance because our political parties are no more than a collection of incoherent acronyms and random assemblage of letters and silly symbols.

Perhaps, the myths that propelled the Buhari presidency are unconscious expressions of the religious essence of the Nigerian public consciousness. We are a nation of believers. A certain compulsive penchant for unquestioning belief in myths and superstitions defines us. We question no long held assumptions.

We hardly interrogate claims of miracles. We subject few things to either scientific or empirical verification. In this place, claims constantly repeated soon become items of faith. Dubious beliefs and false items of faith bandied around long enough become treasured communal truths. The distance from a respected and shared lie to myth is short indeed. In politics, myths are appropriated and weaponised by political entrepreneurs to form the basis of movements sold to parties and used to prop up ambitious individuals. At election time, a weaponized myth of leadership prowess can propel an ordinary man to dizzying heights of national power.

On our way to the terminal date of 2023, we seem to be witnessing a tragic reversal and unraveling of the leadership myths that brought Buhari back to power. What we are witnessing is not a strong leadership wrecked by the burden of strength. It is instead the tragedy of epic weakness and incompetence mistaken for strength.

Even the most sedate rationalists and nationalists among us are now searching aimlessly for some basis, some common ground to anchor our optimism.

69

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

NEWS XTRA

PDP Conducts Ward Congresses in Adamawa, Lagos, Oyo, Kwara, Ebonyi, Others Daji Sani in Yola The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday conducted its ward congresses in Lagos, Oyo, Kwara, Ebonyi, Adamawa and four other states.

In a statement issued by the Kwara State’s Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Tunde Ashaolu, in Ilorin, the party commended its members for the peaceful conduct of the ward congress across the 193 wards in the state.

Ashaolu noted that leadership of the party was impressed by the turnout and conduct of members of the party during the exercise that was monitored by officials from the national secretariat of the party.

“The ward congress will also build a formidable party that is ready to take over power from the clueless All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

“We appreciate leaders, elders and relevant stakeholders in the party, especially our national leader, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for their contributions towards the successful conduct of the ward congress.”

In Lagos State, a former chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Segun Adewale, has lauded the use of consensus arrangement in the party’s ward congress in Alimosho Local Government Area.

Adewale, a former Senatorial candidate of the party, said the choice of consensus was to engender peace.

According to him, the party is leaving no stones unturned to end the in-fighting, which has cost it so much in the state.

He said: “We are trying to harmonise. We don’t want to go to the field. We want to see how we can all resolve and come together because if we go to the field, there may be fracas”.

In Oyo State, the Chairman of PDP Ward Congress Committee in Oyo State, Hon. Phillip Shaibu said the committee did not notice any parallel congress in all the wards in the state.

Shaibu, who is the deputy governor of Edo State, made the remarks in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday, while speaking with journalists on the exercise.

“So far, so good, all the talks of having parallel election have not been noticed and what is important today is that the process has been peaceful.

“No report of any violence anywhere and that is one thing we have been afraid of since yesterday,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde has called on aggrieved

members of the PDP in Oyo State to give room for resolution, saying the unity of the party was important.

Makinde made the call at his ward (Ward 11), Ibadan North East Local Government, during the conduct of the congress.

He tasked members of the party to stay united, adding that the time has come for the aggrieved members to bring their grievances to the table for amicable resolution.

“For the PDP members in Oyo State, I want to ask them to stay unified because we can do quite a lot in unity.

“And for some who are angry or aggrieved, let them bring their issues to the table, we will address them.

“So, we are not ruling out making overtures to them and getting them also to be a part of this process.

“Politics is about conflict and resolution of conflict within interaction of people,” he stated.

In Ebonyi State, the party adopted Option A4 in the rancour-free congress.

Members of the party, in separate interviews, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the PDP was making a difference.

The PDP ward congress was held in the 171 wards across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi.

The National Vice-Chairman of the party for the South-east, Dr. Ali Odefa, said that the adoption of A4 was one of the moves to add more value to the party.

“The processes were rancor free, the security you have seen is not by magic, it shows that PDP is united. We recorded peaceful conduct because everything was equitably shared.

“In the ward congress of today, everyone is together and they have spoken in one voice to elect their leaders at the ward level,” he said.

The member representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Livinus Makwe, said the party is completely united, adding that they are moving forward ahead of the 2023 polls.

Acting Chairman of the party in Ebonyi State, Mr. Fred Udogu, commended the peaceful conduct of the ward congress and stated that the party is together for a better Nigeria.

