Nigeria Sold Ageing, Unserviced Assets in 2013, Says Fashola Minister: Realities of country’s power privatisation exercise lost on citizens Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria in 2013, handed over ageing, unserviced electricity generation and distribution assets to private investors who participated in the country’s
power sector privatisation exercise that year, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said on Thursday in Abuja. Fashola, who has had running battles with
operators of the generation and distribution assets especially the distribution companies (Discos), over reports of operational underperformance amongst others, told an audience at
the Punuka Annual Lecture Series, that Nigeria adopted power privatisation models from Europe but handed over rundown assets to investors. He also stated at the annual lecture series organised
by Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors as its corporate social responsibility (CSR), that most Nigerians were either unaware of this sad realities in the sector, or chose to ignore them.
“In this sector, one area of difference between our privatisation model and what I know of the European models is that the assets were Continued on page 8
EFCC Seals off Saraki’s Houses in Lagos…
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Malabu: FG Alleges Jonathan, Diezani Took Bribes, Former President Denies Claim The Federal Government has accused former President Goodluck Jonathan and the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, of accepting bribes
and breaking the country’s laws to broker a $1.3 billion oil deal eight years ago, a London court filing shows. But Jonathan called the allegation of bribery “recycled
falsehood” by those intent on denting his rising international profile, in a statement on Saturday. The deal, in which Royal Dutch Shell and Eni
jointly acquired the rights to an offshore oilfield, Oil Prospecting Licence 245, has spawned legal cases spanning several countries. The Federal Government
had in December last year filed a $1.1 billion lawsuit against Shell and Eni in a commercial court in London in relation to a 2011 oilfield deal in Nigeria.
In papers advancing the London commercial court suit against Shell and Eni, lawyers for the Nigerian government Continued on page 8
Ganduje Installs New Emirs, Says Court Order Came Late Why Buhari won’t intervene in Kano emirate crisis Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Saturday installed the four new Emirs of Rano, Bichi, Karaye and Gaya Emirates, who were appointed via a controversial bill he signed into law on Wednesday, saying that court order restraining the State Government from implementing the law came late after letters of appointment had been issued to the new Emirs. The emirs’ installation ceremony yesterday was
despite objections by a section of stakeholders across the state. On the heels a presidency source said President Muhammadu Buhari might not intervene in the crisis currently besetting the Kano Emirate because of its local nature, contrary to expectations. "It's a local affair," the source stated. Nevertheless, Ganduje called on the new monarchs to ensure the development of education and health, as well as security in their respective emirates. He Continued on page 8
Don't Blame President, Govs RESTRATEGISING POWER… Former Head of State,Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Minister of Power, Works and Housing & Keynote Speaker, Babatunde Fashola; Senior Alone for Insecurity, Uzodinma L-R: Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe; and Managing Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, during the Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors 2019 Annual Lecture Programme with the theme: Rethinking the Model for an Tells Opposition… Page 85 Effective Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry: Challenges for Government and Industry, at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja… recently
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EFCC Seals off Saraki’s Houses in Lagos Senate President insists it’s a witch-hunt
Tobi Soniyi
Multiple residential houses located in highbrow Ikoyi, Lagos, allegedly owned by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki have been sealed off by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In his reaction, Saraki insisted that the action of the EFCC was a witch-hunt. According to him, the property in question have been investigated by the commission several times in the past. A statement by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu said: “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked certain property belonging to Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, obviously under the claim that they are subject of
investigation. “The action of the EFCC only reinforced our earlier stated position that their current investigation is mischievous, contrary to the tenets of the rule of law and only aimed at settling scores. This position is founded on the fact that these same buildings were the subject of earlier investigations by the EFCC as well as the case initiated by the Federal Government at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. “Also, the case went all the way to the highest court in our country, the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In that case, Saraki was discharged and acquitted because the courts believe the government has no case.� Saraki defected to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party few weeks to the general elections. Before his defection, his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari
had gone sour. Saraki was charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged infraction of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. The tribunal did not find him guilty of any offence. Last week, EFCC confirmed reports that it had opened a fresh investigation into Saraki’s stewardship as Senate President as well as a probe of his earnings as governor from 2003 – 2011. Replying to Saraki’s allegations that the ongoing probe was a witch hunt, the acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said the politician was not above the law, noting that the commission was obligated by law to enthrone probity and accountability in the governance space, a duty it claimed to have pursued without ill-will or malice against anyone. The EFCC asked Saraki not to
worry over the investigation into his earnings as Kwara State Governor and his stewardship in the Senate, “so long as he has no skeletons in his cupboard.� The commission also said it possessed indicting petitions and other evidence against the Senate President, noting that putting him through a legitimate forensic inquiry was the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a public servant. The EFCC refuted Saraki’s claims that the probe had to do with his appointment as the International Human Rights Commission ambassador. It stated, “It is in the interest of the public, and for Saraki’s personal good, that he is not only above board, but be seen at all times to be so. “Indeed, all the instances in which the EFCC has had cause to sleuth into his financial activities
either as a former governor or President of the Senate were driven by over-arching public interest and due process of the law. “Against the background of the possession of indicting petitions and other evidence available to the EFCC, even Saraki will agree with the commission that putting him through a legitimate forensic inquiry is the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a public servant.� As part of the fresh probe of Saraki, the commission had written to the Kwara State Government to furnish it what the Senate President earned while he was governor of Kwara State. Saraki was the state governor from 2003 to 2011, before his election into the National Assembly. The anti-graft agency stated that it was investigating Saraki for an alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office,
misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering. In a letter to the Kwara State government, the EFCC demanded to be furnished with a breakdown of Saraki's income, as well as his entitlements as governor of the state. The letter signed by the EFCC Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu, read: “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish us with the full details of all his entitlements to include but not limited to emoluments, allowances, estacodes, other fringe benefits and severance package while he held sway as the Executive Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011. “This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (1) & (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.�
Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Abba Anwar, the government insisted that the letters of appointment were given to the four new emirs before the pronouncement by the court. According to the statement, “Letters of the Notification of Appointment were written from the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, since Thursday 9th May, 2019 and were dispatched to the concerned Emirs the following day Friday, 10th May, 2019, in the very early hours of the day. “In letters dated 9th May, 2019, with reference number SSG/ REPA/5/A/86/T, to the newly appointed emirs, each letter states that, ‘In accordance with the power conferred on the Governor by the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Amended Law 2019 (1440 AH), which provides the creation of more Emirates, I wish to convey the approval of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, for your appointment as First Class Emir of (Bichi) (Karaye) (Rano) (Gaya) Emirate.’ “While the said court order pronouncement started after 5pm on
Friday 10th May, 2019, all the Emirs returned back their acceptance from 10am to 12noon, same day. Hours before the court order pronouncement was made. “The new Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Abubakar II signed his acceptance by 12 noon, Emir of Rano Alhaji Tafida Abubakar Ila, signed his acceptance by 10:15 am, Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, signed his acceptance by 10am and the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir, signed his letter by 10:30am. “Today's event, Saturday 11th May, 2019, planning to take place at Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kofar Mata, was just organised to have a symbolic presentation of Notification of Appointment Letters. “But with the new development, the emirs would only thank the governor during the stadium event, for appointing them and serving them with their appointment letters since Friday morning of 10th May, 2019, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government.� There was wild jubilation shortly after the ceremony at the Indoor Sports Hall of Sani Abacha Stadium, which
was filled to capacity, as people danced and rejoiced to welcome what they termed a new dawn in Kano. In spite of the intense public sentiments the splitting up of the Kano Emirate Council has generated, Buhari has not spoken on the matter. A source says he is better off steering clear of the issue [VO1] because of its traditional and political undertones. According to the source, since Ganduje has said by law, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is meant to relate with his local government chairmen and not the governor, meaning Sanusi’s interaction with the governor is more of privilege than right, the president would not make it any worse by intervening in the matter that is legally beneath him. The source, who did not see the break-up of the Emirate into five as a move meant to humiliate Sanusi, argued that there was an existing law guiding the emirate and its operations, which clearly stipulates that the Emir relates with the local government chairman in matters concerning the Emirate. He said whatever the case, the president could not intervene because it was not only a local affair, but also one guided by law.
The minister equally said that calls for a review of the 2013 privatisation were unclear to him, but that the responsibility for such was that of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which he noted has processes for such to happen. “To those who call for a review of the privatisation for example, I have asked them to step out of the context of that nebulous term called a review and specify what they mean.
“For advocates of review who think that licenses of Discos should not be renewed (or should be cancelled), that power exists but is not vested in the ministry or the minister. “The power is vested in the regulator under sections 73 and 74 of the EPSRA (Electric Power Sector Reform Act). While the case may exist for the exercise of that power to amend or cancel a license for non-performance, I am of the clear
view that ministerial action is not contemplated by this provision of the law,� he stated. Fashola also noted that contrary to popular view that state governments could not engage in the business of electricity production and distribution, the country’s 1999 Constitution as amended, empowered them to do so. He thus called on them to get involved in the business of providing electricity for residents of their states.
in the face of worsening state of affairs in the country. “We have always made it clear that beyond this wave of conjecture, former President Jonathan was not linked, indicted or charged for collecting any monies as kickbacks or bribes from ENI by the Italian authorities or any other law enforcement body the world over. It bears repeating that the documents relating to the transactions and decisions of the Federal Government on the Malabo issue, during the Jonathan administration, are in the relevant Government offices, where they are accessible. “We would like to point out that all the actions taken by the Jonathan administration in relation to activities in the oil industry were legally conducted by relevant Nigerian Government officials and were carried out in the best interest of the country. “Finally, at the risk of sounding
like a broken record, we will like to point out that whether in office or out of office, former President Jonathan still does not own any bank account, business or real estate outside Nigeria. It, therefore, beggars belief that so much useful energy is channelled by dark forces into this futile bid to bring down a man whose political ambition was not and still is not worth the blood of any citizen.� THISDAY enquiries from close sources to Mrs Alison-Madueke legal team, revealed that she is unaware of any such proceedings in London. And that "if such proceedings do in fact exist in the London Courts, the fact of the matter is that Mrs Alison-Madueke is not a party to any such proceedings, she is not called as a witness to any such proceedings and she has no third party interest in any proceedings that may, or may not, be taking place in London on the issue of Malabu."
GA N D U J E I N STA L L S N E W E M I R S , SAYS C O U RT O R D E R CA M E L AT E said the new emirates had come to stay, pointing out that the new emirs requested the installation ceremony so that they can use the opportunity to appreciate the House of Assembly, the state government and the people for the honour bestowed on them. “The four newly appointed First Class traditional rulers requested for this occasion so that they can appreciate Kano State, appreciate the Kano State government for this responsibility that has been given to them,� Ganduje stated at the installation ceremony, which had in attendance Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Alhasan Rurum, and other top government officials. The governor recalled that the new emirs received their appointment letters and staff of office on Friday, adding that their coronation has already been gazetted. He stated, “If you can recall, yesterday in the morning, the Secretary to the State Government had already signed their letters of appointment and all of them acknowledged that they have received their letters. “You can also recall that this new law has already been gazzeted by the
government printer of Kano State. Therefore, the new traditional rulers requested for this gathering so they can appreciate the Kano State government and the state House of Assembly.� Ganduje said the new emirate councils needed to be created to attract more development in Kano State. He added, “The new emirs must keep records of school children who are not in school. They must encourage their subjects to go to hospitals for treatment. They must have interest in agriculture. They must encourage their subjects to go into farming. They should make agriculture priority and their cornerstone.� Ganduje also directed all District Heads, Village Heads and Ulamas within the areas of jurisdiction of the new emirs to ensure that they pay homage to them on Sunday. In their separate remarks, the newly installed Emirs thanked Ganduje for the new assignment given to them and promised to work harmoniously with the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, who is presently the chairman of Kano State Council of Traditional Rulers, to ensure socioeconomic development in the state.
They appealed to Kano people to continue to support Ganduje in his effort to bring development to every nook and cranny of the state. The newly installed First Class Emirs are the Emir of Bichi, His Highness, Aminu Ado Bayero; Emir of Rano, His Highness, Tafida Abubakar; Emir of Karaye, His Highness, Ibrahim Abubakar; and Emir of Gaya, His Highness, Ibrahim Abdulkadir. However, as reservations continued regarding the coronation of the new emirs, the Kano State government declared on Saturday that it was not aware of any court order stopping it from issuing letters of appointment to the four emirs of the newly created emirates in the state. A Kano High Court sitting at Ungogo had on Friday granted an order restraining Ganduje from implementing any action to legitimise the new emirates of Rano, Bichi, Gaya and Karaye. The presiding Judge, Justice Nasiru Saminu, gave the interim injunction in a suit filed by one Rabiu Sule Gwarzo. Saminu directed all the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. But in press statement by the Chief
FG SOLD AGEING, UNSERVICED ASSETS IN 2013, SAYS FASHOLA privatised as on-going and functional undertakings requiring only private sector managerial models to optimise commercial value. “In our case the assets sold were not viable on-going concerns, they were in many cases ageing, de-rated and unserviced assets; and the service was disappointing. This is what led us to privatisation,� said Fashola. He then explained: “The difference is that our model requires more private
capital injection to achieve reliable service while capital injection in the EU will improve already reliable service.� Power supply in Nigeria has reportedly remained abysmal with frequent supply shortages and complaints of inefficiency by consumers, however, Fashola said: “When people call me to complain about the level of service either of power supply, bad equipment,
excessive billing, they do so without adverting their minds to our reality or are in total ignorance of the reality.� “The reality before privatisation is that the ministry of power had over 50,000 staff, owned trucks, employed electricians who went out to repair faults, the ministry controlled power stations like Jebba, Kainji, Shiroro, Egbin to mention a few and the ministry employed all of those who worked in distribution,� he added.
MALABU: FG ALLEGES JONATHAN, DIEZANI TOOK BRIBES, FORMER PRESIDENT DENIES CLAIM said Jonathan and Alison-Madueke conspired to “receive bribes and make a secret profit�, keeping the government from getting what it was owed from the deal. “Bribes were paid. The receipt of those bribes and the participation in the scheme of said officials was in breach of their fiduciary duties and Nigerian criminal law,� the filing reviewed by Reuters said. The 2011 deal is also the subject of a corruption trial in Milan in which two middlemen have been convicted and former and current Shell and Eni officials are also on trial. An Eni spokesman said the Italian firm was assessing whether UK courts had jurisdiction on a case of “such duplication� to the Milan proceedings and repeated its view on “the correctness and compliance of every aspect of the transaction.� Shell has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to OPL 245. The London lawsuit relates to
payments that Shell and Eni made to acquire the licence.
Jonathan's Reaction But in a response on Saturday titled “On Malabu: Let the Facts, Rather Than Propaganda, Guide All Concerned,� Jonathan dismissed the accusation of bribe taking, calling it, “a recycled falsehood�. He said the indictment by the government of his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari, was merely an underhand negative publicity invented to portray him in bad light. The reaction by the former president’s media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a media report which alleged that lawyers to the Federal Government had, in a London court filing, accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of accepting bribes in order ‘to broker a $1.3 billion oil deal eight years ago.’ We
will quickly dismiss this report as a recycled falsehood that is blatantly dishonest, cheap, and predictable. “Although there is nothing new in this fabricated bribery claim which we had severally debunked in the past, we will continue to restate the following facts: “* Former President Goodluck Jonathan did not ask for or collect any bribes, neither has he been charged for asking or collecting bribes, neither will he ever be charged with asking for or collecting bribes, because such never happened. “That this particular dispute predated the Jonathan administration and survives it. “That former President Jonathan is 61 years old and throughout his life has never opened an account, nor owned property outside Nigeria. Perhaps, those behind this latest propaganda would be bold enough to make the same deposition? “The fact remains that as recent
national events continue to vindicate former President Jonathan, and as the world continues to celebrate him, those who are insecure will feed such propaganda to their media agents to feed their inferiority complex. “In fact, we expected something like this ever since it was announced that former President Jonathan would lead the Election Observation Mission of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa to South Africa’s national and provincial elections. “We are well aware that this claim was intentioned to eclipse the goodwill and positive reports of former President Jonathan’s diligent engagement in South Africa’s national and provisional elections. “The fact that most major media houses in the country refused to republish this falsehood bears out our conviction that Nigerians can no longer be deceived by hollow and diversionary claims of corruption,
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SUNDAY COMMENT
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
PROTEST OF THE GBAGYI PEOPLE OF ABUJA The authorities should look into the land row in the FCT
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gainst the background that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was last week caught in the web of the land-grab controversy between the military and the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is important for the federal government to examinetheir grievances. Comprising mainly of young men and some women from Gbagyi village, they were said to be protesting over the alleged invasion of their land by the military. Although the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai claimed that the land in dispute was “legally acquired’’, we urge the presidency to intervene, as Osinbajo has rightly promised, so that might does not necessarily become right. It is also important to highlight some salient points for the benefit of the Gbagyi people. The original idea behind Abuja was that it should be everything other than what Lagos turned out to be; and it was not to have settlers, indigenes, traditional rulers, etc. Abuja was selected because it was sparsely populated and not dominated by any of the three major ethnic groups whose struggle for contention was deemed to be one of the nation's major challenges. Theoriginal inhabitants were to be resettled in the neighbouring states of Niger, Kwara, Plateau and Kaduna while the Abuja Master Plan was conceived on the basis that the entire 8,000-square kilometre territory would not be inhabited. The plan then was for the respective state governments of Niger, Kwara, Plateau and Kaduna to build new places of abode and provide farmlands to the resettled inhabitants so that their way of life
would be preserved to the greatest extent possible. On paper, all the inhabitants of the territory were enumerated, documented and financially compensated. But in reality, the federal government did not meet these obligations to all the people and with that, it unwittingly created a Gbagyi problem in Abuja and environs.
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The accusation of the coalition of FCT indigenous associations is that the army has grabbed over 4,000 hectares of land located at Zuba, Iddo, Sabo and Tuga Maje, all along the airport road. But the army says it has all the documents to the land
Letters to the Editor
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S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS OLAWALE OLALEYE, TOBI SONIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE
T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI , PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH, PATRICK EIMIUHI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
he situation is not helped by the fact that majority of the Gbagyi people are not educated. If the kids are not going to school and their parents live in slums within and outside our glittering capital even in 2019, we can imagine what the situation would have been in 1976. This does not only mean we have a social, economic and possibly political problem that we ought to pay special attention to,it also goes back to the root of the problem: these are weak people who couldn't have negotiated a fair deal for themselves under the military when their land was being taken from them in the 1970’s. That is precisely why justice demands that the authorities listen to them. The accusation of the coalition of FCT indigenous associations is that the army has grabbed over 4,000 hectares of land located at Zuba, Iddo, Sabo and Tuga Maje, all along the airport road. But in defence, the army says it has all the documents to the land. The issue here is that of right. As we celebrate the virtues of equal citizenship, it is important for us to defend thosewho have clearly become unequal citizens possibly through their own in-actions and partly through the actions of the Nigerian state. It is particularly instructive that the crisis is coming at a period when some misguided officials are bent on bastardising the concept of a federal capital designed to accommodate all by imposing some warped values that subjugate women. As with the case of the original inhabitants, Abuja cannot be a place where the rights of citizens are cynically trampled upon under any guise. Therefore, while the authorities might see a sense of entitlement on the part of Gbagyi people, they must nonetheless avoid a situation in which the disempowered and voiceless would be seen as being oppressed. But the Gbagyi elites should also push for the interest of their people rather than just using them as bargaining chips for personal advancement.
TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.
Nigeria’s Dysfunctional Educational System
ducation is broadly classified into two: namely, formal education and informal education. Before the Caucasoid imperialists colonized Africa, and brought western education to us, African parents would give their children informal education, and socialize them into the cultural mores of their respective towns and kingdoms. In pre-colonial Africa, however, the University of Timbuktu in Mali was a revered centre of learning and scientific research. And it’s in Egypt, which is reputed as a cradle of civilization, that hieroglyphic (a form of writing) was invented. Before the advent of the white people in Africa, children were always given informal education in diverse areas to prepare them for challenges of life, such as eking out livelihoods. In Igboland, for
example, a man would teach his male children how to cultivate food crops, hunt wild animals for food, build houses, and mend leaking thatched roofs. And the young females were taught how to cook many types of delicacies. They would learn social etiquettes from their mothers, too. Chinua Achebe’s anthropological novels describe vividly the Igbo people’s ways of doing things in the pre-colonial and colonial periods. When the white people came to Africa for the reason of subjugating it to amass wealth for their respective countries, they built schools in the colonies where native Africans were taught languages of the white people, Mathematics, Biology, Geography, Economics, Chemistry, and others. During that period, the educated Africans were recruited into various cadres in the civil
service to assist the white people in administering the colonies. Till now, we are still thankful and grateful to the white people for bringing western education to us as it hastened the political emancipation of African states. The educated Africans like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, Leopold Sedar Senghor, and others deployed the knowledge they acquired from schooling in fighting for the decolonization of Africa. Education is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance. So, today, no nation-state desirous of achieving economic prosperity and attaining great technological heights neglects the issues concerning its education. And it will religiously abide by the UNESCO stipulation or recommendation, which says that countries should
allocate 26% of their national budgets’ estimates to education. In the first republic, soon after we had gained political freedom from Britain, Nigeria had political leaders, who set store by education. Alhaji Tafewa Balewa, our prime minister then, was described as a man with literary and intellectual disposition. And Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, an erudite journalist par excellence, was our president. Then, Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose political leadership tended towards democratic welfarism formulated and implemented the free education policy in the western region. Many people from impoverished homes benefited from that free educational policy. Today, they are responsible citizens of Nigeria, who are contributing their quota to our national development. So, before the 1983 military putsch that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power, the quality of education obtainable in our schools, from kindergarten
to the tertiary level, was very high. And degree certificates obtained from Nigerian universities by people were highly regarded and treated with deep respect overseas. But the military interregnums we experienced contributed in no small way to the educational crisis we are experiencing now because they destroyed our ordered systems of doing things. Now, the golden age of our educational system has gone. Most of our universities are no longer the bastion of academic excellence and centers of scientific and literary researches. Worst still, on campuses across Nigeria, religious activities and beauty pageantry have taken the centre stage at the expense of academic researches and intellectual undertakings. But more worrisome is the fact that our schools are suffering from acute infestation of cultism. – Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State
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NEWS
Acting News Editor Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com, 08081986590
Ndume to APC: Give Us Level Playing Field Tobi Soniyi in Lagos The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume who is aspiring to be the next Senate President has called on his party, the All
Progressives Congress to give all party members aspiring for leadership positions in the 9th Senate a level-playing field. In an exclusive interview with THISDAY yesterday, Ndume also called on the
leadership of the party to respect APC constitution. According to him, imposing candidates on the Senate runs counter to the letter and spirit of the party’s constitution. He referred the APC
leadership to the preamble of the party’s constitution which he read out to our correspondent. The preamble read: “We the true progressives and patriots determined to render service at all levels
COMBATING EMERGING THREATS
L-R. Former Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade (rtd); wife of fomer Cross Rive r Governor, Mrs. Onari Duke and Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin during the 2019 Defence Headquarters Training Conference held at the college , Abuja ... recently
of governance; and to build a nation which will guarantee equal opportunity for all, mutual and peaceful co-existence, respect and understanding, eliminating all forms of discrimination and social injustice among Nigerians, rendering selfless service that will rekindle a deep sense of patriotism and nationalism; hereby make, enact and give the following constitution to ourselves for effective governance of our party and promotion of its ideals, aims and objective.” Ndume consequently, demanded that the leadership of the party rescind its decision to support one member against the other. He said APC should not be seen to be acting in violation of its own law. To do so, he said would amount to impunity. Ndume also referred to Section 50 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution as amended which states that members of the Senate will elect the
Senate president and the deputy from among themselves. He said: “The party should be law abiding. I am expecting the party to rescind its decision. In appropriate circumstances, even the Supreme Court rescinds its decisions. “In the interest of the party and the nation, the party should provide a level-playing field for all aspirants to contest for any leadership positions of their choice.” The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole had expressed support for Ahmed Lawan, the senator representing Yobe North to emerge President of the 9th Senate. This decision, however, did not go down well with Ndume and others who felt that the Senate should be allowed to elect its leaders in accordance with the constitution. Apart from Ndume, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje has also expressed his intention to run for the Senate President office.
UNICEF: 12 Northern States Yet to Pass Child Rights Law Tobi Soniyi in Lagos Twelve states in the northern part of Nigeria are yet to pass the Child Rights Law despite its obvious benefits for children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Ms. Sharon Oladiji gave the figure during a two-day media dialogue on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at 30. During the dialogue, Oladiji identified the states as Bauchi, Yobe, Kano, Sokoto, Adamawa, Borno, Zamfara, Gombe, Katsina,
Kebbi, Jigawa and Kaduna. She added that many of such states believed some sections of the child rights law needed to be amended as they are in conflict with their belief and cultural practice. The dialogue was organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in collaboration with UNICEF. CRC was adopted on November 20, 1989 by the UN General Assembly, and was ratified by 194 state parties, except Somalia. It covers civil, political,
Job Creation Key to Restoring Nigeria’s glory, Says Obi David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi yesterday said any leader interested in leading Nigerians should look for ways to create jobs for a teeming population of unemployed youths. Obi, the vice presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), equally advised Nigerians to live according to the dictates of the titles they bear. Obi made the call during a breakfast meeting with the formators and students of Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha, the Anambra capital yesterday. At the meeting, Obi expressed confidence that Nigeria “will become a changed country. We must restore the glory of Nigeria. We must restore excellence in Nigeria. We must make
Nigeria a distinguished country among the comity of nations.” He, thus, said any leader interested in Nigeria “must look for ways to create jobs in Nigeria; lessen the forces of heterogeneity that is loosened upon the state and respect the diversity of the country by carrying everybody along.” He noted that there was nothing wrong with those titles Nigerian bear, noting that they were meant for category of officers based on what they ought to represent. He cited the case of His Excellency, which according to him, was supposed to represent the epitome of excellent life worthy of emulation while Distinguished must be a person distinguished from the rest in his character and contributions to the growth and development of the Church.
economic, social and cultural rights, thus underscoring the indivisibility and equal importance of all rights. Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act in 2003 to domesticate the international Convention on the Rights of the Child. This act covers every aspect of the lives of children and adolescents. They are broken down into the following: survival rights, development rights, participation rights, and protection rights. Oladiji said governments at all level should put laws in place to protect the rights
of children in Nigeria. She said the success of this would encourage implementation and children would consequently grow into better adults in future. She noted that investing in a child was paramount for Nigeria and Africa to realise the rights of the burgeoning child population. “A healthy development of a child is crucial to the future well-being of any nation. Special attention is required for Nigeria which is the country with the largest increase in absolute numbers of both birth and child population. It is time we acknowledge our
Adenuga Celebrates Awujale at 85 The Chairman of Globacom Nigeria, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. at the weekend congratulated the Awujale of Ijebu Ode, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who turned 85 on Friday. Adenuga recommended the need to inculcate the noble values of honesty, hard work, integrity, probity and good character, for which the monarch is known. The monarch made the remarks in a goodwill message he delivered at the third annual Oba Adetona Professorial Chair Lecture of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye. Adenuga, who was represented by the current occupier of the professorial chair, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, said the noble values enshrined in the Omoluabi paradigm would help entrench good governance in the country. In the South-west, according to him, Omoluabi is a cultural concept of the Yoruba people used to describe
a person of diligence and integrity. Adenuga described the theme of the Lecture “Grassroots Governance, the soft underbelly of Nigeria’s political architecture”, as apt, saying if the country “gets it right at the local government level, we will get it right at the top as all politics is local.” He commended Adetona for donating the professorial chair at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, which he said, had been generating seminal ideas for the enthronement of good governance in the country. He prayed for more successes during the reign of the monarch who is marking 59 years as King. Also at the lecture, Adetona expressed happiness to be alive to witness the occasion, thanking God, the people of Ijebuland and Globacom for the huge support that has birthed great development and progress in his domain.
shared responsibility and address this issue,” she said. In his presentation, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Dennis Onoise said culture was only one of the many reasons stakeholders refused to push for the implementation of the Child Rights Law in their states. He said personal interest also played its part in the delay of implementing such law. He said some stakeholders might refuse to push for the law because if implementation started, it might affect
them. The Chief of communication, UNICEF, Eliana Drakopoulos said the Convention on the rights of the child must be made known to everyone in order to ensure full protection and adoption of the CRC act. “The need to ensure that children are empowered all round to take their pride of place in our society and the world at large. “This is a realisation that all children have a right to better life, an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potentials,” she said.
