SUNDAY 14TH NOVEMMBER 2021

18 Days after Launch, CBN’s eNaira Registers 488,000 Subscribers in 160 Countries Records 17,000 transactions James Emejo in Abuja Barely 18 days after its launch, 488,000 consumer wallets have been on-boarded to Nigeria’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) platform known as

the eNaira from over 160 countries through Google Playstore and Apple Store as of Friday.

Data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend, also

showed that about 78,000 merchant wallets have also been on-boarded to the digital currency infrastructure.

Also, transactions on the eNaira stood at about 17,000 valued at over N62 million.

This is an indication of growing enthusiasm for the central bank’s digital currency, which has been described as a game-changer.

The digital platform had recorded about 200,000 wallets

downloads in less than one day that the portal came alive.

“So far, we have on-boarded over 488,000 consumer wallets and about 78,000 merchant wallets, with these downloads occurring in over 160 countries

(per Google Playstore and Apple Store data).

“We have also recorded almost 17,000 transactions amounting to over N62million Continued on page 8

Nigeria Under-produces Crude Oil by 72.6m Barrels in 10 Months... Page 5 Sunday 14 November, 2021 Vol 26. No 9715

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INEC: Monitoring Direct Primaries Has Financial, Security Implications Says 17,618 workers required for only APC, PDP primaries

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) has explained that the monitoring of the direct primaries of the 18 registered political parties in the country

has financial and security implications, stating that it will require about 17,618 officials to supervise only

the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in one day.

The commission further far would involve much staff. explained that monitoring In the amended Electoral the direct primaries of the 18 political parties registered so Continued on page 5

Buhari, Zulum Mourn as ISWAP Fighters Ambush General, Three Soldiers in Borno In raging fire-fight, three jets bombard terrorists Borno gov lauds military for resilience Nigeria, Niger, Benin plan multinational border force

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In a first of its kind since the more than a decade-old insurgency war started, the Nigerian Army yesterday lost a Brigadier-General commanding a Special Forces team, in an ambush by terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.

However, the military countered the attack by ISWAP with heavy bombardment of the insurgents, following the deployment of three fighter jets to contain the terrorists.

In a swift reaction, President

Muhammadu Buhari and Borno State governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum have mourned the slain officer Commanding the 28 Task Force Brigade in Chibok, Borno State, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three other soldiers killed by the ISWAP fighters.

Buhari expressed deep sadness over the death of the Brigadier General and three soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare display of gallantry as they tried to help their compatriots in the war against terrorists.

Continued on page 8

Osinbajo: Strategic Leadership Helped Nigeria Tackle COVID-19...Page 6

SEEKING SECURITY OF OIL ASSETS… Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor (left), and Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, during a visit by NUPRC management to the CDS in Abuja…recently

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FARE THEE WELL… L-R: Member representing Aniocha North Local Government Area in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwobi; Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; and his wife, Edith, at the funeral service in honour of the the late Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Oseji, at Idumuje-Unor, Delta State…weekend

Nigeria Under-produces Crude Oil by 72.6m Barrels in 10 Months Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Despite the easing of both the COVID-19 restrictions and the output cuts by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria produced less crude oil and condensates in the first 10 months of 2021 than the corresponding period in 2020, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Last year saw severe restrictions of movement in most countries of the world due to the pandemic, resulting in less demand for transportation and industrial fuels and the collapse of oil prices.

Though 2020 was a tumultuous year for the global oil and gas industry, Nigeria produced more crude oil last year than the corresponding period of 2021.

The report released by the new upstream commission showed that Nigeria has pumped less oil in the first 10 months of 2021.

A THISDAY analysis of the figures revealed that the country has in the first 10 months of this year (January to October), underperformed by 72.6 million barrels of crude oil and condensates when compared to 2020.

Nigeria's total oil production has been on the decline for several months, with Libya overtaking the country in

$40bn Deals: Buhari Leaves Paris for IATF in S'Africa Deji Elumoye in Paris, France President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday left Paris, the French capital, to join other African leaders in South Africa for the opening ceremony of the second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2021, which is expected to attract $40 billion investments to the continent.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the president, is attending the event on the special invitation of South African President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa.

Adesina stated that global businesses, including nonAfrican international brands are expected to key into opportunities generated by the fair, thereby attracting for the continent trade and investment deals worth $40billion.

The event, held from Monday, November 15 to November 21, is being convened by the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade

Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

The theme of the Fair, ‘Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA’, aims at boosting trade and investment across the African continent.

Adesina said it also promises to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive across the African continent; bring to fruition the lofty ideas behind the creation of the AfCFTA by providing the platform to further identify and proffer solutions to challenges militating against intra-African trade and; generate market information needed to connect buyers and sellers throughout the continent.

He explained that various Nigerian investors are already in Durban to take advantage of the event.

Adesina further disclosed that the president will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, among others.

“President Buhari is expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday, November 16,” the statement added.

October as Africa's number one oil producer, according to the most recent figures from OPEC, quoting primary sources.

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, recently disclosed that Nigeria would recover between October and midNovember, blaming the difficulty in restarting the oil facilities for the falling production figures.

A number of the country’s oil assets were shut down as a result of compulsory OPEC

cuts due to covid-19 and the need to fully comply with the mandatory reduction in production.

However, experts have blamed years of underinvestment, aging production facilities resulting in frequent shutdowns, sabotage, vandalism, community issues, and incessant force majeure

by Joint Venture (JV) partners for the declining production.

The NURPC figures showed that while total crude oil and condensate of 65.9 million barrels were produced in January last year, it declined to 53 million barrels during the same period this year, a difference of a whopping 12.9

million barrels.

Furthermore, 62.4 million barrels of both crude oil and condensates were produced in February 2020; 65.8 million barrels in March; 62.9 million barrels in April; 55.3 million barrels in May; 51.4 million barrels in June; 52.7 million barrels in July; 52.8 million barrels in August; 50 million barrels in September and 52.3 million barrels of both condensates and crude oil in October.

In contrast, in February this year, 49.3 million barrels of both liquid types were pumped; 54.2 million barrels in March; 50.6 million barrels in April, 51.4 million barrels

in May; 49.1 million barrels in June; 50.8 million barrels in July; 47.4 million barrels in August; 45.9 million barrels in September and 47.2 million barrels in October.

In total, while 571 million barrels of crude oil and condensates were produced between January and October 2020, in the first 10 months of 2021, it fell markedly to 498.9 million barrels.

The data showed that Nigeria’s crude oil production declined from 55.1 million barrels in January 2020 to 42.1 million barrels in 2021 and from 52.1 million barrels in February 2020 to 39.8 million barrels in February 2021.

INEC: MONITORING DIRECT PRIMARIES HAS FINANCIAL, SECURITY IMPLICATIONS Bill awaiting assent by President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly has restricted political parties to the use of direct primaries to elect candidates for elections.

However, the state governors, who are opposed to direct primaries, had expressed fear over the logistical problems it would create for the commission.

Speaking to THISDAY last night, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Information, Mr. Festus Okoye, acknowledged that the monitoring of the direct primaries of the 18 registered political parties has security and financial implications.

"If a political party decides to organise its primaries at the Registration Area (Ward) level, the commission must deploy monitors to the 8,809 Registration Areas in the country. If the party decides to organise its presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly primaries at different times and on different days, it means that the commission must deploy four times to monitor the primaries of the party.

"If a political party decides to organise its primaries at the local government level, it means that the commission must deploy monitors to the 774 local government areas of the country,” Okoye explained.

Despite the huge logistics

challenges, Okoye said the commission would surely work out the modalities for the monitoring of the primaries as soon as the law is assented to.

"The monitoring of direct primaries has financial and national security implications.

The ad-hoc staff must be harvested from MDAs or the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) or the universities or other sources as may be determined by the commission and supervised by a certain category of our staff".

According to Okoye, the ad-hoc staff must be trained and transported, adding that some of them must be housed.

“Some of the primaries may go late into the night and we must make arrangements for their security and protection.

But the fundamental issue is that the commission has the experience in monitoring direct primaries and the only difference here is that in the present context few parties adopted the direct primary method of selecting or electing their candidates,” he said.

Okoye further disclosed that the entire staff strength of the commission is slightly over 16,000, adding the commission must rely on a certain category of ad-hoc staff to cover the Registration Areas if a political party decides to use the 8,809 Registration Areas for its primaries.

Okoye further noted that

INEC will aggregate the figures and design a continuity framework and matrix for monitoring of direct primaries.

Okoye explained that the commission as a constitutional and legal body is bound to give effect to and implement laws legally and legitimately passed by the National Assembly.

He said INEC does not have a choice in this regard.

"The moment the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria assents to the Bill, it becomes law and the commission must implement the law passed by the National Assembly which has received Presidential assent. Presently, it is in the realm of speculation on whether the president will sign or withhold assent. The bill is inchoate till assented to by the president," he added.

He explained that Section 87(2) of the existing and operative law provides that the procedure for the nomination of candidates by a political party for the various elective positions shall be by direct or indirect primaries.

He added that the moment a political party gives to the commission the requisite 21 days’ notice, the commission must mobilise and monitor the primaries of the party whether it is by direct or indirect primaries.

"However, if the president assents to the bill, it means that all the existing political parties

must roll out guidelines on how to conduct their primaries bearing in mind that the fundamental and overriding consideration is ensuring that all aspirants are given equal opportunity of being voted for by members of the party. Each political party must design its methodology depending on its strength and capacity."

He noted that Section 4 of the Constitution domiciles the legislative powers of the Federation in the National Assembly.

“It is within their remit to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Federation. Moreover, section 228 of the Constitution provides that the National Assembly may by law provide guidelines and rules to ensure internal democracy within political parties, including making laws for the conduct of party primaries, party congresses, and party conventions,” Okoye said.

According to him, INEC’s responsibility is to participate in public hearings and make suggestions and recommendations.

"As I have pointed out, our responsibility is to obey and give effect to laws passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President.

Section 228 of the Constitution gives the National Assembly the power to make laws relating to internal democracy in political parties," he added.

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NEWS

BOOK PRESENTATION… L-R: Wife of Benue State Governor, Dr. Eunice Ortom; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Author of the Book, ‘Winning Leadership’, Maj. Gen. Pat Akem-Vingir (rtd); Chairman/CEO, Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema; and former Benue State Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam, during the public presentation of the book in Abuja… yesterday

Osinbajo: Strategic Leadership Helped Nigeria Tackle COVID-19 Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has explained that following a Presidential Order in 2020, Nigeria was able to effectively tackle the COVID-19 pandemic by deploying a responsive and effective public health framework, at a time when more developed and wealthier countries were struggling to deal with the fallouts of the global pandemic.

Osinbajo who stated this at the public presentation of the book, ‘Winning Leadership’ authored by Major-General Pat Akem-Vingir (retired) noted that the step was a

good example of strategic leadership in a crisis.

According to Osinbajo, with the daunting challenges of the 21st century, such kind of leadership, which can effectively mobilise national and organisational resources to achieve results, is more important now than ever.

He said Nigeria’s COVID-19 response had been celebrated locally and internationally as a result of such strategic leadership.

Osinbajo mentioned the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, an interministerial interagency team led by the Secretary

of the Government of the Federation (SGF) as a reference.

He said: "As General Pat Akem argues that Winning Leadership that knowledgeable and agile leadership at the strategic level can mobilise resources – human, financial and material - of nations and organisations - in an effective and result-oriented manner. Such leadership can attain goals and visions and also be able to protect and promote interests. In other words, effective strategic leadership purposefully provides direction and inspires.

“One of the biggest

surprises for many was how some of the wealthiest and most developed economies of the world were tragically unprepared to handle a apublic health crisis on the scale and uncertainty of COVID-19.

“Whereas countries with more modest economic profiles, quickly deployed a public health framework that was responsive and effective.

"The task force swiftly issued and enforced COVID-19 protocols for travel and general movement. We restricted travel into Nigeria before most OECD countries did.

Once the first case was

discovered, the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, in Ede gave Africa the first genomic sequence for Coronavirus SARS 2. When the first doses of vaccines came, the task force developed the protocols and the public health system already used to mass vaccination campaigns, deployed across the country in every nook and cranny of Nigeria so that the first eligible vaccine candidates received their vaccinations seamlessly.”

"As a nation, the threats to our corporate existence today are unprecedented and hitherto unimagined. It is

FG: Why We are Unbundling the Rail Sector Deji Elumoye in Paris, France The federal government has disclosed that it is unbundling and commercialising the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to optimise its operations and advance private sector participation.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, disclosed at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum in Paris.

She said the unbundling would drive competition in the industry, enhance service delivery for customers and improve infrastructure and other asset maintenance.

She told potential foreign investors at the event to explore investment opportunities in the sector, saying that the unbundling would reposition the corporation for effective management and efficient service delivery.

The minister said that the NRC would be unbundled into four subsidiaries, namely: Regulatory, Infrastructure (network creation, upgrade, and maintenance) Operations and Services (the rolling

stock operations, rolling stock creation and procurement, and rolling stock maintenance).

“There have been renewed commitments to railway transport as a key component for socioeconomic transformation.

“Of note is the 25-year strategic plan targeted at the rehabilitation of all the existing narrow gauge rail lines, construction of new standard gauge lines, and connection to all seaports.

“There are also connections to state capitals, mining and agricultural clusters, and technological hubs by rail, as well as their operation and maintenance in the country.

“This has led to some success stories such as the commissioning of the AbujaKaduna, Warri–Itakpe, and the Lagos-Ibadan rail lines, as well as the wagon assembly plant in Ogun State,” she said.

Saraki disclosed that all aspects of the rail system are now operational for both commercial and passenger activities.

Saraki said Nigeria’s rail projects can generate sustained freight growth

of 7.9 per cent from 2021 to 2025.

On the maritime sector potential, the minister said that Nigeria had the secondlongest length of waterways in Africa, covering about 853 kilometres.

She said that the country was also endowed with an extensive coastline – 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways and an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles as well as additional 150 nautical miles of the continental shelf in the process.

“We are a dominant player in the West and Central African sub-region and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), controlling over 70 per cent of shipping traffic in the sub-region.

“As a maritime nation, Nigeria plays important roles through its relevant agencies to check the menace of maritime insecurity and other safety challenges in the Nigerian maritime domain and the GoG region,’’ she said.

The minister said that, with the implementation of the right policies and deployment of modern equipment as well as collaboration with other

maritime security agencies, the country had significantly curbed piracy and sea robbery in the region.

“The International Maritime Bureau has severally commended this initiative and, in one of its reports, it noted that the number of kidnappings and robberies in the Gulf of Guinea in the second quarter of 2021 is the lowest since 2019.

“While 33 incidents of piracy were reported in the last quarter of 2020, six cases were reported in the second quarter of 2021,’’ she noted.

Saraki estimated the nation’s federal road network to be 35,000km, representing about 17 per cent of the national road network of 200,000km.

She said that investors should take advantage of Executive Order 7 which seeks to mobilise private investment into the development of key roads and bridges.

The minister said that activities had returned to the air transport sub-sector after the COVID-19 global disaster, with the restoration of bilateral air agreements and the springing of more

domestic airlines with newer and modern aircraft in their fleets.

Saraki said that investors should key into the plan to establish Nigeria’s national carrier through a public/ private partnership being vigorously pursued.

She also informed the gathering of a plan to concession the four major international airports – Muritala Mohammed in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikwe in Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano in Kano, and Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt.

Saraki said that investments and partnerships in the country would require prospective partners to show mutual respect and desire for justice and equity.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said at the event that the NigerDelta region, which he supervised, was open for investment.

He said that the nine states that made up the region were safe and had enormous potential for investment in oil and gas, real estate, palm oil, infrastructure, and agriculture generally.

against this background that the author’s prescriptions have to be taken seriously.

As he pointed out, exceptional leaders do not just emerge, they are the products of deliberate efforts in policymaking, training, and grooming.”

While acknowledging that there are no silver bullets that leaders can deploy to solve 21st Century economic, social, and security challenges, Osinbajo stated that only knowledgeable, well-developed, trained, and motivated leaders will win.

"The strategies and techniques of yesterday will not work today, in the corporate workplace, in our public institutions, and even in our homes. Thanks in no small part to the leaps made in technological advancement. The advent of social media has completely changed the nature of human interactions, and with that has added layers of ambiguity and complexity in state-corporate relations. In terms of human capital, what drives today’s workforce is very different even from just two decades ago," he added.

Osinbajo described the book as an essential contribution to the existing body of knowledge on the subject of strategic leadership.

He also noted that its public presentation was timely and coming at the most auspicious moment in our nation’s history.

His words: "Major General Pat Akem-Vingir has outdone himself with this important new book, and he has articulated military strategies and fresh thinking on the concept of strategic leadership.

There are many books and ideas on leadership but one of the reasons why I think this book Winning Leadership is unique in that it draws from the best scholars in the world on the subject—leaders of advanced militaries and C-suite leaders of international organisations and institutions."

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NEWS BUHARI, ZULUM MOURN AS ISWAP FIGHTERS AMBUSH GENERAL, THREE SOLDIERS IN BORNO The president, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, stressed that “Nigeria has lost brave soldiers and I salute their courage.

"May their souls Rest In Peace. General Zirkusu leaves us sad and devastated. The soldier in him will remain immortal,” Buhari said.

He urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, to accept his heartfelt condolences and that of the nation, and convey same to the members of the families of those martyred.

“I pray to the Almighty to give you and the bereaved families the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss,” the President added.

In his reaction, Borno State Governor, Zulum has also commended the Nigerian military for putting up strong resilience in a battle with the ISWAP fighters, who launched the attacks on a military base in Askira/Uba LGA of southern Borno State.

Zulum, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, paid tribute to troops at the base as well as troops from neighbouring commands, who mobilised to reinforce before they were ambushed.

The governor, while commiserating with the military over the loss of some military officers and personnel, thanked the fallen heroes for what he called “their supreme sacrifices to the Nigerian Nation”, declaring that “the people of Borno will remain forever grateful to them and all fallen heroes, and will fully support gallant troops currently operating in front lines”.

He noted that amid the loss of some officers and personnel, the military was able to mount heavy resistance and recorded gains which the state is proud of.

He commiserated with affected residents for the trauma caused by the attack and shared the pains of anyone who may have turned victim directly and otherwise.

“We must always affirm our fates in our armed forces, while the armed forces must remain up and doing. We must always recognise what we already know, that insurgents are always plotting with the elements of surprise. Our troops must redouble efforts to be ahead of insurgents. I salute our troops for the resistance put up today.

I salute troops who mobilised to provide reinforcement. I salute the sacrifices of some officers and men we lost today and share the grieves of the immediate families and the Nigerian military. We thank these fallen heroes for their supreme sacrifices to the Nigerian nation. The people of Borno will remain forever grateful to them and all fallen

heroes, and will remain fully supported by gallant troops currently operating in front lines,” Zulum said as quoted in the statement.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the death of the Commander of the 28 Task Force Brigade in Chibok, Borno State, Brigadier General Zirkusu, and three other soldiers in the attack

by ISWAP in the Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Reacting to the incident, the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has commended the Nigerian military for putting up strong resilience in the battle with the terrorists, who launched attacks on a military base in Askira/ Uba LGA in the southern part of the state.

This is coming as Nigeria, Niger, and the Republic of Benin have concluded plans to establish a border force in a renewed bid to contain criminalities in their borders.

The late Brigadier General Zirkusu was in January 2021, redeployed from the Headquarters 1 Brigade, Gusau to Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok, and appointed Commander.

Before he was killed yesterday, the highest-ranking army officers killed by terrorists in the northeast were colonels.

While the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Damboa, Colonel Dahiru Bako, was killed by Boko Haram terrorists in September 2020, the Commanding Officer of the Chief of Army Staff Mobile Intervention Battalion in Borno, Col. Hussaini Samaila Sankara died in July 2021 following the injuries he sustained when his vehicle ran into a landmine/ IED of Boko Haram.

The IED blast incident, which occurred on May 30 between Marte and Dikwa, also killed some soldiers who were in the same vehicle as to the late Sankara.

Though the Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed the death of three other soldiers, sources from the frontlines put the number of soldiers reportedly killed during the operation which occurred at Bulguma at four.

Bulguma is a few kilometres from Askira town in Askira Uba LGA. According to the sources, the troops of 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok, were ambushed on their way to reinforce Askira, which was under attack by the ISWAP fighters, who had stormed the town in a large convoy of gun trucks.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army stated that the troops of Joint Task

Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai were engaged in a fierce gun battle with the terrorists which also led to the death of the Brigadier-General and three other soldiers.

The statement read in part: “A gallant senior officer, BrigadierGeneral Dzarma Zirkusu, and three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare display of gallantry as they reinforced a counteroffensive against the terrorists, and successfully defended the location”.

The statement added that the families of the senior officer and soldiers had been contacted.

“The Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya deeply commiserates with the families and relations of the fallen heroes. He has also directed that the troops continue in the ferocious counteroffensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.”

Nwachukwu, in the statement, also noted that the military had deployed five A – Jet, two A-29, and two Dragon combat with which they destroyed nine gun trucks and one armoured personnel carrier of the terrorists.

He added that the battle was still on at the time he filed the statement.

Meanwhile, the military has also disclosed that airstrikes conducted by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai decimated scores of insurgents, who gathered for a meeting in

the Marte area of Lake Chad.

After receiving credible intelligence that ISWAP terrorists were converging at a location in Marte for a meeting in Lake Chad yesterday, NAF aircraft under Operation Hadin Kai were immediately deployed to survey and dislodge the gathering.

THISDAY gathered that while observing the area, it was noticed that another boat came with more fighters surrounding a likely high-profile personality as seen from the way he was being followed around with a flag.

After confirming that the meeting was ongoing, the pilots got the go-ahead to strike.

Other sources also confirmed that top ISWAP Commanders that were at the scene at the time of the strikes included Muhammed Bako, Special Militant Forces Commander (Rijal Ann), Muhammad Malumma, a Chief Judge of Marte; Goni Mustapha, the Chief Imam.

Others included Muhammed Ba’ana, recently appointed Commander of Kirta; Muhammed Ali, Amir of Kwalaram; Ibn Umar, Chief Prosecutor; Bakura Gana, Commander of Jubularam; and Malam Musa, Amir of Jubularam amongst others were either injured or killed in the strike.

It was not certain if the new Wali, Shuwaram was among those killed or injured in the

attack.

In another development, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), has disclosed that Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, and the Republic of Niger have also launched tripartite Joint Border Patrol Teams (JBPTs) in a bid to strengthen border security in the three neighbouring countries.

Monguno has also stated that terrorist groups, Boko Haram and the ISWAP remained transnational threats to Nigeria.

Arms smuggling and unrestrained movement of armed groups through unmanned borders have fuelled insurgency and armed banditry which ravaged Nigeria and Niger while Benin suffered maritime crimes.

Monguno stated these in a paper themed: ‘Combating Persistent and Emerging Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: Pivotal Role of Nigeria’ at the Internal Partnership Forum in Paris.

He said Africa's porous borders remained a major source of concern as this aided smuggling of prohibited items and irregular migration as well as other transnational organised crimes.

"Nigeria is bordered to the North by Niger, to the East by Chad and Cameroon to the South by the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean, and to the West by Benin.

"However, Nigeria's extensive

land and maritime borders are incredibly porous and poorly manned. This has placed added responsibility on the border security agencies. In this regard, the Nigeria Customs Service has developed the E-Customs strategy while the Nigeria Immigrations Service has equally put in place an Integrated Border Management System (IBMS)", he said.

Monguno said the move was aimed at strengthening border security.

"It is necessary to observe that both strategies place a premium on employing technology to complement other existing physical border security arrangements. "Furthermore, as part of efforts at strengthening border security, tripartite Joint Border Patrol Teams (JBPTs) comprising Nigeria, Niger, and Benin Republics were recently established to curb the increasing scale of smuggling of prohibited items as well as irregular migration across the nations' borders.

"This has greatly reduced the scale of transnational organised crimes. We are also exploring the feasibility of setting up a border security force in the foreseeable future to secure Nigeria's border areas", he said.

Monguno stated that terrorist groups, Boko Haram and the ISWAP remained transnational threats to Nigeria.

He said the African continent was not immune to such global security concerns.

COURTESY VISIT… Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left), and former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, when the former governor paid a courtesy visit to the Governor's Office ahead of a special golf tournament holding at the Ado-Ekiti Gulf Club…weekend

18 DAYS AFTER LAUNCH, CBN’S ENAIRA REGISTERS 488,000 SUBSCRIBERS IN 160 COUNTRIES with the average transaction being about $9.3 each. These numbers suggest the adoption rate has been excellent.

“It is a direct liability of the bank, a legal tender and will form part of the currencyin-circulation and will be at par with the physical naira,” CBN said.

The eNaira was officially unveiled on October 25, 2021,

by President Muhammadu Buhari who said the electronic money would boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $29 billion in the next 10 years.

Nigeria is the first country in Africa and one of the first in the world to introduce digital currency.

Buhari had said: “Indeed, some estimates indicate that the adoption of CBDC and

its underlying technology, called blockchain, can increase Nigeria’s GDP by $29 billion over the next 10 years.

“CBDCs can also help increase remittances, foster cross border trade, improve financial inclusion, make monetary policy more effective, and enable the government to send direct payments to citizens eligible for specific welfare programmes.”

The president further assured Nigerians of the safety and scalability of the CBDC, adding that the journey to create a digital currency for Nigeria began in 2017.

On his part, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had said with growing interest in CBDC around the world,

the CBN had commenced extensive study, consultations, identification of use cases, and the testing of the CBDC concept in a Sandbox environment as far back as 2017.

He said the objective of the research was to establish a compelling case for the adoption of a digital currency in the country to enable a more prosperous and inclusive economy for all Nigerians.

He added that following the completion of the preliminary work, the researchers and experts at the CBN were able to establish that a digital currency will drive a more cashless, inclusive, and digital economy as well as complement the gains of previous policy measures and

our fast-growing payments platforms.

He said CBN decided to implement its own CBDC and to name the digital currency, the eNaira, and believes the innovation will make a significant positive difference to Nigeria and Nigerians.

Specifically, Emefiele said the eNaira will support a resilient payment system ecosystem, encouraging rapid financial inclusion, reducing the cost of processing cash, enabling direct and transparent welfare intervention to citizens, and increasing revenue and tax collection.

He had also said eNaira would also facilitate diaspora remittances, reduce the cost of financial transactions, and improve the efficiency of

payments.

He added: "Therefore, the eNaira is Nigeria’s CBDC and it is the digital equivalent of the physical Naira. As the tagline simply encapsulates, the eNaira is the same Naira with far more possibilities.

The eNaira – like the physical Naira – is a legal tender in Nigeria and a liability of the CBN. The eNaira and Naira will have the same value and will always be exchanged at 1 naira to 1 eNaira."

Emefiele said in a bid to further de-risk the process, the CBN had given careful consideration to the entire payments and financial architecture and has designed the eNaira to complement and strengthen these ecosystems, adding that the bank had also implemented security

safeguards and policies to maintain the integrity of the financial system.

The CBN boss added that there would be strict adherence to the anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/ CFT) standards to preserve the integrity and stability of Nigeria’s payment system.

According to him, 33 banks had been fully integrated and are live on the platform while N500 million had been successfully minted by the central bank including N200 million which had been issued to financial institutions.

Emefiele said the country had made history with the eNaira launch, pointing out that this would be the first in Africa and one of the earliest

around the world.

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EDITORIAL

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

F. W. DE KLERK: A MAN OF AFRICAN HISTORY Federik de Klerk, former South African President, dies at age 85

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he architects of Apartheid in South Africa never intended it to end suddenly. It was meant to last as a system of political and economic supremacy which needed its inherent racism to survive and thrive. The privileges which it reserved for the minority white population could only be sustained based on a segregated society. But in an unusual address to parliament in Pretoria on 2nd February 1990, former South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk who died a few days ago at the age of 85 literally broke the backbone of the very system that brought him to power and had sustained his race in pre-eminence for centuries. He announced the end of segregation of public facilities, the recognition of the African National Congress (ANC) as a legitimate political party and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison after 27 years of incarceration. He followed up with practical actions that accelerated the end of the Apartheid regime as one of the world’s most obnoxious segregationist systems.

A ser ies of negot iat ions w it h Ma ndela a nd t he A NC leader ship a nd ot her po lit ical g roups was followed by a t ra nsit iona l gover n ment l e a d i n g up to mu lt iracia l elec t ion s a nd t he i n a u g u r at ion of t he f i r st a l l-i nc lu sive g ove r n me nt i n S out h A fr ic a’s h i st or y. T he c r ow n i n g g lor y o f t h i s t ra nsit ion to mult iracialism was t he bir t h of a rainbow nat ion in which sk in colour ceased to be a cr iter ion for cit i zen’s r ig ht s a nd pr iv ileges. Luck ily for Sout h A f r ica, Ma ndela was a la r ger-t ha n-life st atesma n whose mission was t he building of a nat ion fou nded on for giveness, reconciliat ion, a nd equalit y of all per sons u nder t he law.

However, despite t he tower ing image of Ma ndela, we must not forget t hat it was de K lerk’s courage a nd v ision t hat broug ht about that outcome. It required a lot of moral courage and political sagacity to dismantle a

system on which one had come to power.

He could have retained Apartheid with only token concessions to the black majority while keeping the system of privileges and key segregationist policies alive.

Instead, he pressured the white ruling class to see the greater benefit of ending Apartheid and replacing it with majority rule and a more equitable society.

Without the courage of de Klerk, Apartheid could have perhaps survived, Mandela could have died in prison to be remembered at best as Africa’s most important prisoner of conscience.

And South Africa could have perhaps remained a hotbed of racial tension and violence. The serial bungling and bestiality of other African countries to the north of South Africa could have perhaps swung world opinion to excuse the excesses of Apartheid. These were clea r t ragic roads t hat African histor y did not travel because of the courage of conviction and political pragmatism of de Klerk.

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As the world mourns his passage, he will be remembered not only as the last white ruler of a past South Africa but also the author of the rainbow nation that the world knows today

Letters to the Editor

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

t is noteworthy that Mikail Gorbachev undertook a reform of the old Soviet Union about the same time that FW de Klerk was dismantling Apartheid. But there is a significant difference between the two men. Gorbachev set out to reform but not uproot the communist bedrock of the Soviet system. He only wanted to open it up for political pluralism and market economics. The subsequent unraveling of the system such as the breakaway of the former Soviet Republics were consequences of his reform impetus rather than part of the original architecture.

On the contrar y, de Klerk set out to dismantle Apartheid in its totality as a system by reaching for its moral jugular. The transitional arrangements which his government negotiated with Mandela, the ANC and others aimed at a wholesale remake of the South African nation by overturning the racist bedrock of Apartheid and replacing it with a new nation complete with a new anthem, a new flag and, most importantly, a new const it ut ion based on t he equalit y of all cit i zens u nder one sovereig n, u nited by t he r ule of law.

T his t hen is t he precise legac y of de K lerk.

A s t he world t herefore mour ns his passage, he will be remembered not only as the last white ruler of a past South Africa but also the author of the rainbow nation that the world knows today. For this act of towering moral and political courage, de Klerk stands tall as one of the authors of Africa’s modern history and an authentic hero.

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.

UBA, APC AND THE ANAMBRA ELECTION

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he Anambra governorship election has come and gone, and as expected, a winner and losers emerged. Prof Charles Soludo of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled a total of 112,229 votes to emerge a winner. Other frontline contestants are Valentine Ozigbo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 53,807 votes; Andy Uba of All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 43,285 while the fourth position went to Ifeanyi Ubah of Young Progressives Party (YPP) with 21,261 votes. In geographical spread, APGA captured 19 out of 21 local government areas while PDP and YPP captured one LGA each. APC ended up as a floating party in Anambra with no LGA to perch or lay claim to as it didn’t win any. Having met the

requirements vis-à-vis the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act, the Returning Officer for the poll, Professor Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar returned APGA’s candidate. Prof Soludo as ‘elected by Anambra people’.

However, one striking development that may not be forgotten easily that characterized the 2021 Anambra governorship poll is the massive number - 230,201 votes the APC candidate, Andy Uba reportedly ‘polled’ during the party’s primary to defeat other aspirants. At the APC primary, records showed that a total of 348,490 Anambra-APC members voted for respective aspirants. But at the governorship poll, total votes cast from the 21 local government areas in the state were 249,631 while total accredited voters were 253,388.

This implies that the number of APC members from Anambra that ‘congregated and nominated’ Andy Uba as the party’s standard-bearer outnumbered the total number of all the voters during the governorship election.

Maybe, explanations on their whereabouts during the election would suffice.

Incidentally, while all other contestants have described the election as credible and transparent, APC rejected the results claiming the party was rigged out by APGA. On account of the allegations, APC didn’t show up to sign the result sheet after the supplementary poll at Ihiala LGA which was rescheduled by the Commission over alleged security threat. The Anambra APC forgot that President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly vowed that the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) under his watch must give Nigerians free, fair and transparent elections, and assured that no one would interfere with the sacred mandate of the people. During the Edo election, the Presidency’s neutrality manifested clearly and President Buhari was extolled as a statesman.

On Ihiala supplementary poll, believably, some INEC officials in connivance with some politicians attempted to play out a script by deliberately reserving Ihiala local government area for a separate election after testing other LGAs. Possibly, the plotters had expected that the frontliners’ scores would be close so that a barbaric politics would be deployed at the reserved battle ground. Unfortunately, APGA had a very wide margin that couldn’t easily be maneuvered by any means. With APGA’s margin and geographical spread, it became difficult to frustrate the mandate of the people through any form of electoral malpractices. Although,

whatever intrigues, conspiracy or schemes eventually didn’t succeed in Anambra, repetition in future elections is unacceptable. Instructively, an election can only be rescheduled with a credible reason, and not rescheduling part of a poll meant to take place concurrently to a later date using veto power after announcing some results.

