SUNDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2022

CBN: Cash Withdrawal Limits will Tame Electronic Fraud Says e-fraud declined by 35% in 2022 Nume Ekeghe The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend said its recent policy of cash withdrawal limit would aid in curbing electronic fraud (e-fraud).

The apex bank’s Director of Payments System Management Department, Mr. Musa Jimoh, who gave this assurance yesterday in Lagos, also disclosed that as electronic payments continued to gain traction, fraudulent transactions

in 2022 declined by 35 per cent compared to last year.

Speaking at the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) meeting, Jimoh said the new policy would deter criminals from defrauding innocent people because of the withdrawal

limits which would automatically trace and block such compromised accounts before the money is illegally withdrawn.

He said: “As we envisage and begin to put some limits on the cash withdrawal that can happen

daily the incidence of fraud would also tame down- because right now, they steal huge amounts of money, and then at about from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., they go to an ATM and withdraw everything. But right now, with the policy on limits,

you would not be able to take as much and the system will be able to trace and block such accounts before the money is taken away.

“So, this cashless limit is also a Continued on page 5

Osinbajo, Okowa, Ortom, APC Govs, IG, Others Celebrate Buhari at 80… Page 6 Sunday 18 December, 2022 Vol 27. No 10113

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N400

N

Let’s Give Peace a Chance, Abdulsalami Tells Nigerians… Page 8

APC, PDP in Verbal War over Poor Performance Claim Tinubu should apologise, says opposition party Nigerians won’t accept your lies, APC replies Atiku, PDP Former VPupbeat about securing South-east’s votes

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress

(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday engaged in a war of words over the alleged poor performance of the ruling

party in the last seven years.

While the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council asked the presidential candidate

of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu to show remorse and apologise for the poor performance of the APC, the ruling party condemned what

it described as the attempts by the opposition party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to demarket its achievements, stressing

that Nigerians won’t give in to their lies.

Continued on page 5

2023: Again, Buhari Assures of Credible Polls Acceptable to All Contestants Says INEC has no reason not to be ready for elections Insists no LGA is under control of Boko Haram Labour Party’s leaders, candidates no longer safe, Abure cries out Deji Elumoye and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has previewed the forthcoming general election scheduled for the first quarter of 2023 in Nigeria with a declaration that his administration would conduct a credible poll that would be acceptable to all candidates participating in the exercise.

The president made this commitment on Friday in Washington DC, the United States capital, at an interactive session entitled, "A conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria’’, co-hosted by the United State Institute of Peace (USIP), the International Republican Institute, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

But despite Buhari’s assurance of credible polls in 2023, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Julius Abure, has cried out

over the killing, several assaults and harassment of the leaders, candidates and members of the party, saying there may never be hitch-free polls next year.

Buhari, according to a statement issued yesterday by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, reiterated his avowed determination to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent national elections in 2023, whose outcome would be largely accepted by the contestants.

He stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no reason not to be ready for next year’s elections, insisting also that no local government area in Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram.

He noted that the conduct of elections in Nigeria has continued to improve since 2015.

“From the 2019 general election, the by-elections and the off-season Continued on page 5

Argentina, France Battle in World Cup Final...Page 70

ALL EYES ON 2023…

L-R: Former Governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; and vice presidential candidate and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, during the party’s presidential rally in Owerri, Imo State…yesterday

2

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

3

4

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

5

DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE FIVE 2023: AGAIN, BUHARI ASSURES OF CREDIBLE POLLS ACCEPTABLE TO ALL CONTESTANTS elections in Edo, Ekiti, Anambra and Osun states were conducted in largely improved contexts to the satisfaction of contestants and voters. ‘‘That is what we hope for in 2023. Through the observatory roles of the international community, the credibility of the elections can be further enhanced to make the acceptability of the outcome to the contestants and political parties a non-issue,’’ Buhari explained.

Commenting on the readiness of INEC to conduct the 2023 elections, the president said INEC is ready “because I made sure they were given all the resources they asked because I don’t want any excuses that they were denied funds by the government.”

President Buhari also revealed that Nigeria’s agricultural revolution has created over 13 million direct and indirect jobs in the last seven and half-years.

He advised western nations not to be in a rush to eliminate the usage of fossil fuels in a bid to ensure a healthy climate.

Buhari also cautioned western nations against the frivolous issuance of travel advisories on Nigeria, urging the international media to be more objective in its reportage of the country.

He told the international community that despite the nonnonchalant actions and attitudes of some of its friends and allies, Nigeria is nonetheless winning the war on terrorism, making significant progress in dealing with the threats to Nigeria’s and the sub-region's safety and survival.

President Buhari also called on the United States to do more to improve the quality of governance in the West African sub-region, warning that the survival of democracy is being challenged in the aftermath of the democratic set-backs witnessed in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

Expounding on steps taken by his administration to expand Nigeria’s economy since coming into power in 2015, the president said focused interventions in agriculture driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) transitioned the country from being a net importer of rice, Nigeria’s staple food, to becoming self-sufficient in its production. ‘‘This Agricultural revolution has led to the creation of over 13million direct and indirect jobs,’’ he said. ‘‘The non-oil sector remains the future of our economy and I hope successive governments will consolidate on the gains we have recorded under my leadership. ‘‘You will agree with me that the Russia-Ukraine war has compelled many economies to carry out reforms and re-adjust policies to cope with the challenges posed by the conflict,’’ he said.

On the rush to eliminate the usage of fossil fuels by some developed nations, the president recounted that as a member of the global community, Nigeria had participated in several rounds of talks regarding climate change and various decisions emerging from COP26 and the just concluded COP27. ‘‘But as I stated in my Washington Post article, there can’t be double standards, wherein Western nations use their influence and weight to turn the taps off global financing for fossil fuel transactions which are much needed by developing nations, yet when they feel the pinch they are quick to turn on their coal-powered plants.

President also said no local government area in Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.

He, however, acknowledged that Nigeria and other countries in the West African region have been negatively impacted by the events in Libya, Central Africa Republic, The Sahel and the war in Ukraine. ‘‘Our region is awash with small and light weapons that continue

to seamlessly circulate as well as cope with the influx of foreign fighters," he added.

President Buhari commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Multi-national Joint Task Force, consisting of Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Nigeria, for demonstrating great bravery in the fight against terrorism, while paying the ultimate price in securing collective freedom. ‘‘We are, nonetheless, winning the war and making significant progress in dealing with the threats to Nigeria’s and the sub-regions safety and survival. ‘‘This steady progress is despite the negative reportage in international media as well as the nonchalant actions and attitudes of some of our friends and allies to sufficiently appreciate our efforts in the fight against terrorism.

"Rather than focus on negativity, which is what Travel Advisories have become, Nigeria, the subregions of Africa and the rest of the world can work more concertedly together to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism, both of which are challenges to global peace and stability and not just Nigeria and Africa alone,” he explained.

The president disclosed that Nigeria is on the verge of commissioning her New Counter Terrorism Centre that would serve as a hub for counter-terrorism coordination and research in West Africa.

Speaking on democracy in West Africa, Buhari said Nigeria would ‘‘aggressively work together to improve the quality of governance in the West African sub-region, where the survival of democracy, is currently challenged.’’ ‘‘The recent reversals witnessed in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea are most unfortunate indeed and ECOWAS continues to effectively remain engaged with these countries to restore democracy to all the Member-States of ECOWAS as indeed the entire African Continent.’’

President Buhari thanked Ambassador Johnnie Carson, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and his team for inviting him back to the Institute after the last visit in 2015. ‘‘When I met you in 2015, I was not unaware of the enormous domestic and international goodwill that I attracted. Although I am a converted democrat, and not your run-of-the-mill politician and therefore, less inclined to engage in double-talks. ‘‘My advisers may not be happy with me in this regard. I am, however, measured in speaking but always certain that the truth I shall speak and this has huge consequences in a political space wherein this is an exception rather than the norm,’’ Buhari concluded.

Labour Party’s Leaders, Candidates No Longer Safe, Abure Cries Out Meanwhile, despite Buhari’s assurance that the conduct of the 2023 elections would be acceptable to all the candidates, the National Chairman of the LP, Abure, has raised the alarm that the series of attacks and killing of the party’s leaders and candidates have shown that there might never be hitch-free elections in 2023.

Abure also lamented that his request for police protection has been largely snubbed even when leaders and candidates of other political parties move around with detachment of police aides and escorts.

In a statement issued yesterday, the LP chairman expressed worry over the murder of the candidate of the party for Onuimo Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Christopher Elehu, by gunmen suspected to be hired killers on Friday.

He also recounted the recent

killing of a women leader of the party in Kaduna State, pointing out that no one has been charged in court.

Apart from killing Elehu, the gunmen also set his country home ablaze.

Abure said: "Just a few weeks ago, our women leader in Kaura, Kaduna State was murdered in cold blood with the husband sustaining injuries and still in the hospital. About six weeks ago, the senatorial candidate of our party in Ebonyi State was kidnapped

after police took responsibility for his arrest. This was after days of his incarceration; he is now released without any charges.

"The billboards of all our candidates across the country are being pulled down and destroyed.

There are a series of attacks on the party members and leaders across the country, and the mother of it all is the murder of this candidate in Imo State.

"We are using this opportunity to call on Mr. President, security agencies, especially the Police and

DSS to protect the Labour Party, its leaders and members.

"Election is not a do-or-die matter. The government must ensure that a level-playing field must be created for all political parties, both those in power and those who are not in power. Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the blessed memory, once said the opposition is the soul of democracy. If there is no opposition then, of course, there is no democracy. Therefore, the government in power must not only protect those in government

but also opposition party members.

"As of today, a lot of our candidates have no police protection, even me as the national chairman, despite all my applications to have policemen, none have been drafted to me.

As the chairman of one of the most popular political parties, I still do not have security assigned to me. Our officers are exposed, our members are exposed and with the high level of insecurity now, we have become very vulnerable,” he explained.

APC, PDP IN VERBAL WAR OVER POOR PERFORMANCE CLAIM In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Mr. Bayo Onanuga said that all surreptitious moves by Atiku and the PDP to rewrite their ugly past that plundered the country into the abyss of suffering would hit the rocks.

APC-PCC stated that the recent slanderous utterances by the leaders of the PDP and its presidential candidate against the ruling APC and President Muhammadu Buhari were not only insulting but an abuse of the collective intelligence of Nigerians.

Taking a swipe at the PDP, the campaign council maintained that Nigerians have not forgotten the atrocious era of the opposition party, adding that nobody would now accept all the lies being peddled by the PDP leaders in desperation for cheap votes ahead of next year’s elections.

The ruling party reminded the opposition party of its failed attempt to change its name due to its atrocious record, by mounting podiums and trying to deodorise and beautify the party’s ugly era.

“Leaders of Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are playing on our seeming forgetfulness and insulting our collective intelligence.

“Having consistently shown a lack of capacity for introspection, PDP Leaders have been going about the country slandering the APC-led government of President Buhari, believing that as Nigerians, we have forgotten their atrocious era and that we are unappreciative ignoramuses.

“Notably Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the party that once contemplated changing its brand name because of its atrocious record, has been emboldened by our assumed forgetfulness as a nation, mounting podiums and trying to deodorise and beautify the party’s ugly era.”

Recalling the series of blame games by the opposition, the ruling party campaign council cited Atiku blaming the APC for the emergence of Boko Haram, forgetting that the insurgents emerged in 2009 under his party’s watch.

“He (Atiku) blamed Buhari over the economic challenges, forgetting that he opportunistically joined the coalition that toppled the clueless PDP government of President Jonathan when the economy was nose-diving.

“Atiku has now been joined by Abubakar Saraki, the failed Senate

President and saboteur-in-chief of the Buhari agenda, who in his latest comment in Ilorin, urged Nigerians to ‘go back to the PDP at both the State and the national levels’. In the famous words of Dino Melaye, we say ‘PDP: God forbid’.

The ruling party argued that in a sane society, PDP should not be canvassing for votes to be returned to office, when during their 16 years in power, they laid the foundation for the challenges we face today.

“Let us not forget what the party of looters did to our treasury, depleting foreign reserves to $28 billion by May 2015, even though a record N75 trillion flowed into the treasury from oil sales alone, with almost nothing to show.

“Let us not forget that the party of looters nurtured the conditions that led to the emergence of Boko Haram on our soil and it was so clueless about how to deal with the menace as our cities and people were bombed and maimed by Boko Haram terrorists.

“Let us not forget that for six years, the PDP allowed the insurgents to declare a Caliphate on our soil, controlling 17 local governments in Borno State and four in Adamawa, making Atiku unable to go to Jada, his hometown.

“Let us not forget that the PDP left our infrastructure decrepit, highways impassable after allotted money to contractors had been shared by party stalwarts.

“Let us not forget that this party now posing as recovery agents had already grounded our country and made our economy comatose before Buhari took over on 29 May 2015.

“Let us not forget that the two poorest states in our country, Sokoto and Bayelsa are states being governed by the PDP in the last eight years.”

However, the APC-PCC noted that in the past seven and a half years, the Buhari-led administration has been trying to clear the mess left by the PDP predecessors.

Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP presidential campaign team insisted that Nigeria was exceptionally better under the PDP before Tinubu and his APC beguiled Nigerians and brought in a deceptive, corrupt and incompetent administration that wrecked the country’s economy and foisted an era of pain, sorrow, anguish and mass killing on the nation PDP said it was unfortunate that at a time when Nigerians expected Tinubu to be remorseful and ask for forgiveness, he was going around with lies with which he intended to beguile Nigerians once again.

“If there is any political party in the world that should never seek electoral votes because of its many failures, that party is the incompetent, deceptive and insensitive APC. "Nigerians are already aware that Tinubu's campaign is trying to divert public attention from its inability to articulate or process issues of governance as well as Tinubu's incapacity to debate either in the media or public space.

"The continued resort of the Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign to diversionary tactics shows Tinubu's acceptance of the superiority of the candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

"In any case, it is imperative for the Tinubu/Shettima campaign to know that Nigerians are still waiting for their response to the litany of allegations surrounding Tinubu's smelly past.

"The Tinubu/Shettima Campaign should help their principal to address the issues of alleged perjury, forgery, treasury-looting, identity theft as well as links with narcotics for which he forfeited a whopping $460,000 to the United States of America," he added.

PDP insisted that Tinubu should draft a letter of apology to Nigerians for deceiving and making them suffer this much.

Tinubu Should Show Remorse, Apologise

Atiku Upbeat about Securing South-east’s Votes

But in a swift reaction, the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed what it described as the attempt by the Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign Council to compare the prosperous years of the PDP to the famished years of the APC in office as a further confirmation that the APC is plagued by a lying spirit.

In a statement by the Spokesperson of the Atiku/

Meanwhile, at the PDP presidential rally in Owerri, Imo State, yesterday Atiku exuded confidence that the South-east has no reason not to vote for his party at the next year’s general election.

He also reiterated his plan to restructure Nigeria with the National Assembly.

Speaking at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Atiku, who said that he

understood the Igbo people very well, explained that he would sit down and listen to the people of the South-east who are at the forefront of the campaign for the restructuring of the country.

The former vice president reiterated his earlier pledge to tackle youth unemployment and gender issues, promising to inject $10 billion into businesses in Igboland to boost the economic activities of people who are known for their businesses.

“I know Igbos are businessmen.

If elected I will bring back businesses in Igboland. Once I am elected I will inject $10 billion into small businesses in Igboland.

With that nobody will say he does not have anything to do in the South-east.

“Just like the entire South-east is yearning for restructuring of Nigeria, once I am elected I will sit down with you and work with the National Assembly on the restructuring of Nigeria. I assure you that I swear to God that I will deal with it.

“So, the people of the Imo state and the South-east have no reason not to vote for the PDP. Honestly, as I see you and I like the way you came out to welcome me. I like that; I don’t feel like leaving you,” he added.

In his remarks, the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, stated that Atiku is the only presidential candidate that can correct the anomalies created by the ruling APC. “Atiku said he will bring $10 billion to support small businesses.

I am convinced Atiku will win this election. I greet all of you and I know you are ready to work for the PDP.” Speaking later at a Town Hall meeting with Christian leaders in Imo, Okowa appealed to the opposition parties to unite to defeat the same-faith ticket of the ruling APC. Okowa said that splitting of opposition votes may indirectly lead to the emergence of the same-faith ticket.

“We truly need to realise as a nation that there are certain things that bring us together and those things that divide us ought not to be emphasised.

“We believe that at every point in time it is best for Nigeria to run a Muslim-Christian ticket or a Christian-Muslim ticket; any situation that presents a same-faith ticket means that Christians will not have the opportunity to worship their God in Aso Rock,” he added.

CBN: CASH WITHDRAWAL LIMITS WILL TAME ELECTRONIC FRAUD way of deterring fraudsters from taking other people’s money,” Jimoh explained.

Speaking on the strides the CBN and NeFF have made in reducing e-fraud, the apex bank official said they have been able to ring-fence the payment infrastructure and the finance system against criminal activities.

He disclosed that already, their efforts have reduced the incidence of fraud by 35 per cent, adding that a substantial amount of money has been recovered through a cocktail of initiatives put in place to check the activities of criminals.

He said: “We have actually tamed down the incidence of fraud. We have recovered so many lost funds and we are putting formidable

systems around our payment infrastructure and financial system infrastructure such that fraudsters cannot penetrate.”

“In terms of percentage, it is between 30 to 35 per cent decline in incidences of fraud. Remember, there are attempts and they are successful ones. The number of attempts is high, which means that they have been attempting but they are not successful and some are successful and so money is taken away. And in terms of recovery, we also recovered high numbers in terms of the percentage of the monies recovered because of the different initiatives and systems that have been put in place to checkmate all those fraudsters and to track wherever the money is taken into.”

According to him, plans are being put in place by the CBN and NeFF to ensure that no e-fraud activities take place in Nigerian banks next year.

Also speaking at the same event, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) Mr. Premier Oiwoh urged banks to invest more in technology to help reduce fraud from being perpetrated.

Oiwoh reiterated the need for banks to invest in technology to curb fraud citing that artificial intelligence (AI) if used well would help eliminate fraud.

Noting that one of the major problems in the nation’s banking industry is the reluctance to report fraud cases, he, therefore, called on

the apex bank to ease the process of recovery and the need for each bank to set up a fraud desk.

He said: “Institutions should invest in Enterprise Fraud management (EFM), a fraud monitoring tool. A system is as effective as the person who sets it up. I don't think the EFM that exists today works. EFM is supposed to be smart. It is an artificial intelligence (AI) that should intercept, analyse, interpret and take actions.”

“Also, the recovery process even when these frauds occur, I think is something the CBN needs to look into. Also, a major problem in the industry is that people shy away from reporting fraud. I urge every player in the ecosystem to set up a fraud desk,” he added.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 18, 2022

6

NEWS

CELEBRATING MEDICAL EXCELLENCE… L-R: Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke; former Head of State and Chancellor, PAMO University of Medical Science, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd); Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Mmon; former Governor of Rivers State and Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Peter Odili; Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Michael Diejomaoh; and Keynote Speaker and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), at the second convocation ceremony of the university in Port Harcourt, Rivers State…recently

Osinbajo, Okowa, Ortom, APC Govs, IG, Others Celebrate Buhari at 80 You’ve served selflessly, VP tells president Deji Elumoye, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday received more congratulatory messages from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom; governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC); and the Inspector General of Police (IG), Usman Baba, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

In his message, Osinbajo described Buhari’s life as one of “unblemished, honest and selfless service to the nation”.

The vice president’s birthday message is contained in a personally signed statement titled ‘Buhari has shown it’s possible to serve honestly, forthrightly & selflessly says Osinbajo.’

In the statement, Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, wrote: “Happy 80th Birthday, Mr. President!

“Your extraordinary life of unblemished service to the nation in the army, as a Governor, Minister, Military Head of State and two-term Civilian President demonstrates that it is possible to serve the nation and our people honestly, forthrightly and selflessly.

“Dolly and I, and the family wish you many more happy years in peace and good health in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

On his part, Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, extended the goodwill of the government and people of the state to the President on the landmark anniversary, saying God had been faithful.

The governor used the opportunity to commend Buhari for the completion of the Second Niger Bridge, and remarked that it was a demonstration of "political will."

He said: “as you clock 80 today, I heartily rejoice with you and your family on behalf of the Government and people of Delta State.

"Let me on behalf of our people commend you for the completion of the second Niger Bridge, an audacious project that was long overdue.

“Your administration has provided support to states and local governments through interventions and refunds to mitigate the myriad of economic challenges faced by the two tiers of government,” Okowa said.

In his message, Umahi, in a statement he signed and made available to journalists, said the government and people of the state were proud of Buhari’s rare life accomplishments.

“We thank God for blessing you with good health, wisdom and a rare sense of leadership.

“We also thank God for making you a rallying point in the progressive march of achieving a nation of our pride despite daunting challenges,” he said He described Buhari as a source of inspiration in the leadership history of Nigeria.

“We pray God to continue blessing you with fatherly wisdom, greater longevity and sound health,” he added.

Governor Ortom equally congratulated President Buhari on his 80th birthday.

In a goodwill message, he praised the president for his steadfastness and indomitable spirit in upholding the ideals of nationhood.

While urging President Buhari to sustain the transparent

lifestyle that has been his hallmark and signature tune over the years, he admonished him to ensure he bequeaths the country to the incoming administration devoid of the current insecurity challenges rocking the foundation of the nation.

"We are not there yet. But the president has assured us that he will hand over a country that will be free from insecurity and the current polarisation that has enveloped us. We need to be united again, not along ethnic or religious lines but along nationalistic ideals that bind us together."

This, the governor said, will be the needed compass to direct the younger generation to live an upright life and have hope for a better nation.

He also noted the need for the

president to continue to promote those attributes of transparency, honesty, fairness, equity and justice as a panacea for peace and unity of the country.

Ortom wishes President Buhari good health, peace and wisdom in the years ahead.

The ruling APC has also described Buhari as a source of great inspiration to many Nigerians, as well as a model of discipline, integrity, resilience and patriotism.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, the party celebrated Buhari’s courage and sagacity in steering the ship of the country from rough tides to a safe harbour.

The governors elected on the platform of the APC under the umbrella of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) have

also commended Buhari for his vision and commitment to moving the nation forward.

The Chairman of PGF and the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu in a statement said Buhari's doggedness and unwavering determination to defend and secure Nigeria as a prosperous and democratic country has immeasurably stabilised and restored confidence in the electoral process and party politics.

He said: "We are grateful for your leadership, vision and commitment to move our dear nation forward. Your doggedness and unwavering determination to defend and secure Nigeria as a prosperous and democratic country have immeasurably stabilised and restored confidence in our electoral process and party

politics."

Bagudu noted that the leaders and members of the party are grateful to have his inspiring leadership role.

On his part, the IG, Baba, in a statement by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noted that Buhari’s calculative approach to issues was remarkable and truly inspirational, and had served as a guide and motivation to the NPF leadership.

Adejobi said: “While wishing Mr. President many more years in good health and happiness, the IG assures of the unwavering commitment of the NPF to the actualisation of the police reform agenda and bequeathing to Nigerians good governance, safety and peaceful coexistence we all deserve in Nigeria.”

Aregbesola Blames Oyetola for Osun’s Huge Debt Profile Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Former Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has berated his successor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola for the worrisome debt profile of the state declared by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Adeleke claimed the state owed N407.32 billion, blaming the administration of Oyetola for incurring the debt.

But Oyetola denied the allegation, maintaining Aregbesola’s administration obtained the loans.

Osun State House of Assembly on Friday announced it would investigate the debt profile by inviting the relevant agencies to seek clarifications.

Aregbesola, in a statement by his media aide, Sola Fasure yesterday argued that Oyetola

caused the problem for himself because he allegedly refused to cooperate with Adeleke for proper handing over.

He stressed that the Osun State Accountant-General should be in a better position to give the true particulars of the indebtedness of the state, adding that the impasse was between Adeleke and Oyetola, and so he should not be in the picture.

He explained that the two major loans he took had been liquidated while the other ones are long-term concessional facilities by the federal government with minimal monthly deductions.

Aregbesola said: “I will suggest that you look at all the loans and get to the Accountant-General of the state at Abere. I think the

Accountant General or the Permanent Secretary (Finance) would have better information because it is the AccountantGeneral that raised a memo based on the query of the governor.

“The matter is between Adeleke and Oyetola administrations because the Aregbesola debts have been liquidated. It was not Aregbesola that took the N18 billion loan that was taken after the election. Oyetola took some other loans, including salary support from the federal government.

“They caused the problem for themselves. If they had set up a transition committee and if they had cooperated well with the incoming governor after they had lost the election, there would have been a

smooth change of government.

“They would have compared notes and there would be no rancour. But he was busy sowing mines on the path of the incoming governor, creating problems for him, and spending money with reckless abandon. What did he do with N18 billion? Now the new government is fighting back.

If the new government takes the matter up to the EFCC, there would be problems for the Oyetola’s administration.

“They should count Aregbesola out of their problems because out of the three loans he took, two have been liquidated.

It is only the long-term debt that is remaining and only the Accountant-General can give us the status of the loan because it is no longer what it was because deductions are being made.”

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

7

8

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 18, 2022

NEWS

HONOUR FOR BEST LAW SCHOOL STUDENT… L-R: Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; the father of the best student, Mr. Omokayode Dada; Chairman of Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Best overall student of the September 2022 Bar Finals examination, Ms. Mary Omotayo Dada; Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN); Mother of the student, Mrs. Dada; and the Vice Chairman, Body of Benchers, Justice Mary Peter-Odili (rtd), during the presentation of the star prize to Ms. Dada during the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja… recently

Buhari Woos Investors in US, Says Nigeria is Africa’s Largest Market Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari at the weekend assured potential investors from the United States of massive investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially in the non-oil sector of the economy.

Buhari gave the assurance at a dialogue session with some US investors, Nigerian officials, diplomats and as well as experts from the private sector in Washington D.C. The ‘Presidential Dialogue: Nigeria Business and Investment Forum,’ was held on the sidelines of the 2022 US Africa Leaders’ Summit.

The session was held behind closed doors while the panel session on “Nigeria: A compelling Investment Haven,’’ was opened for officials and Nigerians to discuss.

Buhari said the outcome of the massive efforts and investments by his administration in infrastructure development and refurbishment, especially road construction and rehabilitation, investment tax credit policy, led to the reconstruction of 21 selected federal roads, totalling 1,804.6 kilometres “With regards to railways, sea and airports as well as energy, which are expected to facilitate movements of people, goods and services as well as sustain the stabilisation of industries and their growth, respectively.

“The outcome of government’s efforts is well documented in basic facts on Nigeria, which you can easily access for your education and use,’’ he explained.

He said Nigeria like other countries, including the developed economies, is facing economic challenges, occasioned by the disruptions as a result of the COVID – 19 pandemic and the ongoing Ukraine war and climate change, in which massive flooding is one of the manifestations.

Notwithstanding these global challenges, he said Nigeria had witnessed seven consecutive quarters of growth, after the

negative growth rates recorded in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters of 2020.

“Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.54 per cent year-on-year in real terms in the 2nd Quarter of 2022, which represents a sustained positive economic performance, especially for the Non-Oil GDP which fell by 4.77 per cent in Q2 2022 against Oil GDP that grew by -11.77 per cent.’’

The Nigerian leader said the statistics continued to indicate that most sectors of the economy recorded positive growth despite these challenges, which reflected the effective implementation of the economic sustainability measures introduced by his administration.

“For our economy to favourably meet up the global digitisation, Nigeria embraced communication and digital economy.

“Already, the broadband coverage of the country stands at 44.32 per cent and 77.52 per cent. 4G coverage has also been achieved, with the establishment of 36,751 4G base stations nationwide,’’ he added.

Buhari said adequate and sustained power supply was a pre-requisite for any socioeconomic and industrial development, stressing that his administration placed the power sector as a critical priority area.

“In the pursuit of our energy development, Nigeria remains mindful of her commitment to carbon neutrality by 2060.

“In this regard, our administration launched an Energy Transition Plan (ETP) in September 2022 aimed at meeting the national energy needs, in line with Nigeria’s net zero targets.

“The Energy Transition Plan is a home-grown, data-backed, multipronged strategy developed for the achievement of net-zero emissions’ reduction across five (5) key sectors; Power, Cooking, Oil and Gas, Transport and Industry.

“The Energy Transition

Plan (ETP) is therefore a huge investment opportunity in the gas sector,’’ he added.

According to him, peace and security have become global phenomena, concerning human activities, including governance and businesses.

“While peace enhances the climate of stability and potential progress, insecurity is not only the reverse but also makes our collective future unpredictable.

“As a country and sub-region, we continue to make sustained investments and efforts to strengthen our national and sub-regional security.’’

In such circumstances, Buhari said Nigeria continued to treasure strong partnerships

with friends and allies in our national, continental and global efforts for safety and survival.

“It is our strong belief that these determined efforts will rekindle interest to invest as well as enhance the volume of your investments in the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Recall that no fewer than 65 attendees were made up of Nigerian governors, ministers, diplomats, government officials, private sector experts as well as potential. investors attended the event In a related development, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo said Nigeria had demonstrated a commitment to a clean energy

transition.

Adebayo said Nigeria had demonstrated commitment by launching a programme to provide solar systems for five million households and small enterprises as part of a broader National Economic Sustainability Plan.

“However, the overall energy transition programme requires investments of over 300 billion dollars to achieve net-zero emission targets,’’ he said.

Adebayo spoke at a meeting on “ Regional Cooperation and the Future of African Energy: The Role of Nigeria and Morocco” on the sideline of the 2022 U.S.- Africa Business Summit on Friday.

According to him, the investment required a challenge and a massive opportunity.

“For instance, in addition to mobilising conventional capital, it is critical that we become significant participants in the global carbon finance market.

“The good news is that we have, especially in recent years, embarked on farreaching reforms of Nigeria’s investment environment, as has been evidenced by the marked improvement in our global rankings.

“This will facilitate easy integration into the global marketplace for conventional capital and another innovative financing.’’

Let’s Give Peace a Chance, Abdulsalami Tells Nigerians Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A former Head of State in Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has called on Nigerians to work for the peace of the country.

He stressed that to achieve peace in the country, there should be more focus on the rehabilitation and reorientation of the youths, especially building their interest in education.

Abdulsalami made the call, during the second convocation ceremony of PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday.

He said: "Without peace, there wouldn't be a country; so, let us give peace a chance in our country".

Abdulsalami who is the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the university, commended the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike for being the greatest pillar of support to the institution.

Also speaking, a former Attorney-General of the

Federation and Minister for Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who was the keynote speaker, advised that for Nigeria to excel in development, it should begin to give the young people the right education.

The former AGF who described education as the pinnacle for national development said education given to the youths today determines the future of the country.

Speaking on the subject "Discipline," Agabi expressed faith in Nigeria rising from its challenges, adding that the nation would do better if it encourage its young people to be entrepreneurs.

He commended Wike for his commitment to ensuring that Rivers youths embrace education through his government education scholarship scheme while applauding the former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, for his initiative in birthing the medical institution.

He said: "Governor Nyesom Wike is a blessing to the nation. By your service, you are a blessing not just to this

generation but to the future.

"Nigerians from every part of the nation survived because we believed that this is the only country we have. I have great faith in our country. I have faith that Nigeria shall raise their hands to the Lord. We are a nation where people love the Lord, and have resilience, patience and hard work. And that is why the nation survived.

"We must be entrepreneurs for the nation. We must pay attention to our rural area; we have destroyed the village as a cultural institution. The nation is not self-reliant. No nation without self-reliance can be self-disciplined. The youths are not self-employed because we are not giving them the right education.

"If we are going to be a selfreliant nation, we must shut our borders, begin to produce and use our self-produce".

To the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Odili, the former AGF, said: "The education you have provided for our young people will assure the future yet unborn."

Advising the new graduates, he said: "As you embark on this

journey, you should remember from where you were trained and equipped in character, integrity and knowledge.”

In his remarks, Wike noted that PAMO University is a priceless gift to Rivers, Nigeria and the world at large.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Mmon, Wike said: "PAMO is a kind of university that is believed will transform the lives of our children and bring development to the state "We shall continue to support the university. We have also renewed the scholarship for Rivers state students, including those from poor background".

The governor further reiterated the state government’s support for other universities in the state established by a Rivers person. He, however, donated the sum of N500 million to the institution to encourage their educational quality.

Wike donated N500 million to the university for its support to the education system.

On his part, Odili described Wike as the best governor Nigeria ever had and Nigeria has ever produced.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

9

10

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

11

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 18, 2022

12

NEWS

SIXTY HEARTY CHEERS… L-R: Director General, Budget Office, Dr. Ben Akabueze; Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan; Representative of the Minister of State for Health, Dr. David Atuwo, Mrs. Iyabo Atta; Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Chris Bode; Chairman of Board, LUTH, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali; and Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo; ABIODUN AJALA during the inauguration of four legacy projects and activities marking the 60th anniversary of LUTH in Lagos...weekend

NAF Special Forces Rescue Seven Chinese Expatriates after Six Months in Captivity John Shiklam in Kaduna Special Forces under the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, have rescued seven Chinese expatriates abducted by terrorists.

The Chinese expatriates were

believed to have been kidnapped in June 2022 by terrorists while working on a mining site in Ajata-Aboki, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The rescue operation, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Public Relations and Information,

INEC: All PVCs Ready for Collection before January 6 Segun James A Systems Analyst with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos, Luka Buba, yesterday said all permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) would be ready for collection before January 6, 2023.

Buba said this while responding to questions on a Twitter Space tagged, ‘PVC Wahala: Question and Answer Session with INEC’.

The conversation was hosted

by Rinu Oduala, a human rights activist.

INEC had earlier announced that Nigerians could collect their PVCs from December 12, 2022 to January 22, 2023.

However, Nigerians have taken to social media to express concerns over the challenges encountered across INEC offices while trying to collect their PVCs. Speaking on the challenges, Buba said more cards have recently arrived the offices and will be distributed across all LGAs. “We started this phase of PVC distribution on the 12th of December and it is going to last till the 22nd of January 2023. So, between that period, from the 6th of January to 15th of January, we are going to take those cards to the ward level so that it will come closer to Nigerians,” he said.

“I can assure you that before that 6th, all the cards — those that registered this year — will be available for Nigerians to pick them up and be able to use to cast their votes.

“We have to put a deadline to what we are doing in terms of the collection because in the past, when we started our continuous

voter registration last year, there was no deadline and you will hardly see 10 people walking into our office to come and register.

“Eventually, when we happened to have a deadline, that was when the crowd surged and people were coming. So, we encourage Nigerians not to wait until the last minute before they will come and collect their PVCs, though we all know on our part, there are some PVCs that are not out yet.

“I can assure you, as we speak now, some PVCs arrived about three days ago and sorting of those PVCs has started. Those PVCs will be available at the INEC offices for people to go and collect so that they will use them to vote.

“For the person that said he registered in January, you can go to any of our offices and check because we have cards that just arrived, so that we will know specifically which ones are left.

“We have cards in our offices, all the offices. It will be taken to all the offices in the LGAs and they will work within this period of collection — they work on Saturdays and Sundays.”

He added that people with challenges relating to their personal details will not be disenfranchised.

“You will not be disenfranchised because if there is a mistake in your name or date of birth, there won’t be a mistake on fingerprints or your facials,” he said.

“So, once it is your face or your fingerprint, you will be allowed to cast your vote. Then maybe subsequently, we look at how to effect the correct changes on the card.”

NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, was carried out in the early hours of yesterday.

Gabkwet said the Combat Search and Rescue operation, which consisted of 35 Special Forces, was conducted under the cover of night at Kanfani Doka and Gwaska general areas, forcing the terrorists to abandon their enclaves, weapons and their kidnapped victims while fleeing for their lives.

The statement said the Chinese victims were flown to the 271 NAF Detachment Medical Centre for evaluation where two of them were stabilised before they were all flown to the NAF Base Medical Hospital, Kaduna for further medical investigations.

“In what could be described

as a daring and clinical military operation, Special Forces (SF) under the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, carried out a rescue operation in the early hours of December 17, 2022, leading to the rescue of seven Chinese expatriates earlier kidnapped and held hostage by terrorists,” the statement reads.

“The rescued Chinese victims are believed to have been kidnapped in June 2022 by terrorists while working on a mining site in Ajata-Aboki, Gurmana Ward of Shiroro Local Government, Niger State.

“The Combat Search and Rescue operation, which consisted of 35 Special Forces was conducted under the cover

of night at Kanfani Doka and Gwaska general Areas leading to the terrorists abandoning their enclaves, and weapons and kidnapped Chinese victims while fleeing for their lives due to the superior firepower of the special forces.

“After the successful operations, the seven Chinese victims were flown to the 271 NAF Detachment Medical Centre for evaluation where two of the victims were stabilized.

“Subsequently, the seven victims were flown to the NAF Base Medical Hospital, Kaduna for further medical investigations”.

Gabkwet said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has since congratulated the Commander of the 271 NAF

Detachment, Birnin Gwari and his men for their continued determination and commitment, even in the face of danger, as they make an inroad into the final fringes of terrorists’ enclaves in Kaduna State and the Northwest in general.

The statement quoted the CAS, “I am very proud of what our Special Forces in Birnin Gwari and elsewhere have continued to achieve and I remain confident that we will soon free all areas of terrorists and their activities.”

The CAS enjoined Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing useful information that will lead to the arrest of criminal elements and those supporting them.

PenCom DG Rebukes Frivolous Petitioners, Blackmailers James Emejo in Abuja The Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Aisha DahirUmar, yesterday condemned what she termed as a coordinated plan to bring the commission into disrepute through frivolous petitions to the anti-graft agencies.

She said the attacks had been perpetrated with the help of some disgruntled insiders within the commission.

Dahir-Umar, however, insisted that the commission had nothing to hide, adding that it is ready

to open its books for scrutiny.

The PenCom boss, in a statement, said, “PenCom is aware of a coordinated plan to bring the commission into disrepute with frivolous petitions to the anti-graft agencies in collaboration with disgruntled insiders.

“These elements, some of whom are yet to come to terms with the fact that PenCom is no longer at their beck and call, have been sponsoring negative media reports and getting faceless groups to write frivolous petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(EFCC).”

Dahir-Umar pointed out that since she took over as DG, the commission had undertaken far-reaching reforms which are already yielding positive results, insisting that the era of impunity had been put to an end.

She said, “Those who think they can use the commission to make money or that they should be the ones calling the shots are bitterly disappointed and are sponsoring false publications and trumped-up petitions. We will cooperate fully with the agencies.

“Our message to the disgruntled elements today is exactly as it was yesterday: We will not allow anyone to pilfer pension funds for selfaggrandisement. It will never happen under my watch.

“We would have surrendered to the agents of blackmail who have been on our case since 2017 when I became acting DG”.

She added, “Although some low-level media outfits are giving a voice to these defamatory petitions, those who know how we conduct our affairs at PenCom are not in any way bothered.”

FCTA Mobilises Soldiers to Secure Abuja Light Rail Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja To stem any security breach, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration is mobilising soldiers and policemen to secure the Abuja Light Rail track and terminals.

The Mandate Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido disclosed this in Abuja.

He said the FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, had already discussed the proposal to protect infrastructure on Lots 1A and 3 with the armed forces.

It is expected that armed soldiers will complement the two local private security outfits, Messrs Al-Ahli Security Guards and Messrs Segad Security and Protection Limited, who were on December 9 awarded the contract for the security and protection of the rail facilities.

“I wish to let you know that

by God’s Grace as the rail track maintenance commences the FCT Administration has already taken steps and has spoken to all the combat-ready armed personnel - the military and the police.