Don’t Cause Chaos in S’West, Group Tells Gani Adams The Council of Yoruba Obas in Diaspora has hailed the proactiveness and commitment of the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Obateru Akinruntan to the preservation of the Yoruba culture, both at home and in the Diaspora. The council, however, queried the basis of opposition to the endorsement of some kings in Diaspora by the monarch in its palace, saying a campaign of calumny against the royal father would not stand. The Secretary of the Council, Mr. Olukunle Akanbi gave the warning in a statement he issued on Friday, saying the uncultured remarks and diatribes of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, Chief Gani Adams and his acolytes, against the monarch “is not only sacrilegious, but an abuse of privileges.” Akinruntan had recently
in his palace in Ugbo community, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, crowned three Diasporabased Nigerians as Yoruba obas. The three crowned traditional rulers are the Oriade of Georgia, United States, Oba Bernard Shola Akinrimisi; the traditional ruler of Yoruba in the Republic of Ireland, Oba Saheed Ibrahim Adufe, and the traditional ruler of Yoruba in Liberia, Oba Omobolaji Ogunkoya. In its statement, the council said, “We, Oba Yoruba in Diaspora, appreciate Olugbo and Paramount Ruler of Ugbo Kingdom. The proscribed authority for the affirmation honour and formal recognition bestowed on us on April 22 in his palace, we are so grateful to Olodumare for His mercy on us.”
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OPINION
NIGERIA: HOW TO CO-EXIST
Uzor Maxim Uzoatu writes that Nigerians need to sit and define their relationships
T
he late comedian, Mohammed Danjuma, told the joke of how he was once mid-air inside a plane only to see one man in parachute knocking on his window and tell ing him: “I don go-o! Na me be pilot of this plane-o. If you like-o, continue to stay there-o, but me I don go-o.” The people who speak big grammar would say that Nigeria is in auto-pilot. In the kind of simple English that I do understand, Nigeria is like a plane without a pilot. It is as though the plane is flying hither and thither looking for where to crash. The galling news abroad is that Nigeria will soon break into pieces. It is therefore very imperative now that Nigerians need to talk on how to co-exist. A country risks extinction when it fails to re-invent itself. Josip Broz Tito loomed large over the old Yugoslavia of unblessed memory, but after his death the country could not re-invent itself and thus fell to pieces. Soviet Union is no more because the diverse nationalities could not talk on a common front. The national question is on the front burner of discourse all over the world. Minorities are insisting on the right to self-determination. Ethnic groups are highlighting their differences which they maintain ought to be given due recognition. The ferment cuts across races and regions of the world. Every interest group wants to be represented in the affairs of the nation. When the conference table cannot provide an answer, violence supervenes. The world has in fact lost count of the number of souls lost in the many battlefields that ordinary conferences would have prevented. The Nigeria-Biafra war would not have been fought if the Aburi conference had succeeded in every material particular. Many moons after that horrendous war, the issues that elicited the war in the first place remain unsolved. The Boko Haram menace can be situated within this ambit. The herdsmen/bandits crisis is yet another dimension. Insecurity is now the rule rather than the exception all over the country. The evolution of multi-ethnic nations takes studied negotiation. One angry Nigerian, the now deceased Sixtus
Chibueze Ezennaya, posed this loaded question: “One Nigeria! One Nigeria! One Nigeria! When was it agreed upon?” The European colonial powers that set up shop in Berlin in 1884-85 to allocate the area now known as Nigeria to colonial Britain acted in spite of the nationality groups then inhabiting the land. Sir Frederick Lugard amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates so that the South will serve as “the lady of means”, in the words of Lord Harcourt, to feed the arid North. The mutual benefit of the constituent parts was not put into consideration. Some 16 years earlier, Lugard’s girlfriend, Flora Shaw, had suggested a name for the emergent country: Nigeria, a word formed from the River Niger, not minding that River Niger itself was named after the accursed racist word “Nigger”. Thus from the very beginning Nigerian history is replete with obfuscating contradictions. Some smart military majors thought they could change history by staging a coup in January 1966. The coup was read to mean an Igbo coup aimed at the ethnic group dominating the entire country. Northern military officers, urged on by British powers, fomented a revenge coup in July of the selfsame 1966. After
What President Buhari needs to do is to organize a proper national conference to tackle issues such as the national question, confederation, census, federalism, devolution of powers, policing, etc.
taking over power, Yakubu Gowon had prepared a speech to announce the dissolution of the Nigerian Federation on August 1, 1966 and the secession (araba) of the North until he was prevailed upon to change his mind by the British High Commissioner in Lagos, Sir Francis Cumming-Bruce. The pogrom unleashed on the Igbo people in the North put a heavy question mark on the existence of Nigeria. The Aburi conference in Ghana had to be convened as a last ditch effort to save the country from war. The agreements at Aburi became subverted and the Nigeria-Biafra war ensued. After the war, military and Northern domination of power came to a head with the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Chief Moshood Abiola. General Sani Abacha locked up Abiola, and the country teetered on the precipice until somehow Abiola and Abacha died after one another. It took the re-emergence of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo for the Northern military to anoint a civilian fit enough to be trusted with power. Nigeria’s misadventures with Obasanjo’s Third Term Project, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s death-knell presidency and President Jonathan’s battle with the so-called zoning policy do not need further elaborations here. From Boko Haram to bandits to herdsmen to kidnappers everywhere, trouble is all over the land. What President Muhammadu Buhari needs to do is to organize a proper national conference. The country should be delineated into constituencies for the election of the representatives of nationality groups, town unions, trade unions, academics, NGOs, professional bodies, citizens in exile, the security forces, etc., to come into conference to tackle issues such as the national question, confederation, census, federalism, devolution of powers, policing, martial and external relations, secession, etc. The conference is sovereign to the extent that its result will be binding on all the peoples of Nigeria and not subject to doctoring by the powers-that-be. Any further dilly-dallying by President Buhari can cast him in the mould of Gorbachev who dithered in the old Soviet Union and saw his nation disintegrate. ––Uzoatu, journalist and poet, wrote from Lagos
From Jumbo Pay to Life Pension Political office holders should not be entitled to pensions, argues Ayodele Okunfolami
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ayelsa State made headlines lately when the State House of Assembly hastily passed a bill granting life pensions worth hundreds of thousands to its members and former members. Good enough, Governor Seriake Dickson refused to sign the bill into law citing inconsistencies with the constitution, illegality, no precedence by any state of the federation and that the Bayelsa has more pressing issues. While still trying to catch our breaths, a few days ago, Kano State House Assembly passed into law the Pensions Rights of Speaker and Deputy Law, 2019. This bill makes provisions for life pensions to be paid, new cars bought every four years and foreign medical trip for any person that held the prime positions of the Assembly. There are also reports that Ekiti State Assembly too has prepped a similar bill for the signature of Governor Kayode Fayemi. Well, it is right that workers get their pay after years of meritorious service, and should be entitled to pensions for the rest of their lives. However, the offensive packages planned for these public officers deserve the attended public outcry. The first thing to consider is that political office is not the regular 35-year civil service job. Political office holders like governors and legislators are contracted to do their assignments through elections, and so, should not be entitled to pensions like regular civil servants. It is like making provision for special pensions for sportsmen or artistes after earning millions in their active days or from endorsements for certain brands and image rights. Even if one argues in their favour, the premise of such argument remains faulty since their brief stay in political office benefits them much more than what they would have earned in 35 years as civil servants. As accessories in the furniture of governance, they enjoy various allowances from the ridiculous to the bizarre, while civil servants are owed for months. This is what makes these pensions immoral and unacceptable. Coupled with the fact that these former executives and legislators leave government mansions to become senators, ministers, ambassadors or other top positions, implying that they are still being doubly fed by taxpayers that have been deprived the basic things of life. They
receive salaries for their present offices and on the other hand make pensions from their previous seats. Painting another picture, imagine a senior civil servant getting a political appointment and then becomes an adviser of a governor some time later and this fellow is entitled to steady pensions from his former and latter offices. While they luxuriate in this, the ordinary pensioners are left stranded on verification queues. These pensions must be halted urgently because these are insidious gestures to Speakers of other State Houses of Assembly and their deputies. If not stopped, in the discussion would be local government chairmen, their assistants and councillors who will from June 1, get their allocations directly from the federal purse. Meanwhile, governors like Seriake Dickson that denied assent to such bills should neither be beatified nor canonized because frankly, the executive and legislative arms of this republic are ill-disciplined dizygotic twins from the same womb of fiscal rascality. Curbing this praxis that was ignited by the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2007 must begin with the Buhari administration. The culture of placing all former presidents and heads of state on any form of annuity should cease. It makes no sense paying dictators who seized office by the barrel of the gun or others who got to power through undemocratic and ambiguous means to be rewarded with retirement income for life. Their membership of the Council of States in a constitutional democracy should be reviewed. When their membership is sorted out, we can then look at the necessity of waging individuals that might have been enjoying pensions from their previous services in private or public service. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for example, would be receiving pensions as a retired general in the Nigerian Army; ditto Goodluck Jonathan receiving pensions as a retired lecturer and still banking on life pensions and allowances because they served less than a decade as president. This presidency must take the lead in stopping this pension thing. This will give states that have done this to repeal it. Another question to ask is how the various State Houses of Assembly and other bodies that passed
these pension bounties came about the appropriate remuneration for these former executives. Was the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) consulted or was it a party in fixing these pensions? Was the present economic situation of the country and eventual sustainability put into consideration? What of the Pensions Act of 2004 that mandates employers and employees to respectively contribute certain amount of their monthly income into the pension scheme? If legislators and elected officers in general fail to strengthen institutions such as the Pensions Act, who else will? These pensions if not upturned could do more harm to the fight against corruption and free, fair and transparent elections. When an individual knows that winning an election settles his financial needs for life, he would do everything possible to win the seat. It also destroys the psyche of the youths who are increasingly seeing that the conventional eight-to-four daily work schedules have no social security in them. This is evident as youths now pick role models from entertainment, sports and politics. Discontinuing this act would involve more than Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP) urging governors from signing such bills. It would require changing our entire economic structure. Until we change this “feeding bottle” structure where states line up monthly for allocations from the multibreasted centre (Abuja), we will continue to spend our oil wealth on frivolities like pensions for former political office holders. True fiscal federalism should see states look inwards to generate revenue for their sustenance while remitting agreed percentages to the centre. This way, Nigerians will become more judicious with our resources. Moreover, the overall economy must be improved quickly so that people’s worth is not only defined by political positions as is the case now. The economic team, under the strict supervision of the president, should ensure more of such personalities can be produced easily by improving the economy. Okunfolami wrote from Festac, Lagos
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LETTERS
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Ben Murray-Bruce and Electric Cars
n the 19th century, the luddites in England who were working in cotton mills destroyed the machines because they saw it as a great threat to their jobs. These workers who refused to upgrade their skills went on a massive offensive against the harmless jobs in their morbid fear of being redundant. In the end the machines triumphed as its time had truly come. The common sense Senator Ben Murray-Bruce presented a bill on April 10 this year to phase out cars run on petrol in favour of electric cars by the year 2035. It was thrown out during the first reading and never got the chance to make it to the second reading on the grounds that electric cars were impracticable for now and irrelevant. Like the luddites in the days of yore, the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly do not want to face the reality of the changing times. Oil the world over is fast becoming endangered specie. We are sitting on a keg of gun powder with our sole reliance on it as a revenue exchange earner. The demand for our oil is fast dropping – the United States recently cut its demand for it by 89%;
Ben Murray-Bruce India looked elsewhere for its oil needs. This should be a cause for grave concern by the policy makers, including the senators. Oil will become a non issue 50 years from now – a stark reality that our senators in the red chambers have failed to acknowledge or are ‘praying hard’ to avoid. Many countries in OPEC are swiftly moving away from oil dependence in order to keep up with the changing
times. Saudi Arabia, for instance, recently established a fund in collaboration with Mckinsey to roll out modalities for the shifting of their economy from its sole dependence on oil to other non oil sectors. Norway has embraced electric cars in their bid to move away from oil dependence. Critics of Murray-Bruce’s bill contended that the erratic power supply would make nonsense of it. I beg to humbly disagree. The
reality of the presence of electric cars will make the policy makers put on their thinking caps and hurriedly fix the ailing sector once and for all. Petrol stations will in future be replaced by electric charging spots which the government could tax and increase its revenue base. What do you have to say of the fact that the Global Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Dutch Shell drives an electric car? Our politicians should hurriedly wake up and smell the coffee. 2035 which Murray-Bruce proposed is not far away as it’s less than two decades from now. Time flies by so quickly and it waits for no man. How would we cope when we can no longer sell our oil? If over 20 states are insolvent and cannot meet their monthly obligations to their civil servants, how will it be 50 years from now when the global demand for our crude oil would have plummeted? The curse of oil in the nation has seen lots of environmental degradations especially in the Niger Delta area of the country. Rivers are destroyed and the locals can no longer fish; farmers can no longer farm as the oil spillage rendered them economically incapacitated. The shift to electric cars will ensure a clean energy policy
Santa Klaus: Weather Forecast
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PIED would appear taking out excerpts of holy bible, on the hue of other religious book, which one never read and God would appear a term of reference by all manner of religion, leaving itself open to interpretation. For whilst he cuts kpoh with Jesus, his right, he draws wah with Satan, his left. And so it was that Satan got admitted into celestial plenary on Job, which extant SPIED would appear to be insinuating, as a work of life-lessons on examination to the next level of his re-cycle as wheel alignment and balancing of account number of his name forecasted. Life times are watch tower tell-tale signs of Zodiac, zo dia ark-storeys of buildinglayers as stages for drama, a concert or composition scripted on a sheet of heaven in bed, bed-sheet of papalpage boys history from mans’ heart, an folk tale. Manhattan folk tales told as news, tidings informing nations of the chance of birth. Birth life-time and tide of chance. Chance tidings of the birth time of life-cycle in a period that flow. Flower girls at seasons of due cumulative causation for full effect of incarnate soul in a trance, figured-out in a bet on even and odd number of name as bank on pros and cons. Pros-fit of birthright as the loss
of cons-tellation, which is a cluster, clause of star, a star-risk, asterisk, the star of movie-meant as feel-me, film actor-us, Arcturus of which is Ra the sun god and father of the stars. Rastas of which are Nazis at rite of funeral known as akwam ozu ahia-ga nna, a monopoly-shop rite. Nazirite of birth-day forecasted as weather. Whether Secondus the Afa-better and witty-next to First-us, festus, the Afa-beast, best record that is unbiblical, umbilical re-cord for adoption as minutes of Second-us, seconding as false witness to the hour-glass of sand, printing out the left-foot as sole of the right. Right soul of Abrahams’-voice-call-up as Isaac, the left incarnate of Jacob, be-coming right on the heels of Isau the fall guy in attorney-power to wrest, rest in peace-disturbed at bath. Bath tub of water-baptism, barb-yiisim, barb of hair for comb known as ‘oha’ of boss, the oga zim ozi. Ozi, the message of kombi-bus, boss comb of hair, heir to the water-resources of pool astir, steering wheel of folks-wagon taking turns, attorneys of the fathers’-will power for wind-break of the tie-wo with coin-dey, the coin of half-penny as farthing. Farthing of which equals two mites of the widowed mother. Mother-window of the soul
of which is the right-eye of a needle. Need-less to off-ends meeting at helping to profittable as the loss of cons-table. Constable of which is a police, policy-thrust of the father, which is usually to return as left-incarnate-soul of the firsts’ message of his grey head. Heard grey-message by Isau, eaves dropped by the mother to do as her wish. Witch of endors’-meant for the right incarnate soul of the second message, echoed by the wall. Wall-gecko heard by Jacob, the Nazi-wreath lay-man. Layman that is yet to learn the lesson of his former life coming. Income of his return with Isaus’ character traits from the grave ‘ili’, ili-trait of Isaus’-helping hand to pottage, mistaken as illiterate-Jacob that dished it out as false-hood of the monk. Monk-key sign board, the sign oha-made and done as zo chiga-ark, a cow word heard on horses mouth, of Isaac served as-mass of body-weight, dead on Jacobs’ arrival to the funeral as obedient odibo, the elder-demon-star servant of Abraham. Servant sent to board room of the ark upper layer-uza-Nna, the fathers’ answer, granting him a new lease of life, life lesson on his return to preach in the world. World of which is the soul of his grand-father Abraham, the father of
Isaac, the Father of Jacob his very-son-body-mass index, in-the-exact replica of Isau serving of BODMAS. Mass board-room of his mothers’ house at mess-opotamia to lodge-in. Inn side of the womb as Jacob and Isau wrestling for power of attorney to the will of their father, as first to be born-again of the flesh, from ili-obum -puta uwa ozo. Ozo gbagide in mgba, the wrestling Bracket of re-evolution until his thigh broke the day from nightfall. Lk 16:20-25 Mk10:25 Jn5:8-7, Gen24:1-34 Psm90:9 Jdg13:7 Gen18:10 Job38:32 Job37:22 Jn21:25 1sam28:15 Jn5:4 Mt17:11-13 Rev 5:8. Knight fall of the meteorite of funeral, the shooting super santa-clause, star of the day, world overcome, father christMas of Bodroom, Big-shop-rite of our soul, re-born as the Reich, rich-Nicodemus, demon’-nick of time of life-tidings as chance of re-birth. Birth naza best-afa, as of first-right-turn to lay wreath, Nazareth, not given to Jacob but took on him as his nickname Israel, born not of the flesh but of the spirit, bearing true witness on earth, with water and blood for adoption as first-born of the Father that bear record in heaven, with the Son and Holy-ghost, given up into the hand of God for mass service. ––Abili Willy, Lagos.
and a gargantuan reduction of air pollution. Global warming would be reduced and we will experience cleaner and fresher air to breath. Nigerians are by nature rugged, dogged and enterprising. The shift to electric cars will bring out the entrepreneurial spirit in us and will make us stop the entitlement mentality that the curse of oil has plagued us with. Innoson, for instance, could take up the gauntlet and produce cars powered by electricity not only for domestic use but for export to the global market. Other manufacturers could take up the gauntlet and emerge as stiff competitors to Innoson which would drastically drive down the cost of these cars for the benefit of the man on the clapham omnibus and the hoi polloi. Why should we wait for the dooms day to come before we do the needful? My attention was drawn to the presence of fueless generators which was developed by an unknown Nigerian. Imagine if this generator which doesn’t use petrol was in every home! It would save the huge costs being spent on fuel for generators. The policy makers only have to create the environment needed for these electric cars to thrive and the ripple effects would reverberate all through the economy. We have an abundant supply of solar that could be used to aid the movement of these electric cars. This
solar shouldn’t go to waste because of the lackadaisical attitude of our inept leaders. It is a shame that close to six decades of political independence, power still remains a thorny issue. The reality of the dominance of electric cars in the future will make our power sector undergo a radical transformation. It will hasten our resolve to run a 24-hour lit economy. Murray-Bruce was a visionary as he thought 20 years from today which put him on the pedestal of a statesman that thinks of the next generation and not merely the next election which is the distinguishing feature of run of the mill politicians. In a decent society, his contribution would have remained evergreen but alas we are in a nation fast heading to the status of a banana republic. So what do you expect? It is a shame that the common sense senator wouldn’t be returning to the Senate because of a zoning arrangement that shut him out. More progressive bills would have emanated from him which would have greatly moved this nation to the next level – not the one which is being touted by the ruling All Progressives Congress. It goes down to the issue of state identity in the country. Why shouldn’t Murray-Bruce who was born and bred in Lagos and pays his taxes here be a Senator from here? ––Tony Ademiluyi, Lagos.
Okotie’s Timely Call For Economic Reforms
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fter the euphoria of the recently concluded general elections has died down, Okotie’s widely published May Day message could not have come at a better time. In his press release, while supporting the newly approved national minimum wage, Rev. Okotie advised governments and stakeholders on the need to focus more on long-term economic growth through multi-product export so as to ensure sufficient revenue to meet the increased wage obligations. This, indeed, should be the challenge of all stakeholders in the polity. To continue to depend on the shrinking revenue from crude oil export to finance the federal budget is to put the economy back on the road to recession. Many have expressed fears on the bandwagon effect of the new N30,000.00 national minimum wage. If the economy slides back into recession from the first quarter of 2020 as glibly predicted by the Zamfara State Gov. AbdulAziz Yari, the current chairman of the Governor’s Forum, the hope of implementing the new minimum wage may be shattered. That scenario confirms the fears of the pastor-politician about the grim prospects of the economy based on the current contractions being
experienced. There are outstanding labour disputes like those between university lecturers and the federal government, doctors and some governments as well as pensioners, etc. How the new minimum wage would impact on these pending labour disputes remains to be seen. As for the new wage itself, it is not yet time to celebrate because of a likely increase in fuel pump price and the general price hikes that follow every wage increase. This probably informs Rev. Okotie’s call for the comprehensive reforms of our labour laws to bring them in harmony with the statutes of the International Labour Organization (ILO). These reforms are long overdue. Rev. Okotie who contested in the just concluded Presidential election on the platform of the Fresh Democratic Party (FRESH) argued that harmonious labouremployer relations is at the heat of any buoyant economy, adding, “A productive work force deserves a decent pay; employers should also respect labour rights so as to avert disruptive strikes which often have the economy.” Our workers and employers should take this admonition to heart as we begin another democratic journey after the 2019 general election. Gbenga Daniels, Lagos.
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T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019
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T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019
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M ͺ˜ ͺ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL The US 15-Year Jail Term Sentence on a Nigerian Nanny: Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Diplomatic or Functional Protection?