The main opposition party has also described the ward congresses conducted yesterday across the 21 LGAs of Adamawa State as free and fair.

The chairman of the five-man

committee for the exercise, Senator Baba Tela who doubles as the deputy governor of Bauchi State made the disclosure in Yola South shortly after supervising the exercise in some wards of Girei, Yola North and South

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with a renowned photographer, Mr. Sunmi SmartCole, as he marks his 80th birthday anniversary yesterday.

The president, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, congratulated the veteran photo-journalist and talented jazz music instrumentalist for capturing history in frames for about half a century.

The president rejoiced with family, friends and professional colleagues of Smart-Cole, whose fingers and lenses document

and project many turning points in the history of Nigeria and the world, evinced in his gallery which tells the story of presidents and citizens, palaces, streets and markets, nature and technology, famous and anonymous.

President Buhari noted the legendary photographer’s ability of adapting to the dynamic world of photography over many years, largely driven by new technology, and mentoring many to see their craft as both an art and business.

The president affirmed that the multiple awards winning photographer deserves

in the state.

However, a splinter group, known as the reformed PDP (PDP) headed by Dr. Umar Ardo, said they boycotted the exercise due a lawsuit instituted by the suspended National Chairman of

the party, Prince Uche Secondus.

Ardo told THISDAY on a phone that they would not participate because the court was yet to determine whether Secondus would continue in office or not.

WELCOME TO EKITI...

The new Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 17, Ekiti and Ondo States, Mr. Ene Okon; and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during a meeting at the governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti…recently

Stock Market Records 404% Rise in Turnover Market capitalisation closes at N20.299tn Festus Akanbi The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited sustained its rally on Friday as key market indices rose by 0.23 per cent, just as turnover of shares traded was up 403.63 per cent.

Specifically, the NGX AllShare Index inched higher by 88.16 points or 0.23 per cent to close at 38,962.28 against 38,874.12 recorded on Thursday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation, which opened at N20.253 trillion appreciated further by N46 billion or 0.23 per cent to close at N20.299 trillion.

Pharm Deko led the gainers’ table in percentage terms, increasing by 9.74 per cent to close at N2.14 per share.

Sovereign Trust Insurance trailed by 8.70 per cent to close at 25k, while Okomu Oil gained 5.77 per cent to close at N110 per share.

Eterna added 4.95 per cent to

Buhari Felicitates with Father of Nigeria's Modern Photography, Sunmi Smart-Cole, at 80 Deji Elumoye in Abuja

LGAs. Tela said the exercise was transparent and hitch-free and expressed satisfaction in the way and manner the supporters of the PDP conducted themselves during and after the exercise

recognitions and elevations, considering his antecedents of promoting music in the country, with the first jazz festival in Nigeria in 1964, starting the first elite barber's shop, working as first photo editor of The Guardian newspaper in 1983, publishing his photo experiences and organising over 30 exhibitions in five continents.

President Buhari rejoiced with Smart-Cole as he turns an octogenarian, praying that the almighty God will grant him longer life, good health and reward his sacrifices for the country.

close at N7, while Champion Breweries gained 4.71 per cent to close at N2 per share.

Conversely, SCOA topped the losers’ chart in percentage terms, declining by 9.38 per cent to close at 87k per share.

Presco trailed with 8.18 per cent to close at N73, while Regence Insurance dropped 6.38 per cent to close at 44k per share.

Total dipped 3.61 per cent to

close at close at N192, Sterling Bank fell by 1.34 per cent to close at N1.47 per share.

In all, investors traded 633.52 million shares valued at N6.45 billion in 3.228 deals representing an increase of 403.63 per cent.

This was against a total of 125.79 million shares worth N1.27 million achieved in 2,990 deals on Thursday.

FBNHoldings was the most active stock, exchanging 48.15

million shares valued at N361.13 million.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated followed with 16.59 million shares worth N87.81 million, while Zenith Bank traded 12.02 million shares valued at N278.99 million.

Access Bank sold 11.55 million shares worth N100.87 million, while Transcorp accounted for 9.35 million shares valued at N8.69 million.

AIG Zone 2 Petitioned over Takeover, Demolition of Ikeja Saddle Club Sunday Ehigiator The Ikeja Saddle Club has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan, AIG Johnson Kokumo, to look into what it described as an “unlawful invasion, forceful take over and destruction of the land and properties of Ikeja Saddle Club”, situated at Isheri Road, off Olowora, Ojodu Berger, Lagos State.