“They will join the civil security

outfit that has just been engaged so they are not just going to be embarking on this service with no armed personnel around them.

“They are going to be complemented by this armed personnel while they do their civil security checks by ensuring that vandals and hooligans are deterred from rail track,” Candido said.

He also disclosed that the administration has taken delivery of 12 Diesel Multiple Units Rolling Stocks (DMUs) and other depot equipment including a flat wagon and a rescue crane, to enable the

commencement of the railway service from the Metro Station to Idu, Airport and from Idu to Kubwa when the rehabilitation work on the vandalised portions of the rail tracks is completed.

Candido added that the administration had also embarked on the construction of combined block well and metal grill barricades on both sides of the railway corridor to ensure the protection of completed infrastructure and the passengers, and keep away unauthorised persons, including herds from the railway corridor.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

13

14

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

15

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18 , 2022

BUSINESS

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

As Fuel Scarcity Heightens Pressure to End Subsidy Scam The resolution of the impasse on fuel distribution and pricing at the weekend, notwithstanding, oil LQGXVWU\ DQDO\VWV EHOLHYH WKDW ZLWKRXW HQGLQJ WKH VXEVLG\ VFDP ZLWK LPPHGLDWH HͿHFW 1LJHULDQV ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR SRVWSRQH WKH HYLO GD\V DQG VXͿHU DPLG SOHQW\ ZULWHV Festus Akanbi

T

he resolution of the impasse on fuel distribution and pricing at the weekend, notwithstanding, oil industry analysts believe that without ending the subsidy scam with LPPHGLDWH HͿHFW 1LJHULDQV will continue to postpone the evil days and VXͿHU DPLG SOHQW\ ZULWHV )HVWXV $NDQEL $IWHU D SURWUDFWHG IXHO VKRUWDJH ZKLFK brought in its wake indiscriminate pricing, hoarding and untold hardship to the people, RQH ZLOO XQGHUVWDQG ZK\ 1LJHULDQV KHDYHG D sigh of relief at the weekend when the federal JRYHUQPHQW ÀQDOO\ WRRN VRPH SUDFWLFDO VWHSV to end the imbroglio.

The relief was coming more than 48 hours after the Department of State Services (DSS) gave all stakeholders in the fuel supply chain to restore a normal supply of petroleum products DW DQ R΀FLDOO\ DSSURYHG UDWH DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ or be ready to face the consequences of their DFWLRQV $QG IURP LQLWLDO UHSRUWV IURP RXU FRUrespondents in many states of the federation, the situation seems to have improved, due to the partial compliance of oil marketers.

Some marketers, who spoke with our correspondents in Lagos, however, dismissed the DSS’ threats, explaining that the security organisation was merely playing to the gallery JLYHQ WKH GL΀FXOW\ LQ JHWWLQJ WKH SURGXFWV IURP WKH 1LJHULDQ 1DWLRQDO 3HWUROHXP &RPSDQ\ 113& /LPLWHG·V GHSRW They wondered what would happen to 113& R΀FLDOV VLQFH PRVW RI WKHLU RXWOHWV LQ Tankers waiting to load fuel... /DJRV DQG $EXMD GLG QRW RSHQ IRU EXVLQHVV for many weeks because they did not have any products to sell.

2NRURQNZR VWDWHG WKDW WKH JRYHUQPHQW ZDV cognisant of the coming elections and how New Benchmark?

VFDUFLW\ PD\ DͿHFW YRWHUV LI WKH SUREOHP LV QRW /DVW ZHHN 113& DGRSWHG QHZ PHDVXUHV sorted out soon and therefore needed to do aimed at guaranteeing adequate fuel supply everything to solve the prolonged shortages.

DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ E\ À[LQJ 1 SHU OLWUH ´7KH DYDLODELOLW\ KDV EHHQ FRQÀUPHG DQG as the price for lifting petrol at depots. It LW·V ELOOLRQ OLWUHV 1RZ WKH 113& KDV WDNHQ also agreed to supply outstanding stock to it upon itself to allow marketers to purchase independent oil marketers, to end product GLUHFWO\ IURP WKHP $QG WKH\ KDYH JLYHQ XV shortage. about 350 trailers and we believe that the In the same week, a meeting was held problem will clear and it will continue in EHWZHHQ 113& PDUNHWHUV DQG DOO WKH WKDW PDQQHU µ 2NRURQNZR DVVXUHG stakeholders, where the issues were resolved.

He added that the private depot owners ZKR DOVR RZQ ÀOOLQJ VWDWLRQV FDQ QRZ GHFLGH Product Lifting Resumes to use their stations as outlets, stressing that &RQVHTXHQWO\ WKH 2SHUDWLRQV &RQWUROOHU ,30$1 ZDV QRW DJDLQVW WKHLU EXVLQHVV RI WKH ,QGHSHQGHQW 3HWUROHXP 0DUNHWHUV ´7KHUH LV D WHPSODWH RI 1 7KH GHSRWV $VVRFLDWLRQ RI 1LJHULD ,30$1 0U 0LNH DUH MXVW OLNH ZDUHKRXVHV RI WKH 113& EHFDXVH 2VDWX\L ZKR FRQÀUPHG WKH GHYHORSPHQW LW·V WKH 113& WKDW EULQJV LQ WKHVH SURGXFWV µ VDLG ´2XU PHPEHUV KDYH QRZ EHHQ DOORZHG he added.

WR OLIW SHWURO DW 1 SHU OLWUH PHDQLQJ WKDW we can now reduce our pump prices. We Legislative Intervention are committed to working with other parties $OVR ODVW ZHHN WKH +RXVH RI 5HSUHVHQWDWLYHV to tackle the shortage across the country as FDOOHG RQ 113& WR HQG WKH OLQJHULQJ VFDUFLW\ quickly as possible.” of petroleum products in the next week to 0HDQZKLOH WKH 1DWLRQDO 3UHVLGHQW RI HDVH WKH VXͿHULQJ RI 1LJHULDQV WKH ,30$1 &KLQHGX 2NRURQNZR LQ DQ 7KH +RXVH DOVR FDOOHG RQ 1LJHULDQ 0LGinterview explained that the demand of the VWUHDP 'RZQVWUHDP 3HWUROHXP 5HJXODWRU\ XQLRQ WR EX\ WKH SURGXFW GLUHFWO\ IURP 113& $XWKRULW\ 10'35$ WR VHHN WKH FROODERUDDW WKH FRQWUROOHG SULFH RI 1 KDG EHHQ WLRQ RI WKH 1LJHULDQ 3ROLFH )RUFH DQG '66 WR acceded to. ensure that fuel was sold at the regulated 2NRURQNZR VWDWHG WKDW KH KDG FRQÀUPHG price and in all retail outlets.

WKDW 1LJHULD KDV DW OHDVW ELOOLRQ OLWUHV RI The resolutions followed a motion entitled: petrol in stock, stressing that the meeting with ´8UJHQW 1HHG IRU WKH *RYHUQPHQW WR (QG the DSS and other stakeholders was helping WKH &XUUHQW )XHO 6FDUFLW\ µ PRYHG E\ 6DLGX to solve the problem and clear the queues. $EGXOODKL 1LJHU 6WDWH XQGHU PDWWHUV RI $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP WKH GLUHFW SXUFKDVH IURP urgent public importance at plenary.

113& GHSRWV UDWKHU WKDQ IURP WKLUG SDUWLHV KDV PDGH IXHO DYDLODEOH LQ $EXMD DQG VRPH Sharing Formula of the other states and will eventually get $OWKRXJK 1LJHULDQV PLJKW KDYH VLJKWHG D QRUPDO LQ RWKHU DͿHFWHG VWDWHV IHZ IXHO ODGHQ WDQNHUV DORQJ WKH URDG ,30$1 +H VWDWHG WKDW ZKHQ WKH 3RUW +DUFRXUW believed the relief may be temporary until UHÀQHU\ EHJLQV WR ZRUN E\ WKH ÀUVW TXDUWHU the body is assigned a larger chunk of petrol of 2022, and when Dangote comes on stream LPSRUWHG E\ WKH 113& thereafter, there will be more improvement )RU LQVWDQFH ,30$1 3XEOLF 5HODWLRQV 2ILQ 1LJHULD·V IXHO VXSSO\ FKDLQ ÀFHU 0U &KLQHGX 8NDGLND ODVW ZHHN XUJHG

WKH 113& WR DOORFDWH SHU FHQW RI SHWURO imported into the country to independent PDUNHWHUV DW WKH R΀FLDO UDWH WR HQG WKH SHUHQnial scarcity in the country.

Ukadika said the wide networks of independent marketers make them the perfect outlets to ensure sustained distribution of petroleum products across the country.

While applauding the management of 113& IRU HQVXULQJ WKDW WKH LQGHSHQGHQW marketers had access to the product in the past few days, he noted that for supply to normalise, independent stations must be given priority.

Fuel Subsidy: Now or Never However, the current situation has reignited the call for the immediate stoppage of the fuel subsidy regime as analysts believe that a permanent situation to the recurring oil scarcity crisis cannot be achieved as long as the controversial policy of oil subsidy continues. $FFRUGLQJ WR D QHZVSDSHU HGLWRULDO GHVSLWH the humongous fuel subsidy bill, petrol is not available for all and there is no predictability of its availability across the federation. ´7KHUH LV D SULFH SHU OLWUH IRU 306 DV DQQRXQFHG E\ WKH 113& DQG WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI 3HWUROHXP 5HVRXUFHV 7KH UXOH LV WKDW DOO marketers are supposed to lift fuel from depots at a controlled price and to sell to 1LJHULDQV DFURVV WKH IHGHUDWLRQ DW WKH VDPH SULFH DW ÀOOLQJ VWDWLRQV 2YHU WKH ODVW FRXSOH of years, the truth is that dispensing fuel from WKH SXPSV DW WKH R΀FLDO SULFH LV RQO\ GRQH LQ $EXMD /DJRV DQG D IHZ VWDWHV LQ WKH 6RXWK ZHVW UHJLRQ RI 1LJHULD µ WKH UHSRUW VDLG The report pointed out that in the South-east, IRU LQVWDQFH SHWURO LV VROG DW ÀOOLQJ VWDWLRQV IRU 1 SHU OLWUH VD\LQJ QR RQH UDLVHV DQ H\HEURZ QRW HYHQ 113& RU WDVN IRUFH RU DQ\ DXWKRULW\ GLVWXUEV VHDOV RͿ RU SURVHFXWHV any marketer for selling at this price. In other SDUWV RI WKH IHGHUDWLRQ SULFHV DUH À[HG E\ marketers and no one complains. )URP DYDLODEOH UHSRUWV WKH PDUNHWHUV

are insisting that they are not buying at the controlled price from the depots; that the increased pump price is a response to the market stimuli based on what they buy from the depots. ´,Q DOO WKHVH OLWUHV R΀FLDOO\ VROG DW 1 113& VWLOO FODLPV WKH VDPH PDUJLQ RI VXEVLG\ Thus, the taxpayer is cheated, the system is defrauded and the petroleum authorities get enriched at the taxpayers’ expense,” the report said. $QDO\VWV DUJXHG WKDW DSDUW IURP WKH SHUHQnial fuel scarcity in many parts of the country, the subsidy programme is haemorrhaging WKH 1LJHULDQ HFRQRP\ EHFDXVH RI WKH RSDTXH nature of the way it is being handled.

It would be recalled that in the presidency GD\V RI IRUPHU 3UHVLGHQW *RRGOXFN -RQDWKDQ 113& ZDV UHSRUWHG WR KDYH EHHQ UHPLWWLQJ about $ 3 billion per month to the federation account for sharing by the three tiers of government. However, there are reports that since -DQXDU\ LW KDV KDUGO\ UHPLWWHG DQ\WKLQJ WR WKH IHGHUDWLRQ DFFRXQW $OO NLQGV RI H[FXVHV KDYH EHHQ DGYDQFHG E\ WKH 113& IRU WKLV despite months of increased prices of crude oil in the international market. $SDUW IURP WKLV IXHO VXEVLG\ IRU WKH ÀUVW VL[ PRQWKV RI LV SURMHFWHG DW 1 WULOOLRQ when translated to US dollars, this will amount WR ELOOLRQ $QDO\VWV VDLG IRU ZH ZLOO EH HQGLQJ XS ZLWK QRW OHVV WKDQ 1 WULOOLRQ in the phantom subsidy. $FFRUGLQJ WR QHZVSDSHU UHSRUWV WKH R΀FLDO position is that subsidy has ballooned from PLOOLRQ OLWUHV D GD\ LQ WR WKH SUHVHQW PLOOLRQ OLWUHV ,W LV FRPPRQ NQRZOHGJH WKDW VXEVLG\ FODLPV DUH XVXDOO\ LQÁDWHG ZLWK companies claiming petrol supplies that were never imported, with ships that were nowhere near our waters.

2LO LQGXVWU\ ZDWFKHUV EHOLHYH FHUWDLQ R΀FLDOV RI JRYHUQPHQW EHQHÀWLQJ IURP WKH ZD\ WKH subsidy programme is being run are behind the reluctance of the current administration WR ÀQDOO\ UHPRYH WKH SROLF\

16

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18 , 2022

POWER troleum products to power generators thereby LQFXUULQJ DGGLWLRQDO FRVWV GHVSLWH WKH KXJH Ànancial commitment of the federal government to the power sector privatisation.

However, when contacted, the spokesperson for Eko Disco, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, denied the allegation of power outages, as he claimed that there was no power outage in most parts of the area, especially Ikoyi, except for faults in one of two streets.

He said: “It is not true that there was a blackout in Ikoyi. I have lived in Ikoyi for about 20 years.

If our customers complain that the supply is down, we will tackle it.”

Blaming most of the power outage in Lagos on poor supply from the national grid, Idemudia said, “On merit, we cannot give what we do not have. If we have power from the national grid, we will give it out.”

He, however, promised that Eko Disco will do everything possible to satisfy its customers.

Power Outage Worsens in Lagos With nine years of electricity privatisation in Nigeria, the reality today is the failure of service providers to meet the demand of businesses and households and instead of providing reliable power supply to justify the huge resources poured into the process by the federal government, electricity distribution companies, especially in Lagos, are still giving excuses, reports Festus Akanbi

I

n a period of the abysmal performance of most of the licensed electricity distribution companies in Nigeria, there appears to be a groundswell of opinion favouring a revisit of the 2013 power sector privatisation which put the operation of electricity generation and distribution in the hands of private sector owners.

Interestingly, governors of many of the states in the country are busy lamenting the plight of business owners over poor delivery by the respective electricity distribution companies, a development which has in turn incapacitated taxpayers from meeting their obligations to states.

Thisabysmalperformanceiscomingontheheel of the announcement by the federal government that Nigeria has added at least 4,000 megawatts of power to its generation capacity, bringing the total to 22,000 megawatts of its generated power available in the country, the Minister of Power, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, said on Tuesday.

The ministry is also said to have raised transmission capacity with additional 6,000 megawatts of power, thereby strengthening the capacity of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCM) to transmit more power across the country.

The minister said however that despite the increased generation, the TCM and the distribution companies are unable to receive and deliver all the generated power to the homes of Nigerians and that something was urgently being done to improve the situation.

Power Outages in Lagos However, it has been complaint galore over

the worsening performance of the two major distribution companies in Lagos and its environs despite the status of Lagos as the undisputed economic capital of Nigeria as the two distribution companies in the state - Eko Electricity Distribution Company and the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company - have failed to satisfy electricity users.

Some Lagos residents who spoke with our correspondents last week said that power outages have reached an embarrassing proportion in the state, forcing businesses and households to rely on generators. The problem increased with the recent scarcity of petroleum products, forcing companies to work below capacity, especially in Lekki, and in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, areas that host the headquarters of leading business organisations in the country.

For instance, in the last two weeks, residents of some areas of Ikoyi have had to rely on alternative sources of power as Eko Disco failed to provide an adequate power supply. Residents said they had to endure the situation as noise and fumes from generators took over the environment with its attendant health issues.

A resident of the Ikoyi area of Lagos, who spoke under the condition of anonymity said it is a thing of shame that Eko Distribution is denying the fact that PDQ\ KRPHV DQG R΀FHV KDG WR VRXUFH power independently.

“It is a big shame that after nine years of the privatisation of the electricity sector in the country, we are still battling with incessant power outages.

“By denying us power supply, it means these distribution companies either do not know what they are doing, or they simply cannot meet our electricity needs after all we are operating a prepaid system which means the more power VXSSO\ ZH JHW WKH PRUH UHYHQXH ZLOO ÁRZ LQWR their accounts,” he said.

He lamented the fact that some businesses have to factor in the cost of maintaining generators into their expenditure, a development he said will impair their balance sheets at the end of the year.

6RPH UHVLGHQWV VDLG WKH VWDͿ RI WKH (NR 'LVWULbution Company that came to the area to attend to the faults in some of their transformers last ZHHN FRXOGQ·W RͿHU FRQYLQFLQJ H[SODQDWLRQV when residents confronted them.

For Ikeja Disco, complaints from electricity users include failure to replace obsolete transformers, power rationalisation and failure to distribute meters to many customers, who pay higher than those with meters.

In areas likeAllen, and Ikeja with a huge population of businesses, the service is nothing to write home about. Some hotel management had to increase their charges as the bill for maintaining generators keep soaring.

In Lagos suburbs especially at the border towns between Lagos and Ogun, the problem includes a lack of adequate and functional transformers, failure to distribute meters and power shedding, among others.

The result is the increasing demand for pe-

Double Jeopardy According to a power sector analyst, Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, customers are paying through WKHLU QRVHV IRU LQHͿHFWLYH VHUYLFHV QHYHU UHQGHUHG while still buying fuel and diesel at exorbitant rates to power their businesses and homes.

“Companies are leaving Nigeria in droves as a result to nearby African countries to produce and thereafter sell to Nigerians at exorbitant rates too. The list of communities with no access to power supply for over one year abounds. Many customers are regularly confronted with unnecessary crazy bills. Customer complaints are never addressed promptly. It is now normal for communities to buy and or contribute to repair faulty transformers, pay to repair faulty lines, buy broken poles and meters etc,” he said. (]H ZKR MXVWLÀHG WKH UHFHQW WDNHRYHU RI ÀYH electricity distribution companies by Fidelity Bank, said: “The takeover revealed the sick nature of the power sector. It proved that all is not well with the privatisation and the processes which led to it. It was simply a matter of time before the consciously covered-up sectoral blunder emerged in the public domain.

“The entire privatisation process should be reversed without further delay. The ideal situation would have been for those who think they have the will and capacity to do business in the sector to come up with fresh plans and initiatives. Build from the scratch their generation DQG GLVWULEXWLRQ FRPSDQLHV DQG ÀQG D ZD\ RI selling their products to customers and compete with existing government-owned companies.

That they did not do!”

Wake-up Call Already, the Lagos State Government is calling for an urgent review of Nigeria’s power generation and distribution law under the purview of the federal government given the huge amount spent on diesel daily by industries especially the manufacturing sector in the state.

The state Commissioner for Energy, Olalere Odusote, who made this call at the end of the recent 3rd Real Estate Market Place Conference and Exhibitions said that personal energy generated by individuals, corporate organisations including real estate practitioners usually come ZLWK D KXJH ÀQDQFLDO EXUGHQ LQ DGGLWLRQ WR WKH environmental pollution that comes with it.

According to him, the country’s real estate sector is still begging for huge investments in the area of power to make the sector more viable and attractive to potential investors. He explained that this became necessary as most private individuals and businesses in Lagos utilised diesel-powered generators rather than electricity from the national grid.

In what can be described as a vote-of-no FRQÀGHQFH WKH FRPPLVVLRQHU QRWHG WKDW WKH two distribution companies in Lagos State – Eko Disco and Ikeja Electric – established nine years ago, sell about 800 to 900 megawatts initially and have only improved to 800 to 1,000 megawatts nine years after.

3RZHU VXSSO\ GL΀FXOWLHV FULSSOH WKH DJricultural, industrial, and mining sectors and impede Nigeria’s ongoing economic development. The energy supply crisis is complex, stems from a variety of issues, and has been ongoing for decades. Most Nigerian businesses and KRXVHKROGV WKDW FDQ DͿRUG WR GR VR UXQ RQH RU more diesel-fueled generators to supplement the intermittent supply.

Since 2005, Nigerian power reforms have focused on privatising the generation and distribution of assets and encouraging private investment in the power sector. The government continues to control transmission assets while making “modest progress” in creating a regulatory environment attractive to foreign investors.

Minor increases in average daily power supply have been reported.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18 , 2022

17

FINANCE

Understanding CBN’s Policy of Cash Withdrawal Limits The latest intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria which pegs cash withdrawal limits will not only regulate the amount of cash outside the banking system and serve as a great boost to the cashless policy, but it will also serve as an ambush against promoters of vote buying, reports Festus Akanbi

T

wo weeks after the unveiling of the new policy on cash withdrawal limit by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), operaWRUV LQ WKH QDWLRQ·V ÀQDQFLDO system have launched into feverish negotiation, planning and strategy to ensure that the new policy ZKLFK LV ERXQG WR UHGXFH FXVWRPHUV· WUD΀F WR EDQNLQJ KDOOV GRHV QRW DͿHFW WKHLU RSHUDWLRQV and balance sheets negatively.

The new withdrawal limit was coming after the CBN began the distribution of its newly redesigned bank notes, which it said would help FKHFN LQÁDWLRQ FRXQWHUIHLWLQJ DQG FRUUXSWLRQ On the one hand are Nigerians who welcomed the development, hoping that the policy which CBN claims is in line with its cashless policy will encourage more Nigerians to use alternative channels to carry out their banking transactions. On the other hand, some Nigerians have criticised the policy, saying that it will translate WR D QHJDWLYH HͿHFW RQ GDLO\ EXVLQHVVHV Feelers from the business community also showed that the new policy, which is due to kick RͿ RQ -DQXDU\ PD\ OHDG WR D UHYLVLRQ RI WKHLU SROLFLHV WR UHÁHFW WKH HQWKURQHPHQW RI the cashless policy which is the kernel of the CBN action.

Withdrawal Limit The directive on the new cash withdrawal limits was contained in the CBN letter dated Customers waiting at the ATM 'HFHPEHU ZKLFK ZDV DGGUHVVHG WR DOO Deposit Money Banks, and Other Financial Institutions, Payment Service Bank (PSBs), banking industry source said the CBN policy is Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and Micro- also aimed at driving kidnappers out of business VLQFH LW ZLOO EHFRPH YHU\ GL΀FXOW IRU WKHP WR ÀQDQFH %DQNV 0)%V The new policy followed the apex bank’s accept cash payment for ransom going further recent currency redesign project in which it because, for obvious reasons, they cannot get had expressed concerns over the high volume away with bank transfer as means of payment.

He reiterated the widely held view that the of cash outside the banking system.

Under the new dispensation, the central bank withdrawal limit will also curb vote buying restricted the maximum cash withdrawal over (stomach infrastructure, etc) as cash will not the counter (OTC) by individuals and corporate be available to be distributed to electorates RUJDQLVDWLRQV SHU ZHHN WR 1 DQG 1 during elections. respectively.

Cashless Economy It stated, however, that withdrawals above Speaking further, he believed the new disthe thresholds would attract processing fees of ÀYH SHU FHQW DQG UHVSHFWLYHO\ IRU LQGLYLGXDOV pensation is an attempt to move the economy away from a predominantly cash economy. and corporate entities going forward.

He said: “This will stabilise the economy and ,Q DGGLWLRQ WKLUG SDUW\ FKHTXHV DERYH 1 shall not be eligible for OTC payment while engender growth and development. Currently, H[WDQW OLPLWV RI 1 PLOOLRQ RQ FOHDULQJ FKHTXHV DERXW SHU FHQW RI WKH PRQH\ LQ FLUFXODWLRQ LV RXWVLGH WKH ÀQDQFLDO V\VWHP 7KH EXON RI WKH remain.

The new withdrawal regime further pegged cash is in private vaults, inside Ghana must the maximum cash withdrawal per week via go bags and under the bed, inside dugouts $XWRPDWHG WHOOHU 0DFKLQH $70 DW 1 and empty plastic tanks and all sorts. The VXEMHFW WR D PD[LPXP RI 1 FDVK ZLWK- implication of that is that such money is not available for transaction purposes and therefore drawal per day. $OVR RQO\ GHQRPLQDWLRQV RI 1 DQG EHORZ not performing the role of money in a political shall be loaded into ATMs while the maximum economy.”

It could be recalled that a Nigerian Domestic amount that can be withdrawn via the Point of 6DOH 326 WHUPLQDO ZDV OLPLWHG WR 1 GDLO\ Card is about to be launched which will be The central bank, however, stated that in issued to all bank account holders at less cost compelling circumstances not exceeding once than the VISA Card and Mastercard. There is a month, where cash withdrawals above the also the understanding that many more payment prescribed limits were required for legitimate channels have evolved that will cater for retail purposes, such withdrawals shall not exceed payments so that small naira payments can be 1 PLOOLRQ DQG 1 PLOOLRQ IRU LQGLYLGXDOV DQG done via electronic channels of individual choice.

The new policy has also considered the needs corporate organisations respectively, and shall of the unbanked population. be subject to the referenced processing fees.

The source believed that a large percentage of the unbanked will be compelled to open Necessary Ambush Financial analysts believe that apart from the a bank account to be able to do business no TXHVW WR WDFNOH YRWH EX\LQJ DV WKH JHQHUDO matter how little or rudimentary their business election draws closer, and control the amount may be. According to him, this money will be of cash in circulation, the new policy could OHIW LQ WKH ÀQDQFLDO V\VWHP WR RLO WKH HQJLQH RI be described as a necessary ambush against economic growth and development.

“One of the reasons why our economy is criminals engaging in vices like kidnapping, referred to as underdeveloped is because it is currency sale as well as robberies.

Explaining the nitty-gritty of the new policy, a largely cash-based. And no cash-based economy can be a developed economy. There would

be an initial teething problem but we will eventually come good. For the unbanked, they may even opt for an e-wallet on their mobile phone as opposed to Bank Account.”

Clarifying the dynamics of e-wallet form of transactions, the source stated, “The Payment Service Banks (The Telcos and other PSP) would provide mobile phone subscribers with e-wallet on their phone into which they can receive payments and from which they can also make payments to the third party. There are various payment options available to help ease SD\PHQW GL΀FXOWLHV DQG HYHQWXDOO\ PLJUDWH people into the electronic payment system. It is the way to go. It will ensure safety and security as well as economic growth, development and stability,” he assured. :ULWLQJ RQ KLV 7ZLWWHU KDQGOH D ÀQDQFLDO expert, Kalu Aja, feels that the CBN’s actions on the Naira redesigning and limited cash ZLWKGUDZDOV DUH ÀQH DV ORQJ DV 326 PRELOH money, and other noncash transactions are RͿHUHG DW UHGXFHG SULFHV +H KRZHYHU DGYLVHG Nigerians to also utilise other options like writing a cheque, transfer, or mobile banking because they are trackable.

Meanwhile, the new cash withdrawal limit is said to have shut the door against currency dealers who might be planning to sabotage the plan to exchange old naira notes for new ones.

“When the redesigned naira notes come out, some people will start selling them. To prevent or restrict this to the barest minimum, the CBN decided to implement this policy. ´$OVR QRWH WKDW GHQRPLQDWLRQV DERYH 1 will not be inside an ATM. Therefore for those who are thinking of making brisk business by collecting old notes from criminals at high rates than going to theATM to withdraw new notes, this has been taken care of,” a respondent said.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH KDG RQ 2FWREHU announced that new naira notes would be LQWURGXFHG WR UHSODFH WKH FXUUHQW DQG QDLUD QRWHV (PHÀHOH VDLG WKH UHGHVLJQ ZRXOG WDNH HͿHFW IURP 7KXUVGD\ 'HFHPEHU +H DOVR said that the existing notes would cease to be

UHJDUGHG DV OHJDO WHQGHU E\ -DQXDU\ The governor explained that among other reasons, the naira note was redesigned to address the issue of individuals who have made currency fraud their main source of income. People who have hidden money they have stolen, for instance, ZRXOG HLWKHU ÀQG D ZD\ WR FKDQJH LW E\ WDNLQJ the money out or would not need it given the change in the value of the naira.

Progress Report Reviewing the programme in a recent media session, the apex bank noted the positive response of the banking public to the policy through increased currency deposits across banks and RWKHU ÀQDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV In addition, it noted that the progressive inFUHDVH LQ ÀQDQFLDO DFFHVV SRLQWV DQG DOWHUQDWLYH banking channels including electronic/internet banking, mobile apps,ATM, Cards/PoS, eNaira, and agent banking, among others, may not be evenly distributed across all geopolitical zones and in some rural areas.

In this regard, the central bank said it was collaborating with relevant agencies and other VWDNHKROGHUV LQ WKH ÀQDQFLDO V\VWHP LQ WKH H[HFXtion of the redesign policy to particularly ensure that vulnerable citizens are not disenfranchised.

It explained that the banking public in rural and/or underserved areas may access CBN EUDQFKHV LQ WKH VWDWHV RI WKH IHGHUDWLRQ WR enquire about options for depositing their current 1 1 DQG 1 QRWHV ZDOOHW DFFRXQW RSHQLQJ SURFHVVHV ÀQDQFLDO DFFHVV SRLQWV DPRQJ others.

The bank also restated its commitment to continue to monitor developments and issue updates to the banking public on the implementation of the naira redesign policy as may be necessary.

As the apex bank continues to engage the Nigerian people in days to come, what is certain is the resolve of the monetary authorities to encourage more people to embrace the cashless policy, mop excess liquidity back to banks and frustrate criminal-minded individuals and groups who are planning naira rain in the up WR WKH JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQV

18

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 18, 2022

SOFT FINANCE with AYO AROWOLO The only column you may need to read on everything personal finance, money, investing -and other life matters

EMAIL: AYO.AROWOLO@THISDAYLIVE.COM PHONE: 08086447494( SMS ONLY) YOUR LIFE, MONEY & INVESTMENT QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Must I Run My Own Business to Achieve Financial Freedom?

Once in a while, we shall be featuring responses to questions from readers that are related to our subject of discussion. For instance, a question that has been asked regularly in different forms by readers is about how to achieve financial freedom without necessarily setting up a personal business.

In this edition, we present views from three distinguished members of our league of coaches who have attained some levels of financial comfort without necessarily setting up personal businesses. They share their experiences on how they made it happen.

CHIEF OLUSEGUN OSUNKEYE

by working for yourself. James Dimon, Chairman/ CEO of JP Morgan, has been in that role since 2005, although the bank is not his. He was appointed like any other employee and is worth $1.4 billion today (about N600 billion).

He achieved this by dint of hard work. We also have many other successful professionals today who have built their wealth on hard work. I am not saying ‘stepping out’ to run your business is unwise. You also need to understand that we probably have more people today who have built their wealth working for others than many years ago. This is because compensation globally is more performance-driven today than before.

Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, former Managing Director and Chairman of Nestle Foods Plc., worked in the company for 27 years in an executive capacity and 14 years as the company’s non-executive Chairman, a total of 41 years of meritorious service. He shares his experience in wealth creation as an employee: SAVINGS CULTURE From the onset, I was determined to be a person of character and integrity. This must be your credo alongside your competence in your work. Whatever the work you are given to do, pursue excellence in your assignments and this involves diligence and continuous learning and improvement. In this same vein, try your best to develop a savings culture. Like the richest man in Babylon said, “A tenth of what you earn is yours to keep.” Your accumulated savings are the seeds of future investment. Integrity, too, is a big asset. In due time, it can and does attract and create other assets. Let me expatiate.

Under the 1976 Indigenisation Decree, foreign companies were required to sell at least 40 per cent of their shareholdings to Nigerians. So, a close friend and I wanted to benefit from the indigenisation exercise, but we had no money to back up our wish. So, we approached the General Manager of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr John West, and he agreed to give us a loan of N60,000 each to buy shares in any company of our choice. The loan was repayable in five years. No collateral was required, only self-recognition (Integrity at work!). That was how I started the process of wealth creation as an employee. I repaid the loan within three years.

In life, opportunities come in waves, and it is beneficial to have a discerning mind and to recognise or perceive the wealth potential in some event, activity or hearsay. Let me paint an example for you. Please pay keen attention: After securing the line of credit from UBA, we searched for companies selling shares. One obvious place to go was an Issuing House. We approached Nigerian Acceptances Limited (NAL). Two of the officers handling the issues were friends (the power of networking!). They included our names in one particular issue - Imperial Chemical Industries Plc (now known as CAP Plc). The 50k nominal value shares were sold at 18 Kobo in 1976 when I bought the shares. Note that the share price was determined by the Capital Issues Committee (now known as the Securities & Exchange Commission).

When the list of names of prospective buyers was collated and sent to the Chairman of the Capital Issues Committee who incidentally had his own list, he perused the list with our names as submitted by NAL and retorted loudly to everyone’s hearing, “Who are these small boys?” He then crossed out our names, including those of the NAL officers. Eventually, we were offered the crumbs because the shares were not fully taken up. In my case, 10,000 shares of 50k each were offered to me at 18 Kobo per share.

My friends at NAL got angry at being called ‘small boys’ and declined their offers. I told them that ‘I am a small boy’ for this purpose. I accepted and paid N1,800 for the 10,000 shares. A year later, ICI declared a dividend such that I received N2,062.50 net! In the second year, ICI again declared a bonus issue of three for two and I received 15,000 bonus shares. One of the NAL officers who had earlier declined his offer offered to buy the bonus shares at N1.50 per share and paid me N22,500. I learnt later that the officer later offloaded the shares at N2.25 per share within months! A win/win for all concerned. Wealth creation!

DO IT EARLY Build up your funds by imbibing a savings culture early in your career by regularly saving between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of your monthly salary. I imbibed this practice by setting up a monthly standing order with my bank, and in some years, the entire portion of my annual salary increment went into savings.

The accumulated savings over the years is a form of investment waiting to be deployed into human capital investment in your children’s education when they reach secondary school or university age. This is a primary responsibility that a parent must perform when the time comes, and it cannot wait as time waits for no one, especially when the children are growing up. It helps to have a “nose” for investment opportunities in your networking, followed by rational thinking and thorough analyses.

Osunkeye

Lemo

YEMISI SHYLLON

Yemisi Shyllon is a successful investor who made a large chunk of money through investment in stocks, real estate and other instruments while in paid employment.

He also shares wealth creation strategies for people in paid employment: CHOOSE A PATHWAY THAT FITS YOUR TEMPERAMENT There is one common mistake I see people in paid employment make. Without evaluating whether they have the qualities and temperament required to build a business, they often resign prematurely to start ‘their thing’. In most cases, the ‘thing’ ends in regret.

You don’t have to own a business if you don’t have the temperament to run one. The truth is that generally, wealth-builders must always avoid copying and pasting what others do. Copying others is not the way to success in life. People in paid employment must identify their innate traits, strengths and weaknesses before deciding whether to remain employees or become self-employed.

This is because these three elements, as defined in Robert Kiyosaki’s quadrants, require different inherent natures and talents to help navigate the pathways to the success of wealth builders. An employee should better be advised to remain an employee if he is someone who cannot very well withstand strong business risks.

In such a circumstance, an employee should remain employed and have his money work for him by gradually building a solid investment portfolio from his salaried savings. A naturally trusting person would eventually have himself to blame if he went into self-employment or business systems.

I knew from the start that I was too trusting. I rely on people a lot and delegate with less than necessary monitoring. Sadly, with these attributes, it is better to remain an employee in the Nigerian environment where trust and integrity are generally lacking. I knew from early on that I would have my fingers burnt if I left my employee quadrant for self-employment or the business system fully.

Even as an employee, I tried to restrict myself to remaining an employee but performed to some extent in self-employment in Robert Kiyosaki’s second quadrant.

At those few times when I mistakenly ventured out of my best employee quadrant, I had my fingers burnt by deceitful, low integrity and low reputation people. This is why I prefer to remain an employee and technocrat.

Because I was conscious of my weakness of trusting and relying on people, I chose to keep myself safe from reputational predators. Notwithstanding all my attempts to avoid the predators, I still had my fingers burnt many times.

REFLECT ON YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES BEFORE JUMPING OUT It is critical for success that a wealth builder knows and appropriately identifies his strengths and weaknesses.

In my case, since I have a weakness of excessively trusting people, cannot take too much risk, and can be easily affected by the tensions involved in personally running a business, I took the route of being in paid employment for a long time and this has served me well.

Shyllon I have succeeded in meeting my aspirations and needs and playing my philanthropic roles, both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. I am fulfilled in having built my aspired referential legacies, which will outlive me many years after I must have departed this world.

I decided to majorly play in the employee quadrant after my first few failed attempts at entrepreneurship. For instance, as an employee, I invested in a finance house and got my fingers badly burnt. Even my personal life was endangered by the person who collected my money to run a finance company. He made me a non-executive chairman of the finance house, in which I thought I was investing for my future.

In the end, the person defrauded the company and its depositors, ran away from Nigeria, and left me to bear the brunt of his actions. Another attempt at investing in a proposed bank while I remained an employee ended in sorrow. The chief promoter of the bank had approached me to invest in the proposed bank and to serve as a non-executive director. I later discovered that he had personally converted and defrauded us of the funds borrowed from parties meant for deposit to obtain a banking licence. These and other life lessons were responsible for my decision to remain in a comfortable quadrant as an employee.

I, however, took advantage of my strengths to invest and build investment portfolios while remaining in my comfortable employee quadrant in my long career life. To this end, I concentrated on investing in viable and good investment portfolios that were within my control and avoided the risk of being defrauded again.

My advice to employees, therefore, is for them to carry out a self-examination exercise to determine whether they have similar weaknesses as I have.

My strengths are my ability to gather knowledge, identify and gradually but continuously make and build solid investments while remaining employed.

With this process, I built solid investment portfolios that have become very fruitful.

TUNDE LEMO

Tunde Lemo left the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014 as a Deputy Governor after completing his 10-year term. He was poached from Wema Bank, where he had been the CEO for three years. Lemo was recently appointed Chairman of Titan Bank. Below are his wealth-creation strategies for employees: YOU CAN ACHIEVE FINANCIAL FREEDOM WORKING 9-5 Although I do not regard myself as wealthy by any standards, I am comfortable and content with what I have. I did not at any time decide to continue working for others throughout my active life. I started my career in 1985 as a staff accountant in an international firm of chartered accountants - Arthur Andersen. I moved into banking four years later and remained consistent until my appointment into public service in January 2004, after running Wema Bank as MD/ CEO for three years.

I am one person who concentrates 100 per cent on assignments given to me, believing that no matter what happens, hard work, honesty and godliness pay, whether you run your own business or work for others.

It is fallacious to think you can only build wealth

WHAT INFLUENCED HIS CHOICE? I cannot vividly remember why I took the decision, but I was influenced by many factors, one of which was my background. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, and I started being responsible for others very early in life, not only to my immediate family but to my parents as well. The fear of failure was a factor. You may be very good at what you are doing. Your success when you are self-employed depends on many other factors outside your control - the economic climate, among others. You cannot quantify the protection you get from your employers. So many of my friends that veered out early regretted their actions because they ‘saw the real world’ when they were managing their businesses. Some swallowed their pride and ran back to paid employment.

SUCCESS FACTORS The critical success factors for succeeding and building wealth while working for others are as follows: Ensure there is significant career progression in the employment that you have. Some jobs are limiting. You cannot grow above the sectoral limit, etc. I remembered sometime in 1991, I got an offer to become a financial controller in a company importing and distributing air conditioners. I was offered twice my salary as a banker, in addition to an official car and driver. I turned down the offer because I didn’t see much scope for significant growth in that sector.