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United States court, presided over by Judge Karen Mason, sentenced a 73-year old Nigerian, Mrs Oluremi Adeleye, to fifteen years in prison for child abuse and second-degree murder on Monday, 6th May, 2019 in Maryland, United States. Mrs. Adeleye is a live-in nanny and is looking after an 8-month old baby, Enita(n) Salubi at a couple’s home in Glenarden in October 2016. Mrs. Adeleye was found guilty of forcing milk down the throat of Enita(n) Salubi, thus suffocating the child and ending the life of the child on October 26, 2016. The prosecutors, relying on the video surveillance camera, have it that Mrs Adeleye ‘tried to feed the baby, but without success. Adeleye then pulled the baby from her walker, removed the nipple from her bottle and forcefully fed her... Adeleye poured eight ounces of milk down the child’s throat in less than 30 seconds, essentially drowning her’ (vide THISDAY Report on the basis of www.courtroom mail.com). In a bench trial, Judge Karen Mason admitted that the nanny might have not been an evil-intentioned baby slayer but she should have also known that her actions could result in the death of the baby girl, and on this basis, decided to sanction Mrs. Adeleye with a jail term of 15 years. This is the jail sentence that has been generating much interest and debate. There are four schools of thought on this matter. The first school argues that the sentence is unfair in light of the unintended act to kill. Emphasis is placed on the fact that Mrs, Adeleye is a Yoruba woman and she grew up with Yoruba culture, in which forcing milk down the throat of children is common practice up till now. In the eyes of Taiwo Akinrowo, ‘15 years is excessive in the circumstances. Considering the age of the nanny and the reckless nature, according to the judge, of the offending, I would have thought that 5 years would be appropriate sentencing. I was force-fed too by my mum over 50 years ago and I saw her do it to my younger sister subsequently. It was widely practised while I grew up and I never saw any child die or even get rushed to the hospital for it. Accidents do happen and people, even adults, have choked on their food before resulting in their deaths. This could very well have been the case here - accident.’ Asecond school of thought argues from the perspective of the parents of the deceased, and do consider the reasonableness of the court sentence. As seen by Ed. Okeke, ‘15 years seems to be too much for you folks because the dead child is not yours. There is no amount of time she spends in jail that will amount to the lost child. Imagine the emotional toll the death of the child is having on the parents. They will never come out of this soon. Who knows the real intention of the nanny. She may be annoyed with the child for disturbing her sleep. I have seen this with my former nanny. People are wicked. I bet you that this nanny did not do this in the interest of the child.’ While the first school argued along the probability of a possible accident, the second school raised the possibility of an act of wickedness. Athird school looks at the issue from a detached perspective, admitting the arguments of the earlier schools, but not only argued that the sentence of 15 years is harsh and that there should have been a diplomatic intervention in the spirit of advocacy. For instance, Olofa has opined that the Nigerian ambassador to the United States is supposed to have come ‘into the case before (the) judgment’ and the sentencing would not have been up to that ‘because the judge is going to listen to more intensive advocacy.’ In the same vein, Yemi Balogun specifically asked: ‘Nigerian Embassy and Honourable Abike Dabiri, where were you before, during and after this judgment?’ The fourth school holds the parents of the deceased partly responsible. Ngozi, a native of Ekpeyeland in Ahoada, Rivers State, has argued that ‘the unfortunate thing though is that the woman (nanny) was not instructed properly by the parents of the baby. Why did she not call 911 right away and why was the father carrying the child to the hospital?... Were there no EMS personnel at the home before getting to the hospital that would have facilitated the child’s recovery? The Maryland Judiciary system should reconsider that sentencing because it was indeed a clash of culture that resulted tragically.’ There are some critical observations of note from the various
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Mrs. Adeleye comments. The first is that the culture of the Yoruba people in Nigeria is not tenable in the United States setting. Mrs. Adeleye now has to suffer from the conflict of cultures. The alleged harsh sentence might have been given to send strong signals to people with foreign tradition to reckon with a new life-style in America. Asecond important observation is the factor of advocacy with which Nigerian foreign policy makers are not much conversant. To an extent, advocacy might have considerably impacted on the sentencing process if advocacy had been factored in on time. Whatever is the case, one point is particularly noteworthy about the various arguments. It is that some of the commentators asked: where was Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa during the trial? Some specifically called on her to quickly come and appeal against the court decision. The argument is not that Mrs. Adeleye should not have been convicted but that the sentence should not have been up to 15 years. In fact, some commentators opined that it is because Mrs. Adeleye is not an American and that was why she has been given that type of very harsh sentence. What is particularly noteworthy again is that the calls on Abike Dabiri-Erewa are coming against the background of the Senate’s confirmation of her appointment as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the newly created Nigerian Diaspora Organisation. And perhaps most importantly, many commentators believe, but wrongly, that the Government of Nigeria, either through Abike Dabiri-Erewa or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should be able to provide diplomatic protection in this matter. For instance, Uzoh said: ‘it is unfortunate that when you need your government to weigh in on a situation, she is nowhere to be found. I was born in Lagos and was fed like that several times, especially when I was sick and didn’t have an appetite. It was principally akamu/ogi. Given the lady’s age and the cultural explanation associated with the practice... the judge was being unnecessarily high handed.’ Calling for diplomatic intervention is a good and patriotic
It is against this background that the calls on Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa for possible diplomatic protection of the Nigerian nanny who has been given a very severe jail sentence should be explained and understood: is Mrs. Oluremi Adeleye a diplomat qualified to be protected under public international law or under theVienna diplomatic conventions? She is not. Is she an international functionary under public international law to qualify for functional protection? she is not. Is she eligible to be protected under private international law?Yes, she is, but subject to the condition that she still has the effective nationality of Nigeria and that she also does not hold the citizenship of the United States, who can also claim that she is a citizen of the United States and has been duly prosecuted under the law of the United States. In this type of possible situation, what can or should Nigeria do within the framework of the Nigerian Diaspora Organisation or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
wish. As noted above, the call is good and coming at the time of confirmation of Honourable Dabiri-Erewa as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission. The appointment of Honourable Dabiri-Erewa is perfectly in order. It is an issue of round peg in a round hole. She is on record to have been a major defender of the common man when she was moderating the NTA Newsline Programme. During her 15 years at the NTA, her main interest was how to eradicate poverty and ensure social justice. Even when she was Chairman of the House Committee on Media, in the period from 2003 to 2015, the defence of the media in the monitoring of political governance, as provided in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, emphasis was still on the wellbeing of the poor. In fact, it was her who introduced a bill on the need to create a Diaspora Commission. To have been confirmed for appointment as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission is only natural and welcomed a development, especially that she had also served as Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora affairs. But as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Diaspora Commission, one of her main responsibilities cannot but be how to better to protect all Nigerians living abroad, especially that the conception of Diaspora is no longer limited to those who migrated and have been living for a very long time abroad. Casual migrants are now also referred to as members of the Diaspora. In this regard, to what extent does the case of a nanny fall under the Diaspora question? To what extent does it also fall under diplomatic protection? Is it the responsibility of the Diaspora Commission or that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek diplomatic protection of the nanny? This question is particularly necessary because the number of those people calling on Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa is increasing? What is the expected working relationship between the Foreign Ministry and the Diaspora Commission? Will there be any special entente between the two institutions? Whatever are the answers, it is important to note that diplomatic protection is only carried out on the basis of some universal fundamental rules and these rules should be explained and understood in their appropriate context.
UnderstandingDiplomaticandFunctionalProtection The principle of diplomatic protection can apply in both public and private international law. Under private international law, the subjects to be protected are non-governmental citizens residing outside of their home countries. In other words, they are citizens living in their private capacity in other countries. Whereas, under public international law, the subjects to be looked after are the diplomats, and therefore, they fall under the 1961 and 1963 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular relations, as well other bilateral, plurilateral and regional diplomatic agreements. The fundamental difference between diplomatic protection under public and private international law is that a government, under private international law and through its diplomatic mission in a receiving State, can only make a case for diplomatic protection if it can be established that an individual who is a citizen of the claiming state has been denied justice. Denial of justice means an individual must have sought and exhausted local redresses but could not secure justice, hence the need for his/her governmental intervention. This is what is generally referred to as initial exhaustion of local remedies. On the contrary, diplomatic protection at the level of accredited diplomats under public international law is governed by various diplomatic conventions and some unwritten rules. For instance, diplomatic protection is largely a resultant of capacity to protect. It is also subject to the rule of reciprocity. Diplomatic protection hardly applies in the case of competing nationalities. In other words, if an injured person has a dual nationality, no country would want to quickly jump at seeking redress, although in some cases, the rule of effective nationality can also be considered. In this regard, like we are considering the case of the Nigerian nanny in the United States, does she have the nationality of the United States in addition to that of Nigeria? If yes, there cannot but be conflict of nationality in the event of need to engage in diplomatic protection. This situation necessarily raises another attribute of diplomatic protection: discretion of the state of the injured citizen, and this is in spite of the fact that, etymologically speaking, diplomatic protection as a doctrine is largely predicated on the consideration that a State has a right to protect its people who are living abroad. Emmerich de Vattel has observed that ‘whoever ill-treats a citizen indirectly injures the State, which must protect that citizen.’ Put differently, diplomatic protection is necessarily a subject under State responsibility and treatment of aliens. From the foregoing therefore, a State is believed to have the responsibility to protect its citizens but the international admissibility of any claim to diplomatic protection is governed by Article 44 of the Articles on Responsibility of States for wrongful Acts. It stipulates that ‘the responsibility of a State may not be invoked if (a) the claim is not brought in accordance with any applicable rule relating to the nationality of claim; and b) the claim is one to which the rule of exhaustion of local remedies applies and any available and effective local remedy has not been exhausted. And perhaps most importantly, diplomatic protection should not be confused with ‘functional protection’ which is applicable to agents of international organisations. (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)
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A textile factory...local textile industries are facing serious challenges as a result of activities of smugglers
Emefiele’s Bold Move against Smugglers Raises Hope for Textile Industry James Emejo writes on efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria to intervene in the textile sector, in line with its support for the federal government economic diversification
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fforts by the federal government to revive Nigeria’s ailing textile sector received a boost last week through a partnership between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and seed farmers in Katsina State. Once the pride of the nation in the early 1970s and 1980s and major foreign exchange earner, the cotton, textile and garment (CTG) sub-sector of the economy had been in shambles since the advent of crude oil and now unable to make any meaningful contribution to economic growth. The sector was once the hub of Africa’s largest textile industry, with over 180 textile mills in operation and employing over 450,000 people and accounting for over 25 per cent of the workforce in the manufacturing sector. However, during inauguration of the distribution of seeds and other inputs to cotton farmers in Katsina, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, spilled the beans that the apex bank
was currently gathering data evidence and probing the accounts of individuals and corporates suspected to have been involved in smuggling and dumping of textile materials in Nigeria. Emefiele added that the investigation was being extended to the 43 other items that are not qualified to access foreign exchange at the official window. His latest announcement did not come as a surprise given his body language and open hatred towards smuggling activities since the bank commenced its intervention programmes in the agricultural sector. He believes smuggling remained the greatest threat to the success of government’s efforts to diversify the economy from the perils of oil. Intact, it could be arguing that the positive outcome resulting from the ban on 43 items would have been more pronounced, but for the activities of smugglers who still bypass bottlenecks including law enforcement agents to bring items into the country. Early in March, when he announced inclusion of all forms of textile materials to the list of items that are not eligible
for foreign exchange from the official windows with immediate effect, Emefiele had expressed his frustration over the inability of law enforcement agencies to curtail smuggling, a situation which prompted the CBN to consider an economic option against the saboteurs. During his engagement with stakeholders in the cotton and garment industry, the CBN governor issued an outright warning to all FX dealers in the country to desist from granting any importer of textile materials access to foreign currency in the foreign exchange market. He had warned that going forward, the CBN would adopt a range of other strategies that will make it difficult for recalcitrant smugglers to operate banking business in Nigeria, adding that details of the proposed strategies would be unfolded in due course. Emefiele, who had shown unparalleled passion for the diversification of the economy has at different occasions voiced his concerns over the threats, which smuggling and dumping continued to pose on federal government’s
diversification initiatives particularly the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) through which the apex bank’s intervention has caused a revolution in rice production in the country, but whose success is now threatened by smugglers. Similarly, while raising the alarm on the potential damage of smuggling on some of the lofty initiatives by government, particularly the ABP where the CBN had committed billions of naira, the Chairman of Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, last month warned that the gains so far recorded in the rice production revolution in the country, particularly the intervention of the CBN through ABP, could be jeopardised by the activities of smugglers, if not confronted frontally by government. According to him, over one million metric tonnes of rice (about 20 million bags) had been smuggled into the country within the last three months. As a result, he said Nigeria currently loses huge revenues, foreign exchange and jobs to this menace as rice processing companies continue to shut down
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EmeďŹ ele’s Bold Move Against Smugglers Raises Hope for Textile Industry Cont’d from pg. 21 operations because of their inability to gain market access. The RIPAN chairman said, “More painfully millions of smallholder farmers are stuck with their paddy (rice) because the millers can no longer afford to buy from them.â€? Abubakar further admitted that the recent CBN interventions had impacted greatly on integrated processing capacity, which increased from 800,000 metric tonnes in 2014 to 1.6 million metric tonnes in 2018, in addition to about 3.9 million metric tonnes of finished rice milled by thousands of cottage millers scattered across the country. He expressed worry that all these achievements may go down the drain, if the activities of smugglers go unchecked. However, Emefiele, who is determined to subdue smugglers and ensure that policy interventions of the present administration sail through, had assured that the CBN will apply adequate measures to deal with the menace of smuggling, which had often threatened efforts towards self-sufficiency, particularly in agriculture. The governor emphatically stressed that the CBN will make life difficult for smugglers. According to him, we will deal with smuggling this time. We know what we will do to make it difficult for them to import textile. We will try economic solution to smuggling. Also, in March, when the apex bank announced its intervention in the oil palm value chain, Emefiele also read the riot act to smugglers and their financiers, warning of severe consequences. He also reiterated the resolve of the bank to deal with unrepentant smugglers who are bent on frustrating its efforts to revive key sectors of the economy as well as create jobs for Nigerians. He said: “Let me stress that we are not unmindful that our current focus to make life difficult for smugglers of the products being targeted under our intervention, will be resisted by unpatriotic and recalcitrant beneficiaries of the status quo. “We will not be deterred by their criticisms but will appeal to Nigerians to support these initiatives. No doubt, there will be initial pain caused by this new focus, but the medium and longrun benefits remain unassailable and glorious for our dear country.â€? He added: “Soon every region of our beloved country will feel the positive impact of our intervention in the agricultural sector. “These efforts we hope will not only enable us to conserve our foreign exchange, but also create jobs on a mass scale. As these measures begin to bear fruits, we are very optimistic that our states will become more economically viable, given the massive economic activities that will occur from catalysing activities in our agricultural and manufacturing sectors. “Although the economy has recorded some investments in the oil palm value chain over the last three years, these investments fall short of our expectations, and our expected target of selfsufficiency in oil palm production is far from being achieved. “Prospective investors, both local and foreign, have at different fora identified the factors preventing investments in the sector to include, among others, difficulty in acquiring farmlands and the dearth of long-term funding sources at affordable costs.â€? According to aggregate opinion by stakeholders, smuggling constituted the biggest headache in the current determination to revive key sectors of the economy including the oil palm sector. Nonetheless, the apex bank’s effort to stop the importation of tomato products
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by 2021 and attain self-sufficiency could be endangered if the issue of smuggling is not tackled. Emefiele had insisted that the country will soon achieve self-sufficiency in tomatoes production, enough to even export and earn foreign exchange. “Whether we like it or not, as long as we are producing this for our consumption and possibly for export, there is no choice other than to ban this,� he said. “We want to ask other people who are interested, to please join. Join and let us earn foreign exchange from exporting tomatoes rather than spending foreign exchange importing tomatoes into Nigeria,� he appealed.
Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, also sounded a note of warning to economic saboteurs. He said: “In a short while, I assure you, we will stop anybody importing tomato paste into this country. “It is going to happen faster than people think. So, let the smugglers beware; production not smuggling; production not importation - definitely not importation of what we can produce.� “Our children have to have jobs; our farmers have to have jobs. Farmers are entitled to happiness, good living and we have abandoned them in the bush for too long. Now that people are joining
Let me stress that we are not unmindful that our current focus to make life difďŹ cult for smugglers of the products being targeted under our intervention, will be resisted by unpatriotic and recalcitrant beneďŹ ciaries of the status quo
hands to give them life, we are most grateful. “And we believe the future we have been dreaming of is here. And go tell Nigerians that tomatoes are being grown here on a scale, which in a short while, will make us exporters not importers of tomato products.� After repeated warnings by the authorities against individuals and institutions working to undermine the current efforts to salvage the economy from the doldrums by introducing reforms, some of which have begun to yield fruits, any action deemed to be taken against culprits could as well be justified. Emefiele’s efforts have been criticised largely by a section of people who are averse to positive change in the country. Some have even moved against the renewal of his tenure when it elapses in June. But, his achievements appeared to speak for him as President Muhammadu Buhari, apparently impressed by the passionate and selfless effort of the CBN to make key sectors of the economy work again, has nominated him for a fresh tenure in office to enable him accomplish his vision for the country. The will be a great feat for the governor as no CBN boss in 20 years has been lucky to be rewarded with a second term in office. And with the latest crackdown on economic saboteurs by the CBN, there is no doubt that the stage is set for the materialisation of the current policy initiatives, especially in agriculture.
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One GoodTerm Deserves Another Obinna Chima writes on the reappointment of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor by President Muhammadu Buhari, which is however subject to the approval by the Senate
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ollowing what has been largely described as a successful first term, PresidentMuhammaduBuharilast weekreappointedtheCentralBank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. GodwinEmefieleforasecondterm. The appointment which has been hailed by banks and analysts as a step in the right direction, is expected to strengthen the collaboration between the monetary and fiscal authorities. For instance, the Managing Director/CEO, Polaris Bank Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, described the re-appointment of the CBN Governor for another term of five years as a positive development for our economy. “The economic outlook remains positive, as this adds fillip to the continuity of current macroeconomic policies initiated by the CBN Governor. “The positive interventions in the agriculture, real sector and foreign exchange stability gives confidence that the economy will continue to grow,� the bank chief executive added. President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter dated May 8, 2019 and titled ‘Renewal of the appointment of Godwin I. Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria,’ read at plenary by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, requested the upper chamber of the National Assembly to confirm the re-appointment for another term of five years. The letter read: “In view of his expiration of the first tenure of the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on June 2, 2019, and in pursuant to the provisions of Section 81 (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, I hereby present for confirmation by the Senate, Mr. Godwin I Emefiele for re-appointment as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a final term of five years. “It is my hope that this distinguished Senate will consider and confirm the nominee in the usual expeditious manner. Please accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.� If approved by the lawmakers, the 57-yearold policymaker will be the first Governor of the Bank since 1999 to have a second term. But Abdulkadir Ahmed remains the longest serving CBN Governor in the history of the country as he was on the position for 11 years. Ahmed was appointed governor of the bank in June 1982 and retired on September 30, 1993. He was in office during the Shehu Shagari regime, the interim government of Ernest Shonekan as well as the military regimes of General Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida. Section 8 of the CBN Act 2007 states that the Governor and Deputy Governors of CBN shall be persons of recognised financial experience and shall be appointed by the president subject to confirmation by the Senate on such terms and conditions as may be set out in their respective letters of appointment. Sub-section 8(2) also states that the Governor and Deputy Governors shall be appointed in the first instance for a term of five years and shall each be eligible for reappointment for another term not exceeding five years. Emefiele emerged as CBN Governor in 2014, on the cusp of an economic recession which the economy eventually plunged. He steered the Bank to take a more nationalist approach, trying very hard to change our attitudes and thirst for foreign products towards embracing locally manufactured products. Clearly, the country’s overdependence on crude oil for forex revenue means that shocks in the oil market are mostly transmitted entirely to the economy via the forex markets. This is what has continued to influence the drive to support infant industries and domestic production as well as the ban of 43 items from accessing forex from the interbank market. Similarly, as part of its long-term strategy for strengthening the Nigerian economy, the Bank established initiatives to resolve the underlying challenges to long-term Gross Domestic Product growth, economic productivity, unemployment and poverty that had pervaded the economy over the past decades. Part of it was the establishment of credit bureau and the National Collateral Registry to improve access to credit in the domestic economy. In addition, in the last five years, the CBN has
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initiated far-reaching reforms in the foreign exchange market that have stabilised the naira exchange rate. But the most potent instrument unleashed by the central bank was the introduction of the Investors and Exporters’ (I&E) foreign exchange in April 2017, which has recorded over $50 billion transactions. In the continued recognition of its role as an agent of development and aimed at ensuring self-sufficiency to reduce Nigeria’s excessive dependence on imports, the CBN has in the last five years, invigorated its development finance activities and has maintained a particular focus on supporting farmers, entrepreneurs as well as small and medium scale businesses, through various intervention programmes. Some of these initiatives include the Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP), Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and the National Collateral Registry. Also, the CBN re-introduced the real sector support fund; a facility meant to provide cheap funding at no more than nine per cent to new projects in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors; aimed at boosting output and creating jobs. In the agriculture sector, ABP has ensured that Nigeria emerged from being a net importer of rice to becoming a major producer of rice. In fact, presently, over 900,000 farmers cultivating about 835,239 hectares, across 16 different commodities, had so far benefited from the ABP, which has generated over 2,7 million jobs across the country. In terms of inflation, the cheering news from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) last month was that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, further decelerated in March 2019. Specifically, the last CPI report showed that inflation decreased to 11.25 per cent (year-on-year) in February compared to 11.31 per cent in January. It is worthy to note that inflation was at 18 per cent about three years ago. Clearly, high inflation distorts consumer behaviour. It can also destabilise markets by creating unnecessary shortages. Similarly, high inflation which is not the desire of any economy redistributes the income of people and brings about weak purchasing power. That is why the CBN is never comfortable with
this ‘evil’ and had adopted restrictive monetary policy as part of efforts to win the battle against double-digit inflation, just as it has intensified its intervention in the agricultural sector. For instance, Emefiele, recently revealed that the various initiatives aimed at encouraging domestic production, had resulted in Nigeria’s monthly import bill falling significantly from $665.4 million in January 2015, to $160.4 million as of October 2018. According to him, many entrepreneurs are now taking advantage of policies aimed at ramping local production to venture into the domestic production of the restricted items with remarkable successes and great positive impact on employment. “The dramatic decline in our import bill and the increase in domestic production of these items attest to the efficacy of this policy. “Most evident were the 97.3 percent cumulative reduction in monthly rice import bills, 99.6 percent in fish, 81.3 percent in milk, 63.7 per cent in sugar, and 60.5 percent in wheat. “We are glad with the accomplishments recorded so far. Accordingly, this policy is expected to continue with vigour until the underlying imbalances within the Nigerian economy have been fully resolved. “If we continue to support the growth of small holder farmers, as well as help to revive palm oil refineries, rice mills, cassava and tomato processing factories, you can only imagine the amount of wealth and jobs that will be created in the country. “These could include new set of small holders farmers that will be engaged in productive activities; new logistics companies that will transport raw materials to factories, and finished goods to the market; new storage centres that will be built to store locally produced goods; additional growth for our banks and financial institutions as they will be able to provide financial services to support these new businesses; and finally, the millions of Nigerians that will be employed in factories to support processing of goods,� he had disclosed. Also, a recent report disclosed that Nigeria has overtaken Egypt as the largest rice producer in Africa. Positive for Market An analyst at Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr.
Kunle Ezun, said the reappointment will be positive for the financial system. According to him, “For the naira, I do not expect a major shift. The possibility of devaluation is nil as I don’t think there will be devaluation in his second term if approved by the Senate. “But what I see that the central bank will continue to do is to be intervening in the market to keep the naira around N360/$ and hopefully there would be the capacity to have a single exchange rate, instead of the multiple exchange rate regime we have presently. “On interest rate, I don’t think there will be any major shift in the monetary policy direction. In the last Monetary Policy Committee, we saw a 50 basis cut. Do I expect a further cut? Yes, but how soon? I can’t say so soon, but we expect that there would be a gradual drop in interest rate, which would be further tied to the fiscal outlook.� Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, recently said the country’s foreign exchange (forex) policy is working well and is unlikely to be changed anytime soon. He also commended efforts of the CBN under Emefiele, in ensuring exchange rate stability as well as sustained reduction in inflation in the country. Mohammed stressed the current forex system was working well. “Right now, the currency is converging naturally at about N360 to the dollar. Three years ago, the same was about N525 to a dollar. I don’t think the central bank is in a hurry to change this. “Inflation is down and the reserves are up. We are in a better position to defend the naira,� he explained. Mohammed said Emefiele had done a good job, particularly with loans to support sectors such as agriculture. Generally, the expectation is that the reappointment of Emefiele will bring about stability to the nation’s financial system. Indeed, economic stability enables macro-economic targets to be achieved and supports sustainable growth. It also creates the right environment for job creation. Above all, stability creates certainty, strengthens investor confidence which on the other hand encourages investment.
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What Emefiele’s Re-appointment Mean for the Economy The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to renew the appointment of Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has elicited excitement among analysts and stakeholders, who believe his comeback is a good omen for the economy, report Kunle Aderinokun and Bamidele Famoofo
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istory was made last Thursday, when a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari was read Senate President Bukola Saraki on the floor of the upper chamber, asking the lawmakers to endorse his re-appointment of Godwin Emefiele as CBN governor. The letter from the president titled: ‘Renewal of the Appointment of Godwin l. Emefiele as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria’ read in part: “In view of the expiration of the first tenure of the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on June 2, 2019, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 (1) and (2) of the Central Bank of NigeriaAct 2007,l hereby present for confirmation by the Senate Mr. Godwin l. Emefiele for re-appointment as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for a final term of five years.� That move by the president has put an end to speculations that Emefiele might not get a second term in office. Following the announcement, reactions have continued to pour in from economic analysts and market watchers, who believed Emefiele’s return will augur well for the economy. A renowned economist and Chief Consultant at B. Adedipe Associates Limited (BAA Consult) , Dr. Biodun Adedipe, told THISDAY Emefiele had done well as CBN governor in the last five years, and especially so during the Buhari years 2015 to 2019. “That period saw Nigeria in the combined troubles of economic recession, currency crisis and dipped government revenue, on the back of weak manufacturing and low productivity agriculture. During this period, the CBN effectively played both monetary and fiscal developmental roles, and the economy is the better for it. Recovery from recession and macroeconomic stability that we can now build on. “Reappointment of Emefiele points to policy sustenance, especially on exchange rate, interest rate and other key planks to monetary policy. In particular, his position that the Naira should not be devalued based on evidence of counterproductive outcomes of past devaluations is likely to be sustained. This possibly could have been different with a new person in that office who would have pandered to the typical policy cocktail of the Breton Wood institutions,� he said. Adedipe believes, Emefiele’s reappointment is good for the economy. “The systematic sectoral interventions that he initiated would be continued and this should eventually change the narrative of the Nigerian economy. That is the way to increase the speed of an economy that has been growing in the last two years but not fast enough.� “In my candid assessment, the CBN under Emefiele has been independent, whether in terms of policy, instruments or spending. Seeing the rationale for and the fact that most of the policies of the apex bank are driven by evidence-based research, I see an increasingly independent Central Bank under a reappointed Emefiele,� the economist also said. Similarly, Director, Union Capital Market Limited, Mr. Egie Akpata, who also spoke with THISDAY pointed out that the re-appointment of Emefiele was on balance and good for the economy. According to him, it suggests a measure of continuity, stability and predictability of monetary policy over the next five years. “That allows various sectors of the economy to plan for the long term. It is certainly good for the exchange rate as the CBN seems to have found a formula that has resulted in a stable Naira for the past few years. Drop in bond yields since the re-appointment appointment suggests that foreign investors in FGN securities
CBN Headquarters, Abuja
are in support of this choice.� On CBN’s independence, Akpata stated: “ I am not sure that the CBN has ever been 100 per independent in the past few decades. However, the CBN has been relatively independent of recent. The CBN was able to refuse requests by the Executive to drop interest rates when the MPC felt it would not be good for inflation even though it would reduce the FGN cost of servicing its debts.� In her own analysis, Managing Director and Chief Economist, Africa and Middle East, Mrs. Razia Khan, said Emefiele’s reappointment has helped to reinforce expectations that Nigeria’s stable FX policy will continue. Khan, however, added that “as the Buhari administration looks to deliver faster growth in a second term, growth-enhancing reforms will be needed. It is unclear whether tight monetary policy in its current form can persist.� “Moreover, while the CBN has engaged in subsidised lending schemes to specific strategic sectors, Nigeria’s economy is in need of a much more holistic, broad-based lending recovery. Unless aggregate private sector credit recovers, it is unclear that Nigeria will be able to achieve accelerated growth. Important policy trade-offs may be required. “Given its low levels of savings, Nigeria will still be reliant on foreign inflows to support investment. Creating the conditions for sustained confidence and increased long-term direct investment will be important,� she also said. An elated Lagos-based economist, Dr. Boniface Chizea, told THISDAY that, “For me and the very people in the know, it has been celebration time on the tenure extension of the governor. I could not keep tab of the calls l received from friends to congratulate me as they appreciate the fact that l have been consistently at the governor’s corner over this period.� The re-appointment of Emefiele is epochal because the last time any governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria got a second chance to serve
was 20 years ago. The door of second tenure was shut in 1999 after Governor Abdulkadir Ahmed left the seat for Governor Joseph Sanusi, who only enjoyed one term in office. The elites at Ikoyi Club 1938, who said the coming back of Emefiele was not a mean feat, celebrated the decision of the president to retain one of their own last Friday. “What has just transpired is no mean feat. To put it in context, none of the last three CBN governors enjoyed the privilege of a second term. And this is for a governor, who was not in the first place appointed by President Buhari,� a member of the prestigious Club told THISDAY. All odds were against Emefiele in 2016 when the economy of Nigeria slipped into recession, the first of its kind after 25 years. There were speculations that Emefiele would be sacked as the economy was further threatened by the softness of the oil market and the delay in taking off by the president which exacerbated sovereign risk as particularly portfolio investors took flight for safety. “This governor, l can testify, went through a most trying period. He was called unprintable names by those who knew next to nothing about the matter in hand. And the mainstream media latched on the worsening sentiments as it bayed for blood calling for the governor to be sacked. But the God we serve is very faithful. And today the narrative has changed unbelievably for Governor Emefiele to merit a second term,� said Chizea. Other economic analysts also believe that the coming back of the CBN governor will ensure stability in monetary policy as the nation would build and consolidate on the gains recorded on the performance of Emefiele in the last five years. Under Emefiele’s leadership, the CBN has recorded many feats, notably attributed to his uncanny ability to think outside the box when faced with the most difficult situation. At a time when Nigeria was at a crossroads,
Emefiele as the CBN governor, proved its mettle. He drove the apex bank to rise to the occasion to bring the economy out of crisis and forestalled another one. For instance, he held forth on the economy, when there was a lacuna on the fiscal side, as a result of president’s delay in the appointment of his ministers, particularly the finance minister, for six months. It was to his credit that the apex bank defied the odds and barred importers of certain 41 items from accessing foreign exchange from the interbank market, which helped to avoid depletion of the foreign reserves. The 41 items were later increased to 43. The CBN, had on June 23, 2015, in a circular signed by its Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Mr. Olakanmi Gbadamosi, explained that, “In the continuing effort to sustain the stability of the forex market and ensure the efficient utilisation of forex and the derivation of optimum benefits from goods and services imported into the country, it has become imperative to exclude importers of some goods and services from accessing foreign exchange at the Nigerian foreign exchange market to encourage local production of these items. According to the apex bank, the implementation of the policy will help conserve forex reserves as well as facilitate the resuscitation of domestic industries and improve employment generation. “For the avoidance of doubt, these items are not banned, thus importers desirous of importing these items shall do so using their own funds without any recourse to the Nigerian forex market,� it added. This bold step by the CBN later turned out to be the saving grace for the economy as it helped in bolstering the economy during the recession it entered into in 2016, and gave it the fillip to exit same. Emefiele sometime last year said the bank’s restriction of foreign exchange access to 41 import items in 2015 was in national interest as it helped to save the economy from collapse.