In a petition dated September 24, 2021 and signed by its solicitors, Femi Okunnu and Co, the Ikeja Saddle Club explained that in the early hours of last Thursday, heavily armed and stern looking policemen “alongside other no nonsense armed men in plain clothes without warning invaded our client’s land and property and took over the entire land and property.”

It said the officers refused to disclose where they were from and who sent them to invade its client’s land, but angrily responded that they were sent to take over the land without fail and nobody could stop them or remove them.

“Like in a movie, they

rounded up all the staff including the grooms who were feeding and tending to the horses in their stable. They arrested four members of client's staff, chased away the remaining workers.”

It said the policemen equally took some staff of the club away to an unknown destination even as they systematically began to destroy the properties.

The law firm explained that: “They removed the roof of the reception area, brought in chain saw and started cutting and felling down trees in the compound. They were boasting that they were bringing in bulldozers to completely pull down, the club house, reception area and other buildings on the land and bring down and uproot all the trees on our client’s land.

“It was much later in the day that our client’s got to know that the policemen were from the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Onikan, when the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Opue Aju spoke through the mobile telephone line of one of the employee of our client

who was taken away earlier in day, spoke to our client.”

It also accused the Ikumoworo Family, led by one Princess Josephine Momoh of being behind the invasion of the property.

It said Momoh “claimed to have secured a judgment of the High Court of Lagos State, delivered by Honourable Justice Candido Johnson on May 3, 2016 in a Suit No.1D/1352/2001.

“They claimed that the judgment of the High Court, Lagos declared them owners of the said land and that the said judgment has been affirmed by the Court of Appeal in a Judgment delivered on November 14, 2019.

“Further that they have sold the area of land being occupied by our client to one Alhaji who could not take possession of the property because our client is on the land.”

The law firm therefore informed the AIG that the area of land being claimed by the Ikumoworo Family was part of the 1969, 7300 Acres Global Acquisition of the Lagos State Government.

70

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

NEWSXTRA Again, Sanwo-Olu Promises to Complete Light Rail Projects in 2023 Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has again revealed plans to complete the state’s light rail projects – Blue and Red Lines – would be operational between the last quarter of 2022 and first quarter of 2023.

Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that all engineering students of the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and the Yaba College of Technology would undergo training with the contractors handling the project.

He gave the date yesterday after inspecting the projects alongside the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Ms. Abimbola Akinajo, among others.

At a session with journalists, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that there were few hiccups, though assured the taxpayers that the challenges would be overcome.

He said: “We are still on track.

In the last quarter of 2022 or first

quarter 2023, you begin to see your trains moving on these two corridors by the grace of God. “We will be working with LASU, UNILAG and Yabatech, where we will be having students of Engineering that will have a feel of what rail construction is all about.

“They will come and see the bridge, road and rail construction as a learning tool so that they can see how these are being done. So, our contractors can take them as interns,” he said after inspecting the projects.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the project “is running on the money budgeted and the contractors are being paid at every milestone, hence, the accelerated work being done on it.”

He said he was excited because of the number of Nigerians working on the projects, noting that over 1,000 workers “are working on Marina State alone. Part of the things we have been telling our contractor is that we need

GistHouse to Revolutionise Social Media Audio App After years of consuming several social media apps founded from different parts of the world, some groups of investors comprising Africans and Europeans are set to start an Afrocentric Audio-Conversation social media audio Platform that will rival the popular clubhouse and green room apps.

This was revealed in a statement at the weekend, saying Gisthouse will revolutionise the way we interact on social media and it is very African.

The statement said the new Audio-gisting social media app called GistHouse is similar in concept to the Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces and Green Room apps in concept, but packs about 10 different new features that most users of the first generation audio apps have been clamouring for.

It added that Gisthouse would allow people around the world to come together to talk, listen

and interact with each other in real-time.

According to the statement, people, brands and businesses will also be able to do business on the app, get paid on the app and promote their products and services all in audio format.

It said ‘Gisthouse “is audiobased social networking app that allows people to connect and discuss. It will be different and full of energy and have all the trappings of Afrocentric elements that made Africans who they are’.

“Audio-conversation apps are the future. The success of Clubhouse in such a short time has lent credence to that fact. Twitter, Spotify and even Facebook are planning their own audio apps. “‘Most times when new revolutions in digital technology starts, Africa and Africans have always been invisible until the market is closed to new entrants.”

Abia Loses Professor Emeritus Professor Anthony Nwabughuogu of Mbutu-Nta Village, Njikoumunna autonomous community in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Abia State has died.