I was not carried away by the initial rise in income.

All I am saying is that you need to be strategic. You need to think long-term. You cannot afford to mortgage long-term career growth for immediate benefits. Besides, you will do well in a very structured environment where the reward is based on objective criteria that are clear and fair to all. The company’s values must be world-class, open and transparent. Otherwise, you will just be gambling, and the consequences may be daring.

There are many land mines in career progression.

While your values, which are authentic ingredients for accelerating your career, are desirable, you may also be vulnerable because there are so many competitors who may not be as good as you are but may be desperate. In my career as a banker, I came across many colleagues who were equally upwardly mobile, good and well-behaved.

Unfortunately, at one point, they began to see me as a threat, and their attitude changed. If you move fast in your career and get promoted ahead of your contemporaries, getting their full cooperation may be very difficult as they may become envious of you. You must beware of ‘banana peels,’ intrigues and outright hatred. In our clime, you may become a victim if the Lord is not on your side. I thank God because He protected me throughout those challenging years.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER WORK Preparing for the years after work is for you to realise that you start preparing for retirement from the FIRST salary you collect while working. Many should realise today that they will spend long years in retirement than the number of years they spend working. Most people today do not start a serious career before age 30 and may retire before they are 60.

If they lived beyond 90, as many do now, they would have spent more years than their working years. You also need to review your portfolio as you go along. Keep minimal cash because of its fungibility. You are also likely to do impulsive buying if you keep too much cash. Besides, with high inflation in this clime, money market returns always trail inflation. You will therefore be losing the real value of your hard-earned wealth. Hard currency and real estate (in choice locations) will better preserve your assets’ value.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

19

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18 , 2022

SUNDAY INTERVIEW 2/$:$/( )$6$1<$

Preference for Imported Products .LOOLQJ 060(V LQ 1LJHULD For a sector that provides 87% of the total employment generation in Nigeria and 48 per cent of the GDP, it is not a surprise that the current administration has continued to channel its poverty alleviation programmes to the people through the micro, small and medium enterprises platform.

The Director General/Chief Executive, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Olawale Fasanya, in this interview with )HVWXV $NDQEL and *ER\HJD $NLQVDQPL, RͿHUV WLSV RQ KRZ WR UDLVH WKH SHUIRUPDQFH EDU RI WKH 060(V

A

s the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari begins to wind down, how has it benHÀWHG 060(V LQ 1LJHULD" Honestly, this administration has been very supportive of MSMEs, especially in the wake RI &29,' $SDUW IURP VXSSRUWLQJ RYHU ÀYH million MSMEs, the survival fund was able to support several organisations. In addition to the post-COVID-19 support, the administration has been at the forefront of MSME development.

About four years ago, we started the MSME National Clinic. Under this programme, we went around nearly all states of the federation.

As a result of the clinic, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control was able to reduce the charges for registraWLRQ DQG FHUWLÀFDWLRQ 1$)'$& ZDV DEOH WR approve that something can be done in your backyard. If you are not producing products that can be easily contaminated, for instance, you are allowed to do so within the precinct of your compound. You do not need to have the XVXDO WKUHH URRPV RU RQH SDUWLFXODU VSHFLÀFDtion or acquire a factory before you can start production. This has helped our MSMEs. It is a result of government’s intervention.

'HVSLWH DOO WKH EHQHÀWV \RX KLJKOLJKWHG WKH EXVLQHVV HQYLURQPHQW LV UHODWLYHO\ KDUVK HVSHFLDOO\ FRQFHUQLQJ WKH HDVH RI GRLQJ EXVLQHVV :KDW LV 60('$1 GRLQJ WR RYHUFRPH WKH FKDOOHQJH RI D KDUVK EXVLQHVV HQYLURQPHQW" We all know that the federal government has been particular about the ease of doing business.

They created the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council to look at diverse issues around the ease of doing business. And the council has achieved a lot because the federal government put in place some initiatives to assist in that area. Also, the federal government came up with an intervention that provides for MSMEs. As a result of the intervention, NIRSAL 0LFURÀQDQFH %DQN FDPH RQ ERDUG 1,56$/ too has to fund several businesses. We know all these interventions because we are part of the agencies that trained the people. Based on RXU FHUWLÀFDWLRQ 060(V VHFXUH IXQGV IURP NIRSAL. Under this administration, the Bank of Industry has done a lot. BOI is one of the development banks that assist MSMEs in the country. In the past, BOI was fully capitalised.

Today, however, BOI has a lot of funds that are meant for the development of MSMEs. In addition, BOI has counterpart funds with some state governments. Even down to the grassroots, a lot of people have been able to access some of these funds. For us, as an agency, this administration has given us a lot of leverage.

Most of our programmes that were hitherto not funded are now being funded.And in turn, it has D PXOWLSOLHU HͿHFW RQ WKH HFRV\VWHP RI 060(V It is under the Buhari administration that we VWDUWHG RQH RI RXU ÁDJVKLS SURJUDPPHV FDOOHG the conditional grant scheme. This scheme has been able to fund businesses at the bottom of the business pyramid. These are businesses whose capital bases are not more than N10,000. But we injected N50,000 into their businesses. We call it one-man nano businesses. We also make them bankable by opening bank accounts for them.

Faasa Fasanya sany nya nya ny

We register some of them with the Corporate $ͿDLUV &RPPLVVLRQ :H HTXDOO\ WUDLQ WKHP

+RZ ORQJ KDV 60('$1 EHHQ LPSOHPHQWLQJ WKH FRQGLWLRQDO JUDQW VFKHPH" +RZ PDQ\ SHRSOH KDYH EHQHÀWWHG IURP LW QDWLRQZLGH VR IDU" We have been implementing all these initiatives for the past four years. We have been to 774 local government areas across the federation. :H LGHQWLÀHG EHWZHHQ DQG SURPLVLQJ nano businesses in each of the 774 LGAs. We have been able to dispense these grants to those 060(V ZH LGHQWLÀHG ,W LV QRW D ORDQ 6R LW KDV helped a lot of MSMEs. We have been able to implement the conditional grant scheme because the federal government gave us support.

Besides, our one council, one product has been IXOO\ IXQGHG :H ZHUH DEOH WR JR WR GLͿHUHQW /*$V :H LGHQWLÀHG EXVLQHVVHV LQ WKH VDPH YDOXH chains, especially cooperatives at the local level

that we could support with automated technology that would enable them to improve their processes. For example, if you are producing palm oil or groundnut oil and you can produce two gallons per day, we look for a machine that can help you produce ten gallons. What we do is buy the machine for you and use it as a common facility. In the end, they pay back 70 per cent of the total cost DQG ZH ZULWH RͿ SHU FHQW 7KHUH LV QR interest in this facility. We have already covered all senatorial districts across the federation.

Because of funding, however, we cannot do it on local government bases.

We identify three cooperatives in each senatorial district and provide support for them.

The programme is still ongoing. It has enhanced the output of several

MSMEs. We have been able to implement all these programmes mainly because the federal government enables us. If not for the support of the federal government, we will not have been able to implement the programmes. *LYHQ DOO WKH EHQHÀWV \RX KDYH RXWOLQHG ZKDW LV WKH RXWORRN RI RXU 060(V ZLWK UHVSHFW WR WKH *'3 HPSOR\PHQW DQG RWKHU HFRQRPLF LQGLFHV" In terms of contribution to our gross domestic product, it is the MSMEs that are enhancing our economy and creating employment opportunities nationwide. As we are talking about now, MSMEs account for about 80 per cent of employment in the country, according to our last survey. Concerning the GDP, currently, it stands at about 48 per cent. MSMEs are critical business actors that are their local governments.

They produce water for themselves because of WKH DFXWH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHÀFLW 7KDW LV ZK\ ZH

21

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18 , 2022

SUNDAY INTERVIEW Preference for Imported Products Killing MSMEs in Nigeria are now laying more emphasis on competitiveness. We know we may not be able to address the challenges of infrastructure. Just like the case of palm oil that I cited, however, we are now identifying organic clusters. There are a lot of clusters across the federation. All we need to do is to go in and provide them with common facilities. This will reduce the cost of each person buying diesel or providing facilities that he needs for production. If we go to a cluster and there is an opportunity for them to install solar power, then it will reduce the cost of production drastically. If in a cluster they can identify the market jointly, 20 persons can come together to supply a particular big company. This is what we are doing here to serve as a linkage too.

Competitiveness is an area of concern for MSMEs in the federation. Why are our MSMEs not competitive and how can they overcome this challenge?

We know it is not easy, though our MSMEs are trying their best to stay in business and compete both locally and continentally. However, MSMEs in Nigeria cannot compete globally because of WKH FRXQWU\·V LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHÀFLW HVSHFLDOO\ in power supply. Despite the infrastructure GHÀFLW \RX ZLOO EH DPD]HG RXU 060(V DUH VWLOO WU\LQJ WKHLU EHVW WR VWD\ DÁRDW ,W LV MXVW WKDW there are several issues. For example, even in Nigeria, most times, we have been saying people should buy made-in-Nigeria products. But people prefer to import products to those that are locally produced. So, we all have to change our mentality. As far as it is concerned, however, the federal government is trying its best. The challenge of infrastructure is something that gives the federal government concerns. As we are moving forward, we will be able to resolve all these issues. Nevertheless, our MSMEs are doing well. We took some of them out of the country recently. You will not believe their contributions.

At times, we do not believe what we have. If you go to other countries in West Africa, you will know Nigeria is still the king in terms of even the cost of food, accessibility and all that. :KHQ \RX JHW WKHUH \RX ZLOO ÀQG SURGXFWV coming from Nigeria. Daily, a lot of vehicles leave Aba for the west coast. Sadly enough, they are not documented. That is why we do not know their real contribution. When we are talking about a six per cent contribution to H[SRUWV DOO WKHVH HͿRUWV DUH QRW GRFXPHQWHG In terms of exports, what are the policies put in place for our MSMEs to take advantage of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area?

On the issue of export, we are working closely with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to see what we can do to assist our MSMEs. We have started sensitising MSMEs. We have started training them. We went to about 12 states of the federation recently. We brought together MSMEs from the focal states. We also facilitated experts to train them about branding and packaging. We brought the experts to talk to them about what they needed to do so that their product package will improve. What we are now looking at is if we have common facilities for packaging, our MSMEs do not have to be the producers and packagers at the same time. It means they can outsource their packaging. Several MSMEs are already HPEUDFLQJ WKLV RSWLRQ 2QFH WKH\ KDYH ÀQLVKHG the products, they outsource their packaging.

They get somebody who is into packaging and who can service many MSMEs so that they do not bother themselves about packaging.

Likewise, we are working with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank to make sure those that are H[SRUW UHDG\ FDQ DFFHVV VRPH OHYHO RI ÀQDQFH WR help them. On our own, we are taking MSMEs that have good products out of the country.

Recently, I met the acting Director-General of NAFDAC because most MSMEs have good SURGXFWV EXW WKH\ GR QRW KDYH FHUWLÀFDWLRQ , asked the helmsman of NAFDAC: what can we do about it? He promised that we should sit down and look at some issues. First, we agreed to create more awareness. Second, we agreed WR ORRN DW WKH FHUWLÀFDWLRQ SURFHVV DQG KRZ ZH can shorten it. Third, we agreed to look at the FRVW RI FHUWLÀFDWLRQ DQG KRZ ZH FDQ UHGXFH LW so that several MSMEs can be able to access FHUWLÀFDWLRQ ,I ZH FDQ VROYH DOO WKH LVVXHV , MXVW outlined, we will be able to get a lot of MSMEs to take advantage of the AfCFTA. As I said, however, what we are doing now is to sensitise them and build their capacity so that they will be able to take advantage of the AfCFTA. So,

also need state and local governments because WKH\ DUH WKH RQHV SXWWLQJ GLͿHUHQW OD\HUV RI taxation. The issue of taxation must be on the IURQW EXUQHU ,I ZH DUH JRLQJ WR PDNH VLJQLÀFDQW progress, especially with the new regulations of the Central Bank of Nigeria, it means a lot of SMEs will now come into the tax nets because you cannot do business using cash anymore.

Some of them that have never been in the tax net will now be captured. Since all of them will now be in the tax net, there should be a way to reduce their tax burden or grant them tax holidays so that we can encourage more people not to evade taxation.

Fasanya that is what we are doing as an agency. As I said, we are ready. We are partnering other government agencies that have something to do with MSMEs so that all these issues can be resolved once and for all. Such agencies are NAFDAC and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, among others. These are the key DJHQFLHV ,I 060(V GR QRW KDYH WKH FHUWLÀFDWLRQ to enter into the export market, their products will be rejected. Once we can resolve all the issues, our MSMEs can take advantage of the export market.

What is the update about the issue of the mass registration exercise?

As of today, we have about 3.2 million people that are already on the platform. Now, why is it important for MSMEs to register on the platform? First, it means we now have the data of our MSMEs. It means we can link you to the market. It means we can link you to investors.

It means once you are on that platform, you FDQ EHQHÀW IURP RXU SURJUDPPHV EHFDXVH ZH know where you are and what you are doing.

For example, somebody may be producing coconut oil in Abuja. You may not need to come to Badagry to access raw materials. Perhaps, there is somebody bringing coconut to Abuja that you do not know. So, we will be able to link \RX XS <RX DUH D ÀVK IDUPHU DQG VRPHERG\ WKDW LV QRW IDU IURP \RX LV SURGXFLQJ ÀVK IHHG :H will be able to link you up once we have your data. If we do not have such data, we will not be able to play the role of linking our MSMEs together. Of course, when we survey with the National Bureau of Statistics, the survey only gives us numbers. On that platform, we can see what we can do to solve the problems of those who have registered with us. For example, my priority is for us to do what we call business development services or provide advisory services for our MSMEs. How can we render such services? We plan to look at those who have registered with us and where they are ORFDWHG :H ZLOO VHQG RXU ÀHOG R΀FLDOV ZKR will go and visit them where they are doing their business instead of classroom training.

We can only be able to render such services if we have the data of all our MSMEs. We will look at the businesses in the same area, those within the same value chains and what we can do to enhance their competitiveness. We ZLOO QRW MXVW VLW LQ WKH R΀FH DQG RQO\ ZKHQ we organise capacity-building programmes.

We will also go out and talk to our MSMEs. :H DUH WUDLQLQJ DOO R΀FLDOV QRZ DQG WKH\ DUH

-XVW OLNH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHÀFLW LQVHFXULW\ presents huge challenges for the MSMEs. From your previous studies, can you share the level of damage insecurity has done to small businesses and how has your agency been helping them to overcome this challenge? , PD\ QRW EH DEOH WR JLYH \RX WKH H[DFW ÀJXUH or percentage. But we all know that the level of LQVHFXULW\ KDV DͿHFWHG EXVLQHVVHV QHJDWLYHO\ LQ this country. For example, a lot of farmers have abandoned their farms because they are afraid.

This is where raw materials are largely coming from.Alot of mining sites have been abandoned.

Miners cannot access their mining sites because of danger within those areas. At the federal level, I know the government is trying to resolve these problems. What we want to emphasise is what we can do for businesses that are within clusters. If businesses are in a cluster, for instance, providing security within the cluster will be easier than dealing with individual businesses.

Providing facilities within clusters will be easier.

That is why we will keep putting pressure on the state governments that can assist to look at these clusters and provide us with what it takes for those clusters to operate freely. The level of insecurity, especially in some parts of the IHGHUDWLRQ KDV DͿHFWHG EXVLQHVVHV 7KDW LV WKH reason for the drop in the number of businesses that we witnessed recently compared to four or ÀYH \HDUV DJR ZKHQ WKH OHYHO RI LQVHFXULW\ KDV JRLQJ WR EH ÀHOG R΀FHUV :H DUH DOVR WDONLQJ gone bad. As an agency, the issue of security is to the state governments that are willing to beyond us. We believe the federal government partner us. We are engaging them to identify is trying its best. For us, at our level, we will 100 or 200 youths that we can train. If we train keep telling MSMEs to operate within clusters. them, the state governments can decide to give ,I WKH\ RSHUDWH LQ FOXVWHUV ZKHUH IRXU RU ÀYH them stipends of N20,000 or N30,000 monthly, businesses come together, it is not easy to go and especially those who are not gainfully employed attack, unlike the case of individual businesses.

DPRQJ WKHP 7KH\ FDQ FRPSOHPHQW RXU HͿRUWV For us, we will keep emphasising businesses of providing business development services. coming together or operating within clusters We are already looking at these options. In the even in terms of production.

FDVH RI UHJLVWUDWLRQ WRR ZH KDYH LGHQWLÀHG D ORW of businesses that can access micro-insurance. If Can you give more insight into the impleD EXVLQHVV VXͿHUV D ÀUH LQFLGHQW IRU LQVWDQFH ZH mentation of the conditional grant scheme? are already talking to some insurance providWe have been to all LGAs across the federaers. Already, one insurance organisation has WLRQ $ ORW RI SHRSOH KDYH EHHQ DEOH WR EHQHÀW agreed to provide health insurance for micro We started the conditional grant scheme about businesses. If they are not registered with us, four years ago. Across the 774 LGAs, at least WKH\ ZLOO QRW EH DEOH WR EHQHÀW IURP WKLV VFKHPH between 100,000 and 200,000 MSMEs have been If you register with us, it means you have a DEOH WR EHQHÀW 7KH VFKHPH LV VWLOO RQ JRLQJ unique identity. So, that unique identity and We have covered 774 LGAs already. We are FHUWLÀFDWH ZLOO KHOS RXU 060(V DFFHVV VRPH now starting all over again next year. This has of our intervention programmes.

EHQHÀWHG D ORW RI QDQR EXVLQHVVHV 7KHVH DUH one-man businesses that banks do not reckon Most businesses complain a lot about with. multiple taxations. I remember there used to be a collaboration between SMEDAN and What do you want to be remembered for the Federal Inland Revenue Service. What after your tenure as the DG of SMEDAN? Put is the federal government doing to address GL;HUHQWO\ ZKDW LV WKH IRFXV RI \RXU OHDGHUVKLS" these concerns?

As the Director-General of SMEDAN, I am First, we have been working closely with looking forward to a situation where after my the FIRS. At some points, we were having joint tenure, MSMEs have been able to contribute town hall meetings to sensitise our MSMEs. But more to the GDP; MSMEs have been more our concern has always been about multiple competitive and we have been able to build taxations.Apart from FIRS, there are other layers the capacity of our MSMEs across the federation. of taxation from state and local governments. For instance, we just concluded our SME BusiWhat we are doing is just playing advocacy ness Development Conference 2022 today. The roles. We talk to the state governments. We conference is part of our initiatives in terms of talk to the local governments. We engage ensuring that the national policy on MSMEs is them to see how some layers of taxation can HͿHFWLYHO\ LPSOHPHQWHG ,Q WKH SDVW ZH KDG WKLV be reduced. We have also been talking to FIRS policy. Then, policies were there; there was no about the possibility of giving tax holidays to tracking system. The highlights of the policy are MSMEs from when they start their businesses not usually implemented.Apart from interacting to when their businesses become stable. All with stakeholders so that we can redesign our these proposals are on the table. Since I came on programmes, we have focal persons representing board, I have been saying that SMEDAN cannot all government agencies that have one thing do it alone. We need collaboration with other or the other to do with MSMEs. The agencies organisations. We want to synergise with other regularly meet. If the problem of MSMEs is organisations. FIRS is one such organisation. NAFDAC registration, there is somebody that I told you that we had been to NAFDAC. We is from NAFDAC in that focal group. There is are already working with the Nigerian Export somebody from SON. There is somebody from 3URPRWLRQ &RXQFLO :H ZLOO LQWHQVLI\ HͿRUWV BOI. The representatives of NAFDAC will take with FIRS too. We have already written FIRS LW EDFN WR WKHLU R΀FHV %\ WKH WLPH ZH PHHW that we want to pay a courtesy call. These are again, they come back with results, especially some of the issues that we will tell them about. LQ WHUPV RI NH\ DUHDV LGHQWLÀHG E\ WKH SROLF\ We will engage them on what they can do to If I can achieve all these priority goals, I will reduce multiple taxations. Apart from FIRS, we be a happy person by the time I am leaving.

22

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

OPI NION

23 1

T H I S D AY MONDAYSunday MARCH 14, 2022 2022 18 December, Vol 27. No 10099

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

NIGERIANS AS DEFEATHERED CHICKENS?

O. JASON OSAI urges Nigerians to brace up and change the political narrative

IKE OKONTA canvasses urgent need for the Nigerian Left to intervene meaningfully in the political process

THE NIGERIAN LEFT AND THE ABUJA MEETING P

See Page 24

FOLLOWERSHIP: A ‘WILLING’ PART OF NETWORK FOR UNDERDEVELOPMENT? Leaders are supposed to chart a positive course while followers support them, contends ANDREW A. ERAKHRUMEN

See Page 24

EDITORIAL

RENEWED VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTHEAST

See Page 49

olitics, like nature, abhors a vacuum. When you cease to participate in political activities in your country, other actors will rise up and take your place, and their doings may not be to your liking. That is what has happened to the Nigerian Left since 1999. It is beyond dispute that this political tendency, with the support of students, workers, peasants, market women, the unemployed and plain ordinary folk broke the spine of military dictatorship in our country and ushered in the democratic government that has now been in place for 23 years.

But an unfortunate development occurred in 1999. Instead of rallying its forces and participating in the general elections of that year, the Nigerian Left tragically split into factions, some insisting that the National Question had to be addressed before any meaningful elections could take place, some sitting on the fence, and yet others joining forces with the neocolonial bourgeoise forces that were preparing to step into the shoes of the departing military and continuing with the tradition of plunder. The inevitable consequence is that the Fourth Republic began life in May 1999 with the Nigerian Left missing in action. And it has been missing from the Nigerian political arena since then.

It took the intervention of Owei Lakemfa, the journalist and former trade unionist and a long-standing denizen of the Nigerian Left, to convene a meeting of members of this political tendency in Abuja last November. The agenda of the meeting was modest – to gather like minds together and examine the reasons why the Nigerian Left has not been playing a meaningful role in Nigerian politics since the return of democratic rule in 1999, and to explore ways in which this sad development could be speedily remedied. The two-day meeting was well-attended. People came from all parts of the country. Some who could not be physically present joined virtually through Zoom.

Leading members of the Left presented papers. Femi Falana, the Lagos-based lawyer, tackled the subject of what had gone wrong with the Left in Nigeria and possible solutions. Jibrin Ibrahim, an academic and civil society activist critiqued democracy and governance in Nigeria and what the Left could do to salvage them.

Lanre Arogundade was to explore the role of the media in the struggle to salvage Nigeria but his flight from Lagos was delayed and he arrived late, only presenting a few remarks later when he eventually arrived. Y.Z. Yau was to tackle the struggles of students and youths and their role in national development but he was absent.

Hauwa Mustapha, who was to present a paper on the role of women and women organisations to birth a new Nigeria was unable to arrive on the first day when papers were presented, but arrived on the second day and made a few remarks. Abiodun Aremu gave a fulsome treatment of the challenges of the Labour Movement and what it could do to liberate the country.

The likes of Dr Chidi Odinkalu, Baba Aye and several others participated online and enriched the debate with their contributions.

On the second day, the gathering broke up into four thematic groups to deliberate on the topics: the fate of democracy in Nigeria; issuebased campaigns in the 2023 general elections; how to document popular struggles of the Nigerian Left; and how to mainstream the Left in Nigerian politics. Again, several people participated virtually. The debates were rich and wide-ranging, pointing out ways in which the Left in Nigeria could shake off its slumber and re-enter the Nigerian political arena.

The Nigerian Left has a rich and fascinating history starting in the 1940s when the likes of Michael Imoudu played a key role in the general strike of 1946 that brought economic activities in the country to a halt. The Left was not missing in action following the massacre of coalmine workers in Iva Valley, near Enugu, in 1949. Members of the Zikist Movement called for a socialist government in the country in the early 1950s as the struggle for independence heightened. When Aminu Kano and other progressive elements in the north founded the

I am not saying it will be easy, but it is either the Nigerian Left intervenes in the political process or Nigeria will die

Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) in 1950, they declared unequivocally that political parties were representatives of class interests, and that NEPU represented the Talakawa (the Northern poor). Michael Imoudu contested the 1964 general elections on the platform of the Nigerian Labour Party. Dr Tunji Otegbeye was also very active in the First Republic politics, running for office on the auspices of a political party dedicated to uplifting Nigerian workers and farmers.

Aminu Kano, following the return of democratic government in 1979, transformed NEPU into the Peoples Redemption Party and won governorship elections in two key northern states – Kano and Kaduna. The forces of reaction fought back, and by 1983 PRP was a pale shadow of its former self, wracked by internal divisions. Even so, progressive forces were able to regroup all over the country following the return of military rule, and during the Political Bureau debate convened by General Ibrahim Babangida on what ideological line the country should follow, were able to mobilise the majority of Nigerians to settle for socialism. The annulment of the June 1993 presidential election result was the opportunity the Nigerian Left needed to do away with military rule, and it achieved this brilliantly in 1999.

There have been tentative attempts to build on the efforts of Aminu Kano’s PRP and establish a country-wide socialist political party since the end of the Second Republic in 1983.

Chima Ubani and Bamidele Aturu led the way in establishing the Democratic Alternative in 1994 when the battle to end military dictatorship was still raging. The party has since died, the casualty of the usual in-fighting among the Left.

Gani Fawehimi and his compatriots founded the National Conscience Party (NCP) in 2003.

The party contested elections but when it did not make appreciable headway, collapsed like DA before it. Efforts are ongoing to revive the Peoples Redemption Party, but so far the party’s activities are still restricted to Kano and neigbouring states.

It is clear from the foregoing that the Nigerian Left needs a fresh shot in the arm if it is to intervene meaningfully in the country’s political process. I suggest a follow-up on Owei Lakemfa’s Abuja meeting where the question of a political programme, broad enough to accommodate the various tendencies in the Left, will be worked out. Then the question of a Nigeria-wide political party of the Left should be tackled in subsequent meetings. I am not saying it will be easy, but it is either the Nigerian Left intervenes in the political process or Nigeria will die. It is as simple as that.

Dr Okonta was until recently Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the Department of Politics at the University of Oxford. He now lives in Abuja

24

T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022

O.JASON OSAI urges Nigerians to brace up and change the political narrative

FOLLOWERSHIP: A ‘WILLING’ PART OF NETWORK FOR UNDERDEVELOPMENT?

NIGERIANS AS DEFEATHERED CHICKENS?

Leaders are supposed to chart a positive course while followers support them, contends ANDREW A. ERAKHRUMEN

In a graphic demonstration of the ÀFNOHQHVV RI WKH KXPDQ PLQG -RVHSK 6WDOLQ IRUPHU OHDGHU RI WKH GHIXQFW USSR), plucked off the feathers of a chicken and dropped bits of wheat towards it as KH ZDONHG DURXQG KLV FRPSRXQG 7KH profusely hemorrhaging chicken followed Stalin everywhere, pecking on the wheat.

Likening this coldhearted scenario to political engagement, Stalin said thus: “this is how easy it is to govern stupid people; they will follow you no matter how much pain you cause them as long as you throw them a little worthless treat once in a while”.

7KLV LOOXVWUDWLRQ VSHDNV YROXEO\ WR SROLWLFDO leadership in Nigeria.

Chickens are easily frightened hence, in American parlance, lily-livered persons are referred to as “chickens”, and the act of withdrawing from a competition or likely brawl is referred to as “chickening out”. A defeathered chicken loses its bird essence; when bleeding, running becomes traumatic; with open pores, its susceptibility to decease is very high thus accentuating its vulnerability. A defeathered chicken is therefore in a precarious state of being. For all intents and purposes, Nigerians have been defeathered since the abrogation of WKH ,QGHSHQGHQFH &RQVWLWXWLRQ RI DQG SURPXOJDWLRQ RI 8QLÀFDWLRQ 'HFUHH RI 7KH :DWHUZD\V %LOO WKDW LV EHLQJ surreptitiously pushed in the National $VVHPEO\ ZLOO QDLO WKH FRIÀQ RI 1LJHULDQV LI it is passed into law.

Nigerians were “fully feathered Á\LQJ IRZOVµ XQGHU WKH ,QGHSHQGHQFH Constitution, which vested natural resources on the subnational governments; it was such that Nigeria recorded many ´ÀUVWVµ DW WKH FRQWLQHQWDO DQG JOREDO DUHQDV However, Nigerians were defeathered by WKH 8QLÀFDWLRQ 'HFUHH RI DQG ÀQDOO\ QDLOHG E\ WKH 3HWUROHXP 'HFUHH RI which divested the federating units and citizens of the right to their natural resources LQ IDYRU RI WKH )HGHUDO *RYHUQPHQW 7KHVH ill-informed acts of dictatorial lawgiving commenced Nigeria’s slip and slide down a slippery economic slope that slithered the nation into the current state of disarticulated private sector, consumer—nation status, dreadfully devalued currency, runaway LQÁDWLRQ HYHU HORQJDWLQJ XQHPSOR\PHQW line and the mocking moniker of poverty capital of the world—a scornful sobriquet that has erased the letters “g” and “i” from the erstwhile appellation “Giant” of Africa thereby turning Nigeria into “Ant” of Africa.

Recently, a sitting governor was quoted as saying that “Nigerians don’t have the capacity to unite because they are burdened by poverty.

We have taken away from them their dignity, their self-esteem, their pride and self-worth so that they cannot even organize…We [the elite] unite; (the citizens are) already in hell”.

7KLV LV D FDQGLG DGPLVVLRQ RI HOLWH class culpability regarding the deplorable

economic state of affairs in Nigeria. In other words, this statement declares that it is the elite that have brought so much hardship in 1LJHULDQV 7KH WUXWK UHPDLQV WKDW DFULPRQLHV amongst the elite are orchestrated to mislead the public. In reality, they are united in ORRWLQJ WKH QDWLRQ·V ZHDOWK 7KH\ KDYH weaponized poverty and kept the citizens weak, confused and, therefore, malleable.

Nigerians are profusely bleeding and perceptibly pained chickens; borrowing the words of Stalin, they have, arguably, become stupid people who have consistently followed their political leaders irrespective of KRZ PXFK SDLQ LV LQÁLFWHG RQ WKHP WKURXJK public policies that serve only the purpose of the elites. A micro-minority lives in obscene opulence while the overwhelming PDMRULW\ ODQJXLVK LQ SHQXU\ 7KH VWXSLGLW\ of Nigerians derives from their allowing themselves to be deceived into believing that ethnicity and religion are the dividing lines in the Nigerian socioeconomic space. Another strategy for defeathering Nigerians is the indigenization/privatization of government stake-holding in the economy, which was FDUHIXOO\ FUDIWHG FURRNHGO\ WR EHQHÀW HOLWHV LQ WKH ÀQDO DQDO\VLV Given the above, Nigerians sadly continue to follow their Stalin-hearted leaders as they shamelesslyshilly-shallyacrosspoliticalparty lines completely devoid of any philosophy or ideology other than the “I, me, mine” ethos that characterize political participation in Nigeria. Late Patrice Lumumba (19251961), once lamented that the problem with Africans is that they complain about bad leadership but when the opportunity comes for election, they still elect the same group of people. Also, Madibo Keita (1915-1977) averred that “when the citizens of a nation deem their most accomplished thieves as the most electable…theft becomes their national FUHHGµ 7KH IXOO ZHLJKW RI WKHVH VWDWHPHQWV LV still with us in Nigeria.

7KH ÀUVW TXDUWHU RI LV DURXQG WKH corner. Sadly, at every level of government, pardoned convicts, “idiots” and “tribesmen” (in the Greek tradition) are jostling for public RIÀFH ZLWKRXW SDWULRWLF YLVLRQ RU UHFRUG RI service to the community. Rather, they are drumming up primordial sentiments and the tragedy is that hungry and unemployed people blindly support a dumb, numb and reckless elite class that is responsible for the pillage and wastage of Nigeria’s wealth; an HOLWH À[DWHG ZLWK PDLQWDLQLQJ WKH VWDWXV TXR WR VXVWDLQ WKHLU ÁDPER\DQFH SURÁLJDF\ DQG obscene opulence.

In a rather surprising twist, President Buhari advised Nigerians to be introspective in the choice they make in the forthcoming elections; he emphasized that Nigerians VKRXOG FKRRVH ZLVHO\ 7KLV LPSOLHV EHLQJ conscious of the fact that to elect a dishonest person is to put the treasures, future and posterity of the nation in jeopardy. )LQDOO\ D 7LN 7RN YLGHR FOLS FUHGLWHG WR Jolaosho Olaitan Ake presents a rather interesting scenario that is relevant to our FKLFNHQ PHWDSKRU 7KH FOLS VKRZV D OLWWOH boy holding a sack that contains grains being chased around an enclosed compound by DERXW FKLFNHQV &U\LQJ DQG KROGLQJ IDVW to the sack, the boy tried very hard to outrun the chickens but the chickens persisted until the boy dropped the sack and they settled down to a feast. It is my fervent prayer that EHIRUH )HEUXDU\ WKH PLOOLRQV RI defeathered but enfranchised Nigerians have regrown their feathers and that they are resolute enough to teach the Joseph Stalins of Nigeria a political lesson that will positively change the narrative of Nigerian history.

Osai writes from Port Harcourt

We do acknowledge and appreciate feedback on our articles. Interestingly, a number of them conclude that we have been dwelling so much (or too much?) on leadership as the main challenge to Nigeria’s development without paying attention to followers as being partly responsible for WKLV 7KRVH KROGLQJ WKLV RSLQLRQ DUH HQWLWOHG to it even as they are not absolutely correct considering that in the past we had similarly stated that “…we have been criticised for, and confronted with questions relating to, holding ONLY people in government responsible for Nigeria’s challenges….” We went ahead to agree that “…the challenges encountered, today, by our country have the active contributions of the followers….” Yes, glaringly, we have been prioritising our efforts toward getting leadership right but it is rather untrue that we have not been talking about challenges encountered from irresponsible followership. For instance, we stated in earlier articles, concerning the oppressive tendency of Nigerian leaders that “…those who got the short end of the stick [the oppressed]… also aspire to transmute themselves into the other state [oppressors] [in order] to also oppress….” Certainly, “...political leaders – many of whom, formerly, were followers before attaining ‘leadership’ status – are from the same society as their followers….”

7KHUHIRUH LQ RUGHU WR EXWWUHVV WKH SRVLWLRQ of those who hold the opinion, sincerely, that followers are part of the problem, we asked “…Is it people in government that cheat consumers by selling inferior products for the price of higher quality ones in our markets? What about those tampering with measuring devices in order to cheat buyers? ...After selling eight ‘cups’ of grains as ten, what moral right do such a person have to criticise government? What of the artisans whose intention is to cheat their clients in all transactions? In addition, “…When those saddled with the responsibility of preventing fake or substandard products from getting into the country connive with importers to ÁRRG WKH PDUNHWV ZLWK WKHVH VDPH SURGXFWV how do we explain this? When civil servants refuse to do their job, and/or decide to hide ÀOHV LQ RUGHU WR EH EULEHG ZKDW GR ZH FDOO WKLV" 7KH FLYLO VHUYDQWV ZKR VWHDO DQG DLG politicians in stealing, public resources, cannot be said to be morally upright...what makes you...followers – who regularly GULYH DJDLQVW WUDIÀF RU GR QRW REH\ WUDIÀF lights – different from...law-breakers that call themselves your leaders?...If all [of us have been doing] things...right, in individual’s varied corners, we are very much likely to not have experienced this unfortunate…decadence in our country today….”

7KHVH DQG PRUH DV HQXPHUDWHG LQ D couple of our earlier articles, are some negative contributions from followers

to the deepening underdevelopment being experienced in this part of the world. Nonetheless, without making any attempt – in any way – at justifying immorality, illegality, unethical practices and corruption; we have submitted, objectively, somewhere that “…you cannot be engaging in huge stealing at the top and be expecting moral uprightness from petty thieves below! You (and those in government) cannot be stealing the commonwealth dry and simultaneously SUHDFK PRUDO ÀGHOLW\ WR RWKHUV 7KLV LV sheer hypocrisy!” Of course, this story is completely incomplete at this stage! Part of it is that there cannot be any moral MXVWLÀFDWLRQ IRU HPSOR\HHV RU IROORZHUV to ruin the investment (public/private) of investors. Businesses have been forced to temporarily close shop, collapse completely or relocate because of infrastructural challenges, government’s brutal predatory and rentier mentality, policy somersault and sabotage by workers. Sadly also, potential investments and businesses are being frustrated by employees’ fraudulent practices! Morally unacceptable ‘anomalies’ have now become ‘explainable’ and ‘acceptable’!

It appears as if those employees see most entrepreneurs as representatives, or members, of the Nigerian ‘ruining’ elite.

Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that those running Nigeria aground are not investing in things that generate wealth here! Even when in government, their mind and loot are domiciled in foreign lands! Employers of labour have different tales of woe to tell. It is so pathetic that many potential employers of labour have decided to not venture into legitimate businesses in Nigeria. Unbelievably, these are successful people in those businesses in ‘saner’ climes. What, then, make the GLIIHUHQFH KHUH" 7KH H[LVWLQJ PLQGVHW DQG attitude! Appallingly, those things seriously considered immoral, yesterday, are accepted, today, even by older generation!

Nigeria has established a choking but infectious negative super-structure that QHHG GLVPDQWOLQJ 7KLV VXSHU VWUXFWXUH is built on virulent predatory tendencies and modalities that resist interrogations and criticisms. It also refuses to give in to DQ\ V\VWHP WKDW HQFRXUDJHV ZHOO GHÀQHG criteria for rewards and sanctions. We must tell ourselves that Nigeria is now a dog-eatGRJ VRFLHW\ 7KLV LV SDUWO\ ZK\ ZH RSLQHG LQ another intervention, and still maintain here, that followership is certainly a part of the PROBLEM Nigeria is encountering but the PROBLEM is actually the leadership!

Erakhrumen currently teaches at the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, University of Benin, Benin City

49

T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

RENEWED VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTHEAST

D

The security agencies could do more to arrest the situation

espite various efforts at both the to arrest the situation. Violent persons and QDWLRQDO DQG VXEQDWLRQDO OHYHOV WR ÀQG groups by whatever nomenclature – “unknown a solution to violent crimes and general gunmen”, “bandits”, “hoodlums” or their garden insecurity in the Southeast, the general variety cousins, kidnappers, and terrorists – cannot picture remains cloudy and ominous. be allowed to challenge the state authority in this In recent days, Imo State has become manner and with such frequency.

WKH KXE RI DWWDFNV RQ FULWLFDO VWDWH LQVWLWXWLRQV 2IÀFHV One area that deserves greater attention in this and personnel of the police, Independent National regard is to identify and prosecute the local and Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as other international sponsors and facilitators of these violent UHSUHVHQWDWLRQV RI RIÀFLDOGRP DQG JRYHUQPHQWDO acts. Ekpa, the self-acclaimed ‘human rights activist’ authority are now at risk in the zone. “We are reaping who has been making incendiary statements from the fruits that we sow. When this thing started in the his base in Finland stands out in this regard. Ekpa name of Biafra, the governors stood against it, but a has constantly promoted violent repercussions on lot of people silently went behind to encourage it,” those who fail to comply with the sit-at-home order Governor Dave Umahi originally imposed on the of Ebonyi State lamented Southeast even after the last Thursday. “Every IPOB hierarchy called it off. criminal today says he is The federal government Violent persons and groups by whatever nomenclature –unknown IPOB (Indigenous People may have to explore legal of Biafra) or ESN (Eastern and diplomatic means gunmen, bandits, hoodlums or their garden variety cousins, Security Network). Now to deal with the Ekpa kidnappers, and terrorists – cannot be allowed to challenge the state we have another known challenge. as (Simon) Ekpa bandits.