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Despite Challenges, Top Banks Sustain Profitability The economy may be challenging for businesses to thrive, but the banks seem to have mastered the art of profit-making even in difficult times. Most banks recorded appreciable growth in net profit at the end of 2018 but 10 of them are outstanding. Bamidele Famoofo reports
A view of Marina, Lagos
Financials
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hile the economy groans under heavy burden of population growth outpacing that of the economy, the banks seem to be taking advantage of the growing number of Nigerians, who are compelled to take loans at double- digit interest rates, helping them grow profits and assets yearly. An analysis of performance of the banks in the year ended December 31, 2018, showed that the financial institutions recorded appreciable growth in earnings, net profit, assets size and dividend payout to their shareholders. But while the tier-one banks are struggling to boost the margin of growth, the smaller ones are showing better signs for growth. Data extracted from its audited financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2018 showed that Zenith Bank Plc, a tier-one bank, remained the undisputable leader in terms of asset size and profit, but not in growth margin. The bank’s asset base stood at N5.96 trillion, about $17billion, with a net profit of N193.42billion in the review year, representing 11.30 per cent increase over N173.79billion in 2017. Coming after Zenith Bank in profitability was Guaranty Trust Bank Plc with a net profit of N184.6billion in 2018, a growth of about 10 percent, over about N168billion in the preceding year. The bank’s asset base at N3.29trillion was the fifth largest as at December 31, 2018. Access Bank Plc was next with net profit rising by 58 per cent to about N95billion in 2018 from about N60billion in 2017. The bank also emerged the third largest bank in the industry in asset size with N4.95 trillion.
Though United Bank for Africa Plc was the industry’s fourth largest bank by asset as at December 31, 2018 with a record of N4.89trillion, its net profit grew by 1.4 per cent to N78.6billion in 2018 from N77.6 billion in 2017. Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc was the fourth most improved bank, but fifth most profitable bank in 2018 with net profit growing by about 54 per cent to N74.4billion in the review period from N48.4billion in 2017. The holding company’s asset base was only the seventh largest among the leading profitable banks in 2018. Though FBN Holdings was the second most improved financial institution in relation to net profit, it ranked sixth in the league of the top 10 most profitable banks examined. It sprang a surprise with 58.2 per cent growth in net profit having increased from about N37.7billion in 2017 to about N59.7billion in 2018. Its asset base, second largest in the industry, stood at about N5.6trillion in 2018. Fidelity Bank Plc and Union Bank Plc are seventh and eighth respectively in terms of profit while the latter was the fifth most improved bank with 39 per cent growth, from N13billion to N18billion in 2018. Fidelity ranked sixth by asset base, increased net profit by 29 per cent from N17.8billion in 2017 to about N23billion in 2018. The bank’s asset base stood at N1.72trillion as at December 31, 2018. While FCMB took the ninth position in profit ranking with about N14.97billion, which was a significant increase by 74 per cent to from N8.61billion in 2017, its asset base stood N1.43trillion (about $3.97billion) in 2018. Sterling Bank Plc took the last position on the top 10 chart with N9.2billion as net profit relative to the N8billion posted in the same period of 2017. FCMB and Sterling also ranked ninth and 10th in terms of asset portfolio amongst the 10
most profitable banks in 2018. Collectively, the 10 banks polled about N751billion in net profit in 2018 compared to N613billion in 2017, representing about 23 per cent growth or N138billion. The combined asset base of the banks stood at N32trillion as at December 31, 2018. Outlook for 2019 According to analysts, 2019 appears to be a year of hazy skies for major players in the Nigerian banking sector, from a market perspective. The World Bank projects that the global economy will expand by 2.9 per cent in 2019, which is 0.1 per cent reduction from 3.0 per cent reported in 2018. The projection is predicated on softer-than-expected global trade, elevated financial market pressures on some Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs), as expansion for EMDEs is expected to remain at 4.2 percent. A report compiled by Olaniwun Ajayi & Co., a legal outfit, noted that with the impending exit of the UK from the European Union, it is unclear what the potential effect would be on the Nigerian economy, especially from an FDI perspective and business relations. This will, however, become apparent in mid 2019. “On the domestic front, rebound in prices of crude oil and the predicted upward increase in 2019 is a positive turn of events for Nigeria and we expect to see significant investment in the oil and gas sector. This will have a corresponding impact on macro-economic conditions and provide the needed FX liquidity for the FGN to grow the Nigerian economy and sustain the viability of commercial banks as the oil and gas industry accounts for 30 percent of total loans and 47 percent of nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the banking industry.� “We expect to see prudence in the operations o f commercial banks, in view of the implementa-
tion of new accounting policies such as Basel III and the continued implementation of IFRS 9 in what is a relatively unpredictable year,� the company added. “The overall effect of this is the increase in capital adequacy of banks and the resultant soundness of Nigerian banks.� the report disclosed. On the regulatory side, 2019 will see the expiration of tenure of Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the CBN governor. Financial experts at Olaniwun Ajayi said the direction of policy formulation will be dependent on whether the current CBN governor’s tenure is renewed or a new administrator is put at the helm of affairs at the apex bank. “Regardless, we expect that the CBN will maintain tight monetary policy with a view to keeping inflation minimal and adopt a frugal approach to cash controls. Whether renewed or replaced, this will have an impact on the banking sector outlook for coming years.� In the microfinance sub-sector, financial pundits said they expected to see significant activities further to the new capital requirements, with MfBs making significant efforts to secure additional funding within the relatively short period of time. “This, in our view is likely to trigger mergers & acquisitions in the market in the coming months with potential entry of new players. Also, the implementation of the corporate governance code for MfBs will b e significant in ensuring transparency and efficiency in the operations of MfBs. It is hoped that the CBN will achieve the main objective of ensuring that MfBs in Nigeria maintain capital adequacy, through the implementation of the code,� Olaniwun Ajayi firm. Post-May 29, financial analysts expressed hope to see activity in the Nigerian market especially in the latter half of the year as investor confidence will be significantly bolstered by a fairly hitch free process and a stable market, post-elections.
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Excitement as La Fayette Gets CBN Nod Raheem Akingbolu reports on the recent acquisition of the National Banking Licence by Advan La Fayette Microfinance Bank and the implication of the development for the nation’s small and medium scale enterprises
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hile the ministry of industry, trade and investment has been vaunting the giant strides it has made in the area of strengthening small and medium scale entrepreneurs, it is still an open secret that access to capital by small and medium scale entrepreneurs is still an issue. Even when some players in that sector access funds, the conditions that are attached to such facilities are enough to discourage them from even taking such facilities. Chinyere Nweze, a restauranteur, , who also runs a water-producing factory, told THISDAY that she was discouraged from taking a loan facility from a new generation bank when she was given the conditions she has to meet before she could access such loan. She said she had had to source funds from family and friends, but she admitted it has not been easy. She said, “It is always difficult to get individuals to advance you loan facilities,� Ogu stated. “While some might even be willing to help out, the fact is that they too have pressing needs which require finance. Therefore, while your target may be, say N500,000, you will be lucky if you get up to N150,000.� And that is where microfinance banks come into the picture. One new entrant into the growing list of these banks is Advans La Fayette Microfinance Bank. Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), granted La Fayette a national microfinance banking licence. It was a major achievement for the bank which has been operating as a regional player since its inception more than five years ago. Even the ownership structure of the bank is an indication of the growing confidence of foreigners in the nation’s economy. The bank is majorly owned by French nationals, who have been in Nigeria for over six years now. “The coming of these individuals to Nigeria and invest, despite the negative stories being peddled about the country was an indication of their abiding faith in Nigeria and its business environment,� a top official of the bank who did not want his name in print told THISDAY shortly after the bank received the CBN nod to operate nationally. And even the granting of the licence by the CBN was a result of the bank’s unrelenting efforts to break every barrier standing between them and becoming a national financial institution. And now, the determination now is to build on its success over the years. “With this new development, (attaining CBN National Banking Licence) Advans-La Fayette Microfinance Bank is poised to become one of the major players in the nation’s financial industry,� Guillaume Valence, the managing director and chief executive officer of the bank,
L-R Chairman/CEO, Advans Group, Mr. Steven Duchatelle, Managing Director/CEO, Advans La Fayette MicroďŹ nance Bank,, Mr. Guillaume Valence, Director, Advans Group, Emmanuel Aris shortly after the bank was granted the National Banking Licence.
told THISDAY. “We are not in the industry to make up the number; we are here to provide a kind of service that will be second to none. We want to earn the confidence of the banking world and we will achieve that.� A member of the Advans Group, La Fayette was licensed as a financial institution by the apex bank in 2012 and started offering a complete range of financial services and means of payment for its customers including savings accounts, current accounts and fixed deposit accounts. Now, it has been licensed to operate nationally. Over the years, the bank has grown to be one of Nigeria’s leading microfinance banks fully committed to responding to the needs for financial services of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and other members of the public, who have little or limited access to formal financial services through provision of tailored financial services in a sustainable and responsible manner. Speaking further on the acquisition of the licence, Valence averred that micro, small and medium enterprises were the major contributors to growth and economic development as well as the first employer in Nigeria. He, however, lamented that that they lacked the financial support to develop their businesses. “They still lack both the necessary business and financial support to
develop their activities. By supporting this population, Advans-La Fayette MFB is contributing to the national objective to reduce financial exclusion rate to 20 per cent by 2020. Moreover, Advans-La Fayette MFB has implemented the international best practices when it comes to client protection principles and contributes significantly to the financial literacy of its clients,� Valence stated. He added that bank had demonstrated great resistance and resilience to a challenging economic environment and had consistently grown its client base and outstanding loan portfolio over the years. Giving a load-down, he explained that as at December 2018, the bank had disbursed 63,913 loans for a total of N27.9 billion. He also disclosed that the group served more than 900,000 clients and employed over 6,800 staffs, with a gross loan portfolio of ₏880 million and a total of ₏510 million deposits. Valence added that being now a national microfinance bank, the bank would be able to deepen its outreach contributing to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion objective across the country, expanding the provision of microfinance services to Ilorin, Kwara State, which would be the first branch outside Oyo State. The target of the bank, Valence explained, was to reach 140,000 financially underserved Nigerians
in the South-West of Nigeria, before expanding further to other regions in line with the bank’s vision to build a model group of financial institutions which would contribute to strengthening local businesses, creating and sustaining jobs and improving clients’ living standards in order to foster private sector-led economic and social development in Africa, the Middle-East and Asia. While it remains to be seen how far the bank can go, there is no denying the fact that the bank has started on a very strong note. The heights it has reached within five years of starting operations which culminated in the acquisition of the National Banking Licence from the CBN were an indication of the innovative approach the bank has adopted over the years. Even if all looks rosy, the bank still has work to do. It is gratifying that the bank actually had the intention of reaching over 140,000 financially underserved Nigerians in the South-west region before reaching to other parts of the country. But the downside is that the main job that needs to be done is earning the confidence of the banking public, especially those who fall within the categories of those it wants to target. It is when the bank is able to do this that it can say it has really achieved its objective and perhaps, many SMEs will be able to tell La Fayette Microfinance Bank: it is nice doing business with you.
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ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Demola Ojo Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com
Tourism as Key to Diversification |Ă¸Ă Â¸Ă˜â€šĂ’rĂ¸ĂšĂ˜Ă¸us‚Ä2â€™â€šĂšĂ˜Ă›Ă›Ă˜â€şn‚tòhĂ˜Ă&#x;eâ€šĂżĂ˜Ă›uâ€šĂœĂ¸rĂšeĂ&#x;â€šĂ˜s‚Ă&#x;he‚Úe¥‚Ă&#x;›‚eú›nâ€şĂœĂ˜Ăşâ€šÂ¸Ă˜ĂĄersĂ˜ÂşĂ˜ĂşĂ¸Ă&#x;Ă˜â€şnâ€°â€šĂ˘Ă˜Ă&#x;h‚ h›sĹ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă¸Ă›Ă˜Ă&#x;¥‰‚ÛeĂ˜sĂ re‚øn¸‚enĂ&#x;erĂ&#x;Ă¸Ă˜nĂœenĂ&#x;â€šĹ“Ă›Ă¸ÂĄĂ˜nÂťâ€šĂ¸â€šĂœĂ¸Ă™â€şr‚r›Ûeâ€šĂ˜n‚reĂ¸Ă›Ă˜sĂ˜n‚|Ă¸Ă Â¸Ă˜â€šĂąĂ˜sĂ˜â€şn‚2030‰‚ ârĂ˜Ă&#x;es‚Demola Ojo
ccording to experts speaking at the just concludedArabian Travel Market 2019 in Dubai, tourism will play a major role in reducing SaudiArabia’s dependence on oil revenues. This is food for thought for other oil dependent countries, especially Nigeria which is already blessed with beautiful natural attractions, vibrant culture and rich history. When Saudi Arabia is mentioned, a few things come to mind but entertainment and leisure certainly don’t top the list. The country is home to Mecca and Medina, two of the holiest sites in Islam. They make the kingdom a magnet for pilgrims who troop there annually. Saudi Arabia is also known – especially in the Western world – as an intolerant country that cracks down on dissidents and only recently allowed women to drive. More than anything else though, Saudi Arabia is known for its oil riches; the Middle Eastern country is the world’s largest exporter of crude oil and has the second highest proven reserves in the world, translating to enviable wealth and global influence. It can therefore be deemed a surprise that the Gulf kingdom is looking to diversify its income, with the bigger surprise the fact it’s looking to tourism to fuel its economy in the near future, in a way similar to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. In 2016, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman mandated the development of a long-term model of prosperity for the kingdom tagged Vision 2030 In response to multiple societal challenges including limited entertainment options, demographic and social change (50% of its 33.4 million people are under 25 years old), careers in a world beyond oil and more, Saudi Arabia developed a series of ‘Giga projects’ one of which is Qiddiya. Qiddiya is planned to provide a destination where Saudis find excitement, inspiration, and investment opportunities while helping to stem the $30bn a year which Saudis currently spend abroad on tourism. Visitors will have access to more than 300 recreational and educational facilities including theme and water parks; sports facilities for all kinds including infrastructure capable of hosting international competitions; adrenaline inducing motor and sky sports; nature and adventure activities; and facilities and programmes that provide visitors
King Fahd’s Fountain, Jeddah, is the tallest fountain in the world at 1024 feet
an array of traditional, modern arts and cultural opportunities. Phase One of Qiddiya will open in 2022. In a panel discussion titled ‘Why Tourism is Saudi’s New ‘White Oil’’, which took place on ATM 2019’s Global Stage, representatives different organisations in the country discussed opportunities related to upcoming tourist-focused developments and visa reforms. Kingdom-based industries in direct contact with tourists are expected to generate more than $25 billion this year – approximately 3.3 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP – according to figures released by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Reema Al Mokhtar, Head of Destination Marketing, Jabal Omar Development Company, said: “Our country has beautiful geographic diversity and a host of cultural attractions so, once visitors come into the kingdom and see the different projects lined up for them, I think it will market itself.� Saudi Arabia’s domestic tourist trips are projected to rise by 8 per cent in 2019, while inbound visits from international markets are expected to grow by 5.6 per cent per year, according to research
conducted by Colliers on behalf of ATM 2019. With the creation of new local attractions, Saudi Arabia’s overall number of tourist trips is on course to hit 93.8 million by 2023, up from 64.7 million in 2018. Commenting on Saudi residents’ historic tendency to travel out of the country for entertainment and leisure, John Davis, CEO, Colliers International MENA, said: “I think some airlines could probably double their number of weekend flights and still fill the seats. So, when the country opens new local attractions, people will utilise them.� By helping Saudi Arabia to further boost its domestic and inbound tourist numbers, panellists agreed that ‘giga’ developments will prove crucial in helping to meet the economic diversification targets set out in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director Marriott ME&A, said: “The challenge to date has been a lack of opportunities for domestic tourists. However, if you look at developments like The Red Sea Project and Qiddiya, which are completely reinventing destinations that will appeal to Saudi residents, you will find everything from hospitality
and wellness to entertainment and sports. For many segments of the local population, these projects will stimulate spending in the country.� Despite the more than 9,000 keys of three- to five-star international supply due to enter the market this year, the panel agreed that the kingdom is well placed to sustain and even increase occupancy levels over the coming years thanks to a combination of giga-projects, high-profile events, entertainment and religious tourism. Dr Badr Al Badr, CEO, Dur Hospitality, said: “We’ve been in the hospitality sector for 42 years and we’ve never seen anything like this. What’s happening now is earth shattering. The change of mindset in terms of opening up this country for visitors – whether for religious or general tourism – is definitely something to be celebrated.� Visa-related improvements are also expected to drive growth in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. With the roll-out of 30-day Umrah Plus Visas, eVisas for tourists and specialist visas for events such as the Formula E Championship’s E-Prix, the kingdom looks set to attract more international visitors than ever before.
Stakeholders Share Views at Lagos Hotel Expo The Hotel Expo Nigeria was held over two days last week in Lagos, with experts in the field sharing their views alongside exhibitors who showcased at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island. Billed to be an annual event with the aim of creating networking, brand exposure and insights to the latest trends in the sector, the two-day event put together by Milewave Communications and sponsored by Access Bank drew brands and stakeholders such as Sheraton, MP Hotels (owners of Epe Resort), BON Hotels and Air Namibia. Also exhibiting were brands in allied industries like Strider Woods, Wood Styles Furniture, Master Furniture, E’Sorae Luxury, Fu Energy, Cocoma Kitchen and Monin who made sure participants and guests were fuelled with free cocktails over the course of the event. The conference sessions at the expo were enlightening, starting with a presentation by the spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ekpedeme King. Other industry experts at various sessions which focused on the prospects, challenges and economic opportunities available to stakeholders in the hospitality sector included, Nnazilim Egbuonu, the Co-founder of Travel Beta, Omolara Adagunodo, MD of Jumia Travel and Nishita Devanand of Savoir Faire Hospitality.
Others were Michael Williams, the head of marketing at EbonyLife Media, Salome Danjuma, Business Development Manager of Wheatbaker Hotel, Eric Mekwuye the CEO of HoRECABB Mentors, a hospitality business school in Lagos, Toni Ukackukwu, an aviation consultant and Justina Ovat, founder of Calabar Hospitality House Limited. Some conclusions from the panel sessions included the need to eliminate multiple taxes and levies which hamper entrepreneurs in the hospitality business; the need for government to create an enabling environment to thrive, including the creation of a tourism ministry; and the need for government to ensure that experts – rather than political cronies – are put in charge of ministries and agencies overseeing tourism and hospitality. Hospitality entrepreneurs were also advised to only employ those that have a passion for hospitality and thereafter train them to international standards. It was also deemed important for owners and managers to infuse Nigerian culture into hospitality outlets - while still maintaining world class standards - to give them a distinctly Nigerian feel that would appeal to more international guests. One of the ways to achieve this is for international brands in Nigeria to employ indigenous general managers, a panellist opined.
L-R: Convener of Hotel Expo Nigeria, Joe Hanson and panelists Justina Ovat, Salome Danjuma, Michael Williams, Eric Mekwuye, Nishita Devanand and Isabella Akinseye
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Oba of Benin Throws Weight behind National Festival of Arts and Culture Stories by Demola Ojo
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he Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has disclosed plans to celebrate his fourth anniversary on the throne of the ancient Benin Kingdom during the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) slated for October in Benin. The Oba further said that NAFEST 2019 in Benin will be given a royal touch and assured NCAC and the administration of governor Godwin Obasaki that the Benin Kingdom would mobilize fully to give the event both national and international exposure, expressing gratitude to the federal cultural agency for finding Edo State and the Palace worthy of hosting the national festival. A former diplomat and accomplished culture influencer, Oba Ewuare II noted that his desire and intention to celebrate his fourth anniversary which coincides with NAFEST, will give the festival of national unity a royal touch. He commended the passion for Nigeria’s cultural promotion by the Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe. “We shall support and encourage Runsewe’s
passion and desire for the promotion and preservation of Nigeria’s culture which every lover of Nigeria’s culture must join hands to sustain,� Oba Ewuare II added. Earlier in his opening remarks, Otunba Runsewe informed the Oba that the purpose of his visit with his entourage was to obtain his royal blessing as African culture and tradition demands. The NCAC DG noted that NAFEST also called “Unity Forum� was started during General Yakubu Gowon’s administration in 1970 as a platform to initiate a post – civil war national reconciliation, adding that it has been proven beyond doubt that culture is the best vehicle to advance national unity, peace and development. He continued that a day of royal splendour would form part of NAFEST to help showcase and celebrate the very rich cultural endowment of the ancient Benin royalty. This is the second visit by Otunba Runsewe in less than four months after the January 24 visit to Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki to present the national instrument of hosting the event and to ensure that both the political and traditional power bases of Edo State are carried along to give NAFEST 2019 attention and support.
NCAC DG, Otunba Segun Runsewe during his visit to the Oba of Benin
Emaar Launches $6.8 Billion Coastal Transcorp Hilton Hosts Hospitality Career Destination in Dubai Fair for Youths Emaar, the Emirati developer of global icons like the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain, is building the world’s new sailing destination by the historic Dubai Creek, in the heart of Dubai. Emaar announced the launch of ‘Mina Rashid,’ a $6.8 billion investment to celebrate Dubai’s maritime heritage while creating a future-ready lifestyle address with views of the Arabian Gulf and the Downtown Dubai skyline. Only 15 minutes from the Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek Harbour, ‘Mina Rashid’ will have several exceptional features, including a few firsts in the city such as ‘The Dubai Mall by the Sea’ – an elite waterfront retail, dining and leisure destination; a floating yacht club; a pristine sandy beach of over 12,600 square metres – the size of about two-and-a-half football fields; and Dubai’s longest swimming pool, among others. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties and Emaar Development, said: “For over two decades, we have worked tirelessly to contribute to the growth and evolution of Dubai as a global city that befits the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Now, with Mina Rashid, we are creating a future-ready city that honours the legacy of the Al Maktoum family and salutes the farsighted vision of Dubai’s rulers who have consistently built – not for now and then, but for the future and beyond. “The evolution of the city today as a knowledgebased economy, offering significant opportunities across all business sectors, drives demand for world-class developments that will further enhance economic growth.� Adding a new address to the international yachting community, ‘Mina Rashid’ will have over 430 wet berths, several of which can accommodate the largest yachts in the world and will also catalyse cruise tourism. Taking place of pride at ‘Mina Rashid’ is the QE2, the world’s most celebrated ocean liner – now a 13 deck hotel, dining, entertainment and events destination – docked permanently, and offering visitors an interactive exhibition of its glorious heritage from the 1960s, sailing over 5.6 million miles and carrying over 2.5 million passengers. With a choice of midrise waterfront residences, ‘Mina Rashid’ will have vibrant promenades and a Venetian piazza with retail and F&B overlooking the sea.