Until his death, he was an Emeritus Professor of Economic History. The erudite scholar died at 76.

This was revealed in a statement by Chinedu Nwabughuogu, saying the late professors passed away on September 2 at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia after a brief illness.

The statement added that prior to his death, Nwabughuogu served the Federal and State Governments in various capacities.

He was a member National University Commission’s Accreditation Team to Universities; Member Presidential Visitation Team to the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Member

Committee appointed by the Federal Government to plan the National Orientation Institute in 1991; Member, Planning Committee, Abia State Committee for the First Inter-State Film, Culture and Tourism Festival, among others.

He is listed in WHO is WHO in Igboland.

In the university system, he served as Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Director Institute of Distant Learning, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu.

The late Emeritus Professor was also a visiting/Adjunct Professor, University of Uyo and Imo State University, Owerri and External Examiner to many universities at both under-graduate and post-graduate levels. Also, the Abia State University authorities awarded him Emeritus Professor in 2020.

to have proper skills transfer.

“As you have observed, we started our journey midway from the Red line, Ikeja’s iconic station.

From there, we still have further to the north Agege, Agbado, Iju stations. In the southern part, we still have Oshodi, Mushin, Ebute-Metta.

“At Ikeja, we saw the construction and the overpass.

The overpass is to ease vehicular movement. We are happy with what we have seen. That is going to be one of the biggest stations outside of Marina.

“Leaving Ikeja, we could not take a detour into Mushin.

We did not want to stop our journey. So, we went straight into Yaba, we saw the overpass, which will cross onto Tejuosho.

We saw the station that is also going on as scheduled. “From there, we went to Ebute-Metta and saw the station. That is the third overpass we have seen. It is also advancing well. You have noticed that the Red Line will terminate at Ebute-Metta. But we will do an extension up to Iddo.

“From here, we have now crossed to the Blue Line, You

can see the sea wall we have done to preserve the water bed in that area. All of that is also going on as scheduled.

“We are at the very iconic Marina station. Marina station is unique because it is an elevated station. You can see from behind.

They have started the decking.

There is also a pedestrian walk for people with disabilities.

CELEBRATING FRONTLINE WORKERS..

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), Babatunde Folawiyo; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Vice Chairman of NSSF, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; and Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc., Herbert Wigwe at the Global Citizen Live concert in celebration of frontline and essential workers in the battle against COVID-19 held at the New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday

Killing, Kidnapping of Teachers Threaten Education, Union Laments Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has expressed regrets over incessant killings, kidnappings and harassment of teachers and students across the country, saying these sordid scenarios were affecting the teachers’ productivity adversely.

The ASUSS lauded Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, for employing 7,600 teachers while commending Kano and Adamawa, for legislating on extension members’ retirement

to 65 years.

This was contained in a communique after its meeting at the weekend. The communique was signed by its National President, Com. Samuel Omaji and Secretary General, Com. Sola Adigun, who is also the Chairman of ASUSS in Ekiti State.

The communique read in part: “We appreciate the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir elRufai, for the recruitment of 7,600 teachers into its 9,000 Secondary School Tutors. This is laudable as it is geared towards quality

and functional education.

“We commend the Kano State Government for redeploying 11,000 trained teachers in its MDAs to schools to boost teaching and learning. The commendations also go to Oyo, Lagos and Delta States, for the up- to -date promotion of teachers,” the communique explained.

In spite of the above incentives to teaching, ASUSS frowned at the insecurity across the country, particularly, incessant attacks on schools, leading to killing and

kidnapping of teachers and students for ransoms.

“That the prevailing insecurity transcends ethnicity and politics; and for the umpteenth time, the union calls on governments at all levels to be sincere in handling security issues as it is their fundamental responsibility.

“ASUSS vehemently frowns at the recent harassment of teachers by students and parents; case studies were Plateau State where a student stabbed a teacher to death and Ekiti State where a police officer came to his child’s

Bayelsan Lady Emerges Miss Amnesty Nigeria Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A 19-year-old Bayelsan, Favour Tariere Aro, has emerged the winner of the 2021 Miss Amnesty Nigeria, organized by Tracy Mcwary Foundation.

Other contestants with trophies are the first runner up, Blessing Woke (Rivers State) as Miss Amnesty Diaspora, Miss Amnesty Top Model, Bethania Peter (Imo State) and Miss Amnesty Entrepreneur, Onyinye Prisca Johnson, 3rd runner up.

Before the announcement of the winner by the Judges, the beauty pageants displayed their talents in agriculture through exhibition of harvested crops and fishes from their farmlands.

