SUNDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2023

Protect Civilians, Scale up Efforts to Tackle Insecurity, Lagbaja Charges Army Field Commanders DHQ confirms killing of Kachalla, three other terrorist leaders Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS),

Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has charged field commanders at all levels to scale up efforts in

tackling insecurity and protecting civilians from unconventional threats confronting the country.

This is coming as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday confirmed the killing of four

notorious terrorist commanders Machika, Haro, Dan Muhammadu and Ali Alhaji Alheri, popularly

called Kachalla Ali Kawaje - in air Continued on page 6

NDIC Disburses N1.7bn to over 42,000 Depositors of Failed Banks… Page 8 Sunday, December 17, 2023 Vol 28. No 10476

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P EOPLE OF THE YEAR (I)

New Generation of Leaders Take Charge See story on page 5

Uzoka-Anite

Edu

Verheijen

Bala-Usman

Tunji-Ojo

Alausa

Tijani

Audu

Musawa

Jamila Ibrahim

Olawande

Adedeji

Akpoti-Uduaghan

Maida

Tinubu, Jonathan, Barau, APC Celebrate Buhari at 81… Page 6

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DECEMBER 17, 2023 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR (I)

Profiles in Change Festus Akanbi in Lagos and Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to make the youth the nucleus of his administration is beginning to crystallise with the appointment of many youths from different walks of life and across the nation’s ethnic divide.

Tinubu had made a staggering youth involvement in his administration, a major part of his campaign, preparatory to the February 25 presidential poll, insisting that without the youth, real progress might be impossible.

As part of his campaign promises, Tinubu had promised the inclusion of the youth in his administration if elected.

Tinubu said he believed that the youth could play key roles in his administration, while describing them as source of inspiration and commending them for their resilience.

“I promise that you will play a vital role in steering the wheels of my administration,” Tinubu had told the youth at the Tinubu-Shettima National Youth Town Hall meeting, held in Abuja, shortly before the 2023 general election.

Since he assumed office on May 29, the president has not only made the youth the nucleus of his main cabinet, he has also been appointing promising youth into other equally critical agencies and parastatals as the fulcrum of his government, recognising them as tomorrow's leaders.

Although many Nigerians had reckoned that the president's soft spot for the youth was further exacerbated by his son, Seyi Tinubu, who not only went round campaigning with him, but had also assured his contemporaries of strategic positions in the government of his father.

In line with his promise, Tinubu has ensured the inclusion of the leaders of tomorrow in his administration.

Having also promised to make Nigeria better for the younger generation, pertinent questions are being asked by some of the critical minds who wish to know if the youths in his cabinet could actually make the "dream statement" and help the president change the course of the nation.

Under Tinubu’s administration, the youth are also represented at the National Assembly and some state Houses of Assembly.

However, while it might be early to start assessing the youth in his cabinet, all of whom are just a few months in office, below is a profile of some of the people in whose hands the future of Nigeria lies.

Doris Nkiruka UzokaAnite

Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite is a medical doctor and financial expert.

She is the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

Uzoka-Anite started her career in banking at the Zenith Bank Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) unit, then headed the Human Resources and Training department.

In 2011, she changed to Treasury and was later named the bank's treasurer in 2017.

In March 2021, she was appointed Commissioner for Finance and Co-ordinator of the Economy in Imo State by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

On 27 July 2023, she was one of the first 28 ministerial nominees President Tinubu sent to the Senate for screening.

Betta Edu

37-year-old Betta Edu is a result-oriented hardworking and grassroots politician who until her

Utsev

Sulaiman-Ibrahim

Kennedy-Ohanenye

Shittu

appointment in August 2023, was the national women leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress.

Edu was Cross River State Commissioner for Health until her resignation in 2022.

She had also served as the National Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, and former Director-General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

A Harvard Certified public health specialist and a medical doctor per excellence.

Edu is a PhD holder who had her Master’s in public health from the prestigious London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Olu Verheijen

She currently serves as President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Energy.

She has nearly 20 years’ experience in the gas and renewables sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa, and is currently Managing Director at Latimer Energy, a consulting firm advising clients on value optimization in acquisition, development and management of energy assets.

Previously, she was a Partner at Persistent, an early-stage investment firm with a pan-African portfolio of distributed renewables companies, and a Deal Lead at Shell where he advised on gas commercialisation and M&A transactions.

She also worked for Moody’s Investors Service in New York.

Olu is the Founder/CEO of BFA Foundation, which funds scholarships for women and other disadvantaged groups to expand their career advancement opportunities in high growth sectors, including the energy sector. She is also an investor across various

sectors and serves as a Trustee of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria.

She has a BA from Long Island University and Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Hadiza Bala Usman

The 47-year-old Hadiza had served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 2016 to 2021. She previously served as the Chief of Staff to the governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2016. She was appointed special adviser on policy coordination to President Tinubu in June 2023 As a firm administrator, she is expected to bring her uncompromising stance on governance to bear in her task as the Ombudsman for the Presidency.

Joseph Utsev

Until he was appointed Minister of Water Resources in August 2023, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev was Rector, Federal Polytechnic Wannune, Benue State.

He is a renowned Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, politician, entrepreneur, and administrator of great repute who hails from Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

In March 2017, Utsev was appointed as Commissioner, in charge of the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment Benue State in recognition of his hard work and dedication to the growth of the Engineering profession and society at large.

In 2020, he was appointed by then-President Muhammadu Buhari as the Executive Director of Engineering, at Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority,

Uwajumogu

Ekpenyong Makurdi.

Imaan SulaimanIbrahim

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim is Minister of State for Police Affairs.

He is a consummate and international professional with over two decades of technical, administrative, and executive experience across the public, private, and development sectors.

From August 2019 to December 2020, she served as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Partnerships to the Minister of State for Education. In this role, she championed the Alternate School Programme as a key intervention to tackle the out-of-school challenge of the country, and the programme got the approval and commendation of the Federal Executive Council.

She was appointed the DG of The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in December 2020, where she contributed immensely to the plights of trafficked persons and worked assiduously towards strengthening the national response to addressing Irregular migration.

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye is the Minister of Women Affairs.

Uju's determination and dedication were further evident when she became the sole female presidential aspirant to contest for the APC presidential ticket in 2022.

Her unwavering commitment to the party's cause was unmistakable during the 2023 APC presidential campaign when she was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in the South-east geopolitical zone.

In the short time that she has served as Minister of Women Affairs, Uju has made significant strides - prominent of which is securing the commitment of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to establish mobile courts in their states dedicated to ensuring swift access to justice for GBV victims.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is a Nigerian engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and politician who is the current minister of Interior.

He was a member of the House of Representatives, representing Akoko North East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State from 2019 to 2023.

Before going into politics, TunjiOjo was an accomplished business and management executive with a flourishing career in ICT, becoming the CEO of a leading indigenous ICT consultant company in Nigeria, Matrix IT Solutions Limited, at the age of 24.

Tunji Alausa

Tunji Alausa is a Nigerian medical doctor specialising in Nephrology who is the current Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.

From 1997 and 2001, he was a resident in Internal Medicine at Cook County Hospital, where he held the position of Chief Medical Resident. He then became an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical School before specialising in Nephrology and Hypertension at the Medical College of Wisconsin from July 2002 to June 2004. He also had a residency in Internal Medicine at both the Royal Bolton Hospital and the University of Newcastle from 1995 to 1997.

President Bola Tinubu appointed him Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.

Bosun Tijani

Bosun Tijani, 46, is a NigerianBritish entrepreneur who is the current Nigerian minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy In 2010, Tijani co-founded CcHUB, a technology innovation centre. In the early years, he led several social technology projects, including Lagos Innovation Hotspots and the i-HQ concept (the umbrella initiative for Yaba – the fastestgrowing tech cluster in Africa), which involved working with MainOne Cable and the Lagos State Government to lay fibre optic cables in the Yaba area of Lagos accelerating the growth of the area into becoming the home of technology startups in Nigeria.

Under his leadership, CcHUB drove the growth of social innovation and influenced businesses and initiatives in different sectors including - environment (Wecyclers), fiscal transparency (BudgIT), e-commerce (Tracklist), Healthcare (LifeBank), education (re-learn), wellness (Truppr) and transportation (GoMyWay), civic activity (GoVOTE), online and cybersecurity (SafeOnline) among others.

Shuaibu Abubakar Audu

Shuaibu Abubakar Audu is a Nigerian investment banker and politician who is the current Minister of Steel Development since August 2023.

Following the submission and Continued on page 6

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NEWS

Tinubu, Jonathan, Barau, APC Celebrate Buhari at 81 President says he's Nigeria's icon of integrity, patriotism

Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has celebrated former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as an icon of truth, justice, and patriotism, on the occasion of his 81st birthday.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has also felicitated the ex-president, wishing him a long life in good health.

This is as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have extolled the virtues of the former president at 81.

Tinubu, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, extolled what he also described as the peerless leadership credentials and feats of the former

president, recalling his meritorious service to the nation at various times as Head of State and as President.

Tinubu reeled out former President Buhari's unparalleled record of infrastructural provisions to include, several new international airports, multiple standard-gauge railway lines, new seaport development, dozens of new dams, power stations, oil and gas infrastructure, expressways and mega-bridges.

He also added that the former president established Nigeria's firstever national social investment and protection programme, among many other feats.

President Tinubu fondly recalled the former President's aggressive push to modernise Nigeria's defence architecture while working towards import substitution with the

empowerment of millions of Nigerian farmers in his progressive initiative to enhance food security in the country.

The President described former President Buhari as the finest paradigm of sacrifice, devotion, patriotism, and fidelity to the national cause.

According to him: "President Buhari is from the rarest phylum of virtuous servant-leaders. He has devoted his life to the service of the nation, even earning himself detention for his patriotism and service to our Fatherland. The emergence of leaders like my good friend, Buhari, happens only by divine orchestration. He is a man of absolute and undiluted integrity. His yea is yea, and his nay is nay".

President Tinubu appreciated Buhari for his friendship and vote of

confidence shown through his stalwart support for the administration.

While wishing the elder statesman longevity and strength, the President assured the former President that the hope of a prosperous, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria, which he has always worked for, will not be dashed.

In a goodwill message, which former President Jonathan personally signed, he commended Buhari for his service and commitment to the progress of the nation.

According to the message, which was released to journalists by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, the former president said: “I am pleased to join your family, friends, well-wishers and other Nigerians to congratulate you on the occasion of your 81st birthday.

“You are a determined leader who has been resolute in national service and commitment to the progress of our country.

“As you celebrate, I salute you for your faithful stewardship to Nigeria.

On behalf of my family, I wish you good health, peace and joy.”

On his part, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, described Buhari as an untiring promoter of peace and unity in the country.

The Deputy Senate President, while extending warm birthday wishes to the former president, said he remains one of Nigeria’s distinguished leaders.

He said: "From his military to political career, the former president had a clear vision for Nigeria – the unity and progress of the country.

Finance, in Oyo State from 2011 to 2015 under Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration.

switch company owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and all licensed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria.

Buhari "Throughout his eight-year tenure, former President Buhari intensified efforts and worked towards addressing the security challenges, revival of the economy and promotion of good governance. This, he said, endeared him to the masses across the country,” he said.

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR (I): PROFILES IN CHANGE subsequent screening of ministerial nominees by the senate, Audu was appointed Minister of Steel Development on August 16 2023.

Audu is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on whose platform he contested as an aspirant in the governorship primary of the Kogi State chapter of the party.

He lost the gubernatorial ticket to Ahmed Ododo in the primary elections in April 2023.

In August 2023, he was made Minister of Steel Development by President Tinubu.

Jamila Bio Ibrahim

Jamila Jummai Bio Ibrahim, the 37-year-old Minister of Youth has vast experience with youth affairs having established a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) named Yon Seno Foundation in November 2017. She was then

named a member of the think tank of the National Policy Summit in 2017.

As the face of the President on youth matters, all eyes are on the young minister to dish out policies that resonate well with the nation’s youth population.

She volunteered to serve on the presidential committee of the North-east Initiative (PCNI) established by former President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as the primary national strategy, coordination, and advisory body for all humanitarian interventions, and transformational and developmental efforts in the region.

Ayodele Olawande

Olawande, the 34-yearold minister served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as the Personal Assistant to the Special

Adviser on Innovation to the Vice President from 2019 to 2023.

On October 16, 2021, he was elected as the Ondo State APC Youth Leader and exactly two years after - 16 October 2023, he was sworn in as the Minister of State for Youth.

Zacch Adedeji

Adedeji’s appointment as the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was confirmed by the Senate on October 30, 2023. He expected to bring his vast experience to bear in mobilising revenue for the administration. The 45-year-old chairman was previously the Special Adviser on Revenue to the President.

Adedeji worked at Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) where he rose to the position of Manager.

He became a Commissioner for

Aminu Maida

Aminu Maida was appointed the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) by President Tinubu on October 11, 2023.

The 44-year-old administrator holds an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College, London in 2002, and in 2006, he bagged a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, United Kingdom.

Until his latest appointment by the President, Dr. Maida was the Executive Director of Technology and Operations at Nigeria InterBank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), the country’s central

PROTECT CIVILIANS, SCALE UP EFFORTS TO TACKLE INSECURITY, LAGBAJA CHARGES ARMY FIELD COMMANDERS strikes within the week.

Lagbaja spoke against the backdrop of the misfired drone that killed scores of civilians in Kaduna State recently and other threats confronting the citizenry.

The COAS, who gave the charge during the closing ceremony of the COAS Annual Conference 2023 at the Command Guest House, Maiduguri, Borno State, ordered an immediate shoring up of measures aimed at enhancing military operations and ensuring the safety and protection of citizens from unconventional threats.

He urged the military commanders to make good use of the outcomes of the vibrant and robust interactions during the conference to scale up efforts in tackling security challenges and improve upon the protection of Nigerians from unconventional threats confronting the nation.

A statement issued yesterday by the Nigerian Army Headquarters (AHQ) said the army chief also urged commanders to devise comprehensive plans to deal decisively with adversaries within their areas of responsibilities and exercise restraint when dealing with law-abiding citizens whom the army is constitutionally charged to protect.

Lagbaja stated that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, all commanders should do all within their ambit to enhance operations in a manner that justifies the resources committed to the nation’s security.

The COAS averred that the conference provided participants with veritable platforms to review the army's past achievements and assess current challenges, and strategies for the future in the broader context of national security.

The army chief further stressed that the conference had afforded the army quality time to review

its training, operations, and administrative activities that directly relate to the theme of the conference: “Personnel Motivation for Effective Operational Performance in a Joint Environment."

He added that deliberations at the conference had addressed various issues relating to troops' morale, and physical and conceptual components of the army's fighting power, adding also that the lecture during the conference had further re-enforced the importance of a whole-of-society approach in the successful conduct of operations to mitigate security challenges.

Lagbaja noted that the task ahead of the military was enormous, stressing that efforts must be made to improve communication channels with other security agencies to create a secure environment for good governance and economic prosperity for Nigerians.

The statement further stated that in conformity with one of the cardinal pillars of the COAS command philosophy, which is "sound administration," Lagbaja presented cheques to officers and soldiers wounded in combat through the Group Personnel Accident Insurance Scheme.

The scheme caters for the medical bills of personnel wounded in combat.

The COAS, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his staunch support and assured of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the army to the defence of democracy and upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

DHQ Confirms Killing of Kachalla, Three Other Terrorist Commanders

Meanwhile, the DHQ confirmed

the killing of four notorious terrorist commanders in air strikes within the week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja.

Buba said that Machika was a top terrorist bomb expert and younger brother of a notorious terrorist, Dogo Gide, while Haro and Dan Muhammadu were specialists in kidnapping and assault operations, respectively.

He said a synchronised strike between air and ground forces aimed at the same target on December 11 and killed Kachalla Kawaje, who was a renowned terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State.

He added that Kachalla was neutralised in Munya Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, along with many of his foot soldiers.

According to him, the military is fast closing in on others and gives the assurance that they will equally suffer the same fate.

Buba said air assets conducted aggressive air flights on confirmed locations active with the movement of terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers.

He added that the strikes carried out resulted in the killing of over 38 terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, while 159 others were arrested.

“The armed forces are hunting down prominent terrorist leaders and engaging them wherever they are hiding.

“The military will continue to take the fight to the terrorists and their cohorts until they are destroyed or surrendered.

In the South-east, Buba said the troops, in conjunction with other security agencies, on Wednesday apprehended a prominent

commander of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He said the commander, one Uchechukwu Akpa, was arrested together with three other subcommanders, namely Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere.

According to him, the trio were arrested after a raid on their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church, Ameta Mgbowo, in Awgu LGA of Enugu State.

“They gathered to plot to take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command, Enugu State Chapter, from the apprehended former Commander, known as"Chocho ". They also planned to attack troop locations.

“During the raid, Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape,” the statement added.

He was the second-in command to Chocho, a notorious IPOB/ ESN leader currently in custody.

“Subsequently, another raid connected with the arrest was conducted on Dec. 14 where troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, two AK 47 magazines, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition and one pump action rifle.

“The operations of the week in focus equally resulted in the arrest of 66 perpetrators of oil theft and the rescue of 89 kidnapped hostages,” Buba said.

Buba said the troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 15 dugout pits, 25 boats, 74 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 115 cooking ovens, 13 reservoirs, 10 cooling systems, 10 receivers, three pumping machines and 64 illegal refining sites during the week.

He added that troops recovered 357,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 185,300 litres of illegally refined AGO and 20,600 litres of petrol.

Hannatu Musawa

Musawa is a Nigerian lawyer, politician, and author. She is the daughter of renowned politician Alhaji Musa Musawa from Katsina State. In addition to being a barrister and attorney of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the 43-year-old Hannatu is a qualified solicitor in England & Wales, the United Kingdom.

She is currently the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy.

John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu

He is a Nigerian entrepreneur and politician. He currently serves as the Special Adviser on Industry, Trade, and Investment to President Tinubu.

Uwajumogu has a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the Fletcher School, Tufts University, United States.

He is an expert in energy and infrastructure and is a partner in strategy and transactions at Ernst & Young, a British multinational accounting firm.

Prior to his appointment, Uwajumogu had also worked as director with Grant Thornton from 2012 to 2016 and PwC in 2009 to 2012.

Salma Ibrahim Anas

Salma currently serves as the Special Adviser to the President on Health. She has over 25 years of experience in Health Sector Development. She has experience in health sector policy formulation, strategic development, resource mobilisation and implementation of various health programmes at international, regional and national levels.

She is vastly experienced both in the public and the private sector.

She served as the Director, Family Health Services at the FMOH where she leads key Divisions including Reproductive Health, Child Health and Gender, Adolescent, School Health and Elderly Care (GASHE), Nutrition and Health Promotion Divisions.

At the state level, Salma has been a two-time Commissioner for Health, Borno State, where she led the state at the peak of that region’s humanitarian crisis where her excellent performance accorded her many awards from various organisations, including an award for the best performing Commissioner in the North-east on Polio Eradication.

Asuquo Ekpenyong

Ekpenyong was born 25 August 1985. He is financial analyst and former Cross Rivers State Commissioner for Finance and is currently the senator representing Cross Rivers South senatorial district

in the Senate.

He had his secondary education at King’s College, Lagos and further obtained a degree in Economics from the University of Reading in 2007 and a master's degree in International Banking and Financial Services in 2008.[ Ekpenyong moved to Cross River where he worked for two years as a lecturer in the Banking and Finance Department of the University of Calabar. He established Iquasu Ventures Limited, a haulage and logistics company, in 2010 and later took over as Managing Director of Chamley Bureau de Change Limited. Asuquo was later appointed Executive Director for finance at Pearland Energy, an indigenous oil and gas company, and member of the board of directors at Ekondo Microfinance Bank Limited.

In December 2015 Asuquo was appointed Cross River State Commissioner for Finance by Governor Ben Ayade the age of 29, making him the youngest commissioner in Nigeria. He is the longest serving Commissioner for Finance in Cross River State.

Natasha AkpotiUduaghan

Akpoti-Uduaghan is a Nigerian lawyer and social entrepreneur and politician. She ran for the post of senator for Kogi Central senatorial district on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the year 2019. She contested in the 2019 Kogi State governorship election which was held on 16 November 2019. She is the founder of Builders Hub Impact Investment Programme (BHIIP). She attended University of Abuja where she obtained her law degree before she proceeded to the University of Dundee for her LLM and MBA.

Rukayat Shittu

Twenty-six-year-old Shittu stunned many when she declared the winner of the Owode Onire state constituency of Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Though her election was nullified by the tribunal, the Court of Appeal upturned the judgment and reinstated her.

She is a former Senate President of the Congress of Students at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Shittu attended Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, an affiliate of Bayero University Kano (then), where she obtained a diploma certificate in Mass Communication and Islamic Studies in 2015. After the diploma, RMS enrolled herself in a fashion design school where she learned about sewing women’s clothes. In 2017, she got admission to NOUN. She graduated in 2022 with Second Class (Upper Division) from the Mass Communication department.”

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NEWS

AJIMOBI’S POSTHUMOUS BIRTHDAY… L-R: Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Senior Special Assistant, Legal to the Vice President, Mr. Bashir Maigudu; wife of former Governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; former Minister of Industry, Mrs. Onikepo Akande; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Bayo Lawal; and the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, at the sixth Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi roundtable and 74th posthumous birthday of the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan…yesterday

NDIC Disburses N1.7bn to over 42,000 Depositors of Failed Banks Urges customers without BVN to approach the corporation for claims Nume Ekeghe

even shareholders and people have successfully recovered a lot.

“We have reinvigorated the processes by visiting the customers that owed these banks and also through the sensitisation we have had with our lawyers representing us; we were able to win cases in court which led to the recovery of those debts,” he added.

Hassan outlined some of the corporation’s key achievements such as the introduction of the Single Customer View (SCV) framework that has enhanced the speedy payment of insured sums to depositors of closed banks.

“We have enhanced collaboration with the bar and bench, leading to speedy prosecution and more informed judgements on failed banks cases, including resolution of long-drawn

cases of closed banks such as Fortune and Triumph Banks in-liquidation; we have equally put in place policy and framework for out-of-court settlement which had enabled us to resolve some hitherto protracted failed bank litigations.

“In complimenting the consumer protection efforts of the CBN, we have enhanced public awareness on deposit insurance and financial literacy to reduce the rate at which small depositors are being defrauded, thereby enhancing confidence in

NSIB Indicts Operator of Aircraft Carrying Power Minister over Ibadan Airport Accident

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called for legislation against unexplained wealth as a way of checking the criminal activities of treasury looters in the country.

He made the call at a two-day International Law Conference with the themed: ‘Unexplained Wealth in the Global South: Examining the Asset Recovery and Return Trajectory’ organised

by Christopher University, Mowe Ogun State.

Olukoyede said though several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Trinidad and Tobago, had embraced the Unexplained Wealth Orders, (UWOs) since it came into force in 2018, he said the EFCC still relied on the provisions of Section 7 of its Establishment Act to check the menace.

“The issue of unexplained wealth is not a local issue. There are jurisdictional legislations across the world to tackle it. Till date, countries of the world are faced with criminalities emanating from money laundering practices and illicit funds.

"This circumstance led to the promulgation of Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs) that came into force in 2018. Several countries, such as the United

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan, has disclosed that the commission has disbursed N1.7 billion to over 42,000 depositors of failed banks.

This is as he also called on depositors of the 183 closed microfinance and primary mortgage banks, who have no Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to come forward and claim their insured deposit.

Hassan disclosed this yesterday at the NDIC Editors’ Forum, which had the theme: ‘Stocktaking of Deposit Insurance Practice: Assessing the Past, Evaluating the Present and Forecasting the Future.’

Chinedu Eze A preliminary report released by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has indicted Flints Aero Services Ltd, the operator of the private jet that conveyed the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu from Abuja to Ibadan Airport for violating the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued to it by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The airline’s aircraft, a Hawker 800XP with registration mark, 5NAMM crashed into the bush after skidding off the runway at the Ibadan airport on November 3, 2023 with severe damage to the aircraft.

In a report released at the weekend, NSIB indicated that the airline was issued a permit to conduct a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), which it violated by operating chartered services.

According to the report, this was in contravention of the Section 18.2.4.3 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015.

NSIB noted that there are no fewer than 10 categories of AOCs in the global aviation industry.

Some of the AOCs include: Aerial surveying, aerial spotting, agricultural

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Bello said: “Earlier this year in May, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the licenses of 183 institutions comprising microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks and we quickly advertised that the depositors of those institutions should come forward to get them verified so that we can pay them the insured amount.

“In terms of the insured amount paid today, we have paid more than N1.7 billion to more than 42,000 customers and we are calling on customers who had no BVN attached to their accounts in those microfinance banks to come forward and reach out to us at our offices across the six geopolitical zones so that they can get themselves verified so

operations, aerial photography, aerial advertising, firefighting, air ambulance or aeromedical, alight training, charter, public transport and non-commercial.

In the case of Flints Aero Services Ltd, the airline was issued the noncommercial certificate, which indicates that it cannot airlift passengers for hire and reward.

The report added that the airline went ahead to operate a chartered operation, which meant that it charged the minister and his team some amount of money to airlift them from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja to Ibadan Airport.

A statement by the Head, of Public Affairs, NSIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, stated that a preliminary investigation by the bureau showed that the permit issued to the airline stipulated that the aircraft would not be used for carriage of passenger(s), cargo or mail for hire or reward, but regretted that the airline violated the permit.

Oketunbi said: “The flight departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (DNAA), Abuja for Ibadan Airport (DNIB), Oyo State, as a charter flight on an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan.