Meanwhile, the situation authority in this manner and with such frequency Is this the kind of Biafra is already becoming dire that we deserve, to be for innocent dwellers killing ourselves?” in most communities in Governor Umahi has raised a question that the region. With commodity traders boycotting the should agitate the minds of critical stakeholders zone due to the violence that has led to the death in the Southeast. Last Monday, there was a bloody of dozens of truck drivers, there are fears of a food attack on the INEC headquarters in Owerri. Three crisis. Against the background that an unfortunate ‘hoodlums’ who participated in the attack died in civil war was fought, and it ended with the a shoot-out with the police. A policeman also lost collective resolve to keep Nigeria as one indivisible his life in the incident and another one sustained sovereign entity, we condemn in very strong terms LQMXULHV RI XQVSHFLÀHG VHYHULW\ :KLOH LW ZDV those bent on disturbing the peace of our country, going on, Owerri residents in the vicinity were especially in the Southeast. But we also believe that traumatised by the loud explosions and massive the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu should be H[FKDQJH RI JXQÀUH $FFRUGLQJ WR VRPH UHSRUWV given a fair and speedy trial in a way that justice LW ZDV WKH WKLUG DWWDFN RQ ,1(& RIÀFHV LQ GD\V would be seen to have been manifestly done.

IROORZLQJ HDUOLHU RQHV RQ ,1(&·V 2UOX /*$ RIÀFH As we argued in the past, whatever may be RQ VW 'HFHPEHU DQG WKH 2UX :HVW /*$ RIÀFH RQ their agitation, we do not believe those touting 4th December.

‘Biafra’ are approaching issues the right way even This pattern of violence and bloodletting is as we call on the authorities to be even handed in unacceptable and cannot be allowed to go on handling whatever crises may arise because of the XQFKHFNHG $SDUW IURP WKH VLJQLÀFDQW PDWHULDO continued sporadic agitations. It is particularly and psychological toll on the economy and hapless VLJQLÀFDQW WKDW WKH HOLWH FRUSV RI WKH ,JERV KDYH citizens, it sends a negative signal regarding the neither supported nor endorsed the activities of JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQ ZKLFK ZLOO FRPPHQFH LQ WKH ,32% PRYHPHQW 7KDW LV VLJQLÀFDQW EHFDXVH barely two months’ time. There is therefore an the continuous agitation does not resonate well with urgent need for the security agencies to do more the rest of Nigeria--a nation whose strength lies in its QRW RQO\ LQ WHUPV RI ÀUHSRZHU EXW DOVR VWUDWHJ\ diversity.

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

NIGERIA, CLIMATE CHANGE AND ALARMING PROJECTIONS In the course of his existence, man has always grappled with all manner of challenges. There have been wars, droughts, VWRUPV ÁRRGV RXWEUHDNV RI GLVHDVH DQG every manner of conceivable challenge.

Man’s resilience has been tested at every turn in history. It is to his eternal credit that he has always found a way. $URXQG WKH WDLO HQG RI DQG HVSHFLDOO\ WKURXJK &29,' SUHVHQWHG DV formidable a challenge as any that has been known in recent times.

The pandemic which left entire countries devastated, underlined the fact that the world could still be considerably challenged on all fronts by disease or any other posing the most uncomfortable questions of people and their families.

The world has pretty much been able to ULGH WKH &29,' FKDOOHQJH %XW WKDW ZDV after claiming many casualties.

The United Kingdom High Commissioner for Nigeria Catriona Lang recently stated that very soon Nigeria would not be able WR FRQWLQXH IDUPLQJ DFWLYLWLHV RQ DERXW per cent of farmlands due to the effects of climate change. She disclosed it when she SUH VHQWHG D GRFXPHQW DW WKH )HHG 1LJHULD Summit with the theme ‘ Riding the Global Ag-Downturn through Viable International Partnerships.’

Climate change has arguably become the most pressing issue in the world today.

Already, the devastating effects of climate change are well documented and the devastations are set to continue at record levels unless urgent steps are taken.

Taking those steps is proving impossibly GLIÀFXOW EHFDXVH 1LJHULD FDQQRW DFW DORQH Nigeria needs the cooperation of other countries of the world. As a developing country, Nigeria’s carbon emissions and

contributions to climate change is low compared to developed countries, especially the biggest economies.

So Nigeria needs those countries to commit to curbing carbon emissions as much as it needs to curb its own emissions.

It has been shown that the most devastating impacts of climate change are felt by the world’s poorest people who contribute very little to the menace. The grave injustice of the situation is captured by the fact that those who contribute so little to climate change are paying the heaviest price. ,I 1LJHULD LV WR ORVH EHWZHHQ SHU cent of its arable land to climate change, the consequences would be better imagined.

It would mean more poverty. It would also mean food insecurity and the fuel it could SURYLGH IRU FRQÁLFW <HW DV KDV EHHQ VKRZQ those who would feel it more are the world’s poorest and hungriest, those projected to

feel it even more are those who are the least responsible for it.

Commitments after commitments have EHHQ PDGH WR FXUE FOLPDWH FKDQJH <HW DV VR starkly remains the case, very little has been done to follow us on those commitments such that the world faces the very real prospect of failing to reach the goals set under the Paris Agreement at the projected timeframe.

These projections of loss must alarm policymakers in Nigeria. Nigeria’s SRSXODWLRQ UHFHQWO\ H[SORGHG LQWR million. It will only continue to grow.

Having that number of people means that the demand on the resources available will continue to grow. To fail to meet the demands may spell disaster.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

18.12.2022

B

Charles Okafor Nollywood Has Not Seen the Last of Me Charles Izuchukwu Okafor has earned his place as a veteran in Nollywood. Before his 1996 role in Domitilla that shot him into limelight, Okafor had become a household name on Network TV Soap Opera titled Memorial Hospital where he played Dr. Seun Peters. Over the past two decades, he has acted in over 300 movies. Though he hasn’t been more visible in Nollywood lately, Okafor is still relevant doing advocacy for international organisations and still in the art of filmmaking. In a recent encounter with Funke Olaode, the Umuleri Anambra State-born trained thespian bares his mind on speculations around his public and private lives.

oisterous, energetic and jovial, he hasn’t lost the allure of his heydays in the Nollywood where he has made a mark and continues to do more exploits. He has paid his dues in the Nigeria movie industry where he has held sway for over two decades. He is a popular face with an intimidating height and voice. Well educated and grounded. The interpretation of his roles and his acting skills has earned him a permanent space in Nollywood. Without mincing words, Charles Izuchukwu Okafor is a living legend.

But in recent times, there have been speculations about the man and his act. To some, he has become a recluse while some alluded his absence from the industry to his pastoral work as an ordained pastor. To some, old age has caught up with him, hence, his decision to slow down from the platform that gave him fame and fortune.

To clear the air of these speculations, Okafor was recently trailed by this reporter to open up about his private life. Lively and jovial, he indeed let this reporter into his life.

Why has he remained elusive? I asked. “Elusive, says who? I have been active”. “Well, two things contributed to our absence, not only me but active thespians. Number one, current economic realities have slowed the industry down a bit, I mean the creative industry. So, naturally it has not been as boisterous, active, vibrant and busy as one would have expected. But it is not something that is localised, it is a global phenomenon. Even in advanced countries; the Hollywood, Bollywood and several other industries within that sector, motion picture and other forms of art within the larger creative family have slowed down. That explains why some of us might not have been as busy as our teaming fans would have expected us” “Number two, is that as one grows old, especially in my experience, one becomes more circumspect, one becomes more thorough and introspective and is able to identify those aspects of your creative offerings that add value more to certain other nuggets of life beyond mere entertainment. So you want to begin to do more of those forms of advocacy, add client activities. So I am still active in the profession” Beyond his acting skills, Okafor has been doing advocacy for a few international organisations in the African sub-region. Throwing more light on his new exploits.

He said: “In 2019, before the COVID-19 visited the world, we had course to be in four countries within the sub region of West Africa under the sponsorship of the European Union and ECOWAS. We produced good pictures targeted at sub-regional integration and also showcasing the very robust opportunities that exist in the sub region of West Africa. The whole idea is to encourage the youth demographic within West Africa to look inward against the very sobering mortal alternative of embarking on road trips to Europe and trying to cross the Mediterranean.

And you know the fatalities that occur and all of those. We have so much within West Africa that with increased

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 18, 2022

51

COVER

I Have Acted Several Roles Such as Pastor in the Movies, But Not an Ordained Pastor capacity, promote prosperity, promote subregional integration. And so those are the types of activities that I have engaged us for quite a while. But before 2019, we were in Switzerland doing advocacy against irregular migration. So in one word, we have not been very quiet but equally we have not been very, very visible with the local creative environment but we are still active. We are still actors, we are still filmmakers, we are still film producers and we are still in the industry.”

Okafor is an Anambra by blood but still considers himself a ‘Lagos boy” by birth, by growth, by academic background, by cultural disposition having been born and raised in Ajegunle, Lagos.

“It is with great pride that I say this to you. I was born in Ajegunle in Lagos and I had my primary education before proceeding to St. Gregory College in Ikoyi, then of course tertiary education took me out of Lagos to Port Harcourt to the University of Port Harcourt for my first degree. Having said that, I read Theatre Art. I hold a Bachelor of Art degree in Theatre Art from the University of Port Harcourt, so I am a trained thespian. But of course I was attracted by the dynamic and direction of international relations only to return to Lagos for my master’s degree at the University of Lagos, Akoka. And I caught my social feat, I caught my cultural feat, I caught my relationship feat, I caught my professional feat here in Lagos South-west Nigeria.

So, by every stratum of evaluation, I am a Lagosian. I was born a Lagosian but from Umueri in Anambra East.

Umueri is where you have the latest international passenger and cargo in Anambra State but fully a proud son of Lagos State. So, all my lifemy professional life has been in the creative industry. Some of the scripts that are written, especially some of my works, my personal productions are based in Lagos, the city of my birth.”

Lately, it has been speculated that Okafor has abandoned his acting for a calling on the pulpit. He denied the notion.

“That is not true. I am not a pastor.

I am not an ordained one. You see and unfortunately, we need to purge ourselves, especially those of us that are professional journalists. But not only professional journalists because everybody now wanders into the very noble profession of journalism in the name of social media influencers and all sorts of people just throw garbage into the internet. And people mop up everything that is thrown into the internet without the luxury of asking questions or interrogating it to be able to secure some level of authenticity of some materials that are put out there.

“Let me make it clear, I am not a pastor, I have never been an ordained man of God. Yes, I am a Christian and I am proud to say I am a Christian. I am born again, yes I am proud to say that. I get invited to speak at church programmes, retreats and summits and several other non-Christian or what you call circular round tables, workshops and conferences. This in any way doesn’t confer upon us the toga of the pastoral. Let me use your very distinguished newspaper to tell the world that whatever they might have read about me is not true.

I am a career actor and a filmmaker.

I am still acting in the industry. If anybody requires my services. I am not a pastor, I may have acted in clerical roles in movies but that is not enough to qualify me to be a pastor.

But truth be told, I am not a pastor, I am a career actor and filmmaker. I do a lot of advocacy and filmmaking.

That is who I am. Right now, we have a couple of proposals here and there and of course again, no thanks to the

global economic downturn, Nigeria being one of the worst hit. But sooner than later we ought to be as busy as we were pre-COVID.” His real age has also been a bone of contention. Okafor also clears the air. “I have read that I was born in 1960. I was born on July 23, 1970. I am not 62, I am 52.

That is another lie of the internet. The man being paraded on the internet is Charles Ezechukwu but I am Charles Izuchukwu Okafor. So, it borders on this intellectual laziness of all sorts of people falling into the journalism profession to mock me but of course they cannot succeed. And to tame these internet intruders, those of you that are thoroughbred professionals must be on top of your game, you must distinguish yourselves, that is number one. The truth of the matter is that in every sector of life, of human inclination you must always find all sorts. You find the good, you find the bad and you find the terrible. It is usually a mixed grill but you see, sensible people will always look out for the genuine. For example, one of my colleagues was said to have gone mad and developed some mental challenges, which was one of the biggest lies ever told. And I thought that was one of the most grievous crimes anybody could commit against a fellow human being. I won’t waste my time talking to all these so-called social media influencers. I don’t know what that means in any case. I don’t know what social media means. But people are lapping it up, and enjoying the euphoria. But it is unintelligent, it shows the level of mediocrity that our country has descended into. So let the professionals there standout by the quality of their reportage and their presentation.”

Okafor as a public figure has been discreet about his private life. To him, it is a deliberate act to shed his family from the prying eyes.

He explained. “You must be able to define clearly or you should be able to delineate between your professional person and who you truly are outside of your professional practice. One of the Okafor key things in my opinion, very painfully that has affected most marriages professionalism, Okafor believes in Nollywood, is that some of our rules and regulations must be put in colleagues have failed to dichotomise place to control social climbers who sees between the professional person and Nollywood as a platform to showcase the married man or married woman. their ‘weak talent’.

Or the family man or family woman.

His take: “The truth of the When I put off the gab of the character matter is the absence or the failure that I have portrayed in any film flick, I of regulation. We ought to have return to Charles Okafor. A responsible, guilds, guilds for every compartment educated, well mannered, well trained of filmmaking, guilds for young man, first, then married man cinematographers, guilds for actors, second, then husband third, then father fourth. And so speaking about public and producers, directors, for costume and designers, and the likes. The whole private life, there is a time to go public. I essence of having these guilds is to don’t party, I don’t go to nightclubs. Of course, I do party when there is absolute have a regimen of regulation.”

As the interview came to an end, need to do that sometimes with my wife Okafor still recalled his Ajegunle roots and children.” That is just the way it works in life, anywhere in the world. You and how it has defined his personality.

“I am so, so thankful and grateful try to punctuate your public life, and that to God for bringing me to this world is not to say that there is anything wrong through my parents of blessed with having a public life. But have at the memory in Ajegunle. I probably back of your mind that you are equally a wouldn’t have been the success that I model to your family. Choosing a modest life and being rooted in the word of God has am today if I wasn’t born in Ajegunle.

Ajegunle for me is a metaphor for helped me out of scandal.” realism. Ajegunle opens you up to For someone who rose to the peak life in its raw form. Yes they were by being diligent and embracing core

victims of the shortcomings of life.

There are sociological shortcomings as a result of poverty and all of those. But fundamentally, Ajegunle brings the very, very essence of life and living which are made up of hard work, a can do spirit, a never say die spirit, and the challenge of the highest point of your creative use and instincts in sundry inclinations of life, medicine, architecture, the arts or humanities, law and the likes. I can tell you that Ajegunle is a creation in its raw form. Ajegunle is a challenge to say here I am right in the manger of life but I must get to the pick of life. And that is what Ajegunle has done. Ajegunle has defined me; I am proudly Ajegunle and I have never hesitated to tell people that Ajegunle is a joy. And that is not to say that I celebrate or eulogise poverty, no.

I have never stolen in my life, I have never taken cigarettes or psychotropics, yet I was born and bred in Ajegunle. Do I want to return to Ajegunle? No. Has Ajegunle undone me? Instead, Ajegunle challenged me and many like me and here we are to the glory of God.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

52

HighLife Hard Times for Skit-makers

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

Abike Dabiri-Erewa Makes another Impact Great things are on the horizon for the Chairman and CEO of the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike DabiriErewa. Based on the most recent report, DabiriErewa will now have the authority to bear the mandate of more than 74 countries as she represents not only the interests of Nigerians but also that of the Caribbeans and those in the Pacific States as the champion of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

The reports of Dabiri-Erewa’s new crown came with the news that a Diaspora Center of Excellence will be hosted in Abuja. Thus, even as the NiDCOM boss takes on the duties of the OACPS Diaspora Champion, she also has to prepare to host some of her fellow OACPS

members in Abuja much as they hosted her during the 10th Summit of Heads of States and Government in Luanda, Angola.

Of course, the visit to Abuja will not only be casual. Reports show that many of the country representatives that are coming to Abuja intend to study how Dabiri-Erewa runs NiDCOM so they can also implement the same changes in their respective nations and diaspora organizations. Thus, Dabiri-Erewa has raised the ranks of Nigerians another meter high, wiping off the ugly reputation that others have managed to build over the years.

So, for Dabiri-Erewa, flags will fly at full mast in celebration of her duty to the nation, even as she makes impact after impact.

Dabiri-Erewa

Diri Revs Bayelsa Entertainment

Fadolapo

Changes are a constant component of human life and existence. But not all change is welcome. Some of these changes come to rattle and reap, leaving nothing but empty husks behind. This is how things have begun to look for skit makers in Nigeria. After enjoying a long period of little to no supervision, skit makers along with social media influencers and bloggers and others in the same industry have been mandated to look to a constituted authority before advertising anything online.

The coming days will be tough for Nigeria’s body of skit makers, social media influencers, and bloggers. These groups have always had it rosy with advertisements where corporations are willing to pay hundreds of thousands and even millions of Naira to them for adverts. This has enabled many of these skit makers, especially, to become wealthy and even more influential, leading to more advert deals, and the cycle goes on.

Well, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), which is the advertising regulatory body in the country, has decided to splash a bit of sand in the meals of these skit makers.

ARCON noted that the time has come for skit makers and their industry relatives to check in with it before they post any advert online or offline. This is, as ARCON explained, because the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and the ARCON Act have this provision as a rule of advert practice.

The main grouse that ARCON is said to have with these content creators is that the things they advertise are usually unethical, contain misinformation, and contravene the rule of law. Thus, the enforcement is binding.

Skit makers and other content creators are likely simmering with anger now. But there is very little they can do about it.

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

Diri

On Sunday, December 4, the affable governor of Bayelsa State struck a new chord with entertainment-loving youths of the state.

He had sauntered into the Trendy’s Event Centre hall unannounced alongside his wife.

Many did not initially notice the presence of such a high-profile guest.

Days after his appearance at the MC Monica ‘Starch Ya Teeth’ comedy show, which featured Mr Sabinus, his appearance has been the talk of the town. Social conversations, blogs, and many traditional media streams have reported it. Many who missed out on the event have been blown away with pictures of the amiable Miracle Governor and his wife in very down-to-earth situations, enjoying the event like every other person.

Interestingly, Governor Diri’s attendance was like icing on the cake for his quiet but consistent support for the entertainment industry in the state. From supporting musical acts with equipment and instruments to the sponsorship of comedy shows and talent hunt competitions and to appointing several young entertainers as aides, Diri has proved to be a reliable ally of the Bayelsa youths. Now he has engendered a revival in the entertainment sector and is rebuilding self-confidence in the

Segun Runsewe: Raising the Bar of Art and Culture with Many Innovations There is a kind of genius that is not obvious from birth. For those that have this kind of genius, diligence and persistence is the only way to stoke the flames and one day reach greatness and celebrate peculiarity. That day has come for Segun Runsewe, the DG of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and the entire nation is saying that he deserves even more accolades because he has paid his dues and continues to.

There is no denying that Runsewe has creativity locked up inside him. How else has he managed to strengthen awareness of arts and culture in Nigeria and make the entire industry more robust and alive? This has brought more power to art creatives in the country, lending

Runsewe

present generation of show promoters who for a long time felt neglected.

During the MC Monica show, every time the governor laughed, it was reassurance that talent pays and that there was hope for the hundreds of young people in the sector.

It also rekindled an assurance that dreams can come true for those who dared to dream and that Bayelsa can rule the world in entertainment.

The governor didn’t go there to score a point but there was a point waiting to be scored. It is that for every young indigene or resident of Bayelsa that was ready to drive his dream, the governor was willing to support.

The warm pictures and motion clips of the smiling governor have gone viral. But beyond that, many present in that hall had a first-hand view of the warmth of his heart and his readiness to support dreams. Clearly, it was a testament to the governor’s passion for the sector and worthy of commendation.

them the motivation they need to contribute their best so that Nigeria can stand out among her peers.

Even though Runsewe only assumed leadership of NCAC in 2017, he has done a lot more than was expected by people. Consider, for example, how much he accomplished during the just concluded 35th edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST). That man positively raised the EKO NAFEST festival and placed it on his shoulders, content to let others shine in his place.

No wonder Runsewe holds many different titles in different Nigerian states, including Danbura Kabi from Kebbi State and Obiagu One of Igbo Ukwu from Anambra State. His life is one that others can imitate to the tee and still come up with no glory.

But Runsewe is doing well for himself and the nation. Every event that he conceives ends up furnishing Nigeria with more foreign attention after which we expect a lot of foreign investments to grow the country’s economy.

Show of Love or Political Reasons as Atiku Celebrates Wike at 55 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has reached out once again to one of his biggest ‘headaches’ in the party, Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike. However, this time, it was a special event and so Atiku did not miss out on also raising a glass to Wike.

Wike is 55 years old. Yes, the Rivers man just pinged the new age and had accolades flowing from all over.

Because he has established himself as a champion of all and sundry, including those who know next to nothing about his political calculations (that is, everybody but him), Wike got to wear a proud smile as a large fraction of Nigerians took out time to wish him a happy birthday.

However, among those who did not hesitate to send goodwill to Wike was Atiku, a man who can only be described

as the biggest victim of Wike’s apparent indecision as to where to place his loyalty scepter. Of course, to have Atiku wish that “all lines fall in pleasant places” for Wike is the same as seeing two boxers in a fighting ring handing out flowers to themselves.

Perhaps, it is just Atiku’s nobility getting the best of him. As so many people have commented, he is not doing a bad job trying to reach out to Wike again. On the other hand, the man in question does not seem at all flustered but has received the prayers in good faith. Hopefully, he will receive the plea of many PDP chieftains and join Atiku’s campaign boat to deliver the Southsouth to him.

Now is not the time to speculate. Now is the time to be entertained and learn from Wike’s here-a-little-there-a-little attitude.

Maybe we will all learn something from waiting a bit longer before pledging life and loyalty to political figures in Nigeria.

Wike

53

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

HIGHLIFE

Why Ladi Adebutu is No Match for Dapo Abiodun As is the case with virtually everything, one plus one in politics does not make two. In fact, depending on the context, the result could be anything between 0 and billions (of Naira).

This seems to be the case when one juxtaposes the many recent achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, with the parallel misfortunes of his one-time gubernatorial opponent (still an opponent, just not as strong), Hon. Ladi Adebutu.

Without a question, Ogun is one of those Nigerian states that requires a strong person to be the leader. Abiodun, with all his tact and compassion, somehow managed to be the perfect leader for Ogun people. Since coming into the play in 2019, Abiodun has been able to harness the many resources of the state, including its people and natural environmental advantages and changed the face of Ogun.

In terms of infrastructural development, Ogun under the leadership

of Abiodun is almost up there with Lagos and Rivers. In terms of investment in human capital, Abiodun has been able to revitalize the education system in Ogun, making it stand shoulders-tall with the best education-conscious states in Nigeria.

In terms of security, Abiodun took the first guard against the invasion of bandits and kidnappers among governors of the Southwest. Today, Abiodun stands as one of the best governors in the country and still wears the approval of the people on his happy face.

On the other end of the bench is Abiodun’s one-time gubernatorial opponent, Adebutu. As the point-man of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun, Adebutu has been trusted time and again with the mantle of potential leadership. Alas, he has not been able to vanquish Abiodun. In fact, he is facing so much trouble presently that it would take the grace of the modern kingmakers of the PDP from all over Nigeria to get him back into the good books of his people.

How LaraLek Construction Ticks All the Boxes in Nigeria

Adebiyi

Genius, as we have come to understand it, is not just doing something radical.

There is doing something ordinary with an extraordinary style and doing something extraordinary with an ordinary style. For Olalekan Adebiyi of LaraLek Constructions, none of these styles matters. What matters is getting the job done efficiently and satisfactorily. Yet, he ends up with extraordinary projects done in remarkably extraordinary ways.

Because the company is run by Adebiyi, it is not too far-fetched to say that the company has cranes for biceps whereas others have skinny arms. LaraLek’s biggest competitive advantage is its founder and top administrator. It is thus no wonder that the company remains in the top spot

Tomi Somefun: Taking Unity Bank Forward The days continue to get brighter and brighter for Unity Bank, the Nigerian bank that insists with its slogan that it and its customers are succeeding together. The truth of that slogan has become more apparent and this is commonly understood to be the work of the bank’s able MD and CEO, the person of Oluwatomi Somefun. With current events further hallowing the bank’s prospects, perhaps Unity Bank should consider changing its slogan to ‘Tall Mountains and Deep Oceans Await Us in the Future.’

One of the best news to hit the banking industry this week is the report that Unity Bank intends to break its records by achieving at least N20.86 billion in gross earnings during the first quarter of 2023. This indicates the bank’s intention to develop a value proposition that would allow it to be approximately N21 billion richer in the next three months. Just

Somefun

Meet the Youngest 2023 Gubernatorial Candidate in Nigeria

Abiodun

Clearly, Adebutu is no match for Abiodun. He can only gaze from afar. of most accomplished contractors in the country.

One must commend Adebiyi, in fact, for all the road construction projects that his company has completed in recent times. In the South-west, especially, the contracting fingers of LaraLek Construction can be clearly seen. So, whether you are traveling to Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states, you will certainly see LaraLek in charge of multiple projects.

No one moves close to Adebiyi without becoming a better person, without transforming into a human who cares passionately about a beautiful environment where all the ingredients of development are available to those who seek progress. He runs more than a construction company. He’s an institution that exposes the opportunities of tomorrow and provides a navigator to guide you to a destination that is fruitful and ennobling. imagine how Unity Bank’s stakeholders are whooping!

To put this projection in perspective, Unity Bank last grossed around N2.2 billion in profit.

This was the total profit for three of the last quarters of the 2022 financial year. Moreover, this value accompanied an increase in gross earnings which reached about N42.2 billion for the nine months under assessment.

The fact is that things were not always so rosy for Unity Bank, even though it was not doing so badly. Needless to say, the emergence of Somefun on the board has truly transformed the bank.

What other person could have raised the confidence of the entire board of directors at Unity Bank, daring them to reach much further than they have been reaching before?

So, even as Somefun intends to enable Unity Bank to earn half of its total nine-month earnings in the first quarter of 2023, her peers should take their pens and papers and notes.

How Ahmed Halilu is Changing the Face of the Minting Corporation

Halilu

Nigerians are preparing to welcome the new Naira notes and anxious to use them. Much like a child happy to play with something new, some Nigerians have turned a happy and grateful face towards the Federal government, the fellows at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the agency that was in charge of the printing process, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

On that lost front, the Managing Director of NSPMC, Ahmed Halilu deserves some accolades.

Halilu, as many people know, came into the leadership of NSPMC very recently.

Reportedly suggested by the Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele, Halilu came into the NSPMC MD position amidst controversy because he is the elder brother to First Lady Aisha Buhari. Thus, it was assumed that President Muhammadu Buhari was not being considerate of merit and ability, and instead gifted such a sensitive position to his wife’s relative.

All of these denunciations have now disappeared. With the new Naira notes almost ready to be used, Halilu has won the hearts of many Nigerians, proving once again that where there is much merit and ability, there is also recognition and celebration. Even so, it should not have come as a surprise that Halilu is capable of assisting in the redesigning of the Naira.

Halilu is no dullard. Due to his corporate steps, he is well-known to the guys at the decision boards of African International Bank Limited (AIB) and Zenith Bank Plc., where Halilu worked one time. Furthermore, his membership at the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) marks him out as an experienced fellow with more than ample knowledge of the financial industry.

So, it is clear that Halilu will do much more than this. Nigerians should expect more of him, as he is more than likely to help change the face of currency valuation in the coming months.

Many slogans have been thrown out in the name of political campaigns for inclusivity. These include Not Too Young to Run and Not Too Old to Run. Even as we all await Not Too Poor to Run and Not Too Honest to Run, it is a fact that Not Too Young to Run has raised the most dust in Nigeria. That is why the gubernatorial ambition of Dr. Mustapha Lamido from Jigawa State is a fairly big deal.

For those who know Lamido, running for the position of Jigawa governor may not be too farfetched. One, he is an intelligent man with a PhD who knows what is best for his people. Also, he is the son of the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido. But if these points are not enough material for convincing the people of Jigawa that he is the best candidate to be governor, how about the fact that he is only 39 years old?

Granted, age does not mean much in the grand scheme of things, let alone in a political office where there would be scores and scores of assistants and administrative cabinet members.

Even so, it says something that the youngest gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 elections is only 39, the son of a former governor, and someone with a PhD. Where else are the people of Jigawa going to get this rare combination?

Also, Lamido’s vision for Jigawa is not at all inferior to his father’s. According to his campaign pictures, he intends to lay a solid foundation for a united and sustainable Jigawa. In other words, Lamido might have to build something that others cannot see and eventually have some other governor come and reap all the benefits with recognition for having done something big.

Whatever the case, things are looking bright for the people of Jigawa with Lamido of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) there to lead them.

Lamido

54

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Alake, Onanuga: A Big Problem for Tinubu

Alake

Onanuga

ATIKU ABUBAKAR, KINDLY MOVE ON You don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that Atiku has lost this election. He has moved with uncharismatic sluggishness and has ceded so much ground that I am even beginning to wonder if this is the real Atiku or another ‘Jubril’ type person. It is no wonder in discussions with a top PDP operative recently, he used style to hint that Atiku’s team have started talking to APC on a possible inclusion in the incoming government because, “the problem of Nigeria cannot be solved by one person.”

His talk of waiting for Wike is not only annoying but irritating. The man has entered your house, raped your wife and daughters and you are writing him an apology letter. What else has Wike not done to you, since you made the grave error of picking the ‘lame’ Okowa as running mate.

Okowa, who today cannot deliver Delta State. Feelers from that state show that for the first time, APC will take the state.

It’s almost as if Atiku is a youth corper on this matter. The level of inexperience and goofing is astounding.

Wike has destroyed PDP; finished it in key states; taken five governors and rendered it lame and impotent and you are saying you are still waiting for him. Waiting for him for what? I don’t understand.

Atiku

If you ask me, I think Senator Bola Tinubu has surrounded himself with old, rusty and thin-brained goons this time around.

Having characters like Dele Alake and Bayo Onanuga to run the communications of such an important campaign will definitely be the Achilles’ heel of his ambition if he doesn’t do something very urgently about it.

The Nigerians of today have different demands from their leaders and these old alligators cannot comprehend that, let alone engaging.

Instead of understanding the fact that Nigeria is not the Vatican and as such not seeking to elect a Pope but a rough-hewn president who understands the skeletons and carnage that we have found ourselves, they continue fighting in the dustbin, engorging themselves in dirts and by extension dragging their candidate with them.

Please look at Sanwo-Olu’s campaign team on the other hand. His campaign is neat, engaging and trendy. This is because he is working with bright minds; people like Titi Oshodi whose BOSEKO continues to push inclusion, prosperity and far-thinking innovation. This is why Sanwo-olu has my full endorsement.

But Tinubu’s campaign is smelling, looking and feeling like a deep black hole simply

because of people like these two who not understanding the issues, are relying on the only thing they are used to which is ‘bolekaja’ politics.

Why would Seyi Tinubu have a cleaner image than his father? That picture of him prostrating for President Muhammadu Buhari was ingenious. It was softening and heart rendering and will go as far as capturing the minds of the softer electorate – youths and women.

Alake and his brother do not have the capacity to understand that Nduka Obaigbena, Rufai Oseni and my brother, Reuben Abati are not on the ballot. All Nigerians want to see or hear are the issues and not trivialities.

The issue today is Tinubu, Atiku, Obi and any other person on the ballot. When Obaigbena decides to come on any ballot, we will deal with the issues these dragons have been trying to raise.

Parlaying beer parlour gists about these gentlemen especially about Mr. Obaigbena is desperate politics and diversionary.

So, Mr. Obaigbena’s problem is inviting Tinubu to attend town hall meetings?

You didn’t agree, but took your man on a meaningless jamboree to London where he ended up delegating all questions to the

embarrassment of the country.

It can be very frustrating when you try to engage poorly-brained people, who need the positioning for self-survival, I tell you.

At that point, there is no logic or rationality again. It must be turned to ‘roforofo’.

Simple issues they cannot address and as such, they must start asking for whose mother is a prostitute and whose father is a eunuch.

My advice to Tinubu is to immediately flush out these old hags and replace them with sharp and bright young people who will build a veritable communications bridge between him and the new Nigeria.

These ones - Bayo, Alake - have passed their sell by dates and are hanging in that campaign like expired drugs on the shelf of a quack chemist shop.

If there is no time to source and gather bright young minds, please ‘thief’ Seyi or Sanwo-Olu’s people. They understand the market. Can’t you see Sanwo-Olu’s messages all over the place? Are you not proud? Instead of your own that is shouting, ‘emilokan’ all over the placewhatever that means.

Bayo and Alake – clowns from the Republic of Bula ballu. Rubbish.

The man is standing on principles and in his own chaotic way is screaming for everybody to hear that it is a do-or-die for him and you are there saying you are waiting for him.

You don’t annoy such a volatile man.

You not only annoy him, but give him a kind of legitimacy with the lopsided positioning of your party and that one in his ‘madness’ has forgotten about the big apple of the presidency and is busy fighting with his own testicles instead of facing the enemy.

Mbok, Atiku I hope you have citizenship in that your lovely Dubai because if they don’t let you enter, we will not let you come and retire in Uyo or Shomolu so that you will not come and disturb us with our young girls. Kai! Shocking.

insurgency have taken thousands of lives including the lives of our uniformed men, so tying their left hands with the spurious claim of human rights is very wicked and unfair to Nigerians.

Useless Reuters, have you gone to ask Putin how many Ukrainian young children he has sodomised? It is here you have a mouth. Please go and sit down with your yellow faced journalistic banditry.

the Buhari administration saw in him a perfect fit to represent us in such an important European outlook. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amin.

REUTERS, PLEASE GO AND SIT DOWN This foreign press can be so condescending. This one instead of them to come on the ground and see what is happening, it is busy sending out stupid reports about the Nigerian Army carrying out abortions in the Northeast. I hear they said they interviewed about 33 women and how they reached 10,000 abortions continues to beat the imagination.

The myriad-headed issue of insecurity in the country cannot be this weakened with this hypocritical push for human rights. Banditry, terrorism and

FOR SENATOR DEMOLA SERIKI, IT’S A CALM EXIT I woke up on Thursday morning – I write on Thursdays – to see the news of his demise on my political Whatsapp group. It was Osa that dropped the official announcement by the family.

So, I made two calls and confirmed.

Till his sad passing, he was our Ambassador to Spain where he conducted himself with so much panache. He was at some point our Minister of Defence among other elite political positions. He was astute, a gentleman with no wahala. When he lost elections, he took it with equanimity. Not for him, the gra gra of violence, rabble rousing in courts and all that.

I had met him like twice at social events and he carried himself with so much panache so it’s no wonder that

…AND CORNELIUS OBOH TOO DIED We were still trying to understand what just happened with one of the most important investment bankers this century – Dr. Olaolu Mudasiru, when the news of another super influential investment banker, Mr. Cornelius Oboh hit.

Cornelius had chatted me up that Sunday afternoon. “Edgar, wetin do Laolu?”

Chuka Ezeka, Laolu’s partner at Vetiva was among the top three at BGL which made Vetiva and BGL staff kinda related. So, all of us at the BGL alumni were really concerned about Dr. Bob hence Cornelius’ query.

“Oga, they say na hit-and-run o. But I never get full details.”

He screamed, “Edgar na wa o.

Please let me know when you have details please.”

I said OK. Then the next morning on the BGL Whatsapp group, Dafe, his son dropped a clinger. “Hi, my name is Dafe, Cornelius’ son and I am sad to announce that my father passed away last night.”

Late Seriki

Pedro

Wigwe

55

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS Aghhhh…. shock, disbelief and fear. Is there a culling of investment bankers?

How can two major investment bankers pass in such colourful ways less than 24 hours apart?

I met Cornelius while he was working at the Bakare-owned Metropolitan Bank just before he emerged at BGL. He was a constant companion of the hurricane called Albert Okumagba and witnessed the phenomenal growth of BGL from a tiny institution to the behemoth that it was.

He came for my play ‘Sardauna’ in Abuja and was so happy that I gave him plenty VIP tickets. He came with his friends and hugged me and thanked me for giving him so much honour.

He was a dapper dresser and didn’t like trouble or wahala. At meetings, he spoke sparingly and was always the cool water beside Albert’s fire. We will miss him and only hoped we had done well for him while he was alive. Sleep well my Oga. FEMI PEDRO, ARE YOU DODGING ME? Mr. Femi Pedro has been dodging me and I don’t know why. I once read his chronicle on the establishment of GTBank and his role in it. I also used to hear and read about the revolution that was his First Atlantic Bank or so and used to admire him from afar.

When he and Tinubu had issues and they gave him quit notice, I offered him councillorship in Shomolu, but he didn’t accept. I don’t think he even heard of the offer. Then I will be seeing him in different social gatherings. At times, he would wear a suit and black-tie. Other times, he would wear trad but no matter what he wore, he always used to have that ‘side pattern’ on his head with some powder on his face. A nice gentleman.

Well, fate brought us together when my sister, Alero, invited me into her Whatsapp group. When I checked the membership of the group, I saw so many big guns o. Fear come catch me o.

I hope they will not disgrace me ooo, I said to myself. They have kicked me out of 15 Whatsapp groups. They have even removed me from the one I have found.

It is usually not their fault. It is me that is always stubborn.

So, with people like Mr. Pedro, Mr. Peterside, His Excellency, Mr. Uduaghan and some very pretty ladies like Bunmi Lawson, Beatrice Abebe and Tilewa, among others, I swore to be of good behaviour.

I tried o. I lasted two weeks. They kicked me out o. My sister Alero kicked me out o. They said, I had used the word, ‘meaningless’ and that I should explain. I tried to explain and admin said I didn’t explain well. By this time, my ‘Gani Fawehnmi’ blood don enter my body.

I refused to be evicted. She kicked me out. Wane Okafor called, plenty people called. The policeman, Fakorode called and I said ok, I go apologise. They put me back, I dropped my naked picture and she committed permanently.

Let me apologise to my sister Alero. No be me do am, na lack of sex dey do me that period. All the time I was causing trouble on the group I had not had sex for some time and I was getting very touchy and irritable. Ask any Ibibio man, na so we dey do, nor be only me.

Anyway, His Excellency, seeing my real talent, invited me to another group and said, “you can be yourself here. You can be free to express yourself in any way you want.”

Wow, I checked the membership and it was made up of almost the same people but this time with a relaxed mien.

I tried them. I put my lust for white garment church women, they laughed.

I tried again, I talked about lack of erection in the morning, they laughed and even started to advise me. One baba said, I should be sleeping naked say the thing dey come for him at 3am. I found his advice brilliant.

I am enjoying myself in this group as there are no real limitations to expressing oneself, which is what a social media grouping is supposed to be. It is not a cantonment; I cannot

Late Mudashiru

OLAOLU MUDASHIRU: CYCLING TO HEAVEN His passing has hit the capital market and indeed a well curated groupings of Nigerians with a loud thud and this is because Dr. Bob belonged to so many groupings where he carried himself with so much elegance and comportment.

The well-respected Dr. Bob was crushed by a hit-and-run vehicle while cycling on the dark Sunday morning. I was still asleep when my phone rang out. The moment I reached out for it, I knew something terrible had happened. It was the same chill I felt when a doctor from Lagoon Hospital called that Saturday morning to announce Erelu’s passing.

I prayed very quietly as I was being told the sad chilling story. “Your friend Olaolu just passed some few minutes ago,’’ Egbon told me. “I know he is your friend and that is why I am calling you. He was cycling in Ikoyi and he was hit and lost his life.”