In addition are signature hotels, a private beach club, interconnected parks, a 500-metre long palm tree-fringed canal, art galleries, a theatre, museum and more. Mina Rashid will also be a modern link to the heritage of the city with a direct pedestrian bridge connecting the House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, thereby honouring the legacy of the Al Maktoum family, to a museum and theatre. The new facilities will also complement the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, one of the most advanced cruise terminals in the world and the Middle East’s leading cruise destination. The Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal has gained significant traction among luxury yacht owners who see Dubai as a preferable destination. The terminal boasts numerous state-of-the-art facilities for yacht owners, including 24-hour assistance, chandlery, dry storage, customs clearance directly from berth, and free Wi-Fi coverage across the terminal. Emaar now offers the first opportunity for investors to become part of ‘Mina Rashid’ with the launch of Sirdhana, a limited collection of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom waterfront apartments and townhouses. It is named in honour of the British Royal Mail Ship, the first commercial vehicle to dock at ‘Mina Rashid.’ Located right by the main entrance of the promenade and adjacent to the canal pool, Sirdhana will be in walking distance to QE2, a community park and ‘The Dubai Mall by the Sea.’ Contemporary apartments with glittering glass facades, floor-to-ceiling windows, and generous balconies, Sirdhana offers prime views of the waterfront and Downtown Dubai. Amenities include
Transcorp Hilton Abuja management team with 45 interns
Transcorp Hilton Abuja has announced the kick-off of Careers@Hilton Live: Youth in Hospitality Month, Hilton Worldwide’s largest global career event. Throughout the month of May, the hotel will be hosting series of events with the purpose of informing those looking for employment, including young people, about the exciting opportunities available to all in the hospitality industry. The initiative is part of Bright Blue Futures, a global program that encourages Hilton Team Members to donate their time and expertise to help young people pursuing professional development. On May 7, the hotel hosted a Career Fair dedicated to youth, to enable their interaction
President Buhari Rejects Tourism Bill President Muhammadu Buhari last week conveyed to the Senate his decision to withhold assent to two bills, with one of them the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority Bill. President Buhari said section 14(d), section 30(2d) of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (Repeal and re-enactment) bill contradicts section 4 (1-3) and paragraph 60 (d) of the second schedule of the Nigeria’s Constitution. “Section 30 of the bill proposing to levy a tourism fee on all in-bound international
travellers, a tourism levy on all out-bound travellers and a tourism departure contribution fee of 1 per cent per hotel room rate. “Such flat fee has been fixed by the authority and a corporate tourism development levy of 1 per cent to be charged on the revenue of banks, telecommunications and other corporate entities. This will be inimical to the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in Nigeria and constitute additional burden on the tourism business,� the letter reads as Mr Buhari’s second reason.
with Team Members and familiarize them with Hilton’s organizational culture. Over 300 students drawn from 15 secondary schools in Abuja participated at the Fair. Also in attendance at the Fair were 45 young men and women who will be taking part in a 4-week hospitality internship program in the hotel. Participants were able to take part in a guided tour of the building, followed by a Departments Fair with professionals from all areas of activity at the hotel. Through career speed networking, Team Members shared advice on the skills and attributes participants need once they embark on their chosen careers. Careers@Hilton Live events are a unique opportunity for Hilton Team Members to inspire and encourage those interested in the hospitality industry. In his remarks, Kevin Brett, general manager Transcorp Hilton Abuja, said: “Young people continue to face challenging employment prospects, so it is more important than ever to make sure they receive information and advice about the options available and the skills and attributes they will need once they embark on their chosen careers. We are passionate about raising awareness of the opportunities the hospitality industry offers and we are delighted to be doing this during the month of May when we are celebrating 100 Years of Hilton.� Careers@Hilton Live: Youth in Hospitality Month is a part of Hilton Worldwide’s Open Doors commitment, which aims to positively impact at least one million young people by 2019 and better prepare them to reach their full potential.
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˜ ˞ MAY 12, 2019
MARKET NEWS
NSE Moves to Deepen Retail Investors’ Patronage of Market Goddy Egene Tn line with the its aim to drive the development and promotion of retail participation in the capital market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will tomorrow host the 2019 edition of retail investors workshop themed “Investment Master Class: Making Your Money Work.�
The workshop, which will feature key industry influencers, capital market specialists and investment strategists, is designed to educate the investing public on various investment opportunities and products available in the market. It will also provide insight on how available instruments can help investor achieve their financial objectives.
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the
According to the NSE, investor workshop is an aspect of the financial literacy programme where investor education initiative designed to address low investor confidence and create better informed investors. “The workshop is targeted at particular segments of the investing community like retail
floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 09May-2019, unless otherwise stated.
investors to discuss the finer details of investing and to shed more light on the capital market eco system,� it said. The NSE explained that aside from understanding capital market products as individual investors, this programme is intended to aid the appreciation of basic investment principles, deepen understanding of
personal financial management, promote financial literacy and gradually help in restoring confidence in the Nigerian capital market across the youth demography, through dissemination of information about investment principles which can be used to leverage the capital market to grow and preserve wealth.
The exchange said it is committed to building a financially literate generation and will continue to commit resources to implement a variety of programmes that will enable the retail investors and young people imbue the requisite skills and knowledge that will help navigate the future through smart investing.
Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.
DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.88 0.88 4.38% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 12.85% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.21% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 2.97% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 15.95 16.43 -3.86% ARM Discovery Fund 350.30 360.86 -1.78% ARM Ethical Fund 29.02 29.90 2.77% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.14% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 98.23 98.92 -2.93% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.66% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.86% Paramount Equity Fund 12.01 12.11 1.69% Women's Investment Fund 105.96 106.49 2.26% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.46% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.16% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,180.41 1,181.23 5.79% FBN Heritage Fund 143.80 144.79 0.71% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.29% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 143.80 145.86 -4.13% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.28% Legacy Debt Fund 3.38 3.38 4.31% Legacy Equity Fund 1.15 1.17 -5.79% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.68% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.50% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.27 109.58 1.61% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.41% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.16 2.18 0.39% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.02% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 129.76 129.85 3.83%
LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.18 1.45% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,093.42 1,093.42 4.77% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.93 10.99 -5.16% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.74% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.26 1.29 3.02% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.37 11.43 2.21% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.92% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 121.48 121.97 0.59% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 5.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,356.66 2,369.29 1.82% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 199.93 199.93 5.15% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.92 0.94 -2.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 253.48 253.51 4.58% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 159.21 160.93 -2.43% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.67% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,162.58 8,254.76 -3.88% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.26% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.18 1.19 -1.34% United Capital Bond Fund 1.68 1.68 5.34% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.70 -2.62% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.31 110.31 2.85% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.12 2.53% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.36 10.53 -1.17% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.93 12.07 -0.27% Zenith Income Fund 21.74 21.74 12.71% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.38%
REITS NAV Per Share
Yield / T-Rtn
N/A 120.54 52.31
N/A 2.39% 1.10%
Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
9.80 103.15 83.61
9.90 105.34 85.15
-7.05% -12.07% -5.71%
Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund
VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund
funds@vetiva.com Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
3.69 6.65 13.56 10.87 157.11
3.73 6.73 13.66 11.07 159.11
-7.65% -12.70% -9.24% -11.98% 9.39%
NAV Per Share
Yield / T-Rtn
106.90
17.40%
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund
The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.
A
WEEKLY PULL-OUT
12.05.2019
BEVERLY NAYA The Story of My Skin and Heritage ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com
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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍ°Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡
COVER
BEVERLY NAYA
ConďŹ dent in Her Skin Born Beverly Ifunaya Bassey in the United Kingdom, she has never looked back once she stepped forward, beating many odds. Radiant with brains and beauty, Beverly sparkles in thought and action. Stylish and systematic, her performances in movies are soul-searching and soothing. In few years with the stakes high, no mountain has been too high for Beverly to climb. With her latest documentary flick – Skin –, writes Vanessa Obioha, the actress has made another bold statement in Nollywood and her motherland
A
Bassey
s she sat in the audience that gathered at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, to watch the screening of her documentary ‘Skin’, British-Nigerian actress Beverly Naya prayed that the essence of the film would not be lost. It was the ninth edition of i-Represent International Documentary Film Festival (iREP) and ‘Skin’, a documentary on ‘colourism’ was selected as the opening film. It was also the first time the film was screened to the public. Featuring interviews with some celebrities like TV host and model Eku Edewor, social media sensation Bobrisky, Nollywood veteran Hilda Dokubo, among others, the documentary elicited gasps, side comments and laughter from the audience which ordinarily should calm Naya’s nerves. “While watching the movie that day at Freedom Park, I hoped the audience understood it – that they got the message that I’m trying to push through the documentary. I hoped that I empowered people, got people to reconsider if they are even thinking of altering their skin tones,� said Naya. Taking on a topic like colourism is a bold step by the actress whose acting career in the industry has only spanned eight years. But the subject is very dear to her heart, having witnessed firsthand some sort of bullying at a younger age. She recalled how friends used to mock her dentition and her looks back in school. Those days were very difficult for Naya who lived and schooled in London. Coming back home didn’t make things easier for Naya who speaks in a British accent. First, people questioned the authenticity of her accent. “One of the things that really got to me back then was people questioning my accent. But I can’t help it. I was born and raised in England. I can’t help it,� she said with a tone of anger. “For example, a Nigerian moving to England, it will take them a while to sound British. It’s the same thing here. I have a British accent. I can’t take that away from me. It’s part of who I am. It wasn’t really about the fact that I got an accent but it was that people were trying to question if it was authentic.� Naya added: “What they hear is a diluted version of my British accent. How I speak to my British friends is very different from how I speak to my Nigerian friends. If I use my normal British accent, nobody would understand what I’m saying. It is the toned down version that I use in
movies. I hear people say they are not sure if my accent was real or if I even schooled in England. It is hilarious!� Naya studied philosophy, psychology and sociology in Brunel University, Uxbridge, before moving to Roehampton University to study filmmaking and scriptwriting. As the only child of her parents, she discovered her love for acting while studying in Uxbridge. By 2010, she packed her bags and jumped on the next flight to Nigeria. Her mission was to conquer Nollywood. She was, however, in for a big surprise. “It took awhile for me to get over bullying. When I first joined the industry, particularly the first four years, anything that people talked about me got to me. I was wearing it like a coat and agbada. Everything they said used to get to me,� she recollected. “I didn’t really know who I was. I was still finding my feet. Looking at a young girl in her 20s coming to Nigeria to conquer the industry and then realising that it was a different culture, different people and different ways of having a conversation. Because I was constantly trying to fit in, trying to be a people pleaser, it affected me as an actress. Instead of being myself and expressing myself, I was trying to be someone else, even in films.� She tried too hard to speak like a Nigerian even though it was impossible for her at the time. She tried to act the Nigerian way but that did not help her performance in any positive way as she kept getting bad reviews. “Once, a film I featured in got bad reviews but I really liked the movie. I remember being at an event and I got a Google alert and it was another bad review but this was the worst,� said Naya with a sigh. “The headline was: ‘Beverly Naya Should Quit Nollywood, She Doesn’t Stand a Chance’. But look at me today.� Indeed, it has been a steady rise to fame for the young lady who clocked 30 this April. Her earliest reward was in 2011 when she was named the ‘fastest rising actress’ by City People Entertainment Awards. Apart from featuring in award-winning movies and TV series including ‘The Wedding Party (1 & 2)’, ‘Tinsel’ and ‘Skinny Girl in Transit’, ‘Skin’ marked her debut as a producer. Beyond the production credit the documentary was a healing process for Naya. In 2014, she began a campaign ‘Fifty Shades of Black’ which essentially centred on inspiring and empowering young people to have self-love and selfworth. While having conferences and seminars where she spoke to people, Naya knew she needed a bigger platform to push her message across. “I have always known that I will do
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MAY 12, 2019 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R
COVER
How Africans Can Find Self-esteem in Their Skin Tones a documentary. I knew that having conferences and speaking with people were not enough. My dreams and aspirations are bigger than that. I need people to have access to what I’m doing globally – to click on it and watch,” she explained. With her campaign centred on antibullying, Naya was pulled to the world of colourism. Her findings revealed that it was a growing phenomenon in the society and is rarely talked about. “Colourism exists in our society and it is a conversation that is not happening,” Naya said, adding, “which is why people can get away with a lot of things, offending people without realising that it’s harmful to their mind. People need to know their selfesteem and this is one way of doing it.” Being a sensitive topic, Naya and her director, Daniel Etim-Effiong, who co-wrote the script, strived for balance. They gathered celebrities from different walks of life with different skin tones to talk about their experience with colourism. So one could see Edewor complaining about not landing a role because she wasn’t too ‘African’ and a darker British-Nigerian actress Diana Yekini lamenting how she was rejected because of her skin tone. Naya explained further: “That shows you how weird the dynamics are. Yekini said she is not getting work because she is dark-skinned, that she is too African and there you have Edewor who is not getting the job because she is not African enough. So where do we draw the line, considering the facts that these women are African.” One of the shocking revelations from the documentary was Bobrisky’s confession that he would love to have his normal skin tone back. “It’s so stressful. You have to make sure you apply the cream in the right places so that everything will blend properly,” he lamented in the documentary. Naya revealed that the internet sensation known for his queer effeminacy and extreme bleaching of his skin was willing to talk once he learned what the film was all about. “I didn’t influence his answer in anyway,” she admitted. “I just allowed him to talk and express himself. It was probably an avenue for him to express himself. Maybe it was therapeutic for him; maybe it lifted some weight off his shoulders. I knew a lot of people would see him in a different light after that documentary.” Another major highpoint of the documentary was the way Naya tied it to her heritage. The documentary marked the first time Naya would visit her mother’s hometown. That visit was an emotional one for Naya who gets teary-eyed easily (she is seriously working hard on that). Although, the essence of documenting her trip to the village was lost on some members of the audience, Naya believed that it was important to project the link between one’s heritage and selfesteem. “At first, I wasn’t sure of the idea,” she confessed, “because I wanted to focus on the subject alone. Then the director brought up a point which was that why most people are easily influenced is because they are not in touch with their heritage and true identity; and having a clear understanding of what your heritage is all about and having time with your family and having them tell you stories about their past, your grandparents, forebears brings you closer to home and as a result to your identity. I believe that when we finally understand what our identity is, we will not be easily influenced.” While her film highlights the harmful effects of colourism, Naya
Bassey
I didn’t really know who I was. I was still finding my feet. Looking at a young girl in her 20s coming to Nigeria to conquer the industry and then realising that it was a different culture, different people and different ways of having a conversation. Because I was constantly trying to fit in, trying to be a people pleaser, it affected me as an actress. wouldn’t label it as an anti-bleaching advocacy tool. “Just watching the teaser and trailer can give people the wrong impression,” she pointed out but argued that “it is not an advocacy tool
for anti-bleaching.” We highlighted the harms of bleaching one’s skin. But if you haven’t watched the full documentary, you can make assumptions which are what we basically do most times. We make assumptions without knowing the facts,” said Naya. “I didn’t choose to make this film to bash or judge anyone. That is not my priority. My priority is to teach people how to love themselves as they are. And if in the process I can get a few people not to alter their skin tone, then mission accomplished.” When many actors become producers or directors, they often produce fictional narratives but Naya is different. “I have two reasons for choosing documentary to make my producer debut,” she said. “First, in 2014, in an interview I said I want to do a documentary on colourism. Second reason, I wanted to go into production but I didn’t want to do so blindly. I would rather start with a documentary, understand it, and make sure I can actually thrive in this business before producing a film. Film takes a lot out of you and considering the kind of person that I am, I cannot attach my name to anything that I’m not proud of. It is about starting small and expanding from there.
“If I were to make a film, I have to think about my cast, location, crew, and script. I have to make sure that my film is incredible. I can’t just attach my name to mediocrity. I have to make sure I have the best location, the best crew. There is a lot that goes into it. Moreover, the budget I had which was N5.5 million given to me by Amstel Malta could only make a documentary,” Naya told THISDAY. With the documentary premiere in March by Nivea, Naya’s goal is to get ‘Skin’ shown to university students across the country, then distribute it to other online platforms. Yet, she did not show any interest in Netflix which has become a preferred platform for top Nollywood producers. Naya would not give a reason why her documentary won’t fly on Netflix. She said: “I can’t disclose that but Netflix is huge. It is a global brand and gives your work the opportunity to be seen all over the world. That’s why it is everywhere.” Apparently, Naya has enjoyed a healthy dose of fame since her debut in Nollywood though she modestly refused to see herself as an established actress. The silver screen goddess believes she is evolving with no intention to go into directing – at least for now.
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Queen Elizabeth meets Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
Why Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family Don’t Have Last Names, But Archie Does When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel on May 19, 2018, her last name could have become Mountbatten-Windsor. However, since royals tend to be known only by their first names, it’s not likely that you’d see the Duchess of Sussex formally referred to by the royal last name. Just as her sister-in-law is mainly referred to by her maiden name, Kate Middleton, or the title she was given by Queen Elizabeth at her wedding to Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Markle only added the royal title of Duchess of Sussex to her current moniker on the day of her
wedding to Prince Harry. However, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced the name of their new royal baby boy on May 8, they revealed that his full name, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, includes the royal surname. At this point in time, Archie has no known title. The royal family’s naming practice may seem complicated, but the reason behind it is relatively simple: The royals are typically so well known that they don’t need a last name to be recognized. “Members of the Royal Family can be known both by the name of the Royal house, and by a
surname, which are not always the same,� the official royal website reads. “And often they do not use a surname at all.� This means that Prince Harry’s full name could technically be Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor and that Markle is Rachel Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor. However, considering last names are typically only used by members of the royal family without a title, you don’t need to worry about tacking the hyphenated surname onto Harry and Meghan’s names. Members of the Royal Family can also use a last name from their family’s official title. For
example, Prince Harry and Prince William were known at school and in the military as Harry Wales and William Wales, a surname that derived from their father’s official title. Prince George, meanwhile, has taken the surname Cambridge at school, from his father’s title as Duke of Cambridge. Basically, when in doubt about how to refer to a member of the royal family, first names and titles are the safe way to go. Queen Elizabeth was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor to the Duke and Duchess of York—later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother—on April 21, 1926. She became next in line to the crown when her father, King George VI, ascended the throne following the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936. Princess Elizabeth was born into the royal house of Windsor, making her last name, if she needed it — you guessed it — Windsor. While Queen Elizabeth was born with the last name Windsor, that wouldn’t have been the case before 1917, the year her grandfather, King George V, decided to not only switch his house name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor in order to head off anti-German sentiments during WWI, but also designated Windsor as the royal family’s official surname going forward. Before 1917, British royals went only by their first name and the name of the house or dynasty they belonged to, such as Tudor or Hanover—i.e., Queen Victoria of the House of Hanover. Following her marriage to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten—later Prince Philip—in 1947 and her ascension to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II made a slight adjustment to her grandfather’s naming decree by adding a hyphenated “Mountbatten� to the last name of her descendants to reflect the surname of her husband. Today, the last name of the British royal family remains Windsor. However, royals who are descended from Queen Elizabeth II through the male line use the hyphenated surname Mountbatten-Windsor when needed. This last name reflects both the surname of the royal family and that of the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip. “It was therefore declared in the Privy Council that The Queen’s descendants, other than those with the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince/Princess, or female descendants who marry, would carry the name of MountbattenWindsor,� the official royal website reads. By deciding to call their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Harry and Meghan have chosen not to use a title for their first born. As the first born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry’s subsidiary titles - or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, but instead he will simply be Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. It is believed that this is a strong indication that they don’t want to bring him up as a formal royal. The infant, who is seventh in line to the throne, will not automatically become a prince - although he could get that title if the Queen steps in.
Tiger Woods Receives Highest US Civilian Honour from President Trump Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods was presented with America’s highest civilian honour by President Donald Trump in Washington last week. The 43-year-old, who won the Masters at Augusta in April, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony. Trump praised Woods’ “relentless will to win, win, win�. “These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries and defying limits,� Trump said. Woods thanked his mother and two children during the ceremony. “You have seen the good and the bad, the highs and the lows,� said Woods. “I would not be in this position without all of your help.� Woods’ win at Augusta last month was his fifth Masters title and ended an 11-year wait to claim his 15th major. His first Masters win came at the age of 21, when he celebrated with his father, Earl, who died in 2006. “In 1997, yes, I won the Masters and
I ended up hugging my dad and my mom,� Woods said. “My dad is no longer here but my mom is here, I love you mom. “The amazing Masters experience I just had a few weeks ago certainly is part of the highlight of what I’ve accomplished in my life on the golf course.� The prize recognises “individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavours�. Woods is the fourth golfer to receive the accolade, after Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and the PGA Tour’s first black player, Charlie Sifford. Woods overcame persistent injury problems - including four back operations culminating in fusion surgery in April 2017 - to win his first major title for over a decade with a one-shot victory at Augusta. Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King and Michael Jordan are among other athletes to win the award. Trump praised Tiger Woods as an inspiration for America
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...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous
One of a Kind: Tony Elumelu Foundation Convenes 5th Annual Entrepreneurship Forum
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Adesola adeduntan
First Bank MD, Adesola Adeduntan Celebrates 50 in Style Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, First Bank, Adesola Adeduntan has had a whirlwind few years since his elevation into his current position. He has enjoyed moments of uplifting highs and contended with the kinds of demoralizing lows that would topple a strong dynasty. Yet he still stands tall, having weathered the strain that comes with the job. The accomplished banker was in the joyous mood this week as he serenely sailed into his golden age. He has many things to be thankful for and many more to contemplate. Above all, Adeduntan has the rest of already stellar life and career to look forward to. All eyes are on him as the supremo of the biggest and oldest financial institution in Nigeria and he is mindful of
the reproach that would come his way if he slacks off. No wonder he devotes his heart and soul into the bank to the extent that he couldn’t be bothered to throw a huge celebration as he turned 50. Duty called, and Adeduntan obeys. Despite being a low-key occasion punctuated by a few private clinks of celebratory wine glasses, his peers in the banking industry still took out time to felicitate with him on his new age. The event was held at his Ikoyi, Lagos home. There is a quiet acknowledgment of his role as an industry pillar and compass of direction whose policies as First Bank helmsman generate ripple effects that move the banking industry in a certain direction. Since joining the sector via the
defunct Afribank in 1994, Adeduntan has consolidated or acquired diverse expertise in Treasury & Financial Management, Risk Management, Accounting, Corporate Governance, and Strategy Development, Advisory and Compliance. He became First Bank MD/CEO in January 1, 2016, after the former head Olabisi Bola Onasanya stepped then. Despite his best intentions to sail a serene ship, Adeduntan has had his share of stormy weather to contend with. Reports and rumours of fraud running into billions of Naira have been rocking the grand old institution in recent times, threatened to erode customer confidence. Not to mention the clouds of debt fogging the sky. Those in the known intimated that the bank boss is
Mike Adenuga Centre: Another Promise Kept! Bella Disu reminisces on father’s legacy
Mike
Not one with a jot of fickleness, Dr. Mike Adenuga has shown again that his word is as surefooted as his name. The Chairman of Globacom Telecommunications has made good his pledge to contribute to the cultural
kaleidoscope of Lagos by delivering the Mike Adenuga Alliance Française Centre, as the centre is about to experience bust of activities in days to come due to completion of the architectural beauty. This latest gesture is in fulfilment of erecting a world-class edifice to serve as the new home of the Alliance Française in Lagos. The speed and quality of work delivered speak volume of how dear the project is to the Adenugas. It was a handson kind of execution by Bella herself, who is a director of Cobblestone Properties that was in charge of the project. Reminiscing about the challenging journey to delivering the state of art centre, Bella on her LinkedIn page, adjudged the experience as “A very emotional and proud moment seeing our signage up. The past 15 months have been a myriad of sleepless nights, site visits/meetings and relentless team effort; all to birth the promise of my father, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr – to create a hub for cross-cultural immersion and change the cultural landscape of Lagos. I present to you, the Mike Adenuga Centre: a world-class edifice and the new home of Alliance Française Lagos. While there’s a lot to unveil in the coming weeks, today we kick off with a bouquet of language classes! Bienvenue à tous.” Bella, who is also a director of the
Centre, is toeing a family culture initiated and perpetuated by his father over the years. Mike Adenuga and his companies have Lialways had a deep appreciation for cultural endeavours in Nigeria. He has supported culture through film, comedy, theatre, and festivals. The corporate vision of the Adenuga brand is closely aligned with Alliance Française; as both entities will be creating a hub of cross-cultural emergence. Mike Adenuga’s philanthropic mind for cross-cultural ideas and development is one without geographical borders. In his view, building the bridge to the world requires building capacity in international languages; thus his decision to help with the right learning environment through the Centre. The new architectural masterpiece is located at a prime site, sitting on a parcel of land at the intersection of three major roads in Ikoyi: Osborne Road, Alfred Rewane Road, and Gerard Road, which gives it very excellent visibility. Cobblestone Properties, Cappa & D’Alberto, and Baron Architecture came together to actualise the dream, which was inaugurated in July 2018, with France President, Emmanuel Macron, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mike Adenuga, Professor Wole Soyinka and other dignitaries.
ome July 26 and 27, all roads will lead to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja for the biggest gathering of African entrepreneurs the continent has ever seen as the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) hosts the 2019 edition of its annual Entrepreneurship Forum. The two-day event is the icing on the cake of this year’s edition of the annual Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, the number-one-rated selection, training, and empowerment program for young African entrepreneurs. This year, a whopping 3,000 young men and women were the lucky ones from the pool of 216,000 hopefuls. The chosen candidates undergo forging in entrepreneurial fires for several weeks, emerging as fully capable wealth creators returning to their respective countries with the passion and the means to maintain and expand, not just flourishing, but also impactful, businesses. Mirroring the diverse assemblage of past editions, this year’s iteration will bring together the cream of the entrepreneurial crop. Captains of Industry, thought leaders in business and global industry, politicians and policymakers will be present, providing the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme class of 2019 a unique, horizon-broadening environment to brainstorm and network with the current shapers of the continental and global business ecosystem. Not to mention the renowned mainstays of the entrepreneurship scene will get to interact with a new generation of Africans proudly flying the flag of socioeconomic transformation. The highly anticipated gathering will feature panel discussions with world leaders on relevant issues. There will also be masterclass sessions led by renowned global shapers whose wealth of experience will be disseminated especially for the benefit of the young attendees who will also have the chance to wow the audience with their entrepreneurial acumen as they display their unique and innovative goods and services and how those will positively impact the continent. The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Forum has always been headlined by the Presidential Convening, and this year will be no different. This year, His Excellencies Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, and Macky Sall, President of Senegal, will share the podium with the billionaire founder of TEF and chairman of global business conglomerate Heirs Holdings in an open house discussion. The two heads of state will engage the audience on issues pertaining to the relationship between good governance and an encouraging business climate.