On board were 10 persons, including two cockpit crew and one cabin crew,

we can pay the insured amount,” he explained.

The NDIC boss added that the corporation has boosted depositor payouts, strengthened legal partnerships, and resolved longstanding bank closure cases through the recently introduced Single Customer View (SCV), judicial cooperation, and outof-court settlements.

He added: “We have reinvigorated our recovery efforts, which led to substantial recovery of debt owed to banks in liquidation and that is why we can declare liquidation dividends for those banks. If you recall sometime earlier in the year, we advertised that we wanted to pay liquidation dividends to depositors, creditors and some institutions that are in liquidation

with fuel endurance of three hours.

“Post-incident inspection of the aircraft confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, the landing gear and flaps. The passengers disembarked without any injury while the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) were recovered in good condition and recordings were intact after the occurrence.

“Flints Aero Services Limited was issued with a Permit for NonCommercial Flight (PNCF). The PNCF issued to Flint Aero Services Limited stipulates that the aircraft shall not be used for carriage of passenger(s), cargo or mail for hire or reward,” the report explained.

The report also revealed that the flight crew were licensed and qualified to conduct the flight and the captain had 49-night flying hours only.

It also said that the aircraft touched down in the grass verge on the extended centerline of the runway, about 220 metres from the threshold and veered progressively right of centreline runway 22 on entering the paved area until a point 156 meters from the runway threshold.

The aircraft, the report said, crossed the right runway shoulder and entered the grass verge.

It added that there was no evidence of braking action from the tyre tracks on the runway.

Safety recommendations issued

by NSIB advised the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to ensure that it strictly observed the airport operational hours as published in the relevant Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and not permit extensions beyond the airport limitations.

It also recommended to the NCAA to ensure that Flints Aero Services Limited operated within the limits of the approval given to it, in accordance with Section 18.2.4.3 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015.

It also recommended that Flints Aero Services Limited should ensure that its flight crew had sufficient experience in night-time flight operations while urging the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure that the overgrown grass verge on either side of runway 04/22 was immediately cleared.

Adelabu and nine others, including two cockpit crew and one cabin crew, were on November 3, 2023, at about 10 pm, involved in an air crash at Ibadan Airport.

the banking system. We have invigorated our liquidation activities, and greatly increased debt recovery rate, leading to the declaration of 100 per cent liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of over 20 deposit money banks in liquidation as well as payments to other stakeholders such as creditors, ex-staff and shareholders. We have also improved our system, process and procedures to promote transparency and accountability in our operations, amongst other humble achievements,” he added.

EFCC Chair Seeks Legislation against Unexplained Wealth Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Kingdom, Australia, Mauritius and African countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean have come up with UWO. Nigeria is yet to come up with a national legislation on it,” he said.

The EFCC boss, who spoke through the Abuja Zonal Commander and Assistant Commander of the EFCC, (ACE1), Adebayo Adeniyi, emphasised that treasury looters would have little cover if the issue of unexplained wealth was tackled more seriously across the world.

“In Nigeria today, unexplained wealth has become practical means of tracing, identifying, investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.

As an anti-graft agency, suspects of any economic and financial crimes are usually required to declare their assets in the course of investigation.

"The basis for this is to properly establish their true asset base and their linkage or otherwise to any act of corruption", he said.

He noted that owing to the absence of a legislation on the issue of unexplained wealth, the EFCC continued to rely on provisions of Section 7 of its Establishment Act to handle it.

Olukoyede also used the occasion to throw more light on the commission’s experience regarding assets recovery, saying the concerns about unexplained wealth bordered on asset tracing, investigation and recovery.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 17, 2023

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BUSINESS

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

As Multinationals’ Withdrawal Shifts Nigeria’s Economic Landscape 7KLV LV FHUWDLQO\ QRW D JRRG WLPH IRU WKH QDWLRQ·V PDQXIDFWXULQJ VHFWRU DV D FRPELQDWLRQ RI H[FKDQJH UDWH YRODWLOLW\ DQG WKH DWWHQGDQW KLJK FRVW RI SURGXFWLRQ SRRU LQIUDVWUXFWXUH DQG IDOOLQJ SXUFKDVLQJ SRZHU DUH IUXVWUDWLQJ PXOWLQDWLRQDOV RXW RI 1LJHULD +RZ WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW LQWHQGV WR UHVSRQG WR WKH FULVLV LQ D ZD\ WKDW HQFRXUDJHV ORFDO RSHUDWRUV ZLOO PDNH D GLͿHUHQFH ZULWHV Festus Akanbi

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orthesuccessiveadministrations’ inaction in the nation’s manufacturing sector, the chickens have ÀQDOO\ FRPH KRPH WR URRVW DV WKH OLVW RI PXOWLQDWLRQDOV H[LWLQJ WKH HFRQRP\ NHHSV H[SDQGLQJ The manufacturing sector in 1LJHULD WRGD\ IDFHV VLJQLÀFDQW FKDOOHQJHV PDUNHG E\ WKH GHSDUWXUH RI VHYHUDO PXOWLQDWLRQDO FRUSRUDWLRQV LQ UHFHQW \HDUV 7KLV GHSDUWXUH KDV KDG SURIRXQG LPSOLFDWLRQV RQ WKH HFRQRP\ FDXVLQJ D UHGXFWLRQ LQ IRUHLJQ GLUHFW LQYHVWPHQW MRE ORVVHV DQG D GHFOLQH LQ WKH VHFWRU·V RYHUDOO SURGXFWLYLW\ ,QGXVWU\ DͿDLUV DQDO\VWV VDLG WKH DEVHQFH RI WKHVH PXOWLQDWLRQDO FRPSDQLHV KDV FUHDWHG D YRLG LQ WHFKQRORJLFDO H[SHUWLVH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHYHORSPHQW DQG VXSSO\ FKDLQ QHWZRUNV KLQGHULQJ WKH VHFWRU·V JURZWK SRWHQWLDO 5HFHQWO\ 3URFWHU *DPEOH ZLWK D SRUWIROLR YDOXHG DW ELOOLRQ DQQRXQFHG LWV H[LW SODQV 2WKHU PXOWLQDWLRQDO ÀUPV WKDW KDYH DOVR OHIW 1LJHULD LQ LQFOXGH 8QLOHYHU KRPH FDUH DQG VNLQ FOHDQVLQJ GLYLVLRQ *OD[R6PLWK.OLQH 6DQRÀ DQG %ROW )RRGV 1RWKLQJ EHVW GHVFULEHV WKH FXUUHQW SDWKHWLF situation in the nation’s manufacturing sector than WKH VWHHS SHUIRUPDQFH RI VRPH RI WKH RSHUDWRUV LQ UHFHQW WLPHV )RU LQVWDQFH &DGEXU\ 3OF UHFRUGHG SUH WD[ ORVVHV RI 1 ELOOLRQ GXULQJ WKH QLQH PRQWKV D SHU FHQW GHFOLQH IURP WKH ÀJXUH UHFRUGHG LQ WKH FRUUHVSRQGLQJ TXDUWHU LQ 2Q LWV SDUW 'DQJRWH 6XJDU 5HÀQHU\ SRVWHG D QHW ORVV RI 1 PLOOLRQ FRPSDUHG WR D QHW LQFRPH RI 1 PLOOLRQ D \HDU DJR 1LJHULDQ %UHZHU\ 3OF·V RSHUDWLQJ SURÀW GHFOLQHG E\ SHU FHQW IURP 1 ELOOLRQ LQ WR 1 ELOOLRQ LQ WKH FXUUHQW SHULRG ZKLOH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO %UHZHULHV· 1HW ORVV ZDV 1 PLOOLRQ FRPSDUHG WR 1 PLOOLRQ D \HDU DJR $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH &KLHI 2SHUDWLQJ 2΀FHU RI WKH &HQWUH IRU WKH 3URPRWLRQ RI 3ULYDWH (QWHUSULVH &33( 0XGD <XVXI ´7KH LPSDFW RI WKH PDUNHW RQ WKH FRPSDQ\·V RYHUDOO QHW ZRUWK LV GXH WR WZR NH\ IDFWRUV ² LQWHQVLÀHG FRPSHWLWLRQ ZLWKLQ WKH LQGXVWU\ DQG D GHFOLQLQJ FRQVXPHU SXUFKDVLQJ SRZHU µ +H DGGHG WKDW WKH UHFHQW GHYDOXDWLRQ RI WKH QDLUD SRVHV VLJQLÀFDQW FKDOOHQJHV IRU DQ\ EXVLQHVV ZLWK VXEVWDQWLDO IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH H[SRVXUH KLJKOLJKWLQJ WKH FXUUHQW UHDOLW\ RI WKH 1LJHULDQ

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 17, 2023

Tunde Irukera gets recognition for innovation and selflessness, writes TUNDE OLUSUNLE

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

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e was painstakingly unearthed and hoisted to the upper rungs of WKH QDWLRQ·V SXEOLF RIÀFH in 2017. He was not one of the usual suspects, those ever-grovelling political careerists routinely recirculated and recycled in the scheme, with the advent of each and every political dispensation. Ours, sadly, is a country which perennially undermines its goldmine of human resources, always ever retreading spent hustlers and worming jobbers. The sole legacies bequeathed on the spheres of superintendence of such political climbers, consist mainly of triumphalist self-aggrandisement, plus the gaping potholes they leave behind as mementos in the balance sheets of their places of primary assignment. He was his unobtrusive, unassuming self, an easygoing, consummate technocrat, a career attorney. He was content in his chambers both in Nigeria and the United States, where he meticulously prepared his briefs ahead of his court appearances on behalf of his clients. True and through, he was breath of clean air in a governance atmospheric choked by gross putrefaction.

He was assigned a leadership responsibility in a government establishment which was once consigned to the backroom of state administration, both in the geographical and operational senses.

The organisation once shared tenancy with motley neighbours in a riotous public complex in the bedlam of Wuse market, in the heart of Abuja, seat of federal governance. The establishment moved to a more respectable accommodation in Wuse 2, Abuja, away from the stomp and shove, the hustle and bustle of its earlier address.

Under his watch, the organisation relocated, ÀUVW WR D WHPSRUDU\ VWRS LQ WKH XSVFDOH Maitama district. It has since moved over to close proximity with the State House, Aso Villa, within an earshot of the “Three Arms Zone,” where the executive, legislative and judicial tripod of statecraft, triangulate. Such has been the narrative of the ascendancy of KLV RUJDQLVDWLRQ ZLWKLQ KLV ÀYH \HDU UHJLPH thus far, and its growing impact in the national governance scheme.

Babatunde Ayokunle Irukera was appointed director-general of what then was the “Consumer Protection Council,” (CPC), in 2017. He has since reworked the organisation into a more focused, farsighted, more contemporaneous Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC), a holistic overhaul which continues to elicit delight from staffers and the public alike. Irukera has redesigned the new body to promote market competition, protect consumers from mischievous service providers and to take the front row in seeking justice for trespass on consumer rights. The holistic makeover of the terms of reference, (TOR), of the organisation necessitated the recast RI KLV RIÀFH WR WKDW RI WKH ´H[HFXWLYH YLFH chairman” of the commission, (EVC).

Ever since, the FCCPC has never shied away from taking the battle for fair treatment, justice and consumer satisfaction, to defaulters.

The FCCPC continues to partner with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, (MDAs), to ensure that consumers get value for their money. In collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, (NAFDAC) for instance, Irukera’s FCCPC in 2018, sealed off the popular Lagos-based confectionery brand, “Krispy Kreme 'RXJKQXWV µ 7KH RXWÀW ZDV GLVFRYHUHG to have altered the expiry dates of its GRXJKQXW PL[ DQG ÀOOLQJV 7KH )&&3& felt that such disingenuous practice was calculated to cheat on consumers and

impair their health. The FCCPC has also come hard on the South African terrestrial television service, “Multichoice Nigeria Ltd,” for arbitrary increases in the costs of their services.

The FCCPC under Irukera has also battled banks for illegal deductions from the accounts of their customers and engaged with electricity distribution companies for poor services to their otherwise hapless customers. The typically gentlemanly Irukera indeed had cause on one occasion to describe the services of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, (PHEDC), as “oppressive and outrageous.”

He has demonstrated uncommon daringness in the discharge of his mandate, irrespective of potential risks to his person, and misrepresentations of his altruism by sections of the Nigerian public. The FCCPC under him has evolved into an exemplar of global best practices in the administration of a public institution.

Despite his previously established reticence and preference to work away from the klieglights, acclamation was bound to come for him and his organisation, sooner or later, someday. On Monday December 11, 2023, *Leadership* newspapers one of 1LJHULD·V ÀQHVW WDEORLGV QDPHG WKH )&&3& “Government Agency of the Year.” The organisation was so selected “for promoting fairness, regulatory stability and consumer protection within the marketplace.”

Institutions do not operate in a void. They are steered by helmsmen who guide their focus and growth respectively. In bestowing this award on the FCCPC therefore, Irukera will rightly and deservedly step on the dais to receive the medal. *Leadership* notes in its announcement of the award, that Irukera since his appointment in 2017, has pursued “a transformative journey reshaping and rebranding the CPC, into a proactive and consumer-centric FCCPC.” According to *Leadership,* “Irukera’s oversight of the Commission’s transformation and operationalisation beginning from January 30, 2019,” has been a game-changer.

Following the enactment of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act, Irukera has demonstrated “unwavering dedication to fostering a dynamic and responsive regulatory environment,” according to *Leadership.* The FCCPC under Irukera’s visionary guidance “has recorded numerous milestones across diverse sectors including KHDOWKFDUH GLJLWDO ÀQDQFH DQG HOHFWULFLW\ µ according to the organisation which is honouring the FCCPC and Irukera.

Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author is a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA)

October 7 is deeply rooted in history, argues ABDULLAH M. ABU SHAWESH

ON THE OCTOBER 7 QUESTION: DO YOU CONDEMN?

S

ince October 7th, several inquiries were carefully drafted by numerous western media sources and used, as an introduction for any interview on their screens with the aim of steering and directing conscience of the listeners and viewers. In this article, I am going to address one of these questions.

After a lengthy description of what happened in the morning of October 7th, based for sure, on the Israeli fabricated and exaggerated hollowed narrative, came the same repetitive, typical and starter question, do you condemn?

For sure, we all watched on the screens KRZ WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQ ÀJKWHUV LQYDGHG WKH borders and no doubt, we all know that many Israeli soldiers died on that morning, we also saw many Israeli civilians escorted to Gaza and became prisoners. This should not be discussable, otherwise we will engage in the deaf dialogue.

Once the anchors started by this question with its lengthy introductory description, it means you are already cornered and trapped, since it is evident, they look for one out of two answers YES or No. I personally believe it is absolutely unfair, because by saying YES or No, you already participate in isolating this exact day from its historical context, and in cutting the umbilical cord from its historical womb.

In politics, particularly these types of events and for the sake of revealing the truth and XQFRYHULQJ WKH IXOO SLFWXUH ZH QHHG D VXIÀFLHQW space for dialogue and discussions, otherwise, we will be forced to adopt and align; without any free choice, with the position of one side.

If we all agree that the wars and manmade catastrophes should be tackled with their roots and historical background this will lead to talking more about the current open show of genocide.

October 7th has already happened, and out of what we saw on the social media and WKH QXPEHUV DQG VWDWLVWLFDO ÀJXUHV WKDW KDYH been issued, there are still many things to be uncovered and many secrets need to be revealed, so that we all know the complete and exact truth. It’s possible that this won’t occur very soon and that it will remain a secret for many years to come. We are all aware that military secrets are not allowed to be revealed to the public since they require extensive ornamentation, strategic planning, and artistic touches to be altered prior to publication.

October 7th is deeply rooted in history, as 106 years ago, the UK sow the seeds for the pain, unjust, oppression and persecution of the Palestinian suffering today by issuing the ominous and notorious Balfour Declaration on November 2nd, 1917. At that time, the UK even didn’t have any existence or footprint on our historical land, Palestine. In this declaration, they gifted our land to the foreigners, European Jews to build their own state over this land, with a complete neglect and disregard to the indigenous people, and their fundamental political rights.

Not only that, the declaration considered us as minority people with civil rights only.

October 7th can’t be isolated from Al-Nakba (the catastrophe), the ethnic cleansing we have been subjected to in 1948, after tens of massacres committed against our people by the Jewish Terrorist Zionist Gangs, such as Lehi, Irgun and

Haganah.

The memory of Deir Yasin, King David hotel and Al Tantura, besides many others, is still alive and unforgettable, these massacres led the majority of the Palestinians to become refugees in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, West Bank and Gaza. In 1948, the foreigners with the full support from many Western countries succeeded to expel the Palestinian people and built their State on 78% of our historical land, and the Palestinian political question that had been on the UN table has now shifted and become a pure humanitarian question, and talks are all focused on the amounts of aid needed to serve the internally displaced Palestinian people.

October 7th also can’t be discussed without connecting it to June 6th, 1967, when Israel succeeded to occupy the remaining 22% of the historical land of Palestine. Since that time, it has been 56 years of oppression, unjust, Jewish supremacy, killing, arbitrary arrests, torching, ill-treatments to the endless list of the occupation menu and recipe that the Palestinians have been subjected to.

October 7th tied with umbilical cord in its womb, the history and lengthy complicity of many Western countries, political leaders and decision makers. October 7th is the heavy price we all pay for the fanatic, maniacs and messianic dreamers, who have been ruling Israel since many years ago.

Also, it’s the natural result of the intensive DQG QRQVWRS ,VUDHOL RIÀFLDO LQFLWHPHQW against the Palestinian people.

October 7th is a natural reaction to everything mentioned above as well as to the millions of details we can never forget.

It is impossible to fairly treat this particular day unless every one of you puts himself EULHÁ\ LQ WKH VKRHV RI WKH 3DOHVWLQLDQ SHRSOH imagine yourselves living, only one hour, under the constant atrocities and perpetual unjust situation.

October 7th clearly shows the wide rift on the global discourse and blind support that the occupation is still receiving from many corrupt political leaders. In contrast, it also VKRZV WKH ZLGH DQG JUHDW LQÁXHQFH WR WKH non-classical media sources that reshaped the global conscience and put the wheels on the right rail again. The biased media outlets did not monopolize the air and wash the global brains, all have another neutral and decent sources of information and will not be blind again, this is a crucial point.

October 7th also exposed many western countries political leaders and media outlets who were not shy in supporting openly the onslaught of our people, which shows that millions of decent people, from all the faiths and different beliefs, stand strong for their real values. This juncture throws DZD\ WKH ÀJ OHDI DQG GLVSOD\V WKH VKDPH of the hypocrisies, lips service providers, democracy and human rights theorizers, when in the real and needed practical level they became totally naked and proved to be big liars and hypocrites.

H.E. Shawesh is Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria

45

T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 17, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE 2024 BUDGET…1 The National Assembly should ensure a thorough examination of the budget

3

resenting the 2024 Appropriation Bill before Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun stated that D MRLQW VHVVLRQ RI WKH 1DWLRQDO $VVHPEO\ WZR the 2024 Budget was prepared against the backdrop ZHHNV DJR 3UHVLGHQW %ROD 7LQXEX VRXQGHG of challenging global and domestic economic XSEHDW 7KH EXGJHW KH SURPLVHG ´ZLOO JR environment. Some of the challenging domestic further than ever before in cementing macroconcerns he highlighted are public debt sustainability, HFRQRPLF VWDELOLW\ UHGXFLQJ WKH GHÀFLW DQ HOHYDWHG LQÁDWLRQ WRXJK EXVLQHVV HQYLURQPHQW LQFUHDVLQJ FDSLWDO VSHQGLQJ DQG DOORFDWLRQ WR UHÁHFW WKH EXIIHWHG E\ DFXWH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHÀFLW IRUH[ FULVLV DQ HLJKW SULRULW\ DUHDV RI WKLV DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ µ %\ WKH WLPH embarrassing depreciation of the local currency as well WKH GHWDLOV ZHUH RXW QRW PDQ\ 1LJHULDQV FDQ VKDUH KLV as insecurity, among others. There is nothing in the RSWLPLVP +RZ D JRYHUQPHQW WKDW SODQV WR VSHQG projections to suggest that the Tinubu administration SHU FHQW RI WRWDO DJJUHJDWH H[SHQGLWXUH RQ GHEW VHUYLFH took these concerns into account before coming up with and most of the rest on what appears to be frivolities spending priorities. is going to renew the hopes of millions of traumatised We note with concern the Service-wide Vote, which DQG SDXSHULVHG 1LJHULDQV LV \HW WR EH VHHQ was established as a contingency fund to address 7R EHJLQ ZLWK PDQ\ DQDO\VWV KDYH H[SUHVVHG FRQFHUQ unforeseen circumstances and events. It has increased DERXW WKH LQWHJULW\ RI WKH ÀJXUHV LQ WKH EXGJHW H[SRQHQWLDOO\ LQ UHFHQW \HDUV IURP 1 ELOOLRQ estimates. BudgIT, a leading per cent of the budget) in civic-tech organisation WR 1 WULOOLRQ A comprehensive review that prioritises broad-based economic promoting transparency, per cent of the budget) accountability, and in 2024. Over the years, growth, reduces inequality, addresses poverty, tackles insecurity, effective service delivery Service-wide votes have bridges Nigeria’s infrastructure gap, and invests in human capital LQ 1LJHULD KDV FLWHG DQ created loopholes for sleaze unacceptable difference. and corrupt tendencies. development should be uppermost in the minds of every ´7KH SURSRVHG EXGJHW·V Budget implementation WRWDO VXP LV 1 WULOOLRQ reports often contain no selfless public servant at a time like this indicating a discrepancy of information on how Service 1 WULOOLRQ FRPSDUHG WR WKH 1 WULOOLRQ DJJUHJDWH wide votes are utilised. In the 2024 budget proposals, the budget presented. We suspect that the difference above Service-wide vote envelope Appropriation bill contains S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN FRPSULVHV WKH DJJUHJDWH EXGJHWV RI WKH *RYHUQPHQW 1 ELOOLRQ IRU ´VSHFLDO SURMHFWVµ ZLWK WKH SURMHFW DEPUTY EDITORS FESTUS AKANBI, EJIOFOR ALIKE 2ZQHG (QWHUSULVHV µ DFFRUGLQJ WR %XGJ,7 FRGH ´(5*34 µ 0LQGHUV RI WKH EXGJHW QHHG WR MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO The organisation also alluded to duplications in H[SODLQ ZKDW WKLV ´(5*34 µ VWDQGV IRU VLQFH WKH DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU some allocations. While the federal government made (FRQRPLF 5HFRYHU\ DQG *URZWK 3ODQ D PHGLXP WHUP CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI SURYLVLRQV IRU D FXPXODWLYH VXP RI 1 ELOOLRQ 1 economic strategy under the Buhari administration ran EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN ELOOLRQ HDFK WKURXJK WKH VXSSOHPHQWDU\ EXGJHW EHWZHHQ DQG THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE IRU WKH UHQRYDWLRQ RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW·V RIÀFLDO TXDUWHUV 2YHUDOO WKH 1DWLRQDO $VVHPEO\ VKRXOG UHFRJQLVH LQ $VR 5RFN 9LOOD DQG 'RGDQ %DUUDFNV DQ DGGLWLRQDO the pivotal role of a budget as a government policy 1 PLOOLRQ KDV EHHQ UH DOORFDWHG WR WKH UHQRYDWLRQ LQVWUXPHQW DQG FRQGXFW D WKRURXJK H[DPLQDWLRQ T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D RI WKH SUHVLGHQW·V TXDUWHUV LQ $VR 5RFN 9LOOD ZLWK 1 As many have argued, a comprehensive review that EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA ELOOLRQ HDUPDUNHG IRU WKH UHQRYDWLRQ RI WKH SUHVLGHQW·V prioritises broad-based economic growth, reduces GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, TXDUWHUV LQ 'RGDQ %DUUDFNV $OVR WKH 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW·V inequality, addresses poverty, tackles insecurity, bridges ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI quarters in Lagos and Abuja, which got a cumulative 1LJHULD·V LQIUDVWUXFWXUH JDS DQG LQYHVWV LQ KXPDQ DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE VXP RI 1 ELOOLRQ LQ WKH VXSSOHPHQWDU\ EXGJHW capital development should be uppermost in the DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI IRU UHQRYDWLRQ HTXDOO\ JRW DOORFDWLRQV RI 1 ELOOLRQ PLQGV RI HYHU\ VHOÁHVV SXEOLF VHUYDQW DW D WLPH OLNH WKLV SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH DQG 1 PLOOLRQ HDFK LQ WKH EXGJHW %HVLGHV It is therefore our hope that these frivolous items will ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI WKHUH LV DQRWKHU YRWH RI 1 ELOOLRQ WR ´GLJLWLVHµ WKRVH QRW HVFDSH WKH VFUXWLQ\ RI WKH 1DWLRQDO $VVHPEO\ WKH CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI TXDUWHUV FXULRXVO\ GRPLFLOHG LQ WKH RIÀFH RI WKH &KLHI arm of government which statutorily has the power of DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO of Staff. the purse. To enhance its moral authority in discharging TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com :KLOH SUHVHQWLQJ KLJKOLJKWV RI WKH 1 WULOOLRQ WKLV RQHURXV UHVSRQVLELOLW\ WKH 1DWLRQDO $VVHPEO\ DOVR SURSRVDOV WKH 0LQLVWHU RI )LQDQFH DQG &RRUGLQDWLQJ needs to be transparent about its own vote.