From that point, the news went like wildfire across the capital market, banking and finance, sporting and military circles- areas that Dr Bob moved very fluently.

AVM Makinde (rtd), a classmate and close friend of Bob in our school group, had talked about spending nights with him in his posh Banana Island apartment and how he would leave him early in the morning and cycle all over Lagos and come back before they eat breakfast.

Laolu was my friend for over 40 years.

We went to the same primary school where his mother taught me - I don forget the subject sef. We lost contact when he went to the military school in Zaria and later came back to do medicine in UNILAG. My uncle in-law, Dr. Olude was his teacher at school. Dr. Olude and his father Gbolahan Mudasiru who later became the Governor of Lagos State were close buddies at Igbobi College.

We later hooked up again at the Stock Exchange where we both trained to be Stockbrokers. He was so brilliant that he came tops at the qualifying exams. No ask me wetin I carry abeg. Laolu went further to establish the widely successful Vetiva Capital with his buddy and my Oga, Chuka Ezeka. I was their first account officer while at BGL because they hadn’t gotten their licences just yet.

I worked very closely with him managing their accounts and observing very closely how he carried on his business. By this time status don change o. Him na founder and CEO, me na account officer and he dealt with me in that way which went along to make me

voluntarily enter a group and subject myself to social media dictatorship or a virtual Decree 4.

So, My Dear Excellency, as you no want buy N20,000 VIP ticket to see Awo, I will help you and send two tickets to you as appreciation for your kind gesture of inviting me to this group, but before you win the tickets, kindly spell bulla ballu and tell us in the group the

very disciplined.

When I missed a trade, Laolu would shout at me and abuse me. I would say “sorry na, no vex.” Then at night knowing that I was hurt, he would call and say, “no vex na, but you must be serious with your work na. You be my guy but I must show you.”

I would now respond “but Laolu, if you talk to me again like that in front of those your fine staff, I go slap you.” We would laugh and move on.

Last time I saw him was in his house at Banana Island, where he had asked me to come over and taste his antiCOVID concoction. It was a blend of fine whiskey, rum and garlic or something like that. I could not drink it because of my sweet tooth, but he digested it and said, “Edgar, with this thing COVID no fit kill me.”

He still had his boyish good looks; tall and very distinguished. His grey beards gave him that aristocratic look. He had fine taste; his house was a collector’s envy. Fine paintings, well-curated pieces and well-placed furnishings that gave the space an eerie very beautiful ambience.

“Edgar, we dey watch you o. Me and Karl dey discuss you,” Karl being MD of MTN. “Me and Akin dey discuss you,” Akin being MD of Geregu “and we all agreed that you are doing well,” he would say.

He would continue: “For some places, I dey deny you sha. You too dey yab some of my people and I go dey do like say, I no know you so that when dem want bite you, I go say leave am, na my mama student, we go the same primary school.”

That was the last time I saw him. We spoke severally on the phone with me vexing that no matter what I was doing, he would not give me more than N100,000. “Look, Edgar, I be your man, you can bank on my N100,000. It will be as constant as the Northern Star. Me no be those ones wey go support with N2 million and you no go hear from them again. If you dey do 30 plays in one year, you will get my N100,000 in all of the 30 years. We dey watch you, we dey applaud you from the back.”

I would laugh and say, “ok ooo, but you know say na only one year you use senior me, because you get money pass me, no mean say you go dey talk to me like say, I be Pinocchio.”

We laughed and he died. God!!! The beautiful ones are going. Real pain.

Real pain.

meaning. Thank you, sir.

HERBERT WIGWE: A PILLAR WELLGROUNDED Let me be naked. In the last one year, we have produced over eight major productions and have engaged over 1,000 actors and other such professionals in the space. We have played Lagos, Abuja and Warri just

this 2022 oooo!

We have received support from so many institutions and individuals that it is now very overwhelming. But I would like to single out Mr. Wigwe for special thanks for his own style.

He no dey pick call. He no dey talk to me. He no dey even reply my message.

I will just see that he has read and then radio silence. I will pace him knowing full well that he is a very busy man. The next week, I would try again and he will read and not reply. I will be looking and not panic.

This has been his style for three years.

Then he would say, “come to my office.”

I would go and see so many people wearing suits. They would be wondering wetin dis one wey no comb him hair and wear earring dey find here. Then Herbert will come out and walk straight to me and say, “Edgar, Amaechi and Abdul will sort you,” and I would say. “Thank you, sir.”

This time na the same thing. Shame was even catching me because during Emir Sanusi, Herbert and Access were the single largest supporters. So, this time, I go with fear. These people can disgrace me o. But I say make I still try.

This was important. Four major plays, 500 actors and the largest independent festival since FESTAC 77. I must go to my biggest benefactor. We started the dance, chat, read, no reply, chat, read, no reply and finally one very beautiful and extremely brilliant young lass called Ileri chatted. “Edgar, approval has come,” and I rushed straight to the toilet to piss.

Herbert remains a critical supporter of the Arts with his energetic support of our platform making us the biggest in the space by far. I thank him and his Access Bank for all they do for us. God bless you sir and your team.

SEGUN AWOLOWO IS AN ‘EGBON’ FOR LIFE It was Ladi Soyode who introduced me. Ladi was my co-executive producer during the first showing of our very important play, ‘Awo’.

I have watched Mr. Awolowo very carefully since almost from birth. I was enamored first by his pedigree.

Sired by one of the most influential political dynasties and being a son through his mother, the ever beautiful and elegant Sisi Abah, to one of the wealthiest families in the land, Mr. Awolowo had from that initial start built an enduring career in public service.

Very unlike others with the same mold, he has been able to build a very serious outlook and a robust public persona that has given him phenomenal respect for his own standing. His work at the export promotion council attracted international accolades and he retired with very deep respect unlike what is usually the case.

This weekend, Egbon will join me once again as Co-executive Producer of ‘Awo’ and I will hug him once again and say – well-done sir. Welldone.

FRANCESCA CHIEJINA DOING THE NATION PROUD Francesca is a massively talented operatic singer. Her father, the very brilliant image maker of the Dangote Group, the veteran Tony Chiejina.

Something said I should go and hear her sing. My people, what I heard, gave me goose pimples. This girl can sing. Mbok, she was singing opera like she was born to do it. This now made me go and do more research on her.

She is accomplished. She has played massive roles like ‘Lady in Waiting Macbeth’, ‘Countess Ceprano’ among others. Let me stop here because there is no need since most of you will not know the names abeg.

After studying in some very great schools like the University of Michigan and also at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she is looking forward to exploding on the scene. I wish her well and God’s speed.

56

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Ooni of Ife Celebrates with the Needy

Rone

High Flying Oil Mogul, Julius Rone’s Paths Drip with Abundance For obvious reasons, the mere mention of his name will bring good memories of his impact to the mind of anyone who is very conversant with Nigeria’s business climate, particularly anyone that understands the nation’s oil and gas industry, where Julius Rone, holds sway.

As a top player in the oil and gas business, Rone’s paths have been laced with more roses than thorns. Those that say money making is an art and that Rone is a maestro in the field may be right, after all.

Rone, famously called the King of Gas, is a corporate guy of no mean repute; he rubs shoulders with other high net-worth businessmen around the world. Unknown to many, he still recognises that only God is the unseen hand behind his success story; and he submits absolutely to His will.

It seems 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, asking Him to grant and fulfill his heart’s desire.

Mercifully, his prayer has been granted, considering that he has enjoyed abundant blessings in the outgoing year.

The Managing Director of UTM Offshores, in October, received the award of the Order of the federal government, OFR. This is in recognition of his worthy deed, love and contribution to the economic development of Nigeria.

While he was still basking in the euphoria of the honour, the high-flying businessman signed a multibillion-dollar partnership with KBR, JGC Corporation and Technip Energies to design Nigeria’s first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility. The deal was signed for the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) of UTM’s natural gas project.

This came nearly a year after UTM inked a memorandum of understanding with Afreximbank worth $2 billion, in order to create an opportunity to support a future final investment decision on the FLNG project.

How time flies! Seven years ago, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Ogunwusi was picked as the new Ooni of Ife. His emergence on the throne had raised a lot of dust. While some applauded the decision of the kingmakers, some others criticised it, alleging that Ogunwusi, who was 41 years old then, was too young to rule over one of the most cosmopolitan towns in Yoruba land.

Tongues wagged and a campaign of calumny took over the media. But he stayed strong, employed his native intelligence and extended the olive branch to everyone.

Today, many are thrilled with his ways, mannerism, meekness and respectful nature, and they have sheathed their swords and resolved to join hands with him to make the Yoruba race great again in unity.

Ever since his coronation, the refined youthful monarch has ensured that he does things differently, by ensuring that some of the traditions that had been put on halt are revitalised.

Wike

Elegant Foundation, organised a six-day training in Adire-making, wig-making, stoning, bag and shoe-making, cosmeticsmaking and sewing for victims of human trafficking, who were repatriated back to the country.

Tony Elumelu’s Sister, Agatha Elumelu-Obiekwugo, Honoured

Elumelu-Oniekwugo

No doubt, Agatha Elumelu-Obiekwugo is one of the few Nigerian women who are breaking the glass ceiling in the scheme of things.

Like her elder brother, Tony Elumelu, who is the Executive Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), she is a boardroom guru and is also

blessed with impressive relational skills. The serial entrepreneur is definitely not one of your run-off-the-mill boardroom ladies; she is brainy, a silent achiever, a serial entrepreneur, and a strategic thinker who has an uncanny ability to spot good business opportunities.

Elumelu-Obiekwugo has over 25 years of corporate experience spanning banking, commerce and industry, information technology and consulting.

She currently sits on the board of six companies with high net-worth operating within different sectors of the economy: ADASSA Energy Limited, a downstream oil and gas company; Treasure Pacs Limited, a procurement and logistics company; TNC Computers, an information technology company and Bulksail Limited, a commodity, grocery and beverage trading company.

On November 26, 2022, she received an

honourary Doctor of Business Administration award (Honoris Causa) from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

The award conferment was one of the highlights of the institution’s 18th convocation ceremonies.

We gathered that she is the first woman to have been bestowed with such an honour since its establishment.

She holds a B.A in English and Literary Studies from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State; an MBA in Marketing from the Lagos Business School.

Elumelu-Obiekwugo, who obtained a certificate in Strategy Execution from the Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, is also a founding member of Women in Energy Network, where she currently serves on the Finance Committee of the Board.

Billionaire Businessman, A.A Rano Spreads Wings There is no gainsaying the fact that billionaire businessman, Auwalu Rabo, is making great strides in all his numerous business interests.

The Kano-born founder of A.A. Rano Group has been able to nurture businesses into a conglomerate. Interestingly, the man, who is known for his high stakes in the oil sector, is not done yet, as he is still making efforts to register his presence in the aviation sector. Since he made the move to invest in the aviation business, he has faced so many challenges. The journey that began in late 2019 after investing over N500 million, however, experienced some unavoidable hiccups along the line, including difficulty in getting the Air Transport Licence, which he had applied for in 2020 to operate scheduled and non-scheduled

Two Years after, Families, Friends Remember Dapo Ojora As the late English novelist, George Eliot, intoned, “Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them,” the family and friends of the late Dapo Ojora still believe very much that he is “alive” with them.

December 11, 2020, was a red letter day for the Ojora family, as Dapo, a socialite, died controversially. While several news platforms claimed that the polo buff shot himself dead, family sources said it was a case of “accidental discharge.”

Two years after his controversial passing, his life and times remain indelible in the minds of his family and friends. In concrete proof of their abiding love for him, families and friends of the late Polo buff took time to remember last Monday.

His sister, Toyin Saraki, penned a beautiful write-up on her Instagram page: “The treasury of scripture intercedes that oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written and scrolled, that they were recorded, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever. I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end, He will stand on the earth,’’ Job 19;23-25.

He has also created sundry empowerment programmes and changed the narratives by projecting the Yoruba race to the entire world through cultural exchange.

Since his ascension to the throne, the firstclass monarch has made service to his people his top priority. With this, he has endeared himself to his subjects and is well-loved by all. In particular, he has created an avenue for youths to thrive through the Royal African Awards, where they are spotted and inducted into the Royal African Academy.

In agriculture, ICT, arts, youth and women empowerment and education, his footprints can be seen with the various investments made in these sectors.

As he marked his seventh anniversary on the throne on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, the handsome monarch used the moment to put smiles on the faces of many.

His House of Oduduwa Foundation and Kehinde Adelaja Okoroafor’s MakeMee

Late Ojora

Rest in Peace Daps, Amen.”

Also, his younger brother, Adeyinka Ojora wrote: “Daps, it’s been two years today since you left for your forever home. I know we will meet again. Of that I’m sure. Until then, continue to Rest in Peace. Sun re O, Egbon mi, Sun re .... O di gba.”

passenger and cargo services within and outside Nigeria.

In November 2020, the company advertised for key personnel, including engineers.

Unfortunately, the dream to begin flying that year did not happen. But the much-soughtafter licence has been finally granted to Rabo, as he recently acquired four EMB-145LRs aircraft to boost its fleet.

A successful businessman, Rano is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of A.A. Rano Group, which includes Rano Oil and Gas Companies, Nicabon Petroleum, Dan Kano Oil and Chemicals, A.A Rano LPG, Ibal Petroleum, Da Kuma Centra Oil limited company, A.A Rano Transport and A.A Rano Farms.

Rano

After Attack, Ifeanyi Ubah, Sprouts Like a Seed Ifeanyi Ubah is surely one politician who would continue to enjoy the support of his people because he genuinely cares for them.

It is no more news that the senator, who represents Anambra South, was attacked by some unknown gunmen, who snuffed the life out of some of his closest aides during the mindless attack.

To say the dreadful and unpalatable incident shocked the billionaire businessman is an understatement. Of course, who wouldn’t? The oil mogul escaped the jaws of death through sheer providence.

While many had thought the experience would make Ubah remain in his cocoon for a very long time, he proved them wrong, as he put it behind him as quickly as possible.

If there is anything he has learnt to do better, it is to be more vigilant and move around with more professional security aides.

Ubah, who is still very much committed to his philanthropic gestures, has proven to his detractors that he is indeed a cat with nine lives. The more they try to bury him, the more he sprouts like a seed in a well-fertile land.

The billionaire, who sits atop many

businesses across the country, has faced many challenges that would ordinarily consume a lily-livered. Though he is a lone fighter, many of his enemies are never his match. Since he joined politics, he has fought so many battles within the state and outside.

But he has emerged victorious in all the legal battles so far.

Ubah

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

18. 12.2022

Fuji Vibrations 3.0: A Kaleidoscope of Talent Throwdown In honour of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall's 50 years on stage, Lagos witnessed a grand slam of Fuji music at the third season of Fuji Vibrations. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

A

gracefulred-carpetentrance wound up inside the venue for the revival of fuji music in its unadulterated state. /LQHG ZLWK HDUWK\ ÁRZHU pots, the venue provided a EHÀWWLQJ DPELHQFH IRU WKH audience at Fuji Vibrations, the third of its kind, dubbed "Fuji: AOpera." Muri Okunola Park in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos, was turned into a distillery of talents, brewing indigenous Fuji sounds for a wide range of audiences drawn from the working class, expatriates, industry top-shots, tech entrepreneurs, visual artists, LQÁXHQFHUV PXVLF MRXUQDOLVWV DQG RI FRXUVH )XML PXVLF DÀFLRQDGRV The "aso-ebi" fuchsia pink itself was a continuation of the tradition of recreating the Nigerian party spirit. With "Fuji" printed all over the fabric, it was easy to spot the new-age Fuji family among the over three thousand fun-seekers. Saheed Osupa in performance A place of camaraderie, the secured park was besieged by food vendors who shared African cuisine that complimented the fuji vibes. Street fans maintained a respectable distance from the show outside the park, where some of them managed to view some of the show's headliners.

Expectedly, the selection of headliners showed diversity in gender and age. From the 10-yearold Agba Awo to the 65-year-old King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, the stage was a hotbed of positive energy.

With Jide Taiwo as the show's compere, the audience was reminded of how Fuji music has retained its place as a globally recognised genre. Taiwo attributed its success to grassroots LQÁXHQFH Contrary to the belief that there's no unity among the Fuji musicians, there was a sense of cohesion in the sequence of performances and the depth of lyricism, with individual artists paying homage to King Wasiu Ayinde in honour of his 50 years on stage. Also known as Founder/Creator, Fuji Vibrations, Bobo Omotayo AyindeMarshall,heisoneofthemostrecognised LQGLJHQRXV )XML DUWLVWV RI WKH SDVW ÀYH GHFDGHV Theindefatigablemusicianhasmentoredseveral fuji artists who are now masters of the craft.

Raising the curtain for the night was the Queen of Fuji, Yeye Eniba, who delivered a commanding performance with her authentic sound, lyrics laced with words of wisdom, and great back-up. Inadvertently, she set the tempo for the night, evoking the memories of Queen Salawa Abeni with her powerful vocals that broke the gender barrier in a male-dominated music genre.

Perhaps one of the most exciting moments of the night was the DJ interlude. The cone-wearing masked duo, the Maze Xtreme, dished up Fuji sound via heart-pounding Electronic Dance Music (EDM) loops. They were the surprise act at the last edition of the show, and so, this year, they served their sonic cocktail with a touch of The DJ Duo, Maze Xtreme at Fuji Vibrations freshness and suspense. Blending house, Fuji, and hip-hop, the duo had a blast.

Agba Awo Fuji almost generated more noise well-crafted lyrics and well-modulated voice. than the artist of honour with his spirited young $OO WKH ZD\ IURP $EHRNXWD FDPH 6HÀX $ODR band and a shrill-voiced hype man dropping also known as "Baba Oko," who delivered a lines, or better still, "ajasa," for every punchline. memorable performance and engaged the Trap musicians must have learnt this call-and- DXGLHQFH LQ PRPHQWV RI VHOI UHÁHFWLRQ +LV response trick from Fuji musicians because the lyrics, laced with wise sayings, are largely similarity is far too uncanny. The young talent philosophical, exuding vulnerability while proved to be "old wine in a new bottle" with his drawing upon observations from daily life.

.LFNLQJ RͿ ZLWK WKH )80$1 $Qthem, Sikiru SK Sensation, President of the Fuji Musicians Association of 1LJHULD )80$1 DVFHQGHG WKH VWDJH +H DOVR H[SUHVVHG KRZ H[FLWHG the association was to collaborate with Fuji: A Opera on this edition and reassured support for future

)XML 9LEUDWLRQV HGLWLRQV +LV VRXQG ZDV PHOlow, slowing down the tempo for the night to calm nerves.

Taye Currency was yet another artist who stole the show. A crowd-pleaser, he proved to be a showman with constant audience engagement and electrifying beats. It's a wonder how lip-syncing artists earn more popularity than artists such as Currency, but the consolation lies in the fact that most gifted Fuji musicians outlive the lip-syncing pop artists whose fame is often as long as their last EP. Sikiru Sk Sensation, a class act, curated a clinical performance and set the expectation for KWAM 1 to perform.Instead of Kwam I, Saheed Osupa, known as the master lyricist and poet, began his session with gratitude to God. Subsequently, his love for his creator became evident in his lyrics, and he performed a medley of his hits.

Malaika was a true leader in his command of arrangement and cadence. Pushing past the generational barrier, his song "Ose Olohun" is a crossover track that held the excited audience spellbound.

Meanwhile, Do2Dtun, the celebrity hype man and Supa Komando ambassador, unveiled the new one-litre Supa Komando pet bottle before introducing the Mayegun of Fuji Music, K1 De 8OWLPDWH WKH QLJKW V KHDGOLQHU Omo Aje Wasiu, one of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall's (KWAM1) many protégés, delivered a distinguishing performance, exuding calmness. With the exception of the bouncers, everyone was thrown into a dance frenzy with accompanying drums from the band.

Tosin Ashafa, the executive producer of Fuji: A Opera, and Bobo Omotayo, the creator and founder of Fuji: A Opera, presented K1 De 8OWLPDWH ZLWK DQ ,FRQ $ZDUG DQG H[SUHVVHG gratitude to the music legend for his unwavering support for Fuji: A Opera since its inception.

Fuji: A Opera organisers, sponsors, and Fuji PXVLFLDQV DORQJ ZLWK . 'H 8OWLPDWH SRVHG IRU photos and cut a commemorative cake, which was cut at the spelling of "Fifty" by over 3,000 guests at Muri Okunola Park. . 'H 8OWLPDWH UHD΀UPHG KLV XQZDYHULQJ support for Fuji:AOpera and bestowed fatherly EOHVVLQJV RQ WKH RUJDQLVHUV +H SUD\HG DQG DVsured the team of the support of Fuji musicians past and present. . 'H 8OWLPDWH WRRN WKH VWDJH DQG EHOWHG KLV )XML DQWKHPV³VRXQGV WKDW GHÀQHG WKH GHFDGHV In a characteristic manner, Marshall started his session with a serenade and ended with a jive.

From his self-praising lines to the prayerful ones, his songs were chorused by excited fans who abandoned their seats to get a full view RI WKH EDQG ,W ZDV D QLJKW WR UHÁHFW RQ HYHQWV that coincided with the release of these songs at various points in the lives of music lovers. It was indeed a celebration of collective memory, culture, and diversity.

"Fuji Vibrations served as a reminder that the Fuji genre is still shaping popular culture and truly represents the best of indigenous Nigerian music. But, more importantly, what we witnessed reminded us all that music can bring strangers together. These instances serve as reminders of Fuji's ability to unite people," said Bobo Omotayo, the creator and founder of Fuji: A Opera.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

58

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18, 2022

ARTS & REVIEW\\POTPOURRI

Peju Layiwola's Textile Narratives and Reincarnation of Indigo Reimagined

A

mong her contemporaries in the local art scene, Peju Layiwola—an art history professor at the University of /DJRV 'HSDUWPHQW RI &UHDWLYH Arts— easily stands out for her appropriations of local textile motifs. This probably accounts for the fairly large turnout of both her friends and associates at the presentation of her book, Indigo 5HLPDJLQHG 5HWKLQNLQJ ­GuU̥ in Yoruba Fashion and Textile 0RGHUQLW\ DW $6+/8;85< along Admiralty Way in Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, December 15.

6KRXOG LW VXUSULVH DQ\RQH WKDW the presentation of the 206-page book, which essentially is a compilation of the authoritative opinions of literary critics, art historians, and other cognoscenti who attended the 2019 exhibition with the same title held in two locations in Lagos, was held concurrently with the introduction of her clothing line?

A quick reminder about the exhibition, which was curated

by Professor Layiwola herself. ,WV SK\VLFDO HYHQW ZDV ÀUVW KHOG DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI /DJRV· JDOlery and subsequently at Alara on Victoria Island. Its afterlife in virtual spaces and on other media platforms was believed to have EHHQ ZLWQHVVHG E\ PDQ\ +HQFH the book reenacts the memories of this exhibition through its collection of insightful essays and high-resolution photographs.

Perhaps it is not incorrect to consider the book, which was produced in 2021 by the Institute RI $IULFDQ DQG 'LDVSRUD 6WXGies at the University of Lagos, WR ÀOO WKH UROH RI DQ H[KLELWLRQ catalogue. This is because the DXWKRUV NQRZOHGJHDEOH SHUVSHFtives delve deeply enough into the exhibition to make viewers

L-R: Omooba Yemisi Shyllon (the OYASAF chairman), Prof Peju Layiwola, Patrick Oloko (the book's editor ), and Prof Dele Layiwola at the event

BOOKS IHHO DV LI WKH\ ZLWQHVVHG LW ÀUVWhand.

This book, whose foreword was ZULWWHQ E\ $\RGHML 2OXNRMX D distinguished professor of history at the University of Lagos, IHDWXUHV KLJK SURÀOH FRQWULEXWRUV VXFK DV 3URIHVVRU -DQLQH 6\WVPD RI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI $UNDQVDV V 6FKRRO RI $UW 3DWULFLD 2\HOROD D senior research fellow formerly RI WKH ,QVWLWXWH RI $IULFDQ 6WXGies at the University of Ibadan, DQG 7REHQQD 2NZXRVD DQ DVsociate professor at the Niger 'HOWD 8QLYHUVLW\ 2WKHUV LQFOXGH 3URIHVVRU 3KRHQL[ 6DYDJH RI Toogaloo University in Jackson, 0LVVLVVLSSL 86$ -HDQ %RUJDWWL of the Fitchburg Art Museum, &ODUN ,QVWLWXWH 86$ DQG %RVWRQ 8QLYHUVLW\ 86$ 1HQJL 2PXNX D YLVXDO DUWLVW EDVHG LQ /RQGRQ 8. &KDUOHV *RUH RI WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI +LVWRU\ RI $UW DQG $UFKDHRORJ\ 62$6 8. 3URIHVVRU 3DXOD &DOOXV RI %RXUQHPRXWK 8QLYHUVLW\ 8.

Professor Ayo Adeduntan of

WKH ,QVWLWXWH RI $IULFDQ 6WXGLHV 8QLYHUVLW\ RI ,EDGDQ /HNDQ %DORJXQ DQG 7LPRWK\ 2OXVROD 2JXQIXQZD RI WKH 'HSDUWPHQW of Creative Arts, University of /DJRV 2GXQ 2ULPRODGH RI WKH Yaba College of Technology, LaJRV DQG 3URIHVVRU (PPDQXHOOH 6SLHVVH RI /HV $IULTXHV GDQV OH 0RQGH 6FLHQFHV SROLWLTXHV (LAM), and the University of Bordeaux, France.

A statement by Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa, the University RI /DJRV GHSXW\ YLFH FKDQFHOORU sees the launch of the book, which ZDV HGLWHG E\ 3DWULFN 2ORNR as the bringing together of the academic community and industry practitioners in the fashion, textiles, and creative sectors. "I am aware that Professor Layiwola has fostered several programmes RI VXFK QDWXUH KH VDLG 2QO\ recently, she facilitated a collaboration that enabled six students from the University of Fine Arts, +DPEXUJ +)%. *HUPDQ\ WR work with six of our own students to put up an exhibition at RXU /DJRRQ *DOOHU\ The deputy vice-chancellor also recalled that during Professor

/D\LZROD·V WHQXUH DV WKH KHDG RI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI /DJRV· &UHDWLYH Arts Department, the renowned model, Naomi Campbell, was hosted in the department in ´7KURXJK WKH HͿRUWV RI &DPSEHOO *XFFL IDFLOLWDWHG WKH SDUWLFLSDWLRQ RI ÀYH RI RXU visual arts students in a fashion competition that held in Rome, Italy. Michael Irabor, a winner in that competition, is enjoying a year-long study in Rome fully IXQGHG E\ *XFFL $ IHZ ZHHNV ago, Prof. Layiwola was invited

by Naomi Campbell to attend WKH R΀FLDO ODXQFK RI KHU FKDUity in Doha and to also discuss future collaborations between the University of Lagos and the Naomi Campbell Charity. ´$QG IROORZLQJ FORVHO\ LQ WKDW direction is the donation of 10,000 dollars by Ashluxury to the Department of CreativeArts to support the work of the Visual Arts unit. Through that grant, two female students received invaluable support towards WKHLU HGXFDWLRQ µ %HVLGHV KHU appropriation of textile motifs, 3URIHVVRU /D\LZROD·V DGYRFDF\ for the return of the artefacts stolen from Benin during the British punitive expedition of 1897 paved the way for her 2010 solo exhibition, Benin1897.com: Art and the Restitution Question, held in Lagos and Ibadan, and her 2014 collaborative art project, titled Whose Centenary? and held in Benin City.

2Q WKH LQWHUQDWLRQDO VWDJH VKH had won the African Multiple Cluster of Excellence at the UniYHUVLW\ RI %D\UHXWK *HUPDQ\ LQ EHFDPH D 7\VRQ 6FKRODU at the Crystal Bridges Museum LQ %HQWRQYLOOH 86$ LQ DV well as a Distinguished VisitLQJ 6FKRODU DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI Arkansas from 2019 to 2020, and ZDV QRPLQDWHG DV WKH 6WDWH RI Arkansas 2020 Ambassador of *RRGZLOO

$ &DVH IRU 3RHWLF 3ULQW DQG %UXVK 6WURNHV LQ $EXMD Segun Ade-Martins

T

here are times for stocktaking. For such times, commercial ventures would require a day to ascertain the rate at which they convert said stock into cash and, eventually, WKH SURÀW ,Q WKH DUW LQGXVWU\ stocktaking is needed not just for future generations, but also for its current relevance. This usually takes the form of documentation, which in turn can Sor Sen, left, with Sarah Hachibe expressed in diverse media. Duchêne at the book launch While countries with vibrant and exhibition art scenes are known for their documentation or art criticism, Nigeria seems to lag behind in this endeavour. Even in a few exceptional cases, Lagos seems WRU RI $UW 8EXQWX WKH ERRN·V to be light years ahead of other publishing company, as well as an art enthusiast, Miguel Nigerian cities.

This is one reason why the 7ULDQWDÀOOR 6HQ D SDLQWHU Abuja art community should whose expressionistic works ZDUP XS WR WKH FRͿHH WDEOH have travelled across the globe, ERRN 2I 6RXOV $VFHQWV had this brilliant idea to docu6WLOOQHVV ZKLFK KDV EHHQ ment the Abuja painting scene. painstakingly put together by 6R KH JDWKHUHG SDLQWHUV ZKR RQH RI LWV RZQ 6RU 6HQ XQGHU consistently produce highly WKH GLUHFWLRQ RI 6DUDK +DFKL relevant and high-quality work.

Duchêne, the editorial direc- After a rigorous documentary

VISUAL ARTS

process, the book, which was launched at an exhibition of the same name at a swanky Abuja KRWHO )UDVHU 6XLWHV RQ 7KXUVGD\ December 2, was born.

Adiscerning reader could call the book the manifestation of VRXOV ORQJLQJ WR FRQQHFW ZLWK D world starved of their perspecWLYHV DQG WKDW ZRXOGQ W EH wrong. "The intent of this book WLWOH LV WR WDNH UHDGHUV PLQGV on an adventure, to a place of ZRQGHU DQG ZDQGHU 6HQ VD\V Besides, the eclectic composition of the artists already lifts the veil on what to expect from the beautifully-produced hardcover FRͿHH WDEOH ERRN But what makes this collection of artists and their work so special? They can be likened to leaves on the branches of a tree UHDFKLQJ RXW IRU WKH VXQ V UD\V They yearn to share their work as a gift to humanity. It is their intention to open a channel for people to talk about their work for the betterment of society.

Meanwhile, the Abuja community of painters ought to be grateful for this intervention as their works can be preserved for the future. Now, the ball is LQ WKH FRXUW RI WKH DÀFLRQDGRV WR

acquire the book and, of course, the paintings as mementoes.

This would not only go a long way toward supporting the artists and the Abuja painting community, but also allow the public to share in their energy, their spiritual "DNA," woven into the works. For the record, here are the names of the 30 artists for the adventurous and curious: Philip Agbese Jr., Ndubuisi Nduwhite Ahanonu, Ngozi Akande, Prosper Akeni, Akachukwu Chukwuemeka (Akabeks), Chike Emembo, )UDQNO\Q (QHEHOL 2Q\HNDchukwu Antony Iloana, Joy ,RUYLKL .DUXQZL .RODZDOH .D\RGH $ELJDLO 1QDML 8QRPD 1XPHUR 2EL 1ZDHJEH Clement Nwafor, Chidinmma 2JRQQD\D &LQG\ 1ZDQNZR $PDUDFKL .HOHFKL 2GLPED &KLQ\HUH 2GLQXNZH $PDUDFKL 2NDIRU $GGLV 2NROL (JKRVD +HQU\ 2VDUHWLQ 0LOOLFHQW 2VXPXR /LOLDQ &KL]RED 3LODNX Michael Imo Chigboromogu, 6RU 6HQ *RGZLQ 7RP 6XQGD\ 2NLGH 0DGXND 7RFKXNZX 8FKH 8JXUX 6WHSKDQLH 8QDH]H 2VZDOG 8UXDNSD DQG ,EUDKLP Yusuf.

Ade-Martins writes from Abuja

BOOK REVIEW A Dispassionate Perspective on Strident Calls for Restructuring Faisal Kurfi Nigeria is one of the most complex and diverse countries in the world, with over 350 ethnic communities and about 500 linguistic groups scattered all over the country. Additionally, the land has been blessed with enough potentials to match any advanced nation around the world. This, however, has become a curse rather than a blessing. Leaders have demonstrated incompetence and ineptitude in leadership by failing to harness this diversity, further using it to create regional chauvinism and corruption. This has caused apprehension, mistrust, and anxiety within these groups and has pushed the country to the brink of collapse. Moreover, many groups are now clamoring for Nigeria to be "restructured" because they believe it is the most viable option to save the country. Nonetheless, the term has been XVHG IRU GLͿHUHQW SXUSRVHV DQG LQWHQWLRQV 2Q WKH RQH KDQG WKHUH are those fully equipped to understand the concept, discuss it, and PDNH PHDQLQJIXO FRQWULEXWLRQV WR WKH GLVFRXUVH 2Q WKH RWKHU KDQG some have ignorantly joined the bandwagon for reasons that are far more devastating than the current state of the nation. Dr. Bukar 8VPDQ LQ KLV ERRN 5HVWUXFWXULQJ 1LJHULD $Q 2YHUYLHZ KDV GRQH an excellent job of presenting the issues of restructuring Nigeria as DUJXPHQWV FRQFHLYHG E\ GLͿHUHQW SHUVRQDOLWLHV DQG JURXSV DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ 7KH ERRN LV GLYLGHG LQWR ÀYH FKDSWHUV 7KH ÀUVW WZR chapters discuss the due process of constitutional amendments and constitutional developments in Nigeria. The third chapter analyses perceptions and arguments for restructuring Nigeria. The fourth chapter looks back in time to examine how the defunct system of regional governments worked and why it may not work again. Finally, WKH ÀIWK FKDSWHU PDNHV D FRPSHOOLQJ FDVH IRU HWKLFDO UHVWUXFWXULQJ The author demonstrates his unique writing style by illustrating the crux of the arguments in Chapter 3, outlining them in Numbers 1–32.

7KLV KDV FRYHUHG D ZLGH UDQJH RI WRSLFV IRU H[DPSOH ODFN RI HͿHFWLYH JRYHUQDQFH FUHDWLRQ RI VWDWH SROLFH ÀVFDO IHGHUDOLVP UHVRXUFH control," and many others as the foundation for restructuring. This compartmentalisation of the arguments enables the reader to better understand the message and context of each argument. The author supports some of the arguments. For example, he agreed with the idea of the need to establish state police. According to Dr. Bukar, "our modern criminals generally succeed in their hide-and-seek games because the average NPF policeman is a stranger to the community the criminal is very familiar with." This is one point among many that he submitted in support of the idea.

Finally, the concluding part of the book presents comments, observations, and the thoughts of many respectable Nigerians about WKH VXEMHFW 7KLV HTXLSV WKH UHDGHU ZLWK VRPHWKLQJ WR UHÁHFW XSRQ as the pages wind down. Admittedly, the book is well-structured, devoid of sentimental ideas, and has been exceptionally well-edited.

For this reason, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to politicians, leaders of both traditional and religious organisations and every well-meaning Nigerian. .XUÀ ZRUNV LV D VWD; PHPEHU DW 8PDUX 0XVD <DU DGXD 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ .DWVLQD

Sarai's Culture Day Inspires Children to Embrace Culture Rebecca Ejifoma 7DQLD 2PRWD\R V 6DUDL V &XOWXUH 'D\ LV RQH DSSHDOLQJ ERRN WKDW strikes the right conversation on the need for children to learn and appreciate where they are from and be so proud of their cultural heritage that generations to come will regard it as noble.

2PRWD\R ZKR KDV DQ LQWHUUDFLDO RULJLQ IURP $XVWULD DQG *HUPDQ\ aspires to be that voice that awakens the consciousness of Nigerians DQG $IULFDQV WR UHFRQQHFW WR WKHLU URRWV DW WKH ZHHNHQG V ODXQFK LQ Victoria Island, Lagos. This is because, despite being of mixed race, she is married to a Yoruba man and speaks the Yoruba language ZLWK JUHDW GHOLJKW , P PL[HG DQG , P SURXG RI ZKR , DP DQG ZKHUH , P IURP RQ ERWK VLGHV µ VKH VDLG ´7KDW LV SDUW RI ZKR , DP and my originality and that is important."

6KH WROG UHSRUWHUV WKDW KHU WKUHH DQG D KDOI \HDU ROG GDXJKWHU 6DUDL LQVSLUHG KHU WR SXW WKLV ERRN WRJHWKHU , GHFLGHG WR ZULWH D NLGV ERRN LQVSLUHG E\ P\ GDXJKWHU 6DUDL 0\ GDXJKWHU LV PL[HG 6R , ZURWH WKLV ERRN WR OHW KHU NQRZ KHU RULJLQ DQG EH SURXG RI LW "If we start with the kids, they will pass it on to their kids and it ZLOO FRQWLQXH WKDW ZD\ µ VKH DGGHG ZLWK D FKXFNOH 2PRWD\R ZKR LV D ZULWHU PRGHO IDVKLRQ GHVLJQHU DQG HQWUHSUHQHXU HPSKDVLVHG WKH GDQJHU RI ORVLQJ RQH V LGHQWLW\ EHFDXVH RQH PRYHG DEURDG 6R WKLV ERRN LV D FRQYHUVDWLRQ VWDUWHU WR KHOS WKH kids appreciate who they are."

Meanwhile, she explained how she employed compatible colours to illustrate and enlighten the children about their origins in her QHZ ERRN 7KLV LV FRXUWHV\ RI &KLNH 2EDVL WKH DUW GLUHFWRU RI .XQGD .LGV WKH SXEOLVKHUV RI WKH ERRN 7KH &(2 RI .XQGD .LGV 'HOH 2ODIX\L VDLG 6DUDL V &XOWXUH 'D\ LV one book he and his team enjoyed working on. "This is because we DW .XQGD .LGV DUH DOO DERXW SURPRWLQJ $IULFDQ FXOWXUH KH VDLG $ ORW RI NLGV GRQ W NQRZ DERXW $IULFDQ FXOWXUH DQG FDQ W VSHDN their languages. "We want to revive that cultural celebration among WKH NLGV PDNH WKHP DZDUH DQG DSSUHFLDWH LW 6R ZH UDQ ZLWK KHU YLVLRQ RQ 6DUDL·V &XOWXUH 'D\ 7KLV ZLOO KHOS WKHP FHOHEUDWH WKHLU FXOWXUH DQG ZKR WKH\ DUH )RU 2ODIX\L 2PRWD\R V ERRN GRHVQ W RQO\ champion that conversation between children and their parents, it also creates a strong bond among them.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

59

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

Fuji: A Opera Takes Fuji Vibrations to Another Level Stories by Vanessa Obioha When a mammoth crowd thronged Muri Okunola Park in Lagos for the annual Fuji: A Opera, it was evident that the third edition tagged ‘Fuji Vibrations’ was going to rock.

Indeed it did, given the array of Fuji artists that performed and the diverse group of distinguished guests from different sectors of the economy. The event speaks volumes of how Fuji, a genre that emerged from the South-west has gained global recognition.

As the host, Jide Taiwo noted, Fuji music is a globallyrecognised genre whose success can be attributed to grassroots influence.

Kicking off the night was the Queen of Fuji, Yeye Eniba, who delivered a commanding performance that captivated the audience. Her stirring vocal prowess and quick dancing feet kept the audience glued to the stage as she slowly etched a mark on everyone’s hearts.