They also competed in pitching and questions on current affairs.

Earlier in her welcome speech during the event held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the supervisor of the foundation, Miss Tracy Mcwary, said the programme serves as an awakening for the teeming youths especially the girl child to explore their potential

in agriculture.

Also, in an interview with THISDAY at the event, Mcwary said the motivation for the foundation has always been to lift underprivileged children and women who prostitute to make ends meet off the street, knowing the far reaching value of empowering women.

She noted that during the era of intense militancy in the regions, the women and children were the most affected. But Amnesty came with benefits concentrated on the male folks, the women and children

neglected.

“So I fashioned Miss Amnesty Nigeria, with support of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) office to empower the neglected young women. This is the second edition. “We traveled across the Niger Delta to audition for the state representatives that contested for the crown today,” the beauty pageant said.

Mcwary revealed that the overall winner goes home with N500, 000 cash and an official car.

Others will go home with various consolation prices.

Nigerien President, Jonathan, Sirleaf for ABA-AFCFTA Roundtable Chris Asika

Etiam Innovation Systems in partnership with the African Bar Association (AFBA) will be hosting a section on trade, investment and business immigration, the Managing Director of the company, Mark Nduka-Eze has said.

Nduka-Eze has also said President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum will declare the conference open while former

Nigerian, Liberian and Sierra Leonean Presidents, Goodluck Jonathan, Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf and Ernest Koroma will be in attendance.

He disclosed this in a statement at the weekend, noting that the panel discussion, a breakout session of the 2021 African Bar Conference, will be held on October 5 at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre, Niamey, Republic of Niger.

Nduka-Eze said the roundtable, with the theme‘ The Roadmap to African Competitiveness: Exploring Business Immigration, AfCFTA, Trade and New Frontiers’, was aimed at addressing the impediments and opportunities in trade and commerce across Africa and how territories can join forces to harness new frontiers through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) “It will also highlight the opportunities in business im-

migration in Europe, America, Australia and Asia and how private sectors can benefit from it to scale up their businesses and give it an international reach.”

Topics to be discussed include: ‘Business Immigration and Opportunities in Trade and New Frontiers, AFCFTA and the Agenda 2061- The Africa we Want, Opportunities in Entertainment in Africa, ICT Innovation, and Safe Smart City Projects.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

71

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Anthony Joshua Loses Heavyweight Title Belts to Usyk Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

A

nthony Joshua’s bid to set up an all British heavyweight unification fight with Tyson Fury ended in defeat yesterday as he was defeated

by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk by unanimous decision.

The Ukrainian who won the London 2012 Olympic gold medal in the heavyweight category was a pure masterclass in front of 65,000 fans inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He outclassed Joshua over 12 rounds, and hurting the defending champion on numerous occasions.

The scorecards - 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 - were all for Usyk and there was a mere shrug of the shoulders from Joshua as the second defeat of his professional career was confirmed.

Having seen a fight with Fury collapse last summer, Joshua opted to face his WBO mandatory challenger and former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk instead.

It appeared the easier fight for Joshua, but boxing’s triumphant return to stadium nights was soured for the home crowd by a truly exceptional performance from the challenger.

Joshua was relaxed and cheerful as he approached the ring, but concentration was etched on his face from the first bell.

Usyk’s abilities quickly became apparent, the 34-year-old full of feints and pace from the off, moving Joshua around the ring at will as the defending champion settled into a surprisingly passive role.

A few warning shots from Joshua fell

Anthony Joshua (left) was on the receiving end here as Ukrainian Oleksandr Osyk inflicts some punishing body blows. Inset is the new WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO champion with his belts

short in the early rounds, Usyk either catching them with a glove or spinning away. It would become the pattern of the fight as Usyk made Joshua miss and executed a perfect gameplan of his own.

2021 AFROBASKET CHAMPIONSHIP

D’Tigress Chasing Third Consecutive African Title in Yaounde Captain Adaora Elonu, who made her D’Tigress debut at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2015 in Yaoundé, Cameroon will lead the Nigerian ladies out against Mali today as the Nigerian senior women’s team gun for a third consecutive continental glory.

D’Tigress won the 2017 trophy in Bamako, beating Mali and Senegal along the line to begin the count of their unbeaten run.

Now, they have played 20 Afrobasket matches unbeaten and indeed have stayed unbeaten in every African competition since 2017.

Mali lost the final game at home way back in 2009 and since then they had not gone past the semi finals until Friday.

The 2007 African champions defeated hosts Cameroon 52-51 to get the chance to attempt to dethrone Nigeria.