Letters to the Editor

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

LETTERS

AKEREDOLU: CLINGING TO LIFE AND POWER In what was a modern-day power tussle like QR RWKHU 5RWLPL $NHUHGROX WKH DLOLQJ 2QGR 6WDWH *RYHUQRU FOXQJ RQ WR OLIH DQG SRZHU E\ the skin of his teeth for so long in his state while his deputy, Lucky Aiyedetiwa waited in his place, ready to pounce. Behind both men were FDPSV DZDVK ZLWK H[SHFWDWLRQ HDFK GHVSHUDWH to consolidate power. $NHUHGROX PD\ QRZ EH EDFN LQ *HUPDQ\ for further treatment, but the intrigues at home continue with rabid ferocity.

It bespeaks the many hiccups inherent in 1LJHULD·V GHPRFUDF\ DQG FRQVWLWXWLRQ WKDW WKHUH DUH DOZD\V ORRSKROHV WR EH H[SORLWHG E\ WKRVH who are all they are because of the law, but would readily thumb their nose at its operation when it is convenient to them.

Like grass trampled by a tangle of two elephants, it is the good people of Ondo State that are at the receiving end of what is at once a constitutional and moral crisis.

The Ondo State House of Assembly, far from

being independent has also finagled a fine film of the farce which threatens to deface the sunshine state. $NHUHGROX D 6HQLRU $GYRFDWH RI 1LJHULD DQG IRUPHU 1LJHULD %DU $VVRFLDWLRQ &KDLUPDQ ² D very vocal one at that, has been ailing. Months VSHQW LQ *HUPDQ\ EURXJKW RQO\ OLWWOH UHVSLWH 8SRQ KLV UHWXUQ WR WKH FRXQWU\ ZKHQ KLV *HUPDQ convalescence became unsustainable as a result of the convulsive convolutions of power in his state, he relocated to Ibadan where he continued to receive treatment.

The ambitions of his deputy, Aiyedetiwa were fr so long unclear as he was wedged between the rock of loyalty to his boss and the hard place of loyalty to the constitution and the good people of the state.

Aiyedetiwa was not helped by the vicious whispering campaigns of political jobbers and professional politicians within the state that are bent on sowing discord.

But the question that begged for an answer

in the interest of Ondo people who watched governance ground to a halt in the state was whether the man they elected for the second WLPH LQ ZDV VWLOO ILW WR JRYHUQ WKHP ,I KH ZDVQ·W EHFDXVH LOOQHVV VR IDPLOLDU ZLWK human nature, had taken its toll on him, there were unmistakable calls for him to step aside.

It was not about making enemies of those calling for this or casting them as power desperadoes, it was about the rule of law and the iron finality which it must always apply to situations when man-made confusion seeks to becloud the certainty of the law.

Akeredolu, often so vocal on matters of national importance, left the country for further medical treatment after transmitting power to Aiyedetiwa but not before showing that he WRR ZDV LQIHFWHG ZLWK WKDW SHFXOLDUO\ 1LJHULDQ disease of saying one thing and doing another.

The saga which threatened to becloud the sunshine state begged the question of the commitment of those who occupy public office

DW DQ\ OHYHO LQ 1LJHULD :KR DUH WKH\ UHDOO\ sworn to serve? Themselves or their pockets?

Their states or their families?

If the law is clear, then it should be especially clear to those who occupy positions of authority in the country. When the law is clear, there should be no hiding place for those whose stockin-trade is obfuscation and confusion.

In a country where transparency and accountability are alien to the corridors of SRZHU 1LJHULDQ SROLWLFLDQV KDYH SHUIHFWHG WKH art of playing which card, and when. Why did D *RYHUQRU ZKR ZDV FOHDUO\ DLOLQJ DQG XQDEOH to perform his duties as governor hold on to the reins of power so stubbornly in a country where LW LV NQRZQ WR H[KDXVW HYHQ WKH VWURQJ" The Ondo shambles also showed just how much state legislatures have lost their relevance.

1LJHULD·V EHJJDU DQG EHQHIDFWRUV· EUDQG RI SROLWLFV PDNHV LW VXFK WKDW 1LJHULDQ JRYHUQRUV usually have state legislators in their pockets.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

46

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 17, 2023

GLITZTRIBUTE

The Day of the Missing Bride: 25 Years After On December 19, 1998, THISDAY Editorial Board Chairman, Olusegun Adeniyi was among 20 grooms facing the congregation at the Living Faith Church, otherwise known as Winners Chapel, in Ipaja, Lagos. But he was the only groom without a bride. Two days to the 25th anniversary of that dramatic wedding ceremony, he shares this slightly amended recollection, first published five years ago. Veteran journalist and former Editorial Board Chairman of the rested Concord Newspapers, Segun Babatope, who played a critical role in events leading to the wedding and chaired the reception completes the riveting narrative…

Olusegun and Oluwatosin Adeniyi after church service

Best man, Louis Odion, and the couple at the traditional wedding

A

s each of the 19 couples exchanged rings and were pronounced husband and wife to thunderous applause from the congregation, I was in a state of utter confusion.

Numerous times during the service, including while the sermon was preached, I had rushed out of the church, only to be forcefully brought back by my Best Man and former Edo State Commissioner for Information, Louis Odion. The late Chief Mrs Elizabeth Funmilayo Adebayo also deployed her training as holder of a master’s degree in Guidance and Counselling as well as her instincts as a mother. But her assurances that my bride would come fell on deaf ears.

Alone in my own world, amid the more than a thousand people in Church, I pondered several questions. If Tosin changed her mind, why did she have to wait till our wedding day to disgrace me?

For a moment, I thought of the possibility that something might have happened to her or to somebody in her house. I used that to console myself that perhaps it was a situation beyond her control. But then, I also surmised, whatever it was, why didn’t someone send a message rather than make a fool of me in front of a huge church congregation?

Meanwhile, there was no way of contacting Tosin or anyone in their family to ascertain what was going on. This was the pre-GSM era when telephones were beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.

At some point, my cousin, Wale Banmore, hopped into a vehicle to go in search of my wife-to-be. Wale did not return. My friend, Ola Awoniyi, who came from Abuja (where he was Bureau Chief of Tribune Newspapers at the time) found himself playing the role of a ‘motivational speaker’. When it appeared as if I was bent on leaving the church premises, Louis moved from being my best man to a bouncer.

To be sure, the authority of Louis’

The Adeniyis and their children, Toluwani, Oluwakorede and Ifeoluwa

position was not only due to being my close friend but also because the two of us had planned the entire wedding together, in the newsroom of Sunday Concord.

Even the way we obtained the money to buy the wedding suits, delivered only the previous night, is a Nollywood story on its own. I am sure Mr Tunji Bello (to whom I was deputy at the time) will chuckle at this because he facilitated the writing assignment from which we earned the money. And the honeymoon at Sam Health Resort had been facilitated by Concord Press through a barter arrangement.

In a way, the wedding was a newsroom community affair. From Messrs Yomi Idowu, Kayode Komolafe, Waheed Odusile to Sam Omatseye, (then in faraway America), everyone had designated Tosin as my wife right from the

first moment they met her. But it was on 1st January 1998 that the plot was taken to an incredible level. I arrived at the office that day to be informed that the Concord Editorial Board Chairman, Mr Segun Babatope wanted to see me. On getting to his office, Babatope said, “Segun, I did something crazy today. I am just coming from Tosin’s house where I went to meet her dad. I said he should allow his daughter to marry you, my son.”

I was stunned. While Babatope brought me to journalism and had always treated me with much affection, I did not send him on the mission he undertook. Yes, I recall that a week before, he was in my office where he met Tosin and asked, “When are you two getting married?” I replied that Tosin’s father did not even know I existed. He turned to Tosin and

said, “Give me your house address. I am coming to meet your dad to tell him you should get ready to marry Segun.”

I laughed. Although Tosin gave him the address, I considered it a joke at the time because I never imagined anybody would do such a thing.

But that was exactly what he did on a new year day! When I asked Babatope how Tosin’s father reacted to his request, he replied: “Of course, he was dazed and dumbfounded. After a while, he said he and his daughter are very close, and she had not told him she wanted to marry anybody.” At this point, Babatope shook his head and then added: “It was when I left the man that I also realised the gravity of what I did; especially since today is January 1, the first day of the year!”

Well, as it turned out, following that

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 17, 2023

47

GLITZTRIBUTE

The Day of the Missing Bride: 25 Years After visit by Babatope, Tosin’s father sent for me and the process for our wedding ensued. But on 19th December 1998, as the church service was going on without my bride or a representative from her family, everything came back to me.

Perhaps it was all a joke. To compound my problem, I could not see any member of the Good Shepherds Pasture (GSP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Alagomeji where I was a worker. As I would later learn, they were all trapped in one of the worst traffic jams ever experienced in the Lekki axis of Lagos. My wedding coincided with the weekend of the first Holy Ghost Congress of the RCCG tagged ‘Lekki 98’!

I must state of course that my friends, Oti

and Ireno Yonwuren, who were also at ‘Lekki 98’, still managed to show up that day. I will never forget that.

But back to the wedding. Louis eventually succeeded in dragging me back inside the church where I resigned myself to fate. With the service over, the presiding cleric was about to pronounce the final blessing when the entire church stood up with applause. The noise roused me to consciousness as I saw Tosin running inside the church to join me at the altar. The standing ovation did not end until the pastor turned to Tosin and said what I will also never forget: “You are almost late.

But you are not late.”

Even though it was a mass wedding, the drama of the late appearance of my bride had turned us into a star attraction.

The Missing Details…

By Segun Babatope

My dear Segun, l read your wedding story with nostalgic interest. Your power of recall and nose for details is unassailable.

Congrats for the journey thus far, with added felicitations for the glorious future ahead of you and Tosin. I am assured that you will continue to steer the path of the Lord so that He might fulfil His Superior and elevated desires for the two of you.

However, much as you tried to wholesomely recall the build-up to your conjugal union with Tosin, there yet remains a missing gap which must not be glossed over. And I am not talking about the food that came late at the reception (after many guests had left) or the fact that, following the apprehension by Tosin about missing the church marriage proper, I performed my pastoral duty by joining the two of you shortly before the reception ceremony which I also chaired. I can understand your leaving out those details.

I am even more persuaded and emboldened to contribute to this discourse because you brought it to the public domain and because as you pointed out l

played more than a cursory and peripheral role in your unfolding journey through life. You surely couldn’t have sent me to Tosin’s dad as that would have amounted to an affront on your part and a blissful demonstration of self-management which clearly flies-in-the-face of our cherished Christian convictions.

Unknown to you, and as l also discovered after the visitation, l was simply under divine compulsion to so do. Mr Salami (Tosin’s dad now of blessed memory) who later became my friend by proxy, was simply austere in receiving me. He didn’t offer me a seat throughout my stay and took his time before responding to my somewhat ‘egregious’ request. He was not hostile though. I got away with the impression of an absolute family head, whom no one dared look into his face. I graciously did and it paid off.

Segun, you forgot the fact that it took nine whole months before Tosin’s dad opened a discussion with you two. What happened thereafter, culminating in your marriage four racy months after, was simply a dramatization of a script written from above.

I vividly remember that early in September that year, 1998, l had met Tosin and l asked

After the service, people milled around to congratulate us. Of course, many were also curious to know why the bride had come late. It was a period of acute fuel scarcity in the country when vehicles queued for days for what was not available. But on that day, about three fuel stations on the LASU-Ipaja expressway had fuel and the uncontrolled queues of desperate motorists it generated created a serious traffic jam along the way.

Tosin was caught in the gridlock.

Although I felt relieved that the fear of being abandoned on my wedding day was misplaced, I was also worried about what had just transpired. Was this an ominous sign? I had never been superstitious, but I continued to ask myself whether a marriage contracted under such dramatic

circumstances would last. So, 25 years after that drama, on a day such as this, I can affirm that Tosin and I have had an amazing journey with the additional blessing of three wonderful children: Toluwani, Ifeoluwa and Oluwakorede aka Kody!

As I stated when my wife clocked 40 in April 2014, the virtues that other people saw in her have been a blessing for me. In good and bad times, Tosin and I have together taken leaps of faith. In most instances, I simply coast along, ever trusting in her love, wisdom, and strength of character.

And on a day like this, as I reflect on how the journey began 25 years ago, I cannot but thank God for Tosin and all the good people He has sent our way.

if her dad had responded to the request l made to him nine months earlier. To my utter surprise, she said no. I then told her that l would repeat the visit to drive home my point.

Tosin stoutly advised against it for a salutary consideration that has remained permanently etched in my memory ever since.

According to her, the nine-month waiting period had proven a learning curve in her understanding of the sacred tenets of the holy estate of matrimony as detailed by God. Until that period, she had held a rather secular and perfunctory notion of a marital union like most of our women hold, in which both husband and wife are no more than play mates in a relationship that is conveniently misinterpreted as social and cultural, than the sacred and mystic union that the Almighty designed it to be. To her, it had taken nine months for God to steer her away from such pernicious notion. Hearing such uncommon words from the peculiar lips of a young lady who was barely 24 years old at that time, was rather stunning and a massive surprise. Her unusual comments quite naturally elicited an emotional reaction from me.

Mercifully, she did not notice.

The summary of my addendum is simply

this: Your path with Tosin and all that you recalled in your piece last week, is a deft orchestration of God to accomplish an eminent divine purpose in your life. Yours is neither an accident of history nor a random error as most mortals presume. It is a gradual buildup towards a defined objective by God. I do hope and pray that you will humbly allow Him. Thank God that He has blessed you immensely with wonderful children and material wherewithal. Yet, God’s sacred marital union is by far greater than the appurtenances of marriages as we mortal men understand.

You must therefore allow the hallowed spiritual resources that God is gradually and massively building up in you for the pursuit of His greater glory and the benefit of mankind.

Please learn from Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Take a lesson or two from Acquilla and Priscilla. You will be wiser for it. Every blessing, with fond regards to Tosin and the children. t #BCBUPQF XIP UVSOFE JO 4FQUFNCFS UIJT ZFBS JT B 1BTUPS PG UIF %FFQFS -JGF #JCMF $IVSDI BOE DP BVUIPS PG A,VNVZJ %FGFOEFS PG UIF 'BJUI

Ex-DSS Boss, Ekpenyong Ita Promotes Quality Education for Indigent Students, Seeks Assistance

T

he Teacher Essien Ita Itam Foundation Board of Trustee has approved scholarship awards for 50 beneficiaries in the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State.

The foundation was established in 2014 by Mrs. Temitope Ekpenyong Ita, the late wife of the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Ekpenyong Essien Ita, in memory of his late father to help indigent students, especially the girl child, get access to free and quality education. Mrs. Ita was a strong advocate of access to education by every child, especially the girl-child.

A statement released by the Board of the foundation, dated December 5, 2023 and signed by Mr. Ita himself, listed the areas the award would cover to include, tuition, book allowance, WAEC/NECO examinations fees, and boarding fees.

This is as the Board of Trustees of the trust fund has appealed to the DSS for financial assistance to enable the foundation meet its 2023/2024 target of providing computer sets, and scholarships to indigent students from Cross River South Senatorial District.

The Foundation in a letter dated September 27, 2023 signed by its Chairman and former DSS boss, Ita, said the assistance would go a long way in helping the foundation attain its objectives.

In the letter addressed to the Director of Operations of DSS, he said access to basic education by every child has since gone beyond the reach of a large number of Nigerian children.

He noted that the main aim of the foundation is to give scholarships to indigent students from Cross River South Senatorial District. So far about 500 have benefited from the scheme; that is 50 students every year.

According to Ita, recently the Foundation donated 15 computer sets to Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School, Calabar established in July 1898.

The school reciprocated and named a “House”, after my late wife Temitope Ita House on 24th November 2021.

“Accordingly, the activities for 2023/2024 by the Foundation have commenced. We intend to donate more computer sets to Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School with a view to gradually upgrading the school to a Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Centre. This is in addition to awarding 50 scholarships to students of tertiary Institutions from Cross River South Senatorial District.

“Consequently, children so deprived are unable to make informed choices about life, provide opportunities, create money or stimulate the economy and a healthier life. The ever widening gap between the “haves and the have nots” in educational opportunities in the Cross River South Senatorial District is what the Trust Fund is determined to bridge. I believe that children are the heart of every society and education wil enable them as good citizens to take on life challenges confidently and also contribute to building peaceful, secured and sustainable

communities,” the statement reads.

The training and retraining of teachers in the state was also highlighted indicating the foundation’s willingness to assist in training of some teachers in the state.

“I am aware that teachers are pivotal and the fulcrum on which all educational activities revolve. They are indispensable in shaping the minds, attitude and skills of the coming generation. Conversely teachers also need the skills, knowledge and support that will enable them meet the diverse learning needs of the next generation. In order to achieve the aim of education for all, more teachers need to be recruited and trained or replaced as they leave the profession.

“Accordingly, because of the shortage of teachers in some schools in the Senatorial District, the Trust Fund has employed eight (8) temporary teachers for Government Secondary School, Creek Town and Government Technical College, Efut Ibonda. The Trust Fund has also provided fifteen (15) computers to Edgerley Memorial Girls’ Secondary School, Calabar.

“The foundation therefore urges the state government to look into the issue of lack of teachers in educational institutions.

Attention should be paid to rehabilitation of learning institutions and basic school facilities must be put in place. There must be monitoring and evaluation of the system in addition to improved allocations to the education sector.

Mr. Ita called on the beneficiaries to properly utilise the opportunity as there will be termly assessment of their performances.

Ita

Among the benefiting schools includes, Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, St. Patrick’s College, Calabar, West African People Institute, Calabar, Edgerly Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Government Technical College, Efut Ibonda, Odukpani LGA, Government Secondary School, Creek Town, Government Secondary School, Adiabo, Duke Town Secondary School, Calabar, amongst others.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

17.12.2023

Keji Giwa A Legend of Holiday Experience Keji Giwa is a self-proclaimed nonconformist and entrepreneur, whose childhood defiance has led him to founding successful ventures. Rooted in data-driven strategies, his latest venture, Giwa Gardens, set to open this yuletide season, promises not just a water park but an affordable escapade for every Nigerian. In an encounter with him, Vanessa Obioha captures his tale of resilience, innovation, and relentless pursuit of creating a haven for all.

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

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 17, 2023

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COVER

We wanted Giwa Gardens to be an Unforgettable Experience

Giwa

O

ne only has to look at Keji Giwa’s Instagram post to get a glimpse of his personality. He calls himself a stubborn goat, a disruptor, a rebel, and any other word that fits into his non-conformist persona. This stubborn trait originated from childhood as he recalls on a rainy Sunday in Ikoyi. As the first child and only son of his parents, he always found himself doing things differently, fetching him the reproof ‘stubborn goat.’

However, Giwa’s stubbornness is far from mere defiance; it embodies conviction.

“I’ve come to the realisation it’s not stubbornness,” he asserts. “Although the word has stuck, it is having a conviction and believing in that conviction so much that the external noise does not affect the decision, goal or ambition.”

This conviction unfolds through a series of ingenious projects he has embarked on. From his GrantMyWish app, a mobile gifting app for friends,

which competed alongside big tech companies like Microsoft in the 2012 eConsultancy Customer Innovation Awards in the U.K., to his tech incubator, Digital Bananas Technology (DBT), founded in 2012. What about his Career Insights, a digital product management platform he created in 2014 that has helped thousands of people in the U.K. grow their careers?

His streak of ingenuity continues in Nigeria with his real estate ventures Shortlet Homes and Digital Landlords.

Now, Giwa sets his sights on revolutionising Nigeria’s tourism and recreation sector with Giwa Gardens, a water park set to open in Lagos this December.

As we sit across from each other, Giwa, donned in a senator outfit, exudes the restlessness of a creative mind.

“I’m absolutely restless,” he admits.

“I have lived in denial for quite a long time. Until you start to look within and realise that actually, it is very true what people who know you very well say about you.”

Giwa hails from a humble

background. His father is the late M.A.T. Giwa, foremost for formulation of the dairy product, Three Crowns Milk. Giwa was born in the UK and is a graduate of computer science from Kingston University, U.K. and a professional member of the British Computer Society.

His projects, rooted in data and digitization, reflect a common thread – leveraging data for business growth. The NigerianBritish serial entrepreneur explains it this way.

“The biggest driver for business growth is data. It is the lifeblood of every business. lf I have 100 customers who are happy to spend say N30,000, and I realise that the average order value per person is 40,000, and they are mostly from Lagos State, then that informs my marketing decision to target those from Lagos and target people with affordability rate of N40,000, thereby increasing more revenue for me. That is how data drives growth in business.”

This data formula, he points out, works in every sector as long as it is a business that requires data.

“My ability to operate in different sectors is based on data leveraging,” he further adds.

“Once you can count, it is data. You can gain a lot of insights to drive growth, to mitigate risk and to create a sustainable and profitable business. That applies to any industry.”

Giwa learnt a few lessons from his earliest ventures such as the GrantMyWish app which allowed people to collectively buy a gift for someone without breaking the bank. First, he realised that not all great ideas are good for business.

“It was a pretty innovative business where we learnt how to fail with a great idea. You can have a great idea, but how practical is it?”

Undeterred by the app’s failure, he learned to identify market gaps and create products focusing on sustainability and viability.

Giwa’s real estate ventures, Shortlet Homes and Digital Landlords, showcase this strategy’s success. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the hospitality sector, Giwa recognised the need for convenient short-lets and transformed the market.

“I decided to create the fivestar luxury experience you will have in a hotel and put that in a short-let. And here is the value.

Instead of taking one room in a hotel for N100,000 for a night, take a three-bedroom apartment for N85,000 and have all the amenities that you have in a hotel.

And that was how the short-let market boomed.”

Giwa adopts the same strategy for Giwa Gardens, recognizing Nigerians’ preference for adventure at international recreation centres like Disneyland and water parks in cities such as Dubai or Paris.

“Do we have any of that in Nigeria? We have a few but not to the international standard that we expect. What if we built a world-class waterpark in Nigeria, in Lagos that has a population of 22 million people, approximately.

Even if 10 per cent of those people come to the water park, that’s two million people a year. Even if the average order is N10,000 which is affordable to everyone, that is a heck of a lot of money. Is it value? Yes, because for them to go to that kind of a place outside of Nigeria as a family, they’ll be talking about nothing less than N6 million. And that’s even if they get a visa.

“So for a family of four coming

to Giwa Gardens, let’s say N25,000 each to access the water park, that’s N100,000. They drive to the place because it’s within proximity, and they enjoy themselves for the day. And even when we build the vacation rooms, they can stay for a week or more. This is affordable escapism which is so needed not just for the high net worth individuals in Nigeria but all Nigerians.”

Located in the Lekki-Epe axis, about five minutes from Lagos Business School, the water park and accommodation sit on approximately 14 acres of land.

Giwa Gardens offers a world of adventures. From the aggressive River Congo which takes one on an adrenalinefilled water ride to the wave pool that replicates the beach waves. There is also the Kids Waterhouse, the pirate ships which come with water guns; jacuzzi baths for premium customers; a lighthouse, slides, mechanical dinosaurs that have real-life effects, ice cream and candy factories, and so much more. The waterpark is a meticulous combination of arts, architecture and history.

“We wanted it to be an experience that is unforgettable,” he says. “It was initially supposed to be a lazy river with a resort but we thought people would easily get bored.”

Abiding by international safety standards set by the Worldwide Waterpark Association, Giwa Gardens prioritises health and safety, with CCTV cameras, qualified nurses and emergency bus on site, lifeguards, and a fire alarm system.

Beyond entertainment, Giwa Gardens fuels local development as prices of land in that area have soared, and employs locals. Giwa believes that the water park will also bring about international tourism as more Nigerians in the diaspora return home for one activity or the other, including business.

Like his other real estate ventures, Giwa has come up with a plan to make individuals make money from the project through the Resellers Programme.

“What we did was to offer people to buy tickets on time from us at a cheaper rate and resell them at their own price on our website when we finally open. So when a visitor visits our website to buy tickets, the resellers’ price looks more affordable than ours,” says Giwa.

Giwa Gardens in a way is a legacy to his late father M.A.T. Giwa. It was his father, he says, that helped him secure the land when he wanted to return to Nigeria. “I grew up fighting my dad from day one. I didn’t understand a lot of things he was trying to teach me back then because I thought he was extremely harsh on me but now I thank God.” Through a childhood activity of collecting nails during walks which he detested, his father taught him the importance of contributing positively to others’ well-being, a principle that has become an integral part of Giwa’s approach to business and life.

“We would place the nails in a box and he would ask me if I knew the significance of that activity. He told me that I had saved someone from having a nail accident. He was teaching me the essence of adding value in every day of my life. Add value, and look out for other people.

Today, in business, I can’t think of doing anything without adding value.

It is now ingrained in me.”

Giwa’s father died in 2019 on his way to the U.K. for Giwa’s DBT Awards which recognises and celebrates individuals who have done exceptionally well in their careers through his platform.

Describing his father as an exceptional man who valued family and prioritised education, Giwa reveals that his father has always wanted a place for family. Therefore, to preserve his legacy, a sculpture of his father backing his nephew is erected in Giwa Gardens. This he calls the Giwa Gardens Legacy.

“My father impacted many lives when he was alive and it is difficult to let his legacy go like that. The sculpture is very symbolic and represents the kind of man he was. Rarely do you see men back children in our culture, but my dad did, representing the kind of family values he had,” he says.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 17, 2023

50

HighLife

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

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

Nigeria Electricity in ‘Penkelemesi’ Under Adelabu’s Watch

Omisore

Iyiola Omisore Out of the Radar?

The seasons of life are ever-changing.

One season comes to throw a person into the waiting hands of zealous supporters, and another season comes to throw the same person into a corner. Senator Iyiola Omisore, former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has experienced both seasons and shows no interest in a redo.