Omo Aje Wasiu, one of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall’s (KWAM1) many protégés, delivered a performance that set him apart from the many who admire his music mentor.

He exuded a welcoming calmness and stage presence that asserted his dexterity.

Also bringing flavour to the event was 10-year-old Fuji sensation Agba Awo Fuji, who performed with such confidence that not only a few were mesmerized. It came as no surprise when it was revealed that he emerged as the favourite artist to close the event through an Instagram poll conducted by the organisers.

When the night’s headliner, the Mayegun of Fuji Music, K1 De Ultimate was introduced on stage, it was Street Souk is returning to Lagos for its fifth anniversary today, December 18. The ground-breaking festival has partnered with Pocket by Piggyvest, MTN, Power Horse, Jameson and TrybeOne to bring together the best of Africa’s upcoming and most influential streetwear brands for a unique and immersive experience celebrating fashion, music, culture, sports and art.

This year’s edition will feature cult favorites like Mowalola, Ashluxe, Vivendii, Flykicks and Crocs; collaborations with international brands such as Hatton Labs, Kids of Immigrants, and Places + Faces, and homegrown brands including WAF, NBDA, Thirsty Lab, High Fashion, 5200 Fleece and Creer Magnus.

KWAM 1

done spectacularly by celebrity hype man and Supa Komando ambassador, Do2tun. The event marked a special one for K1 De Ultimate as it doubled as a celebration of his 50th anniversary of performing on stage.

Tosin Ashafa, executive producer of Fuji: A Opera, and Bobo Omotayo, creator and founder of Fuji: A Opera, presented K1 De Ultimate with an ‘ICON Award’ and expressed gratitude to the music legend for his unwavering support for Fuji: A Opera since its inception.

Others present include Sefiu Alao, also known as ‘Baba Oko’; Taye Currency; Saheed Osupa; Malaika; and SK Sensation, President of Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria(FUMAN).

Street Souk Returns to Lagos for Fifth Anniversary The festival will also feature a designated World Cup viewing center dubbed the Native NRGY Hotel, and a gaming area powered by Xbox, a skate ramp, football freestylers, and an all-new food experience zone.

Founded in 2018 by 23-year-old entrepreneur Iretidayo ‘Ireti’ Zaccheaus, Street Souk was born out of the lack of

avenues to nurture and access the growing streetwear scene in Nigeria.

Over the past five years, Ireti has expertly curated a unique space for young Africans to express themselves freely, enhance their creativity, network and connect. The festival has grown from a humble 40-stall event with 1,500 in attendance to hosting over 115 stalls with an expected attendance of 5,000 this year. The success of her vision has been supported by a host of heavyweights across the fashion industry including the late Virgil Abloh who once described the event as a key part of Africa’s “youth-driven fashion renaissance.”

The festival will take place at Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos.

L-R: Representative of the Ministry of Tourism, Senegal, Souleymane Bakhayoko; Executive Producer/President, All Africa Music Awards, Mike Dada; and Regional Director, Central Africa, AFRIMA, Nde Ndifonka, in Dakar, Senegal.

Senegal’s Govt, AFRIMA Unveil Plans for Eighth AFRIMA in Dakar The Ministry of Tourism in Senegal, as well as the African Union Commission and All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) recently unveiled the programme of events for the eighth edition of AFRIMA tagged ‘Teranga Edition’ in Dakar, Senegal.

It was announced that the four-day event which will take place from January 12 to 15, 2023 in Dakar will begin with the delegates arrival on January 11, 2023. It will be followed by a host country tour, school visit and gift presentation (as part of AFRIMA’s Corporate Social Responsibility), as well as a Welcome Soiree in the evening on Thursday, January 12.

The 4-day event continues the following day with the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) and in the evening, the AFRIMA Music Village, a free-to-enter concert featuring live performances from the biggest music stars across the continent will bring the day to a close.

On the eve of the awards, the day will begin

with main rehearsals, media engagements and a courtesy visit to the President of Senegal. There will also be a live recording booth at the venue for musicians across all five regions of the continent, and in the diaspora, to explore for collaborative recordings. The day’s activities will climax with a nominees exclusive party.

The main AFRIMA ceremony will wrap up on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at the 15,000 capacity Dakar Arena.

The Senegalese Minister of Tourism, H.E. Alioune Sarr, represented by Souleymane Bakhayoko, reiterated the country’s commitment to achieving the joint objectives of the AU and AFRIMA, by utilising music as a tool to develop Africa’s creative economy.

“We are happy that the 8th AFRIMA will be held in Dakar, Senegal. This is historic for us. We are happy to host the rest of the world, and showcase the beauty of our Senegalese culture and scenery. This will sharpen our global image, as a prime destination for tourism and a culturally-rich community.”

“The 8th AFRIMA is not just another regular music festival,” added Executive Producer/President, AFRIMA, Mike Dada. “We are an institution committed to promoting African music, across the continent and in the world. The Teranga edition is here and it is something we are all proud of.”

Waje Makes History with Her Albums Nigerian singer and songwriter, Ebele Iruobe, popularly known as Waje has recorded an impressive feat in her career this year by releasing three albums. A feat that industry experts said has never been recorded.

She started her historic feat on July 22, when she released the 10-track album ‘Waje 2.0’ which featured Falz, Masterkraft, and Tiwa Savage. It was followed by ‘Unbroken’, a thanksgiving album she released on September 1, to mark her birthday and celebrate God’s love and grace for almost 20 years of unwavering performances as a professional in the music industry.

“The third album is set to be released on December 30, 2022, titled ‘The Misfit’ and this will complete the record. I am so proud of the body of work and the amazing collaborations with major artists from Nigeria, Ivory Coast and France.”

When asked why she attempted this ground-breaking achievement, Waje said: “I have had a truly blessed career, the opportunity to add to the development and growth of the music industry in almost 20 years. I believe it is time to have some legacy projects and jumpstart a more global phase of my career.”

Seun Kuti and Wife Launch New Projects

The Kutis flanked by Illbliss (L) and Falz (R)

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti and his wife, Yetunde who is a seasoned chef recently launched new projects: Bird’s Eye View and Chef Yeide’s Special Spices respectively at a well-attended event in Lagos.

Bird’s Eye View (BEV) is a platform established to help raise the consciousness of the Nigerian people.

“In our daily conversations across social media, at traditional gatherings, our religious centres and schools, we have observed a trend neighboring around ignorance on how societies develop through history and the role of the people in their own elevation,” he said.

“We see that the entire air in our society reeks of the elevation of what is known as ‘cruise’ out of serious occurrences that demands sober reflections, conscientious actions and response.”

Explaining further, Kuti said that the BEV YouTube channel will bring “a balance and an option between having to be condemned by ignorance or be elevated by knowledge.”

His wife Yetunde also used the opportunity to share the story of her journey as a chef and culinary entrepreneur, publicly presenting her special spices to the audience and requesting that they support the project.

FadeyiLagos Wins Best Spotlight Talent Manager Award Fadeyi Oluwatosin, widely known as FadeyiLagos was recently honoured by Nigeria Achievers Awards with the Best Spotlight Talent Manager.

Having spent over a decade in the Nigerian entertainment scene, FadeyiLagos exemplifies the calibre of backend executives that ensure that the public is introduced to some of their favorite music prodigy and talents. He runs FLPRO Ltd, a fast-growing company in Lagos that attends to the task of talent discovery and amplification. Fadeyi has worked with industry talents like Niniola, Clarence Peters, Akin Alabi, Busiswa, Sesan, Lady Du and Oskido to name a few.

“Getting awards is great, but what matters more is using that as a springboard to achieve even more,” he said.

FadeyiLagos grew up in Lagos where he created a path for himself by investing in talents even before the globalization of music and entertainment in Nigeria.

He is also set to be named Africa’s Most Promising Talent Manager of the Year by Africa Honorary Award.

FadeyiLagos

60

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18, 2022

PERSPECTIVE

Iron Fist of the Niger Delta

I

ntheNigerDelta,almosteveryonebelieves in the endless cycle of life. The ancestors, burieddeepinthedarksoilorintheundulating waterofthelagoonandslow-movingrivers, are alive. They roam the mangroves and if you look hard enough, you can behold their unblinking gaze in the dark. They would not abandontheirchildren,fortheyarepartofthem. The struggle,whenitcomes,isalsotheirown. So,theIjaws, confronted with the might of the Nigerian military, paid obeisance to Egbesu, their ancestral deity, and asked for spiritual leadership in battle.

MENDwastheMovementfortheEmancipationof theNiger-Deltaanditannounceditself,whenitdidso, withabang. HenryOkah(currentlyinaSouthAfrican jailforcarryingoutactsofterrorisminAbuja,Nigeria) wasthemastermind,andhefoundhisresourceswithin variegatedinterestsinFNDICandthedisenchantment of the Ijaw youths. This development was because there was a division in the FNDIC High Command about the prosecution of the struggle. By this time, PresidentObasanjohadreachedouttotheleadersof theFederatedNigerDeltaIjawCommunities(FNDIC), butsomeoftheleadersfelttheofferofamnestybythe FederalGovernmentwasnotgoingfarenough. They felttheofferwouldrobthemofincomeandinfluence.

PuttingtheformationofMENDinthecontextofthe times,Timiniminotes:“Henrycamewiththeidea(of MEND) when he noticed that the FNDIC had been seriouslyinfiltratedandtherewasanimpendingquest to mellow down the struggle for a period.”

MENDwastheculminationofatroublingmetamorphosiswhoseseedwasplantedwiththeexecutionof Saro-WiwaandeightofhisOgonicompatriots.Despite theseterriblewounds,manypoliticiansfromtheNiger Deltawerestillstruttingtheland,tryingtoparticipate intheTransitiontoCivilRuleProgrammeengineered byNigeria’sviledictator,GeneralSaniAbacha,whodid nothidehisambitiontoruleforlife. Partofhisscheme was the One Million Man March organised in Abuja, by the shadowy group called the Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha, (YEAA) spearheaded by a young opportunistic politician-cum-businessman named Daniel Kanu. The group moved to the Niger Delta to recruityouthsforthemarch. Manyofthem,blessed with new naira notes and free flow of alcohol by the organisers,travelledbybusestoAbuja. Itwasthefirst timemanyofthemwerebeholdingtheglitteringnew cityofAbuja,proclaimedin1976thenewcapitalof theFederalRepublicby thenHeadofStateGeneral Murtala Muhammed They saw the meaning of the NigerDeltawealthandhowithasbeenusedtobuild a new city in the jungle. They returned home, wiser, chastised and bitter. They wanted something for their land, the source of the wealth. When the crisis started, the militants knew what they were fighting for. They wanted a new Niger Delta.

WhenMENDwasestablished,theyoungmilitant, nominatedasthegroup’sfirst“GeneralCommander” wasawelderwithacontractorengagedby Chevron NigeriaLimitedandhesoonlearntthathemightlose his job unless he returned to work. He informed the leadership that he would prefer to go back to work.

At this point, one of the leaders, Chief Government OweizideEkpemupolo,aliasTompolo,pleadedwith Timinimi that they needed to ensure that the young mangothisjobbackatChevron.Timinimigotintouch withChevronandtheyagreedtogivethewelderhis job back.

There was a contentious debate among MEND’s topmembersaboutthereplacementforthisGeneral Commander. Timinimi recalls: “I suggested that the first and second commanders were in my opinion not capable of manning the head honcho position of MEND being that they were not well schooled.

In their place, I nominated one of our members who wasabeneficiaryofthestruggleingainingadmission to Delta State University to study political science.

He was equally sponsored by the FNDIC to head the activities of MEND. High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo, the business name of hisfather,ChiefThomasOsenEkpemupolo,whowas theTunteriwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom) concurred.”

It was the coming of MEND that built up the near mythical personality of Tompolo. As Godspower Gbenekama, a key Ijaw leader who is the Fiyewei (spokeperson)oftheGbaramatuKingdom,recounts: “IfyougothroughthelengthandbreadthoftheNiger Delta,nobodyhasdevelopedhisownareaamongthose who called themselves leaders of the struggle like Tompolo. Hehaslisteningskillsmorethananyother leaderandhehasinfluenceovertheyouthmorethan any other leader in this area. His voice is obeyed. He is a potent personality. He does not lead from afar.

Helivesamongthepeople. Heknowsandfeelstheir pains. Heisbuildingleaders. Theonlyproblemhehas

isthoseofusthatarearoundhim. Wedon’thavethe samevisionhehas. Iamhere. Iwanttomakemyself comfortable. I want to be rich, but this man is in the bush fighting for the people. He is wounded. He is being pursued in the bush. He is a different kind of leader for he loves his people.”

Perhaps so, but Timinimi differs, querying why MEND’sactivitieswereshroudedinsecrecy.“Every memberofMEND’sHighCommand,”hesays,“acquired apseudonym.TheonlypublicfaceofMENDisafacelessJ‘ omoGbomo.’Becauseofthis,itwas extremely difficult to know who was involved or responsible for the activities of MEND. It was more or less seen as a struggle of guerrilla warfare and they took responsibility for whatever oil installation or facility of multinationals that were attacked, torched and expatriates that were taken hostage as prisoners ofthestruggle.Ransomswerealsocollectedforthe release of hostages in most cases by members of MEND. Whenthesituationongroundisverycritical, moniesmayberejectedforfearofbeingattackedby the JTF (the government security JointTask Force).

Therewereinstanceswheredrugsforvariousailments werebeingsentacrosstoanoilcompany’sstaffwho were captives through community persons.”

As far as Gbenekama was concerned, Tompolo is indispensable to the peace process in the Niger Delta.“Thoughthegovernmentiscriminalisinghim,” henotes,“inthedeadofthenight,theystillcallhimto talk to him. He is a young man. He is a human being.

At the height of the struggle, if he was taken into confidence,hewouldsecureChevroninstallations.”

He adds: “If I was asked about the movement of marine assets in a convoy betweenWarri and field locations, in the height of the struggle, I would say let me check. Who was I checking with? Tompolo, of course. Once he gives the go-ahead, I would give the all-clear signal. That was why at the height of the struggle, IOCs in our area did not suffer attacks.

There were proper communication channels with oil companies.”

MEND militants were the starry-eyed youths of the Niger Delta drawn mainly from Delta and Bayelsa states who grew up seeing the gas flares and the dark liquid or the black gold polluting their ancestral land. Now, they were told by their leaders thatiftheyact,blowupsomeoilfacilities,participate in well-thought-out kidnapping and generally show that they can fight, then the future would be better. They felt empowered and emboldened when they were issued with standard machine guns and sophisticated weapons. The struggle was getting moreprotractedandsophisticated. Hostageswere used as shields for fear of attack from the Nigerian military. Ransoms were being paid regularly to MEND and they bolstered their operations.

TiminimisaysMENDtriedtoenforcerulesforits operatives. Hiswords:“Thereweregroundrulesfor captivesnottobemolestedbyactivistsinthestruggle.

Wheneveracaptivewishedtoexercise,theywereat liberty to do so under strict surveillance. They were well-fed to their satisfaction, depending on what they wished to eat.”

HenotesthatinternalsquabbleswithinthecommunityassociationsledtotensionintheNigerDelta andaffectedtheactivitiesofFNDIC. Thisultimately gavewaytothemoreferociousMENDanditsmilitant operatives.

TiminimisaysitwasdifficultforMEND’sHighCommandtomaintainaunitedfrontbecauseofpressure from the Federal Government and the ideological divides among the leadership. “There was a divide amongitsmembershipafterthearrestofOkahprior totheintroductoryperiodoftheAmnestyProgramme.

Whilepartofitsmembershadembracedtheamnesty opportunity thrown at them, others were still bent on continuing with the struggle,” he adds.

He says that for the first time, the Ijaws, through MEND,wereabletoconductaunitedstruggle.“Above everything else, and without too many backward glances,theleadershipofMENDwastailoredafter theFNDICwiththecoordinatorsandmemberscutting acrosstheNigerDelta,mostlyinDelta,Bayelsa,Rivers andOndostates.Itwasthereforeeasytoinstructany ofthecoordinatorstoembarkonactionsonstrategic areas where there is so much security pressure in DeltaState. Thesewereactuallyadistractiontactics used during the period of MEND.” Despiteitssuccess,manymembersofthepolitical classwereworriedabouttheactivitiesofMENDand they sued for a truce. Hear Timinimi: “The idea of a trucewasfirstbroughtforthbyChiefJamesOnanefe Iboriwhodrewmyattentiontothefactthatthereis aneedforatrucetoenablegovernmenttakecertain decisionsthatmaybebeneficialtoallthatwereinthe struggle.” HesaysthatIbori,whowasthenGovernor of Delta State argued that MEND’s activities were notdifferentfromthe‘ResourceControl’campaign ofthepoliticalclasswhichsomeofthemwerebeing blackmailed for.

TiminimihadbeeninvitedtotheGovernmentHouse, AsabaandatthemeetingwasalsotheSecretaryto Government, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan (who would succeed Ibori as governor). Later, Timinimi recalls that,IboriandIhadaprivatediscussion.Iborithentold himthatsincetheimpeachmentandimprisonment of Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha as Governor of Bayelsa State, (also lionised as the Governor-General of the Ijaws), by the Olusegun ObasanjoAdministrationforallegedcorruptenrichment,heIborihadbeentakingcareofhisfamily. Ibori thereaftercalledAlamieyeseighaonthephoneand askedTiminimi to speak with him.

“From the time I spoke with him, I had a change of heartaboutChiefAlamieyeseighaasonepersonwe,in thestruggle,actuallyrespecttothecore.Thisalsogave megreaterimpetustorespectChiefJamesOnanefe Ibori for the role he had played in the family life of Alamieyeseigha, Alams, as he was popularly called.

Alamsinstructedthatweshouldworkintandemwith theOdidigborigboofAfrica(thealiasofJamesIbori),” he adds.

Timinimi recalls that many members of their movement were sympathetic to the plight of the nowlateChiefAlamieyeseigha. “Hewasoneperson whose arrest and detention inflated and heated up the anger of most aggrieved Ijaw youth, giving it escalated increase of the crisis. As soon as I got to Camp 5, (the headquarters of the MEND in the creeks), I intimated the leadership that he (Alams) spoke for a majority of us during my discussion with Chief Ibori. This led to a temporary stoppage of the struggle. Though we were all still very alert in the swamps and creeks as usual in preparation for any eventuality and unsuspected attack from our neighbour, the Itsekiris and the Government.”

ToTiminimi,theactivitiesofMENDwouldremain controversial.Hiswords:“WhileFNDICwasstructured essentiallytobeinvolvedingenuinestruggle,MEND wasinmostcasesassociatedwithvicessuchaskidnapping and ransom-taking.These vices introduced by someelementsinMENDwereagreatchallengetothe leadership of the FNDIC who vehemently opposed such mode of operation.”

Thetruthwasthat,atsomepoint,theleadershipof theFNDIClostcontrolovermostoftheactivitiesof theMENDboys. Manyroguegroupsalsoemerged, claimingaffiliationwithMENDbuttheyweretotally unknown to the FNDIC. The new MEND operatives were on a different wavelength to the methodical leadership of the FNDIC. The MEND boys went the extra mile to acquire supernatural powers. “They believe in the spirit of the river gods, deities and all those stuffs,” said Dr. IkemClaverTolar,aformermanageratFirstBankof Nigeria,anIjawleaderwhowasthepioneerchairman ofEgbemaGbaramatuCentralDevelopmentCouncil (EGCDC)–easilytheposter-childofChevron’sGlobal Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU} – a joint company,communityandgovernmentparticipatory development programme.

Dr. Tolar views militancy as a wrong turn in the struggle for justice in the Niger Delta. He notes that, initially, “the agitation then was for us to draw the attention of the Federal Government and the internationalcommunitytotheunderdevelopment of the Niger Delta; to get our people out of poverty.

But when militancy took over, they went fetish and violent. The voodoo people would do incantations.

Itworkedforthembecausetheybelievedinit. Itwas difficult for them to do away with it.”

TheemergenceofMENDanditsmilitantvariants wasnotasurprisetomanyofthepoliticalleadersof the Niger Delta, especially among the Ijaws. One of the top Ijaw leaders, Chief Oboko Bello, elaborates extensively on their strategy. He notes that when thecrisisstartedagainsttheItsekiris,followingthe creationoftheWarriSouth-WestLocalGovernment Area,theIjawleadershipdecidedtogettheirfactsright.

Heexplainsfurther:“Theybroughtthesedocuments andwenowseparatedthesefigures,thefiguresofthe populationfortheIjawsandthosefortheItsekiris. We didthismathematically. Wenowconcludedthatwell over63percentofthepopulationofWarriSouth-West Local Government Area are Ijaw while only 37 per cent are Itsekiri.”

With this figure, they believed they would have an easier time in court. The group then approached ChiefEdwinKiagbodoClark,theveteranIjawleader whowaspersuadedtoassembleateamoflawyers.

ThelawyerstookthecasetotheFederalHighCourt, Benin, where the Ijaw lost. With that, the Ijaw were left with their second and third options, according to him. “The second approach was propaganda. I have the figures and facts. So, I use these figures as propagandathatifgovernmentdidnotconsiderour case and reflect the extant figure of the population inthelocalgovernmentareaintheregisterofvoters, wewouldtakeourdestinyinourownhands. Wegave them an ultimatum.” ˾ ÏÓØÑ ÏâÍÏÜÚÞÝ ÐÜÙ× ÒÏ ÙØÞÏØÞÓÙßÝ ÏËÜÍÒ ÐÙÜ ÏËÍÏ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÓÑÏÜ ÏÖÞË ËßÞÒÙÜÏÎ Ìã ÓÎÏ ÔÓÎϘ ÙÒØ ÝÒÓ×Ë ËØÎ ÖßáÙÖÏ ÑßØÌÓËÎÏ

61

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18, 2022

CICERO

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

IN THE ARENA

2023 Elections: Who’s Gaming the Military?

Beyond President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the military to be apolitical during the 2023 elections and the subsequent assurances by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, of the neutrality of the armed forces, legitimate concerns from critical stakeholders call for more circumspect, and proactive control by the military authorities, writes Louis Achi

F

ollowing a revelation by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, conceded the military and other security agencies were under pressure to compromise the 2023 general election, the initial feeling in the nation’s media and public spaces was that the old politicians’ dodgy game was afoot ahead of the general election.

General Irabor spoke during the 61st Session of the State House Briefing on December 8, 2022. Clarifying what it believed was a mischievous misrepresentation of the CDS’ position and resultant jitters, the Defence Headquarters, in a statement signed by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, argued that Irabor was misrepresented, insisting that neither the military nor other security agencies were under pressure to scuttle 2023 elections.

For good measure, the Military High Command accused the media of twisting last week’s 2023 general election comment of the Chief of Defence Staff, to convey a “sinister meaning.”

“The Defence Headquarters therefore, seriously frowns on misrepresentation of the military leadership at any forum at this critical time of our nationhood,” the statement added.

The Defence Headquarters spokesman said the military would do everything necessary to ensure that the 2023 election is free, fair and credible.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria however, stands ready to aid civil authority in assuring free and fair 2023 elections.

“Already, ongoing military operations all over the country (in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies) are creating an enabling environment for electioneering campaigns to hold. These military operations would be escalated or re-calibrated when called upon to do so, to support the successful conduct of the 2023 elections.”

It could be recalled that President Buhari recently urged the Nigerian Army to remain apolitical and committed to the discharge of their constitutional in line with global best practices. He made the remarks while declaring open the 2022 chief of Army Staff annual conference held at International Conference Center, Kasarawa, Sokoto State.

He said his administration has maintained a robust policy in the modernization of Nigerian Army and other armed forces for improve capacity as well as competence in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

Understandably, some stakeholders are communicating their concerns on talks and counter-interpretations from the military authorities. The Atiku/Okowa presidential campaigns, last week called on the military to shun lobbyists from the political class to compromise the 2023 elections, and also urged politicians involved in such acts to go out and campaign to the people.

Warning military personnel against any extra-constitutional interference in a country’s political order is not novel.

In early September 2022, former Pentagon chiefs warned that the deep divisions in US politics are putting unwanted pressure on the

General Irabor armed forces and expressed concern that civilian political interference in the military could worsen.

Eight former defence secretaries and five ex-joint chiefs chairmen signed a statement on “Best Practices of CivilMilitary Relations” that came after several years - particularly under former President Donald Trump - in which the Pentagon became enmeshed in political machinations.

“We are in an exceptionally challenging civil-military environment. Politically, military professionals confront an extremely adverse environment characterized by the divisiveness of affective polarization that culminated in the first election in over a century when the peaceful transfer of political power was disrupted and in doubt. Looking ahead, all of these factors could well get worse before they get better,” they wrote.

It was for this reason that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, while speaking at a route march organised by the Nigerian Air Force recently, warned personnel to remain apolitical ahead of the 2023 general election.

Amao, who led the route march, spoke on the need for

personnel to continue to be vigilant and security conscious and remain apolitical, as the nation approached another election year.

While these warnings are important and timely in pre-empting any embryonic plots at extra-constitutional interference by the military in Nigeria’s troubled political order, their frequency suggests a closer attention should be paid to fundamental issues of statehood that are perhaps being glossed over.

General Irabor had in February declared that the members of the Nigerian armed forces had no plan to stage coup in the country. At a virtual media briefing coordinated from the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the CDS said the military would continue to educate its personnel on the need to shun temptations to stage coups in the country.

Irabor also urged politicians to desist from luring military personnel into political matters.

“The leadership of the Nigerian armed forces is imploring politicians to leave us alone; do not mix us up with issues that have to do with politics. They should not use political inclinations and persuasions to want to lure anybody from the armed forces into the idea of having to undertake coups and all.

“The men and women of the Nigerian armed forces have nothing whatsoever to do with anything that has to do with coup. We have learnt our lessons over the years and we have come to the realization that coups will do us more harm than good,” Irabor reportedly said.

Again in May, the DHQ in a statement by its former spokesperman, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, warned politicians and soldiers against any military coup in Nigeria. The DHQ said it was reacting to a statement by a senior lawyer calling for the handing over of power to the military.

A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (rtd), had on December 4, 2020, sternly warned his officers and men to perish the idea of any political inference in Nigeria. According to the ex-army boss, the Army hierarchy was aware that some generals were being approached and revealed that his eyes were on them.

“Democracy has come to stay. We will not tolerate any agent of destabilisation. The years of military misadventure in politics have never carried us anywhere. It is over…Do not hobnob with politicians,” he had warned.

Buratai had also in May 2017 warned his officers against unholy alliances with politicians. The statement came on the heels of a major shakeup in the Nigerian Army then.

It has been widely observed that military interference in politics appears to be associated with economic crisis and stagnation of growth.

In a study of intervention in politics by the military in Latin America, Martin C Needler, author of Mexican Politics and former Dean of the School of International Studies at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, suggested that governments were more likely to be overthrown by force when economic conditions deteriorated.

When conditions were improving, the military was unlikely to intervene in politics.

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

When N’Assembly Made Mockery of Screening

Lawan

There is hardly nothing Nigerians won’t experience orwitnessunderthecurrentNationalAssemblyledby Dr. Ahmad Lawan. In their desperate bid to please the presidency following the key role it played to ensure their emergence, the current leaders of the National Assemblyhavereducedsomeoftheirlegislativefunctions to a laughing stock.

For instance, when the Senate Committee on Niger DeltaAffairswasscreeningLaurettaOnochie,apresidential aide, for the position of chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), it asked her toanswerthequestionsputtoherbehindcloseddoors.

Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari asked theupperlegislativechambertoconfirmOnochieasthe NDDCchair,and15othernomineesasboardmembers of the commission.

The Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Bulus Amos presided over the

screening following the absence of the Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaboshi.

Whileappearingbeforethecommittee, Onochie was asked the name of her communityinDeltaStateandifitproducescrude oil.Butasshebegantoanswer,Amosasked her to respond in a closed-session.

This is not the first time the president would appoint Onochie to a position that issubjecttotheconfirmationofthesenate.

Onochie was nominated as a CommissioneroftheIndependentNationalElectoral Commission (INEC) in October 2020.

Her nomination sparked outrage over concernsthatsheisamemberoftheAPC, butthepresidentialaidesaidsheresigned hermembershipoftherulingpartyin2019.

In2021,whentheupperlegislativechamber

considered and screened her for the appointment, she was eventually disqualified.

Atthetime,theSenatedisqualifiedheronthegrounds thatBuharihadalreadynominatedMayAgbamuche-Mbu as the INEC commissioner from Delta - the same state Onochie hails from.

No sooner did President Buhari nominate Onochie in November as NDDC chair than controversy trailing her again.Thistime,manybelievethatsheisnotfromoil-bearing community to warrant the position, among other issues.

The action of the lawmakers makes mockery of their basic function – properly screening of public officers for offices.

ManybelievethatthedecisiontoaskOnochietoanswer thequestionsputtoherbehindclosed-doorwasnotonly toprotectherbutalsotoshieldherinadequaciesfromthe publicglare.ItalsoshowedthedesperationbytheNational Assembly to confirm her at all cost.

62

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18, 2022

BRIEFINGNOTES

El-Rufai’s Democratic Credentials By declaring recently that he can only function as a governor whose word is almost law as he lacks the patience to serve as a federal lawmaker, the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai may have unwittingly played into the hands of his critics, who accuse him of being autocratic, intolerant and high-handed, Ejiofor Alike reports

K

aduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, did not shock his critics last Monday when he declared he would never retire to the National Assembly because he does not have the patience required to lobby other lawmakers to implement legislative functions.

In his remarks at the second edition of the “Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture” organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja, the governor said: “The legislature is one branch of government I know I can never function. The hard work needed to convince people to support even your motion is something some of us have no patience for.

“You know management in the executive is very straightforward; it is very hierarchical and once you are a governor, your word is almost law. But in the legislature, everybody is equal and there is no management that is more difficult than managing your equals,” the governor explained.

The governor argued that managing colleagues in the same political arena is a herculean task unlike the executive arm where he is superior and can hire and fire at will.

“I don’t envy Mr. Speaker and the Senate President at all because their job perhaps is the hardest job in this country. Managing equals is difficult.

“For the executive, you can hire and fire. I know that many of our colleague governors are retiring to the Senate. But I can assure you that I will never retire to the legislature because I don’t think I can function there,” he reportedly added.

By publicly declaring that he lacks democratic qualities which include lobbying, consultations with all shades of opinions, as well as patience and tolerance of divergent views, the Kaduna State governor may have unwittingly validated the claims by his critics that he is dictatorial and intolerant of opposing views.

Any true believer in democracy and the rule of law who can function effectively as a governor can also function efficiently as a lawmaker. But El-Rufai stated that he can only serve as a governor whose word is almost law and yet lays claim to being a democrat.

As governor, El-Rufai has been accused of deploying state powers to fight the opposition elements and run them out of town.

Indeed, the governor is not known to accommodate dissenting views, be it from within or outside his state, including his fellow governors.

The Kaduna State governor is known to

El-Rufai

have hounded those who held opposing views.

His subtly threat to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi with state power, when he boasted that he has 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police to arrest and detain anyone in the state if he wished was one his public utterances that showed his appetite to crush dissent voices.

Many, including journalists, teachers, labour leaders and fellow politicians have fallen victims of the governor’s alleged arm-twisting tactics.

To show his intolerance, he has deployed the instrumentality of the law to brutally persecute many of his critics.

Simple posts on WhatsApp platforms which other leaders ignore in the spirit of freedom of speech in a democracy attract severe punishments to the governor’s critics whom he accuses of spreading falsehoods against his person or his government.

For instance, following the comments he allegedly made on a WhatsApp group created to mobilise assistance for victims of Southern Kaduna massacre, Barack Zebedee, a PhD student in Fisheries and Hydrology in Biology Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was arrested in May 2017.

Also a journalist, Gabriel Idibia was dragged to court for allegedly asking the governor to declare his assets.

Another journalist, Jacob Dickson, alleged that he “was arrested, detained and charged with incitement in May 2016, after reporting that youths had pelted el-Rufai with objects.”

Also another journalist, Luka Binniyat, was arrested in February 2017 and allegedly detained for over 120 days without bail for a report under his by-line in a national newspaper.

Another journalist, Midat Joseph, was also arrested for a post in a WhatsApp group.

The list of journalists and other critics allegedly arrested on the orders of the governor is endless.

Many Nigerians believe that if the Kaduna State governor were to be President Muhammadu Buhari who faces all manner of criticisms in the media, many Nigerians would be languishing in jail.

The governor had also attempted to extend his sphere of influence beyond his state when he challenged the southern governors for making laws in their states as obtainable in a true federation.

He had once audaciously declared that the anti-open grazing laws enacted by his southern colleagues were not implementable.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Abuja on the killings of farmers by herdsmen across the country, the governor reportedly chided the southern governors for enacting Anti-Open Grazing Law in their states. He also reportedly said the law was “not implementable.”

He further argued that it was “not a matter of populist legislation or saying tomorrow this or that. It is not a solution”.

He accused them of “politicising” the killing of farmers by the herders, which led the states to make the laws.

“What is unhelpful is the politicising of the situation and passing legislation that you know that you cannot implement.”

Many believe that it is only in a lopsided federal structure that the head of one federating unit can make comments to interfere in the laws made in other federating units to protect lives.

They also believe that only a non-democrat can make the pronouncements made by the Kaduna State governor against the other federating units.

El-Rufai’s declaration that he was not considering retiring to the National Assembly because he does not have the patience to be a lawmaker does not portray him as a true believer in democracy but as an impatient and intolerant leader who abhors any form of opposition.

NOTES FOR FILE

Weep Not, Governor Wike

Wike

No matter how he pretends, it very obvious that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is still pained that he lost the May 28 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Last week, he opened up when he said he would have won the party’s ticket if the process had not been manipulated.

Speaking when his political associates and Rivers elders, led by the chairman, Rivers Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, visited to felicitate with him on his 55th birthday, Wike, to show that he has not forgotten about all that transpired during the presidential primary where he lost, again reiterated that with Dr. Iyorchia Ayu in office as National Chairman of the party, the aggrieved governors under the aegis of G-5 and their allies would not give their support to the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

The aggrieved PDP members are demanding the exit of Ayu to pave the way for the South to fill his position.

They hinged their demand on the fact that the party’s presidential standardbearer, Atiku Abubakar, and Ayu come from the North.

But many analysts have dismissed his cry of ‘manipulation’ as a joke, saying that his undoing was his inability and refusal to carry southern governors along with his presidential ambition. They feel that he did not carry any of them along with his ambition.

For this reason, one of the analysts who spoke with THISDAY said the Rivers governor was only grandstanding. She described him as a weeping child.

“Wike is only grandstanding. Let Wike for once keep quiet. Ask him if he at any time sat any governor in the South down to tell them of his ambition. He didn’t tell any of them that he was interested in running for the presidency.

He didn’t tell the people of his state, Rivers.

Instead, he went to Benue to declare his ambition. Who does that? Why did he not declare in Rivers?

“He went to Edo and refused to visit Governor Obaseki - a man who wants to be president?

He was at loggerheads with many of his fellow governors. How he thought he would win the PDP ticket beats my imagination.

“Rather than meet with the governors, he preferred to be plotting to hijack their state party structures behind them - something he won’t tolerate in his state,” she added.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18, 2022

63

CICERO/ISSUES

Tinubu’s Avoidance of Media Engagements

Adedayo Akinwale writes that the decision of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu not to honour any television debate or town hall meeting is not healthy for the country’s democracy

T

hat the 2023 general election may be the most important general election in the country’s history is not in doubt. The reasons are not far-fetched. The precarious situation the country finds itself in at the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of President Muhammadu Buhari explains it all.

Even though remarkable achievements have been made in the areas of infrastructure by the President Buhari-led administration, insecurity, high standard of living, rising debt burden, unemployment, high inflation and exchange rate, major neglect of the education sector and health services, among others, have rubbished whatever gains the administration recorded in building infrastructure.

No wonder the Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan said last Saturday at the 70th anniversary of National Association of Seadogs that: “All the usual statistics point to the fact that Nigerians are being progressively impoverished. This is not just a matter of dry statistics. It is a question of quality of life and level of livelihood, right down to the basic needs of our lives. What do we eat? What shelter do we have? How do we take care of health needs?.”

However, Nigeria didn’t get to this state by accident. When Buhari was contesting for the country’s number one seat in 2015, all efforts to get him to talk to Nigerians, to gauge his intellectual capacity, and share his dreams, vision, programmes and policies for the country proved abortive.

In his defence, the then spokesman for the media committee of APC, Garba Shehu, said Buhari’s decision not to feature in the debates was as a result of “unhidden bias and campaign of calumny by some key organisers of the programme against the corporate political interest of the APC and its candidates”.

Also, when he sought re-election in 2019. Buhari intentionally avoided all forms of media engagements. In one of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeriaorganised debates, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar was present at the venue but refused to make an appearance because his APC counterpart, Buhari, was absent at the event.

Despite the present situation the country has found itself, Buhari has continued to address Nigerians through surrogates. Even during trying times when Nigerians are anxious to hear their president speak, he either maintains his perpetual graveyard silence or talks to Nigerians through press statements issued by his aides.

Determined not to experience a similar experience in 2023, Nigerians have taken it upon themselves to engage the presidential candidates of the various political parties ahead of the elections in order to take a decision on whom to vote from an informed perspective and a point of knowledge of the capacity of each candidate.

Generally, debates among competing electoral candidates have become a campaign centerpiece in elections worldwide. Debates help voters make informed choices and encourage candidates to focus on policy issues.

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) described a candidate debate as a neutral,

Tinubu dignified forum where political party leaders or others competing for elected offices respond to the same questions, as posed by voters, a moderator or other debaters.

Listeners are able to compare the candidates’ positions on issues.

According to the NDI, debates address issues — not persons, religion or ethnicity.

Debates also help candidates prepare to campaign, or governance if elected. The NDI further explained that debates are often the only time during a campaign when candidates are together at the same time in the same place. This gives voters an opportunity to make side-by-side comparisons and gives candidates a chance to say why they are best suited for the elected office.

However, in spite of the unfettered advantages offered by debates or town hall meetings or any political engagements that afford the citizens to feel the purse of the candidates, the presidential candidate of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu has continually dodged various media engagements since the political campaigns started in September.

Prior to the first series of ARISE NEWS Channel and Centre for Democracy and Development Town Hall debate, a letter dated October 17, 2022 and addressed to Tinubu, was submitted at the office of Director of Public Affairs, Bayo Onanuga.

Expectedly, Tinubu refused to show up for the town hall meeting. But in a statement issued by Onanuga, Tinubu pointed out that aside from his gruelling campaign schedule, there were going to be several debates organised by and with different television stations and he would not be able to make them all.

At this point, he made it clear that to avoid

accusations of ‘selective appearance’, he planned to decline all debates.

However, the decision of ARISE NEWS Channel to extend another invitation to Tinubu incurred the wrath of Onanuga who in a statement, not only accused ARISE NEWS of blackmail, but also insisted that Tinubu would not participate in any debate before 2023 elections.

“We want to reiterate for the umpteenth time that no amount of blackmail, intimidation and media bullying by the owner and management of Arise News will change the position our campaign has taken on this matter,” he said.

During his recent engagement at the Chatham House, London programme titled, ‘Nigeria’s 2023 elections: In conversation with Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, the former Governor of Lagos State said the media wanted to use him to make money, hence, his decision to snub debate.

Speaking on the decision of Tinubu to technically manoeuver debate and all media engagement, a Legislative Consultant and Public Affairs Commentator, Akinloye Oyeniyi, told THISDAY that in every contest, there are two sides: the electorate and the contestants; and both are premised upon rights to vote and to be voted for.