Their rivalry was not built in 2021 but over the decades. Mali defeated Nigeria in 2011 in Bamako with 71-62 result in a third place game but since then D’Tigress have beaten Mali in their last two AfroBasket meetings in 2017 (Bamako) and 2019 (Dakar).

Coach Otis Hughley Jr is leading D’Tigress in a back-to-back effort having taken over from Coach Sam Vincent in 2018.

He says he feels quite humbled getting to the final again.

“I don’t want to use the word proud as you have introduced here. I would rather say that I am really humbled by what these

ladies have been able to achieve. It is impressive when you look at the great effort they make on and off the court to stay at this level.

“It is an honour playing another final game,” Hughley said in a post conference in Yaoundé on Friday.

And he has said in the past, the focus is his team doing all they are supposed to do to win the game. Whatever the other team is working counts less.

Amy Okonkwo was clearly the best player on the court in the Nigeria versus Senegal semi final contest. She is more than glad to be making her first Afrobasket final match.

Amy said of the final match, “I am happy to be a part of the team this time.

It is one thing to watch these women play big games on the court but it is something very special to be a part of the team playing the final match on the court. I am excited and honoured too.”

From the available FIBA statistics, Mali are the third highest scoring side averaging 75.8 points and they top the rebounding chart with 54.5 boards per game.

The precision and fluency with which the Nigerian ladies have got their job done in the last seven days could override the Malian qualities. The hunger of D’Tigress for a third straight win could be the underlying factor in the battle today.

A left cross from Usyk rattled Joshua in the third round, and prompted a noisy response from the crowd.

Joshua rode the danger, failing to respond, but making it to the bell safely.

Usyk was now brimming with confidence and the London crowd tried in vain to rouse their man into life. Joshua was saved from being knocked down in the final round.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Brentford Hold Liverpool in Six-goal Thriller Man City end Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the new season to go top.

Yoane Wissa scored a late equaliser as Brentford held Liverpool to a 3-3 draw in a thrilling encounter at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Wissa’s dinked finish over Alisson rescued a point for the hosts, who matched Jurgen Klopp’s team for long spells and created enough opportunities to claim all three points.

Ethan Pinnock had given Thomas Frank’s side a deserved early lead, poking home from close range after Ivan Toney flicked Sergi Canos’ low cross into the defender’s path.

Diogo Jota brought the visitors level just three minutes later, rising unmarked to head Jordan Henderson’s looping cross into the corner from the edge of the six-yard box.

Mohamed Salah’s 100th Premier League goal

for Liverpool put the Reds ahead for the first time in the match, only for Vitaly Janelt to equalise once more after Pontus Jansson had rattled the crossbar. Curtis Jones restored the visitors’lead with a long-range drive that took a wicked deflection off Kristoffer Ajer on its way in, but Brentford - and Wissa - had the last word.

The draw lifts unbeaten Liverpool a point clear at the top of the Premier League, with the Bees climbing to ninth.

Elsewhere, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes missed a 93rd-minute penalty as Aston Villa won 1-0 at Old Trafford for the first time in 12 years in a pulsating match.

Manchester City also produced an impressive display to end Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the season with a deserved 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

FIFA U20 World CUP

Seven-star Falconets Hammer CAR 7-0 Two-time runners-up of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Falconets fired from all cylinders as they hit the U20 girls of Central African Republic 7-0 in their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Africa first round, first leg encounter in Douala yesterday.

The Falconets made things abundantly clear from the second minute of the match played at one of the stadia designated for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations – Stade Japoma de Douala – when Mercy Idoko

finished brilliantly to put Nigeria ahead.

Three minutes later, Idoko made good from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 as the Falconets stepped on the pedal, and in the 34th minute, winger Esther Onyenezide made it 3-0 as superiority told against the Central African Republic girls in the Douala sun.

The return leg has now been scheduled for Wednesday, 6th October at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

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Chukwuma Soludo, assuring that votes will count in the state.

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Public Officers as Ethnic Champions

M

y decision to vote for Candidate Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1999 presidential election was influenced by many factors, one of which was his acceptability across regions and religions. Here was a southerner acceptable to northerners, a Yoruba acceptable to Hausa-Fulani and Igbo, a Christian acceptable to Muslims, and a civilian acceptable to the military. Although I voted for the candidates of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the house of assembly, governorship and national assembly elections, I did not think twice before casting my vote for Obasanjo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the presidential poll rather than Chief Olu Falae, the AD/APP candidate.