Senator Omisore is one of the boldest and most outspoken members of the ruling APC. However, the past months have seen him hushed, hidden away, and inhibited. Analysts have reasoned his absence, concluding that it involves the manner of his exit from the top floor of his party, relegated to a corner as an ordinary card-carrying member.

Before Bola Tinubu became president, the political elite glimpsed the signs of his advent and prepared. Omisore was strategically placed as APC National Secretary, meaning that Tinubu’s ascension would pull him up as well. But the game was not played well and many people were blinded by one thing or another.

Ultimately, Omisore got an early retirement alongside his principal, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. Now that President Tinubu is the only light in the party’s sky, Omisore’s exit from the power circuit makes his loss more apparent.

Since his removal as APC National Secretary, Omisore went low-key. He hightailed from everything, including the parties he used to attend and the friends he used to entertain. The only mention of him in the news was the address he gave at a function for engineers. But he did not take up that path, disappointing those who envisioned him with a yellow construction helmet.

Human expectations are indeed burdens.

But competent leaders are made to bear these burdens, growing more brilliant with every passing moment. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, does not seem to share this view. Since taking over the power sector, only promises and ideas have originated from him, no execution.

Electricity generation remains a difficult area for the present administration of renewed hope. Under President Bola Tinubu, this agenda appears to have divorced itself from electricity supply, resulting in the continued jerking of the nation’s power grid and the relegation of the man in charge, Adelabu, to the bench of finger-pointing and blamethrowing.

Whether it is a matter of competence, only Adelabu’s appointer, President Tinubu, knows. What is apparent to all is that little has changed since the former deputy governor in charge of operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took over. With his seeming inaction, Adelabu is

Adeduntan Consoles Ex-Banker, Onasanya over His Mother’s Death

Onasanya

Life is a long string of moments and memories, some easily trapped and others forever lost. The CEO of First Bank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, has shown that friends and colleagues

Moment of Pride … As Ibrahim Indimi Becomes Director at Jaiz Bank achievements. With it, Indimi stands the

Indimi

True distinction is a rare combination of ability, diligence, and a peerless vision. For Ibrahim Indimi who is gradually reaching grand completion in true distinction, it is not surprising that top-tier organisations recognise his merits. Jaiz Bank is the latest along these lines, demonstrating the depth of wisdom possessed by the decision-makers at the bank.

Jaiz Bank has promoted Indimi to a nonexecutive Director after months possibly spent on the chair as a consultant personnel.

The promotion comes in response to Indimi’s matchless contributions to the bank’s

winning more people over to the other side, causing people to go from optimistic to pessimistic, all wondering over the ‘penkelemesi’ that Nigeria has gotten itself into.

It is not that Adelabu is not doing anything. Recently, he reported that Nigerians get a significant fraction of their electricity from petrol- and diesel-powered generators, reaching up to 40,000 megawatts (MW). He also reported that as of 2022, a little over 71 per cent of electricity comes from gas, 27 per cent from hydro, and the rest from solar and others.

With these reports, Adelabu has reminded Nigerians that he knows what office he is occupying and is doing crouching exercises with it so it can leap into the sky with elegance later. But things are dragging and businesses are losing revenue to generators and other alternatives for electricity generation.

Is this not the power sector in ‘penkelemesi’ under Adelabu’s watch? Is this not hope unravelling rather than renewing?

Adelabu

chance of becoming a principal figure in Nigeria’s banking sector, whereas Jaiz Bank is nearer to its goal of rising to the peak in Africa and beyond. Indimi’s merits are neither mediocre nor middling. Since arriving under the corporate limelight, the son of the Borno State industrialist, and founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources (OER), Mohammed Indimi, has shown promise of reaching the same height as his father.

Diligent and forthright, Indimi is a growing giant across different organisations.

These include OER over which he is a director, Farin Ciki Group over which he is the Chairman, OER Farms over which he is the Managing Director, and JaizBank which recently got him involved in its administrative and managerial executions.

Considering Indimi’s strong passion for and accumulation in the fields of corporate leadership and management, it is a wonder that Indimi has not climbed the peak of Nigeria’s suit-and-tie industry. Since 2003, especially, Indimi’s glow has only grown more brilliant, fast-tracked by his dedication to the growth of those around him. Unsurprisingly, he is as philanthropic as his father.

Given these conditions, Jaiz Bank has benefited greatly from this deal. In a few years, Nigerians will likely see the bank reaching new heights. Little wonder the Indimi family is proud of the latest director at the bank.

help trap memories by how he consoled his predecessor, the former First Bank MD, Bisi Onasanya over the loss of the latter’s mother.

Onasanya is the latest high-profile Nigerian to feel the sting of death against a loved one. The deceased, Mrs. Selimot Elizabeth Onasanya (Nee Folorunsho), passed on to glory on November 16, 2023, at the age of 88.

She might not have been known across Africa, but she left behind a son who has achieved that height and whose influence is stretching even further.

Well-wishers like Adeduntan reminded Onasanya of the impact that his late mother made during her lifetime. Joined by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and several others, Adeduntan brought the life of Onasanya’s departed mother into perspective, in the hopes of consoling him.

Such gestures are expected of friends and genuine colleagues looking

out for one another’s interests. Onasanya, despite no longer calling winds and rains in the seat of a banker, still wields enough influence in the world of banking to have earned the fellow feelings of Adeduntan and co. Moreover, their words strike a truth chord and demonstrate the investments of Mama Onasanya in the life of the banker-turned-real-estate giant.

After his time at First Bank, Onasanya turned to real estate and quickly started leaving prints with The Address Homes.

At this time, this agency has raked in popularity points and nearly reached the point of competing with old-timers in the realty sector. All of this comes from the contributions of people like his late mother.

As the departed Onasanya matriarch has been laid to rest (December 14, 2023), her son will continue to decorate her memory with remarkable feats, celebrating milestone after milestone while remembering the origins of his ambitions.

Who Will Save Wale Akinterinwa? As Lucky Aiyedatiwa Becomes Acting Governor of Ondo Nigeria’s political system is like a giant web of actors and interests. With change as a constant variable, these actors keep shifting positions, some losing and others gaining. The time has come for the deputy governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to gain. In contrast, his detractors have only one destination—the wormhole of political irrelevance and hardship.

Aiyedatiwa’s time to shine has come. Since becoming Ondo State’s acting governor, his status in the state favourably shifted, the same with his loyalists. As for those working against his interests, it is only natural that they will be greyed out, casualties of a ruthless game, ants without control of their fates, meant for trampling.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s reportedly failing health condition is the reason for these changes. Due to losing his support, even a former power wielder like the state Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Adewale Akinterinwa, has to tread carefully.

According to informed minds, Akinterinwa was one of the voices that poisoned the heart of Akeredolu against Aiyedatiwa. Believing them and thinking that Aiyedatiwa is against his interests, Akeredolu expressed disgust at his deputy and things took a horrible downturn for the latter. So horrible was this change that Aiyedatiwa was almost impeached.

Bearing these events in mind, what would be the fate of Akinterinwa, one of the alleged schemers behind Aiyedatiwa’s near downfall? Now that Akeredolu is away, will Aiyedatiwa allow Akinterinwa to rack up points in the power play, especially since the latter is believed to be Akeredolu’s appointed successor?

Nothing is sure yet, especially with Akeredolu’s influence still faintly present. But the vigour of this influence still depends on Aiyedatiwa. If he decides to take to heart the matters of Akinterinwa’s alleged plots against him, things would go bad for the finance commissioner.

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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 DECEMBER 17, 2023

HIGHLIFE

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Fulfils Her Political Dreams at 44

Akpoti-Uduaghan

The chambers of Nigeria’s Senate obtained a very strong pillar recently, one that is coloured with a tale of brilliance, persistence, and a

passion to see justice enthroned. This pillar, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is closer to perfect than any of her colleagues and her advantages are visibly preparing her for even better things.

And she is only 44-years-old.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s age is one of her biggest pluses among the members of the 10th National Assembly. Although she is not the youngest, few among these distinguished individuals show as much promise to be defining figures of politics, fairness, and compassion.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a proud Senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district, only recently celebrated her 44th birthday.

Surrounded by some of the most influential figures in Nigeria, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brilliance was not dimmed. Instead, it flashed brighter and brighter, demonstrating a potential to match and even surpass them in a matter of years.

For Akpoti-Uduaghan, it cannot be said that women are mild or weak. The stunning senator became well-known after contending against

governor-level forces to achieve her dream of representing her people and protecting their interests. Her toughest political rival to date, the outgoing governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, eventually melted in the face of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s persistence, losing to her influence in the Confluence State.

In Nigeria where political dreams lose their light after two or three failed attempts, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s determination turns even her most unreasonable observers into sighing admirers. Indeed, to throw her on the shelf of the stubborn would be doing the shelf a great injustice. After all, this aspect of her is responsible for half of her charm.

If motivational speakers were still successful in Nigeria, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s story would be worn out by them by now.

Nevertheless, the coming years will see her doing great things and redeeming the time lost in arriving in the Senate.

It Ends for Dilly Umenyiora and His Wife: After 15 Years of Marriage and Three Children Irreconcilable differences - one wonders who eyes, enjoying a relationship that was formerly first came up with the term. At this point, every separation between married couples mentions this term as if it is a dark judgment. And this is the case for billionaire businessman, Dilly Umenyiora. After 17 years of dating, 15 years of marriage, and three children, the Dilly Motors boss has announced the split from his fashion designer wife, Fifi.

According to the Dilly Motors founder, his marriage to Fifi has crashed on the rocks of irreconcilable differences. Not going into details about the divorce, Umenyiora emphasised that he will remain faithful to his obligations to Fifi and their children.

Umenyiora’s announcement was a shock to many. After all, he has been with Fifi in marital bliss for the last 15 years. While other power couples had controversies, Umenyiora and Fifi managed to hide away from prying

believed to be without cracks and fractures.

Fifi’s side of the story remains unknown, but she was constantly posting pictures of Umenyiora and praising him just weeks before his announcement. Some commentators believe that she was doing her best to hide the cracks from the public, but eventually failed since Umenyiora let the public in on it himself.

There are several rumours and conjectures regarding the cause of the split. Among these, one has grown prominent: Umenyiora found that Fifi is involved in extramarital affairs.

Therefore, being a natural individual who will not let another man’s waters flow into his well, Umenyiora decided to close off his heart from Fifi and go his way.

Nothing is confirmed as of now, except that the divorce arrangements are underway and the marriage is officially over.

Adenowo

Meet the New First Man at First Bank

The Umenyioras when the going was good.

Late Chief Adeola Odutola’s Big Shoes … Dr Sonny Kuku Set to Become Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland

Kuku

Records are made to be broken. This has become the shared thought among commentators regarding the highly coveted

chieftaincy position in Ijebu, the Ogbeni Oja. The reportedly appointed person for this position is Olor’ogun (Dr.) Sonny Kuku, and will be stepping into the shoes left behind by two legends, the late Chief Timothy Odutola and Chief Bayo Kuku.

The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland position is one of renown. It is the traditional seat for the leader of Commerce and Industry in Ijebu, a kingmaker’s seat. Since 2015, the seat has been vacant, causing many distinguished individuals to set their eyes on it. However, sources close to the Ijebu Council of Chiefs have revealed that Dr. Kuku has been designated as the best candidate for the position.

According to these sources, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona approved the selection of Olor’ogun Kuku over the other listed candidates, including the founder and CEO of Fototek, Chief Sulaiman Adegunwa,

Bella Disu, Her Father’s Daughter …

Charity Runs in Her Blood

Disu (middle) with some beneficiaries of Diary Farm High School, Lagos.

Fruits never fall too far from the tree. With the Adenuga family, this is truer than usual.

The apple of the eye of Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, his beloved daughter, Bella Disu, is going to the same extent as her father in her attempts to make an impact in the world. Given this dedication, it can be said that charity literally began in the home of the Adenugas.

Disu is Adenuga’s daughter and pride.

Since coming into the corporate limelight, she has done right by the expectations of her father.

Utilising her educational achievements as the launching pad for career milestones, Disu has come to be known as the carbon copy of her billionaire dad, one in whom the same seed of persistent philanthropy can be found.

This philanthropic aspect of Disu is the wave driving her popularity at the moment.

and the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Ayoola Otudeko. The selection of Olor’ogun Kuku over the others was reportedly based on merits, experience, and wisdom. In these areas, Kuku is virtually unmatched.

Kuku’s new position is a big deal to all the natives of Ijebuland. It essentially turns him into a person who can call winds and rains, able to speak into the ears of the king, and gently influence his decisions.

Moreover, Kuku is going to be 80 years old by January 2024. This means that the Ogbeni Oja mantle is coming at just the right time. Even though the date for Kuku’s installation has not been announced, observers are almost certain that it will not take long.

With Kuku’s ascension to the Ogbeni Oja position, it is a new era of progressive commerce and industry for the Ijebu people.

The outpost for her philanthropic gestures, the Bella Disu Foundation (BDF), has been drawing underprivileged Nigerians in and assisting them to build meaningful lives. Each of the actions of this foundation is deliberate and intends to grant these Nigerians relief and respite from everyday hardship.

Disu’s BDF is unrelenting in its humanitarian efforts. The most recent example of these efforts is Disu’s donations of needed resources to Dairy Farm High School, Lagos. These resources include educational materials, school uniforms, an ICT Lab, and many other things.

Additionally, Disu met the students herself, encouraging and inspiring them, and enlarging their hearts to conceive the endless possibilities in the future.

Disu’s humanitarian efforts through BDF are just as expected. Having inherited his business genius, it would be odd if Disu did not also come into her father’s compassionate labours to help other people.

What is amazing about all this is not that Disu would leave her dreams to follow the dreams of her father. Rather, it is that Disu can accommodate the latter within her heart, recognising the value and relevance of generosity and altruism.

One can never get tired of celebrating greatness and genuine excellence. It is on account of such qualities that average men and women have gone on to be legends. Olukorede Adenowo, a banking professional of international repute, is moving nearer and nearer to this status. With his new position as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank UK, the certainty of Adenowo becoming a toptier figure in multinational banking is not up for debate.

First Bank has always been that institution which appears to look down on taking shortcuts to the top and instead prefers traditional stepby-step growth. Their UK branch favours the same philosophy. This is proved by how this branch only hands over power to the most reliable and committed persons, with Adenowo’s name at the top of the list.

Adenowo’s position as the MD/CEO of First Bank UK is unshakeable. Despite only getting to sit on this chair in November, stakeholders are confident that his contributions will be no less than those of legendary figures at the bank. But this is expected, considering Adenowo’s professional profile and the path he walked to this level of corporate prominence.

Before Adenowo started showing his magical hands at First Bank UK, he was a giant at Standard Chartered Bank. Having started with them as far back as 1999, Adenowo held several key positions across West Africa until he arrived at the peak as the bank’s CEO. Adenowo’s career has been dazzling, built on the accumulations of his education and experience.

Recognising his potential to turnaround institutions with decent effort, Adenowo has laboured to develop himself into the pillar of corporate leadership that he is today.

The clock is ticking and the stakeholders have their eyes fixed on him. Should Adenowo manage their expectations and interests correctly, more pies will be delivered to his lap, as is the case with the First Bank UK position.

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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 DECEMBER 17, 2023

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

AIGBOJE AIG-IMOUKHUEDE: LIKE A PRAYER

Aig-Imoukhuede

The write up was innocuous. It seeped into public consciousness like a thief in the night but slowly and very gradually gained its attention.

The write up threw up the candidacy of my brother Aigboje and before you knew it, corporate Nigeria had gone gaga. I started receiving calls and text messages from all and sundry seeking clarification and confirmation.

Aigboje, if you ever go into politics kindly consider me as a media aide.

My own is not that type of them Lai Mohammed or this tall Ajuri who was leading our President in Dubai, my own na confirm professionalism.

“Wait, I have not heard or received any such news, let me circle back.”

This was my refrain to the many people who were asking.

The reason behind their curiosity was because of my public support for our brother Asue Ighodalo and the fact that

with the same background, your candidacy would do our candidacy one kind o.

So, my people, I reached out to the man. You know I am pursuing him for support for my new play, so he no dey read my chats quickly, while he dey consider how much he will give me. I asked him pointedly, “Mr. Aigboje this thing I am hearing, is it true?” Answer no come for hours and I went about my business and then he replied. He sends me a picture of a goat with the caption – Christmas goat for sale for N5,000 with small spiritual problem…

Now, I don’t know how to interpret that one now; you know these my ogas used to have big sense. That was how when I first asked Asue he said, “Edgar, I am over 60, I no fit start that kind life now.”

The rest as they say na history. So,

Oshiomhole

Akpabio

Wike

Akeredolu

ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE IS FINALLY BECOMING A STATESMAN I think finally, this baba has begun to respect himself. I have seen two clips of him in the Senate taking officials of our executive arm to the cleaners. The prison people who are feeding dogs better than the Nigerians in their custody and the madam who wanted to spend N1 billion on a trip to Geneva. Yes, this is how a statesman should behave rather than all those things we have been seeing in the last few years.

We have seen Oshiomhole use his own hands to rubbish whatever legacy he had built for himself as a labour activist. He had with his foray into politics and the dogmatic approach to it, rubbed off himself of the immortality them Pa Imoudu and Frank Kokori won for themselves.

He carried a paint of tar and poured it on himself, making him look like a caricature of himself and a strong candidate for a depressing graffiti on the walls of our national disgrace.

But fate seems to be smiling down at him with this his turn at the Senate.

He seems to be back into his natural terrain, which is in opposition and fighting the ills of the system. His questions are pointed, well researched and his boldness coming from years

of fighting the system puts him in a position where he can ask just any question.

My big daddy, I sincerely hope that this time around, you will come to the realisation that your true constituency are the downtrodden people of Nigeria and not those your friends that you have been wining and dining with and who have caused you so much reputational damage. Legacy and history should be your watchword.

God has given you a final chance in this life, come back to the people my big brother. Thanks.

adulterous. As the stadium filled with a rented crowd, he roared in after alighting from a taxpayers funded private jet and drove in a taxpayers funded motorcade into a taxpayer’s built stadium to disrespect us and make mockery of our nationhood.

Emperor Nero was famous for partying when Rome was on fire.

The unseriousness with which “obong awo” has brought to the Senate presidency is unprecedented, I swear. I have looked back at all of his predecessors from Joe Wayas, through Okadigbo down to Saraki, we have not been regaled with such gimmickry and vacuous outlook.

I personally cannot even wait for it to be over so that the Senate can begin to function as a true arm of government. What we are seeing here is just something else, like a badly produced Nollywood TV series. It just drags. May God help us.

between Mr. Wike and his former protégé the sitting Governor? Are you guys watching? The imbecility of it all?

The arrogance of a man who really has nothing to show but a parasitic leech on the government purse which now enables him to prance about like King Nebuchadnezzar.

I stood with Tonye Cole, the calm oil industry executive. We all saw the stuff the elections were made of and we all saw the beneficiary of that thing.

Today, that beneficiary is under fire from the forces that helped him, all because access to public resources is beginning to look restricted.

Today, let me state very clearly that I stand with Mr. Sim Fubara and my reason is very simple. No matter how he came about the position, no matter the fact that he is a protégé of this Manchurian emperor, we cannot erase the fact that as at today o, he is the sitting governor with strong constitutional backing and as such one man cannot on his own now decide to shake him or attempt to unseat him just because he can?

All Rivers people should forget their differences and stand very firmly behind their Governor, Mr. Sim Fubara because this is not his fight. This is an ongoing attack on your essence,

GODSWILL AKPABIO: EMPEROR NERO OF IKOT EKPENE Not too sure if he is exactly from that village but I know that he is from the famous Anang tribe of Akwa Ibom State and Ikot Ekpene is their main area of domicile.

Over the last weekend, Akwa Ibomites and indeed Nigerians were regaled with the insensitivity of a 61-year birthday celebration which celebrated nothing really. A 61st birthday party that threw up very clearly the lack of tact of this particular leader especially in the face of the people’s grim economic prospects. The amount of cash reportedly raised and spent was

SIM FUBARA: ON YOUR MANDATE WE SHALL STAND Did you guys see the very convenient demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, the decamping of 25 Assembly people from PDP to APC, the ongoing shenanigans

this Aigboje goat picture now, na something I really cannot decipher.

But all I would say is that this situation is confusing to me and a lot of observers. The cry for very serious people with vision, passion and integrity is beginning to be heard and this is why people like Asue, Olu, the beautiful Lorreta are jumping into the race. But this has now thrown up the issue of choice because they all come with the same virtues, pedigree, outlook and drive which makes choice very difficult for the voters.

Well, what we can all do at this point, is to welcome the development, at least if for nothing else, it would strengthen the political process, strengthen the institutions and most likely begin to push us towards credible elections. Abi is it Asue that will pay thug? Or na Aigboje that will go and do juju or na Olu Akpata will snatch the ballot box? Na wa.

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an attack on your institutions and a daring attempt to continue to enslave you and make you all eunuchs who will now be trampled by a Putin wannabe with terrible dance steps.

NYESOM WIKE: A KIND WORD OF ADVICE Mr. Wike, let me talk to you directly this morning. As I watched you attempt a Michael Jackson turn with the croaky voice and unsure footsteps, I began to wonder why you left your highlife band in Port Harcourt. You should have brought them with you so that as you continue with your hurricane, they will keep singing that your favourite tune, pepper dem.

Mr. Wike, Nigeria cannot bend for you. We are 200 million people and we cannot bend for you. Let me even tell you, we cannot bend for a military dictator, talk less of you, a civilian politician who fights with mouth and the rest.

Nigeria has known no peace since Atiku made the fatal mistake of bypassing you and going for the quiet gentleman as his running mate.

In pained retaliation, you went for your party’s jugular. You tore into the party like a jealous lover who just walked in on his wife under his gateman. You formed the G-5 or whatever you called it and hiding under some nationalistic tendency threw the party under the bus.

In reward, you were given your present position of which you have been going at it with the steam of an Idi Amin rather than that of an appointee minister.

See my brother, if anybody is afraid of you, me the Duke of Shomolu cannot be afraid of you, after all I fine pass you, and as such must tell you the honest to God truth. You are a problem in this country today. You are a problem to your government, a problem to Rivers State and a problem to Nigerians.

You need to calm down, you need to reorientate yourself and begin to work within the tenets of democracy.

You must understand that consensus building and negotiations for the greater good of the people are the firm bedrock with which we will achieve stability and national cohesion.

Can you kindly back out? Can you kindly just let Sim be? Let him even attempt to rule after all, we all didn’t even know who he was until you brought him and forced everybody to accept him. He has not even taken his bath yet, not even understood the rudiments of governance, talk less of settling down and see what is happening now. At this rate, even if you put your steward as Governor this is how we will still end up.

My brother minister, I really beg you to calm down. This is not how true statesmanship is built. Please go and read the works of Chief Awolowo and even if Awo is far from you, go study your President Tinubu, whose ability to build consensus is legendary.

There is a method to this thing and not all this “gra gra” that we are seeing everywhere. Thank you, my brother, please let’s grow this country, leave Sim alone.

ROTIMI AKEREDOLU: YOUR HEALTH MATTERS Finally, His Excellency has been reported to have handed over power and has travelled to concentrate on his health. The irony of this sad episode is that he was in the forefront of the fight against Musa Yar’Adua when that one too was ruling from his hospital bed.

Today, the governor, struck with what has been reported to be leukaemia, was also ruling by proxy against all common sense.

BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU: A FIRM REPRIMAND You know quiet people, when they react it is something else.

Mr. Governor conjures an image of a friendly type, a happy go lucky “someborri,” who will make sure that everybody around him is relaxed. The few times I have met him, he always sha used to just make you feel ok, pushing aside the stiff armour of office and breaking protocol to reach out to the people in smiles and in laughter.

I remember the other day when he came to see my play, ‘Awo.’ As he alighted from his car, he walked straight to the humble woman selling toast bread to ask how much was the toast bread which made the woman jump for joy. As far as she was concerned, she had made heaven.

Luckily, I had a picture of that encounter taken and sent to the woman as a cherished momento.

Anyways, that was how during the last town hall meeting of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund at the Eko Hotel, one lady pushed Mr. Governor’s buttons. She had stood up to ask a question on the Mohbad matter and in the process made some very unsettling comments about the authorities handling of the case. Her positions were so spurious that the hall started heckling her and she in turn refused to hand over the microphone while continuing in her tirade.

At the end, Mr. Governor walked up and collected the mic and spoke very firmly and in muted consternation at her. I sat so close to him that I could see in his eyes a deep pain. He said: “Some of us don’t sleep

Sanwo-Olu

till 5a.m., we have blood in our veins…” He went on to explain to her all the steps being taken by his government and the police to get to the bottom of the matter… “as we speak, I am very much aware that some people are still in detention.

The world class forensic lab we built was burnt down during EndSARS and we have had to move stuff abroad…”

By this time, the lady who was on my table had shrunk into her seat. I wanted to pull the governor’s agbada to tell him not to spoil my show na, - me that I had wanted to toast the woman after the event and governor had hailed me when he entered so this thing he was doing was spoiling my show ooo.

After it all ended, with some massive initiatives being announced – 300 new vehicles and huge donations from wellmeaning people like my brother Gabriel Ogbechie and myselfyes na me sef I pledge o, I went to the lady to pet her.

Madam, please don’t mind Mr. Governor, he likes to pose too much. I don’t know him before o, I don’t even know why he greeted me, mbok just ignore abeg, na so he dey do. Can you please give me your numbers so that I can call you and sing for you well…. The lady just looked me in my eye, hissed and walked away.