Tony Elumelu
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From Dubai to Abuja‌Otunba Runsewe’s Bold Ayodele Fayose Humbled... Former Step Towards Rebranding Nigeria’s Culture, Tourism Governor Recoils
Otunba Runsewe
When the discourse is about Nigeria’s culture and tourism, few names come to mind as prominently as that of Otunba Olusegun Runsewe to do justice to it. The DirectorGeneral of the National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC) has not just been about talks,
as his footprints are indelible in that cultural kaleidoscope of Nigeria. That Otunba lives for the propagation of the opportunities in the sector to the outermost parts of the world is a truism many will not argue against. For him, it is of utmost importance to reposition and rebrand the culture and tourism sector in Nigeria to ensure a shift from the total focus on oil as the major source of revenue to the government. The diversification policy of this government should be all-encompassing and culture and tourism are a pot of gold with huge benefits from the nation can tap. This has become the theme and major focus of the Otunba Runsewe-led NCAC as he is leading this drive which its mandate is to re-position Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth using culture and tourism. Known for walking the talk, Otunba Runsewe ensured that the NCAC management took a familiarisation trip to Dubai to understudy the Dubai’s tourism architecture with a view to adapting lessons learnt to Nigeria and transform the country through culture and tourism. Upon returning to Nigeria, an event comprising of major stakeholders both in public and private sectors was hosted by the NCAC, where Otunba Runsewe explained that the objective of the trip
to Dubai is to expose the management team of NCAC to cultural tourism management using the Dubai model as focus, who, in return, are now well equipped to share and brainstorm with major players in the sector who have pledged their commitment towards actualising the NCAC vision and goals. The NCAC boss explained further that the trip was also a capacity building investment primed to re-invigorate staff potential to expand their frontier of management of culture in Nigeria. According to Runsewe, the simple logic behind the trip to Dubai is “travel, see the sights, see what other people are doing with their culture and tourism, come back and see how to do something with ours, market ours to the world, attract funds, grow the economy using culture and tourism to create jobs and attract tourist to Nigeria�. In what he termed the next phase of the project, Otunba Runsewe explained that same gesture would soon be extended to all the 36 states whose Commissioners of Culture and Tourism and the top players and stakeholders in the culture and tourism industry would be taken to Dubai similar familiarization tour with a view to helping them develop their states’ tourism potentials.
Stamp of Honour‌ As Akin Adesina Gets Tunisia’s Highest Honour Some great men walk through life laurel-less, unrewarded for their contributions to the unending advance of humanity. Others acquire too many feathers unto their undeserving cap, bogus honours which are soon stripped off by the revealing eyes of time. The President of the African Development Bank, Nigeria’s very own Akin Adesina, however, gets his due recognition. His achievements are so great, and the arena so public, that everything he does to improve the continent’s fortunes in agriculture is laid bare for an approving audience. It was yet another honour for the agriculture czar this week as the president of Tunisia; His Excellency Beji Caid Essebsi warmly welcomed him and others with a grand ceremony at the presidential palace. Essebsi even awarded the Ibadanbred technocrat Tunisia’s highest official honor, the Grand Officer of the Tunisian Order of Merit. In a continent notorious for putting square political pegs into round technocratic holes, Adesina remains a breath of fresh air. He eats, drinks and breathes agriculture and with the African Development Bank as a platform, he has taken his crusading for
an agricultural revolution everywhere on the continent. He galvanized the political will among African leaders to transform the agricultural sector and lobbied for effective policies to modernize farming and make the sector an attractive proposition for the young while easing the burdens of product distribution on smallscale farmers. Little wonder the minister of agriculture and rural development under former president Goodluck Jonathan has become the darling of African leaders who routinely serenade him with their country’s highest honours in gratefulness for his efforts to increase the availability of credit for smallholder farmers across the African continent. Since assuming the mantle at AfDB, he’s been awarded the Grand Officier of the National Order of the Lion of Senegal, Grand Officier of the Order of Valour of the Cameroon, Grand Officier of the National Order of Merit of Niger, Grand Officier of the Order of Mono of Togo, and Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Africa of Liberia. He was also, in 2017, the winner of the World Food Prize, bestowed “for driving changes in African Agriculture for over 25 years and improving food security for millions across the continent. “ Not many
Akin Adesina
will forget in a hurry how as agriculture minister, he introduced the E-Wallet system for local farmers that effectively wiped out the corrupt middlemen that had hampered fertilizer distribution for decades. He also piloted initiatives to expand rice and cassava production and increase private sector investment in agriculture.
Ganduje, Sanusi in Renewed Battle
Ganduje,
The public beef between the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II and the reelected governor of Kano State Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has taken another interesting turn. In a bold move allegedly designed to whittle down his nemesis’ power to the point of insignificance, the governor has signed a proposal to carve out four smaller emirates out of the Emirate of Kano. In a two-pronged move calculated to cut the Emir down to size, the governor allegedly approved the reopening of the probe into how the State Emirate Council headed by Sanusi spent the allocate expenditures since the latter’s ascension to power. While the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was still scrambling to counter that card with a move of his own, the governor showed he is an old dog who has learned new tricks. Few days back the Kano State House of Assembly began deliberations in a petition to create four brand new emirates out of four current districts of Sanusi’s royal domain. If successful, the district heads of Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya will be elevated into first class Emirs. The calculations are that Sanusi’s power will be reduced and his influence will wane, giving the governor four new royal canes
with which to beat him into submission. Some people close to the matter squealed that it is another move to force Sanusi to retire. The Kano Emirate hierarchy will be given a choice between ousting the Emir or seeing their territory carved up. The bone of contention between the two stalwarts of Kano politics relates to Sanusi’s loud proclamations against some of the governor’s actions as well as his continued closeness to former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the incumbent’s former godfather before the fell out. Sanusi’s pre-election stance of free and fair elections was construed as an affront to Ganduje’s bid to win at all costs. Moreover, during the violence-marred governorship elections, the governor lost Sanusi’s stronghold of Kano Municipality by an embarrassing margin, further incurring the governor’s ire. However, if recent developments are anything to go buy, Ganduje won’t have it all his way in his bid to depose Sanusi. Prominent Kano politicians have risen up against the move to split up a cultural institution for political gains. Moreover, Sanusi enjoys the support of the masses and sits atop an entrenched support base not easy to uproot. Watchers are now waiting with bated breaths to see how Sanusi responds moves.
into His Shell
T
hese days, it is as if former governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose has exchanged the circus for the convent. The man known for his outspoken criticism of the government has gone so quiet barely a peep has been heard from him in recent times. Having experienced a huge fall from grace, he has sought sanctuary away from the limelight. In his glory days as chief executive of the state renowned for producing the highest number of professors, Fayose strutted about, chased by a posse of paparazzi photographers and newsmen who recorded and wrote about his amboyant acta with undisguised glee. He milked his elevated status as one of the few critics of the Federal government from the southwest and shot ďŹ re and brimstone with reckless abandon, secure in the enveloping cloak of political immunity. But when his tenure ended last October, so did his 15 minutes of political fame. He was ushered from the executive pavilion straight into the waiting arms of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to answer questions about what he did with his alleged share of the Sambo Dasuki loot. Since being released on bail a few weeks after that debacle, Fayose has borrowed like a scared squirrel into the earth. Perhaps anonymity is his best defence against increased attention by law enforcement. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. His travails didn’t end there. The Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti that had been in the palms of his hands for him to do with as he wished was unceremoniously snatched away, leaving him a political destitute without backing. No sooner had he left oďŹƒce than the state chapter of the PDP elevated Senator Biodun Olujimi, the senate minority leader, as the new undisputed leader of the party in Ekiti. And Fayose? He was ushered in no uncertain terms towards the door marked “semi-retirementâ€? and told to rest from his labours in order not to taint the party with the stench of his ongoing corruption trial. Even during the recent elections, he was nowhere to be seen as the PDP put up a good ďŹ ght in the region. Those in the know intimated that the former governor is currently taking stock while munching on a large helping of humble pies. Some of the bridges he burned without a second thought have come back to haunt him. Even the public who used to hang on his every word have moved on, entranced by new political idols.
Ayodele Fayose
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Patrick and Ireti Doyle Back Together? To be or not to be? That is the question. Or at least it is for ace broadcaster Patrick Doyle and his estranged wife, veteran actress Ireti Doyle. Over a year ago, news broke that Ireti, fed up with Patrick’s nonchalant attitude towards the marriage, had packed her bags and left their matrimonial home. Patrick wouldn’t be the man he is if he hadn’t had to fight to get where he is. So, of course, he fought to regain the love of the disenchanted Ireti. Sources tell of how he went to great lengths to convince the multiple award-winning screenwriter and silver screen star that he has learnt from his mistakes and turned over a new leaf. And it seemed like Ireti finally buckled and decided to give him another chance. A few days ago, the veteran entertainer shocked everyone with a sensational post on social media site Instagram where he
Ireti Doyle
acknowledged his fault in the crash of their marriage and vowed that old things have passed away as he seeks a new beginning with Ireti. In the lengthy and emotional post, he
called the Tinsel star “without a doubt, the most generous woman I know, a dependable friend, a loyal ally and the most loving and sensual woman ever.� He also praised her for releasing him “from the dog house and
The Stage Is Set‌ Sanwo-Olu Returns to School The best kind of leader is the sort that never stops learning. They recognize that a leader must become a sponge that soaks up everything useful that can aid them and their followers on the road to greatness. The incoming governor of Lagos Babajide SanwoOlu is a grand believe in this truism. He is always seeking out new ways to prepare himself for the greatest challenge of his life yet. With just a few weeks between him and the seat of power in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu will he forgiven for feeling no small amount of trepidation. After all, a few predecessors who thought themselves impregnable fortresses of fortitude have found themselves become broken husks of frayed nerves barely able to handle the pressure of the hottest governorship seat in the country. For Sanwo-Olu, the job ahead is to carry the expectations of millions on his shoulders and not betray his campaign promises to give the centre of excellence an economic, social and environmental facelift. And the more aware he is of latest concepts, trends and strategies of effective governance in the
Sanwo-Olu
21st century, the clearer the path to success becomes. Little wonder he’s made a quick saunter to the United States for educational purposes. He is currently at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, taking a
course on Leading Economic Growth. The spectacles-loving governor-elect will use the priceless insights gleaned from the foremost political institute to augment the economic lessons learned from his time at the Lagos School of Business and the London School of Business. He is the newly appointed military commander who learns all the strategies in the book before assuming command. Sanwo-Olu is doing everything in his power to equip himself for the task ahead. Despite the controversial circumstances that led to his emergence as APC governorship flagbearer ahead of the incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode, SanwoOlu has won a lot of people over with his genteel demeanour, articulate manner and firm grasp of the political game. Even though he stood on the shoulders of the powers that be to attain his lofty status, he knows that once he assumes office he has to bear the brunt alone. That is why he is making hay while the sun still shines, learning all he can that will help him actualize his vision of a greater Lagos.
Ramadan: Otunba Bimbo Ashiru Spreads Love While many hid under the selective dispersal of wealth to favoured constituencies to claim the toga of humanists, the rest of true love is passed or failed through one’s actions towards those of a different familial, cultural or religious disposition. Using these criteria, former commissioner in the cabinet of outgoing Ogun governor Ibikunle Amosun, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru is an exemplary fellow with a noble heart spacious enough to accommodate all of humanity. This year’s Ramadan fast kicked off a few days ago and as usual Otunba Bimbo Ashiru is in the thick of things. This is despite the fact that he is not a Muslim and neither is anyone in his nuclear family. Yet for the former aspirant to the Ogun executive seat, such divisions pale into insignificance in the face of shared humanity. He always goes all out to show love to the Muslim faithful during this period and this year is no different. Those who should know confirmed that the former commissioner for commerce and industry in Ogun State has already started donating food and cash to Ogun indigenes Outside the domain of politics where he has settled into the role of number one troublemaker and occasional clown with aplomb, Senator Dino Melaye is actually a devoted father, son and thoroughbred family man. There is nothing he loves more than his family so imagine his pain when his beloved mother abruptly passed on to glory last week. The depth of Dino’s pain was obvious from the heartfelt notice he penned, expressing his grief and lauding his late mom Deaconess Comfort Melaye whom he regarded as his sister, mother, and best friend. The senator representing Kogi West at the national assembly
as usual. It is a routine he has been indulging in for many years now. The former banker never shies away from advocating peace and tolerance at any opportunity. And there is no better way to demonstrate this message than by putting his time and money where his mouth is. Giving back to the society has become second nature to Bimbo but he doesn’t want to make a hue and cry about it. While others hire trumpeters and vuvuzelas to place their name on bogus philanthropic pedestals, the husband of the ageless Kemi Ashiru quietly goes about his business of providing succour to the needy, safe in the comfort that the satisfaction and gratitude that flows from the lives he has touched is rewarding enough. No wonder all the big boys and girls in the state and beyond want to be his friend. He is close to a lot of power brokers and but for certain calculations would have emerged the APC governorship flag bearer in Ogun. Not many will forget in a hurry the giant strides he made in the state’s commercial sector. He transformed Ogun into a hub of thriving flourishing businesses, facilitating over 320 manufacturing companies. Bimbo
Otunba Bimbo
and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona are close chums. Bimbo’s mother, Princess) Moradeun Ashiru, is from the Fidipote royal family of Ijebu Ode and the ruling house of Owu-Ijebu.
Senator Dino Melaye Plans Big for Mother’s Burial treated her like a fragile glass while she yet lived. He went everywhere with her and doted on her with everything he had. Over the past few days, condolences have been raining in on Dino’s Abuja residence as the Who’s Who in Nigerian politics come in their droves to comfort and support him in his hour of grief. Even his rivals across the political divide weren’t left out. There hardly
remains any name of consequence that hasn’t sent out a message of sympathy. Although life goes on for Dino – who was married to Tokunbo Melaye with three children with – he will never forget his precious mother for as long as he lives. Nor will he let her depart without a befitting send-off. He is already putting machinery in motion for a high octane burial ceremony that will shake Kogi to the foundations.
reinstate me as Master of their home�, he explained.� As jubilant messages of support and congratulations poured in amid the apparent reconciliation of one of high society’s most endearing power couple, one question kept recurring at the back of some people’s minds: Where is Ireti? Those expecting her to make a corroborating post or comment have been left disappointed. She hasn’t uttered a sound days after her husband’s reconciliation post. This has led many to speculate that there’s more than meets the eye about the development. Some see Ireti’s lingering silence as a portent of her true feelings regarding the state of things, saying they might be coming together again to present a united front for their children and not out of genuine rekindled affection.
Promises Kept‌ Senator Gbenga Ashafa Delivers More than His Promises For Senator Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa, senator representing Lagos East at the national assembly, it is time to close a chapter on a long and rewarding journey. In a few weeks time, the two-term assemblyman will step down, along with his fellow non-returning members of the 9th senate, to be replaced by new faces starting out on their own journeys. Senator Ashafa will see in their expectant faces the enthusiasm that coursed through him like a hot spring the first time he stepped into the hallowed chambers of lawmaking. And though he has encountered many twists and turns along the way, he has always stayed true to his conscience and his course. His love for service never waned, nor did his fire for an egalitarian society. It was in pursuit of those ideals that he fought tooth and nail to give the people of Lagos East the best representation they could have dreamed of. It is on record that several organizations have adjudged him the best of the Lagos representatives in Abuja in terms of project delivery to constituencies. Charming yet steady like a sturdy oak, but still willing to bend to the winds as occasion demands, Senator Ashafa is the epitome of a graceful public servant unmoored from the door-die mentality that sounded the death knell for many a promising career. He is an old hand at playing the long game. Having read the stars, he withdrew himself from the race for APC Lagos East candidate, exchanging short term gain for lasting praise in the process. While his colleagues from Lagos West and Lagos Central America have Oluremi Tinubu and Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, easily clinched return tickets, Ashafa was the odd one out. But he did not mourn or kick or wage guerrilla warfare against the powers that be. He accepted the outcome for the greater good of the party and went on to play an instrumental role as Lagos APC conquered all the available slots during the national assembly elections. The thirst for service remains ever present. There are already rumbles that he has been pencilled down for one role or the other at the federal level.
Gbenga Ashafa
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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MAY 12, 2019
LOUD WHISPERS
with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)
Mr. Buhari – I Know What to Do Me I don’t doubt o. People have been saying all sorts of things about your ability to even understand the issues that pervade this country. Not me o, I don’t even listen, I walk away from such sacrilegious thoughts. You could not have won the elections twiceforget that they are contesting it and have lost the same elections thrice and still hold a lot of influential and important positions including oil minister and you will not know what the issues are and also what to do. The problem na if you go fit do the thing you need to do. That is where I no dey fit defend you for newspaper stand. The other day at the vendor’s corner at Onipanu Bus stop, the argument was heated. As I walked in to buy my papers, the vendor screamed Loudwhispers and they all gathered around. The people wanted to know
EMIR LAMIDO SANUSI – IS IT THE SHOES? You see Nige I have seen the letter written by one small organization for Kano in an attempt to rubbish your Highness. But what they have not taken into account is the fact that we traditional rulers and title holders will not stand by and watch our leader rubbished by people who cannot sweep the floor we walk on. If no be democracy who dash all these kind people to be threatening us with probe. What concern them with the way we handle the funds of the Palace? Can they go and ask the King of Lesotho this kind question or the Sultan of Brunei? Mbok, my dear I have made my enquiries and have come to the realization that it is the shoes you like to wear that is causing all these wahala. I tell you. The shoes are something else. They are beaded and come in different colours. I hear some are made from peacock feathers and others na ostrich and you will now be wearing them and be posing all over the place. So why would they not want to probe you or even attempt to depose you? You see life, human beings and their jealousy. Well Sir, my candid advice is for you to calm down, go below the radar for a while until all these blow over. Send the shoes down here to Shomolu for safekeeping, I promise I will keep them safe and sound until we can resolve this matter. Please be rest assured that we here in Shomolu have started the rituals needed to cause general amnesia for all your enemies. Nothing will happen to you and you will continue to sit on the throne of your fore fathers for as long as Almighty Allah decrees. This
Emir Lamido Sanusi
what I thought about you and your government. I refused to talk o. I was not in the mood to be lynched that Sunday morning, because I suspected that if I said anything in your favour, na slap I for receive that morning. I just tell them that you know know wetin you dey do and that you just dey sleep for the place and when you tire you go go back to Daura to your cows. Mbok, come and see hailing. They shouted Duke of Shomolu for President o, bought me boli and groundnut and gave me messages to you. Well as me no be Obasanjo the letter writer, I will not tell you the messages in public. But if you are really interested, please send any of your single female staff especially that one wey just get job for Sovereign Wealth Fund to come and receive the message on your behalf.
But let me hint you, the messages from the masses are not very palatable o. Na vex message. You see man must get sense, I just talk that one to escape with the skin of my teeth and if you think I am lying, try disguise and dress like a woman and go to any vendor’s corner and get the real gist about your policies and what Nigerians feel. Well bro, like I have been shouting, you have a second chance to make good. To build a viable legacy and this new cabinet you want to choose is the key to your success. If you like go and be putting mumu people, you will have yourself to blame and it is your legacy. I trust you will take your time and choose competency over any mediocre reasoning and let’s ride away in glory. Well done sir and God bless you with good health, sound judgement and a sweet disposition towards us all your children. See you.
Victor Omole – A Quiet Word I spent ten minutes with this man and as usual I always come out feeling very fulfilled. His profound thought processes and deep analysis of issues both spiritual and political continue to amaze me. This time he talked about contentment and peace. He was so at home with the abiding philosophy of contentment that I began to see the very true essence of life. He said his prayers have been to God never to
put him at the mercy of man but instead, God should sort him out so that he can now sort out man. Mbok, I have never looked at life from that point, I have been part of the bandwagon seeking material things first hoping that every other thing will fall in place. Victor is someone I really must get close to; He understands what it means to be a man in this world of madness. Thank you.
Victor
one no be election, we no need INEC. Na your right. Mbok send the shoes quick o.
Nnamdi Kanu
MTN – LET’S DO THIS The news that MTN is about to list its shares has hit me on both sides
Asari Dokubo
Buhari of my life. First as a stockbroker and also as a man that has some of the very brightest and intelligent friends who work in the place. As a stockbroker, I know the immense effect this listing will have on the market. It will deepen it and give it a robust feel, thereby giving investors, traders and other stakeholders more confidence and strong return profile. Secondly in my other life as a theatre producer, I have in the course of dropping some of the most enigmatic productions worked very closely with the team at MTN Foundation. Now the Foundation has decided to focus on theatre and culture in so doing they have supported some major works. From Bolanle Austen Peters to the beautiful Bikiya Graham Douglas and young Lanre Ajayi. They threw their weight behind my Oba Esugbayi which played last December making it phenomenally successful, giving me the opportunity to pay my children’s school fees. Working with that team, I could not help but marvel at the quiet efficiency, the transparency in the choice of projects to back and the above-board manner with which they conducted the relationships. From their boss Tobe who is now my very good friend, to Funsho Aina the guy who handles their PR to Nonny the sweet Head of the Foundation down to Pamela, the team are a sweet song. So this listing further entrenches the Firm in our system, better positioning them to contribute massively in all spheres of Nigerian life. I have sent a message to my mother that she has
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MAY 12 , 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R
LOUD WHISPERS
EL- RUFAI
Chief Obasanjo
Abubakar Adamu Mohammed
Chike Ogeah
to write her will NOW so that I can use my share to buy these shares. I cannot shout.
Singapore and Rome put together is not the point. The question is, is there godfatherism in Lagos politics and if there is, how does it support or work against democracy which still remains one man, one vote and freedom to choose your leaders and lastly if it is inimical to the growth of democracy how then can we seek a solution? So dancing up and down and giving examples of good deeds including the repair of the Third mainland bridge and fixing Pot holes near Bourdillon do not hold water in this case. El-Rufai has fired a very potent weapon and I dare say he should not just limit it to Lagos or South West for that matter. The problem is nationwide. Godfathers are everywhere causing confusion and seizing power. See what is happening in Edo, everywhere so mbok retrace that your statement and re channel it. For the Lagos APC, you fail on this round, I will allow you one more chance to go back get your brightest minds and rethink the question and please come back with a better packaged response. Please forget that El-Rufai is short or that he does not brush his teeth, that no be the problem. Face the matter- is there godfatherism in our politics? El-Rufai you sef can look for trouble sha.
na mumu, I just dey look them. They are pushing me and when the wahala come they will say who send you. So you see now, the man don write N1b article and human rights lawyer don dey push am – no worry I will defend you. When case blow human rights lawyer go run. Mbok, my advice to columnists, essayists, writers or whatever he call himself na just run go Abeokuta go beg. That is all, beg has never killed a man. If you like, I can follow you, me I be expert, I can beg. I will even add tears in the matter. I don talk my own. Daddy you as our father no vex. Please forgive and let’s move on after all you sef na letter writer if Buhari decide to sue you for your own, it will not be a matter of N1b o.
On behalf of all the good People of Shomolu I will like to ask all Nigerians to stand up and raise a glass of palm wine – Yemi Shdimu’s own o not any how one – to salute this great patriot and father of the very beautiful Bikiya Graham Douglas. Daddy, one of the low points of your very exciting and flourishing life is the fact that you missed very narrowly the much anticipated role of being one of the father in laws of the Duke of Shomolu. I had asked your beautiful daughter Bikiya for her hand in marriage six times, the sixth time just as Ambode was leaving the Hall during my last Play. And six times, this girl turned me down. Being a young and sweet lady, she did not know the implication of our marriage on the Ijaw-IbibioShomolu union. The marriage would have built a bridge between these three great peoples. Sir, I believe very fervently that it is not too late for her to see reasons and that is why I am using the auspicious occasion of your 80th to bring this matter to you in a bid to avoid any diplomatic row. Happy birthday Sir and may God continue to bless you and keep you for us so that you can work with me in achieving my goal which is to make Bikiya my 5th wife. Stay blessed my lord.
ASARI DOKUBO AND NNAMDI KANU – LET’S PLAY SCRABBLE Abi what else can I say to these two? They seem to enjoy being in the spotlight for the fun of it. Today they are threatening thunder and brimstone, pushing a secession agenda, tomorrow they are getting more than involved in the electoral process in a country they really do not care about as per their claims. The other one, that is the Igbo one after jumping bail, released what looked like a porn movie to act as a guide for all couples when they eventually get to their new country. Today I hear they are at loggerheads abusing the hell out of each other. Me I like Asari if for nothing else, I like his pot belly. It is rotund and smooth; it reminds me of my father’s own. He makes some good logic and his fearlessness is out of this world. If you listen to him speak you will really understand what is going on in this country but where I disagree with him, is his much-vaunted solution of secession and lack of respect for constituted authority. With his gift of the garb, organizational capability and huge resources available to him , he should take advantage of these and seek power within the context of Nigeria and put his hands where is mouth is. It is easy to rail, jump in. For the other one I no go waste too much time to talk abeg, space no dey the column today. Please let’s go play scrabble, that should keep us busy for a while. The issues in this country pass these ones wey una dey talk abeg. Thank you. EL-RUFAI, YORUBA YOUTHS AND GODFATHERISM You see, El Rufai dey Kaduna me I dey Shomolu so I have to choose my words very carefully. The man has spoken about ending godfatherism in Lagos politics and as expected, the Lagos APC and some organizations claiming representation of Yoruba youths have jumped in and attempted to naked His Excellency. Much as I would like to see the size of His Excellency’s testicles, I would still like to queue behind him on this one. You see as usual, my brothers have failed to tackle the issue that El-Rufai has thrown up but instead decided to dance around it and distract us from the core issue. So if the godfatherism has thrown Lagos from the backwaters of development to the number one city state in the world, outperforming
CHIEF OBASANJO – PLEASE DON’T VEX I have just seen a report that says that my highly respected statesman who was recently seen modelling monkey suit in faraway Vietnam is taking one national daily with a powerful columnist to court seeking N1billion as damages. You see, since I start this business of column writing this has been my major fear. But I thank God I never reach the point wey anybody go sue me for N1b. if anybody try am na him go even give me transport fare to dey go the court for the case. In fact there was a small matter sef when my Lord Chike Ogeah called me one Sunday afternoon while I was in the other room that they are looking for me o. I say who, he say I annoy one SAN for this page o. Say he don report me o. I shout, I did not go and annoy small lawyer like them Ishmael or Aiboni na, a whole SAN? Human rights lawyer? He say I should quickly write apology o. Just one paragraph. Na one page I write and when I see the SAN for Protea Hotel Ikeja, I prostrate flat for floor begging and thanking him for his magnanimity for not asking for my scrotum. You see with this buharinomics who want to go and add court matter to the problem. All these people who will be sending me text, calling me, yab Tinubu, Yab Buhari, Atiku dey craze, Akpabio
IG – SENATE, PLEASE HELP! It is not until our IG comes down with kwashiorkor that we will know that there is really a clear case of wahala with the way the police has been funded. The President says the man is losing weight and as such, he is working. I agree, what with the constant strife all over the country and the paucity of funds it is enough for a man not only to lose weight but also his libido which I am sure is the case. You know our President is a strict disciplinarian and would not release such information to the public. The IG has cried out that the police is not adequately funded hence its seeming inability to meet up to the challenges. They find it very difficult to police the nation as a result and the IG has stated this matter-of-factly. So the Senate and all relevant authorities are hereby instructed by me to look critically at this issue and declare a state of emergency in that sector to support the police. Please I will need a report from the joint committee with input from the Police Service Commission, the Federal Executive Council within the next 90 days. I admonish all relevant authorities and stakeholders to take this assignment with the very seriousness it deserves, failure which I will deal ruthlessly with any person or body that compromises this. We have to support the police, enough of using them to be carrying politician’s wife’s bag and then they will now not support them. If by the 4th of July which is my 50th something is not done about the plight of the police, I will walk stark naked to the National Assembly and you know what the implications of that is. I have spoken, let the wise listen. CHIEF ALABO TONYE – GRAHAM DOUGLAS – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR My lord is turning 80 and I would like to wish him a happy birthday.