Had it been the machines malfunctioned, it would be a genuine reason for not conducting the election in some polling units, but not for a whole town let alone a local council.

To reserve an entire LGA, a nonviolent and peaceful one as Ihiala LGA suggests some attempted foul play. In Anambra State, there are towns that could be said to have such a peculiarity like Onitsha, Aguleri, Umuleri, and some parts of Awka. t $BSM 6NFHCPSP "$*"SC JT B TPDJBM DSVTBEFS

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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 ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2021

OPINION

NIGERIA NEEDS A ‘STRONG MAN’ AS PRESIDENT Fredrick Nwabufo writes that Nigeria needs as president in 2023 a man who is not afraid to take unpopular decisions

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e hear ‘’strong man’’, and the visage of a rotund, bumbling African dictator in Khaki and jackboots comes to mind.

But permit me to appropriate the word and re-contextualise it for the purpose of this column. In my context, a ‘’strong man’’ embodies discipline, audacity, courage, and character. Nigeria needs a ‘’strong man’’ as president in 2023 – one who is not afraid to be unpopular by taking critical reformist decisions and actions.

The times are perilous. Nigeria needs a sanitiser, a vacuumer; one who is not afraid to dare the undared.

Some people say: "We need strong institutions not strong men". I agree. In Nigeria's case, we need strong men to build strong institutions. Any dauntless leader willing to reform Nigeria must be ready to be unpopular because the status quo will fight back -- and will do so ruthlessly.

Nigeria needs a leader who can take bold decisions like removing subsidies on petroleum and electricity for instance; vacuum the tax system and make heads roll. The argument for subsidy retention is an emotional one that discounts the filth in the system. Nigeria is a quasi-socialist country; a highly subsidised country. Corruption thrives partly because of the regime of subsidies.

Virtually every essential commodity or service is subsidised and does not reflect true value. The subsidy regime is clearly unsustainable. Kerosene, which is the common energy of the poor, was de-subsidised; diesel as well, yet petrol which sells for about N600 per litre in Ghana – an oil-producing country -- is scandalously buffered. Who does this benefit?

The NNPC said it spent N541.65 billion within six months in 2021 on petroleum subsidy. Between 2017 and 2020, the corporation is projected to have spent over N1.53 trillion on petroleum subsidy. The reality is that the current price of petrol in Nigeria does not reflect its actual value vis-a-vis the prevailing global market value.

But if the poor can afford a basic commodity like kerosene which sells for N400 per litre without subsidy, why should petrol mostly utilised by the middle and the upper class be N165 per litre? Who does the subsidy regime serve? The masses or some industry leviathans and wolves?

Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano (2014-2020) and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), rightly described the subsidy regime as a scam. He said: “The first problem is by assuming that we are an oil-rich country. This has been a big joke for me. I remember in 2011 when we were talking about the subsidy debate when President Jonathan rightfully wanted to remove fuel subsidy. I said to people, you are producing two million barrels for 160 million Nigerians. That is one barrel for 80 people. Saudi Arabia produces one barrel for three citizens. These people need education, healthcare, infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications and agriculture from that one barrel that 80 people share. Then, you decide that what they need more than anything else is cheap fuel. That doesn’t make sense. It only made sense because there are many people who control the levers of power and are making millions and billions of dollars from the scam that is called fuel subsidy.”

The Jonathan administration tinkered with the idea of removing petroleum subsidy but quaked under an avalanche of protests – possibly sponsored. The Buhari administration is dilly-

Any serious Nigerian president will have to enforce discipline at all levels and spectrum of the social and national life. Lee Kuan Yew did it in Singapore as prime minister. He was fierce, daring and unafraid to take tough decisions

dallying on the subject now, and perhaps to preclude another round of insurrection, it has pigeonholed de-subsidising petroleum. But for how long must we tread on this primrose path? Nigeria needs a president who will defy all odds and take action for the common good even if that enterprise will result in short-term discomfort.

Also, the federal government spends N30 billion monthly on electricity subsidy. Some analysts say this is one of the reasons the industry players are reluctant to scale up their services -- because of ‘’free money’’. We have to de-subsidise to survive.

Really, any serious Nigerian president will have to enforce discipline at all levels and spectrum of the social and national life. Lee Kuan Yew did it in Singapore as prime minister. He was fierce, daring and unafraid to take tough decisions.

The children of the status quo will cry, "tyranny and oppression". But it must be done. We cannot make progress this way. Nigerians are intolerably undisciplined. However discipline will have to start from the top. The ‘’strong man’’ who wants to lead Nigeria must himself be disciplined. He must lead by personal example. Discipline must be seen in his cabinet, approach to governance and even in his personal life.

We cannot compromise on discipline.

It is that bad. I returned from a trip to the country about a week ago, and right from the nostril of the airport I was pestered for money by nearly all airport staff, including the cleaners. It is tragic. Nigerians are inveterately undisciplined.

We want the best of services, but we do not want to pay tax; we beat traffic stops, discard refuse on the road, and demand and give bribes. We are just ungovernable.

In 2023, Nigeria needs a ‘’strong man’’ as president to discipline the undisciplined, and to take bold decisions for the common good.

Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

NIGERIA, FRANCE AND THE SPIRIT OF ‘FRATERNITE’ Nigeria and France must find accommodation for themselves and their interests, write Simbo Olorunfemi and Ade Adefeko

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rance is the elephant in the room, around which a decisive and coherent Nigeria’s foreign policy, to the benefit of both countries, has been difficult. There is a clumsiness of identity or acceptance of who France really is to Nigeria and what the relationship with her should be like. There is tentativeness in the relationship between the two countries, itself not surprising given the history between them. But must history continue to hold hostage the possibility of a different outlook to the future? Must today continue to be defined by yesterday? Is today’s reality a reflection of yesterday? Is the configuration of yesterday same as that of today?

Nigeria comes across as unsure, unwilling, or perhaps unprepared to frontally confront her fears with France. Yet, France is a reality that stares us right in the face. Nigeria is almost completely surrounded by France. So, there is a French presence as a neighbour that needs to be addressed, there is the reality of a Nigeria within the sphere of her influence that France needs to accept, perhaps embrace and learn to live with.

Two recent incidents, separate but similar, with two Nigerians involved. One, the eminent Nigerian and global icon, Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, the other, one of the writers of this piece and Honorary Consul of Botswana to Nigeria, Ade Adefeko.

Soyinka, 87, a true citizen of the world, with extensive footprints around the world and multiple thousands of miles, accrued from international travelling by air for decades, without any issue, was held up in France for over 48 hours, 'banished'(in his word), from entering his own country, Nigeria. Adefeko, a polyglot, who has been travelling around the world since the age of four, with over 50 countries in the bag was to suffer the same fate in same France, about a week later. Except that unlike Prof Wole Soyinka who was able to make it back into the city, Adefeko, without a Schengen visa on his passport, was confined to the airport. Neither his fluency in French nor connections within the diplomatic circles was of much help, as he had to pass the night at the airport. His only source of succour was the Ambassador of Nigeria to France Kayode Laro who assured him that Nigeria never abandons its own and kept him engaged on the phone for over an hour trying to keep his spirits high at Charles De Gaulle Europe ‘s second busiest airport.

Indeed, there in enough blame to go round, with the circumstances of the kerfuffle, leading itself into putting the greater part of the blame on the part of Nigerian authorities. Professor Soyinka and Adefeko were prevented from leaving France for Nigeria because they were said to be in breach of the Covid-19 protocols as set out between the Nigerian Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19” and the National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Indeed, the NCAA had on September 11, 2021 issued a directive to all airlines granting permission for them to board passengers who are unable to show evidence of payment

for Day-7 Covid PCR test or generate paid QR Code/Permit to fly. But relying on an October 15, 2021 press statement said to have emanated from the “Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19”, Air France opted for a cautious interpretation, thus preventing them from flying into Nigeria.

But could things have been handled better in Paris by Air France, given that these are Nigerian citizens returning to their own country, especially given the age and stature of Prof Wole Soyinka? Could a way have been found to positively take advantage of the mixed signals from the official communication and key into a diplomatic sense of the occasion to have it resolved?

Air France, most likely did not mean to embarrass the two men, but in a way, what happened in Paris mirrors the needless and pointless flexing of muscles that has characterised Nigeria-France relations at different points over the years.

Whereas, there are different ways to navigate around interests to make them coincide, at critical junctures in the diplomatic history between the two countries, interests have rather collided.

The delicate nature of the relationship between Nigeria and France is founded around a number of realities. Nigeria is virtually surrounded by France, through her hold or influence over the Francophone countries, who are our immediate neighbours. Also, Nigeria’s foreign policy, in the words of Oluwole “has been largely influenced by the needs of Africa and its people - these include the pursuit of unity, peace, good neighbourliness, respect for the territorial integrity and inherited colonial boundaries, liberation of territories still under colonial yoke and economic advancement”.

Nigerian leaders and policymakers, even with their different political persuasions have consistently perceived the country as the ‘natural leader’ of Africa. According to Professor Osuntokun, “being the most populous Black Country in the world compelled her to shoulder, wittingly or unwittingly, the leadership of the Black world. Nigeria’s feeling that she had a responsibility far beyond her borders. Some might say beyond her means”. That has come with a price for Nigeria and an impact on the relationship with France.

As Osuntokun argues, “we as a nation was seized, some would say obsessed, with the question of decolonization and fighting for the rights of all black people wherever they may be. In our pursuit of this policy, we paid the price in human and material terms…in our mission to help and lead Africa we have carried Africa’s burden with equanimity. This was the case when we stood alone, deserted by other African states in our opposition to France over the testing of atomic bombs in the Sahara. Our determined stand brought the wrath of France against our vital interests including the

sustenance of our sovereignty and national unity. We have sometimes in our defence of Africa hurt our vital economic interests and undermined the smooth economic relations with our major economic partners.”

The Nigerian Civil War would offer France the opportunity for a payback of sorts. She had not forgotten or forgiven the “diplomatic slight of Nigeria’s expulsion of her ambassador over the French testing of atomic bombs in the Sahara. General Charles Andre Joseph Maria de Gaulle (1890-1970), the President of the French Republic, for some curious reasons had a phobia for the English-speaking world and was not averse to cutting to size the influence of the Anglophone Commonwealth”. France exercised her influence in securing support for “Benin and Equatorial Guinea ostensibly for humanitarian reasons, but apparently in logistic and offensive support for Biafra”. With Cote d’Ivoire, which had permanently settled into the French corner, always leading the charge against Nigeria’s interest in West Africa, standing up to Nigeria rather than for her in the hour of need, it was evident where the shot was being called from. While the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under the leadership of Nigeria, was with the objective of promoting intra-regional cooperation, especially trade and commerce, the pervasive influence of France was hardly shaken among the countries within the region beholden to France, with obvious negative impact on the success of the regional body.

For reasons to do with Nigeria’s size, there is always an air of suspicion about her real intent among smaller neighbours. They instinctively find themselves constantly watching their backs. That lingering mistrust has played into the hands of France, creating a platform for France’s continuing overbearing influence on the neighbours and the region, helping her positioning as a Mother-Hen or father-figure to the Francophone countries. As played out recently, with moves to scuttle the re-election of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the major source of contention was from the Francophone bloc within the continent, which traditionally acts under the direction of France.

–– Adefeko is Vice President, Olam International Nigeria and Honorary Consul of Botswana to Nigeria. Olorunfemi is a Specialist on Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and Managing Editor of Africa Enterprise

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2021

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LETTERS

LESSONS FROM ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

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rom the holistic perspectives of the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the deployment of technology, the security status before and during the recently concluded Anambra governorship election, voter turn-out and the engagement of the civil society in the democratic process one can safely state that “fair was foul and foul was fair’’, as William Shakespeare would have described it.

For enlightened and patriotic Nigerians who have been on the lookout for elections to be conducted here in Nigeria on week days, without disrupting business activities the Anambra polls would have been much better conducted. In countries such as Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia, Norway and Puerto Rico elections go on under peaceful atmosphere without the deployment of a mass security personnel.

As one has often reiterated, free, fair and credible elections form the firm foundation on which to build the house of democracy here in Nigeria.

But as Joseph Stalin rightly stated: “It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything”. There comes in INEC. Considering the vast and varied experiences gathered by the electorate and

more so the electoral body, over the past 22 years of unbroken democratic process, it should have done a better job. Of great significance too are the important lessons all the stakeholders should glean from it, ahead of the Ekiti and Osun State polls come 2022, and the subsequent 2023 general elections.

According to credible media reports, right from journalists on the field and from the Situation Room there were clearly avoidable lapses. In spite of the Voter Education and the determination of INEC to succeed, issues of long-winding delays in the supply of electoral materials to polling units and the malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) reared their ugly heads.

In fact, in the words of Professor Charles Soludo, standard-bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party, “fundamentally is that technology collapsed; BVAS technology of a thing is a complete failure…Almost 12.30 pm in the day and voting is yet to start in most of the polling units in the state.”

Interestingly, he became the eventual winner of the election, breasting the gubernatorial tape with a total of 112,229 votes.

His closest rival, Mr. Val Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came second with 53,807 votes, while Andy Uba, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), came third with 43,285 votes.

Truth be told, INEC needs to up its game by being much more proactive in its preparations for elections. For instance, it ought to have had more frequent tests on its technological facilities, especially the BVAS to avoid the hitches.

That was long before the election kicked off. And it should have had alternatives to the ad-hoc staff who refused to show up as at when due because of the threat to peace by the pro-IPOB group and the now infamous ‘unknown gunmen’.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) at INEC Office in Awka, Dr. Nwachukwu Orji some members of the Transport Union failed to show up in good time to get the voting materials to the polling units. Since similar delays have characterized previous elections right from 1999, 2003 up till to that of 2019 it should have made

adequate room for Plan B. With regard to the critical factor of growing insecurity in Anambra State and the South-East geo-political zone in general, kudos must go to the groups of elders who intervened to stem the rising tide of fear IPOB visited on the electorate before the election. These include the respected traditional rulers and church leaders.

The lesson from this is that beyond the candidates signing peace accords the institutions comprising traditional and religious leaders should be duly recognized and empowered to carry out their fence-mending and flame-quenching activities. In the end, jaw-jawing pays more than stoking the fires of conflicts because anyone could fall a victim.

Furthermore, INEC, working closely with security forces should identify both the spon-

LAGOS AND THE DECLINE IN MATERNAL MORTALITY

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ccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 20% of all global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria.

Between 2005 and 2015, it is estimated that over 600,000 maternal deaths and no less than 900, 000 maternal near-miss cases occurred in the country.

In 2015, Nigeria’s estimated maternal mortality ratio was over 800 deaths per 100,000 live births, with approximately 58,000 maternal deaths during that year. The 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey indicates that 545 women die in every 100,000 live births and 157 children out of every thousand do not live to the age of five years in Nigeria.

Although the maternal and child health indices of Lagos State are slightly better than the national average, it is still unacceptable as the goal of every government is to ensure the sanctity and preservation of human lives.

In realisation of the need to sharply reduce occurrence of maternal and child mortality, the Lagos State Government evolved the Integrated Maternal and Child Centers Policy. As it is doing in many other aspects of the health sector,

the Babajide Olusola SanwoOlu administration is setting new pace towards reducing maternal and child mortality level to zero in the state Local and national statistics of maternal and child mortality and morbidity rate were of utmost concern to the state government, hence its resolve to tackle it head-on. One of the ways of doing this is via the establishment of Maternal Child Centers (MCCs). These are specialized healthcare centres for mothers and children aimed at taking maternal and child health care closer to the people by reducing the travel time and improving quality care to the highest possible standard.

The idea behind the construction of the MCCs was rooted in the conviction that these interventions would impact positively on the health indices of mothers and children who constitute a significant percentage of clients attended to at public health facilities.

In the last two years, the administration has completed and commissioned four MCCs. The Centres are equipped with the latest medical and other facilities to enhance access to quality health care for mothers and children.

The Centers are located in

Eti-Osa, Igando, Badagry and Epe. The commissioning of the four MCCs amply demonstrates the Sanwo-Olu administration’s resolve to enhance residents’ access to healthcare.

Each of the centers has five clinics for mothers, babies and children, neonatal unit for premature babies, labor ward with delivery room, emergency clinic and a theatre for Cesarean sections in complicated deliveries among others.

The MCCs’ design was mooted as a Four- Storey edifice with between 100 to 160-bed complement. The building was fashioned with ramps at the main entrance into the floors and the fire/ service stairway at the other end.

In addition, the building is flanked by two waiting sheds/holding areas to further accommodate the attending clients and their relatives. In order to complement the services being rendered, the gas station, public toilets, the power room, the engineering section, and the water tank stands were constructed proximal to the main building.

These facilities were uniquely designed to suit the pre-conceptual integrated services offered by the centres consisting of

sors and perpetrators of various electoral fraud, prosecute them and get the guilty ones severely punished. This will definitely send a message of warning to criminals with similar intentions. According to media reports, “thugs allegedly attacked and dispersed several voters and made away with the ballot boxes. That was at 008 and 009 Notre Dame, Abatete. And at PUs 028 and 029 Halls 1 and 2, Obinagu Abatete, “ballot papers were allegedly thumb-printed and stuffed in boxes”.

The collation officer for Ihiala, Dr. Jarma Anagbogu of the University of Calabar, who announced the result from Ihiala, said there was no election in Orsumoghu and Lilu communities because of security challenges.

According to INEC portal on Voter Education: “Any conduct – action or inaction which is prohibited by the 1999 Constitution as amended or the Electoral Act 2010 and a breach of which attracts punishment, is called an electoral offence.

Electoral offences may be committed by INEC or security officials, political parties and their officials, candidates, observers, journalists/media houses or the general public”.

Narrowing it down to the low voter turnout in

Anambra State election with a total of 2,466,638 registered voters, while 253,388 were accredited for the election (representing a 10.273%) challenges our understanding and practise of democracy.

According to Vivian Odi Mma – the General Secretary, Alliance for Credible Elections this situation calls for serious concern. And one must add the imperative of well-coordinated action.

Despite all the voter education and mobilization by both INEC and jingles from the Situation Room voters did not understand the importance of voting as a civic duty. INEC definitely needs more helping hands in pragmatic partnerships to deepen the essence and ethics of democracy.

As we join our hands to give kudos to Prof.

Soludo, as the people’s choice having won in 19 local government areas and scored 25% in all the 21 local government areas of the state, we enjoin him to walk the talk, to be magnanimous in victory. In the words of Marco Rubio: “Leadership cannot be measured in a poll or even in the result of an election.

It can only be truly seen with the benefit of time.

From the perspective of 20 years, not 20 days.” t "ZP 0ZP[F #BKF -BHPT

A LIFELINE FOR THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER

T

he Nigerian Observer is one the reception, patient waiting of Nigeria’s oldest section, the medical records newspapers. section and the outpatient It used to have consulting rooms. columnists like Anthony Others are the resusEnahoro, Abiola Adcitation room, the family etokunbo, Osasere Adagplanning clinic section, the bonyin, Andy Akporugo, call room, the laboratory, and many big names. pharmacy, Ultrasound scan From the South-South room, labor rooms, delivery zone of Nigeria, there was rooms, theatre, recovery almost no big journalist room, intensive care baby today who did not cut unit, treatment room, prenatal ward, the post-natal their teeth and hone ward and nursery. their skills as journalists These centers apart, from writing for this esteemed being primarily equipped newspaper. The Nigerian to reduce maternal and Observer had offices child mortality, also serve as across the nooks and training grounds for staff. crannies of Nigeria.

Since the commissioning of As a student, I wrote a the MCCs, available statistics column for The Nigehave indicated a reduction rian Observer known in the incidence of maternal as Acada Gist for four deaths, which often occur years. My editors then as a result of delivery by were the much respected unskilled birth attendants, Mike Oputeh, Ofure hemorrhage, infection, Osehobo, Flora Okoye obstructed labour and and Nasamu Jacobson. malaria, among others.

This was in the very No doubt, the state’s MCC early 90s. The Nigerian strategy is already yielding Observer was a truly positive results as evident national newspaper. in the key performance But over the years, The indicator.

Nigerian Observer was ––5BZP 0HVOCJZJ JT rested. All the infrastruc%FQVUZ %JSFDUPS 1VCMJD ture, from the library to "GGBJST .JOJTUSZ PG the newsroom, to utilities *OGPSNBUJPO BOE 4USBUFHZ like power supply, toilets "MBVTB -BHPT were just left to rot. If you walked into the Read the full article online - press, you would see www.thisdaylive.com clanging pieces of metal

fit only for a scrap yard.

The Nigerian Observer, starved and ridiculed, was left to die a slow and very painful death.

But Governor Obaseki has changed all of that.

The man has torn down the old walls, sent the scrap metals into the dustbin and brought in these gigantic printing machines. The Nigerian Observer, almost dead and buried will wear a new look as a hub for the arts and entertainment, but to retain its personality as a centre of media excellence and endeavour.

With this step at The Nigerian Observer, we thank Governor Obaseki and wish him well in his future endeavours in Edo State. With the redemption and life line he has given The Nigerian Observer, Mr Godwin Obaseki successfully wrote his name in gold in some of our hearts.

The story of Obaseki and The Nigerian Observer will be a lesson in governance to past and future administrations, and that is that: that the good that men do lives after them. t #PC .BKJSJ0HIFOF &UFNJLV 8"%0/03 DVMUVSBM WPJDF PG /JHFSJB

16

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2021 • T H I S D AY

17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

BUSINESS

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

Financial Inclusion: 071 $iUWHl -oin WKH FUa\ With the recent approval-in-principle granted MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks Limited by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to operate Payment Service Banking, the coast is now clear for the apex bank to deepen Ànancial inclusion by leveraging the ubiquitous nature of the services of the two telecoms giant in the nooks and crannies of the country, reports )HVWXV $NDQEL

G

iven the level of excitement trailing the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to approve in principle (AIP) to MTN Nigeria andAirtel Networks Limited, qualifying the two telcos to become licensed Payment Service Banks (PSBs), advocates of Ànancial inclusion in Nigeria agreed that the apex bank may have scored a big point this time.

SubMect to meeting speciÀc requirements over the next six months, the two leading telecom operators would receive approval to operate PSBs. Payment Service Banks are banks that take deposits from people and small businesses, provide payment and remittance services within Nigeria, issue debit and prepaid cards, run electronic wallets, and engage in other CBNapproved operations. To lawfully engage in these operations, a PSB licence from CBN is required, which these Telcos have now obtained.

Financial industry experts explained that the main goal of PSBs is to increase Ànancial inclusion by providing small businesses, low-income households,andotherÀnanciallyexcludedentities with access to deposit products and payment/ remittance services through high-volume lowvalue transactions in a secure technology-driven environment.

'HHSHQLQJ )LQDQFLDO ,QFOXVLRQ (;RUWV Chairman. The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, (ALTON) Gbenga Adebayo, in his reaction heaped praises on the Governor of CBN, Mr, Godwin (meÀele, for giving considerations to the recommendations from telecoms operators. He also acknowledged the bridge provided by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami in the struggle to get the apex bank’s attention.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY, Adebayo believed the approval in principle given to MTN and Airtel would deepen the drive for Ànancial inclusion in Nigeria.

Explaining that the spread of the two giant telecoms Àrms will make it possible for Ànancial services to reach all the nooks and crannies of the country, Adebayo said, “We believe this will give access, as you may be aware, the current infrastructure of the Ànancial institutions is being run on infrastructure of telecom operators. In essence, operators are the only ones who have infrastructure presence across all local governments of the country.

“In essence, if you are looking at access by way of availability to the people, telecoms services will certainly provide more availability for everyone.

“Again, we have a large number of unbanked Nigerians, and statistics from the CBN has shown that a lot of them, about 90 per cent of them have one form of mobile services or the other. So, in essence, somebody may not have a bank account but he has a mobile phone and therefore this should be an easy point of entry for those kinds of people who are currently not Ànancially included to be able to beneÀt from Ànancial inclusion services and that is another side.” %RRVW WR H &RPPHUFH The ALTON chief believed the new dispensation will attract more people into the Ànancial net as well as serve as a boost to eCommerce which he described as the rave of the moment in Nigeria.

According to him, “The other side of it is that currently, many people who live in remote parts of the country have to travel several miles to be able to access Ànancial services. With these players now in this space, these people will readily have

A local operator dispensing cash transfer to a customer

access to the services and even the CBN itself will be able to capture them under the umbrella of those who should be Ànancially included.

“Today we know about e-commerce which is thriving, so with all of this availability, it shows the licensing will be able to oͿer more beneÀts to the average Nigerians.”

1R 7KUHDW WR %DQNV He was quick to address the fear in certain quarters that the coming on board of telcos into the system would aͿect the revenues of banks. Adebayo explained “Banks will remain the Ànancial institutions, they are the backbone for all of these. No operator has a bank and so these infrastructures, no matter, what we call it, will still ride on the Ànancial infrastructure and mechanism of the banks, and therefore, it will be more volume for the banks because those who are not currently Ànancially included will now be included. The backbone for this is still the banks and I think it’s a win-win for everyone.”

CorroboratingAdebayo’sposition,Co-Founder of Nairametrics, Mr. Edward Okonkwo was quoted as saying that “The banks have nothing to worry about because the way the PSB is structured is like the midwife situation since the PSBs would be subordinate to the commercial banks.”

He also stated that the banks shouldn’t be concerned about sharing revenue because the funds would still be with the bank.

“Banks should start thinking about how to create more loans and use the lower-cost infrastructure to distribute the loans. With new initiatives on the way such as the credit agency, Àntech AI or credit proÀling services, it means there are a lot of opportunities appearing in the space and enough revenue for everyone to share.

Writing on the genesis of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) which sought to ensure that over 80 per cent of the bankable adults in the country had access to Ànancial services by 2020, a telecoms expert, Mr, Okoh Aihe noted that NFIS was launched on October 23, 2012, by the Central Bank in collaboration with other stakeholders. The primary target, according to

him, was to reduce the exclusion rate to 20 per cent by the year 2020.

He recalled that on October 5, 2018, Exposure Draft on the Guidelines for Licensing and Regulation of Payment Service Banks, addressed to industry stakeholders, the Central Bank confessed that despite taking sundry measures, including the introduction of Micro Finance Banking, Agent Banking, Tiered Know-Your-Customer Requirements and Mobile Money Operation (MMO) in pursuit of the objective, the Central Bank confessed the results have not been good.

In doing that reality check the Central Bank, along with other stakeholders which include: Nigerian Communications Commission, commercial banks, mobile money operators, and telecommunications companies conducted some research to determine the way forward, and voted for PSBs as an attractive critical element of growth since the telcos have a wider reach and more robust network than all the banks combined.

“The key objective of setting up Payment Service Banks,” according to the CBN documents, “is to enhance Ànancial inclusion in rural areas by increasing access to deposit products and payment/remittance services to small businesses, low-income households, and other entities through high-volume low-value transactions in a secured technology-driven environment.”

7DUJHWLQJ WKH 8QGHUEDQNHG The PSBs can target the underbanked and remote communities to provide very simple banking services which include but are not limited to, savings, deposits, transfers, remittances, investment in bonds, and other services to make life easy Ànancially in any location in Nigeria where there is a telecommunications network. They can also issue debit cards.

Industry experts believed that apart from helping to include 40 million adult Nigerians outside the Ànancial services industry, the new move by the apex bank could create over one million direct jobs in 2022.

They contended that the current realities are in favour of the two telcos just brought on board.

For instance, MTN Nigeria and Airtel combined boast 124.6 million voice subscribers and 96.1 data subscribers. Another positive development is the fact that MTN Nigeria through its MoMo SuperAgent network has amassed 230,000 agents across the country, and given its experience as the second-largest mobile money operator inAfrica, after Safaricom, deploying the same service in Nigeria would not be so di΀cult for the telco.

Airtel is expected to bank on its airtime resellers in its bid to grow its agent network.

In September 2019, three PSB licenses were issued as follows: Globacom’s Money Master, 9Mobile’s 9PSB, and Hope PSB, a subsidiary of 8niÀed Payment. From all indications, they have seemed to underperform. :KDW WKH 5XOHV 6D\ According to the CBN rules, the Payment Service Banks can, among others, accept deposits from individuals and small businesses, which shall be covered by the deposit insurance scheme; carry out payments and remittances (including inbound cross-border personal remittances) services through various channels within Nigeria; sell foreign currencies realized from inbound cross-border personal remittances to authorised foreign exchange dealers; issue debit and pre-paid cards in its name; operate electronic wallets; render Ànancial advisory services; invest in FGN and CBN securities and carry out such other activities as may be prescribed by the CBN from time to time.

However, according to the apex bank’s regulations, the PSBs cannot grant any form of loans, advances, and guarantees (directly or indirectly); accept foreign currency deposits and trade in foreign exchange except for remittances. In addition to these, insurance underwriting would not be possible for PSBs and PSB would not accept any closed scheme electronic value (e.g. airtime) as a form deposit or payment.

From whichever angle one looks at the CBN’s action, it is clear that the decision was intended to give the apex bank’s Ànancial inclusion project a boost.

18

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

INSURANCE

Insurance Chieftains: Ikoyi Building Collapse, Big Lessons for Govt, Property Owners The ensuing sobriety in honour of the departed souls in the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi two weeks ago, was shattered last week by the outcry of Nigerians, including insurance chieftains, in their reactions to the report that the property owner defied the existing law that mandates owners of property of that proportion to insure the building beginning from the construction level to the final stage, reports Festus Akanbi

A

s families of victims of the collapsed 21-storey building on Gerard Road Ikoyi Lagos make preparations for the burial of their loved ones, Nigerians, including top insurance practitioners have continued to express indignation over the reported refusal of the owner of the collapsed building to comply with a directive by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, (LAPPPA) to insure the structure.

Property and insurance sectors’ operators said they are compelled to believe the claim that the property was not insured because two weeks after the unfortunate incident, where 45 people have been conÀrmed dead with over 15 wounded, no underwriting Àrm, insurance brokers, and agents have come out to lay claims to the property.

What the Law Says Section 65 of the Insurance Act 2003 requires the owner or occupier of every public building to be insured against liability for loss or damage to property or death or bodily injury caused by collapse, Àre, earthquake, storm, or Áood. Also, Section 64 of the sameAct, stipulates that for insurance of buildings under construction, every owner or contractor of any building under construction with more than two Áoors must take an insurance policy to cover liability against construction risks caused by his negligence or that of his servants, agents or consultants which may result in death, bodilyinjuryorpropertydamagetoworkerson-site or members of the public.

In Lagos State for speciÀcally, Part G of the development permit issue to every developer by the state Physical Planning Permit Authority always reads: “Adeveloper of any building above two Áoors shall insure his/her liability in respect of construction risks and submit a CertiÀed True Copy (CTC), of such insurance policy certiÀcation with his/her development permit to Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).”

Similarly, Part E reads: “Non-compliance with the approved planning permit as designed will void the permit, and the development will be regarded as illegal.”

Paying for Regulatory’s Negligence Analysts said the Gerrard Road building tragedy exposes the impunity usually perpetrated by developers, and the level of avoidable risks which many property owners take, explaining that much of the blame should be heaped on regulators who curiously Ànd it di΀cult to halt such illegal construction work.

Captains of the insurance industry, who spoke with THISDAY believe that the Ikoyi building disaster would serve as a great lesson to property owners and the government on the need to ensure total compliance with all regulations guiding building construction in Nigeria. Those who spoke with THISDAY include Chairman, Mutual BeneÀts Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Managing Director, Tangerine General Insurance Limited (formerly Law 8nion and Rock Insurance Plc), Mr. Mayowa Adeduro, Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited, Mr.Akinjide Orimolade, and Managing Director, 8niversal Insurance Plc, Dr. Benedict 8joatuonu.

The consensus among these insurance practitioners was that the Lagos State Government and its agencies should take the blame for the tragedy for thefailuretotakedrasticactionsagainsttheproperty owner, Mr. Femi Osibona, who incidentally lost his life in the collapse.

The Chairman of Mutual BeneÀtsAssurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, who described the building collapse as an unfortunate development, said the sad incident was a direct indictment on regulators and the government of Lagos State.

Ogunbiyi who said most people usually leave their responsibility to God, said “The law is here in Lagos State in particular. It says any building

Rescue operation at the scene of the building collapse

under construction that is about two Áoors must be insured. It should also be insured when the building is completed and occupied. The question now is where lies the law of Lagos for a gigantic project like that?

“Who approved the construction? You might be surprised they might have used a fake paper to meet the insurance requirements.”

The insurance chief argued that it was either the government was negligent or the agency involved was compromised.

“Maybe they compromised because I want to believe that insurance will be a major requirement for that kind of building. So, it’s either they were compromised or they didn’t do it at all. But everybody keeps saying, God is my protector, which is the greatest mistake. You can see they were going there to pray. But God is not fooled.

God cannot be mocked by anybody. When you don’t do what you are supposed to do, if anything happens, you will carry the loss. Unfortunately, I learnt the owner is dead, but even at that, if you have insurance, the investors, (people who put money there) will have something to fall back to,” he submitted.

Where is Enforcement?