You see why I will not vote for this Sanwo if he ever tries for a 3rd term? You see this kind problem now. Why did he greet me na? Kai, and the lady come resemble a younger Onyeka Onwenu. My loss.

As usual, Nigerians broke into two.

Those in support and those against. A lot of wahala ensued. What with court cases, President Tinubu’s intervention and media war, including accusations of forgery, it finally seems that common sense has come home to roost and the deputy governor who survived an impeachment attempt has rightly taken over power.

My prayer is a safe return of Mr. Governor as he struggles for his life even as I hope that the very insipid struggle to hold on to power would not have damaged his health beyond repair.

Lessons, my people, lessons in all of this.

Kai. THE HIGHLY REVERED OBONG OF CALABAR STOOL Last week, I wrote on the traditional stool in the ancient Calabar town. I also came down very heavily on the Cross River State Government, accusing them of bias and in the process had used very irresponsible words. Words like weakling and usurper were used very freely in the article and this as expected didn’t sit well with some authorities.

They made known their displeasure in some very strong terms and I in turn felt that I should make some clarifications.

Let me apologise very profusely for the wrong choice of words even as I state very categorically that they were not meant to disparage or insult anybody, talk less of the current occupant of the exalted position of the Obong of Calabar.

But that said, let me say something.

Upon the receipt of the complaint, I dug further and came up with two sides.

One side said that the Supreme Court judgment on the tussle for the stool was in their favour and as such they legitimately sit on the throne. The other side said no, that the Supreme Court judgment kicked them out and as such, there is no legitimate occupier of the highly respected stool, hence the use of the term usurper in my first write up of which I have apologised.

Now a third position is saying that the Supreme Court judgment was vague and as such each side was claiming victory, so to ensure peace, the state government decided that status quo be maintained. This was a third way out of the imbroglio.

Na the confusion I go carry my big head enter o. Shebi I did not see easy Afang and fufu to sit in my Uyo and eat, I now carry my head to Calabar to enter trouble that no concern me. Is it not a curse that I am looking for like this?

One side is saying, Edgar must retract and very robustly because he cannot say this about the Oba of Benin or the Ooni of Ife, is it because our Obong is peaceloving – for which I thank him because me I don’t have power for stress. The other side is saying Edgar stand and fight, shebi it is court they will take you to and we will stand by you.

My brother, the last time I heard that phrase stand and fight and we go support you, na when EFCC carry me and till today the man wey say stand only send N50,000 to Duchess and promptly switched off his phone.

One interesting thing in all of this before I end my treatise is the fact that I have learnt that the Attorney General and Commissioner of the state whose main job is to interpret the judgment is the biological son of the other side who is saying- I no go gree. Interesting.

In conclusion, it is not to pour excreta on the floor and when I react you will come and threaten me with all sorts. The ancient throne of the Obong of Calabar has its set of traditions and ethos for succession that has guided it since when Mary Slessor first came to eat in the place. If the processes are respectfully followed, we would not be having this situation. Once the right thing is done, there would be no Edgar hurling words that would lead to a need for retraction. Thank you.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

When Tony Elumelu Shone Brilliantly Unarguably, Tony Elumelu is one of the most dynamic business magnates the continent of Africa has been blessed with. The renowned financial wizard is also blessed with a lot of global acclaim where he rubs shoulders with other world-class business moguls.

At every important international forum, you are most likely to find the banking guru promoting worthy causes that affect Africa and entrepreneurship.

As the world keeps expressing concern about how to confront the dire consequences of climate change, Elumelu is one of Africa’s leading advocates for an equitable agenda for global climate action. His recent actions speak louder.

As global luminaries gathered at the ongoing annual COP28 UN Climate Change Summit in Dubai, UAE, headed by Sultan alJaber, the CEO of one of the world’s largest oil companies as COP28 president - to rub minds on how to divert climate change catastrophe,

Elumelu

Gbenga Daniel Rekindles Hope of the Hopeless

Ogunsan

Ajoke Ogunsan Still in Celebratory Mood Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. (Mrs) Ajoke Ogunsan, is a shining example of grace and modesty. Her impeccable fashion sense showcases her belief that modesty can be both fashionable and classy, making her a role model for many.

But her talents don’t end there. This illustrious mother and wife is not only a leader in the boardroom, but also a talented minstrel, hymnodist, and songstress. With over three decades of stage experience, Ogunsan has captivated audiences with her soulstirring gospel hymns and worship songs during live concerts and worship sessions.

The esteemed CEO, Executive Group, beyond being a virtuous wife to the renowned philanthropist and public figure, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, a prominent member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and Chairman of the Executive Group, is also a remarkable woman in her own right. She has, without doubt, made a name for herself in the world of administration and leadership.

She stands tall as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating that excellence in leadership, philanthropy, and personal growth can all be accomplished with grace and unwavering dedication. Her contributions to her community and the world at large are undoubtedly commendable, and her continued endeavours undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.

Thursday, December 6, 2023, the brilliant boardroom guru celebrated her birthday amidst waves of celebration and well wishes from friends and family. Supported by her loving husband and three beautiful daughters, the day was filled with joy and unforgettable memories for this stylish and unique mother and wife.

Her exceptional leadership skills are evident in her management of the Executive Group, which comprises Executive Trainers Ltd; Executive Education Consulting Ltd, Executive Motors Ltd and Executive Voyage and Logistics Ltd. Her hands-on approach, combined with her unwavering dedication to service continues to propel the organisation to new heights.

With a degree in Biochemistry from Lagos State University (LASU), Ogunsan is a strong advocate for personal growth and development.

Throughout her life, she has immersed herself in the principles of Business Administration and Leadership, constantly seeking to expand her knowledge and skill set.

Elumelu, through his Foundation, in partnership with the UBA, hosted a high-level session, bringing together Africans, and key players in the Gulf, Europe, and Americas, where UBA operates.

At another series of events across COP28, Elumelu, as usual, shone brilliantly when he delivered a single message to world leaders: “Africa needs to be heard, Africa’s future is the world’s future and the continent that is most impacted by and the least contributor to climate change needs our attention.”

Also, Elumelu offered the infrastructure and experience of his own Foundation’s 10year $100 million entrepreneurship programme to partners to catalyse a further generation of African entrepreneurs As gathered, the super dandy was a cynosure of all eyes as many foreign dignitaries took turns to have discussions and seek business and financial advice from the 60-year-old banking magnate.

Daniel

That Otunba Gbenga Daniel has redefined leadership is simply stating the obvious. The senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District has once again changed the perception of the electorate towards the electives.

He has proved that after all, hope is not lost.

He has not only rekindled their hopes but also turned their dreams into reality.

The senator with a huge milk of kindness has brought a positive impact into the lives of the people of Ogun East.

Since his election into the senate, he has showcased great empathy towards his people, while also proving to them that he actually knows exactly where the shoes pinch. The former Ogun State governor has poured oils on the wounds to soothe their pains.

Society Watch gathered that he has given them good representation the way they haven’t experienced in the past. “just as if he was born with it,’’ a source confirmed.

Many would recall that immediately after he was sworn in at the National Assembly, he instructed the Ogun State government to stop his pension and gratuity, to avoid taking double

remunerations. This has never been done by anyone before. Many at the Senate have since followed in his footsteps.

It was gathered that last July, the trained engineer introduced the Interest-Free Loan Scheme for petty traders and artisans in the constituency, where all market men and women benefited from the life-changing scheme. This empowered and uplifted them, providing them with the financial support needed to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

This is among several others of his vision to create a thriving and prosperous Ogun East, where individuals are given the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the overall development of the district.

Little wonder the question on the lips of the people of his constituency is, “Imagine if there was no Otunba Gbenga Daniel’’

Oil Titan, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, Breaking Barriers In the fast-paced and competitive world of the oil and gas industry, one name stands out as a shining example of visionary leadership and unyielding determination – Jubril Adewale Tinubu. As the billionaire businessman and honcho of Oando Group, Tinubu’s achievements in the past year have been nothing short of extraordinary.

His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to pushing boundaries has solidified his position as a true leader and innovator.

Tinubu has left an indelible legacy of resilience and brilliance. Surpassing financial milestones and breaking through barriers, he has redefined industry standards and set new benchmarks for success. His unwavering commitment has not only propelled Oando Group to new heights of prosperity but also ignited a spark of inspiration among aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

Within the African business realm, Tinubu has proven himself to be far from ordinary. His strategic moves and audacious deals have set him apart from other business

magnates. As evidence of his formidable status in the oil and gas sector, he recently stunned the industry by acquiring the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), garnering applause from both Oando shareholders and industry stakeholders. This bold move further solidifies his position at the forefront of Nigeria’s oil industry.

Tinubu entered the year on a high note, being awarded the prestigious Private Sector Businessman of the Year. This accolade not only recognised his enviable position as one of Nigeria’s most venerable dealmakers but also celebrated his unwavering dedication to his craft. He is equally ending the year on a very good note as he has once again demonstrated his prowess as a strategic thinker and negotiator, he struck an $800 million loan deal with Afreximbank to facilitate the acquisition of Agip Oil Company. This milestone was signed at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Cairo, Egypt, further showcasing his influence on a global scale.

As the year comes to a close, the anticipation surrounding Tinubu’s next

Tinubu

moves continues to grow. With an illustrious track record and a penchant for groundbreaking initiatives, his fans and admirers eagerly await what the future holds for this visionary leader. One thing is certain, Tinubu’s unwavering determination and knack for visionary thinking will keep him at the forefront of the oil and gas industry, leaving an undeniable impact wherever he ventures and continue to inspire and leave an indelible mark on the business world, solidifying his place as a true industry titan.

Oba Richard Faforiji’s Date with History

Oba Faforiji

Following the passing of Oba Adedewe Olanrewaju Atayero in 2010, the kingmakers consulted far and wide in search of the most suitable prince to step into the big shoes vacated by the late monarch. After three years and a series

of consultations, the kingmakers unanimously picked Prince Richard Faforiji as the next king of Amuye Faforiji kingdom in Osun State.

This, as gathered, went down well with all, given that he literally oozes class and social eminence, which all come with the kingship of the ancient town. His choice was well received and applause, in fact, it was a jubilation galore in the town.

A source, who was privy to the rigorous selection process, disclosed to Society Watch that Faforiji was tipped for the kingship based on his influence and connections that go beyond the town as well as his almost unmatched generosity.

However, there was a snag as subsequent administrations in the state refused to confirm his appointment as the monarch of the town.

But unknown to many, he recognizes the fact that only God is the unseen hand behind his success story; and he submits absolutely to His will. As revealed, one of his oft-recited prayers in the Bible is Psalms 65 verse 11 which says: “You

crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.’’

On several nights, he had kept vigil in deep communion with his Creator, prayed, and fasted, asking Him to grant and fulfil his heart’s desire. Mercifully, his prayers were granted penultimate week when he ascended the throne of his forefathers as the state he governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi handed the staff of office, in response to the yearning of the people.

The former lecturer turned businessman obtained a B.Sc degree in Economics, Master of Philosophy with distinction, and PhD in Public Finance all from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He joined the services of OAU Ife as a graduate assistant in the Department of Economics. After 11 years of service, he retired voluntarily and ventured into business where he has excelled.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

A performance as a part of Helen Nzete's installation, "The Announcement".

17. 12. 2023

A display of the creative expressions of the Foreign Affairs Ministry's policy retreat's attendees

The Magic of Art in a ‘Homecoming’ Through an art exhibition, held concurrently with a display of Nigerian gastronomical delights in its headquarters in Abuja, the Foreign Affairs Ministry proclaims the current administration’s foreign policy doctrine. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

S

urely, there is no denying the fact that the brand of diplomacy known as “soft power” still sells!

And that should explain how, of all places, the atrium of the 0LQLVWU\ RI )RUHLJQ $ͿDLUV LQ Abuja’s Central Business District was turned into an unexpected venue for an art exhibition, whose opening, on Monday, December 11, evening, was graced by top members of the diplomatic community, high-ranking JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV DQG D VHOHFW JURXS RI WKH federal capital city’s art community members.

Homecoming, as this exhibition is titled, runs until March of next year and is aimed at rendering the tenets of the present administration’s foreign policy intelligible to the average Nigerian. More precisely, it was conceived to project President Tinubu’s so-called 4 Ds foreign policy tenets, which centre on diaspora, A view of the exhibition space democracy, development, and demography. Exhibition's curator Ahanonu “Additionally, we welcome you, our diplomatic friends, to see this land as your home, just as it LV WR XV µ 1GXZKLWH 1GXEXLVL $KDQRQX FODULÀHV some reason, enthusiastically embraced mindful of his curatorial brief, which is to project in his curatorial statement. “It is everything by all. So, in the spirit of team-bonding, President Tinubu’s 4 D’s doctrine, Ahanonu to us; it is here that our cultural identity has WKHVH WRS R΀FLDOV³ZKR KDG QHYHU still reminds the viewers: “This exhibition also EHHQ FDUHIXOO\ GHÀQHG QXUWXUHG DQG VKDUHG µ ZLHOGHG SDLQWEUXVKHV EHIRUH³GRQQHG VHHNV WR LQWURGXFH 1LJHULD·V ULFK ÁDPER\DQW It all started at a policy retreat for the leaderaprons and expressed their own artistic traditions and culture to you.”

VKLS RI WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI )RUHLJQ $ͿDLUV KHOG IURP interpretations of the workshop’s reviews Talking about the exhibition’s title, it is an October 5 to 7, which had in attendance former on the provided canvases. unintended allusion to Ambassador Tugambassadors, retired permanent secretaries, When the idea of holding an exhibition gar’s return to head a ministry, which he was the heads of the ministry’s agencies, as well RI WKH HͿRUWV RI WKHVH XQLQLWLDWHG HPHU- answerable to while he served as Nigeria’s as everyone considered relevant. The current gency artists came up as the next logical ambassador to Germany. Interestingly, it 0LQLVWHU IRU )RUHLJQ $ͿDLUV $PEDVVDGRU <XVXI sequel, they all vehemently objected to was barely a year ago that he initiated the 0 7XJJDU VLJQDOOHG VKRUWO\ DIWHU WDNLQJ R΀FH it. Eventually, the idea became more ac- repatriation of lost Benin artefacts from the WKDW KLV ÀUVW JRDO ZDV WR DOLJQ WKH PLQLVWU\ ceptable with a little tweaking after it German government, leading to the return with the president’s agenda. This convergence metamorphosed into the organisation of 22 Benin Bronze looted artefacts valued was realised during a policy “It’s one thing of a bigger exhibition featuring works at over 100 million pounds. The Bauchi for the president to have his aspiration; it’s by professional artists, which would be State-born politician completed his term another thing for the ministry to adopt it,” chosen at the whim of a curator to further as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany on the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister on promote the 4 D’s doctrine and, thus, Monday, August 21, when he was sworn Strategy Investment and Partnership, Simi VXSSOHPHQW WKHLU PRGHVW FUHDWLYH HͿRUWV LQ DV WKH 0LQLVWHU RI )RUHLJQ $ͿDLUV ,Q D Fajemirokun, explains.

At long last, it appears that culture dramatic proclamation of this title, Ahanonu The high-wattage idea, which rooted for the LV VWDUWLQJ WR PDNH LQURDGV LQWR R΀FLDO strategically positions an installation by Helen introduction of art during the policy retreat’s priority bucket lists with this visual Nzete, titled “The Announcement,” which downtime instead of providing the attendees arts show and another that highlights features a performance part, to proclaim a with their customary gastronomic treats before 1LJHULDQ FXLVLQH LQ D JURXQG ÁRRU KDOO homecoming to the rainbow audience. “We they headed back to their hotel rooms, was, for next door. Hence, even as he remains hope to celebrate our shared humanity, to share

our locally selected dishes, and to go beyond visual perception to bring delight to the sense of taste and music,” he waxes. &HQWUDO³RU PRUH FOHDUO\ H[SUHVVHG SLYRWDO³WR WKH FU\VWDOOLVDWLRQ RI $KDQRQX·V curatorial whims is the transformation of the previously bare atrium into a smart exhibition space that is transportable and customisable to WKH XVHU·V QHHGV E\ WKH DUFKLWHFW -HVVH <DNXEX and his team at the instance of Ms. Fajemirokun.

“Everything [in the newly designed space] can be moved, and we can tear it down anytime and DVVHPEOH LW HOVHZKHUH µ WKH DUFKLWHFW <DNXEX explains.

Hosting this exhibition at this space, according to Ms. Fajemirokun, meanwhile, also provides step-down training for all other ministry VWDͿ PHPEHUV WKH PDMRULW\ RI ZKRP ZHUH unable to attend the exclusive policy review retreat. This saves the ministry the stress of going door to door to disseminate the results of the three-day October retreat. <HW WKLV FXOWXUDO WUHDW GRHVQ·W H[DFWO\ LPSO\ D purloin of an exclusive preserve of the Culture Ministry, which apparently has expressed its interest in the endeavour through its minister, who was present at the Monday evening event.

Culture, Ms. Fajemirokun argues, is as much WKH )RUHLJQ $ͿDLUV 0LQLVWU\·V MXULVGLFWLRQ DV the Culture Ministry’s. “We are supposed to take Nigeria to the world, and how do we do that without its culture?”

So, the exhibition featuring the works of 15 FURVV JHQHUDWLRQDO DUWLVWV³QDPHO\ %UXFH Onobrakpeya, Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi, Victor Ehikhamenor, Tola Wewe, John Oyedemi, Chike Obeagu, Uchay Joel Chima, Jacqueline Suowari, Abdulfattah Adeyemi, Ifesinachi Comedy Nwanyanwu, Helen Nzete, Wanger $\X 6KDULͿ %DNDUH (MLUR )HQHJDO DQG 6DXGD $EED³DORQJVLGH WKH SDLQWLQJV E\ WKH UHWUHDW·V attendees, could be seen as the government’s HͿRUW DW OHYHUDJLQJ VRIW SRZHU ´:H·G EH underutilising the assets that we have if we didn’t do this,” Ms. Fajemirokun says. “Soft power goes around the world several times before hard diplomacy begins to put its act together.”

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 17, 2023

ARTS & REVIEW\\POT POURRI

From Souled Out, Wana Udobang’s Emotions Cascade...

Stories by Yinka Olatunbosun

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entre-stage was lit. The band members were more than ready for the powerful night of poetic punchlines as the multi-disciplinary artist and storyteller, Wana Udobang entertained her audience in an intimate gathering inside Rele Gallery, Ikoyi recently. Udobang whose work exists in writing, SRHWU\ SHUIRUPDQFH ÀOP DQG FXUDWRULDO SURMHFWV is a leading female poet of her generation with a Gen-Z appeal. Clad in two ultra shades of SLQN :DQD ZDVQ W MXVW SUHSDUHG WR EH WKH VWDU of her own show that evening. Perhaps, her mother was the actual star for inspiring the goosebumps-worthy type of performance poetry witnessed at this show tagged "Souled Out." Udobang in performance Sharing thematic semblance with her 2022 travelling solo exhibition of mixed media instalPOETRY PERFORMANCE lation titled Dirty Laundry, Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, recounted episodes of childhood trauma, domestic violence, struggles the story of how, in spite of the domestic troubles for survival, and cultural memory with spices in her home, the family portrait was a singular, of romantic lines at this show that was partly constant reminder of her family identity and WHDU MHUNLQJ DQG DOO URXQG LQWULJXLQJ her mother’s physical evidence of family ties.

Beginning with the poem titled “Family Accompanied by piano, “Family Portrait” Portrait,” the poet delivered a narrative poem helped to build momentum for a night that inspired by her love for photographs. Recalling would later become emotionally intense. Next her childhood fascination with images, she told came “We Were Girls Once.” Drawing upon

personal tales of sexual molestation and the widespread accounts of sexual abuse of minors, Udobang became the sobering voice of the unheard, modulating her voice to a cadence that thoroughly conveyed the agonising memory.

This poem, which chronicles episodes of sexual and physical abuse, was rendered in a mournful, almost tearful tone. With it, Udobang GXJ GHHS LQWR WKH KHDUWV RI KHU OLVWHQHUV WR ÀQG a sense of connection or understanding and perhaps some measure of empathy.

"Learning is a way for me to survive,” Udobang said during a pause between the performances to give a backstory to each poem to be performed. “A part of me wants to keep learning. My mother insisted that I should learn how to drive even when I didn't have a car to drive."

It turned out that driving is a metaphor for a life skill. This laid the basis for her next poem, titled “Things You Learn When You’re With Family.”

That cringing line, “Mom said driving is how women run from their deaths to keep their children alive,” evoked mental images of female protagonists in movies or novels who have to run for their lives from their abusive husbands or partners. The next poem was even a lot more scary, albeit introduced with the subtle, unsuspecting title “Dear Father.”

With reference to tears and dark memories, Udobang had her moment of catharsis. “I was

10 years old when my father left. He passed DZD\ WZR \HDUV DJR , ZDV , KDGQ W VHHQ KLP for a long time. The last time I saw him, I was 16. When I heard my father died, I couldn't cry, but there was rage.”

The rage transmuted into gentle yet powerful lines of disturbing stories that made the poet and her family cold in a hot African climate.

In “Thick Skin” lie deeply personal tales of resilience and protest against the poor treatment of the girl child.

“In the boarding school, I got a lot of beating because, as a fat girl, it was deemed that I didn’t feel pain from beating because my skin had VRPH H[WUD ÁHVK µ +HU VWRU\ RI VXUYLYDO DQG ORQJ VXͿHULQJ FRQWLQXHG DQG ZDV DPSOLÀHG E\ WKH RQH GHGLFDWHG to her mother titled “Dore.” The upbeat part of the evening were the moments of narrative poems about the food and kitchen, as well as the years of makeshift home distillery. Heightened

by Femi Leye’s calypso-themed piano sounds, this delivery was, for the want of words, yummy.

Tearing her audience away from the gloomy mood that crept in, she wrapped up the night with “20,” a romantic poem that expresses optimism about long-lasting love, and the crowd-pleasing poem titled “Take Me Back.”

The latter involved audience participation with references to Ten Ten, Mr. Biggs, and other fragments of childhood that enabled Udobang to write her memoir in real time.

Accolades for The Oratory

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ardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, Archbishop (PHULWXV RI $EXMD DQG the Salesians of Don Bosco hosted a special screening of The Oratory on December 12th at the Grand Cinemas, Lekki, Lagos to an audience who UHOLVKHG HYHU\ ELW RI WKH FLQHPDWLF RͿHULQJ The Oratory, an internationally acclaimed PRYLH ZDV ÀOPHG LQ YDULRXV ORFDWLRQV LQ Rome, Atlanta, Lagos and Turin featuring a galaxy of Nigerian and international movie stars such as Enyinna Nwigwe, Rich Lowe, Shane Gilbeau, Celeste Marconte, Temidayo Akinboro, Lawrence Nwali and Charles Ukpong.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, *EHQJD $GHELMD .60 VDLG WKDW WKH VSHFLDO screening was “an excellent opportunity to engage with broad-ranging stakeholders and collaboratively identify solutions to the issue of displaced children.”

Movie premieres of The Oratory have previously been held in Dublin, London, Lagos,

BOOK REVIEW 7XULQ $EXMD DQG 9HQLFH The Executive Producer of the movie is RevHUHQG )DWKHU 'U &\ULO 2GLD 6'% D 1LJHULDQ priest currently serving as the Rector of the Salesian House of Theology in Maynooth University, the Republic of Ireland.

In his opening remarks, Fr Odia revealed: “This special screening of The Oratory is to raise awareness on the plight of displaced children and to raise funds for various initiaWLYHV E\ WKH 6DOHVLDQV RI 'RQ %RVFR 6'% WR expand the capacity to rescue and rehabilitate more children throughout Nigeria.”

9HU\ 5HY )U -RUJH &ULVDIXOOL 3URYLQFLDO 6XSHULRU RI WKH 6DOHVLDQV RI 'RQ %RVFR 1L- L-R: Mr. Zed Jituboh( Chairman, (HSI Communications); Very Rev Fr. Jorge Crisafulli ( Provincial Superior, SaleJHULD DQG 1LJHU D΀UPHG WKDW WKH 6DOHVLDQ sians of Don Bosco); Rev. Fr (Dr) Cyril Odia ( Movie Producer and Mr. Gbenga Adebija (Chairman, The Oratory order remains resolutely committed to the Organising Committee) philosophy of their founder St. John Bosco in supporting young children to live wholesome engagement with the youth,” he said. and meaningful lives. world remains a wonderful testament to The enthusiastic reception and rave reviews the world class quality of the movie and the “The Oratory movie therefore highlights the Salesians commitment to sustainable that The Oratory has received around the relevance of its theme.

Relishing Culturati, Africa’s Leading Cultural Fusion

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rom spectacular dancers to fearless ZUHVWOHUV WKH MXVW FRQFOXGHG edition of Culturati was like a nursery for young talents. Held at multiple venues in Lagos, the 17th edition RI &XOWXUDWL WKH ÀHVWD ZDV D PDMRU FHQWULIXJH IRU FXOWXUH EXͿV LQ WKH FLW\ At Sol Beach, Oniru, the two-day display of varied art forms was indeed a thrill. While overlooking the lagoon, the stage was mounted at the right wing of the venue while at the centre was a circular wrestling ring that doubled as a great ethnic backdrop for pictures.

The atmosphere was simply magnetic, conveying the relaxed spirit of holiday. The cool breeze from the splashing overlaps of water was a sharp contrast to the hot afternoon sun that preceded the evenings of funfair on stage. Sellers of artworks drawn from Lekki Art Market were also at the beachside to showcase their brands and artistry. .DID\DW 4XDGUL RQH RI WKH KHDGOLQHUV WKDW EURXJKW Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in company of Idris Aregbe on his arrival at the grand finale of back that groovy feeling of acoustic soul with a dint of Culturati 2023 alternative music accentuated by her powerful vocals.