WAKIKI DELIVERS I had mentioned this platform some time ago. Let me say it again as the summer time approaches. You know how Nigerians can travel even those who don’t have money to rent hotel, they will all just be going to that summer. Go and suffer, enter Primark buy Okrika and come back and be posing. Well some young people have come out with a strong proposition which is employing Nigerians, putting food on the tables of our people and helping in repatriating much-needed forex back into the country. So they help people get Nigerian delicacies while abroad. If you are missing our food, all you need do is reach out and you get the food delivered at the cheapest possible price with unparalleled efficiency. This is the kind of thinking we should be having everything cannot be government, government, government. This one wey they are losing weight and going to London on private visit to facilitate with Prince Harry, we all just have to put our thinking cap and begin to throw up these kinds of initiatives and for those of us wey no fit think, we support those who can think. Time has come for self-help. Government don tire , I tell you.
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T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY MAY 12, 2019
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍşËœ ͺ͸͚Î
62
with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com
SOCIAL MEDIA BITS
Last week, the Central Bank Governor was retained, the Police warned against itself, and an Emir’s domain was carved up...
T
he Police have been on the receiving end of abuse and condemnation from much of the Nigerian public in recent weeks and months, so a pat on the back from the President should be welcome. Unfortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari, in expressing confidence in the acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu - and by extension, the organisation he leads – made light of the worrying security situation in the country by measuring the IG’s performance by his physical appearance. The President was asked if there would be a different approach in the fight against insecurity, especially kidnapping, to which he responded: “You know, I have just seen the IG, he is‌ I think he is losing weight; so, I think he is working very hard.â€? Nigerians on social media were outraged, and those who decided to play the President’s game advised that he retains
or jettisons his Ministers and aides in the impeding reshuffle based on the same criterion. Still on the Police, and sticking to the theme, the Force is “malnourished� from years of neglect, and as the saying goes, a hungry man is an angry man. This is probably why the Nigeria Police Twitter handle advised Nigerians to be careful, because it can’t vouch for the state of mind of its officers. Another law enforcement agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was in the news for quizzing two Nigerian artistes, Naira Marley and Zlatan Ibile, as well as seizing their laptops and phones. Relatively new kids on the block, they have in not-so-subtle ways, glorified the activities of internet fraudsters otherwise known as “yahoo boys� in their songs, and in social media videos. Naira Marley has at least one video where he asked his fans to pray
ÍšÍşËœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
63
SOCIAL MEDIA BITS for cybercrime practitioners because they help money circulate. It is incriminating evidence, just like the video clips which seem to show Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje stuffing wads of dollars in alleged kickbacks into his pocket. Difference however, the governor is immune from prosecution. Rather than being hunted, Ganduje is the hunter and in his sights is the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. The week started with rumours of Ganduje working to depose Sanusi on allegations of corruption (the cheek of it!); by the end of the week, the governor had whittled down the Emir’s influence by dividing his domain into five emirates, each with its own “first class� Emir. The Emir used to be Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. His successor, Godwin Emefiele just had his tenure renewed by the President, the first time this has happened since the return to civilian rule in 1999. The decision by President Buhari to retain Emefiele was met with general approval, including from those who bash him regularly for his alleged clannishness. Rumours that surfaced a few weeks ago
that Emefiele would be replaced by a Northerner have surely, been put to bed. Being in bed with the All Progressives Congress is not going so well for Imo State Governor, Rochas Okoracha, formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance. According to him, “The evil I feared in the PDP has befallen me 10 times in the APC,� he said with regret, as he accused leaders of his party of frustrating his return to the Senate. No regret however from Presidency spokesman, Garba Shehu, who said herders’ group Miyetti Allah should not be criminalised but should be seen as socio-cultural groups like Afenifere and Ohaneze Ndigbo. Despite both groups kicking against the comparison by citing violence attributed to the herders, Shehu doubled down in a statement; “Miyetti Allah, like any other trade, community, ethnic organization or interest group is a legal stakeholder in our nation and should be respected,� he said insisting that the government will engage with different groups, including Miyetti Allah.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž AY 12, 2019
PERSPECTIVE
Ambode in the Eye of History Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has secured his place in the political history of the state, reckons Ade Ajayi
G
radually, the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has begun its winding down process, preparatory to its transition to history. Ordinarily, this transition ought not to be. Rather, instead of a transition, the process should have birthed the consolidation of the Ambode administration as the governor transits into the second stanza of his public service
career. But that will not be as the Lagos State’s peculiar political system has shown that a good performance alone cannot guarantee a public office holder a renewal of tenure, even by his political party. So come May 29, 2019, Ambode rather than beginning the process of consolidating on his achievements in the last four years, will pass the baton to his comrade in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The governor will also be going down in history as the second incumbent governor to have been denied the right of first refusal to a return ticket after former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju in the country. But unlike Mbadinuju, who was denied a return ticket by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003, because of poor stewardship, Ambode is a victim of the byzantine prebendal politics of the state to which he chose not to align with at the expense of service delivery to Lagosians. However, whatever might be his shortcomings in playing realpolitik that could have earned him an automatic second term ticket as did his predecessors in the state’s ruling party since the rebirth of democratic government in 1999, Ambode is leaving Lagos much better than he met it. His signature projects in the area of infrastructure development in the five divisions that make up the state have ensured a better living standard for the people. It was under him the state found a seemingly permanent solution to the intractable traffic congestion in Abule Egba and Ajah with the building of the Jubilee Flyovers in the two areas, where commuters hitherto spent as much as two hours in standstill traffic. Work has also gone far on the construction of another flyover at Pen Cinema junction in Agege to liberate commuters and motorists from the hellish traffic in that area. The construction of the flyovers as well as the completion and rehabilitation of 500 roads, in the last three years, have greatly
Ambode...counting on posterity enhanced mobility across the state. Another notable effort in this sector is the redesigning of the Ojodu Berger axis, a major transport hub, in such a way that transporters and commuters no longer pose a threat to other road users. Also, residents of Lagos suburbs, especially in Alimosho Local Government and its constituent local government development area councils, who had lived under deplorable conditions occasioned by poor road network, have been gifted an environment they could boast of. The roads in the areas are well paved with a modern drainage system to de-flood the area and streetlights to enhance security. However, one cannot close the chapter on Ambode’s achievements in the area of infrastructure without looking at two iconic projects: the reconstruction of the road leading to the nation’s premier gateway, Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the Oshodi Transport Interchange. The two projects are to strengthen the state’s claim to a 21st Century megacity.
The International Airport project is transforming the four-lane carriageway into a 10-lane super highway with additional features of a ramp bridge and a flyover. The Oshodi Transport Interchange, on its part, is to consolidate on the achievements of Ambode’s predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who returned order to the crime-infested and chaotic ambience of the area, by turning it into a world-class transport hub. The interchange, built through the public-private partnership model, comprises three terminals and has 18 lifts and CCTVs The Ambode touch has also been felt in other sectors such as the Bus Reform Initiative aimed to boost the state’s public transportation fleet with 5,000 new buses. Already, about 1,000 of such buses are ready to roll out under a new scheme that takes off in May. He has also doggedly pursued the BRT scheme inherited from his predecessor with the addition of 434 new buses to those plying the Ikorodu Corridor. A new corridor that will soon become operational has also been completed to extend the scheme to commuters plying the Oshodi-Abule Egba Corridor. In the health sector, the Ambode touch has transformed Ayinke House, arguably the biggest maternity hospital in Nigeria, from an 80-bed facility into an ultra-modern 170-bed specialist centre. The LASUTH complex, which houses the Ayinke House, now has a state-owned helipad for medical emergency and the nation’s first DNA Forensic Centre. The governor’s initiative under the Eko Theatre provides a platform to harness the creativity and potential of youths by building four theatres in Alimosho, Badagry, Ikeja and Epe. Within the four-year of his administration, the governor has made Lagos more secure for the people through the provision of N6.6 billion gadgets to security agents that are statutorily funded and equipped by the federal government. He also signed into law, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law and the Lagos State Properties Protection Law to protect property investors from land grabbers. Ambode has been able to achieve all these and more in the field of human capital development and the economy through his financial engineering wizardry in such a way that he is leaving the state without adding to the state’s foreign public debt stock of $1.43 billion that he inherited from his predecessors. As he steps aside come May 29, 2019, there is no doubt that he is leaving Lagos far better than he met it. ––Ajayi, a public affairs analyst, lives in Lagos
Election Tribunal: X-raying Buhari’s Legal Team ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă&#x;Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ&#x; Ă&#x;Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ“ËŞĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹Ă– ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ăž job, writes Steve Adepoju
U
ndoubtedly, one of the most discussed topics in the nation at the moment is the hearing of election petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the recently concluded general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, President Mohammadu Buhari, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It is on record that well-meaning Nigerians and groups from various quarters prevailed on Alhaji Atiku not to challenge the victory of President Buhari, rather he should congratulate him. Atiku, however, decided not to toe the path of the advice offered to him, therefore headed to the election tribunal. In response to the petition filed against the incumbent president, the All Progressives Congress filed out a legal team it supporters were confident would be able to rise to the occasion, based on the brilliance and intellectual sagacity of members of this legal team. As expected of such prime prize, the Buhari Team sought for and boasts of the best. The list consists of Senior Advocates, who are veterans in electoral issues and they are Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Akinlolu Olujinmi, SAN, Niyi Akintola, SAN, Charles Edosawan, SAN, Dipo Okpeseyi, SAN, and others. These are lawyers that have removed and installed kings. Also on the list is a new comer like Festus Keyamo, SAN, a vibrant and brilliant lawyer and activist. Hon. Babatunde Ogala, a Bola Tinubu loyalist, former Lagos State legislator and APC Legal Adviser naturally made the list. Expected, Kayode Ajulo, Abuja-based cerebral lawyer and activist is included. Reason behind his debut is not farfetched, judging from his out-of-the-box legal approach to some national and international issues. At the moment, the whole place is agog as the hunter, Atiku, now becomes the hunted, on account of a salvo fired by the Buhari’s legal team in defense of their client. Atiku presently battles a submission by this legal team that he was in the first place not eligible to contest elections in Nigeria as he’s alleged not to be a Nigerian Citizen by birth.
Vice President Osinbajo and President Buhari displaying INEC certiticate of return However, while Buhari’s legal representation is being commended for this move, revelations have attributed some of the ingenuity being hatched by this team as clues provided by Kayode Ajulo. That the lawyer is part of the APC Presidential Team is not a surprise judging from his ingenuity and tailor made back to back legal approach to issues. It is on record that prior to the presidential election, Ajulo did a comprehensive research, published same and proceeded to Federal High Court through a Civil Society Organisation, Egalitarian Mission for Africa to contend that Atiku was not eligible to contest the presidential election on allegation of not being a bonafide citizen of Nigeria by birth, as the Constitution only permits a Nigerian Citizen by birth to contest for the exalted office of the President of Nigeria. This singular gesture of this legal practitioner has shored up both cheers and jeers from different quarters as his gesture has continued to break new grounds for him and place greater responsibilities on him.
Part of such responsibility was his recent inclusion in the committee saddled with responsibility of resolving the crisis between the federal government and Academic Staff Union of Universities. A few among other highly placed individuals in the committee include are the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Chief Edwin Clark, Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Barrister Femi Falana. As laudable as Kayode’s moves may be, it doesn’t absolve him of allegations that some of his gestures were tainted with quest for personal gains. The onus therefore rests on him to prove he didn’t go to court over Atiku’s controversial citizenship as a way of seeking audience with the power of the day. To a large extent, his role as the secretary of a Buhari Support group makes it difficult to prove any innocence. This same Ajulo, who has suddenly fallen in line with the principles of the ruling party, it will be recalled, once took on the immediate former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and dragged him to court over a constitutional issue of insanity. Facts and events have shown that this former National Secretary of Labour Party, Ajulo, is not new to coming up with novel initiatives as there are handful of such developments at his instance that could be pointed at. During the days of President Umar Yar’Adua’s illness that resulted in his passing, it would be recalled there was a desperate move by a cabal to prevent the then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan from becoming the substantive President. As counsel to the Ijaw leader, who doubles as Jonathan’s Godfather, Chief Edwin Clark, Ajulo came up with a thesis after which he approached a Federal High Court, Abuja, to compel the cabal and National Assembly to make Jonathan acting-President and thus, the emergence of doctrine of necessity as adopted by the National Assembly. As it is, with the quality of defence at the disposal of President Buhari through his lawyers, not a handful will agree that it is almost impossible to reverse Buhari’s victory from the 2019 general election. -Adepoju, a journalist, wrote from Lagos
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PERSPECTIVE
Bayelsa: Who Picks Up the Gauntlet? Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has introduced the kind of leadership that only a like-mind can take further, writes Daniel Iworiso-Markson
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oon Bayelsa State will confront a monumental date with destiny. One thing is clear: in the context of developments elsewhere, where paradigms are shifting to encompass greater definitions of human progress, Bayelsa’s horizons cannot be circumscribed by the limitations of its past. Take the idea by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to create a new “Ministry of Possibilities’, which is a further step in the continued aspiration of this modernising nation to not only remain competitive but even stay ahead of competition. According to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the UAE premier and ruler of Dubai, the unconventional ministry, a virtual one but with input from the whole cabinet, will address pressing national portfolio of issues and build future governing systems. “Future challenges require the constant development of the government structure ‌impossible is not in our dictionaryâ€?, he proclaimed. Then I watched the video clip of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reeling off the incredible advancement of his country in science, technology and innovation through which it has built a very strong economy at home and a powerhouse in the global economy. Innovation in ICT has created its leadership in cyber security, tech Dickson...his big shoes companies, energy and agriculture. As a matter of fact, Netanyahu emphasised to the Bayelsa can be similarly driven to become an economic world, the five current pace-setting companies in the power house not only in Nigeria but in the sub-region world – Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon and Faceand even in the African continent. book – have major resource centres in Israel. Here, the focus is on innovation to drive development “Our true wealth is in innovationâ€?. By the way, Israel and in the process solve so many of the challenges we has just about 8 million people, which represent 1 per face in the state by applying technology and smart policent of the world’s population. cies. Through the Israeli model, I think we can overcome And from our back yard, Ghana announced to the many of our teething challenges specific to the Bayelsa world that the country will soon be distributing essential condition, taming poverty through entrepreneurship, healthcare products to hospitals and other health facilistartups, light manufacturing, agriculture and agribusiness ties in the country through drones. The scheme is the (rice, cassava, banana, plantain and oil palm), fisheries, largest in the world. “No one in Ghana should die because they can’t access energy (gas) and tourism. Through collaboration and partnerships, technology the medicine they need. We must do everything within could be used to harness the latent resources in Bayelsa our means to ensure that each and every citizen of Ghana has access to the quality healthcare they deserveâ€?, (human and material) and unleash a new economy that could birth the “Bayelsa Economic Miracle.â€? Of course, an exuberant Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, innovation in this regard is the driver of productivity, said. economic growth and development. Interestingly, Rwanda, which rose from the ashes It all boils down to leadership, vision and smart policies of ruin years ago, has since been operating the same that are forward looking and disciplined and consistent. drone application in healthcare from 2016, when the This is the model Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has pilot scheme started and already expanded to precision sought to provide in the course of his exemplary leaderagriculture especially in potato and wheat production ship, which needs to be consolidated and built upon. with farmers now smiling to the bank. We must A major challenge in the ambition to leapfrog developremember that Rwanda is a landlocked nation without ment is the manpower needed to run the process of natural resources, yet it is now acknowledged as one of innovation and technology and we must necessarily do the fastest growing economies in the world. greater investments in this regard. Whither Nigeria in all this? Why should a nation of The Restoration Government in Bayelsa State led swashbuckling people threaten to be such a monument by Governor Dickson has laid a solid foundation for of failure with puny nations, who not long ago looked this vision of economic revolution through massive up to us now treating us with scorn and derision? What investment in education across the state and other legacy have we brought on ourselves? Why do we insist on infrastructural projects. Henceforth, the state can do more carrying on with a clearly stultifying political structure? in prioritising maths and science and ICT as the bedrock In spite of all that, Bayelsa over the course of the past of innovation. eight years is proving that a clear-headed and deterThe Bayelsa Innovation Strategy should address inmined leadership with vision can still brave the odds novation capacity in relation to solutions to local needs and make a difference. It is the same audacity of hope and challenges in the specific areas itemised above. So which has seen the UAE under al-Makhtoum turn an arid place in a very short time into the toast of the world capacities will come from the many students in schools now with the right motivation for learning and constant in commerce, tourism and excellent governance culture. upgrading of curriculum to emphasise the rudiments of Yes, good governance. That is what is now driving the the economic tech age associated with the new vision economies of both Ghana and Rwanda and to a lesser extent, that of Kenya. Overall, the defining characteristics under consideration in powering a new economy for Bayelsa State. of these countries are: thinking, bright and creative Here, innovation and sustainable growth in the long run leadership, vision, determination and commitment, will play a central role as we must build local capacities consistency and discipline. They have all helped to initirevolving around the right education, skills and human ate some very forward-looking and pragmatic policies development. and programmes which are consequently changing their The new economy will also have to be inclusive, in stories. which case many of the youths who never had the opThe particular case of Israel is a fascinating one and portunity of formal education will go through the Bayelsa an inspiration to us in Bayelsa State. Just as Israel is Technology and Innovation Centre, a large and modern a developmental lodestar in the Middle East and the centre, where they will be taught various skills which will world at large, having dared impossible conditions,
necessarily have a relationship with the various segments of specific areas of concentration of economic activities as designed by the realities of the new economy. This is why we must reject the confining vision, which references Bayelsa State as a civil service state. We cannot continue with this mindset as all efforts must now be geared towards production and manufacturing without which no nation or state can claim to be developed. Like we had in Israel in their early stages of development, Bayelsa must begin start-up companies in different areas with the right support from the government, with the private sector as the engine of growth. Our people must shake off the lethargy of waiting for government before they can make impact even as government can serve as key enabler. This was what informed my decision to henceforth embark on routine visits to start-up companies in Bayelsa, which is part of the ongoing effort by the Dickson-led Restoration Government to recognise and encourage young entrepreneurs in the state. A few days ago, I visited the workshop of a talented young Bayelsan, who uses sawdust to fabricate lamp holders and screeding of walls. The support from government will certainly go a long way to enable him realise the full potential for his business. The Bayelsa innovation strategy towards a new economy will have to build niche competencies in sectors of comparative advantage especially in agriculture, which is capable of being the lynchpin of a major economic revolution in the state. Through technology application, there could be a great boom ahead when the rice fields in areas like Peremabiri, Ayamasa, Ofoni, Okordia-Zarama and in many communities in Ogbia, Nembe are well developed in increased acreages, improved varieties and fortified with precision agriculture to increase yields 3 to 5 times a year. Also, the cultivation of oil palm, cassava, plantain and banana on a large scale with same precision agriculture will, no doubt, give quantum results. The large scale fish farming, which has since commenced in the state courtesy of the Governor Dickson-led Restoration Government, will need greater investment and robust private sector participation for it to attain sustainable economic significance. Bayelsa has core competencies in these areas and with the right comparative advantage will ensure great opportunities for export. A major relevance of such huge investment in these areas is also the capacity to address socio-economic challenges particularly the impact on poverty reduction by creating jobs. A concerted effort must also be made to see how the enormous gas deposits in Bayelsa State can be converted into a huge asset that it represents despite the existing legal framework. Gas could fetch the state billions of dollars, when the current spate of flaring is completely cut off. That should be a priority concern. Then all efforts must be made to ensure our people begin some start-ups no matter the scale. Entrepreneurship is the way to go. We cannot continue to pride ourselves as a civil service state. The Restoration Government already has a master plan on this and the active collaboration of the private sector must be sought in this regard. Borrowing from Israel, technology and innovation are capable of changing our economic narrative through adaptation. Indeed Israel and Dubai have shown that with a clear vision and determined leadership, all things are possible even in an arid or blighted environment. We must change and advance socio-economic progress and better the lives of our people such that in about two decades, with the right priorities, smart policies, consistency and good governance, Bayelsa State can emerge an economic power house that challenges the rest of Nigeria to do better. Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has set the ball rolling in this regard. Now, are there men out there to pick up the gauntlet, who see leadership as a call to self-denial, service and sacrifice rather than corruption of our morals and licentious living, the public treasury as an extension of his private pockets? Now, who will be a hero for Bayelsa? ––Iworiso-Markson is the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bayelsa State
ARTS & REVIEW A
THE RETURN OF IKE UDE AT ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE PAGE 71
PUBLICATION
12.05.2019
OTUNBA RUNSEWE: TURNING AROUND THE CULTURAL SECTOR EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com
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TURNING AROUNDTHE CULTURAL SECTOR As a front-line culture and tourism personality, Otunba Matthew Segun Runsewe is set to use culture as a tool for Nigeria’s economic advancement. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports
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t has been decades since the National Council of Arts and Culture set about faithfully fulfilling its modest role in the sub-sector. The parastatal, which was established by Decree No 3 of 1975 and amended by Decree No 5 of 1987, somewhat became synonymous with the annual National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) and has also been known to concern itself with arts, crafts and the other finer details of culture. Now, with the new man at the helm of affairs of this hitherto nondescript culture agency, things have begun to stir to life and, consequently, waves of optimism are beginning to ripple through the entire sector. For Otunba Matthew Segun Runsewe has a vision, and that is one of putting Nigeria’s culture first. Since he assumed office in 2017, Runsewe has made no secret of this vision, which is premised on his understanding that cultural products should replace oil as foreign-exchange earners for the country. This informed his recent visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates with the National Council of Arts and Culture’s management team. The whole point of the visit – which took the team to such tourist attractions as the Miracle Garden, the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium, the Dubai Fountain, Global Village, Old Dubai, the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa and the world’s tallest hotel with an underwater restaurant Burj Al Arab – was to acquaint the team with the Dubai Model. The question on the minds of the visitors remains: how does Nigeria leverage on this insightful visit to reinvent its cultural sector? Seeing what other people are doing with their culture and tourism should not only inspire the management team, but also the coterie of stakeholders who were recently invited to a jaw-jaw session at the Kapital Klub Hotel premises in Asokoro, Abuja on Friday, May 3. “Come back home and see how to do something with our cultural potential,” Otunba Runsewe urged the participants. The brief for every stakeholder in the hall was to chart the way forward for the creative sector. Hence, the director-general urged every participant to freely bare his mind after the screening of a 30-minute documentary of the Dubai trip. Nigeria, he stressed, cannot afford to neglect its rich cultural heritage, which could be a major foreign-exchange earner. The sooner the country wakes up to the potential of the creative sector in the driving of the economy, the better. It is for this reason that he also plans to replicate this Dubai visit with 36 state commissioners alongside other stakeholders. This vision, he added, needed drivers, ambassadors and platform-runners. This vision, he also said, was a call for a new beginning in the continent, for which Nigeria must take the lead. “We are a people that believe we can do things first and I
Runsewe
believe if they can do it there, we can do it and even better. The time is now as we cannot afford to wait any longer. The unborn Nigerians, the future generations of this country will not forgive us and posterity will not forgive us if we do not make amends and effect the changes now. So, I implore all stakeholders to come together and make a total change in this sector.” It is quite revealing that only three states in the UAE– Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Chaja – are making any real economic impact on the Gulf Arab nation. The states’ impact on the country’s economy is based on the exploitation of their artificial resources. But, Nigeria has an abundance of natural resources, whose exploitation could turn around the fortunes of its economy in a spectacular way. The Dubai Mall, for instance, has about 180 restaurants with over 5000 car park facilities, which are seeking more workers. For the Director, Research and Development, NCAC, Dr Elizabeth Ben-Iheanacho, the trip was a fantastic learning experience, from which Nigeria could learn from the tourism strength of the Gulf nation and particularly from its history
and evolution from an ancient desert emirate to a tourism destination. Re-echoing her words, the Director, Arts and Crafts, NCAC, Mrs Chinwe Abara described the trip as phenomenal and thought Nigeria has much to learn from from the emirate. Similarly, the other members of the visiting management team extolled the creative exploits of Dubai, hoping Nigeria learns from its rich experiences. To this end, the setting up of a think-thank to not only drive this vision, but also to conceptualise and develop the ideas for further implementation was the next task on the agenda. Also dredged-up during the jaw-jaw session was the issue bordering on the establishment of a stand-alone culture and tourism ministry. As stakeholders aired their views, it was evident that there is a growing sense of optimism in the sector. Otunba Runsewe, for whom culture is a springboard for driving national development, has already left stakeholders in no doubt of his vision with what he has so far achieved
with the annual National Festival of Arts and Culture, called NAFEST. Hence, the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki recently told him: “With what you have done with NAFEST, some of us are reassured that Nigeria can rebound in all aspects of our national life and we are proud to have you at the centre as key partner to take Nigeria out of the woods to the promised land.” A key player in the media, culture and tourism sectors in Nigeria, Otunba Runsewe has held such positions as the executive director of the National Orientation Agency, the director-general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, the pioneer chairman of the Abuja Carnival Planning Committee, the media coordinator of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Abuja and the Head of Public Relations (Media) at the National Theatre, among others. The industry track records of this former newspaper publisher and fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations justify the great expectations swirling around him. He has so far left no one in doubt about his determination to re-invent the cultural sector.