To him, while the electorate have inalienable rights to form any gathering to access, hear from, and scrutinise any contestant seeking

their votes, it is also same for any contestant to either be present at such assessment gathering or not.

Oyeniyi said: “Example of the above, is the ongoing preparations towards 2023 general election in Nigeria, where Nigerians have formed different political gatherings to scrutinise contestants and the presidential candidate of the ruling party, APC, Bola Tinubu, despite seeking their votes has insisted on not participating in either debates or town hall meeting.

“When electorate call for meetings or debates of any kind, it shows the people are ready to participate in democracy promotion and consolidation. But when contestants decide to shun such debates or gatherings, it portends danger for democracy,” he added.

Oyeniyi pointed out that in economics, the seller must display his clothes for intending buyers to choose from, adding that in the electoral context, once that is not happening, it means the contestant has devised a means of forcing himself or herself into that position without the votes of the people.

He added: “When the above is the case, it means democracy is in danger and people will eventually have rulers or leaders they did not choose coming to power through violence etc to manage their affairs.”

On his part, the Spokesperson of the Atiku/Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Tinubu had a record of avoiding debates and public interrogations for fear that Nigerians might take him to task on his alleged stinking corruption record, reported proxy treasury looting, obvious incompetence, ethnic bigotry, as well as his alleged masterminding of APC’s anti-people policies that wrecked Nigeria in the last seven and a half years.

He said Nigerians would recall that the APC presidential candidate did not attend the signing of the National Peace Accord in Abuja; and also failed to turn up at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and also avoided the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference.

Ologbondiyan stated, “Senator Tinubu is also aware that he cannot face the public to answer questions bordering on his past, particularly, the question on his ancestry, the Alpha-Beta tax saga; as well as his alleged stranglehold on the business, politics and lives of Lagosians from 1999 till date.

“He is afraid of being exposed for fleecing Lagos State for eight years through multiple and harsh tax regimes with nothing to show other than rulership by brawl, breeding of touts and raising criminal street gangs, only to turn around now to attempt to claim the achievements of succeeding governors as his. While continuing to use Alpha-Beta to extort Lagosians for nearly 20 years. Alpha-Beta is the sole tax collecting agency in Lagos.”

In his intervention, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also took a swipe at Tinubu for refusing to honour invitations to debate.

The party said it was an indication that he has nothing to tell Nigerians or he does not have the power to rule the country.

Many Nigerians have been wondering why Tinubu who claims to be a progressive has been dodging robust democratic debates despite seeking their votes to become their president. They are even more surprised that his media aides who should know better, are the people misleading him to think that some media houses are partisan.

64

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18, 2022

CICERO/ISSUES

2023: Are the Ex-Generals Actually Backing Obi? As intrigues around the 2023 general election heighten, the powerful ex-generals are alleged to be backing the candidature of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, writes Gabriel Emameh

I

t is not in doubt that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu, have but one last chance to achieve their life-long ambition to become Nigeria’ s president.

They will have the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi to contend with in next year’s presidential election as the chances of the former governor of Anambra State to win the election continue to brighten.

Obi has become the new bride in the country’s political space since joining the LP, with the youths organising massive movements across the country in support of his ambition.

Atiku, Tinubu and Obi are seeking to lead a nation at a crossroads, gripped by historic insecurity, economic crisis, social and ethnic divisions raging in nearly every corner of the country.

The former vice president and the former governor of Lagos State have painted each other as unfit to manage the affairs of country under the current circumstances. As they continue in their quest to outweigh each other, a new threat, Obi, also stands between them and Aso Rock.

Former Presidential Olusegun Obasanjo and other influential Nigerians are said to be backing a paradigm shift from the old order in a bid to enthrone new breed of politicians to run the affairs of the country.

There are strong speculations that some influential ex-military generals and former heads of government have thrown their weights behind the candidacy of Obi. These speculations followed Obasanjo’s disposition and romance with the former Anambra State governor.

But it will not be out of place to conclude that the show of interest the ex-generals in who becomes the president has also always been the tradition since 1999.

Nigeria’s democracy since the inception of the Fourth Republic has always been influenced mostly by the powerful retired generals.

The likes of Obasanjo, retired Lt. Generals T. Y Danjuma, and Aliyu Gusau, as well as retired Generals Ibrahim Babangida, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, among others, have either consciously or unconsciously seen themselves as custodians of Nigeria’s core national interests.

Either overtly or covertly, these underground power brokers have exercised their influence at every general election cycle, hoping to tilt the balance of sentiments on the selection of the occupant of the number one office in the land.

Little wonder that at such times the residences of these elder statesmen have become a sort of Mecca, where gladiators and aspirants visit usually to receive the holy anointing.

It is well known that Babangida, Abdulsalami and others were instrumental to the emergence of one from their own, Obasanjo, as civilian president in May, 29, 1999.

At the end of Obasanjo’s tenure in 2007, these top shots were unanimous that Umaru Yar’Adua, a brother of one of their own, the late Major Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, should succeed Obasanjo.

They also backed the doctrine of necessity after the sudden demise of

Obasanjo

President Yar’Adua, which ushered in the Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

Jonathan also got their nod when he vied for the presidency in 2011.

But the Otuoke-born politician was believed to have overstepped his bound when he vied for an additional term in 2015, amidst the alleged massive corruption in the government and his inability to defeat the raging Boko Haram insurgency.

These power brokers backed Muhammadu Buhari’s ambition to lead the country, though they were not comfortable with his personality.

But after his first term in office, the ex-generals could no longer stomach the perceived chaos of the Buhari-led government. This prompted their backing of Atiku in the 2019 general election.

But Buhari, being a former head of state too, and with the power of incumbency, ensured that their plot crashed at the polls.

With the 2023 election around the corner, it has been rumoured in several quarters that Obasanjo and others have moved for a paradigm shift from the old order to a new breed of politicians to manage the affairs of the country.

Obi appears to fall in the category of politicians the likes of Obasanjo and former military generals would prefer as the next Nigerian president.

Recall that the former president recently stood up for Obi from the seat he occupied in a move considered as an open endorsement by the supporters of Obi. The act of vacating his seat and asking Obi to take it over from him drew a lot of applause after which Obasanjo announced, “my job is done”.

Obasanjo threw up the show when both men met at an event to celebrate a national award given to the President of the Africa Import Export Bank, Professor Benedict Oramah. He had vacated his seat for Obi before giving a short speech and leaving the event.

In a video that went viral, Obasanjo was seen when rounding off his speech, saying, “the president of Nigeria”, while looking at Obi’s direction.

Obi

There are many reasons people believe that Obi may have emerged as the choice of the ex-generals.

Babangida, who spoke in an interview with ARISE NEWS crew in his country home in Minna, said Nigeria’s next president should be in his 60s and should possess the requisite economic intelligence because of the nature of the work required.

According to him, one of the reasons Nigeria has failed to make progress and achieve the dreams of the founding fathers was because Nigerians no longer believe in the future of their own country.

Although Babangida did not mention any names as ineligible, he however added that he was confident that the nation is endowed with both human and natural.

Babangida reportedly said: “If you get a good leadership that links with the people and tries to talk with the people; not talking on top of the people, then we would be okay.

“I have started visualising a good Nigerian leader. That is, a person, who travels across the country and has a friend virtually everywhere he travels to and he knows at least one person that he can communicate with.

“That is a person, who is very verse in economics and is also a good politician, who should be able to talk to Nigerians and so on. I have seen one, or two or three of such persons already in his sixties”, he explained.

Among the leading presidential candidates, Obi seems to be the one who fits Babangida’s description of the ideal presidential material, being in his 60s, precisely 61 years old as opposed to Tinubu and Atiku who are 71 and 76 years,

respectively.

Although when Babangida was reeling out these qualities of Nigeria’s next president, many thought it was an endorsement of the current Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

While Obasanjo has been a strong advocate of power rotation from the North to the South, observers believe that he would definitely not be inclined towards Tinubu, who is also from the South like Obi. Recall that during Obasanjo’s days as president, he did not have very palatable relationship with Atiku and Tinubu, even though in recent times the former vice president has tried severally to mend fences with him, just as both candidates have visited him to seek his blessing ahead of next year’s election.

Recall also that in July, both Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed met with Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Obi subsequently visited the latter again in September, days after visiting both Babangida and Abdulsalami in Minna.

Obasanjo is believed to be lobbying Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike to throw his weight behind Obi’s bid. Wike and his group of other four aggrieved governors have been a thorn in the flesh of Atiku.

While many waters have passed under the bridge with no hope of reconciliation in the PDP, Wike was recently quoted as saying that retaining presidency in the North is as bad as the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket, perhaps a sign of gravitating towards Obasanjo’s overtures.

And as if a sign of a perfect plan, speaking just days back in Enugu, the former president said he was working with other elder statesmen to enthrone a new Nigeria where everyone would have a sense of belonging and there would be justice for all.

Obasanjo said Nigeria is at a critical moment in her political history and needs a leader with the right character and capacity to turn things around.

He said: “I have shed my blood for this country. I have gone to prison for this country. So, what are you going to frighten or threaten me with? The only thing that my senior brother (Adebanjo) hasn’t done is that he hasn’t shed his blood, but he has gone to prison.

“What I believe and what I think Pa Ayo Adebanjo believes is not ethnic; it’s not sectional; it is not religious; it is Nigeria. I believe in equity, I believe in justice, I believe in one Nigeria.”

The former president lamented that Nigeria was yet to have a leader with the right type of character.

“The problem we have in our hands in Nigeria is not ethnic. It is national.

And for me, the most important thing in a leader is character.

“If I put my hand on someone, it means that comparing with the other, I see that there is a merit that will be of benefit to Nigeria,” he said.

The leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, had recently declared that Afenifere was backing Obi, a claim that was disowned by many other leaders of the group, who endorsed Tinubu.

As the atmosphere continues to charge ahead of the election, Nigerians would just have to wait a little while to access the impact of the perceived support of Obi, if any, by Obasanjo and his ex-military allies.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18, 2022

65

INTERNATIONAL NIIA Sports Diplomacy, US-African Summit and US Consulate Dinner: The Challenge of Agenda 2034

I

n the making of a New World, international understanding and cooperation appear to have become a desideratum for survival. Emphasis is increasingly being placed on how to promote economic productivity and better life. In the past one week, three significant events took place that were aimed at better international understanding and economic development in the United States and Nigeria. In Nigeria, the United States Consul General to Nigeria, Mr. Will Stevens, adopted the food diplomacy approach to promote a better US-Nigeria relations by hosting a Christmas dinner diplomacy to which fifty leading scholars, media professionals, business entrepreneurs and other notable Nigerians were invited. The dinner was held on Thursday, 15th December, 2022 as from 6pm in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Similarly, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) held a conversation on‘Sports, Culture, and Diplomacy’on the same day as from 11am at the newly renovated rotunda of the Institute. It was the third in the series of‘The Conversations’newly put in place by the Director General of the NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae. Unlike the Brainstorming Series introduced by Professor Bola A. Akinterinwa, former Director General of the NIIA, which focused on all aspects of international questions, ‘the Conversations’ are specifically targeted at how to use sports as an instrument of nation building and development. This sports diplomacy is put in place on the initiative of a‘football diplomatist’Segun Odegbami who got married in the early 1970s and whose marriage, in the eyes of Chief Ebenezer Obey, a Juju maestro, the whole world and heavens got to know about it. The NIIA and Chief Odegbami have been collaborating towards ensuring that West Africa play host to the 2034 World cup.

And perhaps more significantly, the US President, Joe Biden held the second US-Africa Summit fromTuesday, 13th, toThursday 15th, 2022 inWashington.The first summit took place inWashington and aimed at removing the irritants in the relationship and seek better ways of fostering better understanding, economic development, democracy, and maintenance of global peace and security. Explained differently, the US Consul General capitalises on promoting people-to-people engagement to sustain the good US-Nigeria ties.The NIIA-Odegbami collaboration is to ensure that West Africa not only hosts the 2034 World Cup but also that the hosting is made a major instrument of national and regional development. The same objective is true of the 2022 US-Africa summit. Let us explicate the diplomacy of the summit and the sports agenda.

“

with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Will Stevens summit, most critical views are not positive. For instance, in the case of an evaluator in Chad, ‘it was shocking for the Chadian population to see that a president who stayed in power for 23 years over rigged elections, and who did not hesitate to liquidate, arrest and harass opposition leaders, members of the national assembly, human rights activists and journalists, could be invited by a country known as the most democratic in the world.’

The 2022 US-African Summit, as noted earlier, was held last week in Washington on the invitation of the 46th US President, Mr. Joseph R. Biden Jr. The 2022 US-Africa Summit was more of a desideratum than it was in 2014 for various macroeconomic and unexpected environmental conditionings. In the period from 2007 to 2017, there was a decline by 54% in the United States trade with Africa, while China’s trade with Africa grew by 220%. In terms of influence politics, this was to the advantage of China. Not only did China led the world in 2016 in the creation of new jobs in Africa, the year 2020 witnessed business deals worth $ US 735 billion with 623 Chinese businesses, compared to the United States’80 companies with $22 billion. In fact, China has sponsored 46 port projects in Africa while the United States has nothing to its credit.

Besides, records have also shown that, since 2006, China has not only hosted the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation every three years, China, about ten years ago, also installed satellite televisions in 10,000 African villages and loaded them with free Chinese stations broadcasting state-sponsored content

In the journey to 2034 World Cup competitions, Nigeria must not play the holier- than-thou card. Emphasis should be on connectivity and consultations. In this regard, connectivity and the quality of attendance at the US Consul General’s Dinner Diplomacy is not simply to take advantage of the Yuletide Season to further promote the objectives of the 2022 US-Africa Summit in Washington, but also to underscore the need for connectivity in the conduct and management of inter-state relations. Connectivity is required in advancing the main objective of the NIIA-Odegbami Sports Diplomacy. Babatunde Fashola has said: ‘international sports and entertainment is not just by business and jobs for young people, it is the new global power with which to influence and shape not only the global policies but the global economy… A bid to host the World Cup by Nigeria alone or along with other West African nations must be led by Nigeria. The challenges of launching a successful bid are enormous enough but they are nothing compared to the actual hosting.’ If Ambassador Odegbami has been working tooth and nail since 2002 to make Nigeria play host to a World Cup, but to no avail in Nigeria but celebrated in West Africa, 2034 must not evade Nigeria. Odegbami’s sports diplomacy must begin with a well-delineated methodology, predicated on connectivity, Professor Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi’s logic of Concert of Medium Powers, and regional Citizen Diplomacy

“

US-Africa Summits The first US-Africa Summit, with the theme,‘Investing in the Next Generation,’took place from Monday 4th toWednesday, 6th August, 2014 in Washington, under the presidency of Barack Obama. The first summit was considered the biggest event any US President has ever held with African Heads of State. Structurally, it was divided into three, based on the stakeholders involved. The first day was reserved for the civil society, the second day was for businessmen and economic entrepreneurs, while the third day was for the summitry.

The issues discussed and events held varied from the African growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the Young African Leaders Summit, trade and investment, to youths and business leaders, US-Africa Business Forum and one day Spousal Programme hosted

by First Lady, Michelle Obama and former First Lady, Laura Bush. In essence, how to promote investments in Africa’s future; advance peace and regional stability; how to ensure better governance for the next generation, especially in terms of efficient, effective and transparent governance as instruments of human development; increasing investments in women for peace and prosperity; as well as providing skills and opportunities to the youths; were the major concerns of the summit. These concerns were not in any way different from the concerns of the 2022 summit.

What should be noted about this first US-Africa summit is that a post-mortem analysis of it by the United States Institute of Peace shows that the event was globally covered by the press, with underreporting of the perspectives of the African participants. Emphasis was generally about the positions of the United States. Probably as a result, the whole summit meant very little for many people in various African countries. As noted by the United States Institute of Peace, even though opinion is mixed on achievements of the

VIE INTERNATIONALE

(vide Embassy of China documents). Thus, since the United States is currently in stiff competition with China over global leadership, it cannot be in the long interest of the United States to allow expansion of Chinese influence in Africa to the detriment of American interest.

Apart from China as a rival to contend with, there is also Russia which is similarly targeting Africa as a foreign policy focus. Russia held a Russo-African summit during which it pledged nuclear plants and fighter jets to African leaders. This development has led to a sharp division among African leaders about two months ago when a vote was taken at the United Nations General Assembly to sanction Russia reportedly for invading Ukraine in February 2022. Thus, the United States has two powerful challengers to contend with in terms of influence sharing in Africa.

And without any whiff of doubt, Africa is still very rich in strategic mineral resources for which the major powers are struggling. For instance, Congo plays host to more than two-third of the world’s cobalt, which is an important constituent of lithium-ion batteries.

In the same vein, Guinea has over one-third of the world’s bauxite which is required in the production of aluminium.The need to ensure access to Africa’s mineral resources, as well as be able to contain the rising of Sino-Russian influence to the detriment of US interests largely explain the new special measures taken to woo Africa in order to dissuade African leaders from going along Russian and Chinese paths.

In this regard, a new vision is adopted: strengthen partnership to meet shared priorities, by particularly not treating Africa as an underdog, but as equal stakeholder. At the level of financial and macroeconomic commitments, the United States pledged an investment of $55 billion over the next three years in collaboration with the US Congress.The United States pledged to commit $782million in global health security program and stronger health systems. Additionally, the United States announced the sum of $2 billion for emergency humanitarian assistance for Africa and $150 million in new funding in support for climate adaptation and resilience’ At the level of maintenance of peace and security, the 21PAS (the 21st Century Partnership for Security) was put in place and $100 million is to be provided by the United States. As for the protection of democracy and good governance, the ADAPT (African Demographic and PoliticalTransition) was similarly introduced to support governments and civil society organisations. $75 million is earmarked for this.

More importantly, at the level of global governance and diplomacy, the United States not only supported Africa’s membership of the G-20 but is already planning to travel to Africa in 2023. As explained by the White House, up to $21 billion is to be lent through the International Monetary Fund for low and middle-income countries for the purposes of African resilience and recovery efforts. And perhaps most significantly, an MoU between the United States and the AfCFTA (African Continental FreeTrade Area) Secretariat aimed at expanding engagement, to promote equitable, sustainable and inclusive trade, boost competitiveness and attract investments in Africa was signed.

The DTA (Digital Transformation with Africa) was also launched at the US-Africa Business Forum. Over $350 million is to be invested and more than $450 million in financing the DTA. When compared with the 2014 US-Africa Summit, there is no disputing the fact that the 2022 summit is of greater improvement and impact, especially in terms of quality of the new commitments.

The enthusiasm shown at the summit is partly explained by the quick decision of Nigeria and Rwanda to sign the Artemis Agreement which facilitates collaboration and establishes the principles enunciated in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty for safe, sustainable and responsible exploration and use of the Outer Space.

The same happiness is also shown with the PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Reliefs), the President’s Malaria Initiative, and the DFC’s announcement of plans to‘accelerate regional manufacturing capacity for vaccine tests and therapeutics, including PEPFAR’s plans to procure 15 million HIV tests produced by African manufacturers by 2025 and the shift, at least, 2 million patients on HIV treatments to use African-made products by 2030.’

NIIA’s Sports Diplomacy and Agenda 2034 The intervention of the Honourable Minister ofWorks and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, was particularly noteworthy at the 3rd Conversation of the NIIA-Segun Odegbami Sports Diplomacy.

The Minister spoke on an ‘integrated West African Transport and Infrastructure: History, Potentials and Feasibility.’ He noted that ‘the investment of the Buhari administration in infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges, are not just national investments, they have international consequences, because they facilitate connectivity between many parts of Nigeria, and beyond.’These roads and bridges include the Ekok-Mfun Bridge linking Nigeria with Cameroon, which was commissioned on 3rd November, 2022 and PMB’s investments in broadband connectivity, such as the 560km Kano-Maiduguri highway and the 220km AbujaMakurdi highway.

Secondly, the Minister said ‘human beings need to connect, to interact, to exchange, and to share, and this happens through business, sports, tourism and many more undertakings. It is the global Sea, Air, Land and Water Transportation network that makes this possible.’More interestingly, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria also said:‘sports and tourism, especially are about destinations first, before the economic side kicks in, and if you cannot get there, you lose, not only the sporting and tourism, but also the value chain and trickledown economic benefits, which are almost unquantifiable.’

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 18 , 2022

66

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Ending the Carnage in the South-east

T

he general atmosphere of violence and anarchy threatening to overwhelm the South East portends ill for our national security. A spate of senseless killings, random arson and general insecurity has since become a veritable signature of the region in recent years. The trend has recently intensified.

The subsisting regional landscape of social and economic disruptions has found a new strategic target: the 2023 elections.

Misguided separatists, freelance trouble makers and sponsored criminals are all threatening to disrupt the forthcoming elections in the region. For effect, INEC installations, offices and security personnel around them are being targeted. Some INEC offices have been torched, vandalized or bombed. Personnel protecting these installations have either been killed or injured. Incendiary rhetoric of sundry separatists have are threatening that there will be no elections in the region. An already frightened populace is living in uncertainty. While the rest of the country prepares for the general elections in the hope that they may save the nation and lighten the burden of a hard life, the ordinary people of the South East are afraid for their lives. They now live in perpetual fear and uncertainty, not knowing who exactly is the enemy in their midst.

Some think the enemy are the angry youth of IPOB. For the outgoing dispensation of President Buhari, the emergence of IPOB as a separatist movement has defined the face of protest and dissident anger in the South East.

An over exaggerated fear of the IPOB threat got the federal government to declare IPOB a terrorist organization as if that categorization alone would produce a fat track solution. What began as a series of protest marches to mark ‘Biafra Day’ has over these few years graduated into a militia movement with village based youth wings and urban based vigilantes. Over time also, a purely militant armed wing called the Eastern Security Network (ESN) has emerged under the guise of protecting the eastern homeland from marauding armed herdsmen. Encounters between these multiple vigilantes and the herdsmen has not been too friendly.

The imperative of ensuring law and order in the region and halting the separatist agitation has brought active federal security presence to the region. Apparently, the security forces came with a mandate to crush a fearsome terrorist organization. This must have unfortunately framed their rules of engagement. The federal force of soldiers, policemen, state security operatives have conducted their mission more like an occupation force rather than a stabilizing civil force. Bullets, bayonets and jackboots have rained terror on a hapless citizenry. Innocent people have been arrested and incarcerated for longer than necessary. A few senseless killings have taken place.

Something strange has emerged. It is the phenomenon of ‘unknown gunmen’. These are professionally trained killers, marksmen armed with military grade weapons who have carried out assassinations, targeted killings and organized attacks on individuals and facilities.

Neither the locals nor the occupying federal forces has been able to arrest, identify or account for the activities of these strange force.

In the minds of most locals, ‘unknown gunmen’ are merely rogue elements of the occupying federal security forces. No one has confirmed or credibly refuted this theory but the footprints of the unknown gunmen continue to be heard loudly all over the South Eastern homeland.

In search of the face of the enemy in the south east, some analysts have pointed in the direction of an unusual grade of herdsmen of recent origins. They are armed, professionally trained and speak languages that are not so familiar.

They of course are found escorting a few heads of cattle but have also been involved in cases of transactional kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and other violent crimes.

In a bid to underline their mostly political focus, IPOB Central has instituted a regime of protest actions aimed at sending a clear message to the federals and state governments in the region that they are contestants for political supremacy in the region. The weekly ‘sit-at-home’ orders of IPOB have kept markets, shops and other busi-

President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor

nesses throughout the region shut every Tuesday for the past four to five years. Contrary orders by state governors have fallen on deaf ears as IPOB vigilantes, enforcers and operatives have ensured strict compliance with these orders to the embarrassment of helpless state governors.

The disruptive effect of these orders has frequently brought IPOB and other separatist enforcers into direct confrontation with security forces. In these encounters, a few lives have been lost while a line of hostility has been drawn between the occupying federal forces and the growing army of youth vigilantes and enforces.

The arrest, rendition from Kenya, incarceration and prolonged political and criminal trials of IPOB leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has sharpened the lines of animosity between IPOB wings and federal security forces in the region. Different state arms of IPOB and ESN have also assumed peculiar identities and operational modalities of their own. Of course the violence and criminality has similarly assumed differing colorations and levels of intensity in different states and localities depending on local circumstances.

In states like Anambra and Imo, separatist violence has been overtaken by clashes between political rivals whose thugs are equally well armed. Some political overlords have been known to recruit armed gangs and criminals to further their political objectives. In Enugu and Ebonyi states, the violence is an odd mixture of herdsmen versus farmers and the activities of plain criminal cartels of kidnappers and armed robbers.

Within the IPOB and related separatist movement, the latest developments have been spurred by the long incarceration of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Ugly nature allows no vacuum. While Mr. Kanu has been trying to control the energies of his movement from detention, his ambitious followers have tended to issue conflicting orders.

Ambitious self appointed rascals who find themselves attracting popular attention can only aim higher and become territorial. Thus, one little known Mr. Simon Ekpa based in Finland who is ostensibly Mr. Kanu’s erstwhile deputy has been

issuing conflicting orders to IPOB formations in Nigeria. It ought to be a matter of interest to Nigeria’s intelligence and security community that the mainstream of IPOB activity has been controlled and commanded from off shore by elements from the Nigerian diaspora.

We are in an active political season. Therefore, as the inferno in the South East rages, all manner of conspiracy theories have gone to town. A version holds that the ramping up of acts of violence and instability in the South East is a plot against the emergence of a president from the region. The logic here is that, if for any reason the elections in the region are disrupted or marred by violence and low turnout, it will act as a voter suppression measure against the South Eastern candidate.

The other version of the grand conspiracy is that Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s relative popularity among the common folk of the region is a political capital. He is being reserved for deployment by an incumbent administration that is desperately afraid of the prospect of a president from the South East. Therefore, Mr. Kanu is being held as a hostage of power who could be compelled to negotiate for his freedom at the last minute so that his teeming support base can either reinforce the election boycott campaign in the South East or deprive the existing political order in the region of support at the 2023 election.

The latest conspiracy theory is a variant of the above two. It holds that Mr. Kanu’s errant deputy, Mr. Ekpa, is being hired for a handsome fee by a front runner in the presidential race to scuttle Peter Obi’s bid by creating confusion all over the South East. In all of this, the social media is swarming with theories about practically all aspects of Nigeria’s current political landscape.

However, we need to rise above these pub permutations and conspiracies to face the strategic national implications of the insecurity and instability in the South East. As a matter of fact, insecurity and instability in any section of the country is a threat to our national security and overall nation being. In the specific instance of the persisting violence and instability in the South East, the nation has amassed a pile of

losses in the last five years or so.

The economy of the South East has suffered and taken its toll on the national GDP slide. The closure of businesses, markets, banks, highways and urban and rural economic centres for one day in each week means roughly a loss of two months in each year for the last five years. Economists have calculated the loss in Naira terms to amount to billions. Given the overall contribution of the region to the entrepreneurial pool and landscape of the nation, the loss from these disruptions has been astronomical. Ironically, this mentality of shut downs and ‘sit- at –homes’ has hurt the very people whom the separatists claim to be fighting for. It is the ordinary people of the South East that have lost man -hours, daily business turnovers, school days and banking hours.

The social cost has equally been incalculable.

The annual migrations and ritual of homecoming of the peoples of the South East has over the years been a major social and cultural phenomenon.

Igbos in various centres of commerce in the nation and those in the Nigerian diaspora have cultivated a thriving culture of annual returns to the homeland. These are occasions for socio- cultural bonding, renewal of kinship and the initiation of community development projects.

In the last five years or more, this trend has been in recess as most of the Igbo elite remain in their places of abode and livelihood for fear of physical harm. In the process, community solidarity and welfare have suffered. A certain degree of economic leverage which used to accrue to the rural folk from these annual homeland returns has dried up, aggravating the scourge of rural poverty ravaging the nation in recent times.

There is also a political cost to the mayhem in the South East. The challenge of micro national loyalty organisations like IPOB have eroded the political import of the states as political galvanization centres. IPOB and the like appeal to a broad ethnic loyalty which transcends the limited overage of the states. Moreover, the popular appeal of separatist rhetoric has tended to erode the political loyalty to state governors and political party chieftains. Separatist militants and populists tend to command more spontaneous followership over and above the more predictable and even boring appeal of state and local governments.

Moreworrisomeistheeffectoftheatmosphere of regional violence and insecurity on national unity and solidarity. There is a sense in which the long persistence of violence, separatist rhetoric, hateful language in the South East has deepened the atmosphere of divisiveness in the nation. For some reason, both the separatists and conventional politicians of the South East are united by the concepts of Igbo marginalization, exclusion and alienation from the rest of the Nigerian federation. An atmosphere of violence and insecurity does not make this situation any less grievous. It aggravates it as it makes a section of the country look more like a national killing field or wasteland over time.

The urgency of the situation in the South East is therefore ultimately in the threat it poses to the stability of the entire federation. If we allow the region to implode and conflagrate, the effect will be felt everywhere else in the federation because the region is also home to the most migrant segment of our national population. They will carry their sense of injury, grief, affliction and exclusion wherever they go.

As the ultimate guarantor of the prevailing and ultimate national order, the federal government has an overriding obligation to quickly review its concept of security, law and order in the South East. The current strong arm tactics have failed woefully. It must be replaced by a hearts and minds approach as we are beginning to see in the North east and other troubled places.

On their part, the various state governments in the region must assume a more active crime control posture. Moreover, the governors must themselves rise above their individual political ambitions to understand the strategic importance of the zone as the most entrepreneurial region of the nation. Security, law and order must be seen as irreducible ingredients of productivity and wealth creation. These must precede personal political ascendancy.

Socio- cultural pressure groups like the Ohanaeze must come to terms with their essentially symbolic and cosmetic role in an age of youthful ferment and rapid national change driven by technology and new world views.

67

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

NEWS

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

Rising Poor Population, Recipe for Disaster, IHRC Warns Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has lamented a report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigeria is now home to 133 million, representing 63 per cent of its population.

IHRC, a private transnational intergovernmental foundation based in Switzerland, stressed the need for the government to rethink its empowerment programmes for the citizens,

with emphasis on those in the rural communities with a view to averting any looming upheaval occasioned by inflation and mass hunger.

IHRC’s Head of Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria, Dr. Duru Hezekiah spoke at the weekend during the presentation of relief materials and cash gifts to over 150 vulnerable populations, including women and people with disabilities, PWDs, in Abuja ahead of the Christmas celebration to cushion the effects

of the growing inflation.

With the latest inflation figures at 21.47 per cent, the NBS had blamed the rise in the number of poor people in Nigeria on unemployment, insecurity, poor access to education and health services and a general fall in living standards.

At the presentation, Hezekiah said: “We are really in an economic crisis and if it is not checked, I tell you, the time is coming when the country will slide into a state of a fiasco.

“A time is coming when, in fact, Nigeria will be declared a ‘hunger country.’ That is

why we are still appealing to the government. In the International Human Rights Commission, we don’t believe in protests and riots.

“We believe in dialogue and negotiation. So, we keep appealing to the government; advising them on the way

forward to finding a lasting solution.

“I know we might not be able to eradicate poverty 100 per cent, but I tell you the growth of a nation begins with the growth of the people. If the people are happy and well taken care of, there will be growth.

Gunmen Set Ablaze Imo High Court, Destroy Files Gunmen yesterday set ablaze the building of Imo State High Court in Orlu, reportedly burning part of the structure housing sensitive documents.

The development is coming few days after some gunmen attacked the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri, which the police said was carried out by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

It was gathered that the complex is housing both the high court and a magistrates’ court.

A staff member of the judiciary, who spoke to our

correspondent on condition of anonymity, said all the files in the building were burnt.

The Orlu High Court is close to a security check point as well as the police divisional headquarter In 2018, the high court was razed. On December 1, the Orlu office of INEC was set ablaze in the same manner.

Orlu Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barnabas Munonye, who confirmed the incident, described it as unfortunate.

He said that his attention was drawn to the incident by the administrative secretary of the association early Saturday morning.

Insecurity, Impunity May Affect 2023 Elections, Says Yiaga Africa Chuks Okocha in Abuja Yiaga Africa has said that the high rate of insecurity and executive impunity, especially by state governors, may impact on the conduct and outcome of the 2023 general elections.

Yiaga, in its pre-election observation report signed by its Executive Secretary, Sam Itodo yesterday, said that the report was conducted through its Watching The Vote project.

It said 822 Long-Term Observers were deployed across the 774 local government areas to observe the pre-election environment and report findings bi-weekly.

The report captures activities of the key election stakeholders; INEC, Political parties, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), as well as

indicators of electoral violence.

According to the group, the current security challenges, economic realities and political neutrality and composition of the election management body, both at the national and sub-national levels were contexts that created a more vulnerable system to electoral manipulation and electoral violence.

It said these factors were risk factors for the conduct of credible and acceptable elections.

The report also stated that the major issues that may impact on the process includes security of election personnel, materials, citizens, issues bordering on logistics, especially for the deployment of poll officials and materials in hard-to-reach communities due to difficult and inaccessible terrain.

UNILAG Alumni Gets New Executives

The University of Lagos Alumni Association, FCT Branch has announced the constitution of new executives that will run the affairs of the Association in the chapter for the next two years of 2023-2025.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Tola Ogunnubi yesterday, the branch said inaugurating the new executive members after the elections that was held on December 15 in Abuja, the Chairman of the Branch Electoral Committee (BEC) Alhaji T.J. Mohammed, who was also a former chairman of the branch announced Alhaji

Aliu Moyosore Akoshile as the chairman.

The statement said: “Akoshile returns for another term of office. While Mr. James Evah is the new Vice Chairman, Mr. Olumide Oluwole Abraham is to oversee the secretariat as the Secretary General.

Mr. Gbade Inaolaji-Tella is the new Financial Secretary while the immediate past Publicity Secretary Ms. Julia Davids is now the Treasurer of the chapter. Mr. Tola Ogunnubi is the Publicity Secretary, and Ms. Ngozi Abiodun Oseni is the Welfare Secretary.

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS …

Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (left), and Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) during the senator’s courtesy visit to the minister in his office, Abuja ... recently

HURIWA Faults Security Agencies for Failing to Secure INEC Offices Alex Enumah in Abuja The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has berated security agencies over their failure to arrest and prosecute a single suspect in connection with the burning of offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nationwide.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko yesterday, HURIWA said President Muhammadu Buhari had not shown any readiness to bequeath free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2023, going by the alleged failure

of the president to curb the increasing attacks on electoral offices.

HURIWA further claimed that there “is a grand plot by some mischievous politicians to wriggle their way into elective offices by manipulating the process through the instrumentality of violence.”

INEC’s Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu had warned that the next elections “are in danger unless the incessant attacks on the commission’s offices and facilities are quickly stopped.”

He had disclosed that the commission “now mulls

renting offices to make up for its about 50 offices razed since 2019.

Also, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali attributed the attacks to the clandestine acts of some politicians and secessionist groups in the South-East and South-West while the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said it had not received any request for the prosecution of suspects responsible for the attacks on INEC offices.

Expressing concern yesterday, Onwubiko said the administration of President Muhammadu

Buhari “is to be blamed for the continued attacks on INEC offices.

“The government has refused to arrest or even prosecute any of the suspected attackers let alone punish them through the courts to serve as deterrents to desperate and violent-inclined politicians.

“The government, despite its ineffective war on proliferation of light weapons, failed to stop non-state actors from moving around with sophisticated arms and weapons of mass destruction which they use to attack strategic national security assets especially in the South-East and in the North-west,” Onwubiko said.

Polaris Bank Woos Customers to Loan Product In its continued efforts to woo prospective customers to its array of products, Polaris Bank at the weekend enjoined members of the public to avail themselves of the opportunity to access easy loans through Vulte, a digital bank which offers individuals and SMEs exciting products and features

to improve their banking experience.

A statement from the bank listed the type of loans that are accessible under Vulte as Term loans, where customers could get up to N20 million to expand their businesses and spread payment over up to 24 months.

Others include overdraft, which allows a customer to overdraw his account up to N20 million to take care of business emergencies and Auto Loan to purchase a personal car and commute in style and comfort.

The list also includes Polaris Salary Advance which was

designed for salary earners to attend to needs that could not wait till payday and Polaris Lite, which helps to take care of personal needs such as medical bills, school fees, etc.

The statement explained that VULTe is available to new and existing customers.

FG Opens Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Traffic without Barriers To ensure a hitch free transit, the federal government has ordered that all road barriers and diversions along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway be removed.

With the development, the contractors handling the project are to leave site and suspend all ongoing construction works in the axis until January 2023.

The federal government also urged motorists and other road users plying the route to exercise caution while trying to maximise speed on the newly opened road, which is almost complete.

Carrying out the directive on

Section two of the road, which spans Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo, Ibadan, Ogun Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mrs Forosola Oloyede said the partial opening of the road was to enable users have easier motorable experience this festive period.

Oloyede also supervised the removal of crash barriers and other diversion points for the free flow of traffic on the Soka area, Sanyo Ibadan.

According to Oloyede, who is also the engineer representative of the section

two of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriage way project, the removal of the barriers was done in accordance with the directive from the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola.

The Minister had ordered that all barriers on Federal Roads where construction works are ongoing should be removed for free flow of traffic for the yuletide.

She noted that the removal of the barriers on the section two, would enhance smooth traffic on the entire road

stretch, urging motorist not to be tempted to drive above speed limit as a result of the road smoothness.

Oloyede further disclosed that five pedestrian bridges would be construction on the section two of the road, saying work on the pedestrian bridges would soon commence.

On the completion date, the Ogun Controller of Works said “Initially the project was scheduled to be completed by this December 2022 but we couldn’t keep to that date due to some hiccups beyond our control.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 18, 2022

68

NEWSXTRA How Uduaghan, Okowa Underdeveloped Delta, Omo-Agege Alleges Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege yesterday accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of deliberately under developing the state.

Omo-Agege, currently the Deputy President of the Senate, also alleged that the duo now resides more in Lagos State, developed by the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and wondered why they could not develop

infrastructures in Delta State to make it habitable for themselves and people of the state.

He made the claims while on Delta APC ward to ward campaign to Edjeba Ward 10, Okumagba 1 Ward 11, Okumagba 12 held at Olodi Primary School, Okumagba Avenue, Warri; Obodo/Omadino Ward 01, Ode-Itsekiri Ward 02, Ogunu Ward 03, Ugbuwangue Ward 04, GRA/ Okere Ward 05, Okere Ward 08 and Bowen Ward 06, Pessu Ward 07, Igbudu Ward 09 held at Igbudu Primary School, He berated both Uduaghan

and Okowa for neglecting the development of Warri, the oil city and other major cities like Ughelli, Sapele, Abraka, Oleh promising the spread development across the state if elected Governor of the state in 2023.

“Your son, our son and

brother during his eight years in office failed to develop Warri. His successor and current governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa felt is somebody from this area could not develop this axis without complaints, what was his own if he refused to develop this area.

“Both built houses in Lagos and live more in the state.

The same state built by our Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Do they have to go and stay in Lagos if they had built their own state?

Omo-Agege promised to spread infrastructural develop-

ment across the state including the riverine communities, which had been neglected by previous administrations.

He urged members of the party to vote for Tinubu, himself as the governor of the state and other candidates seeking for elective positions.

Four Boko Haram Commanders Surrender to Military in Borno Michael Olugbode in Abuja Four top commanders of the Boko Haram terrorist group have surrendered to the Nigerian military in Borno State.

The commanders, Mala’ana (Khaid), nicknamed Governor; Abu Dauda (Munzir); Modu Yalee (Commander); and Bin Diska (Nakif), laid down their arms on December 12, 2022, to troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) patrolling Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.

According to a report by Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the insurgents came out from the Sambisa forest where they had been hiding and waging campaigns of terror against the country.