On his part, Managing Director, Tangerine General Insurance Limited (formerly Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc), Mr. Mayowa Adeduro, who lives close to the site of the collapsed building said the incident was a big trauma for him realising that Nigeria is still a country where somebody will construct a building of that nature without evidence of insurance, without anybody knowing about insurance being put in place.

He said, “People are not insuring their property because I think it’s just the manner we are conÀgured in this country. You can’t drive Àve people in the UK without insurance. You can’t move your vehicle out without insurance. That is the way they operate in that environment. I think it’s a matter of enforcement of our laws, recognising the rights of other people. You can imagine the number of young people, graduates that went there for service and the kind of agony their families will be right now,” Like Ogunbiyi, the Tangerine Insurance boss

said the government should be blamed for the tragedy.

“I will blame the doorsteps of the government because the technology is available now to know that somebody insures or he is not insuring and at the worst-case scenario, if somebody claims he has done his insurance with Tangerine Insurance, for instance, the government can write to authenticate the claims. That is the rudiment. You can use technology to know that this person has insurance. We have the technology to do so, it is not rocket science. I think it is the government that is liable for this and they need to explain to the populace why this thing should happen,” he said.

Adeduro, however, boasted that Nigerian insurance Àrms can rebuild the property. He said, “We can compensate everyone that has suͿered a loss as a result of that incident. We even can identify the proÀts the owner would have made if the building didn’t collapse and pay the proÀt and that is called consequential loss or loss of business.

“By now you would have seen insurance companies sending loss adjusters to that place, identifying what caused the collapse, and then taking stocks of anything that still have economic value and taking stock of the loss suͿered by the owner of the property including his liabilities to all the workers in that premises, including surrounding property in case of damage to any property.”

Unfortunately, that is not the case now reported that the owner did not insure the property.

Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited, Mr. Akinjide Orimolade said it’s too bad that the collapsed building in Lagos does not have insurance in place and at the same time, pointing out that it doesn’t speak well in terms of governance that the building was approved without an insurance cover.

Insurance is Not Expensive “I think it is a lesson that stakeholders should be able to learn from. Insurance, as they say, is not too expensive but it is when the accident happens that whatever the owner goes through becomes very expensive. You can imagine, people have lost their lives and at the same time, the question is what becomes of the loss of the people that invested in the building?” he wondered.

According to him, “Many people are not patronizing insurance because of lack of awareness and secondly, some think doing insurance is a waste of money but as I said, it’s only when the thing happens when they know that buying insurance is not a waste of resources.

“We just need to continue to create awareness.

Let people understand the importance of taking up insurance. I think the level of enforcement can be better. For building in the course of construction, there is going to be compulsory insurance in place. So, the question that will come to mind is that those that are meant to inspect, or those that approved, didn’t request insurance in the Àrst place? And in the course of the construction of the building, just to make sure it’s a building that is built to speciÀcations because I’m sure if insurance was in place, the insurers themselves, with their risk management expertise, would have been there to monitor that they were using the right materials for the construction. However, as I said, it’s a lesson and I think it is important the populace take insurance very seriously and in terms of all these enforcements, government agencies that are meant to enforce these things will take it seriously.”

Managing Director, Universal Insurance Plc, Dr. Benedict Ujoatuonu, believes that ordinarily, the principal (property owner) ought to be engaged to have compelled the contractors handling the projecttotakecontractorsriskinsuranceconsidering the nature of that building.

“It is disheartening to know that the contractor, who was supposed to be a very highly experienced one did not take insurance to protect his liability in the course of the contract,” the insurance chief lamented.

Nobody is Enforcing the Law On why people are not complying, Ujoatuonu was emphatic: “Nobody is enforcing the law.

“Nobody is asking where is your insurance certiÀcate. The people that approved the plan for this building should be asking for an insurance plan at the point of approval, nobody is asking for it. So where there is no enforcement, it becomes very easy for people to avoid the law, knowing there is no consequence,” he stated.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

19

MARITIME

Outrageously Expensive Nigerian Ports The recent revelation that Chinese shipping lines and their agents in Nigeria have introduced double charges on the handling of groupage containers means that the country’s ports have become prohibitively expensive. Eromosele Abiodun writes

I

t is no longer news that the cost of doing business in Nigerian ports ranks amongst one of the highest in the world. This is why customs brokers operating at the Lagos ports recently declared war on terminal operators and shipping companies over the N4 billion demurrage that accrued as a result of a shelved industrial action by truck drivers.

Also last year, truckers shunned the lifting of cargoes at the ports in protest over alleged extortion by security agencies, the result being the accumulation of over N4 billion as demurrages and storage charges that importers had to oͿset.

Indeed, the country’s ports are notorious for high demurrage charges resulting from delays in the cargo clearing process; high insurance premium of vessels coming to Nigeria and trucks conveying containers to and from the ports, and higher shipping and terminal charges.

This is aside the total freight cost estimated at between $5 billion and $6 billion annually, according to the Ministry of Transportation.

According to the World Bank in its 2017 Annual Ease of Doing Business Report, Nigeria was ranked 145 among 185 countries, while Mauritius, at 32, was ranked the best in Africa.

From the report, Trading Across borders, an indicator for measuring a country’s ports’ eͿectiveness, ranked Nigeria very low at 183 out of 185 countries.

Also, Àgures released by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) showed that averagely, container tra΀c at the nation’s seaports, comprising of Lagos Port Complex, Tincan Island Port, Delta Port, Onne Port, Rivers Port and Calabar Port, stands at 822,868 annually.

THISDAY Àndings from customs agents revealed that it takes about N7.5 million to clear and transport a 20-foot container laden with cargo worth N41.11 million ($100,000) imported into Nigeria from China.

Of this amount, about N6.3 million, representing 82.1 per cent, is paid to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as Import Duty, Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS), ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), Port Development Surcharge and Value Added Tax (VAT). Shipping companies are responsible for 13.8 per cent of the port cost (N997,000); terminal operators 1.8 per cent (N217,000); transporters 1.1 per cent (N91,500) and clearing agents (N88,000).

This means that about N6.11 trillion is required to clear the 822,868 containers annually, while the shipping companies’ charges stands at N838.112 billion annually.

SBM Intelligence Report Laying credence to this is a report by SBM Intelligence which showed that the cost of shipping goods into Nigerian ports is among the highest in the world, with the Àgure for Apapa port costing more than thrice of that to Tema, Ghana.

The organisation tracked shipments to three African ports between September and November 2019 and came up with the average cost of shipping goods in from the European Union, the terminal charges on containers while they are in those ports, and the average cost of local transportation from the port to selected warehouses within the port cities. The three ports were Apapa, Nigeria; Tema, Ghana, and Durban, South Africa. According to the report, the cost of shipment to Apapa is nearly Àve times that of Durban, South Africa.

“The costs for the Apapa Port in Lagos are by far the highest, Àve times higher than in Durban, South Africa, and three times higher than in Tema, Ghana. While each of the component parts of this dataset, shipping charges, terminal charges and local transport, are highest for Lagos, it is local transport, 10 times the cost in Lagos than in both Durban and Tema, that

Lagos Port

really makes Lagos an expensive place to do business in,” said Tunde Ajileye, partner at SBM Intelligence.

Chinese Invasion That is not all, recently, it was learnt that Chinese Shipping Lines and their agents operating in Nigerian ports have massively increased the cost of shipping goods to Nigeria.

Inquiries revealed that they are taking advantage of the chaos in the sector to rip oͿ Nigerian shippers through collection of double charges on handling of groupage containers, while also causing unnecessary delays in cargo delivery.

A groupage container is a situation whereby two or three consignees come together and put their cargoes into a single container as a full container load.

Recently, Nigerian shippers raised the alarm that local shipping agents have added a lot of charges against the consignees, which was far and above the cost of the cargo itself.

Early this year, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), through the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), the operational arm of the Nigeria Port Process Manual (NPPM) domiciled under the council, secured the released of three consignments detained by a Chinese Shipping Company (COSCO) Shipping Limited, after one year of delay. The company to the consignee reportedly waived storage charges worth N1.9 million.

Speaking on the development, the President of Shippers Association Lagos State, Rev Jonathan Nicole, lamented that it takes three months to move groupage containers from the ports for unstu΀ng at the warehouse, and yet, nobody pays the importers for delays not caused by them.

Nicole also raised the alarm about the threat of capital Áight, saying that most of the Chinese shipping agencies carry out clearance of groupage containers with additional cost to be paid in foreign currency.

According to him, “It is conÀrmed that one aspect of ripping oͿ shippers and importers in Nigeria is through groupage shipments. Freight charges are paid fully from Port of Loading to Port of Destination in foreign currency. No hidden charges are transferred to the Consignee whether or not there is trans-shipment from another port during transit.”

On arrival, he said the shipping line’s agents notify the consignees who have the Original

House Bill Ladings indicating their own cargo to come and pick up their cargo after unstu΀ng.

In some cases, he said the local receiving agency delays in receiving the containers for up to 1 or 2 months.

“After receiving the containers and unstu΀ng at their warehouse, the consignees are informed to come and pick their cargo. Within this period, the local agent puts in a lot of charges against the consignees far and above the cost of the cargo. It is even cheaper to clear the container direct if all the consignees agree.”

“We really do not understand why it takes 3-months to move groupage Containers from the Ports for unstu΀ng and nobody pays the Importers for delays. There is no aspect of clearance of groupage containers to attract additional cost to be paid in foreign currency.

It should stop.

“On storage charges, the bills must be commensurate with the number of days the cargo was stuͿed in the warehouse and not the arrival date of the vessel. The consignee should not be subjected to excessive transfer charges from the designated Port to the receiving warehouses,” he said.

He revealed that all charges relating to the shipment of the cargo were paid upfront before shipment.

In considering the di΀culties in the Nigerian clearing systems, he said simpliÀed methods must be put in place to curtail excessive charges on shippers.

Also speaking, the NSC Coordinator of NPPM, Mr. Moses Fadipe, revealed that COSCO Shipping Limited held three containers belonging to a Nigerian shipper from March 2020 and was only released in June 2021 after the Council intervened.

He described the dispute between COSCO Shipping and the consignee as an impediment to cargo clearance processes, which NPPM frowns at.

Fadipe said “We found out that they acted arbitrarily being the stronger party in the transaction and this made them liable for all storage and demurrage charges during the period in question.

The intervention by the o΀cials of PSTT yielded positive results for the consignee to take delivery of his consignments after a long period.”

FG Moves to Check Abuse In a bid to put an end to the persistent wrangling between customs agents, importers and the negative impact excessive charges is having on the economy, the port economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council embarked on a mission to get the shipping companies to cut down charges.

Initially, the move yielded results as the NSC and shipping companies in late 2020 agreed to sign a landmark agreement to reduce charges.

However, the agreement was never signed.

Analysts and stakeholders had applauded the eͿort, positing that the Nigerian economy will be the ultimate beneÀciary.

The former Executive Secretary/Chief Executive O΀cer of the NSC, Hassan Bello, early last year told THISDAY that he was hopeful the agreement will be signed.

“However, we will run the agreed MoU by the Ministry of Transportation, major stakeholders such as shippers, freight forwarders, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). This will take four days, then we will sign the MOU.” The total reduction, he added, would be 35 per cent reduction, stressing that the most important development is that the NSC has come up with sustainable mechanism of settling dispute.

In his reaction, National President, of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, praised the federal government for the eͿort, adding however that 35 per cent reduction is not enough.

He said the most important charge by the shipping companies is the demurrage adding that their charges are higher than what is being charged by the terminal operators, “which is not supposed to be so.”

The shipping companies, he stated, don’t have the right to collect such charges.

“Their charges are contestable and it is a very serious issue. The shipping companies are doing what they are doing because Nigerians don’t go to court, if Nigerians can go to court they will Ànd out that the charges by the shipping companies are illegal, ”he said.

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

BUSINESS OUTSIDER

wind-solar

Where’s Nigeria Headed with Renewable Energy?

Tunji Adegbite

W

ith a high demand for power supply that cannot be met with on-grid supply, Tunji Adegbite posits that the future of renewable energy in Nigeria is auspicious if only she’s ready to create it.

Access to energy or the lack of it, signiÀcantly aͿects an individual’s ability to live above the poverty line.

Power supply is ubiquitous to the basic needs of humans, such as food, housing, education and even income; limited access to electricity and clean cooking facilities characterises energy poverty.

According to the World Bank, with 85 million (43%) of Nigerians lacking access to grid electricity, it is unsurprising that 40 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line per the country’s latest living standard survey by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

With Nigeria’s peak generation capacity being 5,300 MW and daily power demand estimated at 17,520 MW, the on-grid electricity supply is insufÀcient to meet the demand. Less than 51 per cent of Nigerian households report having electricity most of the time in their homes. This lack of reliable power is a signiÀcant constraint for citizens and businesses, resulting in an annual economic loss estimated at $26.2 billion (N10.1 trillion), equivalent to about two per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to the 2020 World Bank Doing Business report, Nigeria ranks 171 out of 190 countries in getting electricity and electricity access is one of the signiÀcant constraints for the private sector.

Amid such deÀcits, the country has

untapped potential to become a signiÀcant player in the renewable energy sector. Given the abundance of the natural resource of solar radiation in Nigeria, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems oͿer a cleaner viable solution for individuals and businesses as a source of primary and backup power generation instead of fuel-powered generators.

The government introduced renewable energy into the National Energy Policy in 2003. In 2006, the government created the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP); and successful implementation should result in enough wind, solar PV, solar thermal, and hydroelectricity sources by 2025 to provide the equivalent of the total grid capacity in use today.

Nigeria has the potential to access various renewable energy sources: Hydrothermal, Wind, Biomass, and Solar, with the latter two sources being the main areas of rapid oͿ-grid energy solutions development. The country’s solar energy subsector has taken oͿ and is one of the fastestgrowing solar markets for solar globally.

In 2019, about $150 million worth of solar devices were imported.

Nigeria’s market for solar home systems and mini-grids is estimated at $9 billion annually, with a $2 billion value in the solar home system market alone. Through the Rural ElectriÀcation Agency (REA) and private non-proÀt organizations like Shell-backed AllOn, IFC and The Rockefeller Foundation, signiÀcant Ànancial investments have been dedicated to developing and expanding solar energy solutions in Nigeria. REA deployed over 6,000 solar home systems and seven minigrids to rural communities in 2020.

In partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation in 2019, AllOn

Hub provided impact investment through a $3.5 million grant to oͿ-grid energy entrepreneurs at ideation, growth, and market entry stages to scale their businesses. This year, both organizations, in partnership with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) through the Nigeria OͿ-Grid Energy Challenge, provided $50,000 angel stage funding for Nigerian oͿ-grid energy businesses to reach communities not served by existing power grids.

Despite these signiÀcant strides, the solar energy sector remains nascent, with only 28MW cumulative installed capacity for solar energy. The high upfront Ànancial investment is a signiÀcant challenge renewable energy technology faces.

In a country where there are many competing demands for available Ànancial resources, the low purchasing power of citizens prevents renewable energy from thriving. The cost of solar home systems was so high in the early stages that two solar vendors interviewed by the author of a 2012 SUNGAS report admitted that they did not have solar systems installed in their own homes because of the expense.

However, the average cost per MWh to build utility solar has dropped drastically in the last decade and is now lower than wind, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy.

In smaller solar homes systems, the cost-to-savings can be recouped in 3-5 years. Still, at an industrial scale, because of the system’s capacity required, especially for agro-allied farmers, it could take up to 15 years to recoup the investment. Currently, microÀnance banks with support from IFC provide loans for the acquisition of solar products. Other companies have used PAYG models to break down the costs into smaller, more aͿordable amounts.

While Ànancing solar purchases is an excellent short-term solution, there is also the need for more indigenous renewable energy solutions. Currently, the local assembly of solar panels can only meet 10 per cent of demand, and the market relies heavily on imports.

Local production capacity must ramp up in the value chain to reduce the cost of moving to greener energy solutions.

Opportunities beyond the growing local solar manufacturing industry must be explored to do this.

In addition, waste from oil palm and other crops grown in Nigeria can be used as biomass. An example of an African farm/agro-processor leading the innovation of zero waste locally produced energy systems is Songhai Center in the Benin Republic. At the farm, all waste is recycled and reused to power its operations. It manufactured its biomass power generator, and the entire institute runs on green energy with little to no grid support.

Renewable energy in Nigeria has been a multi-decade quest with minimal breakthroughs, although, with all indications, the nation should be performing much more than it currently is.

Nigeria will not record any signiÀcant success in renewables if other locally sourced renewable energy methods or low-cost solar home systems are not developed at scale.

From our research, the average low-income Nigerian home or MSME spends about N2,000 to N5,000 weekly fuelling and maintaining generators.

Nigeria is one of the better-positioned countries to record massive breakthroughs in renewables, with a combination of natural resources and a high demand for power supply that cannot be met with on-grid supply. The future of renewable is auspicious, and we would see that future only if we are all ready to create it.

Adegbite writes from Lagos

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • NOVEMBER 14, 2021

21

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 11Nov-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 168.40 169.88 4.03% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.03% Nigeria International Debt Fund 321.05 321.05 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.16 107.21 -4.09% 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 10.43% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.46 3.62 1.61% 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 8.68% Anchoria Equity Fund 141.82 143.62 6.62% info@anchoriaam.com Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 -14.02% 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 20.84 21.47 14.93% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 457.63 471.43 14.30% ARM Ethical Fund 39.83 41.03 18.14% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -0.94% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.00 0.00 -94.19% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.53% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 107.25 107.25 5.45% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,051.92 1,051.92 5.19% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.07 2.07 -4.48% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.23 2.28 3.58% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 4.53% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.11% Paramount Equity Fund 17.64 17.97 10.32% Women's Investment Fund 142.51 144.19 7.10% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.72% Cordros Milestone Fund 133.94 134.80 14.04% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.75 109.75 5.27% 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 1.00 1.00 7.96% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.27 1.28 5.50% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.41 1.41 -10.74% 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 7.55% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.28% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,167.07 1,188.49 1.48% assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-assetmanagement-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.27% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 2.90% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.12 Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 104.03 FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price FBN Bond Fund 1,370.85 FBN Balanced Fund 175.25 FBN Halal Fund N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 FBN Dollar 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

121.76 151.21 Bid Price 1.00 3.99 1.75 1.20

1.12 11.42% 104.03 3.98% invest@fbnquest.com Offer Price 1,370.85 176.56 N/A 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 11.48% 5.22% N/A 8.91%

121.76 4.07% 153.28 14.21% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Offer Price 1.00 3.99 1.78 1.20

Yield / T-Rtn 7.63% 3.01% 14.72% 5.28%

FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral 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 7.90% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.91 2.97 1.82% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 154.85 155.13 -0.42% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.27 1.32 1.16% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.06 1.06 3.67% 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 N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 11.98 12.05 14.52% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.04% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 100.83 100.84 7.41% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.51% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 135.21 137.60 12.44% 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 1.07 1.07 10.05% 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 3,414.97 3,443.67 6.21% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 234.49 234.49 4.29% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.28 1.30 9.32% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 310.37 310.37 5.33% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 242.52 246.28 11.16% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.72% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,232.05 11,397.31 7.06% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.28 1.28 4.67% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 116.33 116.33 4.73% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 105.19 105.19 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 1.36 1.38 6.09% United Capital Bond Fund 1.94 1.94 5.86% United Capital Equity Fund 0.94 0.96 17.44% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.03% United Capital Eurobond Fund 121.46 121.46 6.08% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.11 7.11% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 6.82% 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 Balanced Strategy Fund 13.20 13.32 11.25% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 14.65 14.82 20.07% Zenith Income Fund 24.62 24.62 2.61% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.41%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 54.20

10.62% 7.24%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.96 132.35 106.82 17.94 21.35

14.06 135.64 109.17 18.04 21.45

5.61% 10.07% 7.67% 1.01% 15.57%

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

3.90 5.64 18.36 1.00 21.87 157.70

4.00 5.74 18.56 1.00 22.07 159.70

4.19% -0.75% 13.19% 6.60% 6.53% -15.05%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.28

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.

22

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

THE EXECUTIVE ALLEN ONYEMA

Multiple Agencies at the Airport are Killing Businesses The aviation industry is no doubt bedeviled with challenges, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, which recently put airlines at their lowest. As it stands, these are not the best of times for operators in the sector. Nevertheless, amidst the inclement operating environment, some airlines are weathering the storm, scaling up in proÀle. One that readily comes to mind is Air Peace, which is arguably the biggest private commercial airline, not only in Nigeria but Africa. As the yuletide, the busiest season of the year, approaches and Áyers make travel demands, the CEO, Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, speaks with THISDAY on how the airline is surmounting hurdles and preparing to give passengers the best Áying experience ever

N

owweareapproaching the Yuletide season, which is the peak period in air travel, there are fears that there may not be enough aircraft seats to meet passengers’ demand. How is Air Peace being the biggest carrier in the industry preparing to airlift travelers this Christmas?

A lot of people are scared that there are wouldn’t be enough Áights. No, will be Áights. We are yet to bring out our Christmas schedule, so people should not panic about Áights.

On the 20th of this month, we are receiving two more planes. Before the end of the month, we will have another plane. We are receiving two Airbus A320s on the 20th.

Airbus A320 carries about 160 passengers.

Two will arrive on the 20th November; then before the end of the month another brand new Embraer E195-E2 will arrive and two of our Boeing B737s will come. So, some of the planes that have gone for C-check will start coming in, so we are yet to roll out our Christmas packages. People should not rush and be in a panic, there are enough Áights.

Air Peace has enough Áights to go around for the Christmas, December schedules and we are yet to roll them out. And we are going to roll out the Christmas schedule soon.

People will get Áights so they should not panic.

You said you are expecting some aircraft.

I have been a victim of Air Peace Áight cancellations or delays and people complain about Áight cancellation, given what you have said, the season is coming, what do we expect?

Flight cancellations or delays happen for several reasons. I don’t think any airline will cancel Áights for the sake of canceling Áights.

And for Air Peace, other airlines may be doing about 20 Áights or 25 Áights in a day and if they cancel three Áights or two Áights, nobody will know about it. In Air Peace, we are almost doing 100 Áights a day. So, if you cancel four, it will be all over the place. But the thing is that we Áy more than any other person. And if we start Áying at full capacity, we will be Áying over 130 Áights daily. So, there are so many reasons for cancellation, like yesterday (Monday, November 8, 2021) on the brand new plane, Embraer E195-E2, we had a bird strike and this is the second

Onyema

time we are having a bird strike on the brand new plane and that grounded the aircraft. Now, one of them is grounded, we have called on the manufacturers and they are sorting it out. Now, waking up during operations and a bird struck and Áew into your engine, you can’t recover from it. You must have disruptions; some of the disruptions might go into cancellations, not only delays. When it happened yesterday, already people have bought into today’s schedule, what are we going to do? We

now decided to bring out our Boeing B777 to mop up everywhere in order not to get people stranded. So, the good thing about Air Peace is that we can play with aircraft. If anything goes wrong, we bring in another one.

So what we did today was to roll out our B777 to take over some Áight destinations because the other one had a bird strike. But it comes with some changes. So, these are some of the reasons why you have delays or cancellations. Nobody will cancel a

Áight for the fun of it.

And one thing in Air Peace is that we don’t joke with safety. If we notice any problem, we ground that plane. Maybe it is something that could be managed elsewhere, but we ground our plane if there is any reason to do so. It is not as if the tech might be so serious, but you don’t know when it becomes more serious. We don’t joke with such.

One thing you can be sure of with us is that when you go with us, you come back with us. Again, you talked about weather, rains, and thunderstorms. If you wake up in the

23

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

THE EXECUTIVE Multiple Agencies at the Airport are Killing Business morning and you want to go to Abuja by 6:30 am and the meteorologists now report thunderstorms en-route and thunderstorms on the destination, you have to wait. So, if you waste two hours or so, the whole day must be aͿected and every other place that the aircraft is programmed to operate to will be aͿected. But one thing I discovered is that Nigerians are highly critical of their airlines, especially Air Peace. Maybe it is because it is growing into a big airline, but I am aware that the way Nigerians attack their airline and say bitter things about them is not the way they complain about foreign carriers that come into this country. When they are Áying with international airlines and you ask them to wait for Àve hours, they will wait without complaint. But two hours wait with Nigerian airline; they will start Àghting the airline staͿ. Why is it so? There seems to be so much bitterness and antagonism against Air Peace, which is very disturbing and very worrisome.

Recently I saw an airline, a foreign airline skid oͿ the runway, some Àve months ago, here in Lagos, nobody published it. And I was happy that nobody published it because writing about it would overheat our system.

The aircraft ran into the grass, no publication on it. Nobody saw it on social media. But if Air Peace is moving and a nail enters the tyre, they will use the word crash. In everything about Air Peace, there is sustained negative publicity against the airline.

In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, you are also known as a philanthropist who has intervened in critical periods of our national life, like the South African evacuation of Nigerians and the Covid-19 evacuations. What informed your interventionist approach?

I have always been a man with no inhibitions right from birth. All these things I am doing, I started doing them right from age nine and that is the truth. I am not doing these things for any considerations at all; it is just my nature. That is what makes me happy. When I was in secondary school, I was sharing my little provisions with others that were less privileged. If I noticed that I have and you don’t have, I will give you my own or we share. Fellow students attested to that. I started this right from childhood.

When it comes to interventions and making peace, I have been doing that, even between my father and his immediate elder brother.

They were feuding for over two years. It took me to stop them at the age of nine. I ran after my uncle. I ran away to his place. My people went to the motor park and said I was missing. My uncle was headmaster of one primary school in Amanike in Anambra State then. I left Onitsha, a city to go to a village and they were looking for me, the police and everybody and they were announced on the radio; I am the only son of my father.

When I got to Amanike my uncle asked me, “Who brought you here?’ I said nobody, I just want to live with you. He now sent a message to my father that your son is here with me. My father left me with him. My father did not even say this man was my enemy and he might kill my son. That was what brought the family together. So, I have been doing this act of seeking peace at all times right from childbirth. So now, God has blessed me, I use what God blessed me with to seek peace in my nation because I believe in peace. So, I use that part of my nature to do what I am doing, intervention in any way possible for others to promote peace and development. Because I believe that if there is peace there will be development and the country will be better for it.

Do you think Nigerian airlines or the industry need tax incentives?

Of course, the airlines are suͿering in Nigeria. The ease of doing business here is almost zero. The federal government has been Àghting tooth and nail and trying to engender this ease of doing the business programme, but some of the actors are not helpful. Some

Onyema

of the government agencies are not being helpful at all. For example, to clear your goods in Nigeria at the seaports might take you three weeks. In the Republic of Benin, it is within 48 hours and you can plan with that. It is known that when you have anything there within 48 hours it is cleared. In Nigeria, at the seaports, you have Customs, you have police, you have the Navy, 4uarantine, Immigration, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Drug Enforcement Agency, and others. I am sure there are Boys Brigade and Boys Scouts. No country will survive like that, and none of them want to move or allow things to move. You bring in something; it will be there for weeks or months. So, you have all manner of agencies there. People celebrate being posted to the port, it should not be so. It is killing business. Investors are going to other places to invest, creating wealth and jobs for other countries.

We should think of job creation here.

That is the only way the private sector must be encouraged. Like in aviation, the federal government listened to us. Immediately we got the National Assembly to pass all those zero VAT, zero custom duties for the acquisition of commercial aircraft and aircraft spares, Mr. President did not wait 24 hours before signing it into law. So, the government was ready to help aviation, but the implementation is now where certain agencies did not follow through. However, the Customs are beginning to understand that aviation is a catalyst for growth. They are cooperating with us, but there is also room for improvement. They even allow us to take our aircraft until we sort out a particular problem of this 7.5% charge on it. That is noble. I applaud the Customs for doing that. That is how it is supposed to be.

We noticed that in your operations, to cut o; these Áight delays, you have introduced a stricter boarding protocol in the mornings, which is when delays begin to build up, as many passengers turn late to the airports…

Yes, you see, sometimes we live in this part of the world and sometimes

your environment determines the kind of approach you apply to certain issues.

The rule all over the world is that passengers should be at the airport one and half hours before their Áight time. That is in domestic operations. Somebody may have left his home at 4:30 or 5:00 for a 7:00 am Áight, depending on where the person is living. And you run into this early morning tra΀c, you will come to the airport sweating.

You see some people at times going to board Okada with their luggage just to catch the Áight. You see that even at your counter closing time, you notice that at the back end, this aircraft is full, but the people that have checked in are not up to 60 per cent of the expected passengers that booked the Áight. Others will be on their way. When they get to the airport, they will want to let you know that you should have known that there was tra΀c and they will start making trouble. So sometimes you wait for them to your detriment. And the same passengers, when he is not late, he would not know that it is his type that caused the lateness. So we now decided that enough is enough. It is giving us a bad name. We must close our gate.

Some people, for a Áight of 7 a.m. they all come by 6:50 a.m. and will still say it is still 10 minutes to the time. So, they don’t know that as at that time, no counter will be opened. So, what we need is education for the traveling public in Nigeria.

When there is such delay occasioned by weather or other factors, some people will come and start destroying our systems, our computer systems. Why? Recently one said the Áight was not announced because the Áight had left him.

He checked in and had a boarding pass.

Maybe these days, people get absorbed in social media and he will be there, an announcement will be made, he won’t know. He will be absorbed in his phone, calling on people and watching events, when he must have Ànished, he will now realise that he is travelling. And they will go to the boarding gate and be complaining and threatening our staͿ and start destroying things that we did

not make an announcement. If we did not make an announcement how come people have boarded the Áight? Maybe it was a full aircraft. How did the other people travel?

So, when they destroy your things before you get another set of things to do the job, the next day will be delayed.

Some passengers come to the airport with luggage of about 70 kg when they know that the luggage allowance is 20kg. Although they know that one needs to pay for excess luggage, yet they will come and say be pleading. They will be there and people will be queuing up.

And when you want to ask them to move aside, they will start Àghting. These things delay Áights too. Somebody will get to the foot of the aircraft carrying 20 kg of luggage that was supposed to be checked in. When you tell him to check it in, he will say this bag is expensive; it should not be checked in, why must I check it in? Things Nigerians will not do at any airports aboard, they want to do it here. At any airport abroad, if you shout, they will arrest you, but here the in-thing is to be shouting at people, beating other people’s children, husbands, and wives because you paid money to Áy.

The other day in one of the airports in this country, one of the ground handling companies, rammed their staircase onto our plane. The plane just landed when the ground handling company, not Air Peace, drove their truck into the aircraft and tore a part of the aircraft. Passengers were told to come down that this plane would not Áy anymore. They started beating my staͿ. You want to Áy a plane that is damaged. Do they want to die? Now, that plane was going to Abuja. It was initially programmed that it would go to Abuja and from Abuja to another destination before coming to Lagos. When in Abuja, my people announced some three hours delay, because we now wanted to route another aircraft to go and do all those things.

After explaining what happened, passengers started to beat the duty manager to the extent that he almost lost his life. So, things like this should be discouraged. Nigerian passengers should also know that airline workers have lives and families too. You will see somebody trying to force very big luggage like a woman going to the husband’s house for the Àrst time into the cabin.

When you talk to the person, he becomes angry. One story that trended some time ago was a similar thing that happened when security o΀cials were invited to remove her.

The woman delayed us for one and a half hours. She started using social media to be making noise, but we are not giving up. If they like they should keep blackmailing us.

In all of these challenges, and also the challenge of ease of doing business, what encourages you to continue to invest?

Like I said earlier, it all boils down to why did I establish the airline in the Àrst place? It is just to create jobs and give back to society, that is all. My promise to God in the year 2000 is what I am trying to fulÀl, that is the motivation. My motivation is seeing the over 4,000 faces of people working in Air Peace and knowing that they are feeding about over 20,000. So that is the motivation that makes me happy. In addition to that is the motivation of moving my country people from one place to another. The fact that I am helping with the development of the nation, trying to energise the economy, and energise the economies of some forgotten places through air connectivity helps. So, it helps in job creation not only Air Peace employing people but the multiplier eͿects of what we are doing are helping the country and that I know very well.

As another way of making money for the company, do you ever think of going into training, maintenance? And also local reÀning will soon be available in , do you think that will help in the reduction of the cost of aviation fuel?

As long as the local reÀnery produces aviation fuel it will help a lot.

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2021 • T H I S D AY

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

14.11.2021

Can we have an insight into your background?

I

am Professor Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji. I was born in Iwo to the family of Shaykh Ahmad Mahaliy Adedimeji, one of the leading Islamic scholars of Yorubaland at the time.

My mother was Khadijah Abeje, daughter of a famous business tycoon.

As expected, I was exposed early to Islamic education. I started my primary education at the age of five, when it was ascertained by the Head Mistress of Roman Catholic Mission Primary School, Ile Idisin, Iwo, that my fingers, on crossing my arm on my head, could touch my ear. A year earlier, I cried when my older siblings went to school, I was taken to school for enrollment but I was disqualified. Going to school wasn’t as exciting as wanting to go.

Nevertheless, I had a terrific experience.

How would you describe your growing up?

Growing up in Iwo in the late 70s and 80s was a mixed grill of sweet, sour and stale experiences. It was sweet because I grew up within a large family, including my father’s relatives who were living with us. It was also partly sour as I was often bullied being the youngest in each class but it was a crime for a child to be reported to Baba. He considered it embarrassing for his child to be involved in a brawl. I didn’t like it. I remember the day I couldn’t take the shenanigans of a bully any longer and I fought right outside our house. I didn’t know how I even managed to beat the boy, who was bigger than I, and I was hailed.