Meandering around the venue, it was only natural and most importantly to engage our youths,” he to run into the Special Adviser to the Governor of said, ignoring the noise from the surround sound Lagos State on Tourism,Arts and Culture IdrisAregbe system. “If you look around today, there are lots of draped in an all-white casual attire, soaking in the promotingtourismandothereconomicinitiativesthat youths who are showcasing their energy and talent moment. He is a walking reminder of why every resonate with global sustainable development goals and we keep inspiring them to do more with their hardworking Lagosian deserves some rest.

6'*V JLYHQ WKH ODWHQW HFRQRPLF SRWHQWLDOV WKHUHLQ passion. Most importantly to turn their passion into )RU KLP WKH HYHQW ZDV QRW MXVW DQRWKHU H[FXVH IRU D “Wearesomuchinterestedinthisbecausewebelieve SURÀW 6RPH RI WKHP GHSHQG RQ WKLV W\SH RI LQLWLDWLYH good time. It was a vehicle for empowering youths, that it is an opportunity to connect back to our roots We are telling our story and showing the strength

CULTURE

of Africa.”

2Q WKH ODVW GD\ RI WKH HYHQW PDUNHG E\ D IRRG ÀHVWD along the food court area as well as wrestling competitions, Aregbe met with some of the stakeholders in the culture sector at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace +RWHO 9LFWRULD ,VODQG The featured brands and audience engagement with a number of interactive segments served as testament to the ingenuity of craftsmen as well as the richness of African cultural heritage.

On the ideology behind the event, the African cultural enthusiast with a penchant for creating value, Aregbe, who is also the Convener of the yearly event Culturati that brought tourists from around the world to Lagos, Nigeria for a delightful experience of the variety of culture, foods and beverages said the dire unemployment situation in Nigeria precipitated the culturalmovementSISI-OGEin2006tobringattention to the potentials in African culture.

“Over the course of a decade, SISI-OGE metamorphosed into CULTURATI which has becomeAfrica’s largest cultural fusion, continually creating business RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU PDQ\ \RXQJ FXOWXUDO EXͿV WR OHYHUDJH on, rewarding cultural excellence while celebrating Africa’s rich and diverse heritage.”

Additionally, he noted that this year’s edition was a lot more robust as it was targeted at opening up economic opportunities in African culture for youth empowerment, tourism promotion and general economic development.

57

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 17, 2023

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

Who’s Thwarting War against Crude Oil Theft?

The ongoing blame game between Tantita Security Services Limited and the Nigerian Navy over the arrest of a crude oil-laden vessel along the coastal areas of Ondo State sheds light on the inability of the federal government to win the war against oil theft in the country, Wale Igbintade writes

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hen the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) entered into a security agreement with Tantita Security Services Limited to tackle crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, very few Nigerians had expressed support for the deal. It was widely believed that the security of such a critical national asset should not be handed over to a non-state actor.

Before the contract was awarded, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive, Mele Kyari, and the then Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, had raised the alarm that more than 700,000 barrels of Nigerian oil were being stolen daily. The Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army, and non-state actors were allegedly responsible for the massive oil theft in the region.

The knock-on effect of this crude oil theft is that foreign exchange reserves are under considerable pressure, as the shortage of US dollars causes the naira to depreciate.

Nigeria also relies on crude oil and gas revenues to fund much of the federal government’s budget.

Soon after the agreement was sealed, it started yielding positive results as the country began experiencing an increase in crude oil sales at the international market.

Cumulatively, Nigeria’s national oil production recovered to an average of more than 1.47 million barrels per day in November from an all-time low of 1.1 million barrels per day before the contract was signed in August 2022, according to documents released by the NNPCL. This translates to an increase of over 300,000 Bpd. Likewise, findings further suggest that oil production continues to improve significantly as more and more wells and associated surface facilities, hitherto shut down by ongoing theft and vandalism, reopen.

Specifically, narrowing down on the Joint Venture assets, mainly onshore, which were mostly affected by the security challenges, the NNPCL had witnessed a slump in pro-

Ogalla duction from a monthly average of 800,00 Bpd in January 2022 to about 500,000 Bpd in August 2022.

The country’s average joint venture oil production in the August – November 2022 period increased by about 190,000 barrels per day. A breakdown of the joint venture’s increase showed that as of August, oil production averaged 502,759 barrels per day, which is the lowest this year.

According to the document, production rose to 521,834 Bpd in September this year following the signing of the safety contract on August 13, before rising further to an average of 590,431 Bpd and 668,147 Bpd in October and November. Before the agreement, disruptions to major arterial lines severely had also affected gas production and evacuations, depriving gas-fired power plants and industrial feedstock operations.

However, over the past four months, NNPCL has recovered an average of approximately 500 million standard cubic feet per day of gas production. This added over 230

MMSCFD to export via Nigeria LNG, and an additional volume of about 205 MMSCFD for power generation and other domestic uses.

But penultimate week, the Tantita Security and Navy traded blame over the arrest of a vessel loaded with crude oil along the coastal areas of Ondo State. While the Nigerian Navy, in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, announcing the arrest of a 77-metre-long vessel, accused Tantita Security of being involved in illegal activities, the management of the security company denied involvement in illegal activities.

In a statement, its Executive Director of Operations and Technical, Warredi Enisuoh described the Navy’s allegations as bizarre and mischievous.

Enisuoh in an interview with ARISE NEWS last Monday stated that his company was not at loggerheads with the Navy but only had a problem with those who are against fixing the country. He added that there were “Judases” in every sector of the country, even in the Navy.

“Tantita’s relationship with the Navy has not broken down. If you listen to the Navy, they said they work with a lot of other private security service providers. But I guess it is a bit of a culture shock that maybe for the first time, they are working with someone like Tantita who has got such tenacity and capacity to do damage to those who want to do damage to Nigeria. We have Judas everywhere. We have Judas in the Navy.

“We got our informant from Ghana who told us that a ship has departed Ghana with the intention to come and steal crude oil from Nigeria. This was November 10, this year. We knew about it and we knew this ship is well connected and we followed this ship till it switched off its electronic signature three weeks ago and we had to create an EPB, an umbrella over the Niger Delta region and we kept monitoring.

“Let me tell you the history of this ship.

First, the Sierra Leonean flag was stolen from Nigeria and nobody could catch it. We

were not here at the time. Second, it came closer to Nigeria, possibly scared of the previous administration’s stand against this oil theft. It kept its flag as Togolese but something very ironic happened in May this year - it changed its flag to Nigeria.

“It must be connected to someone who thinks he has won and feels that ‘we can steal now’. So, who was being protected?

When we caught this particular ship, we followed it for over a month. We got intelligence that yes, that it is in the area and we left in the morning to make sure that we secure the ship.

“We got there but, on our way there, we got further intelligence that they have got four AK-47s with bands of ammunition on board.

When we got that intel, we said to hang on around the area till we get back up.

“While waiting for that backup, we believe they radioed their shore supporters to come to their rescue and that was how the fracas started. It takes about 30 minutes to get to that location, secure yourself and connect the hose. As we speak, we know who connected the hose.”

Enisuoh called for more investigation to be carried out on this matter. He noted that there was more to this ship than meets the eye.

While it is important for the NNPC to thoroughly investigate the allegations and counter-allegations, stakeholders in the oil and gas industry need to cooperate with the government to end crude theft and pipeline sabotage. All collaborators - whether in the Navy, Tantita Security, NNPCL, international oil companies (IOCs) and national oil companies (NOCs), or among the regulators, supervisors, or managers, should be arrested and prosecuted for economic sabotage.

On their part, Niger Delta communities and their leaders should spare no efforts to combat oil theft in the region. Bunkering, sabotage of pipelines and illegal refineries are criminal acts that not only threaten Nigeria’s economic security but also damage the environment and aquatic life. This fight requires a joint effort to tackle.

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

Peace Can Now Return to Ondo

Uzodimma

Akeredolu

To properly take care of his health in Germany, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, formally wrote to the House of Assembly seeking the transfer of power to his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in line with the provisions of the constitution The governor, who is battling an undisclosed ailment, was away for the first medical leave between June and August in Germany. Before then, he had travelled four times for the same reason.

However, upon his return to Nigeria in September, shortly after the leave expired, he announced his resumption of duties but failed to show up at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.

He stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital

from where he was purportedly governing the state. This prompted the citizenry, opposition political parties and civil society organisations to ask about his whereabouts.

While these were going on, the state witnessed political and leadership crises, as members of the state House of Assembly ignored him, and went after the state Deputy Governor, Aiyedatiwa, whom they wanted to impeach to frustrate from taking over from his boss. This further worsened the crisis in the state.

So bad was the situation that the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and call the gladiators to order.

Even though President Tinubu had three

weeks ago first met with the political actors to resolve the leadership crisis in the state, leading to the withdrawal of the various suits filed by the actors, it did not achieve much success.

To find a resolution to the lingering tussle in the South-west state, President Tinubu again last Monday night held another meeting with Aiyedatiwa and the House of Assembly Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, at the Aso Villa in Abuja.

It was gathered that the president had instructed the governor to use e-signature to transfer power to Aiyedatiwa.

With the transfer of power to Aiyedatiwa, it is expected that he would govern with fairness so that peace can now return to the state.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 17, 2023

BRIEFINGNOTES

Wike’s Desperation to Sack Fubara

Minister of Federal CapitalTerritory, NyesomWike, was known to have not only described the All Progressives Congress as cancer but had also launched furious tirades against the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle and former governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade for defecting from the PDP to the APC. The former Rivers State governor had also verbally attacked the deputy governor of Edo State, Phillip Shaibu for threatening to dump the PDP. Ejiofor Alike reports that the defection of Wike’s 25 loyalists in the Rivers State House of Assembly to the APC as part of the intrigues to sack Governor Siminalayi Fubara shows how low politicians can sink their honour in pursuit of selfish ambitions

I

n what was obviously part of a larger plot to impeach Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, 25 members of the state House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, last Monday defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).

Before the presidential primary of the PDP in May 2022, Wike was under the illusion that he would clinch the presidential ticket of the party and had maintained a tough anti-defection stance.

Having apparently overrated his capacity, believing that he was the presidential aspirant to beat, he had described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a cancer.

He verbally attacked the then governors of Ebonyi, Zamfara and Cross River states, Dave Umahi, Bello Matawalle and Ben Ayade, respectively, for defecting from the PDP to the APC. After Umahi defected to the APC, Wike boasted that he and the PDP were the masterminds of the March 2022 Federal High Court case that ordered the removal of the then Ebonyi State governor, and his deputy, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, over their defection, a comment which Umahi described as a sign of “illiteracy.”

Umahi said: “You heard him on Channels TV boasting that he is behind the court case - a mere man that depends on the breath of God; I pity illiteracy. It’s a shame. You are boasting to remove another governor.

“What qualifies you just because you are packing money that is public funds? Not intellectual material but by just packing money from public funds and you are boasting about it. Otherwise, who were you?” Umahi queried.

Before Ayade’s defection, Wike had insinuated that he was behaving like someone who was allegedly involved in advanced fee fraud, better known as 419.

“And so, I have encouraged the PDP, they must file a suit against the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi and the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade for defecting to the All Progressives Congress without any reason provided in the constitution or any other enabling law.

“What PDP is looking for is not just that

Wike they want to reclaim the seats, but that a pronouncement must be made by the judiciary on this incessant defection without any reasons at all, in order to enhance and strengthen our democracy,” Wike reportedly said.

The then Rivers State governor had also queried the credibility and integrity of his then Zamfara State counterpart, Matawalle when he defected to the APC in June 2021.

“People must have respect for themselves.

There are things I cannot do for the sake of my children. In 2019, Matawalle said I will never leave PDP. I will never disappoint PDP. If I disappoint the PDP, I will never have peace in my life. Today, what has happened? Is everything politics?

It is not true. Everything cannot be politics.

Your credibility, your integrity are important in life. I will never betray my people,” Wike had reportedly said.

The former Rivers governor had earlier in March 2021 publicly tongue-lashed the Edo

State deputy governor, Shaibu for threatening to dump the PDP, insisting that Shaibu lacked the effrontery to threaten to dump the PDP. He wondered how “a mere deputy governor who begged for the PDP ticket and even lost his local government area during the election in 2020, should have the guts to threaten to dump the PDP.” Wike did not spare the ruling APC, which he then described as a cancer in stage four, which can kill.

However, since he lost the presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and also failed in his bid to secure the vice-presidential ticket of the party, Wike has been sending signals that suggest that he is a politician who does not honour his words.

He had vowed that he would never lobby to be vice president but since a former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye revealed how the FCT minister called him 19 times within

two hours, lobbying to be Atiku’s running mate, Wike has not refuted Dino’s allegation.

Wike also pledged never to work against the PDP but the damage he and his allies did to the PDP was worse than what the rival parties did to the main opposition party.

The former Rivers State governor had also vowed never to lobby to become a minister but he lobbied and got one of the most strategic portfolios.

He had also promised not to control his predecessor but he has since reneged on that promise, threatening Fubara with impeachment on the grounds that it is constitutional and that he owns the political structure in the state, including the governor himself.The FCT minister claims to be standing on President Bola Tinubu’s mandate today but it is a matter of time before he sings a different tune, going by his antecedents.

Though he has refused to officially defect to the APC, last Monday’s defection of his 25 loyalists in Rivers State House of Assembly in what was regarded as part of a larger plot to impeach Fubara, shows how low he can sink his honour to achieve a selfish agenda.

His critics recall that his predecessor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had once alleged that he could betray his mother for money.

Meanwhile, Fubara is already fighting back as about 10 bulldozers started the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex on Wednesday.

The factional Speaker, Ehie, also led other lawmakers loyal to the governor to hold a sitting early on Wednesday before the demolition began.

Governor Fubara also presented the N800 billion 2024 budget estimates to the Ehie-led group at the Government House.

Within 24 hours of the presentation of the budget, Fubara, on Thursday, signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law.

However, the defiant 25 members loyal to Wike also held a plenary session on Thursday.

The obviously angry lawmakers adopted the auditorium of the assembly’s residential quarters as its hallowed chamber.

Many, however, believe the outcome of their sitting is a nullity given the constitutional provisions and the position of the Supreme Court on the defection of lawmakers.

NOTES FOR FILE

What’s Matawalle Doing With 50 Vehicles?

Matawalle

A Federal High Court in Sokoto recently dismissed the suit filed by the immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle over ownership of more than 50 vehicles. The vehicles were said to belong to the Zamfara State Government. The official vehicles were allegedly carted away by the former governor and his supporters prior to the handing over of power on May 29, 2023.

Recall that in June, the Zamfara State Government gave the former governor and his deputy five working days to return all official vehicles they allegedly carted away.

When Matawalle ignored the request, the state government resorted to court action to retrieve the vehicles.

The state police command subse-

quently raided Matawalle’s residences and recovered the vehicles as ordered by the court.

After the vehicles were recovered, Matawalle quickly went to the Federal High Court in Gusau, which court granted an order for the cars to be returned to him. Additionally, he filed a separate suit at the same court, seeking to enforce his fundamental rights to own property, including the vehicles in question.

The state government requested the transfer of the case to another jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, which rejected Matawalle’s claim on the ownership of the official vehicles.

The current administration of Governor Dauda Lawal in the state had severally accused Matawalle, who is now

the incumbent Minister of State for Defence, of allegedly frittering away billions of naira belonging to the people of the state on abandoned projects, shady contract deals and other forms of alleged financial recklessness.

If not for the greed associated with public officers in Nigeria, why would one man cart away 50 vehicles after allegedly leaving the state in debt? Does he want to set up a car shop or run a transport company? Beside the exotic cars, the governor allegedly went away with ambulances and trucks.

Even before he left office, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had declared that the former governor would be arrested for N70 billion fraud as soon as his immunity expired.

But despite all the weighty corruption allegations against him, President Bola Tinubu still went ahead to appoint him a minister.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 10, 2023

59

INTERNATIONAL

Africa’s Efforts at Regionalism and Global Order: The Challenge of the Alliance of Sahelian States

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’Alliance des États du Sahel (AES), known in English as the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), is the newest effort at regional integration inAfrica.

It is a defence pact established on September 16, 2023 by the Republic of Mali, Republic of Burkina Faso, and Republic of Niger. The declared objective is collective security in which ‘any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracted parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties,’ and therefore prompting the need for collective self-defence.

This Alliance may not be confused with the Sahel Alliance comprising 26 bilateral and multilateral development partners of which 17 are full members and 9 are observers and which has the responsibility for coordinating all development cooperation initiatives in the Sahel. The Sahel Alliance was established in 2017.

It not only held its Third Sahel Alliance General Assembly in Madrid, Spain on 4th April, 2022, but also recognised ‘the need to strengthen the overall partnership framework within which … actions are carried out to adapt them to the evolving contexts of intervention. It also recognised strengthening ‘collective action in prevention zones, while maintaining (its) support in the most vulnerable areas.’

Thus, this Sahel Alliance is completely different from the Alliance of Sahel States of only three members whose governments came to power in people’s-backed coups because of heightened anti-French sentiments and deepening terrorism-driven insecurity. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger already started to operate as a Federation with effect from 16 September, 2023, following the Liptako-Gourma Charter, a name taken from the tri-border region shared by the three countries. Its declared objective is to ‘prevent, manage, and resolve any armed rebellion or threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty… privileging peaceful and diplomatic channels, and, if necessary, to use force to deal with situations that breach peace and stability.’

This type of alliance is common with various defence pacts and organisations. For example, Article 5 of the Treaty of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) done on April 4, 1949, stipulates that whenever any Member State of the NATO is victim of an armed attack that attack is considered an attack on all other NATO Members and therefore requires all other members to assist the attacked Member in its self-defence. An armed attack, as further explained in Article 6, can be an attack on the territory, forces, vessels or aircraft of any party. The Alliance of the Sahel States is not in any way different. The Alliance should therefore be specially understood as an element of a new Federation in the Sahel that is in making.

Africa’s Regionalism Indeed, Africa’s efforts at regionalisation are not simply about enhancing economic cooperation and development. It is also to bring about a change in the global order so as to stop inequality of representation suffered by Africa at various international fora.

International communications is one area that the developed world has taken advantage of to feed the world with its own version of the truth. Information about Africa is always tainted and presented with bias. This prompted the reactive calls by the developing world for a new information order.

For instance, the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO), which is always shortened to New World Information Order (NWIO) or simply to Information Order (IO), was a major objective in the 1970s. Inequality in media representations at the UNESCO, economic inequality and the need to control imperialism prompted the agitation for a NWICO in the 1970s. Nigeria played active parts in the struggle for a NWICO when Prince Tony Momoh was Information Minister under military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari. And true enough, the UNESCO set up a commission chaired by Séan MacBride, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to look at the calls for a NWICO and challenges of global media representations and

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Tinubu make recommendations on how to make media representation equitable. The MacBride report, entitled, ‘Many Voices, One World,’ provided the principles of a new World Information Communication Order. The extent to which this inequality of media representation has been meaningfully addressed is another problem entirely.

There was also the agitation for a New International Economic Order (NIEO). As explained by the Wikipedia, the NIEO ‘is a series of measures supported by developing countries to abolish economic colonialism and dependency through a new interdependent economy. Its primary goal was to change the global economic order and promote the integration of recently decolonised countries.’ The cardinal objective of the NIEO was to promote economic self-help and south-south cooperation, by particularly dealing with balance of payments disequilibrium, debt crisis, exchange scarcity, etc.

In the context of regionalism in Africa, it started to be an instrument of togetherness and unity of purpose, economic cooperation and development. The genesis of the development of Africa’s regionalism can be traced to the 1980 Lagos Plan of Action and particularly to the 1991 Abuja Treaty Establishing an African Economic Community. In this regard, African leaders fostered the idea of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as basic units for continental integration. In fact, the 1991 Abuja Treaty

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First, the United States and France do not want to do away with Niger’s uranium resources. This is one major reason that France is determined to fight tooth and nail to restore the government of Mohammed Bazoum seen by Nigeriens as a stooge of the West. Secondly, neither France nor the United States has been able to nip in the bud the Tuareg insurrection and al-Qaeda terrorism. With the increasing arrival of Russians to the States of the Alliance, and with the Wagner Group already on the ground, the French agenda of destabilisation of Niger cannot but precipitate a regional war. Thirdly, the three countries have the potential to opt out of the ECOWAS in the same way Mauritania withdrew its membership. This may not be helpful to continental integration, especially that there will be many competing regional currencies. Fourthly, it is not only the ECOWAS that will be divided against itself, it is particularly the Francophone states that will be more divided against themselves. For instance, Benin Republic is being used as an access territory to attack Niger. As a result, Niger strained its military cooperation with Benin. In the same vein, the pro-France countries cannot but be at loggerhead with those countries not in favour of France. Consequently, the global order in the making cannot but have the AES as an issue to contend with. Fifthly, the Alliance may eventually become a theatre for a proxy war, even though the AES falls squarely under a sub-regional integration framework

divided Africa into five regions in its Article 1(d) for the purposes of fast tracking continental integration.

Regionalism, which is a coinage from ‘region,’ is basically an expression of political ideology and commitment to a given region with some geo-political affinities, with the ultimate objectives of enhancing politico-economic power. It is a process for self-promotion and development. And more importantly, it is a major pillar for the conduct and management of global order, shared challenges, and promoting the cultural, political, and economic interests of a given region.

Today, while the foregoing observations of regionalism are still valid, the main objective of the Alliance of Sahel States is more about reaffirmation of self-identity and not stricto sensu, to simply integrate. The Alliance is more of an anti-France protest. The anti-France dimension is better appreciated when the Burkinabe government officially announced last week that the French language would no longer be taken as the country’s lingua franca and that it would only be simply used as a working language. The immediate implication is that one of the indigenous languages will replace French language.

During official meetings, any language adopted as the new official language while French and others can be used but not for official documentation of records.

Thus, this is the message that has been communicated with the formation of an Alliance of Sahel States and its global implications. The AES is designed to be a combination of military and economic cooperation as told by the Malian Defence Minister, Mr. Abdoulaye Diop. True, the Alliance is currently embarking on integration at some levels and this is being done outside of the ECOWAS regional framework.

The July 26 coup in Niger Republic has served as an opportunity and platform to sustain national unity and to ignore ECOWAS regional policies. It has also enabled self-reaffirmation and to call the bluff of France which is reported to be currently planning aggressive attacks on Niger. As a result of the coup, Niger’s ties with France have been at its lowest ebb.

On August 3, 2023 the Niamey military junta annulled the military cooperation agreements it signed with France and which also govern the presence of the 1,500 French troops in Niger. France was given a one-month ultimatum within which to repatriate all her troops. Again, on September 12, Niger Republic similarly cancelled the military cooperation agreement signed with Benin Republic in July 2022. As noted earlier, French language has ceased to be the official language in Burkina Faso.

Additi0nally, the Abdourahamane Tchiani junta in Niamey accused Benin Republic of having authorised the stationing of ‘soldiers, mercenaries, and war materials’ on its territory in view of an aggression desired by France in collaboration with certain countries of ECOWAS against our country,’ the Niger new leader said. Thus, the new and special rapprochement among Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is a true manifestation of sub-regional integration but which the ECOWAS does not appear to be showing any readiness to accept because it is perceived to have the potential to destabilise rather than uniting the region.

The AES and Global Order Three main factors serve as dynamics of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES): the recidivist character of Tuareg insurrection and terrorism, France’s inability to contain the deep-seated terrorism in spite of more than ten years of France’s Operation Serval and Operation Barkhane, and Western and ECOWAS harassment of many former French colonies under the canopy of non-acceptance of any unconstitutional change of Government in Africa. In other words, the signing of the AES is not only a response to the recidivist Tuareg insurrection in the region but also to both France’s and ECOWAS policy attitudes. Recall here that the Tuareg insurrection first began in Mali before it was extended to Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.

In this regard, the main purpose of France’s Operation Serval and later Operation Barkhane, was to help contain the insurrection and restore peace and orderliness. However, the more effort France made to engage the insurrectionists and the longer the French tried to stay in the three Francophone West African States, the harder came the terrorist attacks. This gave an impression, rightly or wrongly, that the French have not been effective. In fact, at a point in time, the French were accused of consciously aiding and abetting the insurrectionists.

Again, rightly or wrongly, it is against this background that the implications of the establishment of an AES should first be seen in the context of the Global Order.

On the issue of non-acceptance of unconstitutional changes of government, the Global Order partly preaches the sermons of human rights, liberalism, freedom of the high seas, and regionalism as a mechanism for economic growth and development.

Politically, it preaches democratisation and zero tolerance for dictatorship, the genesis of which can be dated back to the La Baule Declaration by the late President François Mitterrand of France. On June 20, 1990 during the 16th Franco-African Summit in which 37 African countries participated, democratisation was made a conditionality for development aid from France. But why such a conditionality? Why did France and other Western allies support the conditionality?

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 17, 2023

NEWS

FORUM WITH EDITORS… L-R: Director, Communication and Corporate Affairs, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Bashir Nuhu; Executive Director Operations, NDIC, Mustapha Ibrahim; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NDIC, Bello Hassan; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, News Agency of Nigeria, Ali M. Ali; and Executive Director, Corporate Services, NDIC, Emily Osuji, at the 2023 NDIC Editors’ Forum, in Lagos…yesterday

Jega: Nigeria’s Presidential System Very Defective, Restructuring Critical Before 2027 Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, has described Nigeria's presidential system of government as defective.