I was not a member of any party and I am still not a member of one. I somehow think party membership limits one’s ability to think straight. You always have to be sentimental, loyal and blind, no matter the nonsense served by your party. While I believed that Falae was better than Obasanjo in terms of paper qualifications, Obasanjo had a bigger personality and, as a former head of state, was far more experienced. Falae had a loaded CV — an economist with a graduate degree from Yale University and a former bank MD who served as secretary to the federal military government and as minister of finance under General Ibrahim Babangida. But I saw Falae more as a Yoruba candidate.

I was particularly fascinated by Obasanjo’s discomfort with ethnic nationalism. “How can you, after you have been president of Nigeria, become a member of an organisation promoting regional agenda?” he once asked. To be sure, I have nothing against people associating with their ethnic groups or asserting their ethnic identities. I am very proud of my ethnic identity and I would not trade it for another if I were to be born a million times. I am very comfortable with my tongue. My worry is when people entrusted with national responsibilities turn out to be nothing more than ethnic champions and irredentists as we discover after they leave public service. This is troubling.

In the past few days, I have been worried by statements attributed to some civil society organisations insinuating that some Nigerian judges have been co-opted into fanning the embers of ethnic nationalism and secession. A state high court in Oyo state recently awarded N20 billion against the federal government over the invasion of the home of Chief Sunday Igboho, the Yoruba secessionist leader, by the security agents in a failed attempt to arrest him. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has also instituted a N5 billion suit against the federal government at a state high court in Abia state over the arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the separatist movement.

The CSOs described the judges as “friendly” to the secessionists. The insinuations were quite heavy: that the judges, who are expected to be impartial while also protecting the national interest, are acting contrary to their oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and succumbing to external influences. I actually got into an argument with someone during the week over the issue. My position was that some judges are probably afraid of being attacked by the mob if they do not ply the same ethnic route with the secessionists.

This, I said, could influence them. I further argued that it could also be that the lawyers of the security agencies are not defending these cases well.

Baba-Ahmed His counter argument was that judges can still handle such cases with circumspection.

“Imagine there is no right of appeal and the federal government has to hand over N20 billion to Igboho or N5 billion to IPOB. The government will end up empowering the secessionists to launch more attacks on the state and I can assure you that nobody will be safe,” he argued. We ended up agreeing that the agencies also have to adhere to due process and global best practices in carrying out their operations so that the human rights of separatists will be respected. That way, there will be little or no room for judges to be blackmailed into giving judgments that will lead to unholy insinuations.

For the sake of clarity, let me say I was not dismissing the suggestion that financial inducement, fear of attacks and sympathies for ethnic nationalism can serve as external influences on the judges. None of these should be acceptable in the temple of justice. Judges should be made of sterner stuff. Nonetheless, I started thinking after our argument: what if some judges are actually sympathetic to the separatists and are giving judgements to strengthen them and weaken the Nigerian state?

What if they are indeed ethnic champions masquerading as public officers? If ethnic champions succeed in defiling the temple of justice, then our trouble has just begun. It is like pouring fuel on fire.

Truly, if there are ethnic or pecuniary motivations and justice is no longer being served in the court of law, then we need to be excessively worried. There are real dangers ahead. That was how politicians started penetrating the courts before the 2003 elections and today, nobody is really sure of the justice in the judgments being dished out in political cases. A lawyer told me last year that he stopped handling election petitions because he was no longer sure if he was winning the cases on the strength of his arguments or if his clients had gone through the backdoor to see the judges. Inducement is a big issue, but we are in for a rougher ride if judges become ethnic champions.

On the other hand, I have always wondered how some public officers openly become ethnic champions after leaving service. I am forced to wonder what sort of sectional agenda they must have been secretly pursuing while they were in office — to the detriment of people from other regions or of other religions. Most recently, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) vowed that the north would continue to rule.

“We will lead Nigeria the way we have led Nigeria before. Whether we are president or vice president or whatever, we will lead Nigeria,”

NEF spokesman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said on Sunday at a lecture in memory of the late Alhaji Maitama Sule in Zaria, Kaduna state.

Baba-Ahmed happens to be someone I respect so much. He is one of the finest brains around. I will not begrudge him if he chooses to keep promoting ethnic and regional agenda. I would say the national fabric is so weak that we desperately need builders as leaders, but that does not take away the right of anybody to pursue a narrow vision. But the arrogance of “we have the numbers” is the least we need in Nigeria now. (And, for the record, nobody has ever been voted president of Nigeria based on northern votes alone. If not, President Muhammadu Buhari would have won in 2003 and 2011. He did not become president until he got a slice of the south in 2015. Just for the record).