That victory made some bullies to back off afterwards. It ingrained in me the belief that God would always fight for me if I am right.

PROF. MAHFOUZ ADEDIMEJI A YOUNG VICE-CHANCELLOR’S STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS His eclectic academic background is an attestation of a man who is ahead of his time. At a relative young age, he burrows into the circle of Nigerian scholars. From primary school to the university level, he shone brilliantly winning laurels. After completing his doctorate degree at 37, he became a professor at 45. Perhaps, the icing on cake was when Prof. Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University in 2019, becoming one of the youngest university administrators in Nigeria. In this interview with Funke Olaode, the Osun State-born scholar recounts his odyssey into academics.

What about schooling?

With modesty, I have had a fulfilling academic journey by the grace of God. After my primary education at Saint Mary’s Grammar School, Iwo, Osun State between 1985-1991, I proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, for my first degree and Masters’ degree in English language. I eventually obtained a Ph.D. English Language in 2010. I also obtained Fulbright FLTA Certificate at the International Institute of Education, New York in 2006. By the special grace of God, I have been privileged to enjoy scholarships; winning prizes. For instance, I won the Best Graduating Student, Departmental Prizes 1997/1998 Session, Modern European Languages, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 1999 Osun State Scholarship Award 1994, Best Arts Student Prize, Saint Mary’s Grammar School (SMGS), Iwo 1991 amongst others. Looking back, I couldn’t have done this without the support of my parents, mentors and my teachers who believe in me. I am eternally grateful.

How would you say parental influence has shaped your life trajectory?

Enormously. My father only had standard six but was well grounded as an Islamic scholar. He also insisted on excellence. I wouldn’t know if it was a threat or encouragement that if I didn’t come first in my class at the end of primary education, he wouldn’t support my secondary education. Towards the end of my secondary education, he said if I didn’t make my WAEC result at a sitting, that

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 14, 2021

COVER

Winning Fulbright Fellowship to the US was My Best would be the end. I made it and he had to support my university education. My first JAMB UME form was obtained for me by my elder brother, Barr Adam Adedimeji, who has always been encouraging me tremendously. My immediate elder brother, the late Dr. Abdul Hafeez Adedimeji was also a positive influence.

Prof, have you always been a gifted child? When did you realise that you were indeed a ‘special kid’?

Ah, that’s a generous compliment.

The truth is that I haven’t really been extraordinary. I wasn’t also a special kid or a genius. I think what applies more is what Thomas Edison said, “If we did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” I do what I have to do and the results are fantastic. Having had a solid academic background, I aspired to be a scholar.

Yet, I haven’t, like most people, been able to do all I am capable of doing but I am gratified that I enjoy God’s grace.

Has it been your childhood dream to study Language or it is by accident?

All I wanted was to be knowledgeable and educated. I left the Science class as I felt I wasn’t interested in being a medical doctor that was being drummed into my ears. Then, I became inspired by our English teacher, Mr Tunde Adedotun, who joined my school when we were in SS1. I belong to the first set of 6-3-3-4 system of education in the old Oyo state. Mr. Adedotun combined competence and performance. He liked me and related closely with us. I initially wanted to study Mass Communication in Lagos but I later settled for English in Ilorin.

What excites you about this subject that many dread because of its technicality?

Being our official language, many people are comfortable with English, I think. It isn’t Chinese or Arabic requiring a new system of writing. It is exciting to know the inner workings of a language that billions of people work with and then penetrate the thoughts of men. It is also exciting to know that the most important language in the world is one’s specialisation. Though to many people, English is just grammar but it is a wide subject that straddles various areas in which language is used. By the time I was in 100 level, I had determined to study English and before I graduated, I had published my first book. Five years afterwards, I was a lecturer and media practitioner rolled into one.

As an undergraduate, I founded a press club, wrote a lot of poems and articles and organised tutorials for my mates and junior course mates. I knew what I could do.

At below 50, you are an achiever as you are evidently upwardly mobile as revealed in your profile.

You have done this and that, as an author, co-author, editor of journals, etc.You seem to be constantly on the move. What is responsible for that?

Life moves on, really. My attitude is based on the life philosophy of carpe diem. This is a Latin expression that means “seize the day” to which I add “because tomorrow is not certain”.

Though the expression was first used by Horace to mean that one should enjoy life when one can, it has more meaning beyond the hedonistic interpretation.

The truth is that life is short and you can just do the best you can when you can. Incidentally, this philosophy was reinforced by my interactions with mentors like Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede and Prof. R. D. Abubakre who I used to see to work as if life depends on it. So, one only lives here once and one owes life a duty of leaving one’s footprints on the sands of time, so that one would not

Adedimeji and his wife

be the proverbial snake that crosses the rock without leaving a trace.

At a relative young age, you belong to the circle of Nigerian scholars.You became a Professor at 45 and now a Vice-Chancellor of an institution. What is your driving force or better put your staying power?

My driving force is partly the conviction that there is no time. Our students used to say “Aye o po,’’ meaning there is no sufficient time when you don’t want to do anything. But the true meaning of it can be found in the fact that we shall pass through this life once and whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I am also driven by what Saul Maby said when he defeated the younger 41-year old Larry Barnes in New York years ago: “You live right and you do right and blessings will be bestowed upon you.”

What are your agenda for this great institutions that will place it on the global map?

I thank THISDAY because I had the opportunity of outlining part of my agenda in an interview published on April 7, 2021 titled “Ahman Pategi University needs competitive researchers to attract funds.”

Universities are established for teaching, research and community service. My plan centres around providing quality teaching and making students have fantastic learning experiences. It is about galvanising the academic staff and students to be globally competitive academically and making the university a beacon that will further illuminate Kwara state, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. As a matter of fact, I articulated my agenda in “Vision 5:25:50:500” which means that in five years, God willing, I plan to make APU one of the best 25 universities in Nigeria, one of the topmost 50 in Africa and one of the foremost 500 in the world. Of course, I anchored the actualisation of that vision on three factors that are critical to making universities worldclass: concentration of talents, abundant resources and favourable governance. By having the right students and staff, getting sufficient resources to operate a 21st century

university and being allowed to run the university it be should run, I know the sky is just the beginning. But when these three conditions are lacking, the vision remains a vision.

Can you mention your low and high moments?

I have put all my low moments behind me and concentrated on the exciting ones. You said I became a professor at 45 but my plan was to be a Prof at 40 like some before me. But you plan, Allah plans and Allah is the best of planners. Of course, I have had many high moments when I won/cowon the research cum conference grants of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), TETFund, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) among other strings of accomplishments.

When was your best moment?

I had best moments, not one, when I won the Fulbright fellowship to the US; when my daughter was born after waiting for about seven years followed by a set of twins; when I got my PhD at a record time despite being immersed in other university assignments; when my professorship was announced and when I was appointed Vice-Chancellor. How many can one count in the multi-layered dentition of ‘Adipele’?

Recently, it was widely reported that you had a clash with the Speaker of the House of Representatives. What actually happened?

You know the media and sensationalism. In his The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown actually refers to the media as “the right arm of anarchy.” I canvassed a return to a unicameral legislature arguing that ours is the most expensive legislature.

Journalists felt it was a good angle to engage him. He had a different opinion,

which was fair. It was a contest of ideas, not of personalities. There wasn’t any clash.

The Nigerian educational sector (particularly the ivory tower) is living on the past glory with many clamouring for a total overhaul of the system. What is your view on this?

I think the Nigerian education system, especially the ivory tower is good but the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. We seem to be suffering from Xenophilia, love of the foreign. We don’t usually appreciate what we have, be it education or goods. Our medical doctors are some of the most sought after internationally.

Our lawyers trained by our universities are so good that at a point we were providing some African countries legal and jurisprudential services up to the level of Attorney General.

We are the intellectual capital of Africa and those we denigrate in Nigeria are honoured abroad. Overhauling is welcome as there is a big room for improvement at the levels of welfare, conditions of service, infrastructure, quality, access and so on. The NUC is doing a marvelous job as a regulatory agency by ensuring that there are minimum academic standards. JAMB is also demonstrating impressive candour. The good can be better.

On a personal note, for how long have you been married and how did you meet your wife?

I have been married since February 2002 to my amazing wife. We both attended the same secondary school in Iwo. I knew her when she was younger. My initial motivation was to bring her closer in a wide institutional environment. I was her senior and Senior Boy in secondary school.

What lessons has life taught you?

Life has taught me 1001 lessons. Life has taught me that hard work pays; that nothing lasts forever; that human beings are deceptive; that patience, prayers, persistence are potent powers; that he who follows a successful person will also succeed, that honesty is the best legacy, that proper preparation prevents poor performance.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 14, 2021

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GLITZ FOCUS

Chiedu Nweke: From Courts to Building Castles This is an inspiring story of the meteoric rise of Chiedu Nweke, a lawyer turned real estate developer who decided early in life to chart an entirely different course from his field of study.

In this encounter, Nweke provides Joseph Ushigiale a vivid insight into his escape from gown to town where his real estate lifestyle business thrives.

A

considerable number of individuals today still believe that their future is shaped largely by the courses they study in school. While that may be true in some instances, there are also those who work deliberately towards changing what would have been seen as their destiny or life’s trajectory. This last set of people see only possibilities, abhor self-limitations, and believe that every problem has a solution.

They are the game-changers, entrepreneurs, and risk-takers in every society who believe that if you can dare, you can win. Rather than wait for a change to come, they prefer to deliberately cause disruptions to force changes and bring solutions to lingering problems. They are winners in the long run.

Barrister Chiedu Nweke belongs to this set of people. Undisputedly, he is a disruptor in the real estate business where his companies control a huge niche market of lifestyle estates valued at billions of naira. A trained lawyer, Nweke has a degree in Law, with an additional LLM from Lagos State University. He is completing his Ph.D. at the University of Nigeria at the moment.

Ask him who he is, he will tell you quite frankly that “I am a project person.” His passion for creating new developments led him away from law into the dredging business. “I have been in dredging business for close to 26 years now.” He would proudly announce to you with a sense of fulfillment. His foray into dredging took him to Baran in Bayelsa state, and in 2009, he said they were invited to Lagos to create the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate.

“I was one of those that pioneered massive dredging in Lagos. When we were about to conclude the Lakowe project, the beauty of it all, I told myself that this is an opportunity for me to do something in real estate in Lagos. And that was how we applied to the Lagos state government for a concession that led to Orange Island, then Periwinkle,” he recounted.

With the birth of Orange Island and Periwinkle from the backwaters of Elegushi, Ikate water logged shanties, things started unraveling.

He partnered with Oba Saheed Elegushi to develop a multi billion naira prime real estate that is today a choice destination. He recalled how he was headhunted for the job.

“Well, everything is about ideas.

While I was working on Orange Island, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Kusenla III, invited me to get involved in the reclamation of this portion of Ikate Kingdom.

“Initially, there were a lot of shanties, it was a dirty area. Nobody believed it could be turned around to what it is today. But being a man of ideas, I decided to use it to make a statement, and that was why after reclaiming it. I called it Periwinkle. I remember when I told the Oba what I had named it, he laughed and laughed, and asked why I chose the worst of names, but now, people are seeing the

Nweke

vision itself,” he gushed.

Given the success recorded on the first endeavor, Nweke said “Periwinkle has become our own way of expressing ourselves. It is a small estate, but it gives us the opportunity to define who we are in terms of infrastructure, structural construction, and the style of buildings we are designing.”

From the onset, the company set out to create a ‘Live, Work and Play’ environment; that’s why we christened it ‘Lifestyle Estate.’ You don’t have to go far to get to the mall, or church or school, or playground. Everything is around you. I imagined that people who will live here won’t need to go too far to do their jogging, bicycle riding, or whatever recreational activity they want. We’ve provided everything within the estate.”

Within a very short time span, the lawyer became the Chief Executive Officer of a company (Swampsea), which is the technical developer of Orange Island. In retrospect, the secret to his success lies in his resolve to work hard.

“If you are close to me, you’ll know that I log in a lot of time. It takes time for you to get things done, and it requires a lot of patience, tenacity. What I recommend to young people like you is to understand that nothing good comes easy, so when you see a successful

person, know that the person has worked hard to get there.”

Narrating an adrenalinpumping multi-billion naira transaction he closed recently, Nweke described himself as a risktaker saying that his passion is in “Putting money in things or areas that nobody believes in. Recently, I went to Eko Atlantic, and many developers called me and asked, ‘Chiedu, why are you going there?’

But I like being a pioneer. I take a lot of risks in what I do. When I went to Orange Island, there was nobody, but everywhere now, you see people dredging. The first day we went there, I was in a boat and nobody believed that a town could be created where it is today.”

Another secret to his success in the real estate business is his decision to put the customer at the forefront of his business.

“The most important thing is being effective and efficient, and putting the customer first. I usually benchmark with myself, whatever is not too good for me, I don’t want to give someone else. I never give anybody the wrong gift because whatever I’m going to give to you is what I can use, so I applied that

in my buildings. A lot of people come here and question why I’m doing all these. I’m giving to my buyers what I will be able to use.”

Nweke believes in showing gratitude to the same community that gave him the huge break. He has deliberately invested back in the Ikate community that used to be shanties by providing gainful employment to the people.

“When we started this journey, we involved the local community, the Ikate Kingdom. The late Baale of Itedo, who is a spiritual leader, was one of the people that gave me the kind of support I needed to start this project. We pay stipends to the Baale, to the women, to the youths, we get involved in matters affecting the community. In fact, the security and sweepers are from the community. We are part and parcel of the Itedo community.”

Looking to the future, Nweke is bullish and highly optimistic that the future is very bright if the government can provide the necessary conducive environment for investment to thrive.

“I believe that what is important is for the government to build an enabling environment. This economy is a huge one, with almost 200 million people, and we have a young and agile workforce hungry for success. The only thing that is lacking is harnessing it and so many opportunities in this area of business.

“When I mentor young people and I tell them; there’s a Chiedu in you already, you can be what I am.

The important thing is to believe in yourself. You don’t need much to be a real estate developer. Everyone owns land somewhere, either by your parents.

This journey started many years ago, I started small. When I tell my people I’m going to develop somewhere, they try to discourage me, telling me not to waste my time. But it’s believing in those small things that got me here. There’s so much opportunity in Nigeria, which I recommend the young people to take,” he declared.

He advised the government to train the youth since education holds the key to the future. “Without education, I won’t be here. Give them a good education and then unleash them.

There’s a kind of freedom you get when you are educated, you become confident. My worry for Nigeria is the lack of good education. We should invest in the youth, train them properly.

Once you train them, you’ll get amazing results,” he stated.

While acknowledging that real estate development is not for the lily-livered, he, however, advised prospective entrepreneurs in the real estate business to “Believe in yourself. The sky is your limit. There’s something I hung in my office, ‘try to look at the earth from the moon, not from the earth to the moon”.

That’s the kind of ambition we have here in Periwinkle, and that’s what I recommend for young people. Don’t see limitations, don’t see challenges, see opportunities in everything. Believe in yourself. You will get there.”

Nweke remarked that apart from acquiring education, Nigerian youths should believe in themselves. “Nothing is impossible. You can overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow if you believe in yourself,” he 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 ˾ NOVEMBER 14, 2021

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

Alert Africa Leads Discussions on Entertainers as Agents of Social Change Stories by Vanessa Obioha Recently Iboro Otu, a former governorship candidate and the Chairperson of Alert Africa — a non-governmental organisation that is committed to providing opportunities and developing leadership and entrepreneurial capacities for young Africans — gathered entertainers in Nigeria and the diaspora for a virtual conference. But the discussion wasn’t about promoting the entertainment industry, rather, the conference tagged ‘Nigerian Voices: State of The Nation,’ focused on using entertainment for leadership and electoral advocacy. The over one-hour session had musicians, filmmakers, artists and other creative industry experts in attendance.

Anchored by former Special Adviser to the British Prime Minister, Nero Ughwujabo, the fireside chat plumbed challenges confronting the nation, strategies and measurable actions that will make Nigeria a more inclusive and prosperous society.

In his opening remarks, Otu who is also an IT entrepreneur and farmer underscored the powerful influence of the Nigerian entertainment industry as one of the biggest exports of the country.

“We all know that when it comes to global influence and position management, Nigerian entertainment products and services are by far our biggest export. Almost everyone in the world has listened to or heard about Nigerian artists. Such is the power of entertainment globally. We also believe that we can use it to turn around the fortunes of this country.”

Divided into three segments: collective socio-economic transformation, political inclusion and the recent anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, participants presented divergent views but zeroed in on Nigerian youths.

For some, like musician Sunny Neji who believed that the inability of the action to work together is impeding its progress, restoring young Nigerians’ faith in the country is the most critical challenge. Lawyer and creative industry expert Audi Maikori echoed similar thoughts, arguing that the outcome of the #EndSARS protest discouraged many youths.

A Nollywood administrator Madu Chikwendu didn’t mince words when he argued that entertainers are not using their influence to drive change. According to Chikwendu, most entertainers spend time thinking of what their fans would like instead of setting the agenda for the fans to follow. He queried why can’t they use their posts to encourage young people to vote as they belong to the category of people whose decisions are key in the electoral process. He urged entertainers to mobilise youths via their various social media pages to get their voters cards and participate in the 2023 elections.

But for rapper and businessman Ruggedman, both the youths and the entertainers have a problem, which stems from poverty.

Israel Edjeren, a broadcaster based in the UK however dismissed the notion that

Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage Others for MOBO Awards Singers Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Tems Arya Starr, Ckay and Rema have been nominated for the 2021 MOBO Awards.

The organisers of the award made the announcement on Instagram last week.

Wizkid was nominated alongside Rema for Best International Act category.

The ‘Essence’ star and Rema also bagged another nomination for Best African Music Act alongside Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Tems, Davido, Ckay and Arya Starr.

The award ceremony will hold on December 5 in the United Kingdom.

Taking to his Instagram page to express his excitement over the nominations, popular musicpreneur, Don Jazzy, congratulated Arya Starr, Rema and others. He also expressed joy that music industry has paved the way for young artistes.

“Ayra Starr and Rema have been nominated for the 2021 MOBO Awards!

Crazy. It’s been under a year since we activated Ayra and less than three years for Rema. This is phenomenal. A big shout out to them for their talent and hardwork, and to the whole Mavin Team for being such a brilliant family.

“Congratulations to the industry too. Look at where we are! Now, even our young artistes are able to burst into the scene and gain an audience for their sound. It has taken a lot to get here. This is validation that our dream of ‘Afrobeats to the World’ is closer than ever before. Congratulations again guys!

We’re doing it,” he wrote.

Maikori, Ruggedman, Ude among speakers who participated in the Alert Africa fireside chat

Nigerian politics have never favoured youths.

He cited past heroes and presidents who achieved feats during their youth.

For the female participants, convener of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Chioma Ude and entertainment

Efe Nathan, Beejay Sax to Perform at White Worship Commission 2021

journalist based in the UK, Gracie Mae, educating the youths through stories will help change their perception.

Other speakers include filmmaker Lancelot Imaseun, musician Paul Play Dairo and cartoonist Mike Asuquo.

Organisers of the White Worship Commission experience have announced a line-up of gospel artists who would be performing this year. They include Efe Nathan, Naomi Classik, Neon Adejo, Beejay Sax, GFORCE and White Worship crew.

The 2021 edition tagged ‘The Throne-room, The Power & The Glory’, marks the 10th anniversary of the worship experience which began in 2012 with about 24 worshippers in Ikota, Lagos. Over the years, the concert has metamorphosed into a yearly programme that not only pools thousands of people but is also held in other parts of the world such as Sao Paulo and Suzano in Brazil.

“The expectation this year is that worshippers will experience the presence and power of God cascading in an avalanche of the manifestation of the Shekinah glory of Yahweh in the altar of true worship,” said the convener Julie Emakpo Egwejemu who will also be launching a book ‘The Worshipper’s Secret Code.’

White Worship Commission is scheduled for Sunday, November 21, at The Potential Event Centre, Olokonla, Lekki.

Celebrating Nigeria and America’s Growing Cultural Ties

Ambassador Leonard Speaking at the Reception

Nollywood and creative industry stars were treated to an elegant reception at the home of the US Consul General recently. The occasion was to celebrate the U.S Mission’s continuous support to the recently held Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and the burgeoning cultural ties between Nigeria and America.

Amidst noshes and music, the contributions of the US mission to AFRIFF’s 10th anniversary was rolled out. It included a grant to conduct two workshops, one for young animators and another for post-production creatives, in collaboration with the American Film Showcase and Global Media Makers. Also, Smithsonian National Museum for African History and Culture participated in the festival and announced that the Nigerian-American artist Ike Ude’s Nollywood Portraits will be opening in Washington DC. The project will be in three parts according to Project Director Osahon Akpata. It will feature an exhibition, a coffee table book and a

documentary film. Other U.S. entertainment companies that participated in the festival include Amazon, Macro and Paramount.

In her remarks, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard hailed the creative industry.

“I am proud of the U.S. Mission’s contributions to this year’s AFRIFF. Our goal is to build the capacity of emerging filmmakers on animation and postproduction, two areas that could lead to tremendous growth in Nigeria’s film industry.”

The reception is coming on the heels of the US Mission signing a Memorandum of Understanding to preserve the Busanyin Shrine within the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant.

The Mission said it is committed to supporting programmes that bring American cultural leaders to Nigeria to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate with Nigerian cultural leaders.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14, 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 ˾ NOVEMBER 14, 2021

HighLife

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

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

Meet Nonye Soludo, the Next Anambra First Lady

Ekere

True to its nickname (Light of the Nation), Anambra State is currently radiating brilliant beams of light and bliss. The emergence of a new governor has a way of inspiring people to greater heights of joy. However, there is something more this time as the winner of the just-concluded gubernatorial elections, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is obviously a darling of the people.

The widespread excitement that accompanied the announcement of Soludo’s victory can be explained through several lenses.

Soludo is the second Nigerian state governor to have served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Interestingly, some people are far more interested in the profile of the incoming First Lady than they are in the particulars and evolution of Soludo’s career.

For starters, the name of Soludo’s wife is Nonye. She is 51 years old and is an indigene of Aguata LGA of Anambra. She has what might be described as above-average educational

qualifications: a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Westminster, London.

Although Nonye is not as extensively enterprising as her husband, she is far from what the world labels a domestic wife. She is reported to be the CEO of Healthy Living Foods Ltd, the establishment behind the better known Royal Foods.

Nonye is also believed to have some respectable stake in the real estate sector. She is the top figure in the privately-owned Charles Frances Properties. Thus, even after bearing six children for Soludo, Nonye is still up and doing.

One can only say that dragons marry dragons and tigers marry tigers. Soludo and Nonye are obviously a match made in the heavens. Together, they have gone from being the Central Bank family to being the Number One family in Anambra.

Nsima Ekere’s Very A Billionaire’s Propriety: Scott Tommey’s Private Lifestyle Once an individual expresses their ambition to occupy a public office in Nigeria, or succeed in this pursuit, they lose their right to live a private life. They give up the privilege of keeping a low profile, hiding away, or making moves in secret to advance their standing in society. This is the case with the former MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nsima Udo Ekere. Folks are asking about him, intent on knowing where he is.

For someone like Ekere, public visibility has never been much of a big deal. While he served as MD/CEO of NDDC, he was as visible as Nigerians wanted. When he joined the Akwa Ibom gubernatorial race in 2015 under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was very visible. When he repeated his attempt in 2019 wearing the colours of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekere was a public figure number one. Recently, however, he has returned to living under the radar.

The last time Ekere was caught in the lenses of a camera was during his father’s burial in September 2021. Sir Obong Gabriel Sampson Ekere passed on at the age of 90. The renowned school teacher and community leader had lived a life well spent so his passing sent into motion a deluge of condolence messages.

Even President Muhammadu Buhari had something to say.

Ever since the death and interment of that great man, his son, Ekere, has returned to his very private life. His absence is even more conspicuous considering his repeated shots at the Akwa Ibom governorship seat. Has Ekere given up this aspiration or is he crouching so he can jump high enough to win the hearts of the people this time?

Only time will tell.

Even so, as Governor Emmanuel Udom prepares to hand over the baton to someone else, minds are wandering to and fro in search of potential heirs.

Here is where Ekere comes to mind.

Low-Key 51st Birthday Celebration

Tommey

The Englishmen of old theorised that kings may forever be feared by their subjects, but queens will only ever be adored and adulated. The second half of this idea is the case in Ikateland, the domain of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, the Elegushi.

As Elegushi’s first wife, Olori Sekinat Aramide Elegushi (alias Queen Gushi 1) clocked 45 a few days ago, the turnout from top to bottom was extraordinary.

The foundations of Ikateland shook a bit some days ago when the Queen celebrated her 45th birthday. Being one of the most beloved characters of the Elegushi royal house, the Queen enjoyed more than a deluge of prayers, goodwill messages and gifts.

Oba Elegushi naturally gushed over his wife with every romantic phrase in the book.

He wrote, “...it is undeniable my connection with you, unbelievable is how much I love you, and unbreakable is the bond that we have formed with each other. This bond, like

There is a time for everything. There is a time for booming laughter and another for hushed merriment; time for extensive festivity and time for focused gratitude. For distinguished oil and gas businessman and philanthropist, Scott Tommey, reaching 51 years is a big achievement.

Only, it is not so big that he should put the lives of his relatives, friends and well-wishers on the line in the name of a befitting soiree.

Tommey, the founder and Chairman of Osmoserve Global Limited has shown time and time again that he is not your average businessman. His noted attribute of consideration and compassion has come into view once again. Rather than organise (or at the very least, allow his well-wishers to organise) a party in commemoration of his 51st birthday, the Akwa-Ibom native opted for a quiet day instead.

Even social media buffs only caught wind of the commemoration a few days later.

Queen of Style: Sekinat Elegushi Clocks 45

Elegushi

Soludo

While others may not understand why Tommey would choose to celebrate his birthday in quietness and tranquility, those that are quick of mind have already noticed a thing or two. The fact is that Tommey’s decision was made in line with the renewed efforts to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Even so, if there are three businesspeople from the South-South region who can paint the town red in the name of birthday parties, Tommey will take the first, second and third positions. To be sure, the man has built a massive enterprise in Osmoserve Global Limited. Beyond dominating the oil and gas sector with his brilliant investments and timely acquisitions, the man has also made a practice of gladdening the hearts of his people. The youths of the Niger Delta region, especially, have benefitted—and continue to benefit—from Tommey’s justifiably aggressive development projects.

Although Tommey celebrated his 51st birthday with as little pomp as possible, his achievements remain loud enough to wake the comatose—if not a comatose individual, then a stiff and unresponsive region.

Shakespeare said, ‘it never changes, it never fades, it outlasts death and admits no flaw.’”

If the queen’s husband, a royal father, claims these things, they must be true.

Thus, adding to these things would be no different from drawing new colours on the surface of a rose petal. Consequently, every goodwill message to the queen after Elegushi’s has been significantly inferior.

Queen Sekinat holds a very special place in the hearts of the people of Ikateland. This has always been the case since her husband ascended the royal throne. She has ascended even further in the people’s hearts every time she bore a child for the king. Besides these three incidents, her philanthropic gestures are unmatched by any other female in Ikateland. Therefore, the people love her almost as much as Elegushi loves her.

From Banking to Politics: Late Abiola Ajimobi’s Son-in-Law Throws His Hat into the Ring Traditions are the legacies of the fathers.

Succession is the right of the children. In between these legacies and rights are choices to follow after one’s predecessor or carve out a path for oneself. For Kolapo Kola-Daisi, the former option is far more sensible and a better pathway towards serving the family and the fatherland.

Kola-Daisi is currently the subject of much contemplation and debate. As the son of an illustrious figure in Ibadan, Oyo State, the 43-year-old man has enough prestige to contest for whatever political position that catches his fancy. The only twist in the narrative is that he would be trailing the steps of his late fatherin-law, former Governor and Senator Abiola Ajimobi, rather than those of his industrialist father, Chief Kola Daisi.

According to the reports on this matter, Kola-Daisi is interested in contesting the Oyo South Senatorial District seat with Senator Kola Balogun. Interestingly, this is the same Balogun against whom the late Ajimobi contested and lost. The question on the lips of many people is

whether the Ajimobi/Kola-Daisi alliance will overthrow Balogun or the latter will defeat Kola-Daisi.

Besides his pedigree, another reason folks are paying a lot of attention to this narrative is that Kola-Daisi is a treasurer with Heritage Bank. So, unless he has the mass following of somebody like former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Charles Soludo or the momentum of former Polaris Bank GMD/CEO, Tokunbo Abiru, Kola-Daisi might actually lose the hat he’s throwing into the ring.

Then again, his mother-in-law, Florence Ajimobi is very much around and very much involved with the goings-on in Oyo State. Who knows, maybe Kola-Daisi’s declared intention to candidly represent the people of Oyo South in the National Assembly will bear some fruit. Time will tell.

Whatever the outcome of this, there is definitely going to be good morale at the end of this story.

Kola-Daisu

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HIGHLIFE

Gboyega Akosile Joins the Golden Club These are happy times for Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State. He turned 50 a few days ago and had nothing but appreciation and gratitude to declare. Considering how much he has contributed to the acknowledged success of Sanwo-Olu’s government, it is not a surprise that he enjoyed ample attention on his birthday.

Akosile is not a new, strange or spare character in the current Lagos State administration. He is one of the core members of the governor’s trusted circle, always on the go as he relates the thoughts of Governor Sanwo-Olu to the people and back. In 50 years, Akosile has accomplished so much already and can be considered a commanding figure even though he just joined the golden club.

He has straddled the roles of news presenter, reporter, producer and producer. At some point at Channels TV, he was all three, even though he had only a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performing Arts from the University of

Akosile

Ilorin, Kwara State. However, his flexible intellect allowed him to be versatile and useful. Although he now has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, that is only icing on the cake.

Akosile’s career stretches from one end of the information, communications and media industry to another.

He was able to establish his own media corporation, Bridgeworld Communication Company, where he has built a respectable reputation for himself. Even so, it is his decision to assist Governor Sanwo-Olu that has brought him to the frontlines.

At 50, Akosile can boast of his grasp of the socio-political atmosphere in Lagos, enough to understand the dynamics and momentum of governmental power and public demand. In the CPS capacity, Akosile continues to capitalise on this understanding to transform Lagos State into the Centre of Excellence in Nigeria.

Indeed, at 50 years of age, Akosile has accomplished much.

Tomi Somefun: Putting the Right Foot Forward What men can do, women can do just as well. This aphorism has been thrown from one corner of the room to another in support of the equally productive faculties of women. It used to be that some people could still stubbornly argue against this fact. However, with women like Unity Bank’s MD/CEO, Oluwatomi Somefun at the thick of corporate things, these people can only hide their faces.

Unity Bank is gradually climbing up the ranks of leading Nigerian banks. One of the reports to this effect has the bank’s Profit Before Tax growing by 23 per cent from N1.7 billion to N2.1 billion within nine months. This is despite the wave after wave of inflation, fluctuating markets, the weakening influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.

As analysts have explained, one of the most rational reasons for Unity Bank’s hovering above its peers is Somefun. She is responsible for stamping the bank’s schema and giving directions towards the foreseeable and

unforeseeable future. Therefore, every time the bank climbs up a few degrees, Somefun deserves to be celebrated. And she often is.

Since taking over the MD/CEO position in 2015, Somefun has continuously tipped the scale in the favour of Unity Bank. It has not always brought about happy prospects. Nevertheless, it is now obvious that with her at the helm of affairs, things will work out just fine in the end.

With Somefun’s dexterity, Unity Bank has begun to stretch its range of influence beyond the marble walls of banking and finance. A few weeks ago, the bank organised a three-day capacity building initiative for three thousand girls drawn from Senior Secondary Schools across Nigeria. The initiative was geared towards encouraging and promoting girl-child participation in specific industries, especially Information Communication Technology (ICT), maritime transportation and logistics ecosystem. This is only one of the many projects that Unity Bank has become synonymous with.

Sofefun

It is only a matter of time before Somefun completely places the bank among the first five players in Nigeria’s banking industry.

Revealed! How Pastor Odukoya’s Wife was in Pains for Two Years

Late Odukoya

“Death be not proud, though some have called you mighty and dreadful, you are not so.” The English poet, John Donne, was not the first to realise this fact, but he was the first to put it in verse. But it is not easy to agree to these words, especially in the aftermath of a death. Chances are that the founder and CEO of Oasis Medspa, Freda Francis, for example, does not at all agree that death is not dreadful. Even as she mourns the demise of her mother, death’s shadow has drawn dark circles around her eyes.

On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, Mrs Rebecca Samuel Edewor, the mother of Francis, passed away in London. She was only 59 and the proud mother of the medical aesthetician and certified laser technician that is the face of Oasis Medspa, as well as Ella, her younger sister.

A memorial service was held to honour the life and times of the

Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there any individual, demographic group or race that is exempt from the tragedies of human life?

These are some of the questions we ask ourselves when calamity strikes. As the congregation of The Fountain of Life Church continues to mourn the death of a good woman, these questions come to mind once again.

Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, the Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, announced the news of the death of his wife, Nomthi, a few days ago.

According to him, she passed away at the age of 47, having battled cancer for two years.

The sad news came on the evening of Tuesday, November 9, 2020. Even more depressing was the fact that Nomthi continued to withstand the ravaging fingers of cancer until her last breath. However, as Odukoya noted, the Word of God was her shield and pillar and she left behind much beauty, including 11 years worth of happy memories and two boys.