Multiple sources also confirmed that they were former commanders of Abubakar Shekau at Njimiya camp. They however joined ISWAP in Lake Chad after the invasion of Sambisa Forest in May 2021, which led to the death of Shekau.

However, the four commanders later denounced ISWAP, fled to Sambisa and operated on their own.

They surrendered for fear of battlefield elimination due to the sustained intensified onslaught on

the terrorist hideouts as well as rivalry attacks.

Meanwhile, the Theatre Commander of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ (OPHK), Maj Gen Christopher Musa, has said about 83,000 Boko Haram members have so far surrendered and were currently undergoing rehabilitation at various facilities in Borno State.

Musa, who stated this on Friday when he visited Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State as part of a tour of the formations under his control, said the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches led them to the massive surrenders.

The theatre commander who described the operations of the command as a success, said over half of the 83,000 were children, adding that if they had not surrendered they could become fighters too.

He said: “God has been very magnanimous to us, we have received a lot of surrendered individuals. We are moving almost 83,000 now, out of that number, over 41,000 are children.

“The terrorists are trying to develop a new set of terrorists, their children and that would have been very dangerous because you know normally for children when they grow up and whatever they

Daniel Makes Case for Aviation School in Ogun James Sowole in Abeokuta Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has called for the takeover and conversion of the Government Technical College located in Ilara-Remo, Remo North Local Government Area of the state, to a school of aviation by the Federal Government.

Daniel, the senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ogun East, said because of its proximity to the new Agro-Cargo Airport in the state, the technical college in Ilara-Remo would be the most appropriate to pioneer the establishment of an aviation school.

He made the call recently at an empowerment programme held as part of activities of his ward-toward tour of Remo North Local Government Area of the state.

Daniel stated that he was contesting for a National Assembly seat to make an indelible impact and

enhance the socio-economic development of Ogun East, promising to work with the federal government to take interest in the local government.

He also pledged to work towards getting all link roads in Remo North fixed in order to boost food and agricultural production as well as commerce, especially in the rural areas of the local government.

While acknowledging the large size of arable lands available in the local government, the senatorial candidate vowed to sponsor a bill to designate Remo North as an Agricultural Zone.

Daniel said it was important for the local government to take advantage of its proximity to the agro-cargo airport being completed by the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration in nearby Ikenne Local Government.

HONOURING A RENOWNED JURIST… L-R: Enugu State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Mabel Agbo; President, Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu State, Justice George Nnamani; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena; Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo; and Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Chief Miletus Eze, during the grand opening and naming ceremony for the new Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse building named after Justice Agbo in Enugu…yesterday

8,000 Displaced Tiv People Beg Nasarawa Gov for Resettlement Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia At least 8,000 Tiv people of Isherev in Nasarawa State who were displaced from their homes

by Fulani herdsmen yesterday begged Governor Abdullahi Sule, to facilitate their resettlement in places of their abode.

The leader of the Isherev Clan in the state, Mr Boniface Ifer, made the appeal at a news conference he addressed on behalf of his people at Agyaragu in Obi Local Government Area.

Ifer, also the immediate past

president of Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Nasarawa State, said: “Fulani herdsmen have invaded and taken over the Isharev Clan located in Keana and Doma Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State this year.

“Their farmlands, houses and homes have been taken over and any form of resistance from the Isharev people receives hideous attack from the Fulani warlords.

“Farmlands, crops have been turned into grazing field for

these sadists. Isherev wives and daughters are being raped, harassed or even killed if any form of resistance is shown.”

He continued that children were not left out in those killings as many died of inhuman torture and emotional trauma resulting from the realisation of having lost everything.

The Tiv leader adding that the Isherev people were completely displaced and sheltering in the neighbourhood.

He said the Isherev people “are completely displaced from their

homes with no food to feed and shelter to put their heads in.

“People that were brutally killed during the crisis are not less than 20. The value of properties and houses destroyed runs into millions of naira,” the Tiv leader pointed out.

He, therefore, begged Governor Abdullahi Sule to facilitate the return of his kinsmen to their places of abode in other to continue with their socio-economic activities and as well perform their civic responsibility in the forth-coming general election.

SDP Presidential Candidate Promises to Provide 400,000 Houses in Four Years

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party, Mr. Adewole Adebayo at the weekend promised that his administration would provide 400,000 houses in four years if eventually elected the president of Nigeria.

Adewole, founder of KAFTAN TV, lamented the level of underdevelopment in the north, noting that he would not just build the gap between the north and south, but would make the north catch

up the 21st century.

He made the remarks at a session with journalists yesterday, promising to focus on ensuring that the rights of Nigerians, as listed in chapter two of the constitution, are protected.

He said: “What we have as a plan is that we want to invest in the items that are listed in the chapter two of the constitution. We will provide adequate nutrition for all Nigerians; we’ll provide

adequate medical care for all Nigerians.

“We will provide adequate education and housing for all Nigerians. We have promised in SDP to build 100,000 housing units in every state, every year, for the first four years.

“All of these things will create employment. We had a 30 million job plan, which many said was too ambitious. We went back to do an analysis and we discovered that it is absolutely realistic.”

Reacting to a report in which

the World Bank said it will take the north 40 years to meet up with the south, Adebayo said his goal “is that all parts of the country meet up with 21st century technological advancement.

“My aim is not for the north to catch up with the south. My aim is for the north and south to catch up with the 21st century.

“That analysis is not useful to us because even the south that has comparative advantage is awash with poverty, underdevelopment, and insecurity.

Ugwuanyi Names New Multi-Door Courthouse Building after Appeal Court Judge Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has inaugurated the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse building newly constructed by his administration in furtherance of its unprecedented interventions in the state judiciary for efficient dispensation of justice.

Inaugurating the befitting building, located within the Three Arms Zone of the Independence Layout, Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi named it after Justice Raphael Chikwe

Agbo, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and congratulated the jurist, who is an indigene of the state, for the “honour well-deserved.”

In his speech during the grand opening and naming of the building, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena, expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for his administration’s immense support to the judiciary of Enugu State, stressing that the governor has been “very supportive”.

Justice Ozoemena said that “the official opening of this magnificent edifice and symbolism of amity, accord and harmony is nothing short of a testimony to the commitment of Your Excellency to the furtherance of justice and peace in Enugu State.”

The Chief Judge, therefore, thanked the governor “for your unwavering support for the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse and the Enugu State

Judiciary.”

Applauding the governor further, he said: “The sheer strength of purpose and vision that has driven your administration and remarkably set it apart and above the rest has set a standard that will serve as a beacon for every generation and successive governments.

“You have challenged the myth that mediocrity is the bane of leadership and confirmed that those who truly wish to serve, can.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 18, 2022

69

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N ON CAMPAIGN GAFFES, MISSILES AND BANTERS turn accused him of trying to undermine free speech. A full-blown war has now ensued between both camps. Tinubu’s media managers have maintained that their principal has his own media engagement plan and excluding THISDAY/Arise is not the same as excluding the entire Nigerian media. That is the matter we have been trying to settle since.

But why do favourite presidential candidates shun debates? Ahead of the 1999 presidential election, a TV debate was organised between Obasanjo, the PDP flagbearer, and Chief Olu Falae, the joint candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD)/All Peoples Party (APP) which you can easily call the APC of today.

Obasanjo, who was generally believed to be the candidate of the establishment, did not turn up for the scheduled two-hour debate. A disappointed Falae said: “It is an understatement to say I am embarrassed to sit alone and be debating with myself.” It had to be reduced to one hour, more like a TV interview. Obasanjo’s handlers said he was not aware of the well-publicised event.

The conclusion in the AD/APP camp then was that Falae, an economist trained at the University of Ibadan and Yale University, was going to tear Obasanjo to pieces. There were a few people who believed that the Abiola/Tofa debate played a major role in the way Nigerians voted on June 12, 1993 and Obasanjo did not want to be outshined. I don’t know how true. All these were conjectures.

Whatever the case was, Obasanjo did not attend the 2003 debate either. That one could be explained this way: he was the sitting president and his record was going to be savaged by his opponents, including Maj-Gen

Muhammadu Buhari, Dim Emeka Ojukwu and Pastor Chris Okotie.

While what Obasanjo did in 2003 was basically an interview with a panel of journalists, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the PDP candidate, did not even make media appearances in 2007. I remembered he only visited Mr Nduka Obaigbena, THISDAY chairman, at his Ikoyi home and granted something like an interview. He fell ill during the campaign and some rallies went on without him. When rumours started circulating on the internet and via SMS (there was no WhatsApp then) that Yar’Adua was dead, Obasanjo had to call him on live TV to ask, rather hilariously, “Umoru, are you dead?”

Yar’Adua went on to win the election which, even in his own opinion, was a shambles.

The conclusion of many analysts was that Yar’Adua would still have won without the performance-enhancing drugs administered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of the inimitable Prof Maurice Iwu. Sadly, Yar’Adua was not alive to run for a second term. Dr Goodluck Jonathan, his deputy, took over. He too did not participate in the 2011 TV debate. At least he had a PhD, so the Falae scenario could not have been his worry. And he had only been in office for one year, so there was not much to criticise him for. The NTA finally organised what was really an interview for him. He still won the election, like Obasanjo and Yar’Adua did before him.

Ironically, Jonathan badly wanted a debate with Buhari in 2015. Even though his own five-year record as president risked coming under attack, including issues of corruption

and Boko Haram insurgency, Jonathan was obviously finally confident that Buhari would not outperform him in a debate, so he wanted it. Buhari, who debated Prof Pat Utomi in 2007, declined. Jonathan, instead, had to debate with Mr Godson Okoye of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Mrs Remi Soniaya of the Kowa Party, Chief Chekwas Okorie of the United Progressive Party (UPP), and Mr Martin Onovo of the National Conscience Party (NCP). Need I remind us that Buhari went on to win the election?

In 2019, Buhari copied Jonathan by refusing to turn up for the debate. His record was going to be under attack, obviously, with Atiku tipped to do better in a televised debate.

That Buhari went on to win the election without debating might have strengthened the unwanted tradition in our presidential electioneering where sitting presidents or bookmakers’ favourites do not turn up.

Tinubu’s media managers have made it clear that he would not attend the THISDAY/Arise series because there is a plot to embarrass him. I do not see Tinubu participating in any debate either — if history is anything to go by. Should we, therefore, conclude that presidential debates are jinxed?

My sense is that those rated as favourites do not want to debate because, while there is a consensus that debates don’t determine how most Nigerians vote, a slip of tongue may have a negative effect on them. It is more about not wanting to surrender the advantage so as not to lose the momentum.

This has been recurring. Also, all the other candidates will be focusing on attacking the so-called front-runners. In the process, their

opponents may say something really damaging that will cost them some votes. Some would prefer to be attacked in absentia than being embarrassed on air by their opponents. From where I am watching proceedings, that is my usual reading of the reluctance.

Putting all the brickbats and missiles aside, we are faced with the reality that there is no Nigerian law compelling candidates to debate. It is more of a tradition. I love debates particularly because you can gauge the level of knowledge and composure among the candidates. However, I cannot vouch that debates will determine the outcome of elections. Just like the issue of vote-buying, my understanding of the Nigerian electorate is that elections are won more based on political networks, affinities and primordial sentiments rather than academic credentials such as PhD and ability to debate. More so, you may speak smooth English during debates and still be a disaster in office.

All said, though, I am enjoying this campaign season without tears. The cheeky rascal in me is loving some of the missiles being exchanged between Tinubu and Atiku. They are comical.

I love the Dubai digs and the Chatham House taunts. I am not enjoying much of the Obi vs Tinubu jibes because I feel they are too deep.

Not surprisingly, there is little or nothing in the Atiku vs Obi axis, probably because until a few months ago, Obi was a PDP member.

He was Atiku’s running mate in 2019. The affinity is too fresh to be discarded just like that. I can understand. But that would not stop me from enjoying all the drama this electioneering has to offer. I need another bag of popcorn, please.

And Four Other Things…

DOGUWA’S DAGGER Hon Alhassan Doguwa, the majority leader of the house of reps, sent the fear of God down my spine recently with his ominous warning to people in his state who do not vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 polls. “To God who made me, on election day, you must vote for APC or we’ll deal with you,” the lawmaker representing Tudun Wada/ Doguwa federal constituency in Kano state said in Hausa. Wow! He loves to serve Nigeria that much? Doguwa’s attempt at clarification was even more worrisome. He said it was all semantics. “What you don’t know [is that] Kano state is one very special political space. We have our special semantics in politics,” he said.

Preposterous.

PVC ON SALE The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says some politicians are mopping up PVCs in the region by offering holders less than N2,000 per one.

But unlike the typical situation where the cards will be kept in a safe and returned to voters on election day for them to perform their duties to the “buyers”, the NEF says this is done to repress voting and reduce the numbers coming from the north. It is not about inducing people but preventing them from casting their ballots by buying off their PVCs. This looks strange but plausible. If it is true (despite its pretence, NEF is partisan, so its statements are not always value-free), then our politicians truly deserve a Nobel prize. Wily!

THANK YOU, QATAR The 2022 FIFA World Cup ends today. In the final match, Argentina — the country that made it a policy to wipe out all blacks in its territory at the end of slave trade in the 19th century — will square off with France — a multicultural society whose national team is dominated by blacks. I have thoroughly enjoyed this World Cup — the upsets, the colour and all. The romantic story would have been Morocco making it all the way to the final after slaying giants such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal. France broke African and Arabian hearts in the semi-final without really outplaying the Moroccans. I have beautiful memories of Qatar 2022, easily one of my best ever. Shukran!

GOOD NIGHT, DR BOB On the morning of Sunday, December 11, Dr Laolu Mudashiru, aka Dr Bob, left home for his weekly cycling. While he was waiting for others to join the train, a car rammed into him.

The co-founder of Vetiva Capital Management did not survive. The hit-and-run motorist, presumed to be drunk because of the way he was driving, will now live with bloodstains on his soul for the rest of his life as we weep over the avoidable loss of this great and lovely gentleman. Trained as a medical doctor, the first son of the late Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru, former military governor of Lagos, made his mark in investment and asset management. He was a Chevening scholar.

What a loss! Painful.

The second illustration of the possibility of a different path is from Nigeria itself: the country enjoyed a spell of sustained growth in the 2000s following implementation of a slew of reforms and some interventions, like telecoms and pension reforms, that expanded opportunities for investment, capital formation and job/wealth creation.

The World Bank thus contends that Nigeria can learn not just from a country similar to itself but also from its own history in order to rise to potential, instead of just muddling along or doing business as usual or even plunging to a level where things fall apart.

The third theme for me is that taking a different path will not be an accident or luck.

It will involve taking deliberate steps and will necessitate embarking on sustained, coherent and well-paced set of reforms for a prolong period. The World Bank has outlined key prescriptions under three areas and in different time horizons, stylised as sprints, medium-distance runs and marathons.

The broad prescriptions are: restoring macro-economic stability, boosting private sector development and competitiveness, and expanding social protection. The bank estimates that improvement in trade facilitation, governance, infrastructure, regulation, and increasing access to finance, education and health can cumulatively add 6.7% additional growth yearly to Nigeria’s GDP over the next 20 years.

However, the bank also acknowledges that embarking on wide-ranging reforms will not be a walk in the park. “Making and following through on the choice to rise to potential will not be easy, as the critical reforms would require not only good design but also sustained

implementation and consensus among Nigerian elites,” says the World Bank in the NDU. “Trade-offs and compensation measures will also need to be weighed, effectively communicated and followed through on to achieve the buy-in from stakeholders (for example, around effectively redirecting the current unsustainable, opaque, wasteful and regressive expenditure on the premium motor spirit, PMS or petrol, subsidy).”

The positions of the World Bank in these papers are broadly in alignment with the submissions of the first policy paper of Agora Policy, a think tank that I lead. Prepared by Nigerian economists and produced with the support of MacArthur Foundation, the Agora Policy report is titled “Options for Revamping Nigeria’s Economy.” There are other policy interventions, including by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), that have come to the same conclusions.

This means that there is some broad consensus about what is needed first to stabilise our economy then bring it to sound health. These things are about good economics but they also need good politics and good communication to work. Especially for those decisions that will inflict pains on and require more sacrifice from the already pressed populace, we need a government with the spine, the social capital and the skills to get critical stakeholders onside.

As we confront the historic absurdity of high oil prices and revenue shortfall for an oil-producing country, we need to embrace the crisis and use it as an opportunity embark on the urgent task of positioning our economy to achieve, and even surpass, its potential.

This is a crisis too good to waste.

A CRISIS TOO GOOD TO WASTE and Mrs. Sarah Alade, the Special Adviser to the President on Finance and Economy.

There is a lot to unpack from the two reports and the discussion at the Thursday presentation. I will highlight only three broad themes in this piece. The first theme is about how grim the present economic situation is, how vulnerable we are to another shock, and how not making necessary course correction could land us in Sri Lanka, to use el-Rufai’s words.

“Nigeria is in a challenging and deteriorating economic situation,” states the World Bank in the Nigeria Development Update (NDU).

Despite high oil prices, all major indicators are flashing red, negatively impacting both government’s finances and citizens’ pocketbooks and overall welfare. Debt service, which is crowding out expenditures critical to human development, is projected to gulp 96.3% of government revenue in 2022 and get to 124% in 2023, meaning we will need to borrow to meet debt service obligations.

High inflation has considerably eroded the purchasing power of the most vulnerable citizens, with N30, 000 minimum wage of 2019 now valued at N19, 335. World Bank says inflation has pushed an extra five million Nigerians into extreme poverty in 2022 alone. Beyond the War in Ukraine and the strengthening dollar, the Nigerian government is not blameless about the high inflation that is pushing more Nigerians into misery.

The second big theme for me is that the current path is not destiny. The World Bank used two examples to show that a different path is possible. One is the comparison with Indonesia, a country similar to Nigeria in many ways: large and diverse populations,

Buhari

huge natural resource endowments, long years of military rule and—according to World Bank Country Director, Shubham Chaudhuri— ‘noisy’ democracies.

In 1970, the GDP per capita of Indonesia was about half of Nigeria’s. But Indonesia caught up with Nigeria around 1982 and kept rising, even when subjected to occasional shocks like the Asian crisis and COVID-19. Nigeria keeps ‘floating along’ in the business-as-usual mode of stunted growth, while Indonesia embraced key structural reforms. In 2022, Indonesia’s GDP is almost triple that of Nigeria.

70 2

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 18, 2022

SUNDAY SPORTS

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com g y

QATAR 2022… QATAR 2022… QATAR 2022…QATAR 2022…

ARGENTINA V FRANCE FINAL

It’s Now or Never for Messi!

DURO IKHAZUAGBE Reporting live

A

t 35, Lionel Messi knows he’s at the twilight end of an illustrious career. He has achieved all that is there to win in football. The only missing link in his very rich football career is a FIFA World Cup winning medal. He has the final chance to make that happens this evening when Argentina take on France in the final game of Qatar 2022. How Messi will be rated after he hang his boot will be defined by what happens at the end of 90 minutes today inside the magnificent Lusail Stadium. Whether the petit Argentine will be rated along with the likes of his maverick compatriot Diego Armando Maradona and Brazilian legend, Arantes de Nascimento (Pele), remains a matter for football historians. To earn that tag of G.O.A.T (one of the Greatest Of All Times), Messi must conjure something out of the ordinary to ensure he leads the Albiceleste to the podium as winners of Qatar 2022! Anything short of that will be a minus and a dent he will have to live with the rest of his life.

Prior to Qatar 2022, Messi first the opportunity of a World Cup winning medal in 2014 when Argentina lost to Germany in the final of Brazil 2014. Another attempt failed at Russia 2018 when they lost to France in the Round of 16.

But here in Doha, Messi who assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief of the sky-blue and white from South America, has earned all the rave reviews. From a shaky start to Saudi Arabia which earned them defeat, the former Barcelona legend led Argentina through thick and thin to be in today’s final game of the tournament. Messi has been phenomenal in

Qatar and started scoring from the first match that saw La Albiceleste suffer that shock group opening defeat.

The Argentina forward will enter the Lusail pitch as a front-runner to even win the coveted Golden Boot with an edge over his Paris SaintGermain team-mate Kylian Mbappe. With both scoring five goals each, Messi’s tally of three assists is more than Mbappe, who has laid on two assists. Argentina’s Julian Alvarez and France’s Olivier Giroud are also in the race with four goals apiece.

With the French side still basking in the euphoria of defeating Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling Round of 16 game at the World Cup in 2018, with Messi failing to score, Didier Deschamps’ men will believe an encore is possible. They will be hoping to repeat the feat of Brazil in 1962 when the Selecao got into record books as the only second team to win the Mundial back-to-back.

“Messi, he’s been outstanding since the very beginning of the competition,” Deschamps told a press conference after his team’s win over Morocco in the semi-final.

But Messi’s PSG teammate, Mbappe, appears to be in a hurry to step into the shoes of outgoing great players like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Before the World Cup kicked off in Qatar, Mbappe was quoted to have said that he has no limits in his ambition. Of course, this has been translated variously to include no limit to becoming the latest GOAT. “I always say I dream about everything. I have no limits. So of course, like you say, it’s a new generation. And Ronaldo, Messi — you’re gonna stop. We have to find someone else,

Sponsored by:

Mbappe’s dream of succeeding both f p Messi and g Ronaldo loading…

someone new,” Mbappe was quoted by a wire agency in the pre-World Cup in Qatar.

Now, today’s final presents an opportunity for Mbappe to finally ‘retire’ Messi without achieving his heart desire of a World Cup winning medal.

That thesis can better be explained by what happens on the pitch this evening in Lusail.

However, whatever happens, PSG, incidentally owned by Qatar, will be the ultimate winner.

FACTFILE

Milestones They Could Attain Today

1X COPA AMERICA (INTERNATIONAL)

•Messi will make his 26th World Cup appearance if he plays against France, taking outright the record he shares with Lothar Matthaus (25).

•Mbappe, who got France’s last goal in the title-clinching victory over Croatia in 2018, could become just the fifth player to score in multiple World Cup finals after Vava, Pele, Paul Breitner and Zinedine Zidane.

•If Argentina win in normal or extra time, Messi will tie Miroslav Klose’s record for most World Cup victories (17).

•Mbappe could become the first player to score two goals from outside the box in World Cup finals.

•Messi could became the first player to win multiple adidas Golden Balls at the World Cup. He was bestowed with the prize at Brazil 2014.

•If Mbappe and Messi are both on target, it would be the first time opponents from the same club score in a World Cup final. The last time two club-mates netted in the fixture was in 1974, when Bayern Munich pair Paul Breitner and Gerd Muller did it for West Germany.

MESSI FIFA: BESTMEN’S PLAYER (2019, 2009) BALLON D’OR (2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009) UEFA: BEST PLAYER IN EUROPE (2015, 2011, 2009) 3X FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 4X CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNER 10X LA LIGA CHAMPION 1X LIGUE 1 CHAMPION 3X UEFA SUPER CUP WINNER 7X SPANISH CUP WINNER 8X SPANISH SUPER CUP WINNER 1X FRENCH CUP WINNER 1X U20 WORLD CUP WINNER 1X OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST 1X CONMEBOL UEFA CUP OF CHAMPIONS WINNER

MBAPPE 1X WORLD CUP WINNER (INTERNATIONAL) 1X UEFA NATIONS LEAGUEWINNER (INTERNATIONAL) 5X LIGUE 1 WINNER 3X FRENCH SUPER CUP WINNER 3X FRENCH CUP WINNER 2X FRENCH LEAGUE CUP WINNER 1X FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR (2018)

THESE PLAYERS COULD DEFINE THE FINAL Here are three of the key match-ups that are likely to have a strong bearing on the result:

Kylian Mbappe v Nahuel Molina

Mbappe is a candidate for the World Cup’s player of the tournament, having led France to their second consecutive final.

The jet-heeled 23-year-old forward has scored five times in six games, surpassing his tally from the 2018 tournament, and has now scored nine World Cup goals in 13 appearances across the two editions.

Mbappe’s explosive pace and technique were a nightmare for Morocco’s defenders Achraf Dari and Achraf Hakimi, who tried in vain to stop him getting down France’s left channel in their semi-final.

Now, Argentina right back Molina, will be

tasked with marking Mbappe. Molina arrived at the World Cup having faced criticism after struggling in his first season with Atletico Madrid, but he has been solid during the tournament and started every match.

The potential match-up could lead coach Lionel Scaloni to deploy a three-man defence like he did in their quarter-final against the Netherlands, to provide Molina with support.

That would likely pit Tottenham Hotspur centre back Cristian Romero against Mbappe

Lionel Messi v Aurelien Tchouameni One of the most anticipated match-ups will be Argentina great Messi against France’s rising star holding-midfielder Tchouameni.

They have faced each other once before, as Paris St Germain and Monaco played

in the French league in the 2021-22 season.

Messi got the better of Tchouameni in that encounter, with PSG winning 2-0 and the Argentinian delivering an assist for one of the two goals Mbappe scored.

However, the 22-year-old Tchouameni has been brilliant since joining Real Madrid in August, where he immediately replaced the long-serving Casemiro and is regarded as one of the most talented box-to-box midfielders.

His task in slowing down Messi on Sunday should be crucial for France’s success.

Enzo Fernandez v Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann’s combination of hard graft and guile at both ends of the pitch have caught the eye and made his role as a floating

midfielder one of the most-fascinating stories of the World Cup so far.

While Kylian Mbappe could win the tournament’s Golden Boot, Griezmann has been the cornerstone of France’s success in the tournament, creating several chances while also dropping deep and breaking up play.

Playing a similar role for Argentina is rising star Enzo Fernandez, who had not even made his debut six months ago but has become an intrinsic part of Scaloni’s system as a box-to-box midfielder.

With both being the heart and soul of their teams’ midfield, the one who manages to gain control could be responsible for dictating the pace of what should be a balanced clash on Sunday.

71 3

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 18, 2022

SUNDAY SPORTS

PAST WINNERS & RUNNERS-UP Year Winners Runners-Up 1930 Uruguay Argentina 1934 Italy Czechoslovakia 1938 Italy Hungary 1950 Uruguay Brazil 1954 Germany Hungary 1958 Brazil Sweden 1962 Brazil Czechoslovakia 1966 England Germany 1970 Brazil Italy 1974 Germany Netherlands 1978 Argentina Netherlands 1982 Italy Germany 1986 Argentina Germany 1990 Germany Argentina 1994 Brazil Italy 1998 France Brazil 2002 Brazil Germany 2006 Italy France 2010 Spain Netherlands 2014 Germany Argentina 2018 France Croatia 2022 ? ?

Most W’Cup Final Victories 5 -Brazil 4 -Italy, Germany 2 -Argentina, France, Uruguay 1 -England, Spain

Szymon Marciniak: The Polish Referee at the Centre

C

entre referee Szymon Marciniak, 41, who made his FIFA World Cup debut four years ago in Russia, will be joined by assistants Panel Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz in today’s final match of the Qatar 2022 final today at the Lusail Stadium.

Listkiewicz’s father, Michał Listkiewicz, officiated in the FIFA World Cup final in 1990 and at the FIFA World Cup 1994.

Marciniak has already overseen matches involving both final teams at the tournament -- Argentina’s last-16 win over Australia and France’s group-stage victory against Denmark.

D

The Prize money for Winners and Losers

T

he winner of the final match of the 2022 World Cup between Argentina and France is to smile away from Doha with $42 million. The runner-up will earn $30 million. According to FIFA, the two finalists will cherish $72 million in winnings prize monies.

Croatia who defeated Morocco 2-1 to win the third-placed match yesterday are to ear $27 million while Africa’s surprise team in the semi final, Morocco who finished in the fourth-place will take home $25 million.

Apart from this, Brazil, Netherlands,

Portugal, England will earn $17 million each as they reached the quarter-final while the teams that played in the round of 16: USA, Senegal, Australia, Poland, Spain, Japan, Switzerland, and South Korea will get $13 million each.

Others who could not make it to the round of 16 – Qatar, Ecuador, Wales, Iran, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Tunisia, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Costa Rica, Serbia, Cameroon, Ghana and Uruguay will be rewarded with consolation prizes of $9 million each for participation in the group stages.

Lionel Messi (Argentina) 3 assists, 570 minutes played Kylian Mbappe (France) 2 assists, 477 minutes played

4 Goals

Julian Alvarez (Argentina) 0 assists, 364 minutes played Olivier Giroud (France) 0 assists, 383 minutes played

3 Goals

Goncalo Ramos (Portugal) Alvaro Morata (Spain) Marcus Rashford (England) Enner Valencia (Ecuador) Bukayo Saka (England) Richarlison (Brazil) Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)

Davido to Entertain at Closing Ceremony Concert at Lusail avid Adeleke (aka Davido) is one of the top acts around the world to entertain at the closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium in Qatar this evening.

Davido who is just getting back his groove after mourning the death of his son Ifeanyi in a swimming pool few moments back, is one of the top acts lined up to thrill fans in a ceremony that the organisers have promised to be a “A Night to Remember”.

Davido and Aisha will sing ‘(Hayya Hayya) Better Together’ to the stadium crowd and global audience viewing the ceremony live around the world. Other acts like Ozuna and Gims will do ‘Arhbo’, and the full female lineup of ‘Light the Sky’ will be present with Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal.

After 63 matches and a month of thrilling action on the pitch, Argentina and France will battle for the ultimate prize of the 2022 edition

TOP SCORERS 5 Goals

2 Goals

of the FIFA World Cup and the $42million at stake.

“While the game kicks off at 6pm here in Doha (4pm Nigerian time), fans should plan to take their seats by 4.30pm so as not to miss the stunning closing ceremony that promises to stay forever in the memories of the 88,000 spectators expected at Lusail Stadium,” observed a statement from FIFA last night.

“Following an opening ceremony that celebrated bridging the gaps and getting to know one another beyond our differences, the final ceremony will last 15 minutes and reference the world coming together for the 29 days of the tournament through poetry and music.

“A Night to Remember” will wrap-up with a mash-up of songs from the Official Soundtrack that marked memorable moments of the tournament.”

Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) Harry Kane (England) Niclas Fullkrug (Germany) Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran) Neymar (Brazil) Robert Lewandowski (Poland) Wout Weghorst (Netherlands) Rafael Leao (Portugal) Kai Havertz (Germany) Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Uruguay) Ritsu Doan (Japan) Ferran Torres (Spain) Mohammed Kudus (Ghana) Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia) Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) Cho Guesung (Korea Republic) Breel Embolo (Switzerland) Andrej Kramaric (Croatia) Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco)

Croatia Deny Morocco Consolation Bronze

M

orocco’s bid for a consolatory third place finish at the 2022 World Cup here in Doha, Qatar was truncated on Saturday evening as Croatia showed their class once more to clinch the bronze and the $27million prize money attached to it.

The Balkan nation truly deserved their reward for the hard work they put into the battles in the first World Cup in the Middle East.

The Luka Modric inspired Croatians who were runners up to France four years ago in Russia, confirmed their status as one of the elite footballing nations. They have now matched their third place finish in debut edition at France ’98. The runners

up from Russia 2018 remains their best outing in the Mundial.

In a frantic opening, Josko Gvardiol gave Croatia the lead on seven minutes with a superb diving header but Achraf Dari levelled just two minutes later by nodding home from close range.

Mislav Orsic curled in a sumptuous second goal for Croatia via the post three minutes before half-time and struck a thumping, deflected drive into the side-netting after the break.

The second half could not match the energy of a thrilling opening period and Morocco failed to find an equaliser as a fruitful campaign ended in back-to-back defeats for the Atlas Lions.

Sunday December 18, 2022

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N400

MISSILE

Book Your

Aregbesola to Oyetola “I was not the one that took the N18 billion loan that was taken after the election. Oyetola took some other loans, including salary support from the federal government” – Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, exonerating his administration from the huge debt in the state.

COVID-19 Tests & Vaccinations TEXT

TR

‘COVID’ TO 58123

This service is provided in association with accredited service providers

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

On Campaign Gaffes, Missiles and Banters

T

he best way to enjoy electioneering seasons is to be emotionally detached. The moment you are a player — or you are emotionally invested — you cannot have fun to the fullest.

There will be too much tension and excitement racing through your blood.

Too much prejudice will block your sight. You will cry when you should be laughing and laugh when you should be crying. Although I can bet that everybody (including myself) has a soft spot for one presidential candidate or the other, everybody’s emotions are not on the same wavelength. There are levels to these things. Less than 10 weeks to the presidential election, I can bet that most people already know where they belong.

The campaign season has given us plenty entertainment and worries. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, has been under the spotlight for his gaffes. And there are plenty of them, the chief being his closing prayer at the flag-off of his campaign in Jos, Plateau state, on November 15. He was saying “God bless PD…” before changing his supplication to “God bless APC”. This was particularly strange. He has been an opponent of PDP since 1999, so I would not expect

Tinubu

him to invoke God’s blessings on them, not when he is the APC candidate. Except, of course, he meant to say “PDM” which his political associates in 1991/92 formed ahead of joining the PDP in 1998.

One of those associates was Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the vice-president from 1999 to 2007 and the presidential flagbearer of the PDP in the 2023 elections. Atiku was the brain behind PDM (Peoples Democratic Movement) made up of several political associates of the late Maj-Gen Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, the former chief of staff, supreme headquarters who was second-in-command to Gen Olusegun Obasanjo as military head of state (1976-1979). PDM was the strongest faction of the PDP from 1999 to 2003 before Obasanjo, now civilian president, dealt a fatal blow on it while disrupting Atiku’s plan to unseat him. Obasanjo went on to make sure Atiku did not succeed him in 2007.

Why would Tinubu want God to bless PDP or PDM, no matter how close he was, or is, to Atiku? They are now political rivals, for crying out loud! Well, one good turn deserves another. Atiku repaid Tinubu’s friendship with a prayer of his own on December 13 — also in Jos! There must be something about Jos. In his remarks at the rally, Atiku was shouting “God bless A…” before saying “I mean PDP!” Nigerians are making much of the fact that both gaffes happened on a Tuesday, but I am not aware that Tuesdays carry any significance in superstition. I know of Mondays, which

foretell how the week would go. Caution: I am not an expert on superstitions, so don’t trust my analysis.

One gaffe that did not trend was committed

by Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, in nearby Lafia, Nasarawa state, on October 13. This preceded the “God bless” syndrome. Speaking at his rally, Obi said: “Nasarawa is big… it is a great country.”

His supporters said he meant Nasarawa can be a great country if it were on its own, since Israel is not as big. Nice one! After all, Nasarawa, like Israel, is rich in agriculture.

And Israel is a great country. Don’t you just love the Obi-dients! But, seriously, given that Nasarawa was created out of Plateau in 1996, are there demons of gaffe in that axis that we need to cast out? Hint: some pastors can make money from it.

Another interesting thing this season is the townhall meetings and TV debates.

The trailblazing THISDAY/Arise group is organising a series. I hereby confess that I love debates. I enjoyed the 1993 face-off between Chief MKO Abiola and Alhaji Bashir Tofa. However, Tinubu has ignored invitations

by THISDAY/Arise — and the group has in Continued on page 69

WAZIRIADIO POSTSCRIPT

A Crisis Too Good to Waste

N

igeria is currently living through a peculiar paradox.

The ongoing episode of high prices of crude oil has not translated to the usual oil boom for Nigeria, one of the world’s leading oil producers. As the poster-boy of the counterintuitive ailment called the paradox of plenty, Nigeria is not strange to paradoxes.

But this is different and quite rich.

Oil-producing countries are usually flush with petrodollars during oil price spikes. Some of them may fritter away the windfalls and they usually come to an assured grief when oil prices eventually tank. But they don’t gnash their teeth through the boom. This has been the pattern, even for Nigeria. Until now.

According to one of the two reports on Nigeria released by the World Bank in Abuja on Thursday, the price of crude oil has increased by over 150% between 2020 and 2022. Yet, Nigeria’s net oil revenue is expected to decline by about 20% from N2.97 trillion in 2020, a year of significantly low oil prices due to low demands arising from the global restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, to N2.38 trillion in 2022, a year of historically high oil prices.

Instead of rising in tandem with high oil prices, Nigeria’s foreign reserve is shrinking, dropping from $41.8 billion in October 2021 to $38.1 billion in November 2022. At a time when other oil-producing countries are growing their wealth funds and balancing their budgets or even achieving budget surplus (Saudi Arabia recently reported a budget surplus of $27 billion), Nigeria’s fiscal deficit is growing.

“Oil price booms have historically supported the Nigerian economy but this has not been the case in 2021–22,” says the World Bank in its December 2022 Nigeria Development Update, titled Nigeria’s Choice. “In fact, Nigeria’s recent economic performance has been more like that of an oil-importing country facing headwinds from high global energy prices.”

The World Bank gives reasons for the strange inverse relationship between global oil prices and government revenues: ruinous and ballooning petrol subsidy and lower oil production, which itself is caused by a cocktail of ailments— “high production costs, theft and insecurity, joint-venture cash-call arrears, and inadequate investment.”

In my piece on this page two weeks ago, I added another layer: the simultaneous effect of the reduction of the federation share of oil

produced and how the reduced federation share is allocated largely to domestic consumption, which is paid for in Naira, at the expense of federation export, which brings in dollars.

Even for a Nigeria used to many lows, this present pass is a strange place, a quaint depth descended for the first time. But as novel as it is, this dark milestone will not be a big surprise to those who have been paying close attention. It is a mere confirmation, albeit a profound one, of not just the well foretold decline of Nigeria’s oil sector but of the ill-health of the overall economy usually masked by episodes of oil booms.

Without a doubt, the management of the economy in the past few years has been significantly below par. But there are also structural dimensions to Nigeria’s economic malaise including not just the exposure of government’s finances to the volatility of the oil market but also a larger economy defined by low productivity, low level of economic complexity, and limited opportunities for quality jobs, poverty reduction and wealth creation.

An oil windfall would have provided a breather, the usual false relief. But apart from surfacing our proclivity for waste, an oil boon

would also have served as an excuse to paper over both the recent and historical dimensions of our economic crisis. As usual, we would have carried on as if nothing was amiss and would have engaged in our characteristic work avoidance.

Not having an oil windfall this time around, as painful, avoidable and regrettable as it is, can thus be seen a rare opportunity to face up to the hard and painful decisions we need to take and the adjustments we need to make to put our economy on a sounder footing. In that sense, we should embrace and welcome this crisis. We should not waste it.

The World Bank has provided an authoritative snapshot of the state of our economy plus some considered suggestions and reasonable policy choices. The bank held a high-level dialogue at the presentation of the two reports (the other report is the Country Economic Memorandum, titled ‘Nigeria: Charting a New Course’).

The dialogue featured frank discussions with Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Continued on page 69

Printed Newspapers Limited.

Lagos:35 35Creek CreekRoad, Road,Apapa, Apapa,Lagos.

Lagos.Abuja: Abuja:Plot Plot1,1,Sector SectorCentre CentreB, B,Jabi JabiBusiness BusinessDistrict, District,Solomon SolomonLar LarWay, Way,Jabi JabiNorth NorthEast, East,Abuja Abuja. .

Printedand andPublished PublishedininLagos Lagosby byTHISDAY Leaders & Company Limited . Lagos: AllCorrespondence Correspondenceto toPOBox POBox54749, 54749,Ikoyi, Ikoyi,Lagos.

Lagos.EMAIL: EMAIL:editor@thisdaylive.com, editor@thisdaylive.com,info@thisdaylive.com. info@thisdaylive.com.TELEPHONE TELEPHONELagos: Lagos:0802 08022924721-2, 2924721-2,08022924485.

08022924485.Abuja: Abuja:Tel: Tel:08076290487, 08155555292, 08155555929 All 08076290488 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com