Here is my real worry. Baba-Ahmed was a federal civil servant, rising to the position of permanent secretary, serving in the presidency and later as secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after which he became PS in the office of the SGF. These are not provincial positions. These are positions that require pan-Nigerian mindset. A lot rests on the shoulders of permanent secretaries who are effectively the chief executives of the ministries.

They have substantial influence on government decisions. I hate to imagine what these public office holders who end up as ethnic champions must have quietly done against other regions while in service.

I will keep arguing that everybody has a right to decide the path to pursue in life. Nobody can legislate against that. For instance, I have no problems with Iba Gani Adams pursuing Yoruba nationalism — he has never pretended to be pan-Nigerian. Kanu has always regarded non-Igbo as lesser beings and described Nigeria as a zoo from which he wants to liberate his people. At no time has he pretended to be pan-Nigerian. I respect him for that. But I am gravely disturbed when people who have held public positions and are expected to have a pan-Nigerian mindset come out of the closet and turn out to be irredentists. It is like discovering that your guard is a kidnapper all along.

I was a fierce critic of Obasanjo while he was in office, but I always gave one thing to him: he thought as a Nigerian and acted as a Nigerian. His appointments, policies and projects were clearly pan-Nigerian, and the dominant forces in his cabinet cut across the divides — compared to what we have today.

Can you imagine Obasanjo now becoming the leader of some Yoruba group and making assertions on behalf of the Yoruba ethnic nationality? Or Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who laid down his freedom and comfort for the masses of Nigeria and was jailed again and again, ending his mission on earth as a champion of one ethnic group, spewing obscenities at other ethnic groups?

I’ve been told that some people only became ethnic champions after having served Nigeria and become disillusioned by what they saw in the system. That could be true, but maybe they also had the ethnic seed in their hearts which was only waiting for the right time to germinate. I also reckon that the ethnic game is a way some people have chosen to negotiate for power. Otherwise, before 1999, wasn’t the north in power for 35 out of the 39 years of Nigeria’s independence? Shouldn’t northern leaders be boasting today about how they used the opportunity to turn the north into an industrial power? How has “we have the numbers” bettered the lot of millions of northerners?

And Four Other Things…

FOREX FUSS A lot of hell has been raised over the falling value of the naira. The impression I am getting is that it is because of the wickedness of some people in government. The PDP has called for the sack of Mr Godwin Emefiele as CBN governor. Sadly, that will not save the naira.

We may quarrel with the monetary policies, but there is a bitter fact we cannot run away from: we just don’t have the dollars! That is why we are throwing even the kitchen sink to save a currency that is under attack from all angles: low FX inflow, heavy importation bills and massive petrol subsidy. The structure of our economy is fundamentally flawed. And where in the world does the central bank fund BDCs? Weird.

FIGHTING FATAI I am definitely not a fan of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was governor of Kwara state form 2011 to 2019. However, I think the lawyer of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) went too far in his social media stunts to announce the seizure of Ahmed’s property in Ilorin, Kwara, over a debt dating back to 2009. I don’t know much about how AMCON operates, but I believe it is quite unprofessional for a lawyer to be gloating on social media that he had seized someone’s property. He was even running commentary like a teenager. I understand that social media has become a drug that is getting a lot of people high, but this is the legal profession we are discussing here. Infantile.

ALL ON BOARD President Muhammadu Buhari seems to be making haste over the petroleum industry act, judging by the timeline of its implementation.

Last week, he approved the incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd which will succeed the corporation, as the unbundling process begins. Buhari also announced the appointment of the board and management teams for the various new entities. Before now, many Nigerians would have expressed shock at the calibre of some of the appointees. It looks like he is settling some political IOUs. I think Nigerians have already given up and are only waiting for “Mai Gaskiya” to just complete his tenure and go.

Worrying.

ODE TO UDE I never knew Alhaji Abdulaziz Chivuzor Ude beyond the fact that he was an investor in the Nigerian media. It was also inescapable that he was a Muslim from a predominantly Christian region. However, I have been fascinated by the testimonies and tributes that have been pouring forth since he died a week ago, a few days to his 81st birthday. The culture enthusiast and serial entrepreneur was a philanthropist extraordinaire who impacted so many lives quietly, some of whom are now celebrating his indelible marks on their life journeys. He was also credited with playing a role in the creation of some states in the south-east. These are the real Nigerian role models. Authentic.

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