The fact that Nomthi battled with

cancer for two years before succumbing to her eternal rest has been received with shock. Many people were not aware that the Odukoya family bore such a burden or that the deceased was in such pain.

Nevertheless, such is life and there is very little that human tears, angst and depression can accomplish.

Nomthi was wedded to Odukoya in January 2010. She was a South African, so the wedding ceremony garnered more than a few comments. However, the main subject of discussion at the time was the fact that Odukoya was finally marrying again after losing his first wife, Pastor Bimbo, in the Sosoliso airplane crash of 2005.

The death of Pastor Bimbo was a huge blow to the Odukoyas nearly 16 years ago. Now that even Nomthi has crossed the last river on the way to the Celestial City, one can only accept life’s twists, as Odukoya did, with deep regret and gratitude to God.

Bereaved: Founder of Oasis Medspa Loses Mom

deceased on Thursday, November 4, 2021. With relatives and friends around her, the date of her burial was set for December 2021. Even so, the pain of her passing could be felt during the memorial service.

Francis and her younger sister, Ella, take after their late mother’s facial features. They are all beauties, to say the least. Furthermore, judging from the Oasis Medspa founder’s accomplishments, one can surmise that she inherited her diligence and intellect from the deceased. Thus, the passing of Mrs Edewor is a conspicuous gash in the hearts of her relatives, especially her children.

The late Mrs Edewor must have been very proud of Francis. The latter built Oasis Medspa from the ground up and established the premium corrective skin clinic and luxury day spa in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Thankfully, Francis let her mother experience the joys of being a grandmother before she passed away.

Edewor

Abiru

Tokunbo Abiru Dazzles Lagosians Fortune seems to be smiling on the lives of the people of Lagos East Senatorial district.

The Senator representing this area, Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru has made his move, leaving the residents of surrounding areas dumbfounded. One might argue that Abiru’s move is not unexpected considering his stellar corporate profile. Even so, Abiru’s recent gesture is in a class of its own.

The office of Senator Abiru recently announced that the people of Lagos East will soon have access to a business loan support worth N100 million. According to the announcement, the beneficiaries of this support would be the operators of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Abiru cheered up the people of his constituency with this news during a workshop for MSMEs, with the management of Fate Foundation in tow. He explained that the beneficiaries would be able to get between N100,000 and N1,000,000 when the exercise takes off. Moreover, the interest rate is only six per cent per annum.

Furthermore, to ensure that everything is done in its proper order, Abiru also noted that the loan scheme will be overseen by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN).

By every indication, therefore, actual MSME operators will really benefit from the support and grow their businesses to bridge the gap of unemployment in the area.

Unsurprisingly, Abiru’s impassioned address at the event moved the Bank of Industry (BOI) to pledge an extra N100 million to quell the joblessness and contribute to national growth and development. This is all in line with Abiru’s promises during his campaign to drive regional and national economic growth via grassroots development.

To think that Abiru spent so long in the halls of accounting and banking before moving into politics. Perhaps, Lagos State would have grown used to dazzling moves like this.

Nevertheless, the people of Lagos East are bound to be the happiest Lagosians as 2021 draws to a close.

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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 ˾ NOVEMBER 14, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

All Hail King Soludo When I first heard the news, I got carried away and eulogised the Anambra people for choosing such an intellectual. Then I saw a post comparing the Governors of Anambra with that of their brother Imo, I weak. Anambra had always been a sophisticated state and that is why when they went to abduct their governor, tied and locked him in a toilet, the world was amazed.

Anyways, they have done it again.

They have stood firm behind their heritage of quality by voting massively for the erudite professor. My candidate was Valentine and I came out very strongly in his support. He did well, but the wave was too strong in favour of the eventual winner. He still has youthful vigour on his side

and should be ready to come out again.

For Soludo, as I say well done, I would want you to realise that you are on the cusp of history. We would be expecting that you would ride this wave and provide firm direction in cascading this new energy across the whole country.

Anambra people rose up in unison to fight against the shadowy construct that has bedeviled the Nigerian political landscape. Instead of taking loaves of bread and pittance, they stood by their conscience and voted.

For this, I say well done people.

For Prof, work just started. A lot still has to be done, I will need you to hit the street running. Oya resume immediately.

GABRIEL OGBECHIE, I AM NOT HAPPY You know me, I don’t like to keep my mouth shut. I am presently not happy with my brother, Gabriel Ogbechie. That is how he and I were chatting the other night and he didn’t deem it fit to tell me about his latest acquisition. His firm, using its investment vehicle, has acquired the largest shareholding in Eterna Oil. This is a massive transaction; the kind of transaction that will continue to deepen engagements in the economy, create more jobs and much more importantly send a very strong signal to the naysayers that this economy can be vibrant.

The reason he didn’t tell me is simple. He knows I am a powerful investment banker but he will be telling me, ‘Duke, you are a writer and entertainment man. Stand there’ and I will say, ‘No, na you pay my school fees.’

So that is how he invited me to party in his house one day. As I enter, I see Wale Agbeyangi and Kayode Fadahunsi. Two respectable and highly intelligent investment bankers. I know something want to happen. When you see lion for night you know something want to happen.

You cannot see Wale and Kayode, two Yoruba men for Delta man house and be thinking it is coke dey came to drink. I rush to Godrey in the kitchen and ask, ‘Abeg, what are those two people doing here?’ She says, ‘Which?’

I say that gorimapa and that black one. She say she nor know.

You know when you are planning a coup, you cannot tell your wife. So, I believe Godrey. She cannot lie to me. We used to eat Afang together in many places in Lagos.

So, I keep quiet. But me I know that something’s about to happen. Every vein in my blood is telling me that. I have been in investment banking for over 25 years and I can smell a deal.

Then Femi Ademola, my brother who works with Wale will call me and say, I am trying to reach Gabriel. Can you help? I will say what is happening?

That one will say ‘Nothing.’ I will soon release his nude.

Then I heard yesterday and the thing is paining me o. See my deal.

This Gabriel no even like this Wale o.

See my deal o. I call my partner Lami and say you will be wearing bow tie everywhere and be speaking Queen’s English o. See deal o.

This deal is massive. It is the kind of deal that makes every stockbroker’s mouth water with pride. I really do congratulate my colleagues Wale and Kayode for this. They deserve it.

Brilliant and hardworking guys.

To my brother Gabriel, I say well done, a very brilliant move. And to my sister Godrey, let’s keep eating our Afang, don’t mind them. Shebi it is Afang I came to eat in Lagos. There is God. Well done bro.

Ogbechie

Soludo

Anosike would have just finished the burial rites of his hugely influential mother. I had almost forgotten until I saw his partner, the vivaciously beautiful screen goddess, Rita Dominic at my brother, Tobe Okigbo’s party the other day.

Fidelis has been a good brother, although we have tried to do a lot of things wey no just dey happen. His passion for Nigeria, his network, his reach all endear me to him. His contributions on the Duke Summit remain deep and engaging.

Let me use this opportunity to wish him and the larger Anosike Family a befitting passage for their well-loved mother and God’s continued strength to see them through this obviously draining period. Well-done my brother, see you soon.

– Ufok Ibaan.

That is how I saw my poster on the festival started trending, so I called her and said, ‘Bikiya adiagha, what is this festival all about o? And she said in that her sweet voice, it is a convergence of the Arts. We really do not interact that much so this festival brings together the various branches of the Art in a brilliant interactive space.’

You see why she is my sister? Theatre, movies, Arts, Music all mixing up in a kaleidoscope of engagements with a view to better understanding each other and forming a much more virile bond as it pushes towards societal reawakening.

What else can I add but to say ‘Well-done sis’ and may the gods keep smiling at you.

FEMI ADESINA: A PROPHET FORETOLD Bro Adesina says he has stopped attending a particular church because the pastor used to yab his principal so much that the thing pained him. From what I have gleaned, it looks like he has attended the church for over 30 years and because of the yabis especially the one about the abducted girls, he decided to move to another church on the next street hoping that this new pastor will get sense and be yabing only PDP. Well, my people you see where Buhari problem dey plenty; the man

FIDELIS ANOSIKE: BIDDING HER FAREWELL As you read this, my brother Fidelis

BIKIYA GRAHAM DOUGLAS: A FESTIVAL FOR THE GODS This is one beautiful lady I wished was not my sister. Over the years, the relationship between me and Bikiya has grown from initial crush, to full blown love the kind only biological siblings could have to a roaring partnership.

She is so talented and passionately engaging with the Arts. She will walk up to me, give me a suffocating hug and say, ‘This my crazy brother’ and you will see all the men around envying me and drooling.

This weekend, she is organising a Festival of Arts in Abuja. I am supposed to be there but I am in the thick of plans for my new play in Uyo

Anosike

Wigwe

Douglas

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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 ˾ NOVEMBER 14, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS no dey get better feedback. You see this Adesina, instead of engaging the pastor, asking him for better feedback or setting up a meeting between this pastor and relevant authority so that the engagement would be mutually benefiting, he run away from the church.

You can be sure even as he dey attend that church, he will not have the liver to go to his principal with the feedback. Then, that one will now sit up and know exactly how his people feel about him.

He will just come back from church, tuck his bible in the container where he usually keeps it and continue with his usual praise singing and when they ask him, ‘How was church today?’, he’ll say fine and keep quiet.

The problem of leadership in Nigeria is plenty. It is multi-challenging in its full dimension. How do our leaders get credible feedback when they are surrounded by grasshoppers?

So, for brother Femi, it is to change the church that will convince that ‘errant’ Pastor that Buhari is working?

Is it to change the church that will show Buhari that his policies are being well received?

I just tire for this particular Oga and na my friend o. At least, he don attend one of my plays, but I just dey weak for the paddy on a regular.

Please, don’t come to my own church o; you will not only change church, you will wait for the pastor on the road, pull your shirt and begin to slap as dem don yab your Papa Buhari. Abeg go and bathe my brother.

NNAMDI KANU: FENDI FIEND Before I use the word ‘fiend’, I go check the meaning o. You know anything around this paddy is very emotive and sensitive. The other day, actor wear cloth, he chop beans for days. If you are not careful, if it is not the men in black chasing you on the bridge, it will be his own people looking for your head.

‘Why do I even bother sef? Why not just ignore the guy and continue with my beauty sleep,’ I ask myself.

I cannot o. He never ceases to amaze me. These days, his court appearances na in all white Fendi. He no dey hear o. Na designer wear o.

Complete with appropriate footwear making him come out looking dashing and dandy.

He will now come and be posing, walking like Nollywood star. I am sure when all these is over and they want to do his movie, he will not agree anybody to act as him. He will want to act as himself; the shakara is too much.

Such a gifted and mercurial character. I only wish he would just believe in one Nigeria and train his passion towards rebuilding our great country with him playing a great role in it.

Sadly, this is not the case. We can only just pray for a befitting end to all of these where one strong and non-divisive Nigeria will emerge.

SOLAPE AKINDELE: A WOMAN OF COLOUR This young girl is doing things o. She has just set up HERVEST. Hervest is a gender facing fintech that supports female farmers in challenged zones. Already, she has over 4,000 female subscribers and growing astronomically. In fact, she is targeting to hit the 20,000 mark by first quarter next year and has already set her sights on Kenya.

Sitting next to her in meetings as her financial adviser, I cannot help but admire her clarity and tenacity of

purpose.

She resigned from one of the biggest independent investment banking firms to set up this structure which remains her evolving passion.

Taking advantage of the economies of scale that comes with the Yaba technology ecosystem, she continues to rev and attain a cult followership amongst her chosen public.

Major international franchises like Standard Chartered Bank and others have supported this vision with huge grants which she has deployed, strategically.

‘Edgar, we are supporting over 500 female farmers in the Jos area. We are sending seedlings, taking the produce and finding markets and this pool is growing astronomically’.

Is this not what we are saying about this country? The opportunities abound for those who want to see o.

HERBERT WIGWE: HIGHLY APPRECIATIVE Please, let me crave the indulgence of my readers and all of Nigerians to all stop for a bit, go on your knees

and point a finger towards Herbert Wigwe’s toilet where he is at this right moment and say, ‘God Bless you, Mr Herbert Wigwe.’

You will really not understand my effusiveness this morning. In my life, people have touched me with their kindness but this one is too much.

When Abdul Imoyo, one of the most brilliant media people this country is blessed with, called and said, ‘Edgar, we will deal’ and he told me the amount, I fell down on the street and wept.

I had approached Access Bank through Herbert for kind support for our new play. My pitch was straightforward. ‘Sir’, I said: ‘We are engaging over 500 youths in Akwa Ibom, putting them on a major theatrical platform that would open and expose them to the very best of theatre.

An opportunity that would be really impossible for them to have.’ Sir, we are flying in the very best in theatre to engage, teach and mentor these youths and for three days over 8,000 Akwa Ibomites will watch this extravaganza for free. We are not charging anything

YEMI OSINBAJO: MIRED IN FAKE NEWS Egbon has really suffered o. All fake news machineries are trained towards him. According to the mill, he is involved in everything negative in this country. From multi-billion naira scams down to the recent building that just collapsed in Ikoyi and killed over 40 people.

The fake news mill is unrelenting.

Osinbajo owns the land, Osinbajo is the bricklayer that beat up the Lagos State officials who came to lock up the place, Osinbajo has impregnated 12 Nollywood actresses and he has turned skit makers into vampires.

The man sef just weak, to the extent that he has instructed his lawyers to issue warning letters, all to no avail. Dem still dey throw things at him. You will wonder why abi?

It’s simple. The man is a credible contender for 2023, so he has to be rubbished. Some schools of thought

Osinbajo

have posited that he is a ‘nonthreatening candidate’ unlike the front runner who is seen in some circles as being too divisive and too enmeshed with the failure that is this one.

It is for the pacifist and centrist posturing which makes Osinbajo attractive that he is attracting this level of odium. I think he should relax and stop threatening people with court. He should ride the wave and positively engage the people.

Even if he has no ambitions, his public posturing should always be towering and elderly. Threats of court cases will only drag him into the mud and you cannot really win a catfight in the mud. You will come out sullied.

Rise above oga, ignore, remain focused and push issues and you will see that that will be the only armour that you need at times like this. I wish you well.

and another 500,000 will watch globally through our digital platforms.

We are trying to create jobs, push talent and much more importantly give back hope to not only the people of Akwa Ibom but also the whole nation. Over 100,000 people have seen our plays and we have engaged more than 1,000 people.

When I finish, the man just stand up say, ‘Edgar we will reach you, I have to go and see Alhaji’.

I say in my mind, ‘Wetin dey do this one o? So, all the talk I have talked see what he just say to me. I should have known. So, when Abdul now called and I saw his number, ‘I say what is this one looking for again o?’

Then he uttered the immortal words, ‘Herbert sends his wishes, he has approved the sum of …….’ Bro, I weak o.

Theatre is such an important tool for social mobilisation, job creation and cohesion in the society that if effectively harnessed, could serve as an immediate elixir to some of the societal challenges we face especially with the growing rate of unemployment.

I thank him. I really thank him.

TOBE OKIGBO: MANY HAPPY RETURNS Tobe is one of the top Nigerians at communications giants MTN. He is such a hardworking and passionate Nigerian which makes me so proud to be associated with him.

It was his birthday the other day and his very beautiful wife, my sister Chioma threw a major soiree for him.

As usual the place was filled up with quality people and she said, ‘Edgar, bring the Afang’.

Tobe is mercurial in his brilliance, let me finish all the accolades on him cos the food I ate in his house that night despite the fact that there was no Afang and I didn’t bring the afang was also mercurial.

It is for this reason that he pulls in the very best in quality attendance at his gigs. This is where we meet the intelligentsia, Nollywood, Captains of Industry and debutants. At his gigs, there’s no dancing o but engagements, networking and very compulsive interactions.

I always come out of them enriched. This time I went into mortal combat with Chioma’s friends led by the very elegant Ndali and my sister Etim Inyang the expansive daughter of the late Inspector General of Police Mr. Etim Inyang and the exotic Ijaw beauty known internationally as Ibiene.

I had stupidly run into turbulence when I told the gathering of about six very elegant ladies that my father of blessed memory had told me that I should be ‘emotionally detached’ from women I have dealings with whether wife or anything.

Mbok, these women finish me o. Some men like my brother, Tino sat far, pitying me. When I attempted to run for cover with the men, from the women, they pushed me back into the furnace.

They tore me apart o. Our women can be sensitive. Even my other sister Ivie just walked past and pretended like she didn’t know me and Tobe also stood very far, not wanting to be sucked in.

My people, I try but the fight was bad. I was bloodied and fell in a slump until my sister Etim Inyang came and sat on my legs. That gave me momentary relief.

Happy birthday my brother. Well done.

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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 ˾ NOVEMBER 14, 2021

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Billionaire Businessman, Taiwo Afolabi’s Midas Touch To say that Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the Group Managing Director of SIFAX Group and owner of the newly opened Marriott Hotel, is a man with the Midas touch, is to state the obvious.

The businessman is, indeed, someone that must be studied like a book by anyone coming into the industry, as he is acknowledged to know the ABCs of entrepreneurship.

The billionaire is said to be having everything falling in the right places for him.

Society Watch gathered that the hotel that was opened earlier in March has already become one of the most patronised, thereby making Afolabi’s dream of revolutionising the hospitality industry in Nigeria a reality.

Since he made his grand entry into the sector, he has soared like an eagle that has defeated the raging tides of the wind and is ready to soar to an inestimable height of abundant success. It was disclosed that when the quintessential businessman made it official to build a 250-room hotel, those who were privy to the plan never doubted him because they were aware of his ingenuity.

Known to be a man of class, elegance and panache, he took his time to get the best out of the hotel, and it has set a new standard

Kalu

Orji Uzor Kalu Honoured Certainly, anyone who would like to write the biography of Orji Uzor Kalu will find enough materials that will make the book an interesting read for readers. He had started recording great feats even before he became the colossus that he is today.

The Senate Chief Whip has been a detribalised Nigerian, whose circle of friends cuts across the corners of Nigeria. Perhaps, this is evident in the honour bestowed on him in Kebbi State on Friday, November 5, 2021.

The Argungu Emirate in Kebbi State, led by the Emir of Argungu Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, conferred the traditional title of Kibiyan Kabi (Commander of the Archers of Kebbi Kingdom) on the former governor. Earlier on October 12, the Senate Majority Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, in company with representatives of the Emir, had presented a letter to Kalu at his Abuja home.

The conferment ceremony, which was witnessed by eminent personalities across the country, was held during the annual international fishing festival in Argungu. It was gathered that the ceremony coincided with the 25th coronation anniversary of the monarch and the wedding ceremony of his first daughter, Habiba to Abubakar Haruna, Garkuwan Kabi, MD/CEO, Kaduna Electric.

During the ceremonies, Kalu was showered with encomiums. Speaking at the event, a prominent Nigerian, Haruna Ahmed, said: “Yesterday, to my admiration, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu and other distinguished senators had arrived in Kebbi ahead of the event

by Kebbi Emirates. Going by the facts on ground, I am persuaded to believe that Kalu is one of the rarest political leaders from the Southern part of Nigeria, who truly understands the essence of unity.

“It’s surprising that Kalu is the only Southern leader, who doesn’t just derive joy in harmonizing with the Northerners, but also feels comfortable eating, sleeping and living within us. As a Northerner, I know quite a number of politicians from the South who only come to Kebbi and leave the same day, but this is not the case with Kalu, who has already spent a night with us and I am sure would spend more time with us, which for me, is a sign of genuine love.

“Indeed, the honour given to him today by the Kebbi Emirates is well-deserved as he is not just a great son of Southern Nigeria but also an adopted son of Northern Nigeria I want to also use this medium to appreciate Kalu for his love for the unity of the Nation, for being a great example for other political leaders by teaching us through action and words to shun tribalism.”

In his remarks, Senator Kalu thanked the Argungu Emirate for considering him worthy of the traditional title. He described the gesture as a laudable testament to Nigeria’s unity and thanked His Royal Highness for the honour done to him. He also congratulated the Emir on his daughter’s wedding.

The title would be the second from Kebbi for Kalu, as he has previously been honoured by the Gwandu Emirate council in 2004.

Afolabi

of premium business hotels, showcasing inspiring and contemporary décor within the capital of Nigeria’s commercial hub.

The Ogun State-born businessman has his hands in some other sectors of the economy.

Over the years, he has contributed immensely to the growth of Nigeria’s economy; and he is among the largest employers of labour in the country. He is so knowledgeable about his businesses that you can’t pull the wool over his eyes. He is spot-on; abreast of contemporary issues.

Afolabi began his professional career with a shipping company, Nigerian Express Agencies Limited, where he distinguished himself and rose to become the Head of Operations.

With the zeal of entrepreneurship burning in him, he left the company in 1988 to establish what has now turned into a big conglomerate, SIFAX Group, a business interest with diverse investments in Maritime, Aviation, Haulage, Logistics, Oil & Gas and Hospitality, among others.

Tongues Wag over Habiba Abubakar’s Disappearance Hajia Habiba Abubakar is not a stranger to many, especially the elite in the country. The rich and kind-hearted woman is one of the high-flying women in Abuja. Wealthy and well-connected, no party, worth its salt, is complete without her.

The billionaire businesswoman rocked the social scene to the envy of many. Indeed, for the KanoState born woman, life must be enjoyed to the hilt.

While she dictated the tempo of many social events, she was also not lagging in humanitarian gestures which endeared her to many, especially the underprivileged around her.

For her humanitarian gestures, the beautiful woman had been honoured with deserving awards, at home and abroad at different times.

Married to a former Nigeria High Commissioner to India, Abubakar had received awards, including the one organised by Africans in

Akinruntan

the Diaspora, in recognition of the contributions of her Non-Government Organisation (NGO), founded in 2006 in India, during her husband’s tenure in the country. The NGO transcends national, ethnic and religious borders.

However, at the moment, the notable businesswoman may have gone underground and kept a low profile. In recent times, she has not been attending social functions and has also lost steam as a philanthropist. Consequently, her new way of life seems to be giving her admirers and friends grave concerns.

While a source disclosed that her low profile could have been due to a reversal of fortunes, another one claimed that the beautiful woman could have decided to take it slow because she had been taken for granted by many she had assisted.

Since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers in 2009 as the Olugbo of Ugboland, Imperial Majesty, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, has made service to the people of Ugbonla, Ilaje area of Ondo State his priority.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the once sleepy town has witnessed his robust leadership, with several intervention programmes. The Chairman of Obat Oil and Gas has given the once-moribund community a facelift, thereby reclaiming its lost glory.

The highly connected monarch is not resting yet, as he’s poised to do more this year in celebration of his 12th year on the throne as the traditional ruler of the riverine area.

On November 27 and 28, 2021, the sleepy oil-rich community will come alive with various activities commemorating the 12th coronation anniversary of the effervescent

Abubakar

monarch. While last year’s anniversary celebrations were low-key, his 10th coronation anniversary in 2019 saw Juju legends, Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade, entertain guests at the Osangangan Obamakin Town Hall. Those who attended would never forget how they were feted with royal hospitality.

This year’s edition is a week-long activity, which will be graced by the who-iswho in the state. It is also expected to boost the economic activities of the oil-producing community as sons and daughters of Ugbo will be visiting the town in their large numbers to honour the stylish monarch.

The well-travelled king, who celebrated his 71st birthday in July, with not much fanfare, will formally use the occasion of his 12th coronation anniversary to unveil various achievements and progressive projects for his people to the world.

When Ayiri Emami Celebrated Wife at 40 Business tycoon, Ayiri Emami, never pretends gold theme party. about the fact that he loves to be involved in the Asba also displayed her fashion acumen, celebration of life, no matter the circumstances. as she decked in a well-shaped flowing black So, as his wife’s birthday approached, many had gown with white stones. The ravishing lightthought he wouldn’t celebrate it, owing to the skinned celebrator sauntered into the venue controversy surrounding his traditional title in wearing a charming smile to welcome her Warri, Delta State. guests.

But he shocked many when he threw an The highlight of the event came when elaborate party for the 40th birthday celebration of the couple had their romantic dance with the his beautiful wife, Asba Empress Emami, last week. artiste, W4, serenading them. Their daughter It was indeed a day to remember, as he spared also performed a birthday song for her no cost to make the day a memorable one for the mother, wishing her a long life. fashion enthusiast.

Since the former chairman of Delta Despite wanting to celebrate her big day Waterways Security Committee got married just with her friends and family, those around to his heartthrob 11 years ago in a fairy-tale her, especially her husband, vehemently kicked wedding, he has constantly displayed his against a low-profile celebration. As a result, she romantic side, showering her with expensive was surprised with a massive birthday dinner gifts. He presented her with a Range Rover at a private location in Warri Delta State. The 2021 model last year at the 10th anniversary of celebration was a colourful one with a black and their wedding.

Ayiri

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

14.11.2021

ENGAGING OFFERING, SO SIZZLING IN THEIR FRESHNESS! A sequel of its last year’s theme, the LagosPhoto explores human relationships with memory as well as the generative potential of photography and images as the means of igniting visual perceptions and restoring receding and lost memories. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

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hen it comes to mainstream cultural agenda-setting, the LagosPhoto Festival arguably remains a cut above the rest. This year’s coming on board of the creative revolutionary platform Voice, as a collaborator, has further burnished its innovation-conscious credentials. Through Voice’s platform, digital creations in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can not only be minted but also bought and sold. Similarly, as unique digital conceptions, NFTs can be veriÀed and validated through blockchain technology, which makes them irreplaceable.

It makes sense, therefore, that this year’s edition – which is the 12th – leverages the fact that NFTs can be used to represent digital Àles in the form of photos, videos and audio, among others. And this is in addition to holding such information as the creator of the work, its time of creation and more.

Talking about this edition’s swoon-worthiness, it is a natural spin-oͿ of the last year’s Rapid Response Restitution rallying cry, which proclaims the Home Museum as an online repository for memory and heritage. This explains why the organisers (African Artists’ Foundation) seem to hark back, with its current theme “Memory Palace”, at “human relationships with memory and the generative potential of photography and images to spark the visual intellect and restore decaying and lost memories.”

Indeed, with a sequence of exhibitions, interspersed with meet and greets, which are sizzling in their freshness, it is living up to its reputation as one of the cultural scene’s elite events.

And talking about the local cultural scene, there is not one of the many events that can hold a candle to its dazzling narrative arc.

Thus, the LagosPhoto Festival, which was launched in October 2010, has remained the foundation’s Áagship event and has contributed to the host city Lagos’ recognition as one of the world’s cultural destinations. As for Voice’s exhibition, which features the digital creations by artists Ken Nwadiogbu and Ayanfe Olarinde as well as their respective team of collaborators, it chimes in eͿortlessly with its intention to empower the NFT community and is, by the way, curated by Azu Nwagbogu, the founder and head curator of the African Artists’ Foundation.

A few words about Nwagbogu. A recipient of the 2021 Royal Photographic Society (RPS) curator of the year award, he is also the director and editor-in-chief of the online journal Art Base Africa as well as the Curator-at-Large for photography at the Zeitz MOCAA Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. He has curated several international exhibitions and contributed to reputable publications and served as a juror in many art- and photography-related prizes.

His brainchild, the African Artists’ Foundation – which is often abbreviated as AAF – has, since its inception in 2007, been the one-stop talent incubator, through which several young artists have clawed their way to prominence. Among these artists, some of which were exposed through its annual National Art Competition, are Gerald Chukwuma, Emeka Oboh, Erasmus Onyishi, Emmanuel Dudu, Ike Francis, Folakunle Oshun, Sesu Tiley Gyado and Sebastian Ugwuoke, among others.

Back to the LagosPhoto’s theme “Memory Palace”, it beams the spotlight on what the organisers described as those “familial loci of heritage and history”. Here, it is a question of a strategy that favours memorisation. And this is based on visualising familiar spatial environments as a means of recalling receding information.

Thus, the festival, whose grand opening was on Saturday, November 6, rides on the crest of an experimental and performative technique that reenacts the memories of a cosy and familiar physical space. “As we build our cosmology and familial safe spaces, we begin to restore, restitute, repair lost memories and archives that are stashed away in our individual and collective consciousness,” an o΀cial statement from the

A stage performance by YECA kids AAF further explains.

As a key event of the festival’s grand opening programmes, the Artist Talk with the Ghanaian artist and author Ibrahim Mahama, the Dutch artist Renzo Martens and the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art’s director Ngaire Blankenberg was a hit with the Lagos art audience. This event, which was held at the AAF’s premises at Isiola Oyekan Close in Victoria Island on Saturday, November 6, was moderated by Sotheby’s head of Modern African Art Hannah O’ Leary.

Among the events, held the same day, were a performance exhibition by the creative artist and basketballer Hermes Iyele, titled Emotional Intelligence, alongside a performance from the YECA – acronym for Youth Empowerment through Contemporary Art – children and panel of discussion with Izzy Odigie, which was moderated by Chris Udoh as well as The LagosPhoto Retrospective Exhibition.

Earlier, on Thursday, November 4, the opening of Anthony Obayomi’s solo exhibition –supported by the Taurus Foundation for Arts and Sciences and titled Give Us This Day – was held at the Mike Adenuga Centre/ Alliance Française along Osborne Road in the Ikoyi neighbourhood.

Following closely on the heels of this event was the Art of Portraiture Photography Workshop facilitated by the NigerianAmerican photographer Iké Udé in collaboration with The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art on Friday, November 5 at Nok by Alara Gallery in Victoria Island.

Meanwhile, as part of the Festival of Forgotten Films in collaboration with LagosPhoto, this year’s edition also included the screening of Jason Pohland’s Things Fall Apart under the Falomo Bridge in Ikoyi on Wednesday, November 10. This screening, which adheres to the “Rapid Response Restitution” theme, brings the Àlm, which was part of an archival cache of over 2000 unpublished Àlm stills, various production papers, correspondences, and the Àlm print of the production, to the public’s consciousness.

This was followed by the screening, the next day at the AAF, of Renzo Martens’ White Cube at the AAF’s Victoria Island premises. The feature-length documentary Àlm, which is about a Congolese plantation workers’ cooperative – Cercle d'Art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise (CATPC) – explores the history of neo-colonialism, its impact, and the success of

increasing decolonisation movements.

To underline its restitution mantra, the festival scours into its archives and brings back an iconic body of work by the Magnum photographer Cristina de Middel’s iconic body of work, titled The Afronauts, to the public’s consciousness. This, according to the organisers, is “a project that encapsulates the methodology and philosophy of LagosPhoto whereby personal narratives, critical fabulation and research trumps reportage about the lives of ‘others.”

Also featured prominently are works by Osborne Macharia, Zanele Muholi and Joseph Obanubi. “Osborne Macharia and Joseph Obanubi represent the very sharp end of the exhibition around futures and we want to bring these futures into the present timeline by assessing the Àtness for purpose,” according to the festival’s explainer.

As for the South African visual artist Zanele Muholi, her new body of works – presented for the Àrst time at the festival – is based on the decline of previous pre-pandemic global systems.

Still on the festival’s theme of restitution, Searching for Prince Emmanuel Oyenuga/Unpacking the Suitcase makes a case for the legacy of one Prince Emmanuel Adewale Adenuga, who in 1967 was said to have enrolled as a student at Escuala Massana Art and Design Centre in Barcelona, Spain. Oyenuga, the story goes, had left behind a suitcase containing his archives with his close friend Luisa Guadayol in Barcelona. This was after his relocation to London with his wife Elizabeth. With Luisa’s passing in 2016, her daughter Ana Briongos resolved to return the suitcase to his family in Nigeria. To the many cultural aÀcionados, this suitcase is a treasure trove of diͿerent social and cultural moments, bordering on documentations of the Nigerian Civil War, the cultural ties between Nigeria and Spain, the artist’s legacy, the story of emigration and Nigerian studio photography of the ’70s, among others.

Meanwhile, the festival’s many oͿerings of novelties will continue to reverberate in the art public’s collective consciousness even after the curtains fall on it on Saturday, December 4. And for artists like Nwadiogbu and Olarinde, doors to a promising future with the NFTs would have been opened.

While Nwadiogbu enthuses about the fact it extends the regular platform and makes art experiential, Olarinde warms up to its idea of building communities.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

ARTS & REVIEW\\BOOK AND ARTS FAIR

THE BRIDGE TO MARILYN MADUKA’S HOME Obinna Uruakpa

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young girl walks barefooted on a lonesome road with an umbrella covering her head from the tropical sun. She eats leisurely from a cone of ice cream, savouring the sweet creamy taste to enjoy the refreshing but biting coldness of every Áick of her tongue on it. While her body cools, the burning sensation of the scorched earth threatens to blister the soles of those tender feet with each step she takes.

And that’s a thrill for her!

She’s on the Bridge from where she came as a starry-eyed girl, a spirit seed to where she is going, growing up as a dreamy maiden to mature as a self-aware woman and human being.

On this road, she observes and takes notes of her experiences and surroundings and without much persuasion invites other wayfarers to share the feelings, the words and pictures within and without.

The Gardener of Birth Did not intend For us to be alone And so, she planted friends!

(Friendship, P.7)) On that road a poet is born and she walks conÀdently in the journey of self-discovery, of cognitions and recognitions, of introspective explorations of the mind and psyche and the appreciation of the various tones on the tracks of the human experience.

She takes us through pain and joy, hope and despair, Nature and Art, loyalty and betrayal, mirth and laughter, love and friendship, hearth and home, man and woman, day and night, wonder and worship and other themes from the sublime to the mundane.

Beautiful music Wash over me Fill me with love Make me reborn And remind me of Where I come from.