He called on Nigerians to put their heads together and ensure the country is restructured before the 2027 general election.

Jega said power devolution to the sub-nationals was critical for the country to develop, pointing out that the Nigerian president is too powerful.

Speaking yesterday while delivering the convocation lecture at the Bauchi State University, Gadau, on the theme, ‘Safeguarding Nigeria’s Future: Prioritising Citizen’s Welfare and

Security Amidst Challenges’, he however, expressed strong opposition to the parliamentary system of government.

Jega argued that restructuring was necessary for the emergence of the best of a federal system.

He stated, “Our leaders in leadership positions, between now and 2027, we need to put our heads together and have a rational, evidence-based process of restructuring the Nigerian federation, and to my mind, the major thing we need to do is devolve power and resources from the federal to the state and local governments.

“Even if all we do is go back to the way power was distributed in the 1963 Constitution, we should do that but I think we should even go beyond that because we

need to reduce the power of the federal government.

“There is fear that if more resources go to the states and local governments, given what we see in Nigeria now, many people are afraid that it cannot solve the problems, but my own thinking is that the more power and resources in the state and local governments the less attractive the federal government becomes.

Then, more people will concentrate in terms of bringing appropriate reforms and development. It is very important we truly address these issues,” Jega explained.

The former INEC boss stated that the high cost of governance must be addressed to safeguard Nigeria’s future, adding that there was an urgent need to reduce power concentration at the federal

level.

He accused the executive arm of government, both at the federal and state levels, of reckless spending and abuse of power, saying Nigeria was heading towards a failed state because the political class had taken power to destroy the institutions rather than build them.

“In addition to that, they have raised the cost of governance in such a way that it is a serious challenge that can put Nigeria in jeopardy,” he added.

Jega emphasised the need for constitutional amendments, particularly on policy decisions to cut the cost of governance.

He added: “I am saying this because it appears there is now a movement of some elite pushing for the return of the parliamentary

system. I think it is a terrible thing to happen. You started with the parliamentary system; you moved to the presidential system, you are not doing it well, and you think the solution is to go back to the parliamentary system.”

Jega explained that until the culture that caused profligacy in governance was properly addressed, going back to the parliamentary system would be disastrous and not solve the problem.

“The problem is we have a presidential system and it is a coagulated presidential system; one that is not taking the best practices of other presidential systems in the world and it is important we pay attention to this.

“I don’t believe Nigeria is a failed state but we must realise

that Nigeria is a failing state and if we put it in jeopardy and don’t safeguard it then the worst can happen,” he added.

He further suggested that political leaders must find ways of reducing overdependence on revenue from oil through increased agricultural productivity, focus on agro-allied industries and creation of opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth population.

“We should also ensure that we reform the manufacturing sector. No country develops if it cannot consume sufficiently from the home market.

“A situation in Nigeria where virtually everything is imported is a recipe for disaster and can push our country into a situation in which we cannot safeguard.”

another person.

President Buhari looked at me, smiled, and said. “You have never been sacked before. That’s why you are thinking that way.

Me, I’ve been sacked, and I know how it feels.”

I left, but immediately I got downstairs, my phone began to ring back to back. It was the media, wanting to confirm if the Service Chiefs had truly been sacked or not.

I promised to get back to them.

I went back to the president, and told him what happened.

Surprised, he said; “is my office bugged? How did the news get out so quickly?”

He then consented that a statement be issued immediately.

When my elder sister, a Professor of Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, died in a road crash in December 2015, the President placed a personal phone call to sympathize with me.

He also extended the sympathy to the entire Adesina household.

When my boss at The Sun Publishing Limited, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, had died in September 2014, well before Buhari became President, he visited the Okota, Lagos home of the Igwes, to condole with the family.

The same day, he had visited the Surulere, Lagos home of his former commander during the Civil War, Brigadier-General Adekunle Benjamin (Black Scorpion). That one was in the throes of transition to eternal life, and was no longer conscious. But Buhari gave his courtesies, nevertheless, and eulogized the man in the Visitors Book.

As president, when Boko Haram bombed Abuja, the president led

us to the National Hospital to visit and comfort the wounded.

When an Air Force jet crashed while rehearsing for October 1 National Day air display, we were at the Air Force hospital in Asokoro to comfort the survivors At Christmas of 2016, I drew up a list of some of our prominent supporters, and encouraged the President to place personal calls to them. He looked through the list, and asked me to include the eminent lawyer and politician, Tunji Braithwaite. They spoke for a long time, and kept laughing.

Incidentally, that was their last conversation. A couple of months later, Braithwaite died. When I asked if they ever spoke again, he said no, and thanked me for encouraging him to make the calls.

The president was not also parsimonious in terms of praises.

Many times, he would watch me on television, and give kudos whenever we saw.

I was on Sunday Politics on Channels Television one evening.

The host, Seun Okinbaloye, was particularly combative that day.

But yours truly can always hold his own. It was no quarter asked, and none given.

The next morning, the President saw me in the office. He laughed, and said; “I watched you on television last night. I could see how fast your brain was working.

Thank you for defending me always.”

And one day, we were visiting Katsina State, and the President and the team retreated to Government House for the afternoon prayers.

I sat in the living room, while the Muslims went into another room to pray.

When they were done, and the president came out with Governor Aminu Masari, I rose up to greet them. The president acknowledged my greetings, and said: “Clever Adesina.” We laughed.

When the Foursquare Gospel Church turned 60 in Nigeria, the then General Overseer, Rev Felix Meduoye, asked if the church could pay the President a courtesy visit.

I said I would check.

When I discussed with the president, he said by all means.

And a team of 10 people came.

In his speech, the General Overseer thanked the President for appointing one of the members of the church as his Adviser on media and publicity.

When the president responded, he said he was the one that should be thankful to me for coming to serve the government.

“He had built a career of integrity and professionalism, and now he brought everything to serve us. I should thank him.

I depend on him a lot. When his colleagues in the media come after me, I hide behind him.” (General laughter).

At 81, former President Buhari is looking very fresh, well rested.

I know, because I was with him in his Daura, Katsina State home last week. I wish him longer years, in peace and all that is good. He did his best for Nigeria. And we appreciate him.

TO BUHARI, THE KIND-HEARTED TOUGHIE AT 81 “He truly did, and said he was trying to put together a regulatory commission for the power sector, and he would love to meet with me. I agreed.

“We met both in London, and later in Abuja. I was to become a Consultant to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for a number of years.

“When President Buhari came in 2015, I learnt he set up a subcommittee to scout for honest, knowledgeable and courageous people, who could do the right things in the power sector.

“Members of the committee all came back with one name, Marilyn Amobi. Eventually, I was made Managing Director of NBET. “But it was a turbulent assignment, with too many vested interests trying to bleed the system.

One day, in 2017, I got a phone call through which I was summoned to the Presidential Villa.

“There had been the issue of Acu Gas, over which the President had been misled to approve the sum of 10 million dollars. I wrote a memo against it, and that was why the President sent for me.

“I waited briefly in an office shared by Ambassador Kazaure (SCOP), Mohammed Sarki Abba, and Dr Suhayb Rafindadi. I was eventually ushered before the President, with my knees shaking.

“He cleared his throat, and asked me to sit down. He was laughing.

“My daughter, how are you?” he asked. “I couldn’t answer.”

“I hear you are fed up with your job at NBET. You have many troubles. But have you gone to jail before?”

“He laughed again. He said he

asked to see me because he saw what I had written on the Acu Gas deal.” He went on: “It’s not easy to govern Nigeria, or even anywhere. But I must trust some people, or I can’t survive.

They got me to commit 10 million dollars of Nigeria’s money to this project. I sent for you, to thank you for your courage to write against the deal.

“They brought you to join in their corruption, but you refused.

You can’t fit into their corrupt ways, and that is why they are all against you.

“I told the president that I was already tired of the job, but he told me not to worry, that he would give me people I could contact if there’s any reason.”

The people, according to Dr. Amobi, were Mohammed Sarki Abba, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Household Matters, and Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education.

“The president then prayed for me. And when he finished, his eyes were filled with tears. I was so touched. I asked if I could pray for him too. He said yes.

“I asked that God would bless, strengthen, and give him long life.

“When I finished, he looked at me, and said instead of long life for him, I should pray that God would give Nigeria more honest people like me.

“The president never knew me before he appointed me. When I had troubles, he stood behind me.

Yet some people say he doesn’t like Ibos. Well, I don’t know….”

Those after Dr Amobi were relentless. She was suspended by Minister of Power, Sale Mamman,

reinstated on the orders of the President, and when her term ended shortly after, she showed a clean pair of heels, running back to London.

“I would have died on the job.

I was quite glad to leave,” she now says.

I’ve written about how the president left all other things in 2013, flew into Lagos to attend a farewell service for my late mum.

One of his longest serving aides told me there were not up to five people in the country Buhari could do such for. I felt, and still feel, eternally honored.

When he got into office in 2015, he kept the Service Chiefs he met for three months. But that is not the story. It is the prerogative of a President to dispense with the services of those he inherits, and when. It could be immediate, it could be later.

The day he decided to appoint new Service Chiefs, he called me to his office, and gave me a paper.

“I’ve decided to let the Service Chiefs go,” he said. “Here’s the new list. But don’t release it till tomorrow. I want those who are leaving to get home, and be the ones to break the news to their family members. It’s not good for a man to leave for work in the morning, only for the family to hear over the radio or television that he had no job again.”

I asked the president if he had told the Service Chiefs that they would be leaving. He said yes.

I then told him that the news could not be kept under wraps till the following day. It would become public knowledge once any of them even whispers it to

•Adesina served as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari for eight years.

The piece above are excerpts from his forthcoming memoir, working with Buhari, to be presented to the public in January 2024

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DECEMBER 17, 2023 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N FUBARA AND THE REBELLION OF GODSONS retired his father from politics. I would also like to read about Lagos, where Tinubu has been the undisputed godfather since 1999, quenching all the rebellions of his godsons even when we thought his back was against the wall. I believe there are theories that will help my understanding of why these rebellions succeed or fail.

In my assessment of tussles between godfathers and godsons, the issue is mostly about control. Some godfathers, having helped their godsons into power, do not draw a line. They expect the godsons to be beholden to them. Some godsons, on the other hand, will want to prove that they are not only in power but they are also in control. This is where the tension begins to build up. How this is managed will determine where the pendulum swings. Some godsons wait until they are strong enough politically before tackling their godfathers, which may mean during the second term. They tackle their godfathers and may successfully run them out of town and become the new godfathers.

It is very common for godsons to accuse their godfathers of demanding too much compensation for helping them to power, especially with regards to electioneering expenses. That is why I am a bit surprised at what is happening in Rivers state. I am told that it has nothing to do with money, which is shocking. I would ordinarily suppose that Wike was asking for “refund” and Fubara rebelled. But at a peace meeting called some time ago by President Bola Tinubu, Wike was said to have implored the president to ask Fubara if he ever asked for one kobo from the governor since his inauguration. Fubara, from what I heard, confirmed to the president that Wike had never asked him for money.

Now, this is significant, given that Wike reportedly bought the governorship nomination form for him

and footed the entire bill of the electioneering as well as the litigation. Fubara, according to reports, did not attend tribunal sittings for one day as Wike always stood in for him. But immediately after his election was upheld by the Court of Appeal, the dynamics took another turn and, as I was told, the governor stopped picking Wike’s calls. When I first heard of a cold war between them, I had my doubts — thinking it was too early in the day. It is a certainty in life that godfathers and godsons will fight either a cold or open war, but it usually takes time. In this case, it took less than five months.

Why did Fubara, who was the Government House accountant when Wike was governor, decide to part ways with his godfather so quickly? I understand he told the president that Wike does not show him enough respect as a governor. He reportedly complained that because of this, Wike’s allies in Rivers state government also do not respect him. If this is indeed the case, his decision to launch an all-out war against his godfather can be viewed from the perspective that every human being wants to be given some respect. How he goes about addressing the respect deficiency is another matter entirely. But he will likely look at himself in the mirror daily and say: “But am I not the governor?”

Wike, in his first open comments, accused Fubara of “hobnobbing” with his political adversaries. He said he would not fold his arms and watch his political structure demolished. “You cannot work and people will begin to bring enemies, those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office. Nobody does that. I am not a political ingrate but don’t touch the political structure of the state. I will not shut my eyes,” Wike said. It is rumoured that some APC members are strategising for Fubara, who seems to have grown more confident daily, even

bulldozing the assembly complex weeks after parts of the building were set ablaze amid rumours that he was about to be impeached.

When did Fubara start planning to upstage Wike?

We can only guess, but it seems to me that he kept his cards close to his chest all the while. The first deal is to get power, after which you can assert your authority. I believe he was just waiting for the right time to strike. The crisis had barely started when the Ijaw National Congress (INC) issued a warning that nothing must happen to “our son”.

They asked Tinubu to call Wike, his minister, to order. Now Ijaw youth leaders are saying they may not be able “to guarantee the safety of the oil installations” in Ijawland. Playing up his Ijaw identity was strategic. In addition, the powerful Odilis are, surprisingly, fully with Fubara, according to media reports.

Here are my takes on this crisis. One, this is politics at play. It is nothing new. I have read and heard comments that tend to suggest there is something special or unheard of about this face-off. We have seen this over and over again across Nigeria. The only thing about the Rivers case, for me, is that it started so early. Usually, crisis brews over time and, if it is not contained, explodes. But it could take up to a year for outsiders to know. An exception I can recall is Anambra state in 2003 when Ngige successfully fought off Uba in a matter of weeks. In Lagos, it took three years for the friction between Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola to reach a boiling point, but it eventually simmered.

Two, even though we might not like it, godfatherism is a key feature of Afrodemocracy. Until we liberalise our democracy, godfatherism will continue to define our political culture. “Anointing” candidates for positions is such an African thing to do. There are

people who would never have held power in Nigeria without godfathers. Someone like Fubara would not have been governor today without the help of a godfather like Wike. We can argue from now till eternity but that is a fact. He was not among the political heavyweights in the state who wanted the job. It seems it just fell on his laps. I know many Nigerian politicians who are hoping and praying for this kind of endorsement.

Three, the Wike/Fubara run-in looks like a case of “no retreat, no surrender”, so I am not holding my breath that rapprochement is in the pipeline. From where I stand, I can see that trust is gone. I do not see Fubara backing down after showing his hand so visibly and taking many actions against Wike and his political structure. Fubara has aligned with Wike’s rivals and even snatched some of his allies. For him, it is now a matter of “all or nothing”. Meanwhile, I do not see Wike embracing Fubara wholeheartedly even if the face-off is somehow resolved. This is not dissent but rebellion. All I can see is a fight to the finish. Maybe I am exaggerating things, but I can’t foresee genuine reconciliation.

All said, I find recent developments in Rivers to be quite troubling. We must not gloss over things, no matter where our sympathy lies. There are clear signals that we are moving deeper and deeper into the worst form of Afrodemocracy, where rule of law is the first casualty and impunity reigns supreme.

Unfortunately, if there is a total breakdown of law and order, it is not only Rivers that will be hurt. The rest of Nigeria will suffer the consequences. May I recall that in 1999, some Niger Delta politicians recruited and armed young boys in the battle for political turfs. These boys transformed to militants and Nigeria is yet to recover from the resultant economic setback. A stitch in time…

And Four Other Things…

SACRED COWS Chief Edwin Clark, the elder statesman, wrote an interesting open letter to Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation, on the P&ID judgment. He asked: how come some Nigerians accused of wrongdoing have not been put on trial? The UK court judgment established that Mr. Adetunji Adebayo, who represented P&ID in Nigeria, and some of his employees were sending confidential documents from our legal team to P&ID lawyers. They stood to benefit billions of dollars if the $11.6 billion award had not been upturned. It is unfortunate that while foreign countries are helping us to solve our internal problems, we still treat some people as sacred cows. Shame.

EXIT STRATEGY Owing to forex issues and competition from cheaper products, many foreign companies have been exiting Nigeria. The latest is P&G, a world leader in consumer goods. Equinor, Sanofi and GSK have all left. This is sad news.

Jobs will be lost. Also, the new sales strategy of P&G and GSK means their brands would be more expensive since they will not be produced in Nigeria. For their competitors, who have been growing their market shares over the years, this is not bad news. They will hope more Nigerians will switch to their brands. In all this, though, I am yet to read an official comment or explanation from the federal government on this development. Did I miss the news? Perplexing.

UNCOMMON BIRTHDAY Is it me or is there something special about 61st birthdays that you would need to shut down town to pop champagne and cognac?

Senate President Godswill Akpabio spent how many days last week celebrating his 61st birthday? I know people usually celebrate landmark birthdays — such as 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, etc — and I accept that it is not in my place to dictate to anybody what birthday to celebrate with pomp, but the lack of sobriety on the part of government officials in these hard times always gets to me. This was the same senate president who mockingly took a vote on a trivial motion “to let the poor breathe” when prices of goods and services started going haywire. Insensitive.

NO COMMENT The pump price of petrol in Nigeria is apparently still subsidised, according to a World Bank official. Dr Alex Sienaert, the bank’s lead economist for Nigeria, said going by the exchange rate and other variables, the pump price should be N750/litre and not the prevailing N650 and less. “It does seem like petrol prices are not fully adjusting to market conditions so that hints at the partial return of the subsidy, if we estimate what is the cost reflective of retail PMS price of the would-be and assuming that importation is done at the official FX rate,” he said. “Of course, the liberalisation is happening with the parallel rates, which is the main supplier. The price would be even higher.” Inflammable.

than 85 million Nigerians lack access to electricity despite Nigeria’s rich energy endowments. Relatedly, Nigeria’s average electricity consumption per person is about 140Kwh, significantly lower than the African average. Nigeria cannot develop or lift the mass of people out of poverty without radically improving the supply of and access to electricity.

At the moment, more than 70% of Nigeria’s on-grid electricity is generated from gas-fired plants.

The transition away from oil and gas will likely affect the currently inadequate electricity supply in Nigeria. Even if we are allowed to use gas as a transition fuel on account of “just, equitable and orderly” transition, a conceivable reduction in investments in gas will massively constrain our capacity to continue to generate electricity through thermal plants. This will have serious implications for quality of life, job creation, industrialisation, national productivity and economic growth and development in Nigeria except we are able to quickly switch to, and scale up adoption of, renewable energy to meet our electricity needs.

Based on the probable substantial impacts of the transition on Nigeria through these two channels alone, policy makers in Abuja and state capitals should by now be in an emergency mode. Alarm bells should be going off in governance and policy circles in Nigeria post COP28. But it is hard to sense anything of such. We are still carrying as if nothing has changed or as if nothing will change.

In fact, the only thing we see in such international gatherings as COP and UNGA is the opportunity to junket and showcase to the world what a profligate lot we are. The operating philosophy of Nigeria’s political-economy, including social life, still revolves around extracting, sharing and spending oil money.

Yes, we can make all the right noises about how we are one of the lowest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world, about how our capacity to develop should not be unfairly constrained, and about how the highest emitters, the developed countries, should bear most of the burdens of heating up the planet, including the responsibility to provide adequate funding for developing countries to adapt to changing weather patterns and economic realities.

Yes, there is an argument to be made around climate justice, climate finance and all that. But it will be

more useful for us as a country if we put more of our energy on swiftly fashioning out a strategic response to the evolving reality.

To start with, we need to stop paying lip service to diversifying away from oil. We need a well-thought-out and thoughtfully implemented strategy for significantly reducing our exposure to oil and gas for revenue, export, and energy purposes. The diversification pipeline will need to be funded. One way to do this is to use the bulk of oil revenue between now and the end of oil as investment in future sources of revenue, exports and energy. We need to stop borrowing against future oil and gas revenue to meet current consumption needs. We also need to get over the fixation with sharing and fighting over the sharing of oil and gas earnings. We have not covered ourselves in glory in the management of our oil revenues so far. We should use whatever window we have left to sow the seeds for a more bounteous future.

We also need to quickly review our energy transition plan in line with the renewed commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. We should move fast and concretely to rebalance our energy mix. In Kenya, renewables account for about 90% of electricity supply, a pointer to what is possible. Most countries, including the advanced ones, are moving on the same path. There are certainly lessons for us there in terms of policies and incentives that can unlock both demand and supply for alternative sources of energy. We need to focus on all points of the alternative energy value chain and in ways that will add value and create jobs within Nigeria. We need the same approach to the critical minerals of the green economy.

And very significantly, we need to undertake massive mobilisation and sensitisation of key stakeholders about the reality and enormity of climate change, about the benefits of alternative courses of action, and about the specific things, big and small, that all of us can do to make the difference. Most of our people, including public officials and politicians, are still ignorant of or in denial about the far-reaching ramifications of climate change and the potentials of the new economy. The COP28 deal should serve as our national wake-up call, otherwise it will end up as a decisive goal against Nigeria.

NIGERIA AND THE NEW CLIMATE DEAL assets. This is likely to strengthen the hands of ESG advocates in the financing space.

Some developed countries, some petrostates and some rich oil companies may have the muscle and the appetite to bring new oil and gas projects on stream, but our country and our national oil company don’t fall in this category. The demand for oil and gas products will start to shrink as countries rebalance their energy mix and consumers begin to shift towards cleaner and more affordable energy.

Despite the existence of cartels like OPEC, the market for commodities in general is a buyer’s, not a seller’s, market. The interaction of dwindling investments, shrinking demand and shifting consciousness will eventually bring the oil era to a well-foretold end.

It may not happen tomorrow. But it is almost here, quickened by that last-gasp deal struck in Dubai.

The new climate deal will impact Nigeria through two main channels: government revenue and exports; and energy security. Both channels are consequential, and a clear-headed, appropriate and proactive strategy is urgently needed to ensure that the energy transition does not catch us napping and further drag us down the development ladder.

With proven oil reserves of 37 billion barrels and proven gas reserves of 208 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria has one of the highest oil and gas endowments in the world. The oil and gas sector accounts for more than 80% of Nigeria’s exports and is thus a major source of foreign exchange earnings. Because oil and gas are about the only thing we sell to the world, foreign exchange inflows from this sector determine the size of our external reserves and the value of our currency.

In good times, Nigeria was producing an average of two million barrels of crude oil per day, even with oil theft occurring at near industrial scale. Our daily production has hovered between 1.1mbpd and 1.4mbpd lately. This is still significant. Earnings from the sale of oil and gas and taxes from the sector have accounted, at different times, for between 40% and 80% of government’s revenue. According to the 2024 budget proposal, the Federal Government hopes to raise 42% of its projected evenue from the oil and gas sector. It is a significant plunge, but 42% is still a considerable exposure.

When the demand for oil plummets or disappears,

Tinubu as it surely will when the oil era inevitably ends, Nigeria’s public finances, already in dire straits, will take a massive hit. The same fate will befall export earnings, forex inflow from the sector, our external reserves, and by extension the value of the Naira. If you think things are bad now, breathe in, then think of how considerably worse things could become, and speedily too.

For a long time, Nigerian government officials have been waxing poetic about their determination to diversify the pool of our exports and the sources of government’s revenue. There has been some progress on this front. But much more needs to be done, and quickly too.

The second channel through which Nigeria will be impacted by the energy transition will be our capacity to generate adequate electricity for domestic and industrial use. According to the World Bank, more

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 17, 2023

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NEWS

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS… L-R: Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, Olabisi Makanjuola; Managing Partner, PC Obi & Co/Company Secretary, NIPCO Plc, Paul Chukwuma Obi; and Vice Chairman, NBA, Lagos Branch and Human Rights’ Committee Chairperson, Esther Ifeoma Jimoh, at the presentation of an award on protection and defence of human rights in Nigeria to Obi in Lagos …recently .

Osinbajo, Amaechi, Yerima, Others Float Forum to Support President Tinubu for Second Term Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election said yesterday that they had all agreed to drop their ambition for the 2027 presidency to pave the way for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid.

Accordingly, the presidential hopefuls have formed a forum known as Forum of 2023 APC Presidential Aspirants, which is billed to be inaugurated on Monday, December 18, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The forum disclosed this in a statement signed by its

convener/acting Chairman and former Zamfara State governor, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, and the youngest APC presidential aspirant in the 2023 polls, Dr. Nicholas Felix.

“That because we are committed to the success of President Tinubu and his administration, all members who hitherto had presidential aspirations have all agreed to drop such even ahead 2027 so as to pave a smooth sail for President Tinubu to seek a second tenure. This project we are already working on and will leave no stone unturned,” the statement issued in Abuja stated.

While noting that Monday’s

Anxiety as Aiyedatiwa Consolidates Power, Freezes Ondo LG Accounts There is tension in the 18 Local government areas (LGAs) and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) in Ondo State as the state acting governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has frozen the accounts of the local councils, fueling speculations that their newly appointed caretaker chairmen might be sacked, THISDAY has learnt.

The acting governor also directed the newly created LCDAs not to open new accounts, while also handing over the responsibility of preparing and signing his official engagements to the Deputy Chief of Staff, a duty that was hitherto handled by the Chief of Protocol.

A letter addressed to the local councils, which was sighted in

the state read: “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency the acting governor of Ondo State had directed that all spending/ expenditure from local government account should be suspended, no signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.

“Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided,” the letter added.

One of the caretaker chairmen who confirmed the authenticity of the letter under the condition of anonymity, however, described the development as worrisome.

The caretaker chairman said that Aiyedatiwa made the move to assert authority in line with his vision and to consolidate power as the acting governor.