(Classical, p.28) You wanted to call me yesterday But your meeting ran too late And the Union barred the gate Then your phone's credit was low And you had somewhere you had to go Then the chicken fought the rat And a leopard ate your cat So you just couldn’t call me yesterday Because you were chased by a cow.

But it's OK, you can still call me today

Or better yet, just call me now!

(Call me, p.9) Her poems read smoothly, her themes are universal, yet intensely personal and the renditions are thoroughly inviting. On her wide landscapes every one can Ànd a poem to vibrate with, a verse that can reÁect their own feelings and attitudes and a line that reminds them of our shared humanity.

Come on in, young man, Sit with me, if you can Tear a piece of my bread Even dip it in my stew Yes! Eat with me, And then tell me That you wish to marry My only daughter You Áip-Áop and jeans wearing mortal! Oh! Talk to me without fear And look me in the eyes…

If you dare!

(You were saying? P.48) Pick up this collection and Ànd yourself almost breathless racing from one poem to another. That is unusual as few books of poetry are page-turners but this one appears diͿerent. It allows you to take oͿ speedily but compels you to slow up and reÁect on the wisdom of its words, the rhythm of its lines and the bouncy pacing of the collection achieved through the interspersing of the long and short ones, sometimes on the same page.

You meet a grandmaster at work on the pages here as she seems to know where your cords lie and how to pull your strings on the course. That’s when you tell yourself if this is

a debut then you have got to fasten and adjust your seat belts; but then who knows how long this poet has been on this and how many eons are loaded into what is being presented to us here.

You are not surprised given her loaded credentials as daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, scholar, economist, human resources practitioner and police woman. You are tempted to conclude the discipline in her lines, the mix of the traditional and the modern, the ability to keep us engaged on the ride come from the many caps she wears so brilliantly.

But! We may miss the bigger picture that way; for this budding artist comes ripe with the wisdom of ancient griots. She possibly arrived loaded with talents that have been nurtured with passion and discipline.

Like a cool shower in the summer, Embracing you in your sweat Giving a moment of reprieve A moment to be and breathe You stretch the moment so it won’t end Now, that’s the presence of a true friend.

(Presence, P.8) The collection is an adventure and search for that beginning to which we return at the very end, yet an appreciation of the grace and gifts, sweet and sour, we Ànd on the journey that make it fulÀlling. For all that, the poet is thankful and like the psalmist in reverential worship her soul leaps, her language lifts and the tone changes to reÁect the loftiness of what wells up within as she coos on.

FESTIVAL

LIMCAF RETURNS AS ONLINE FESTIVAL, ANNOUNCES JURY MEMBERS Life in My City Festival – Nigeria’s longestrunning annual festival better known in the art circles as LIMCAF – stages a comeback this year as a mainly online event. Recall that the obtrusion of the COVID-19 pandemic had put its last year’s activities on the block shortly after the organisers had received the entries.

A statement from the organisers disclosed that only 25 winners out of the top-100 competitors will physically attend at the awards night, which will hold on Saturday, November 20 at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu’s International Conference Centre. This is to ensure a strict adherence of the COVID protocols. As for the other participants, there will be an opportunity for other participants to watch the night’s event unfold on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. The event, which will be chaired by the First Bank Nigeria Holdings chairman, Elder U. K. Eke, will also be graced by its traditional patrons, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and emeritus Prof El Anatsui, alongside other dignitaries.

This year at the festival, which has become legendary for its resilience, 10 new prizes will be added to the traditional ones, which include the Àrst prize alongside the four other prizes in the diͿerent categories of the visual arts as well as the endowed prizes. The new prizes, each of which will be worth not less than N250,000, will be awarded by the Canada-based NGO HITCH. It is also hoped that more sales of the art festival cum competition’s top entries will be recorded this year through the online exhibition.

Meanwhile, a Àve-member national jury for the competition has been announced for the competition.

BOOK AND ARTS FAIR

LABAF 2021 RELOADS VARIED SHOWS Yinka Olatunbosun

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ith the central theme “A Fork in The Road”, the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF) returns with a hybrid edition but with open doors at its traditional venue, Freedom Park, Lagos. Dubbed “Visual Arts Day”, November 16 has been set aside by the organisers of this cultural picnic to celebrate creativity and engage in conversations with art scholars, artists, gallery owners, art writers and collectors. Kicking oͿ with youth-oriented creative workshops, the day progresses with a session with the theme “Homage to the Recent Arthouse Ancestors”.

This session, which has on its panel Oliver Enwonwu, Dr. Ademola Azeez and Dr Akin Onipede, is a tribute to the contributions of Ola Oloidi, Mike Omoighe and Yusuf Grillo to art scholarship.

On the same day, performance artists, Jelili Atiku and Yusuf Durodola will turn the park

arena to their stage. Durodola’s performance piece, titled “Atupa”, has been described as inspirational, nudging humanity forward in the Àght against inhumanity. Later that day, Jelili Atiku will thrill the festival buͿs with the nomadic performance called “Mokóó Morò”.

Mokóó Morò is essentially an intervention performance. It addresses the present struggle with the pandemic (COVID-19) drawing parallels with the Mémorial de la Shoah (The Holocaust). The performance is based on the philosophy of three words: Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (RRF) and raises the point: tell me the truth about Covid-19. Atiku will be in conversation Juul van der Laan a Àlmmaker based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands to discuss the performance, Mokoo Moro. A four-minute Àlm on the performance made by Juul will be screened before the conversation.

The trio of Dr. Sola Ogunfuwa, Olu Ajayi and Dr. Kunle Adeyemi will dig into the minds and vaults of select collectors such as Rasheed Gbadamosi, Sammy Olagbaju, Frank Okonta and Abdulaziz Udeh. The session which will be moderated by Mufu Onifade and chaired

by Chinwe Uwatse will feature as special

guest of honour, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Collector, founder, OmoOba Yemisi Shyllon Art Foundation, OYASAF. The festival’s staple, Timeless Memories: A Celebration of Life and For Humanity is set to interrogate a set of manuscripts documenting a private conversation between Wole Soyinka and Ulli Beier on Yoruba Religion. The manuscripts include titles such as “Orisha Liberates the Mind”, “The Crisis of Yoruba Culture” and “Death & the King’s Horseman”.

At the heart of the curator is the unveiling of an illustrated art book on the conversation as a special dedication to the memory of Ulli Beier and celebration project of Soyinka’s 87th birthday. Curated by the founder of ASIRI Magazine and archivist, Oludamola Adebowale, the show features as a special Kegites OAU World Headquarters celebration of Soyinka’s 87th birthday anniversary.

The show is supported by the University of Zululand and the University of Limpopo in South Africa.

The festival continues with a Àlm screening at the food court. Titled Allelu? Alleluiah: The Legend of Mazi Ukonu, it is a documentary on the life of the master impresario Mazi

Anyogu Ukonu, who died earlier this year in January. Born in 1930, Ukonu is one of Africa’s early movie stars to have featured in Hollywood productions such as William Witney’s Panama Say (1957) and Walter Grauman’s The Disembodied (1957). Mazi Anyaogu Elekwachi Ukonu was the pioneer General Manager of the Nigerian Television Authority, Ogbor Hill, Aba. He conceptualised, organised, produced, directed as well as participated in the Showbiz programme, titled Ukonu’s Club.

The documentary traces his early life, through to his times in Hollywood, featuring alongside A-list legends like Clark Gable, Bob Hope and Robert Mitchum.

His return to Nigeria saw him mentor a generation of Nigerian artists such as Sunny Okosuns, Christy Essien, Peter Edochie and more. His iconic broadcasting career spanned over 60 years.

Directed by Ezennia Ed Emeka Keazor, the documentary is produced by Muni King-Keazor. After the screening, a questionand-answer session is scheduled to drive conversations around the legacy of an almost forgotten hero of the screen.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

Did INEC Goof in Anambra Poll?

With the November 6 Anambra State governorship poll tidied up, the Independent National Electoral Commission must up its game ahead of 2023 general election, especially against the background of embarrassing glitches it experienced, Louis Achi writes

S

ome 48 hours ago in Awka, Anambra State, an elated former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, spoke: “I have just received my certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Thank you, Ndị Anambra, for the overwhelming support.

This divine mandate shall be deployed for the good of the Anambra public and humanity at large.”

The nation’s electoral management body, the INEC had just presented the certificate of return to Soludo at its headquarters in Awka, capital of the state.

The certificate signed by the Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Mahmoud Yakubu was presented to Soludo by the commission’s Federal Commissioner on Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye.

Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was declared winner of the November 6 Anambra governorship election by INEC after a supplementary poll was held in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

The governorship election has been adjudged to be the most free, fair and credible poll in the history of Nigeria with APGA securing an overwhelmingly landslide victory. But what are the facts?

Besides vote buying which reportedly characterised the poll and the experience of low voter turnout as a result of the pre-election season, which witnessed a series of violence that marred campaign rallies of the various parties in parts of the state, INEC has come under some deserved flak for surprising glitches that were observed.

But first, in terms of security ahead of the governorship election, the state could accurately have been described as hermetically sealed to stave off both shadowy and overt crisis entrepreneurs. This scenario was considerably helped by the fact that the poll was an off-cycle one. Further, in terms of landmass, Anambra State covers 4,844 square kilometres - making it the smallest state in Nigeria, besides Lagos which boasts of 3,345 square kilometres.

More specifically underpin the extremely tight security measures put in place, it could be recalled that ahead of the November 6 poll, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba ordered an unprecedented overhauling of the security landscape in the state. This move included deployment of selected, seasoned Strategic Commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above to the state for effective supervision of security personnel and operations in the election.

In the new pre-election security scenario, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Joseph Egbunike, was deployed to Anambra State as the Coordinator of the security compo-

Yakubu nent for the elections.

Egbunike was shortly before the election, removed and replaced.

But before his removal, he was initially assisted by the DIG in-charge of Operations, Acting DIG Zaki Ahmed.

Other strategic commanders deployed to Anambra State include five Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), 14 Commissioners of Police (CPs), 31 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and 48 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). The Senior Officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts, 21 Local Government Areas and the 5720 polling units in Anambra State.

Several weeks before the poll proper, on Monday, October 4 2021, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, flagged off a new military operation codenamed Exercise Golden Dawn, in the country’s South-eastern region which, according to him, would curb rising cases of insecurity.

With these core security concerns adequately addressed, still issues arose around INEC’s logistics preparedness.

Malfunctioning of the Biometric Voters Accreditation

System (BVAS) became a big issue as it was experienced in many polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state. This was believed to have significantly made the entire election process slow.

According to the Vice-Chair of the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, Miriam Menkiti, the poor functioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machine (BVAM) and Card Readers of INEC were lamentable. Her words: “It is shocking that despite the consistent statement by INEC that the card readers were all set for the elections, we still witnessed a high rate of poor connection of the BVAM in various parts of the state.

“TMG appeals to INEC to live up to the task of providing smooth elections for Nigerians in the 2023 general election which will be cumbersome and overstretch the electoral empire.”

These provided some background to what happened as willy-nilly, INEC had to declare the Anambra governorship poll inconclusive, fixing a supplementary poll because it could hold election in Ihiala LGA. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar and Chief Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Florence Obi, had noted that: “As you all know, we have collated results for 20 out of 21 local government areas. The outstanding result is for Ihiala Local Government Area where, for various reasons, INEC could not deploy yesterday. Consequently, based on constitutional considerations, provisions of the Electoral Act and the Revised Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections issued by the Commission, supplementary election is indicated for Ihiala Local Government Area.”

The “various reasons” adduced for the poll postponement was fleshed out by Ahmadu Umar who alleged that irregularities discovered in most communities in the council area.

According to him, there were 148,407 registered voters in the LGA, yet there was no election in the council area on Saturday due to the activities of some politicians who tried to rig the election.

That postponement scaled up tension and caused open gunfire in Ihiala. This would have been needless if INEC had exploited fully the solid security on the ground and optimally employed the technology available to them. This would have reduced delays in other LGAs and ultimately obviated the postponement.

In all, INEC should certainly not be giving logistic challenges as an excuse in conducting November 6 poll in a state like Anambra that is about the smallest enclave in Nigeria.

What would then transpire when it holds polls on multiple fronts - with 2023 in mind? The commission must of necessity address the challenges that affected the Anambra governorship election before the 2023 general election.

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

Malami, the Recovery Agent!

There appears to be something criminally indulging in the choices by the Ministry of Justice and office of the Attorney General of the Federation. And this isn’t peculiar to the current occupant of the office, Abubakar Malami. Back to back, two of his predecessors – Michael Aondoakaa and Mohammed Adoke – had also kept insufferable records for the period they were in office.

But as it is wont with progression in succession – positive or negative – Malami appears to have dusted his predecessors in terms of his notoriety, abuse of power and privileges, accentuated by his arrogance in power, which is why he’s always called the bluff of everyone, even when the intention was to guide and genuinely whip him back in line.

His alleged role in the invasion of the home of Justice Mary Odili, to put it mildly, is the final curtain call to his macabre dance. Although there have since been spirited efforts to dissociate the office and person of Malami from the arrested invaders, the fact that a relationship has been established between the leader of the group, Lawrence Ajodo and the minister, ultimately points to something instructive.

Ajodo, a self-styled whistle blower, claimed he had been working for the minister as a recovery agent and that, to a large extent, sums it all up.

And to put this in context, Malami’s recent effort at helping a group of consultants/contractors recover their fees in the Paris Club Refund, in the region of $418 million despite opposition to it by

governors on the grounds of logic, reason and law, has further illuminated the character behind the face of the minister.

Just in the week, the House of Representatives queried why Malami, ordered Keystone Bank to pay the sum of $40 million belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Naira equivalent, using 305 as the exchange rate. Executive Director, North and Public Sector Directorate of the bank, Mr. Lawal Ahmed, said as much, when he appeared before the ad hoc committee on the assessment and status of all recovered loots, movable and immovable assets from 2002 to 2020 by agencies of the federal government of Nigeria for effective efficient management and utilisation.

When you aggregate the involvement of the minister in a lot of these controversial financial transactions, then, it is not difficult to see more than the façade that Malami would rather was open to the public. He has not only demystified the prestige of the office, which boasts strong constitutional recognition, he has done more to damage the integrity of the administration he is serving.

Just pause for a moment and imagine the AGF as a recovery agent? And you definitely want to ask: why is he still in office?That’s obviously a question for President Muhammadu Buhari to address. In the end, this is an undeserving mess heaped on the nation by one of those constitutionally assigned to have its back.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

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BRIEFINGNOTES

Soludo’s Lifetime Opportunity With the masses’ growing disenchantment with the political class as manifested in voter apathy during elections, the emergence of Prof. Charles Soludo, a globally acclaimed technocrat, as the next governor of Anambra State should be seen as a lifetime opportunity by the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to transform the state and renew people’s faith in government, Ejiofor Alike writes

T

he journey of the governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo to the Government House, Awka, started in 2009 when he sought and got the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest against the then incumbent governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi. However, in the February 6, 2010 governorship election, Obi was re-elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Obi trounced the former CBN governor, who came third and a former governor of the state, Senator Chris Ngige, who was Obi’s closest rival.

Ngige flew the flag of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

As a democrat, Soludo, who is not one of the career do-or-die politicians, had quickly conceded victory to Obi, stressing that the election was not a fight between himself and Obi, but about the future of the state.

Despite losing the election, Soludo did not give up as he sought to contest the APGA’s governorship ticket for the November 16, 2013 governorship election in the state.

But the party’s screening committee refused to clear him and five other contenders.

Those who failed the screening were Emmanuel Nweke, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta, Chinedu F. Idigo, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Mr. Oseloke Obaze and Soludo.

The Chairman of the Gubernatorial Screening Panel, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi had explained that the reasons for the non-clearance of the unsuccessful aspirants were contained in the provisional certificates issued to them.

Out of the 13 aspirants contesting under the party, only seven scaled through the hurdle at the conclusion of the screening exercise which took place between August 15 and 16, 2013 at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The successful aspirants include, Hon. Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Nwogbo, Paul Odenigbo, Hon. Uche Lillian Ekwunife, Chief Willie Obiano, Mr. John Nwosu, John Okechukwu Emeka and Nwachi Patrick Obianwu.

With the backing of the then Governor Obi, Obiano won the primary election and the main election.

As a democrat, Soludo accepted the decision of the screening panel and remained in APGA. Shortly after facing the panel, he had explained that he left PDP for APGA to help build the party and not to run for governor.

The former CBN governor had also explained that he joined the PDP by accident.

“APGA is the only political party in Nigeria that talks about true federalism. No other political party aspires to bring true federalism to Nigeria.

No other political party talks about revenue allocation, physical federalism that would allow each region or state to develop according to its own space. There is no other political party that talks about competition,” he reportedly explained.

“I joined PDP by accident. I did not belong to any political party before I was appointed as the

Soludo president’s Chief Economic Adviser and CEO of National Planning Commission which is more like a Minister of National Planning.

He also said he had to quit the PDP because it was not a political party but a mere platform to grab power.

On whether he would still remain in APGA if he fails to pick the party’s ticket, he said, “I am APGA in the morning in the afternoon and in the night. I am in APGA today, I will be in APGA tomorrow, I will be in APGA next year, I will be in APGA for the next seven years to come.”

Indeed, he remained in APGA and eight years later, he emerged as the governorelect of the state on the platform of the party.

The latest success story of the economist-turned politician began in June 2021 when he won the governorship ticket

of the party, under the leadership of Chief Victor Oye. Soludo polled 740 votes to defeat three other aspirants, Okwudili Ezenwankwo who scored 41 votes, Damian Okolo seven votes, and Ibeh Kenechukwu Christopher who got four votes.

Obiano, who is the party’s BoT Chairman, in his speech, had noted that Soludo would win the November 6, 2021 governorship election in the state.

Soludo, in his speech, had described his emergence as divine, assuring that his administration would consolidate Obiano’s achievement to effect good governance in the state.

However, APGA had earlier disqualified five aspirants of the party: Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Nonso Smart Okafor, Chukwuma Umeoji, Carter Dike Umeh, and Ozoka Odera Ifeanyi due to various reasons including

insubordination to the party’s leadership, certificate mutilation, alteration of forms, among others.

While Nwankpo left APGA for African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he emerged the governorship candidate, Umeoji remained in APGA, insisting that he was the authentic candidate.

Soludo had a running battle with Umeoji with litigations that were tied to who was the authentic Chairman of APGA in Anambra State among the trio of Chief Victor Oye, Chief Njoku and Jude Okeke.

In a show of shame, the courts in Anambra, Jigawa, Imo and Abuja intervened in the matter causing the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to at various times list and delist both Soludo and Umeoji as candidate of APGA. The electoral umpire had on July 16 published the name of Umeoji as the APGA candidate following an order by the Jigawa State High Court on June 28.

On July 18, Justice Charles Okaa of Anambra State High Court directed INEC to publish Soludo’s name as APGA’s candidate.

Justice Iheka of the Imo State High Court again ordered INEC to publish Umeoji’s name.

It was already less than one month to the November 6 election when the Supreme Court affirmed him as APGA’s candidate.

The five-man panel of the Supreme Court led

by Justice Mary Odili affirmed Soludo as the governorship candidate of the APGA and also affirmed Victor Oye as the national chairman of the party.

With the victory of Soludo at the November 6 poll, the people of Anambra State have broken the record by electing a former CBN governor as their leader.

No governor of the CBN in Nigeria’s history had delivered 24 consecutive months of single-digit inflation as Soludo did.

It was the unprecedented global crisis in 2008 that truncated his efforts to control inflation.

But even as the global economic and financial crisis erupted in 2008, Soludo was appointed by the United Nations General Assembly to serve on the Commission of Experts to reform the international monetary and financial system.

This, in addition to other international assignments, was in recognition of his glorious outing at the CBN. Also for eight years until 2012, he served on the Chief Economist Advisory Council (CEAC) of the World Bank.

In this role, the former CBN governor met with two Nobel Prize winners in Economics and other experts periodically and advised two presidents and two chief economists of the World Bank.

The Anambra State governor-elect had also served on the External Advisory Group of the IMF in 2011.

Soludo had once disclosed that he had been advising countries and central banks, stressing that there was hardly any two months he did not consult or advise on banking or financial and monetary policy.

With this impressive resume, Soludo has a date with history to take this new opportunity as governor of Anambra State as a lifetime opportunity and make the state the Dubai of Africa.

NOTES FOR FILE

Army’s Reckless Invasion of Communities

Yahaya

Despite official denials, the Nigerian Army has become notorious for violating the rules of engagement in dealing with civilian population during military operations.

By constantly unleashing terror on innocent people and sacking communities because of a crime committed by few individuals, the Nigerian Army has over the years demonstrated that it lacks intelligence to fish out the perpetrators of crimes.

In a video that went viral last week, Nigerian Army personnel were seen shooting at people’s homes and setting houses ablaze in a community that was alleged to be in Awgu LGA of Enugu State.

The embarrassing video had forced the Nigerian Army to admit that it actually raided Mgbowo community in Awgu LGA of Enugu State and arrested

two commanders of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Abubakar Abdullahi, however denied that there was indiscriminate firing and unprovoked burning of houses during the raid as indicated in a viral video.

But the faces of the soldiers were very clear and the orders they were issuing to their colleagues to set fire on everything in sight were very audible.

But in their usual denial, the Nigerian Army through its 82 Division in Enugu, described the video as propaganda by the IPOB and ESN, insisting that “there was no incident of indiscriminate firing or unprovoked burning of houses during the raid”.

To bury the matter under the carpet as usual, the

statement added that investigation into the video was ongoing to ascertain when and where it was shot and those involved.

Following the embarrassment it suffered as a result of the viral videos of its atrocities, the army on Thursday warned its personnel against taking pictures and videos of their operations.

The almighty army is always a judge in its own case.

When it announces that it has launched such probe, the military authorities will never disclose the outcome of the probe because they know that Nigerians will forget and move on.

How long will Nigerians await the results of the endless probes of atrocities committed by the Nigerian Army against unarmed civilians?

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CICERO/REPORT

Compulsory Retirements Still Haunting the Army Five years after the compulsory retirement of 38 senior officers unjustly by the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the injustices meted out to officers have continued to worsen the poor human rights record of the Nigerian Army, Vanessa Obioha writes

T

hough five years have passed since the Nigerian Army compulsorily retired 38 of its senior officers, the arbitrary manner in which they were sent packing has remained a ghost haunting the force.

On June 9, 2016, Nigerians woke up to the shocking news that 38 senior officers from the Army had been compulsorily retired.

The then Army spokesman, Brig. Gen S.K. Usman, had declared that the officers were compulsorily retired on “disciplinary grounds, serious offences.’’

The alleged “serious offences” were said to include: Partisanship during the general election of 2015, involvement in arms procurement fraud and jeopardising national security.

The then Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen Mansur Dan-Alli (rtd) and the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai himself, corroborated Usman’s statement, alleging further that due process and fair hearing were granted to all the officers and were found guilty by a competent legal procedure.

Buratai said: “It took us painstaking procedure to ensure we did not pick innocent ones. We started with one inquiry from One Division GOC to the other. After that, we subjected it to legal review. After the legal review, we forwarded our recommendations to higher authorities for consideration. So, it took us time; we have our own process also; our administrative process dovetailing into legal review and so on.”

However, it did not take long for Nigerians to know that none of the 38 officers were queried, charged, tried or found guilty of any offence, let alone even appearing before any court martial.

Several of the officers who felt the Army breached its extant rules and regulations in carrying out the retirements took their grievances to the courts to clear their names.

This was after they had appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention and reinstatement, but no response from the presidency or the army.

Seven of the officers have since won their cases in courts which ordered their reinstatement into the Force. The officers who got judgments against the Army are: Maj Gen Ijioma, Cols Hassan and Suleiman as well as Lt. Cols Thomas Arigbe, A.S. Muhammed, Dazang and Mohammed.

Added to these seven are another two officers who obtained National Assembly resolutions ordering their reinstatement.

Some of the officers who are still in their 40s are hoping that the Army authorities would carefully look into their cases in the interest of justice in order to continue to offer their military service to the country.

Curiously, before he was retired, Buratai disregarded the judgments of the courts and the resolutions of the National Assembly. This has worsened the poor human rights record of the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Army, under Buratai was not known to be a stickler to the rule of law.

In delivering his judgment on February 5, 2020 in Col M. A. Sulaiman v Nigerian Army and others, Justice Sanusi Kado corroborated the officers’ arguments by stating that: “The compulsory retirement of the claimant (Col MA Sulaiman), is hereby declared null and void and of no effect whatsoever, as it was not done in line with the extant rules and regulations.”

Other judgments followed similar pattern with the judges denouncing the actions of the Nigerian Army against the embattled officers and ordering their immediate reinstatement, promotion and payment of all their entitlements.

Irabor Among those compulsorily retired by the Nigerian military authorities were nine Major Generals, 10 Brigadier Generals, together with some Colonels and a major.

Analysts have argued that if the Generals cannot be reinstated because age and years of service have caught up with them, it is certainly not the case with those on the rank of colonels and below who are much younger in age and years of service.

To further validate the claims that the officers were perhaps innocent of the allegations the Army must have based its action on, it was reported that several of them were not even in Nigeria when they were compulsorily retired without fair hearing.

For instance, Lt. Col. Thomas Arigbe was a Directing Staff on a two-year Exchange Programme with the Ghana Armed Forces at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while another, Col MA Suleiman, a national merit award winner for the safe rescue of several foreign hostages, was in Chad as military attache where his experience fighting the insurgents was being utilised.

There was also the case of Colonel Danladi Ribah Hassan, who led troops in recapturing Bulabulin and Damboa from Boko Haram in August 2014. Despite the fact that the National Industrial Court in Abuja since January 2019 ordered his immediate reinstatement for the injustice done to him, the Army has refused to obey the judgment.

THISDAY gathered that the immediate-past Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, was on the verge of acting on the impasse before he died with other senior army officers in a plane crash, in May 2021.

Investigations by THISDAY revealed that due to public perception that injustices were meted out to the officers, the incumbent Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor recently called on the military authorities to obey the court judgments in favour of the officers and grant them voluntary retirement.

Irabor made the request in a letter he wrote to the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) to revisit the issues surrounding the “arbitrary” retirement of the officers.

Malami His action was based on series of letters by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to resolve the impasse.

On February 15, 2021, Malami through the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, wrote another letter seeking an explanation on the matter from the then CDS, Gen. Olonisakin (rtd).

In the letter, Malami reminded the CDS that he was yet to receive any response for the initial letter he had sent, in order for him to advise Mr. President appropriately.

When Irabor assumed office CDS, still based on pressures, he was forced to write to the Minister of Defence, Magashi on the issue.

In the letter dated July 6, 2021 with reference No. CDS/8/A, Irabor cited the disobedience to court orders on the reinstatement, the intervention of the justice minister and other appeals to President Muhammadu Buhari on the plight of the officers.

The letter reads in part: “Meanwhile, to resolve and ensure compliance to the judgment, the Honourable Minister of Justice also intervened by imploring the Nigerian Army through the CDS to comply with the subsisting court judgment.

“It would be noted however that the issue remains unresolved hence this current appeal to revisit the 2016 compulsory retirement of the 38 senior army officers.

“Therefore, the appeal is being made on the need to motivate both serving and retired personnel, sustain morale and sharpen the psyche of the future generation of officers.

“The appeal, therefore, if upheld will ensure the primacy of military organisational values are kept permanently high without dampening morale or breeding mistrust.

“It is apt to state that reservists and retired military personnel are a vital workforce for advancing national interests, as such, must be carefully managed to check inordinate activities by highly skilled but disgruntled personnel.

“It is in view of the foregoing, and to lay the matter to rest, this appeal is recommending that the 38 NA senior officers be voluntarily

retired with effect from January 1, 2018.”

Even though Irabor’s opening paragraphs clearly admitted that the procedures followed by the Army in retiring the officers were improper and arbitrary, observers feel that his recommendation that all the 38 officers should be voluntarily retired with effect from January 1, 2018 was not proper because it will deny the affected officers justice.

For instance, a retired senior military officer, who did not wish to be named, while discussing with THISDAY wondered why the Army would the retire the officers when the courts have already declared the retirements unconstitutional, null and void and ordered the reinstatement of the officers to the rank of their course mates and pay all outstanding allowances and emoluments as well as some punitive damages till date.

Though the officer commended the CDS for trying to intervene in the issue, he suggested that all the affected senior officers of the rank of Major Generals who have reached their runout dates should have their retirement converted to voluntary retirement and effective from their actual runout date while those that still have active years of service left be reinstated and promoted to their respective next rank.

“This is to ensure justice is done to them by putting their careers back on course as all the victimised officers are already behind their course mates by at least one promotion due to no fault of theirs. Since most of them have gallantly proved their worth in the counter-terrorism operations in North-east leading to the recovery of towns, elimination and arrest of thousands of terrorists, we are of the opinion that they would be a great asset in the anti-banditry and clearance mission against the criminals terrorising some northern parts of the country, especially in in Zamfara, Niger, Katsina and Sokoto states.

“There is a precedent for the recall of innocent and unjustly retired officers in the military and other services. The Buhari dministration, for instance, reinstated Major General Ahmed Mohammed, former GOC 7 Division, after two years in retirement with all his rights and privileges,” the retired officer explained.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

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CICERO/REPORT

Soludo

Obiano

Okeke

Ubah

Obi

Winners and Losers in Anambra Governorship Election While many are celebrating the victory of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the just concluded governorship election in Anambra State, others are licking the wounds of their political indiscretion and counting their losses, Ejiofor Alike and David-Chyddy Eleke write

T

hough 18 political parties fielded candidates in the just concluded governorship election in Anambra State, just one of the political parties, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo emerged victorious.

Many believe that APGA would have gone into extinction if it had lost the election.

The party, which by next year when Governor Willie Obiano leaves office would have held away for 16 consecutive years, has shown its dominance in the state.

The state chairman of the party, Mr. Norbert Obi once stated that the party has all it takes to dominate the state for 50 years.

However, the victory can be shared among several other people, who identified with APGA and contributed significantly to the victor of Soludo.

But APGA, Soludo and the incumbent governor of the state, Chief Obiano, top the list of the winners.

Obiano, who was handed power by his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi, has also demonstrated his political sagacity by passing on the baton to a successor from his political party.

Hi legacy would have gone down the drain if he had not influenced the choice of his successor.

The members of the state House of Assembly elected on the platform of the party, who refused to be lured into the All Progressives Congress (APC), like six of their counterparts also emerged victorious in the governorship election.

The good people of the state, who ignored the security concerns in the state to come out and cast their votes, are perhaps, the greatest beneficiaries of the election.

The people of the state deserve award for choosing a globally-acclaimed technocrat as their leader.

Some rural women in Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area, who reportedly chased away some agents of a political party (not APGA) in their community when they attempted to induce them with money to vote for their party, are also winners.

The women who refused to accept N5,000 each to vote against their conscience, were seen in a viral video chanting songs against a particular political party and its agents.

According to the Chief Press Secretary of the governor, Mr. James Eze, the women of Ebenebe are the true heroines of the Anambra election, having turned down a princely N5,000 bribe money,

brazenly given by the said agents at a polling station.

The women, who were said to be emphatic in their rejection of the bribe, left no room for negotiations and voted for APGA, according to their conscience.

“They are poor rural women, ravaged by wants like all rural women, but they put up extraordinary courage in the face of inducement and took the moral high ground. And that’s why I celebrate them today! These women are remarkable. They could have taken the bribe and still voted according to their conscience. But they didn’t want a stain on their conscience.

The motto of The Guardian newspaper describes conscience as an open wound which only truth can heal. The women of Ebenebe held onto truth...their healing truth,” Eze explained.

Ebenebe, a sleepy town in Awka North Local Government Area, is not Nnewi or Ihiala or Orafite or Osumenyi where most of Anambra’s billionaires come from.

While other billionaire-politicians were lured with money to abandon APGA, the poor women of Ebenebe refused to be induced.

Another winner is a distinguished son of the state and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who despite being a chieftain of the APC, refused to indulge in any action or inaction that could truncate the wishes of his people or influence the outcome of the election against the people’s desires.

As a true democrat, Ngige has since congratulated Soludo, having known that the election outcome was the true reflection of the wishes of the people of the state.

According to a statement signed by his Media Office, the minister said the victory of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was a well-deserved one.

Ngige in the statement said: “NdiAnambra have spoken with this resounding victory. Having contested in 2010 with Soludo, who was then the PDP candidate and myself in ACN; an election in which I was ‘awarded’ the second position even though I won outright and Soludo third, I knew that with his tenacity of purpose and drive, he would one day make it to the seat of the Governor of Anambra State.”

“It is a case in patience and endurance, an aspiration nurtured to serve the people with all his strength, I seriously believe.

Ndi-Anambra I know, will hence, entertain no excuses. Much has been given, hence the expectation is very high. Knowing Soludo as I do, however, I have no doubt that our people have made an excellent choice by voting him.”

“At this auspicious juncture, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves

a glowing national tribute. I put on record, that Mr President had on three different occasions, assured through me, that the Anambra governorship election would be free and fair.

“Not only did the President ensure a level playing field for all the political parties, but he also directed all the security agencies to deploy into Anambra to protect and secure voters and electoral workers. A promise kept!” Ngige explained.

The National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Oye also used the victory to demosntrate his political acumen.

For the governor-elect, Soludo, his victory is not just for himself, but has broken a 12- year-old jinx that has trailed him since 2009, when he first declared his intention to govern the state.

His victory may have also shamed a lot of cynics, who taunted him as being only an academic giant, who is devoid of political knowledge.

Despite the initial glitches, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as its regular and ad hoc staff members, particularly NYSC members, are also winners for their courage to conduct the election under such tensionsoaked environment.

The threats of separatist groups in the South-east and the senseless killings of innocent people in the state had made it impossible for the candidates to campaign before the election.

Three police officers guarding Soludo lost their lives when an attempt was made on the life of the APGA candidate by unknown gunmen.

Security agencies also emerged victorious for providing a peaceful atmosphere and for their professionalism during the election.

The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deserve special commendation for the exemplary conduct of their personnel during the Anambra State election.

Not left out is the commendable role the judiciary played in the election. Recall that after some political parties in the election held their primaries, aggrieved candidates turned to the courts to truncate and destabilised the election. But all through, the judiciary stood firm and discharged its role commendably for all to see.

The Losers Losers in the election cannot be said to be only the other 17 political parties and their candidates who contested and lost in the election.

Aspirants who lost their parties’ primaries, party chieftains who wanted to be godfathers candidates and some

politicians who abandoned APGA at the last-minute of the campaigns to join other political parties, in anticipation of a loss by their former political party, are all losers.

Though the former governor, Obi has congratulated Soludo on his victory, many still see him as one of the losers in the election.

This is because since he parted ways with his successor, Obiano, he has tried unsuccessfully to establish his supremacy in the state.

He had on two occasions wrestled power with the governor and failed.

When Obi left APGA and defected to the PDP, many had believed that his defection was a death knell to the party since he became the face of the party after the death of its founder, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

But Obiano won his re-election bid and also succeeded in installing a successor, despite the strong Obi-led opposition by the PDP. The duo of PDP and APC can also be said to be losers in the last Saturday’s election, having tried unsuccessfully for years to sack APGA from the state.

But the worst losers in the election are the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke and all the six members of the state House of Assembly who defected to APC in the run-up to the election.

It was believed that the fortunes of the APC in the November 6 election would receive a boost when Okeke and six members of the House of Assembly on the platform of the APGA, defected to the APC. The lawmakers are: Nonso Okafor representing Nnewi North, Timothy Ifedioramma representing Njikoka 1, Cater D. N. Umeoduagu representing Aguata 1, Lawrence Ezeudu representing Dunukofia, Arthur Chiekwu representing Idemmili North and Edward Ibuzo representing Onitsha North 2.

Unfortunately, Okeke and the six lawmakers demonstrated their lack of political value as APC ended up losing their areas.

The shameful outing of the APC in their areas showed that they did not bring any value to their new party.

They have lost in both parties because whatever promise APC had made to them would not be fulfilled since they failed the party. National Chairman of APGA, Oye has revealed that most of those who defected were already begging to return.

What a shame?

Ojukwu’s wife, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, is also a loser in the election.

Though she did not leave the party, her body language, press interviews all showed that she did not support the party her husband left behind.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

GAVEL The Show of Shame in Imo Assembly

Editor: Ejiofor Alike

SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

Amby Uneze writes on the current crisis rocking the Imo State House of Assembly, where inordinate ambitions override the rule of law in the removal and election of principal o΀cers

S

ince the Supreme Court judgment of January 14, 2020 on the Imo State governorship election petition, the state House of Assembly has been playing the winner-takes-itall game. As soon as Governor Hope Uzodimma was sworn in on January 15, 2020, in compliance with the apex court’s judgment, nine Imo State lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) immediately defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party favoured by the court judgment.

Without shame, the Imo lawmakers, in less than two years, displayed the highest level of desperation for relevance, jumping from one political party to the other.

When former Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP took over, Mr. Collins Chiji representing Isiala Mbano, abandoned his former party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and declared for PDP in order to grab the speakership.

But as soon as the apex court sacked Ihedioha, Chiji quickly announced his defection to APC in order to retain his speakership position. While Chiji and majority leader, Mr. Chigozie Nwaneri, announced their defection on the Áoor of the House, others wrote letters of defection.

They are: Chyna Amara Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele LGA); Innocent Egwim (Ideato North LGA); Chidiebere Ogbunikpa (Okigwe LGA); Obinna Okwara (Nkwerre LGA); Paul Emeziem (Onuimo LGA); Ekene Nnodim (Orsu LGA); Duru Johnson (Ideato South LGA); Ngozi Obiefule (Isu LGA) and Herculus Okoro (Ohaji-Egbema LGA).

Few days later, the likes of Eddy Obinna (Aboh Mbaise), Samuel Otibe (Ahiazu Mbaise) and Uche Ogbagu (Ikeduru) all of PDP, defected to APC. However, sensing that his job is on the line due to the new political order brought about by the Supreme Court judgment, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Okey Onyekamma (Mbaitoli, PDP) decided to resign his position as a principal o΀cer of the assembly.

He chose this honourable path instead of engaging in the show of shame of his colleagues who defected to the ruling APC to negotiate a better deal.

The Minority Leader, Ekene Nnodumele (Orlu, APGA), was one of those who also resigned their positions, and then defected to the APC. However, Nnodumele has since gone back to PDP to rejoin his other eight colleagues. It is pertinent to note that there are 27 legislators representing the 27 LGAs. At the inception of Ihedioha’s seven month’s regime as governor, PDP had the majority members in the house. But as soon as he was removed by the Supreme Court, APC moved to majority as some of the PDP members defected to APC, leaving a die-hard nine members of PDP to play the minority.

The six uncompromising lawmakers that remained in PDP ab inito include the former deputy speaker, Okey Onyekamma (Mbaitoli), Frank Ugboma (Oguta), Anyadike Nwosu (Ezinihitte), Tochi Okereke (Ngor Okpala), Philip Ejiogu (Owerri North) and Solomon Anukam (Owerri Municipal).

Months later, the leadership of the house was changed as Mr. Paul Emeziem of Onuimo replaced Collins Chiji of Isiala Mbano as speaker, while Amara Iwuanyanwu became the deputy speaker.

One of the inglorious actions of Emeziem, according to political pundits was the sud-

Kennedy Ibe den and unceremonious suspension of six active members of the house by the speaker.

Those suspended were four APC members and two PDP members. They included: Uche Ogbuagu (APC, Ikeduru LGA), Anyadike Nwosu (PDP, Ezinihitte LGA and Minority leader), Ezerioha Dominic (APC, Oru West LGA), Philip Ejiogu (PDP, Owerri North LGA), Micheal Onyemaechi (APC, Ihitte Uboma LGA), and Kennedy Ibe (APC, Obowo LGA). The former speaker had attributed reasons of suspension of the six members to “unparliamentary conduct”.

Pointedly so, because of the inordinate and inundated ambition for power and position in the house, members had been busy planning on how to outwit each order in order to come on top to lord it over other members. Based on this scenario, therefore, attempt was made to remove the deputy speaker, Iwuanyanwu last Tuesday. Already, 18 members out of 27 were said to have signed the sack notice as claimed by the former speaker, Emeziem.

However, this action did not go down well with the Government House, which opposed it, and efforts were quickly made to reverse the trend.

The planned removal of the deputy speaker subsequently led to the sack of the speaker, Emeziem on Monday.

Invariably, it was the period of the recall of the six suspended members

and superior power carried the day as Emeziem was subsequently sacked as speaker because he was allegedly accused of working with a top APC chieftain and former senator in the state to remove the governor.

One of the recalled members, Kennedy Ibe of Obowo was subsequently elected by his colleagues as the substantive speaker while Iwuanyanwu was returned as deputy speaker of the house. Nineteen out of 27 members were said to have signed the notice of the removal of Emeziem.

He was immediately suspended over claims of alleged forging of the signatories of some of the members that he claimed signed for the removal of Iwuanyanwu. Two other members: Onyekamma and Ekene Nnodim of Orsu were also suspended.

Receiving the new speaker to the Government House on Tuesday, Uzodimma challenged members of the house to work as a team and trust each other if they wanted to make the desired impact.

He also reiterated that he would not interfere in their independence as an arm of government but rather partner them on how to serve Imo people better.

The governor congratulated the lawmakers for resolving to elect the speaker of their choice peacefully without external interference, saying “what happened that resulted into a peaceful and democratic election of the new speaker is a victory for

democracy.”

He called on them to work towards a united house where there will be mutual trust. “Imo State needs a united, functional, eͿective and e΀cient house of Assembly that will work towards giving the people the desired dividends of democracy.” While noting that as a democrat he submits to the doctrine of separation of powers, insisting that “when this is fully applied the three arms will surely deliver on their mandate.”

Uzodimma urged the members to imbibe the spirit of team work, requesting that they “forgive each other and forge ahead, “emphasising that all the arms of government must strive to contribute their quota to serve Imo state better, noting that “whether as an executive, legislature or judiciary member if government succeeds it is for all of us, and when it fails they have all failed.”

Regrettably, Imo people believed that members of the state House of Assembly for the past 10 years have not lived up to the expectations of the people who they represented. The house had remained an oͿshoot of the executive arm. During the administration of the former governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, it was alleged that there were virtually no ideal peopleoriented programmes or policies initiated and carried out in form of making laws to the growth of humanity. The lawmakers have been focusing solely on the needs of the Government House (governor) and doing his dictates instead of spreading their tentacles to make laws for the good of the people.

According to a group, Concerned Imo Citizens for Good Governance, the House of Assembly was there and their people were being massacred in their hundreds by hoodlums. “Even security agencies were allegedly accused of being the masterminds of most of the killings in the pretence that they were fighting the unknown gunmen. As Imo people cried and called on the government and the house members to intervene in curbing the reckless killings, they looked the other way.”

It took some concerned personalities like His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, and Archbishop of Owerri to send a powerful message to the governor to intervene in the killings, urging him to convoke a stakeholder’s dialogue. In his message of June 3, 2021 titled: “Stop the killings, convoke a ceasefire meeting”, the archbishop expressed concern about killings of innocent citizens by “known and unknown gunmen and called on the governor to stop the killings.

“Lives are at stake as killings of Imo people are taking place in broad daylight and at nights by both o΀cial and unofÀcial armed men. Imo people are on the run from known and unknown gunmen.

There is scare in the air and anxiety on the ground. Imo people are hiding, living in fear. Reports of indiscriminate arrests for no clear reasons and killings as a show of power or in alleged retaliation continue to spread,” the Bishop explained.

It is the wish of the people of Imo State that this latest changes in the leadership of the state House of Assembly should be the last so that the lawmakers can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

As the governor rightly pointed out, it is time the members of the house put their diͿerences behind and work as a team to deliver the goods for the well-being of their constituents.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

INTERNATIONAL Ayo Adebanjo and Peace Without Equity and Justice in 2023: National Unity versus Self-determination

‘’C

an we have peace without equity and justice?’’was the question asked, and the concluding sentence of the press conference granted, by Chief Ayo Adebanjo at the Wheat Baker Hotel, Ikoyi on Thursday 11th November 2021. The question was put to Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), and Bishop Mathew Kukah, probably in their capacity as national peace makers. It was generally also put to the people of Nigeria and their president, General Muhammadu Buhari. The objective of the press conference is not simply‘fixing Nigeria, before the fall,’but to also draw special attention to the implications of not doing so.

One additional objective of the press conference also appears to be the need to articulate what Chief Adebanjo and Afenifere group stand for before he passes on to the great beyond in the matter of national unity. In other words, there is conflict of interpretation of the agreement reached by the peoples of Nigeria for the purposes of national independence and unity. Thus, the sustainability of Nigeria as a united sovereign nation-state is the question that is constantly raised in light of the many challenges currently facing Nigeria.

For instance, Nigeria’s challenges range from Fulani herdsmenfarmers dispute, armed banditry and kidnappings to agitations for self-determination, secession and Boko Haram insurrections.

These, without jots of doubt, are some of the dynamics of national disintegration and implications for the 2023 presidential elections, to which Chief Adebanjo wants to draw public attention.

In this regard, what happens if President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) disregards the self-determination threats by the Yoruba Southwest? PMB has described secessionists as terrorists and the true terrorists as bandits, in spite of the fact that they do engage in criminal bombings. Questions are being asked as to why PMB is always quick in dealing with self-determination agitators, but very slow in cases involving his tribesmen. In the event of another civil war, can Nigeria survive it? What are the likely scenarios of Nigeria’s political environment in 2023?

Perhaps more importantly, on the question of whether there can be peace without equity and justice, we observe that the answer can be Yes and No. It is yes because Von Clausewitz has suggested that if you want peace you must prepare for war. This means that war making is also a requirement for peace making.

War making is hardly managed by fairness, equity and justice, in spite of the provisions of international humanitarian law.

The answer can also be‘’No’’, because lack of equity and justice breeds anger, anger breeds complaints, complaints without attention generates resistance in various forms, including violence, violence engenders crises that often degenerate into conflicts, cold and hot wars. Consequently, on Chief Adebanjo’s prayer that ‘God Save Nigeria,’God can, but will He, save Nigeria based on the mania of political governance in Nigeria?

Why God May Not Save Nigeria Biblically, God is only interested in sinners that repent or are ready to repent. God is not interested in people who are warned not to engage in sinful activities but still continue to indulge in the same offences. For this category of people, there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrew 10:26). The same is true of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (John 14:17;15:26;and 16:13. In Nigeria, governance is apparently and consciously predicated on ungodliness, untruths, unfairness, injustice and inequity, and thus prompting people’s resistance. This is one major reason for the current peaceful agitation for self-determination and forceful struggle for secession. The quest for regional autonomy and separation is an expression of complaint, which, as raised in Chief Adebanjo’s press conference, cannot but be noteworthy. But since the same God says He will bless who He chooses to bless,(Romans 9:14-18 and in the same vein, save the people He chooses to save, as He did in the case of Noah and his family in the Holy Bible before the destruction of the world with waters. with the conscious commission of sins, Nigerians will need to pray more seriously and change their garment of wickedness before God can show preparedness to save them.

As explained by Chief Adebanjo, PMB and other political actors are blinded by ambition and therefore, must‘see the need to fix Nigeria before the imminent eclipse of her horizon. Nigeria is dying.’Many reasons were adduced to explain why Nigeria is dying.

First, in his words,‘the Nigerian State that was negotiated before independence in 1960, the one that was birthed and named on

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Adebanjo the first of October 1960, is long dead. It was mortally wounded in January 1966, and was then slaughtered in July of 1966. Its funeral obsequies were held between 1966-1970.’

More noteworthy, he said the‘Frankenstein that was cobbled together in place of the dead nation that was agreed, has survived this long on the back of repression, lies, illusions, and outright delusions. But Buhari has finally killed it by his endless arrogance, the manifest incompetence, and the vile ethno-religious agenda, with which he is dangerously strangling the insufferable Frankenstein.’

This observation is noteworthy because PMB is not responsible for what transpired before his military presidency and also before his civilian presidency. What is noteworthy is the perception that the crescendo of the gradual killing of Nigeria is happening under PMB due to his ethno-religious agenda and incompetence.

True, PMB has been variously accused of flagrant nepotism contrary to the rule of Federal Character. PMB told Nigerians that political appointments is based on the people he knows, implying that his presidential mandate and power to appoint cannot be subsumed under other rules of law. If the people he appoints behave nonchalantly, PMB cannot be quietly condoned. His appointees are often wrapped up in the glory of ethno-religious sentiments, to the extent that when PMB’s people are engaged in criminal activities and are reported to the police, the police do not always act on the complaints.

Explained differently, it is logical to expect grievances at the level of people who are grieved by their Fulani brothers and reported to the police authorities but are also protected against the complainants. Protests must always be expected when what the southerners do as an offence against the State and are sanctioned, and their Fulani brothers engage in the same act and PMB and his government will keep quiet. Psychology of human differences cannot allow the sharing of patriotism in this case because of the intrinsic problem of visible unfairness and injustice.

As Adebanjo interrogatively put it, can there be peace in the face of unfairness and injustice? It is most unlikely.

Second, Chief Adebanjo argued that the Nigeria that was

How can an elected government be preaching the gospel of anti-terrorism while at the same time actively aiding and abetting terrorism? Some countries have given the names of sponsors of terrorism to the PMB Government, but PMB is apparently protecting the alleged sponsors by refusing to disclose the names of the anti-Nigeria criminals. Insurrectionists are reportedly surrendering in thousands but no one is talking about the strategic implications for public safety and the origins of the surrendering boko haramists.

Government argues, on the one hand, that the Fulani herders that are recklessly killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping people are non-Nigerians. They are foreigners. However, the same PMB government is forcefully trying to acquire titled community land for the same foreigners to the detriment of indigenous citizens. With this, God is not likely to save Nigeria because its governance is consciously and largely fraught with destructive dishonesty and political chicanery. Thus, any community seeking autonomy or complete separation should not be forced into an unwanted union. This is the principle of self-determination, a fundamental rule under international law. National unity is a priori a resultant from the right of self-determination. People must first decide to be part of a political union. Consequently, PMB should seek political settlements and throw the idea of indissolubility and non-negotiability of Nigeria’s national unity into the garbage of history.

agreed to was necessarily federal in structure, and design, and was based on a parliamentary system of governance in which the rights of the federating units were recognised. This is why Chief Adebanjo and the Afenifere, as well as the NADECO wanted and still want a Sovereign National Conference. In Adebanjo’s words, ‘the basis of the Nigerian State must be clearly negotiated.’

There are three issues raised directly or otherwise in this second observation: the challenge of fraudulent legitimacy; sovereign national conference, and non-negotiability of national unity. As regards fraudulent legitimacy, there is the question of acceptability of the restructuring of the regions into states beginning from the Gowonian era. There is also the issue of the 1999 Constitution in which it is insinuated that the Constitution was people-initiated, whereas it was not. In this regard, can an elected person based on a Constitution that is considered fraudulent, instruct another person to do or not to do?

Regarding the restructuring of the regions into states, how do we explain that there were struggles for the creation of more States under various governments? The establishment of States under General Gowon marked the beginning of centralisation in such a way that the items under the exclusive list in the 1999 Constitution as amended largely outnumber those on the concurrent list. This is to the detriment of the quest for true federalism.

On sovereign national conference, no Nigerian government is interested in it because of the implications of the adjective, sovereign. The decision of a sovereign conference is not subject to any higher authority. As witnessed in the case of the Republic of Benin, whatever decision is arrived at is final and the leaders of Nigeria are enormously afraid of this. In fact, they are generally hostile to national conferences and the response of Chief Adebanjo is clear:‘many have pointed to Decree 24 of 1999,the same fraudulent document that is infamously known as the 1999 Constitution, and asserted that there is no need for an sovereign conference, as the country already has a Constitution. We disagree most vehemently and insist that Nigeria is not possessed of any expression of the WILL of the people, whose will it is presumed to fraudulently appropriate.’

Chief Adebanjo also noted that Nigeria is burning and that the people of the Northeast‘have been rendered as pawns in the power games of the northern elite, who allowed Boko Haram to fester as the evil powers of the federal government was lost to them, and the insurgents were seen as ethnic champions.’Pertaining to indissolubility, we have argued a number of times that a country can always be dissolved. National unity can always be negotiated and re-negotiated based on the whims and caprices of the people.

Thirdly, PMB has been variously accused of sponsoring an Islamic and fulanisation agenda. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo once said it. General Theophilus Danjuma said the Nigerian military were aiding and abetting boko haramism and that the people of Nigeria should seek ways of legitimate self-defence. Before Dr. Mailafia Obadiah died, he gave instances of such aiding and abetting. He reported his meeting with some bandit commanders who said they would declare war in 2022 in Nigeria.

National Unity versus Self-determination More important, Chief Adebanjo put the Yoruba concerns this way: the hospitality of the Yoruba southwest‘has been violently abused, the generosity of spirit is taken for granted and the security of lives and properties wickedly undermined.’In addition, he said that bands of Fulani terrorists are in our forests and farms, they rape, rob, kidnap and terrorize the people. They bear arms brazenly and they act above the law, and when our people respond in self-protection, they are victimized by the Nigerian police and the army, which have acted to establish presidential complicity.’

Most importantly, Chief Adebanjo referred to the revelation of an article in the Wall Street Journal that‘the Nigerian military has been dealing with terrorists, and in particular instance, bought back from the terrorists, an anti-aircraft gun, that the terrorists had captured from a unit of the army, because the presence of the piece in the hands of the terrorists was a direct risk to Buhari himself, who was apparently scheduled for an appointment in his home town. In this case, how can anyone normally expect God’s favour when Nigerians are precisely the same people deliberately creating problems for themselves?

Nigeria is currently playing host to several conflicts that militate against national unity. The first is Boko Haram insurrection. The Boko Haram wants Nigeria Islamised. The group does not want Western education in Nigeria and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

Consequently, the objective of the Boko Haram is outright destruction of what Nigeria currently stands for. President Muammar Gaddafi once made it clear there cannot be peace in Nigeria unless the country is first divided into two: Muslim North and Christian South. If armed bandits and terrorists in the Northwest and the insurrectionists in the Northeast want to turn Nigeria into emirates by use of force, why should the people opposed to such an agenda not have the right of resistance and legitimate self-defence? Why should the PMB administration be promoting ethnic politics and Fulanisation? Why does he not want people to reject his politics of suppression, oppression and flagrant ethnic enslavement?

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

67

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 14, 2021

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Give Me Anambra Chidi Amuta

T

he morgue keepers waited in vain.

Even the large police and military contingents found hardly any ready targets to shoot at. Now they have to return to Abuja to account for unexpended ammunition. What was prepped as Anambra’s IPOB induced blood bath just did not happen after all. Armed political thugs also ran out of luck somehow. We the media who had prepared for a ceremony of macabre headlines had to change rules of engagement. We had to make do with routine election reporting. Entrepreneurial prophets who had had a field day of apocalyptic prognostications were left groping for belated validation to no avail. Reverend Mbaka may soon be out in the streets, searching for a new job. His open endorsement of Mr. Andy Uba and de-marketing of Mr. Soludo did not quite hit the divine bull’s eye. The prophesied clashes between security forces and armed IPOB militia did not come to pass. Anambra defied the lure of tragedy.

Democracy survived even if it literally hobbled to deliver an imperfect outcome.

On its part, INEC initially erred in deference to our worst fears. The security threats provided a ready umbrella for INEC to initially live up to its familiar Nigerian pedigree. Officials arrived several hours late in many centres. Some voters, including the candidates,waitedforupwardsoffivehoursbefore INEC personnel and material arrived many polling venues. INEC’s newly acquired BVAC equipment refused to obey its handlers, necessitating quite a bit of on-site sheepish tinkering. In some cases, the voting hours had to be elongated or extended to the next day. But INEC stuck to its belief in its new capabilities.

On election day, the gods and ancestors of Anambra were awake. They answered in unison.

The elections took place in a largely peaceful atmosphere. Lucky INEC; the BVAC devices woke up, obeyed the gods and worked at last. By last Sunday, less than 24 hours after the polling started, the results were largely ready to be called. But of course there was the hitch of no voting in Ihiala and thecontestedresultsinOrumbaLocalGovernment.

Remarkably, there was a defiant spirit in those who turned up and turned out. It was a belief in something stronger than guns and machetes, the efficacy of elections as democracy’s period ritual of leadership renewal.

It is quite possible that something positive may come out of the Anambra experience. Two of the contestants, Mr. Ozigbo and Mr. Uba, have called Mr. Soludo to concede defeat and congratulate him. Only Mr. Andy Uba of the APC who came a distant third in the announced results has so far objected to the outcome. He now has the prerogative of going to court to prove his objection.

Maybe, out of the crucible of worst expectations, something good may come into Nigeria’s political culture. Those who lose an election may now have the maturity of spirit to concede and move on.

Whatever happens, judges are about to lose their relevance as election umpires of final authority!

It is a matter of understandable concern that the voter turn out was abysmally low. Between the total registered voter population of just less than three million and the accredited voters of less than three hundred thousand, the election recorded a voter turnout of about 11%. This is a typical of war or conflict situations. Check election results in post war Iraq, Somalia and Syria. In such situations, it is only important that elections take place at all. That is the only way to empower a legitimate government to ensure law and order and orderly societal functions.

Therefore, it is not just the specific outcome of the Anambra election that should elate us. It is the fact that two intangible values have survived and triumphed. The first is the will of the people to use the ritual of periodic election as a ceremony of leadership cleansing, a communal symbolic bath of self renewal. The people of Anambra trooped out, as they did in old times, to cleanse the leadership of the state as a community and commonwealth.

Between that ancient communitarian legacy and the modern proposition of democratic change, something priceless has survived in Anambra last week.

The second intangible is the vindication and survival of democracy itself. Modern democracy as the most resonant expression of the will of the people to speak collectively about how they want

Soludo to be governed and who should do the governing has just survived. With its imperfections, democracy remains the best tested system for the selection and renewal of leadership in the nation state. It harbors the rituals that unite and consolidates the unity of diverse peoples in the nation state. Democracies work best when they defy the many odds that threaten the existence of the nation state so that the people can testify directly about how and by whom they wish to be governed.

Despite our current imperfections, therefore, the ability of the Nigerian state to guarantee order and security during the Anambraelectionsmustbesaluted.Sinceafter the election, I have heard it from the mouths of ordinary Nigerians that their faith in the future of Nigeria has been renewed. There was adequate arrangement for the security of lives and orderly election process. Of course, that is in the primary role of the state. But we cannot take it for granted. Even the fear that the overwhelming presence of armed security personnel would overwhelm the electorate with a garrison psychology was reasonably well managed. In guaranteeing the survival of democracyinAnambraduringtheelections,the Nigerian state acquitted itself as the ultimate guarantor of order in our federation. Failure to protect democracy in one state could have sent a signal to the world that perhaps the Nigerian state had failed at last.

There are even more spectacular outcomes from Anambra. Quite often, democracies end up not producing a leadership that is appropriate to the time and place of the election.

Even in the most advanced democracies, it has occasionally happened that the popular will ended up producing a leadership that is the direct opposite of what the polity and society require or even wished for. The popular will can be a fool, grossly misjudging the character of the leadership contestant only to live out the tenure in popular disquiet and regret. Mr. Buhari was massively voted for in 2015. Alas his propelling myths of discipline, nationalism and integrity were largely fake as he may now end up as Nigeria’s most disappointing elected leadership gamble in history. Similarly, American democracy, easily the world’s most showcased, ended up electing Donald Trump, the most bigoted, disorganised and disastrous US president in modern times.

Ordinarily, the emergence of a winner in a state governorship election should leave the public guessing as to what the new governor has to offer. Speculation heightens if the new

elect has little or no public service record or is previously unknown. Mr. Charles Soludo spares us that trouble. He comes as a familiar name, a known face and tested hand. He comes replete with a rare combination of intellectual sagacity and voluptuous resourcefulness. His tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria featured a string of innovations and bold policy reforms that significantly altered the Nigerian banking and financial landscape for good. An copiousrecordasaninternationallyrecognized and respected economist will now put him on a sterling pedestal as a state governor.

Luckily, his state has the human, material and economic base to support a transformational and innovative leadership.

However, there is a sense in which today’s Anambra State has defined Mr. Soludo’s job andmandate.Anambrawasmadeforthisgrade of leadership at this moment. Also, Soludo comes specifically cut out for the present stage in Anambra’s economic development. A state bristling with untamed capitalist energy needs a leader who can read a balance sheet.

Luckily for the governor- elect, Anambra has a rich backdrop of templates and traditions of excellence in diverse fields- politics, business, technocracy, art and culture- from which Soludo can draw.

In many ways, Anambra is a very historical state, in fact an ‘old’ state akin to but in some ways superior to Oyo, Kaduna, Lagos and a bit of Edo and Enugu. But it is even different and unique. Unlike the others, Anambra did not host the capital of any of the old four regions.

Although the seat of the government of old Eastern Nigeria was in Enugu, the effective power centre was actually today’s Anambra state as the source of the elite of politicians, intellectuals, technocrats and pioneer entrepreneurs that drove the old Eastern Region.

Its business prowess is made up essentially of the classic capitalist rags to riches crop of bottom up entrepreneurs. Anambra’s strategic advantages are not conferred but strictly home grown.

Most vitally, Anambra is one of the most politically sophisticated, enlightened and refined states in the federation. It boasts an illustrious pageant of political pioneers, intellectuals, bureaucrats and technocratic pathfinders. This is the home of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nwafor Orizu, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme, Chuba Okadigbo, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Peter Obi and a host of others. In business, this is the home of illustrious pioneer

illustrious entrepreneurs: Sir Louis Ojukwu, Chief AugustineIlodibe,Mr.InnocentChukwuma,Cosmas Maduka, Emeka Offor, Arthur Eze, Cletus Ibeto and many more younger ones. In Nigerian art and culture, Anambra is a citadel of letters, literature and the plastic arts: Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, Ben Enwonwu, Cyprian Ekwensi, Onuora Nzekwu,OssieEnekwe,ChimamandaAdichie,Okey Ndibe etc.There is also a whole string of world class technocrats: Jerome Udoji, Pius Okigbo, Charles Soludo, Obiageli Ezekwesili, late Dora Akunyili, Kingsley Moghalu and many others.

This rich inheritance is at once a great asset base as well as a burden. Soludo needs to uphold Anambra’s rich heritage while advancing its frontiers and fortunes in the context of the fierce urgency of Anambra’s now.

First, nowhere else in Nigeria is there so much privately earned big money in the hands of so many young citizens. Anambra people are among the most hard working, creative, enterprising and wealthiest Nigerians you can find today. They are literally unstoppable engines of wealth creations both at home and in the diaspora. The net value of real estate in terms of palatial private country homes, factories, hotels, resorts, hospitals and community buildings in Anambra state is one of the highest of any other state outside Lagos and Abuja.

The cash component of that huge quantum of wealth has in recent times tended to complicate the political culture of the state. Big money has tempted many a political rascal to seek to wrest political control of the state. Anambra maybe the home of great cultural and intellectual sophistication, it is also a rough jungle of untamed capitalist energy. In its present state of material culture, Anambra risks degenerating into a jungle of violence and fruitless recriminations.

Like all mercantilist enclaves of old, it could be commandeered by gangster families battling for supremacy over titles and other silly things.

Onitsha is the unscripted metaphor, the troubled canvas of both the past and the future of Anambra.

Itsuntidywombholdsboththepromiseanddamnation of the state. The commercial cacophony of Upper Iweka, the concrete jungle of its multiple floor monstrosities and unpaved streets indicate an energy waiting to be channeled. The reality of a city with neither sewage nor drainage is a challenge of urban renewal which can only be achieved by creating jobs among the teeming youthful population. This is the signature tune of a disaster that has long waited to happen. This jungle of brick and mortar can be made beautiful and attractive to millions of commercial tourists intent on exploring opportunities in a new African miracle city. Dubai did not just happen. It rose from the rubble of an ancient spirit.

Anambra even has the homegrown beginnings of modern industrial capitalism. On their own, indigenous enterprise has commenced an unstructured industrial revolution. Nnewi and parts of sub urban Anambra are bustling with courageous manufacturing enterprises in strategic fields from automobiles, automobile parts, industrial machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. A state government that understands economics only needs to channel these efforts into a coherent strategy with a clear vision.

While acknowledging Anambra’s advantages, Governor-elect Soludo has a very urgent task of value re-orientation to undertake among Anambra’s new breed money tribe. That community needs to waste less money and vain effort announcing to Nigeria that it has arrived.

Adopting the wasteful culture of Nigeria will not bring the development Anambra needs.

Anambra’s younger money tribe need to learn new investment strategies especially the wisdom of greater savings and more modest consumption.

Their country homes could be more modest and functional. The man with one Mercedes Benz will get to the same occasion as the one who arrives in a motorcade of seven Rolls Royces in different colours! No one is interested in how many carats of gold that bedeck the casket of your dead mother or how much diamond you gift your many girl friends.

Whocareshowmanybarrelsofvintagechampagne you drown the rest of Nigeria in at your birthday parties. An Oriental Investment Fund dedicated to rapid regional infrastructure development in the Eastern corridor will bring faster and better returns for investors and to Nigeria.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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

NEWS

Bandits Kill Nine People, Rustle Livestock in Zamfara FG’s ranching in Rugu Forest can tackle banditry, says Masari Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed that nine persons have been killed by bandits in Tungar Ruwa Village located in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack came as Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina

State yesterday declared that the establishment of the federal government’s ranching facilities in Katsina’s Rugu forest would tackle cattle rustling as well as banditry in the state.

Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu, said the gunmen also rustled livestock, burgled shops, and carted away foodstuffs,

among other valuables.

The gunmen, who invaded the community, started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of nine locals and several others injured.

The police spokesman, who confirmed the attack on Friday night, said the tactical operatives had been deployed to the area to go

after the perpetrators and to forestall further attacks.

He further appealed to the people to always cooperate with security agencies to clamp down on criminals and their collaborators.

Zamfara State is notorious for bandit attacks.

Meanwhile, Governor Masari of Katsina State has stated

NDLEA Arrests 12 Apapa Dock Workers over Link to Seized N9.5bn Cocaine Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday said it had arrested 12 dockworkers at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos over their alleged link to the importation of 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine worth over N9.5 billion in street value.

Director, Media, and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement yesterday.

Babafemi said a Federal High Court in Lagos had granted an application by the agency for the interim attachment of a vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, used to import the 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa Seaport.

He said besides the attachment order, the court also granted NDLEA’s request to detain the Master of the ship, Mr. Tanahan Krilerk, and 21 foreign crew members as well as the dockworkers arrested in connection to the case.

“The anti-narcotic agency had on October 13 intercepted the ship at the Apapa seaport following intelligence from international partners and support from other security forces such as the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, DSS, and the police.