PSI Organises Innovation Challenge for Students in 6 Zones Africa’s leading innovative fintech brand, Financial Services Innovators (FSI), is set to hold the FSI innovation challenge within the student community across the six geopolitical zones, where winners will go home with lots of giveaway prizes reward as part of its fourth anniversary.

The Executive Director of FSI, Aituaz Kola-Oladejo, disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos during the week.According to the brand navigator of FSI, a non-profit organisation committed to enabling startups

within the technology and financial space, the ambassadors will be rewarded for their community efforts on their campuses.

Reeling out the achievements of FSI in the last four years, Aituaz stated that the company has registered its impact and presence in five continents. “Our impact is being felt in five continents, and our community strength is over 8,200 members, including 45 foreign members from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and North America,” she declared.

inauguration of the forum will also double as its end-of-the-year dinner, the APC presidential aspirants said their main objective is to support President Tinubu and the APC administration for the interest of the country.

“Today, as a people and country, we are faced with myriads of socio-economic problems and we believe that we can only surmount them when we come together, irrespective of our religious, ethnic and even political differences to face these challenges head on.

“It is therefore on this premise

that all the Candidates in the 2023 APC Presidential primary have decided to come together under one umbrella to Mobilise support for our President, H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and his Renewed Hope Administration playing advisory role to enable him succeed and transform this great nation,” the forum said.

Reeling out some of its agendas, the forum said, “Basically, the objective of the forum is to ensure that we come together solidly to support President Tinubu’s administration having surrendered

all our individual interests and collapsed same to support the emergence of President Tinubu.

“As critical stakeholders, we have decided that it is not enough to sit back behind the scenes but to come out and mobilise support for the government’s policies and programmes.

“This forum from time to time will play an intermediary role of ensuring that all the policies and programmes of the government are well disseminated down to the people, especially the grassroots”.

To fully stay on track, the forum of 2023 APC presidential aspirants vowed to constantly have direct engagements with the president “as a way of feedback mechanism and at the same time, render possible advice where necessary.

“This forum will leverage our individual and collective international contacts to ensure that the Nigerians in the diaspora are adequately informed and mobilised to give the President a rousing welcome. We will always go ahead and make adequate preparations in this regard,” it added.

NPC Assures Nigerians of Credible, Reliable Census Okon Bassey in Uyo The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Nasir Isa Kwarra, has assured Nigerians of a credible, reliable and acceptable population census.

Kwarra gave the assurance in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the flag-off of the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), and the official inauguration of the remodelled and reconstructed Akwa Ibom State NPC office building.

He said the commission would leave no stone unturned

in providing the necessary facilities for a comfortable work environment for its personnel to achieve results.

The Chairman, who was represented by the Federal Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State, Chief Benedict Ukpong, stressed that the remodelled building was in steady preparation for the next population and housing census.

He applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the financial and moral support, which made the inauguration possible, saying under his leadership, staff welfare will be his priority.

According to him, the commission’s greatest assets are its staff and described the staff of the Akwa Ibom State office of NPC as hardworking.

He commended them for their steadfastness, resilience and sustained efforts over the years.

“As you are aware, the commission is still carrying out the preparation for the next census. It is in this regard, that we will leave no stone unturned to make sure that all corresponding facilities including habitable and good working environment

are delivered to ensure the constitutional mandate of the commission is fulfilled which is the effective delivery of the next Population and Housing Census, which will be credible, reliable and acceptable.

“The remodelled and reconstructed office building we are officially inaugurating will serve as the administrative hub for the effective functioning of the Akwa Ibom State NPC office where vital meetings and critical decisions that concern the growth and progress of the commission will be made,” he stated.

Edo PDP Delegates will Determine Zoning, Says State Chairman Imasungbon: Zoning to central senatorial district will ensure justice, equity and fairness Chuks Okocha in Abuja Ahead of the Edo State governorship election next year, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, has said that the party’s delegates would determine where the governorship candidate would come from and not the party leadership.

This is as a governorship aspirant on the platform of the

Labour Party (LP), Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon has called for the zoning of the governorship seat to the central zone of the state to ensure development, justice, equity and fairness.

Imasuagbon said the two other senatorial zones - the Edo South and Edo North, have all produced the governors of the state.

He noted that “zoning the office of the governor to Edo Central is the just and equitable thing

to do to ensure justice.”

Speaking with THISDAY on the sidelines of the meeting of PDP stakeholders at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, Aziegbemi, said: “Over 90 per cent of the PDP members believe that it is equitable that the governorship candidate should come from the central senatorial zone.

“But we have not reached the decision where the governorship candidate should

come from. But, as a state party chairman, it is the consensus that the delegates will decide who becomes the governorship candidate.

“The state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said as much when he said that he will support whosoever the party supports.

So, for me, let the delegates decide who will fly the flag of the PDP in the coming election,” Azigbeme stated.

Ogun Monarch Installs El-Rufai as Gbobaniyi of Ijebu Land A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, was yesterday installed as the Gbobaniyi of Ijebuland by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

El-Rufai is said to be the first

Nigerian outside the South-west to receive a chieftaincy title from the Awujale of Ijebuland in his nearly 64-year reign.

Expressing his delight on the installation, the former governor

tweeted on his X handle late Friday, “I am pleased to announce that on Saturday, the 16th of December 2023, His Royal Majesty Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Paramount Ruler and Awujale of Ijebuland

will honour my brother and confidante Otunba Jimi Lawal with two chieftaincy titles for his contributions to the Ijebu Kingdom and Nigeria, along with his wife Maryam Lawal.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 17, 2023

ENGAGEMENTS

63

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

Beyond the Rivers of Trouble

I

nmyadoptedhomestateofRivers,theydo not “play” politics.They wage bitter “fights” over politics. Political outcomes are more of spoils of murky wars than victories of democratic rituals. While the contest for power and supremacy rages, instruments ofviolencearefair.Peoplearekilledroutinely.

Even long after a political battle has been won and lost,thebitternessendures.Politicalfamiliesbecome enemycamps.Politicaldispensationssurviveordie out according to their ability to sustain their camp withthespoilsofwar.So,politicalsolidarityinRivers statetendstobeshortlivedandfluidasfootsoldiers change camps and drift in alliances and allegiances.

Showmepoliticaladversariesofyesteryearsinthe state that are still on speaking terms today!

The historic symbol of this distinction is the gunboat, the principal instrument of power with which slave traders, palm oil traders and colonial warlords contested for and asserted power and authorityinwhathasbecomeRiversStateofmodern Nigeria.TheoilRiversofoldwasazoneofperpetual conflictand instability.Centresofauthorityshifted with changing fortunes in terms of military power measured by possession of arsenals of the maxim gun supplied by white traders from Europe. Bloody contestsamongrival‘houses’forsupremacyinwars overslaves,palmoilandwaterwayswereperennial.

Fast forward. Slaves are now a no no. Palm oil has been replacedbycrudeoilandgas.Thechildrenofthe oldkingsandrulinghouseshavebecomechiefs,kings andleadersofoilproducingcommunities,middlemen inendlessengagementswithinternationaloilmajors.

Fastforwardsstill.Thegreatgrandchildrenoftheoil river middlemen and chiefs have become the politicians of present day partisan democratic contests.

Thewarlikeinstinctsremainalive.Thebitternessof influencecontestshassurvivedthecenturiesaswell.

Those in search of the source of the scorched earth politicsoftoday’sRivers statehadbetterlookatthe history books of the area in the past.

LooknextdoorattheSouthWest.Atthefrequent weekend owambe parties in Lagos, known political adversariesmeetandmix,sharejokesandpounded yam and ewedu soup and exchange banter, only to go back to the political trenches next week with the usual exchange of political insults. No bitterness.

Just a game which has its dividing lines and its own rulesandlanguage.PoliticaladversariesintheSouth Westevenexchangetheirchildreninmarriageatthe weekendonlytoresumethe‘drama’ofpoliticalfights the next week.

In the last one week, the ancient political bad manners of Rivers have been on full display. Barely a month after the dress rehearsals of the brewing scuffle between Governor Fubara and his political mentor, NyesomWike, the second act of the duel is wellunderway.IncumbentGovernorofthestate,Mr. Similayi Fubara, seems to have remembered a bad chapter in the political playbook of his ill mannered political god father, Mr. Nyesom Wike. Love him or hatehim,Tinubu’sFederalCapitalTerritoryminister, Nyesom Wike, has recently emerged as Nigeria’s leading political emperor with scant attention for decency.

The governor woke up earlier in the week and ordered an instant demolition of the state house of Assembly.Bulldozersstormedthesprawlingedifice and razed it to the ground, contents and all. There was no time for the rival political camp controlled fromAbujabyWiketomobilizethugsorpolicemen.

Therewasnowherefortheassemblytomeet.Ahouse of assembly whose majority 27 members had the previousdaydecampedfromthePDPtotherulingAPC foundnowheretositandcompletetheimpeachment of the governor which was obviously their next line of action. It did not matter to them that by changing parties overnight, they had technically lost their seatsinlinewiththestipulationsoftheconstitution.

A homeless legislature is an unsightly travesty of democratic drama.

The governor did not stop with just the physical demolition of the state House of Assembly. He proceeded to present his N800 billion plus 2024 budget to an audience of four of the remaining PDP assembly members.The venue was a section of his living room in the Government House. The rest of the ‘audience’ were many empty chairs in a scene reminiscent of the absurdist play Chairs by Eugene Ionesco. In a touch of sardonic and cruel irony, the embattled governor still had the presence of mind to send a birthday message to Mr. Wike in Abuja, referring to him rather sarcastically as “My Oga”, a cruel reminder to Wike that he and the young man share quite a few intimate details not fit to print!

The sparks of the trouble unfolding in the state

Fubara are still flying and cascading all over the state.The rompoftheparliament,thefiveassemblymenstill inthePDP,havekeptsittingasthoughtheywerethe entire house. After all, they are in the ruling party of the state with the governor. Similarly, the 27 member majority who decamped from the PDP intotheAPChavealsofoundsomelocationtokeep sitting, passing bills, and resolutions as if nothing has happened even if, by law, they have become illegal and illegitimate. The governor can actually order the police to round them up for “unlawful assembly with intent to cause public unrest and disturb the peace of the state”!

Intheinterim,day-to-daygovernanceisthreatened.ThestateAttorneyGeneralwhomthegovernor inherited from Mr. Wike’s cabinet has resigned.

Five other commissioners have since followed suit. Others may follow since an estimated 80% of the cabinet were dictated and imposed by Mr. Wike. It is said that as he headed for the exit door, Wike literally set up a full government machinery andimposeditonMr.Fubarawhilehedirectedthe affairs of the state from his Abuja power fortress.

Onitspart,INECisyettomakeacategoricalstatement on the situation as it concerns the status of the27legislatorswhodecampedtotheAPC.Both the PDP and the APC as parties have conflicting positions on the development. The ruling APC is clearly uncomfortable with the sudden influx of PDP legislators into their party which they see as a destabilizing strategy. For the PDP, it looks like goodriddancetoWikeloyalistsfromtheparty.While waitingforINECtoformallydeclaretheseatsofthe decampeelegislatorsvacant,alienatedelementsin thePDParealreadyrehearsingtoviefortheseats in a by- election.

In this vortex of events and happenings, we can still make out the lines of demarcation among the conflicting forces. At the primary level, there is an openturfwarbetweenMr.Wike,apoliticalgodfather and long term ‘investor’ and this stooge governor.

Perhaps,Mr.Fubaraassertedhisindependencetoo earlyandtotheconsternationofWikewhomayhave taken the governor’s political naivety for granted.

Onhispart,Mr.Wikemayhavetakenontoomuch atonceandactedtooquickly.Hestraddlestwomajor political parties –the PDP and APC- and behaves like a chieftain of both without being an effective member of either. While he may still be a nominal memberofthePDP,Mr.Wikewentintoanelectoral businessalliancewiththeAPCduringtheFebruary presidentialelections. HehelpedMr.Tinubuwrest thestateinaverycontroversialoutcome.Thefruit wasaseatatthetableofTinubu’scrowdedcabinet

as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. In that status,Mr.Wikeisvirtuallythe37thstategovernor inthecountryinviewofthespecialstatusoftheFCT in the constitution.

ThekernelofthepoliticalturfwarbetweenMr.Wike andgovernorFubaraisessentiallybasedonWike’sdo ordiedeterminationtocontrolthepoliticalstructure of Rivers State.There is of course the tangential issueofalsowantingtocontroltheflowofresources even after leaving an office he occupied for eight years with unbridled and arguably reckless control oftheresources.Hecouldnotdothatwithouthimself definitivelydecampingintotheAPCandcarryingthe stategovernoralong.Inthepresentcircumstances, that aim is looking more like an unrealizable dream.

Thegovernorisalreadyamarkedandfreshlyinjured manwhohashoweverrealizedthathisonlychoiceis tosurvivebyfightingfiercely.Tosurvive,Mr.Fubara hastokeephisjob.Tokeephisjob,heneedstocontain the Wike menace.To achieve that feat, he needs to ensure that the injured poisonous snake is not just scorched but decapitated politically.

Over and above the personality scuffle between bothmen,however,somerealfrighteningstrategic monsters have come to the surface. Hidden under the political kaftans of both men is the political balance of power that holds Rivers State in place.The strategicbalancebetweenUplandandRiverineisthe unwrittencodethatkeepsthestategoingpeacefully inpoliticalterms.Mr.Wikemayhaverealizedthathe needed to placate the riverine half of the state by enthroning one of their own, albeit one he thought he could pocket and control.

In his haste to control his surrogate governor, Mr. Wike, an Ikwerre upland man, is now presenting as threatening the ‘turn’ of an Ijaw reverine governor.

The Ijaw elite have risen in unison to defend their son. I am not sure that the upland political elite would be unanimous in any support of Wike in this duel.Wike succeeded a fellow Ikwerre man, Rotimi Amaechi, who was governor for eight years. In the wakeoftherecentharassmentofMr.Fubara,Wikehas unconsciouslychangedthestatusofthegovernorin waysthatoughttoconcernMr.Wikehimself.Fubara has graduated fromWike’s stooge to an illustrious son of the Ijaw nation. He is no longer alone. He is no longer unprotected and at the mercy of an all powerful Wike. The governor is no longer weak; he has been strengthened by a familiarity with Mr. Wike’s rough political manners and buccaneering tactics.Thegovernorisfurtherstrengthenedbyhis pastasaloyalservantofMr.Wikeinmattersunfitto print.Fromseeminglyharmlesscellsinalaboratory test tube, monsters usually emerge to devour their

progenitors.

A justifiable feeling of political entitlement has now united the Ijaws of Rivers state behind their own.Gradually,throughthepronouncementsofmen like Chief E. K Clark and other Niger Delta leaders, consciousness of Fubara’s symbolism as an Ijaw sonislikelytospreadacrossthemajorstatesofthe Niger Delta. I doubt that Mr. Wike has the political skin to withstand the heat in the kitchen of his own making.Iamnotevensurethathisvaluedcontrolof theRiverspoliticalbasewillfaretoowellnowthathe has activated a counter current in the state.

From this point on, therefore, the rumblings in Rivers State have gradually acquired a national security meaning and coloration. Rivers state is a key gateway to the Niger Delta. It is also multiply important for the Nigerian economy and national security. To that extent, the situation requires an urgent national intervention at many levels.

First, the two major political parties need to rein intheirattackdogs.Mr.Wikeoughttobeadvisedby his new political friend, President BolaTinubu, that he cannot possibly be so prominent in the federal governmentandalsobeseenasinstrumentaltothe destabilization of a major state of the federation.

If the situation in Rivers becomes unmanageable, PresidentTinubumayberequiredtodeclareastateof emergencyinthestate.Inthatevent,Wike’sposition asafederalministerandpoliticalagentprovocateur maybecomeuntenable.ItwillbeasaddaywhenMr. TinubuwillhavetochoosebetweenWike’scontinued presence in his cabinet and the peace and stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.The anticipation of this nasty eventuality should compel Tinubu to rein in Mr. Wike to back off and go into discussions with both governor Fubara and the leaders of the Ijaw nation whose interests he has trampled upon.

Therulingparty,theAPC,atboththenationaland statelevelsneedstoinsistthatMr.Wikeeitherjoins the party through the front door or reconciles with hisoriginalparty,thePDP,andrelateswiththeruling party as an electoral ally for now until he can build up a strong enough political base for a reconciled APC in the state to initiate a change. The present strategy of mass commandeering of the political humanassetsofthePDPandforcingthemintoa“one chance” bus of the APC will fall flat on its bloodied nose.WhateverMr.Wike’seventualpoliticalinterest and ambition may be, he cannot possibly achieve it so quickly through microwave political engineering and rough guerilla warfare.

The PDP to which Rivers State has traditionally belonged needs to initiate a serious dialogue to strengthen the support base of the governor. The 27 members that have decamped need to be pulled back and reassured that they are better off in solidarity with the governor but they must renew their allegiance to him. Basic party supremacy and disciplinedemandsnoless.Thisisanopportunityfor Mr.WiketoeitherreclaimhisimportanceinthePDP or quit and join the APC on whose gravy train he has already jumped and is already “eating”.

GovernorFubarashouldnowoperatefromapositionofstrength;strengthofIjawsolidarity,strength from wide public backlash against an overbearing Wike and strength as an agent of peace and stability. In the wake of these suggested discussions, the governorshouldquicklyinitiatereconciliationswith the legislators while reinforcing his hold on the machineryofgovernment.Heneedsanewcabinetand arevisedleadershipconfigurationinthestatehouse ofassembly.Heneedstoinfluencetheriseoffriendly agents in all 23 local governments of the state.

Overandabovetheseintragovernmentgestures, thegovernorneedstoconveneapan-Riverspolitical dialogue with key political figures from across all partisan divides to create a new sense of inclusiveness to nullify the divisive bitterness that Mr.Wike has engendered in the recent history of the state.

Governor Fubara cannot inherit Wike’s political enemiesanddivisions.Heneedsareassuranceofthe generalpopulacethatthedevelopmentofthestate isabovepartisanandpersonalpoliticalinterests.In general,thegovernorneedstolowerthetemperature of the political atmosphere in the state. In doing so, this is the moment for him to remake the political architectureofRiversstateinhisownimage.Nothing in these suggestions suggests that he should not treat Mr. Wike with some gratitude and courtesy but only as one of a line up of former governors like Peter Odili, Rufus Ada George, Celestine Omehia andRotimiAmaechi.Mr.WikeisMinisteroftheFCT andshouldsitdowninAbujaanddohisjob.Heshould onlyvisitRiversstateinnormalcircumstanceswith the knowledge of the incumbent governor. Enough is enough!

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Sunday 17 December, 2023

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Sara-Igbe to Wike

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“Let me tell you about the structure; before Wike left government, the state was making over N10bn internally generated revenue (monthly). When he left, the IGR came down to N6bn. And the governor, a former Accountant General of the state, asked questions and in the process he engaged somebody to look at the books, and the commissioner of finance reported to Wike and the former governor got angry. That is the structure.” – Ijaw leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, revealing why the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, is fighting Governor Sim Fubara.

4*/$&

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Fubara and the Rebellion of Godsons

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hree things are certain in life: death, taxes and face-offs between godfathers and godsons in Nigerian politics. The open war between Chief Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers state, and Mr Siminalayi Fubara, whom he handpicked as his successor, is the latest in the catalogue of godfathers vs godsons which, I reckon, is as old as Nigerian politics. Godfathers, or godmothers, are heavyweights who deploy their political or economic might to handpick candidates for political offices. Ordinarily, their anointed candidates, or godsons/goddaughters, do not have the machinery to win elections or the clout to get appointments.

They, thus, have to rely on these heavyweights.

My first experience of the power of godfathers was the Kwara state governorship election of 1983.

Fubara

The state was under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) which controlled the federal government as well. The late Dr Olusola Saraki was the godfather of Kwara politics and always determined who would get what. He had helped the late Alhaji Adamu Attah become governor in 1979. We understood they fell out when Attah stopped coming to the Ilorin airport to receive him. Saraki, senate leader at the time, reportedly felt slighted and exacted his pound of flesh by supporting Chief C.O. Adebayo, candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), in 1983. For sure, Adebayo won.

We have witnessed face-offs between godfathers and godsons in states such as Anambra, Enugu, Borno, Lagos, Oyo and Kano. Sometimes, the godfathers overreach themselves by making excessive demands; other times, the godsons try to upstage their benefactors

after getting power. The results are mixed: godfathers have won some wars, godsons have also won, and both have lost to a third force. In Kwara in 1983, the godfather won. In Edo in 2020, the godson, Mr Godwin Obaseki, defeated the godfather, Senator Adams Oshiomhole. In Anambra in 2003, the godfather, Chief Chris Uba, and the godson, Dr Chris Ngige, both lost out as a third force, Mr Peter Obi, took power.

I will be delighted to read an academic inquisition into this godfather phenomenon, a key feature of Afrodemocracy. My favourite case study remains Kwara, where Saraki anointed his son, Bukola, to be governor in 2003. In this instance, the godfather was also the biological father. By the time he finished his two terms in 2011, the younger Saraki had clinically Continued on page 61

FEMIADESINA GUEST COLUMNIST

To Buhari, the Kind-hearted Toughie at 81

F

rom his days as an iron fisted military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari had cut the image of a brutal, no nonsense person, without a drop of milk of human kindness. Not so. People often condemn who or what they don’t understand.

Yes, he can be reserved, aloof, unflappable, and even stern. I remember when news of Bukola Saraki’s defection, along with Yakubu Dogara and many other senators and Rep members got to him before 2019 election, he simply said: “And who the bloody hell does that bother?”

But all that changes when he becomes comfortable with you. You then get to know his soft and kind side.

Sometime in 2022, we were at Kigali, capital of Rwanda, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government

Meeting. On the delegation was the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.

During our stay, news got to the President that Dame Tallen had suffered a bad fall in the bathroom, and was in the hospital.

Pronto, President Buhari got some of his aides together, and we headed for the hospital. He not only wished his minister well, but also gave instructions that she be evacuated for better care, if necessary.

Col. Dangiwa Umar, remember him? He was one of those popularly referred to as IBB Boys in the Nigerian Army then, and he was military governor of Kaduna State.

He told me a story, which showed that he may not have gone beyond the rank of Captain in the army, if not for Buhari.

“I went on a course in the United States of America.

Advanced Armoured Course. General Buhari was Military Secretary then.

“Usually, promotion in the army is based on performance, and annual evaluation report. But you don’t get assessed for a year you are on course, since you didn’t work under any superior, who would assess you. So, the course report is usually used.

“I came back from the course, and my mates, the 7th Regular Course, had been promoted from Captain to Major, but I was bypassed. I wrote that I wanted to resign my commission because of the injustice.

“As Military Secretary, Gen Buhari took an interest in the matter, raised it at the appropriate quarters, and within two to three weeks, I was promoted.”

You also sure remember Dr Marilyn Amobi, Managing

Director of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc. She told me of her encounter with Buhari: “My first contact with the Nigerian government was in 2005, during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

One afternoon, I just got a phone call in London, where I lived, and the person identified himself as Liyel Imoke.

“I said; Imoke. Is that not a Nigerian minister? He was just laughing. Because I was making my hair, I was a bit impatient with him, when he didn’t answer.

I then said; please don’t call this number again.

“He was calm, and asked when I would finish making my hair. I said in about an hour. He promised to call back.

Continued on page 60

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

Nigeria and the New Climate Deal

I

n extra time, and against the run of play, a crucial goal was scored at the recentlyconcluded UN climate summit. More than 200 countries, after intense negotiations, agreed to a deal for the world to transition away from fossil fuels. This has been hailed as the most significant step towards limiting the adverse effects of climate change in the last three decades of holding these global talks.

Fossil fuels—mainly oil, gas and coal—have long been implicated as the major culprits for our increasingly warming earth and the resultant detrimental and increasingly common weather events.

But this is the first time a consensus will be reached to name-check these clearly dirty sources of energy and to expressly agree to moving away from them,

and interestingly this happened at a summit hosted

by UAE, a petrostate.

Other key takeaways from COP28 include the commitment by countries to triple renewable energy supplies by 2030, double energy efficiency, set new national action plans by 2025 and a recommitment to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as the pledging of $700 million to a loss and damage fund designed to aid poor countries that are disproportionately affected by climate change.

But by a planet mile, the landmark breakthrough of COP28 was the surprise deal on fossil fuels.

As with most compromise deals, there is enough to pick issues with in the ‘UAE Consensus.’ While the deal has been hailed as historic and bold, it has also been denounced as vague and inadequate by

vulnerable, small island states and climate activists.

The deal lacks a binding force and the wording is loose enough to accommodate loopholes. For example, the call for the transition to happen “in a just, orderly and equitable manner” is clearly a get-away clause, even if anchored on practical grounds.

But one thing should be clear, especially to an oil-dependent country like Nigeria: the ground has shifted. The end of the oil era is nigh. For the incurable optimists, it is meet here to recall the quote famously attributed to Ahmed Zaki Yamani, former oil minister of Saudi Arabia: “The Stone Age did end because the world ran out of stones, and the Oil Age will not end because we run out of oil.”

It is difficult to say exactly when the end of oil will come—as it may be quicker or slower than

apparent—and the journey to the end may even be punctuated by the highs of one or two oil booms.

However, the bottoming out of the oil era is now both irreversible and inevitable. The earlier we assume the worst and come to terms with this as a country and urgently prepare ourselves for the inevitable morning after oil, the better for us.

With the consensus to transition away from fossil fuels, new investments in oil and gas projects are likely to start drying up. It is a capital-intensive sector, and the banks and other financiers are likely to bow to pressure from their increasingly environmentally-conscious shareholders and steer clear of what will probably be seen as stranded Continued on page 61

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