A thorough search of the ship led to the recovery of 30 parcels containing cocaine, which weighed 32.9kg.

“The application in suit no: FHC/L/CS/1518/2021, which was filed by the agency’s

Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Joseph Nbone Sunday on Thursday 28th October was granted the following day Friday, 29th October by Hon. Justice A.O. Awogboro. An application to renew the remand order was also filed on Friday, 12th November because of the volume of evidence coming out from the cooperation of the suspects in custody,” Babafemi said.

The NDLEA in the statement said its clarification became necessary following claims by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria that some of its members are being detained unlawfully by the agency.

“Of the total number of 18 dockworkers initially being interviewed by operatives, six of them with no sufficient evidence linking them to the crime had been released while 12 others with significant links are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

In line with the intelligence available to the agency, there is a syndicate of dockworkers, crew members with apparent international conspirators who work in synergy to traffic in the illicit substances. While the substances are concealed in the shipment from the originating Port, the dockworkers assist to pick up the illicit consignment for onward delivery to the Nigerian drug barons.

“In the case of a criminal investigation of this magnitude, it is lawful and expedient to investigate those within the purview of the agency’s reasonable suspicion and

those who do not have any serious involvement are let go.

“Already, two dockworkers are now on the run, after absconding from their place of work, since the beginning of the investigation.

“For the avoidance of doubt,

all the agency’s actions are guided by international best practices and in line with the Global Maritime Standard Operational Procedure on arrest, seizure, and detention of vessels and crew members,” the statement added.

that the establishment of the federal government’s ranching facilities in Katsina’s Rugu forest would cattle rustling as well as banditry attacks in the state Masari spoke in Marshi Local Government Area during the 2021 annual mass vaccination of livestock diseases, including CBPP, PPR, FMD and Newcastle.

He noted that in other to address the serious issue of cattle rustling and banditry, the federal government approved the establishment of ranches and related facilities in Rugu forest The governor, who was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mr. Mannir Yakubu, said livestock production centres would be established in the state under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience

Support Project (LPRES).

He further disclosed that the state government would fund varieties of crops and livestock that would produce more in the shortest possible time “The present administration is leaving no stone unturned towards training and retraining of staff to meet the challenges of modern times, with some staff from the department attending various professional courses in different universities across the country, aimed at improving their skills and expertise,’’ the governor said.

He further called on all and sundry to cooperate fully and support the Katsina State Government, towards achieving its goals and restoring agriculture and livestock production to its pride of place

50 HEARTY CHEERS… L-R: Head, Commercials, Strategic Outsourcing Limited (SOL), Mr. Peter Onyekpe, Group CEO and celebrant, Dr. Olufemi Olukayode Ogunlowo; Group Head, Human Resources, Ms. Francesca Gabriel; and Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Saheed Oyebola at the 50th birthday celebration in honour of Ogunlowo, in Lagos…recently

FG Moves to Regulate Sodium Consumption in Packaged Foods Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has disclosed the federal government’s plans to regulate sodium consumption by Nigerians through packaged foods.

Ehanire stated this at the first multi-sectoral stakeholders’ meeting of Nigeria’s Sodium Reduction Study, jointly organised by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the University of Abuja.

Represented by the Director, Public Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Alex Oko, the minister said the framework would help in reducing morbidity and mortality of incidence by instituting cost-effective policies and social interventions that would interface behaviours and lifestyle changes.

He also disclosed that it would also reduce modifiable

risk factors for the prioritised Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) within health in all policies approach.

The minister said that some of the objectives of the NCDs Multi-sectorial Action Plan include promoting a healthy lifestyle and diet, as well as reducing salt intake through the reformulation of processed food products to contain less salt.

“The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Multi-sectoral Action Plan which is an alignment with WHO global NCDs action plan as well as the WHO ‘SHAKE’ technical package for salt reduction.

“The implementation of the plan aims to achieve specific national subjects as an aspect of the global NCDs goal and SDGs to achieve among other things as an effective reduction in mean population in case of salt, and sodium, which means two grammes per day by 2025 through regulation and

reformulation of processed food products to contain less salt,” she said.

Also speaking, ViceChancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, said the current research on sodium consumption (salt consumption) is so crucial to the ability to live a good life.

“People think salt is sweet.

In my place where I come from, we regard salt as the opposite of bitterness, but we are being told here that if you take too much salt, you risk hypertension, your kidney, and different kinds of crisis.

“So, it is really about knowledge and our ability to know what it is we have to eat, and our ability to be able to afford and enforce this knowledge that we have.

“I call on the Nigerian government, especially the NAFDAC that is part of this to not shy away from making policies to help our people.

“Our policymakers must do policies to help all of us. This research will help NAFDAC and other policymakers to enforce. Also, especially in schools, we have to teach the young people in their curricula, health education and so on, that too much salt intake is dangerous. Probably, they will grow to be careful.

These are the kind of topics that our curriculum should contain,” he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the objectives of the meeting are to present the preliminary findings of the first phase of the project which involved surveys carried out in the Federal Capital Territory, Ogun and Kano states, and to discuss potential strategies to scale up implementation of the salt reduction activities.

“The purpose of this meeting is to increase the awareness of the positive impact of sodium salt reduction on health in the

food industry, amongst the policymakers, consumers and other stakeholders; set the regulatory agenda of scaled-up awareness on the risk of cardiovascular problems associated with high salt intake and or high salt usage amongst NAFDAC Stakeholders.

“Sodium is mainly consumed as salt (sodium chloride) which in the diet can come from processed foods, either because they contain large amounts of salt (such as ready meals, processed meats like bacon, Corn beef, “Suya”, cheese, salty snack foods, and instant noodles, among others, or because they are consumed frequently in large amounts (such as bread and processed cereal products).

“Salt is also added to food during cooking (bouillon and stock cubes) or at the table (soy sauce, chilli sauce, fish sauce, and table salt). Habitual consumption of excess salt may seem harmless, but it is linked

to several non-communicable diseases which are prevalent in Nigeria.

“Based on the outcomes of this study NAFDAC will be ready to do more with the collaboration of our stakeholders in the interest of safeguarding the public health. While NAFDAC is continuously making efforts using the above mechanisms to reduce the salt intake in the population, there is a need for strengthened and continued collaboration amongst relevant stakeholders including government and non-state actors in achieving the set target by WHO in salt intake reduction by 2025,” she said.

She, however, called on the cooperation of food manufacturers, processors, importers, and the restaurant sector in lowering the amount of salt in the food supply to enable consumers to access a reduced salt diet.

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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 ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2021

NEWS

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

Oshiomhole Congratulates Soludo over Election Victory in Anambra Guber Poll David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka and Sunday Ehigiator The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has congratulated Professor Charles Soludo for emerging victorious in the just concluded governorship election in Anambra State.

Also, there were goodwill messages from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and a women’s group, African Women Forum for Good Governance (AWFG).

Oshiomhole’s position was made this known yesterday, through a statement made available to press by his media aide, Victor Oshioke.

The statement read in full: “Dear Prof. Charles Soludo, I congratulate you on your victory in the Anambra governorship election concluded recently.

It is indeed a victory richly deserved given your impressive antecedents.

“Now that the election is over, the expectations of Anambra people are understandably high especially because of your rich background. You therefore have a unique opportunity to raise the bar in politics and governance to meet the aspirations of Anambra people.

“I pray that God give you good health, better understand-

ing, wisdom, vision and more courage to build on the foundation laid by your predecessors to take Anambra State to an enviable level “May I also use this medium to congratulate my friend Dr. Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress and Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party for their good showing in the election. Democracy thrives best when there is healthy contestation and credible alternatives for the people to choose from. They both provided that choice creditably.

“Finally, I congratulate the good people of Anambra State for peacefully expressing their political preferences, thus further deepening democracy in our environment. It is my hope that the choice they freely and collectively made at the polls ultimately translates into a better life for them in the future.”

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on its part congratulated Prof. Soludo and Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim on their victory at the poll.

The NMA, in a congratulatory message signed by Dr Jide Onyekwelu and Dr Dubem Awachie, Chairman and Secretary of the Anambra State Branch of the association said they are glad that the incoming administration has a medical doctor as a deputy and expressed the hope that it would be a new dawn for the health sector in the state.

Meanwhile, a women empowerment and advocacy group, African Women Forum for Good Governance (AWFG), has praised Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano for recognizing and rewarding Mrs Eunice Ngozi Onuegbusi, an Ukwulu Indigene who rejected N5,000 offered her by a political party agent to sell her vote.

Mrs. Onuegbusi had been seen in a viral video that surfaced

during the just concluded governorship election in the state vehemently rejected the bribe, opting to vote her conscience, a move which caused Governor Obiano tgo give her a reward of N1million on Thursday.

Meanwhie, a civil society organisation (CSO), The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has said that the difficulties experienced in the

recent Anambra governorship election may affect the conduct of the 2023 general election.

In a report on the election, CDD noted that the increasing security challenges and glitches experienced with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) raised concerns on the need for extensive preparation and training before using the technology for the general elections.

The CDD also said noted that fake news and fear of the powers of the federal government could be blamed for the voter apathy seen in Anambra.

The report read in part, “the Anambra governorship election experience is an indication of the difficulties that might affect the conduct of the 2023 general election as insecurity spreads and deepens in most parts of the country,”

WHEN IT ENDED IN PRAISE… L-R: Members of the planning committee, Six Hours Praise, Trinity House, Pastor Tosin Alao; Gospel Artist, Adeyinka Alaseyori; Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; wife of the gospel Artist, Mrs. Chigozie Wisdom; and Pastor Chigozie Wisdom, at the Trinity House Six Hours Praise held at the church auditorium in Lagos….recently

Andy Uba to Challenge Soludo’s Victory in Court, Vows to Reclaim ‘Stolen Mandate’ Chuks Okocha in Abuja The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded Anambra election, Mr. Andy Uba, has said he will challenge the victory of Chukwuma Soludo at the court.

Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance

(APGA), secured 112,229 votes to defeat his two major rivals — Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 53,807 v otes, and Andy Uba of APC who secured 43,285 votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Soludo as the winner of the poll on Wednesday.

Speaking yesterday while addressing party members and supporters, Uba rejected the results of the election, saying he will reclaim his “stolen mandate” at the court.

Uba, who was defeated at his local government, maintained that he could not have lost in areas where the APGA ward chairmen defected to APC.

“I am confident that APC will reclaim the stolen mandate at the court,” Uba said.

“I am not hungry and nobody here on the high table is hungry and by grace of God we will recover this mandate.”

Uba further asked party members not be discouraged with the outcome of the election as he is

Ibadan Inland Dry Port Set to Take Off Passport Office Introduces Saturday, Festus Akanbi There are indications that a chain of unresolved issues holding back the commencement of the Ibadan Dry Port may have been resolved with the readiness of the Oyo State Government to put in place the needed infrastructure to make the project a reality.

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), which gave the hint in a statement on Friday, said all outstanding issues in the Full Business Case (FBC) and concessionaire agreement that would drive Ibadan Inland Dry Port development had been resolved.

Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos, signed by Mrs Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, Head, Public Relations of the NSC. Jime, made the declaration when he led the agency’s Management team on a courtesy visit to the Executive Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, at the Government House,

Ibadan, Oyo State.

He commended the state government for the pivotal role it had played towards the actualisation of Ibadan Inland Dry port.

He revealed that the host state had agreed to provide necessary infrastructure that would assist the successful take-off of the project – a critical one being a link road from the entrance/exit of Ibadan Dry Port and a frame bridge at the entrance/exit of Ibadan Dry Port.

“Others are connection of Ibadan Inland Dry Port to 33KV power supply, reconstruction Of Oyo – Ibadan to Moniya -Iseyin link road,” he said.

The executive secretary noted that the outstanding issues that had not been addressed by the Oyo St]ate Government include the payment of compensation for the 90 hectares of land acquired for the project.

confident of victory at the court.

Last Thursday, the Andy Uba Campaign Organisation had rejected the result of the governorship election, saying it was fraught with irregularities.

Speaking during the parley , his running mate , Mr. Emeka Okafor said he will not accept the outcome

I’ve No Plans to Switch Parties, Says Obaseki

Sunday Services in Ikeja

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The International Passport Office in Ikeja, Lagos, has begun operations on Saturdays and Sundays to meet the rising demand by applicants.

The new Passport Control Officer, Mrs. Rose Bukar, said yesterday that the extra duty was to speed-up service delivery to applicants.

“We want to ensure that applicants spend lesser time processing passports.

“We shall also continue to initiate measures that will enhance smooth and fast service to Nigerians,” she said.

“This weekend, we witnessed an unexpected turn-up of applicants, but we paid special attention to the vulnerable ones.

“The Nigerian Immigration Service has introduced some special compassionate measures for the vulnerable, especially those with health challenges,

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has again said he has no plans to join another political party, reassuring that his party affiliation will not alter development plans for the state.

Obaseki, who spoke yesterday during a Banquet in Benin City, as part of activities for this year’s Alaghodaro Summit, said his government is committed to ensuring a progressive and prosperous Edo State where all citizens will live life to the fullest.

The governor said, “No matter the persuasion to join any political party, I will not. I will continue to provide leadership for all Edo people. We don’t need to join another political party to develop Edo State to become a home for all.

“Our goal is to position Edo where it should be, as our State has been created to provide leadership for this country;

the elderly, the heavily pregnant, and those living with disabilities.

“In the last seven days, about 800 passports were produced.

“I am optimistic that with more capturing devices, the queue will gradually diminish,” she said.

On the backlog of passport applications, she said that the office was getting to “a state of equilibrium”.

“The office has cleared passport applications up to those submitted in September.

“But, I want Nigerians to understand that applying for a fresh passport requires a minimum of six weeks; those seeking to refresh will have to give us three weeks,” she said.

Bukar implored Nigerians to always permit the service to carry out necessary investigation on the application anytime they came to apply.

of the election.

According to him, there were a lot of odds against the party during the election.

He said that INEC did not come to his polling unit until 3pm and by 4pm election ended.

“I am confident that we will retrieve the mandate in the court. It is not you all over yet,” he said.

that is how it has been and will always be.”

Obaseki said the Alaghodaro Summit has become a platform which his administration is using to prepare the youths of the Edo State for tomorrow’s leadership position. According to him, “Our politics is being driven by data.

We will continue to do our best as a government to make life better for our people who trusted us with their votes.

“In the last five years, we have been in the foundation laying the stage for the development of Edo State. That era has passed and now, it’s time to move as fast as possible in developing the State as the challenges and barriers have been taken care of.”

Earlier, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Edo State, JohnOdigie Oyegun commended Obaseki for curbing irregular migration among Edo youths.

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NEWSXTRA 2023: ‘Anyim’s Declaration No Threat to Umahi’ Ugo Aliogo The recent decision by former Senate President and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim to take the lead as the first aspirant to declare interest in the 2023 presidential race poses no threat and would not diminish Ebonyi State, Governor Dave Umahi’s chances of success if the race were to be decided purely on proven track records of accomplishments.

Speaking in Lagos recently, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Uchenna

Orji said, “If the 2023 presidential race is to be decided purely on the pedigree of aspirants, the fact that Anyim is from the same state and geo-political zone as our governor, I do not see him as posing any serious threat to the governor’s sterling performance in infrastructural development and his lifting of Ebonyi state from ‘third world to the first world’ within this short period of time as governor.”

He argued that gone are the days when Nigerians were hoodwinked into supporting people who had no track records of any accomplishments.

Four Dead as Gunmen Invade Funeral in Benue Gunmen attacked mourners at a funeral ceremony in Imande Abur village, Mbategh council ward of Benue State yesterday, the police said.

According to a statement signed by state police spokesperson Anene Sewuese Catherine, five persons sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and were rushed to the hospital, but four lost their lives while receiving treatment.

“On the 13th November 2021 at about 0300hrs information was received that a group of gunmen numbering three and identified by eyewitnesses to be known persons within Sankara area

invaded Imande Abur village, Mbategh council ward and shot sporadically at mourners who were assembled at a funeral ceremony,” the statement said.

“Police teams within the area swiftly moved to the area but suspects took to their heels on sighting the police.

“Five persons sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment but unfortunately four of them lost their lives while receiving treatment.

“The command commiserate with families of the victims and assure them that justice will definitely be served as detectives are already on the trail of identified suspects.”

“Nigerians are getting wiser and are going to make a remarkable departure from the past by scrutinizing every aspirant based on his developmental pedigree and contributions to society measured through every position they have held in the past.

“Without sounding rude, in comparison with Umahi, in the whole of Ebonyi State, you cannot see any tangible project that the former Senate President who later also went on to become the Secretary to the Government of the Federation under former President Goodluck Jonathan did not to even talk of the entire Southeast zone. I don’t want to talk about the complicity and conspiracy to underdevelop the zone by those who held sensitive positions at the centre in the past.

“Let me put it on record that the people of the zone already know who is a performer and can make the difference in comparison to those that are merely playing to the gallery. All that we need is that person who can show Nigerians that indeed, the best can come from the Southeast.

If you look at the track record in Ebonyi state, and if you are looking at that person that can transform Nigeria in record time, Umahi is in pole position to fill that gap regardless of whether he has yet indicated interest to run or not,” Orji declared.

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Super Eagles Qualification for Final Playoffs Down to the Wire! ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱŗŘȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ğ ȱŘȬŖȱ ¢ȱ ȱ

Victor Osimhen (centre) was on the scorer’s sheet as Super Eagles defeated Liberia’s Lone Star 2-0 in Tangier, Morocco...yesterday

Duro Ikhazuagbe

the Lone Star of Liberia at the Grand Stade de Tangier, Morocco.

Victor Osimhen took his tally in the qualifying series to three goals when he slammed home from six yards in the 14th minute, after strike partner Kelechi ‘Senior Man’ Iheanacho was scythed in the box as he proceeded to beat goalkeeper Wynney de Souza from a long pass.

Both teams spent much of the time sizing each other up, with the Super Eagles failing to seize on the momentum offered by the first goal to dominate and out-muzzle the ‘hosts’ in front of an empty arena.

The Lone Star showed some sparkles and got behind the Eagles rearguard on two occasions only to be denied by an alert Maduka Okoye.

Workhorse Moses Simon toiled at the fore and at the rear throughout to keep the right side of the Super Eagles going.

In the 28th minute, the Super Eagles thought they had scored a second when defender Jamilu Collins strung the ball past de Souza, only to be ruled off-side by Tunisian referee Youssef Essrayri.

Osimhen, energetic and vibrant, should have made it two for Nigeria minutes later, but shot into the sky with only de Souza to beat.

In the second half, both teams had chances to score but it was Eagles that added to their tally in added time when Osimhen got behind de Souza after being sent through by Iheanacho, only to be upended by Souza.

It gave captain Ahmed Musa, who on the day became Nigeria’s senior caps’ record holder by playing his 102nd game, the opportunity to score from the spot.

Elsewhere, Group B is wide open after leaders Tunisia suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat in Equatorial Guinea.

Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and Zambia all head into the final round of Group B fixtures with a chance to progress after Saturday’s results.

Equatorial Guinea moved level with Tunisia on 10 points as Pablo Ganet stunned the Eagles of Carthage with his 84th-minute goal.

Zambia are three points behind the pair after Rangers forward Fashion Sakala scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 win over Mauritania.

Egypt, Mali, Morocco and Senegal have already secured their places in the play-offs, where Africa’s five representatives in Qatar will be decided.

Super Eagles qualification for the final playoffs of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been delayed till Tuesday after the threetime African champions defeated Liberia 2-0 yesterday and closest rival in Group C,

Cape Verde, also secured a 2-1 victory over the Central African Republic.

Eagles on 12 point, two more than Cape Verde, need just a draw against the Blue Sharks in Lagos to be through to the final playoffs in March. Cape Verde on the other hand will need to win to go through.

Two strikes from the penalty spot earned Nigeria all three points against

FIBA May Hammer Nigeria over NBBF Crisis

Sadjo Wins Abeokuta 10km Road Race

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Unless elections are conducted into the board of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) before November 30, Nigeria is likely going to banned by the game’s ruling body, FIBA. FIBA in a letter to NBBF has warned that Nigeria would be hammered if it fails to conduct election by November 30.

FIBA also frowned at the interference of the Federal Ministry of youth and Sports Development in the affairs of the federation.

The ministry has since taken over the running of the basketball federation, and is even planning to host the men’s league to pick the country’s representative in continental basketball championships.

An Insider in NBBF confirmed at the weekend that FIBA was no longer interested in coming to Nigeria over this lingering dispute.

“They (FIBA) are not interested in coming despite pleas from the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC)”observed the source.

The Nigerian Olympic body had in a November 11 letter signed by its scribe, Banji Oladapo, pleaded with FIBA to send a delegation to Nigeria before the NBBF election.

The immediate repercussion of Nigeria’s ban will be the exclusion of the country from the Basketball World Cup.

Femi Solaja in Abeokuta

Cross River State athlete, Ismael Sadjo ran 31.03:81 to emerge the winner of the Bigi/Abeokuta 10km Road Race which held in the ancient city yesterday. Sadjo was rewarded with the top prize of $2,000 (two thousand dollars.)

Stephen Joseph from Plateau State emerged second with a finishing time of 31.47.82. He was rewarded with $1,500.

Emmanuel Gyang emerged third with 32.15.00 to with the $1,000.

In the female category, Rose Akusho came first in 36.33:30, followed by Vera Yohanna (37:10:17) while Patience Dalyop emerged third at arrival of 37:4:02. All female winners were from Plateau State.

In his remark, Sadjo applauded Bigi for making his victory a refreshing one.

“Bigi water is the best drinking water,” he said. Sadjo further revealed that the refreshing nature of the water helped stabilized his heartbeat during the race and gave him more energy to finish strong.

Brand Manager, Beverage and Bakery, Rite Foods Limited, Bolutife Adedugbe, said that her company wants to ensure

that every consumer out there gets a feel of the fantastically refreshing array of brands in its portfolio, thereby giving consumers the opportunity to associate with the brand and find a flavor that resonate with their personality in any occasion.

On the company’s commitment to the growth of sports in the state, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare, eulogized Rite Foods for its weight behind the sporting event, which he said is another golden

opportunity for Nigerian youths to earn global recognition.

He expressed Governor Dapo Abiodun’s appreciation to Rite Foods for creating a platform of social value that would build talents, engage the youths and spur them to greatness.

The truly world-class and proudly Nigerian brand is the headline sponsor of the Abeokuta 10km road race tagged Naija, Race for Homeland, organized

by Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML).

Argentina on Brink of Qualifying for Qatar 2022 Argentina are set to qualify for next year’s World Cup after a 1-0 win over Uruguay.

Angel Di Maria’s strike secured victory, leaving La Albiceleste second in South American qualifying after 12 games.

They face leaders Brazil, who qualified by beating Colombia, on Tuesday.

Uruguay sit in sixth - level on points with Chile who occupy the final automatic qualification spot - having lost three successive games.

Victory for Argentina will be enough

provided Uruguay, Colombia or Chile fail to win.

The hosts squandered chances throughout, having fallen behind to Di Maria’s curling effort after he was fed by Juventus’ Paulo Dybala on seven minutes.

Lionel Messi made a 15-minute cameo despite not being fully fit, running the risk of upsetting Paris St-Germain, for whom he is yet to score a league goal.

Peru were also victorious, beating second from bottom side Bolivia 3-0 in Lima.

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Yoruba Muslims and the Fifth Columnists

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Yoruba Muslim engineer recently alleged that because of his Islamic faith, he was denied a job by Femi Osibona, the real estate tycoon behind the collapsed 21-storey building.

Since then, there has been an intense debate over allegations of pervasive discrimination against Yoruba Muslims by their Christian kith and kin. I, however, find it ironic that after Osibona’s death, a video also showed him conducting Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo and self-acclaimed Emir of Yorubaland, round the building. The Oluwo is a Muslim, by the way. I also saw a list of victims of the tragedy, many of them with Muslim names such as Ndajor Ahmed, Yunusa Abubakar and Ajiboye Habib.

Unfortunately, Osibona is not alive to defend himself so we would never hear his own version.

We also understand that the engineer in question has now been employed by a company owned by a Muslim. Meanwhile, the Muslim Rights Council (MURIC) — which has been working round the clock to politicise religion in the south-west the same way the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) did at the national level in the 1980s and 1990s — immediately issued a statement saying “the rejection of a Muslim applicant” is evidence of the “alienation of Muslims in Yorubaland”. Before you could blink, this had gained a life, gleefully fuelled by outsiders who seized the opportunity to promote discord. At a time we should be mourning those who died in the tragedy, we are arguing over religion.

I must first confess that I have always been very proud of the religious harmony that shapes social relations in Yorubaland. By harmony, I do not suggest the absence of religious differences or occasional tensions and conflicts. Rather, I define religious harmony as the insignificance attached to these differences. They are like a dot in a big picture. Religious fundamentalism is on the fringes in political, economic and social relations in Yorubaland. It is very common to hear people say “we were all created by the same God” or “we are all worshipping the same God”. This may sound like a denial or political statement, but it is more of a self-evolved mechanism to manage the differences.

Does that mean individuals do not harbour bigotry? Of course not. There are Muslims who would prefer to associate with fellow Muslims only and there are Christians who would always prefer to engage with just fellow Christians. This is universal; it is not peculiar to any religion or ethnic group. If we stretch it a little bit, we know there are Pentecostals who would not want to be friends with or employ Catholics, and vice-versa. Among Muslims, there are divisions and subdivisions as well. More so, I know Christians who would never eat Eid al-Adha meat and I know Muslims who would never step into a church even for a secular event. The unliberated mind is instinctively given to prejudice.

Those who read me regularly are aware that I preach ethnic and religious “balancing” as a way of dousing fears of domination in a multi-cultural society. But I am disturbed by the obvious plot to weaponise religion and destabilise Yorubaland. Nobody should take the hullabaloo over the Osibona affair as a happenstance. There has been a sustained and not-so-subtle campaign in the last 10 or so years to sow seeds of discord among the Yoruba, to play Muslims against Christians and Christians against Muslims. One recurring evidence is the opposition to the wearing of hijab in schools.

If a Deeper Lifer can wear a scarf to school, why can’t a Muslim put on her hijab? Another evidence is the weaponisation of religion for political gains to turn Yorubaland into another

MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola Kaduna state.

If not that there is an agenda being played out, how can the alleged refusal of Osibona, one Yoruba Christian (among millions of Yoruba Christians), to employ one Yoruba Muslim (among millions of Yoruba Muslims) be extrapolated to mean all or most Yoruba Muslims are rejected by all or most Yoruba Christians? How can this form the conclusion that there is an “alienation of Muslims in Yorubaland”? Yoruba Muslims alienated? Really? Is it the same Yorubaland that I live? I am not sure Yoruba Muslims themselves would like to be portrayed as victims and underdogs. Marginalisation, as a political construct, is a cheap card that tends to muddle up the real inequalities in the social strata.

I don’t know how they do it, but the Yoruba have always managed to navigate religious sentiments when playing politics. Religion as a content of Yoruba politics is so insignificant it is almost unbelievable. In the first republic, for instance, some of the most trusted associates of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the revered Yoruba politician, were Muslims, notably Chief SO Gbadamosi and Alhaji DS Adegbenro. The Western House of Assembly crisis of 1962 saw Awolowo favouring Adegbenro to take over as premier from Chief SL Akintola, a Christian. I have not read anywhere that these great politicians ever threw religion into the terrain during their disagreements and rivalries.

In the second republic, as I have often pointed out, religion was not a factor. The Lagos governor was Alhaji Lateef Jakande and his deputy was Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo. Both Muslims. Christians did not utter one word of opposition. The Ogun governor was Chief Olabisi Onabanjo and his deputy was Chief Samuel Soluade. Both Christians. The Oyo governor was Chief Bola Ige and his deputy was Chief SM Afolabi. Both Christians. Muslims did not protest. You cannot tell me Muslims are minorities in the south-west! They simply did not, and still do not, vote along religious lines. There are probably more Muslims than Christians in Osun state, but they voted for a Christian-Christian ticket in 2003.

Despite the poison that had been injected into the body politic in the 1980s and 1990s over a phantom Islamisation agenda, the Yoruba still managed to keep religion to the lowest level in their politics. The south-west overwhelmingly supported Chief MKO Abiola, a Muslim, in the 1993 presidential election. Many of those who took the bullet for Abiola were not of his faith.

Chief Abraham Adesanya, who led the Afenifere

onslaught to de-annul the June 12 election, was a Christian. Later on, the Afenifere leadership — mostly Christians — favoured Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim, above Mr Funso Williams, a Christian, for the governorship of Lagos state.

In Oyo and Ogun states, the governorship batons have been passing between Muslims and Christians since 1999 — yet it was not by design or agreement. Mr Dapo Abiodun, a Christian, is today governor of Ogun with the full support of Tinubu, a Muslim. Tinubu also backed a Christian, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to be governor of Lagos state when he could have picked from a plethora of Muslim aspirants who were no less his favourites. Mr Seyi Makinde (PDP) was elected governor of Oyo state with Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja standing in his corner. In the same state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, a Christian, asked his supporters to vote for Mr Adebayo Adelabu (APC), a Muslim.

In 2015, Chief Bisi Akande, a Muslim, nominated two ministers into President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet — Prof Isaac Adewole and Prof Omoleye Daramola. Both Christians. Religion did not shape his thinking.

Amosun, a Muslim, nominated Mrs Kemi Adeosun, a Christian, into the same cabinet.

For every instance of religious bigotry recorded in Yorubaland — either in politics or the socioeconomic sphere — I can give a thousand examples to counter it. I would rather suggest that this spirit of accommodation and tolerance be promoted nationwide but those who have other motives would rather be amplifying something else to promote an agenda. It is a dangerous and dirty game.

It is not uncommon for a Yoruba to come from a multi-religious family. Recently, a colleague lost his sister. I asked about burial plans.

He calmly said she had been buried. I was surprised. “I didn’t even know that you are a Muslim,” I said. He replied: “I am a Christian but my sister was a Muslim. My father was a Christian and my mum an alhaja. Each of the children chose the religion they wanted.”

We then went into the whole discussion of the religious harmony in Yorubaland. You are more likely to find a Yoruba person who has both Muslim and Christian relatives than one who doesn’t have. That is the Yorubaland I grew up to know, love and cherish. Danger is now knocking on the door.

While south-westerners usually flaunt religious diversity as a credential, some interlopers have now hijacked this culture to mean Yoruba Muslim politicians must say they have Christian spouses to be accepted by Christians. I am not sure Muslim politicians such as Abiola, Jakande, Lam Adesina, Ladoja, and Rauf Aregbesola, among others, denied the religion of their spouses before enjoying support at the polls. The most complicated electoral permutation facing Yoruba Muslim presidential hopefuls today is not if south-west Christians would reject them but if northern Muslims would support them in the event that they picked a northern Christian as running mate.

I would like to appeal to Yoruba leaders at all levels and in all spheres of life not to take this cherished religious harmony for granted.

They must keep nurturing it. It is something to be consciously and continuously worked at so as not to give room to hirelings and fundamentalists to sow strife in Yorubaland.

If there are religious issues to be addressed, they should be addressed sincerely. Weaponising religion for politics may sound sweet on social media but it never ends well. Anyone tempted to play the game should just take a long look at Kaduna. Can the acrimony ever end? Weaponising religion is not a good journey to embark upon.

It is a journey of no return.

And Four Other Things…

JUNGLE JUSTICE Curiouser and curiouser. Police have made arrests in connection with the raid on Justice Mary Peter-Odili’s residence in Abuja but nothing makes sense to me yet.

The picture we have now is that there was a ring, a syndicate, behind it — some of them allegedly connected to the powers that be.

There is a booming petition industry. The removal of Justice Walter Onnoghen as CJN was kickstarted by a petition originated by an NGO headed by someone who is very close to the powers that be. Nigeria has become such a jungle that people can secure a frivolous court order to launch an assault on a Supreme Court judge. What a country.

Nigeria is going to the dogs one day at a time.

Pathetic!.

SOLUDO ON SEAT Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, former CBN governor, is a technocrat and an intellectual of repute. Which, in Nigerianspeak, means he should not be anywhere near the field of political contest. He should just sit down and wait to be appointed minister or whatever. He should never dive into the “murky waters” of politics. Well, he is having none of that. He has finally been elected governor of Anambra state at third attempt. I insist that our best brains should continue to “dive” into the political fray if they have the interest. If Soludo is able to manage the delicate balance between politics and policy, I expect him to be a success because he is man of ideas. Congrats!

KUDOS, INEC Prof Mahmood Yakubu has passed through a lot of hard times as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but I have to commend him and his team for constantly seeking to improve the electoral process and leveraging largely on technology. The Anambra governorship election was particularly going to be challenging given the tense security situation and the gangrenous political climate.

Although the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) called off its sit-at-home order at the last minute, the turnout was still nothing to write home about. INEC still has to improve on its logistics but, above all, I think the umpire had a credible outing. Kudos..

TURNOUT TURNOFF Low voter turn-out is a global problem, but we are recording too many lows in Nigeria.

In Anambra state, there are 2.5m registered voters, but only 253,388 — roughly 10% — came out on the day of the governorship election. If you think it was because of IPOB, you need to pay attention to the general turnout across elections. Why the apathy?

Why do people take the pain to register and then sit at home on election day? The simplest answer, from me sitting in my living room, is that most voters do not have faith in the system. But we really need to do a research on voter apathy. We need solutions and incentives going forward. What is democracy without the people? Shallow.

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