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ARTS & REVIEW\\EXHIBITION
Eghrighri (Rainbow) by Bruce Onobrakpeya, plastograph, 89 x 118 cm, 1985
A SHOW FOR ART COLOSSUS, BRUCE ONOBRAKPEYA Yinka Olatunbosun
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ne of Nigeria’s pioneer contemporary artists, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya is celebrating six decades of artistry in a special commemorative solo exhibition titled, “Eni! You Can Always Tell Where the Elephant Has Passed.’’ The theme is folkloric, capturing the essence of the show which in itself is an account of a life of documented artistry. Curated by Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago, of SMO Contemporary Art, the show which began on April 27 at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi parades 36 rare prints, one of which dates back to 1959, when he had his first exhibition as a student at the Nigerian College of Arts Science and Technology, Zaria now known as the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He later obtained a Diploma in Fine
Arts from the institution. The said prints in this exhibition form the highlights of the artist’s life and works while they chronicle Nigeria’s post-independence era. Born in Delta State in 1932, Onobrakpeya was a member of the famous Zaria Art Society, a student group which sought to develop a new aesthetic language deeply rooted in African tradition and philosophy. Uche Okeke, Yusuf Grillo, Demas Nwoko, Oseloka Osadebe and other students were also part of this post-colonial independence movement. These legitimately ambitious young artists were later called the “Zaria Rebels” and quickly made their mark internationally with their strong visual philosophy. “We were not rebelling against anything as such but thought that the idea of just using the western art technique without relating it to our culture wasn't right,’’ remarked Onobrakpeya, who began to experiment with diverse media
including painting, sculpture, prints, low relief foils, large scale installations and mixed media works created out of found objects. Onobrakpeya is one of the most decorated visual artists in Nigeria. His works have been exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1990, the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Malmö Konsthall in Malmö, Sweden and the National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos to name a few. He received the UNESCO Living Human Treasures Award in 2006. “We are excited to be exhibiting Okpogho (The Hornbill), a print which dates back to Prof. Onobrakpeya’s first exhibition in Ughelli in 1959, alongside Chibok Girls, a recent print he created in 2017, as an homage to the kidnapped Nigerian school girls, as well as prints from his Niger Delta environmental protest series,” said the curator. “Prof Onobrakpeya is not just one of our finest artists, his works
are also important historical documents which showcase Nigeria’s rich history and culture, alongside socio-political events of the past sixty years. “We are extremely proud to host this internationally significant exhibition of Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya’s prints, “said Mosun Ogunbanjo, Director of the Wheatbaker. “It is important to us that both our international and local guests enjoy some of the best art Nigeria has to offer, as we confirm our commitment to using our platform to celebrate the best creativity of our master artists as well as emerging talent.” The ENI exhibition is supported by Louis Guntrum Wines, and will run until the end of July, with a special reception and artist talk held during the month of June. Another important exhibition of Onobrakpeya’s installations and sculptures is currently being exhibited at Freedom Park in Lagos, with a third exhibition planned in Agbhara-Ottor in August, all to commemorate his prolific career.
EXHIBITION
The Return of Ike Ude at Alliance Française Yinka Olatunbosun
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igerian-born, New Yorkbased fashion photographer and artist, Ike Ude might have been away from Nigeria for a while but his presence is very palpable. Since his last publicised appearance during an artist talk session organised by the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) at the Ford Foundation building in Banana Island, Lagos some years ago, not much had been heard until a recent screening of his documentary movie on Nollywood at the IREP Documentary Film Festival. Now, the art community in Lagos is set to receive him again on June 1 at Alliance Française, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi where his photo exhibition, titled Nollywood Portraits: A Radical Beauty, will
take place. This is his debut show in Nigeria. Ude, a master of light and colour, will parade giants of the Nigerian movie and television screen in classically staged shots. Some of the leading figures to be featured in this show are Genevieve Nnaji, Stephanie Okereke Linus and Kunle Afolayan. In total, 64 Nollywood greats rendered in elegant style will make a worthwhile eye feast. The show, which runs from June 1 till 16, offers a special collection, titled “The School of Nollywood”. The title is considered as both a play on and departure from the artistic opulence of one of Raphael Sanzio Urbino’s notable 1509 fresco, “The School of Athens”. The painting is of a grandiose architectural framework depicting prominent philosophers of Greek antiquity, posed in a towering position. Through this collection, Ude examines the representation of Africans in cinema culture, from negative stereotypes occasioned by colonial domination to intellects telling
the true African stories. Ude has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions, with critical reviews in Art in America, The New Yorker, Art Daily, L’UOMO, Vogue, Flash Art and The New York Times. His articles on fashion and art have been published in magazines and newspapers worldwide. Ude’s work has been exhibited at Leila Heller Gallery, New York (2013), the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Providence (2013), the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis (2014), the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam (2014), the Palm Springs Museum of Art, Palm Springs (2015), and the National Academy Museum and School, New York (2015), amongst others. Ude’s work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Museum, Washington D.C, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Museum of Art and Design (MAD), New York; the New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, CT, The Sheldon Museum of Art Lincoln NE and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum, Providence, RI.
Ude
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CICERO
Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819
IN THE ARENA
Saving the Councils from Governor’s Stranglehold Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit shocked many last week, when it came up with a policy banning banks, governors and others from tampering with statutory allocations of the local governments from the Federation Account. But is this feasible with the hold of the governors on the councils? Davidson Iriekpen asks
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he Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), last week, breathed life into local governments in the country, when it banned banks, governors, financial institutions, public officers and other stakeholders from tampering with their statutory allocations from the Federation Account. The agency also threatened to deal with individuals and companies abetting the diversion of local government funds with local and international sanctions. One of the major highlights of the new guidelines, which will become effective from June 1, borders on the restoration of the financial autonomy for the third tier of government. Each local government is now free to spend its funds judiciously without taking directives from governors, who have hijacked the monthly allocations of the third tier of government under the guise of State Joint Local Government Accounts. Some of the sanctions the NFIU has put in place to guard the policy include: likely blacklist of erring governors and the chief executive officers of the affected banks; shutdown of any erring bank; and watch-list of violators in 160 countries, where they cannot transact business or pay bills. It has imposed a daily N500, 000 cash transaction limit on all the 774 local governments. The complete copy of the guidelines has been released to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Chief Executive Officers of all banks and other financial institutions. A statement by the Acting Chief Media Analyst of the NFIU, Mr. Ahmed Dikko, explained the steps taken to protect local government allocations before arriving at this station. Local government is the third tier of government in Nigeria. It is the closest form of government to the people intended to take development to the local dwellers. But since the enthronement of democracy in the country in 1999, local government administration has been hijacked by state governments. Governors do not only choose their cronies to administer the local governments, they also dictate how their finances especially, allocations from the Federation Account should be spent. The decimation of the local government is believed to have started in Lagos during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, when he sought to take a firm grip of the council administration. The practice cuts across political parties with a predominant number of state governments regarding the third tier of government as mere administrative appendages placed under commissioners for local government and chieftaincy matters. This has made the third tier of government to not only lose its financial independence but operational autonomy, and rendering them redundant and incapable of rendering even the simplest of social services to the grassroots. The situation is said to be a major reason for under-development at the local government levels. This is why many observers wonder if the state governors would allow the policy to work considering their firm control of the councils and the huge money they get from them as slush funds. They are also wondering if they would not device another strategy to circumvent or thwart the policy. Since 1999, all the efforts and attempts to grant autonomy to the local government through constitution amendment have always been thwarted by governors. Several courts including the Supreme Court, had tried to intervene a number of occa-
President Muhammadu Buhari and Zamfara State Governor, Abdul-Aziz Yari sions on the overbearing attitude of the governors on the local government to no avail. Not only are elections not conducted or chairmen and councilors frequently removed at will, sole administrators and caretaker committees are frequently set to run their affairs all because of their revenue. THISDAY gathered that it was against this background that the federal government, alarmed by the continuous misuse of cash allocated to local councils across the country by state governments through the State Joint Local Government Accounts (SJLGA), outlawed the meddling of states in council allocations via the NFIU which was excised from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently. But many observers believe that lofty as the new NFIU policy is, it has a legal hurdle to surmount as Section 162 (8) of the 1999 Constitution empowers the states to distribute allocation to councils “among the local government councils of that state on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the state.” For instance, Section 162(3) of 1999 Constitution provides that any amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account shall be distributed among the federal and state governments and the local government councils in each state on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. Subsection 4 provides that any amount standing to the credit of the states in the Federation Account shall be distributed among the states on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, while subsection 5 says any amount standing to the credit of local government councils
in the Federation Account shall also be allocated to the state for the benefit of their local government councils on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. Subsection 6 states that each state shall maintain a special account to be called “State Joint Local Government Account” into which shall be paid all allocations to the local government councils of the State from the Federation Account and from the government of the state, while subsection 7 states that each state shall pay to local government councils in its area of jurisdiction such proportion of its total revenue on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. Besides, Section 3 of Allocation of Revenue (Federation Accounts, etc) Act, passed into law in 1982, which deals with the formula for distribution between local government councils, states “Subject to the provisions of this Act, the amount standing to the credit of local government councils in the Federation Account shall be distributed among the states of the federation for the benefit of their local government councils using the same factors specified in this Act.” With the policy in place, many observers are wondering what will happen to states that have created Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). For instance, in Lagos where two or three LCDAs were created in a local government area, funds originally meant for the LGA is shared among the LCDAs for the administrative, development and overhead. Though the existence of the LCDAs is not backed by the constitution, they have become part of the state administration by virtue of the law enacted the state Houses of Assembly.
P O L I T I CA L N OT E S
El-Rufai’s Hypothesis on Godfatherism
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El-Rufai
aduna State Governor, Nasir elRufai, last week, stirred the hornet’s nest when he said the menace often constituted by godfathers to political office holders could be tamed by directly engaging the people. He cited Kaduna as example, where he claimed to have ended godfatherism and argued that Lagos State too could be freed from the grip of its godfather if only the people were determined. This has naturally elicited reactions from many of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s foot soldiers, many of whom thought el-Rufai was seeking undeserved
attention and directly attacking their benefactor. In fact, they reminded him that Lagos was not Kaduna and that to attain Tinbu’s status in the state and nation, the individual must double up his stripes and work his way through. Certainly, the debate on godfatherism is not one to go away any time soon as the concept would always thrive in many places in Nigeria given the staggering poverty that seems to dot the land. But el-Rufai deserves commendation for not just making vague allusion but citing specific examples to buttress his case. But, wait a minute; can Lagos be free, for real? Only time has the answers to that poser.
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CICERO/TRIBUTE
Yar’Adua’s Undying Leadership Lessons Nine years after he passed on, many still reckon that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was a patriotic leader, who was committed to the Nigerian dream without pretence. Shola Oyeyipo writes
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oday, Nigerians fondly remember the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died in active service nine years ago. And the reason for this admiration, perhaps, is because he left some great marks on the sand of time as a leader with sincere love for the people – one who not only preached what he stood one, but led by
example. Though unable to complete his tenure as the 13th president of Nigeria, Yar’Adua, who took office on May 29, 2007, breathed his last on May 5, 2010, a few days shy of his third year anniversary. But despite the challenge of his protracted sickness and eventual death, his legacies still form some of the talking points in leadership till date. Three years ago, when marking the sixth year since Yar’ Adua passed, former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who served as vice president during the Yar’Adua era, said the late president was his dear friend, who he would not forget. “Six years ago, I lost a dear friend and partner in democracy, peace and progress. President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was a servant leader and a stickler for the rule of law. He may be gone but he is never to be forgotten. I pray for his soul and for him to rest in al Jannah firdaus.” In the same breath, Senate President Bukola Saraki, described Yar’Adua as a “selfless leader, who will not be forgotten.” Also marking the ninth year since the Nigerian leader died, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar said he was proud that his party produced Yar’Adua. Describing Yar’ Adua as a “decent leader,” Atiku, in a statement Sunday, noted that “The late President Yar’Adua was a man I was closely connected to.” Saying that a grateful nation appreciates the labours of its beloved son almost a decade after his passing, Atiku stated that Yar’Adua was an advocate and proponent of the rule of law and the doctrine of separation of powers. He also underscored the fact that it was only the Yar’Adua administration that did not suffer from executive-legislative tensions in the fourth republic. “I am proud of what he achieved and the fact that such a decent leader was produced by my political family (the Yar’Adua political family) and my political party (the Peoples Democratic Party). Many things, of course, set Yar’Adua apart in terms of leadership qualities. Unlike many leaders before and after him, Yar-Adua wrote his name in gold as the first Nigerian leader to carry out downward reverse of fuel pump price hike. To reduce the pain on Nigerians, immediately after his inauguration on May 29, 2007, one of his first actions in office was to reduce fuel price from N75 to N65. This endeared him to many Nigerians, who applauded him. He showed more than a passing interest in ensuring that peace returned to the troubled Niger Delta region, hence his decision to initiate the Niger-Delta Amnesty Programme through which hundreds of youths in the oil-rich Niger Delta were empowered. This was a decision that proved that his administration had human face. Previous governments had clamped down on the restive youths, who made blowing oil installations their stock-in-trade as a way to register their grievances against government. The programme was well-received. It had a resounding effect in reducing tensions in the region, and allowed government to scale up oil production, because quite a number of the agitators were rehabilitated and trained on various skills. The Abuja-Kaduna rail route was his initiative. Though he never lived to witness its eventual completion by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2016, today, the project is serving a lot of Nigerians, who now see the rail route as alternative to the Abuja-Kaduna road currently taken over by kidnappers and other criminals. Not many workers will forget in hurry that it was the late Yar’ Adua that initiated the move that gave birth to the N18, 000 minimum wage on February 22, 2011, when the Senate approved the new wage. He had inaugurated the Presidential Committee on National Minimum Wage headed by Chief Justice Alfa Moddibo but the new wage was approved by President Jonathan, who succeeded him. He recommended the dredging of the River Niger, 40 years after but as is the case with most of his laudable initiatives, he did not see it through to fruition before his demise. He was the first Nigerian leader to declare his assets.
Yar’Adua...a leader by example He declared that he had N856,452,892 (US$5.8 million) in assets, N19 million ($0.1 million) of which belonged to his wife. He also had N88,793,269.77 ($0.5 million) in liabilities. Many watchers concluded that Yar’Adua planned to set a good example for public office holders and discouraged corruption. His predecessor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo held back federal allocations due to Lagos State, on the grounds that 37 Local Council Development Authority (LCDAs) created by a former governor of the state, Senator Bola Tinubu was illegal, Yar’Adua released the money running into billions few months after assuming of power. Obviously, Yar’Adua recorded so many firsts. He was the first civilian president to take over from a civilian administration since Nigeria attained independence in 1960. Yar’Adua was also the first civilian president with a university degree – a degree in chemistry, masters in analytical chemistry. He was also the first leader to own up that the election that brought him into office was marred by fraud and violence. The late president will be remembered for his sevenpoint agenda, which included improving power supply, boosting agriculture, reducing food insecurity, fighting corruption and raising education standards. In his nine years passing commemorative tribute (published in THISDAY), Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro eulogised the late president’s frugality and incorruptibility are well known. “Yar’Adua, no doubt, performed creditably both as Governor of Katsina State and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Even though he could not achieve all the seven-point agenda; all that could pass for his legacy is the creation of the Niger Delta Ministry and the amnesty he offered militants in the restive Niger Delta, which restored peace and stability in the oil-rich area. “Late President Umaru exuded discipline, humility and simplicity not readily associated with Nigerian
politicians. Under his presidency, extensive banking reforms were introduced under Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (now Emir of Kano). “In these reforms, the rot in the industry become apparent. Powerful and influential names in the banking industry found to have abused customer confidence and mismanaged depositors funds were fired and prosecuted for their role in various alleged scams in the industry. “To the credit of President Yar’Adua was the bold step in approving a long standing government plan to dredge the River Niger. The project with huge economic potential for the country had been on the drawing board of successive administrations but no concrete decision was taken to advance it. “Yar’Adua’s greatest strength was his love for peace in Nigeria and Africa. As president he chose dialogue, peace and worked to resolve the lingering crisis in the Niger-Delta region, the same way he chose peaceful method in resolving other political crises in parts of the West African sub-region. “His 30 months tenure was marked by a sense of national rebirth and development as a committed patriot and true servant of the people, who believed strongly in peace and equity as key panacea for national development. His commitment to vision 20:2020 was aimed at giving Nigeria and Nigerians a new lease of life,” Danyaro stated. Considering that he gave amnesty to Niger Delta militants, some commentators engaged in extensive argument on whether or not Yar’Adua could have contemplated paying ‘ransom’ to some of the vicious killer groups terrorising Nigeria. Although he is no longer here to state his position on such debate, history will be kind to him as a leader, who meant well for the country. Yar’ Adua will be greatly remembered as a patriotic leader. He eschewed nepotism – he was not clannish or sectional and he had a really broad worldview.
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CICERO/ONTHEWATCH
Ganduje’s Five Ways to Disrobe the Emir of Kano The last may not have been heard of the crisis rocking the Kano Emirate as Governor Ganduje in cohorts with the state’slawmakersmakedecisivemovestohumiliatetheEmirofKano,MuhammadSanusi,writes Ibrahim Shuaibu
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lose to his retirement as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the current Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II had drummed it into every ear that cared to listen that his lifetime ambition was to become the emir of Kano someday. As popular as he was then, Sanusi rebuffed proposals from close associates, urging him to dabble into the stormy waters of politics and aspire for the president of Nigeria. Becoming the emir was a dream too dear to him. The realization of his dream came closer home, when the former emir, His Royal Highness, Ado Abdullahi Bayero, joined his ancestors. Sanusi seized the opportunity, deployed resources and used his contacts to ensure that he fulfilled his dream even though some powerful blocs within and outside the emirate council strongly opposed his candidature. Luck was, however, on his side as he enjoyed the favour of the then-governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who shut his doors against all protests and installed Sanusi as Emir of Kano amidst violent protest. In fact, the new Emir relocated to Government House for some days after his installation to allow the tension to die down. Ascending the throne, Emir Sanusi brought some policies that the old fellows in the palace considered strange, but he had his way as he is endowed with affluence and influence, including the strong support he had received from Kwankwaso. Things, however, began to move the other way for the Emir when Kwankwaso’s tenure ended. The situation became worse when Emir Sanusi was caught in between the political rift between Kwankwaso and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. On many occasions, Sanusi covertly and overtly moved against some policies of Ganduje’s administration in favour of his political rival, Kwankwaso. Since his ascension to the throne, it has been an array of controversy for Sanusi, the most recent being the current process of splitting his kingdom into five Emirates, a move that has seriously devastated the Emir and by extension reduced the influence of the emirate in the nation’s traditional institution. However, the project for the creation of four additional emirate councils in Kano has continued to gain grounds as the Kano state House of Assembly has already amended bill the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Law 1983, which will give legal backing to the creation of four additional emirate councils. The amended law has given the needed ground to decentralize the Kano Emirate Council, unbundling to five councils with independent first class emirs. The assembly, during last Tuesday’s sitting unanimously adopted the report of its joint standing committees on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Judiciary, which upheld the petition forwarded to the House by Mr. Ibrahim Salisu Chamber, seeking for the creation of four additional Emirate and upgrade of the traditional rulers manning them to first-class emirs. The petitioner is seeking the creation of four additional emirate councils in Gaya, Karaye, Bichi, and Rano, which would be accorded equal status with the Kano Emirate currently manned by the Emir Muhammad Sanusi II. According to Ibrahim’s petition, the establishment of the four other emirate councils would bring more development and smoothen the process of governance through traditional institutions in the state. Ibrahim demanded the decentralization of the emirate council, insisting that such a move would draw the people and traditional institutions closer to the state government. He added that the development would enhance security and socio-economic development in the state. While reading the joint committees’ report before the floor of the house on Tuesday, the Majority Leader, Alhaji Baffa Babba Danagundi, said the report also recommended the review of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Law. According to him, the decision of the joint committee was as a result of wide consultation with stakeholders and opinion leaders in the state, adding that going by the feedback received by the joint committee, the public is massively in support of the creation of four additional emirate councils in Kano State. On Monday, the speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly during a plenary session read a petition forwarded to the House by the Salisu Chambers, seeking to split the emirate council. According to the speaker, the petitioners demanded the decentralization of the emirate council to also have Gaya, Bichi, Rano, and Karaye emirate councils. Alasan-Rurum said the letter seeking the decentralization of the emirate council, stated that the motive would draw the remote and historic emirate closer to the state government, which would enhance security and developmental aspects of Kano. Alhaji Zakari Muhammad, member representing Tarauni constituency said the move came at the right time, looking at the developments recorded in neighboring states that also decentralized their emirate council. Members representing Takai, Dawakin Tofa, Rimin-Gado, Mu-
Governor Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano State and Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi when the going was good nicipal, Nassarawa, and Tudun Wada constituencies unanimously supported the move. According to the members, it would upgrade the status of Rano, Gaya, Bichi, and Karaye to become independent emirate councils. The decentralization of Kano Emirate seemed to have the full support of Governor Ganduje, who told journalists shortly before the commencement of the weekly executive council meeting that the bill was a popular and welcome development. He said the creation of four additional emirates to be overseen by first class emirs would not only bring socio-economic development but take the business of governance closer to the people. “We heard about a bill sent to the State House of Assembly, requesting them to make a law for the creation of four more emirs in Kano. We believe those that did this, did it with good intention. And they want the development of the state.” Ganduje expressed the hope that the legislative arm would work on the bill with the needed speed and forward to him for his assent, adding that, “I am ready to sign a bill into law without delay. That is the popular wish of our people – the people of Kano state. This will also go a long way in hastening growth and development for the state.” He stated that though efforts to create additional emirate councils in Kano failed some years ago, “we are happy to see that the idea would come into fruition,” adding that it will also lead to more concentration on our health, education and other equally important sectors of the society. “That is why I said there will be no waste of time in signing the bill into law,” he stated. However, the law is not without protests. A group known as Kano First Forum (KFF) has strongly kicked against the move and described it as vindictive and ill-conceived. Addressing journalists at the NUJ Press Centre on Wednesday, the Chairman of the group, Dr. Yusuf Ishaq Rabiu, said the creation of more emirates in Kano would instigate bad blood and violence among the citizens of the state. Rabiu said, “This will surely bring disunity and enmity among our people, specifically among the four emerging emirates. Considering the comments emerging from Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya on conventional and social media, one can quickly draw this conclusion that chaos may ensue after the declaration. What happens between Katsina and the Daura emirates, Hadejia and Kazaure emirates are an example.” Rabiu further noted, “The move will ruin our heritage that survives for over two thousand years as the grand Emirate will lose prestige in the process. And finally, neither any of the emerging ones will fill in the gap in this 21st century. The House is not being fair to the state as there are more pressing issues that need their urgent attention such as education, water supply, health, and the dying
Kano businesses.” Hours after submitting the amended bill, Ganduje signed into law, the State Emir’s Appointment and Deposition Amendment Law, 2019. He assented to the law at the 136th state council meeting on Wednesday, before the speaker and other principal officers of the assembly. “Traditional institution will now go closer to the people in all nooks and crannies of the state. We are about to make history today and in the holy month of Ramadan.” Ganduje explained that with the expansion of the emirate councils and the importance attached to the institution alongside preserving the cultural heritage, there was the need to bring forth the all-important institution to serve people better. According to him, all the necessary requirements needed for the immediate take-off of the new councils would be handled in earnest. “Kingmakers will be known very soon. So, also all other process and procedures will be completed for appointing respective emirs, issuing them with appointment letters up to the coronation stage,” Ganduje said. He thanked the state assembly for the “historic work done”. Emphasizing that Kano would now have sustained development in all aspects of life in the state. While acknowledging the role the traditional institution plays in the security of the larger society, he said, “In the areas of education, health, environment, the traditional institution is indeed a partner in progress. With this development, therefore, all hands will be on deck to take Kano to the next level.” In his remarks, during the official presentation of the bill to the governor, the speaker, Rurum, reminded all of the traditional statuses of the three out of the four newly created emirate councils. He said Gaya, Karaye and Rano councils were in existence before, for over 100 years, adding that along the line “many things happened when they all ceased to exist”. “We are now very grateful that the hitherto existing emirate councils are now fully back. This will indeed be another plus to the administration of His Excellency the governor. And our assembly for fulfilling the aspirations of our people,” the speaker said. Rurum further hinted that, when the Bill was presented to the assembly, many people jubilated and that they received many encomiums from the citizens, which he claimed added value to the process. In 1983, history has it that the first civilian governor of Kano State, the late Abubakar Rimi, tried to decentralize the Kano Emirate, a project that did not last long to fail. Though some are protesting the latest move, many like Governor Ganduje believed it would bring about more developments to the state. As it is, it remains a matter of time to know both the positive and the negative impacts of decentralizing the ancient Kano Emirate.
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THE COVER
Sanusi
Sanusi: An Emir and the Making of a Diminished Emirate Heisflamboyant.Heissuave.Heiscosmopolitan.Andheattendedthebestschoolsandevenattainedthepinnacleofhiscareer asabanker.Atatime,atopthenation’sbiggestbank,FirstBank,andonetimeGovernoroftheCentralBankofNigeria(CBN).But evenwithaglowingcareerandinfluencethatwouldmakemanyofhisagegreenwithenvy,HisRoyalHighness,SanusiLamido Sanusi, had always had an ambition: to ascend the throne of his forefathers. Even when the odds suddenly became stacked againsthim,herealisedhisambitiononJune9,2014.Heiskingoverforty-fourlocalgovernmentsinKanoState.Atleast,until Tuesday last week, when Governor Abdullahi Ganduje assented to the bill splitting the Emirate Council into five. Implication: Sanusi will have his kingdom divided into five! With rumours of outright deposition renting the air, Samuel Ajayi traces the travailsoftheembattledmonarchandlooksattheironyofthosewhosawtohisascensionnowdeterminedtoseehisback.. Sanusi and the Coronation Hall ‘Invaders’...
hortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Abdullahi Ganduje, the controversial governor of Kano State, had won a second term in an equally controversial re-run election, his supporters went into a wild frenzy. They were very happy and made for Coronation Hall of Government House, Kano, with a ladder. They made to where photographs were hung on the wall and removed that of the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. It was the beginning of the current travails of the former top banker in the hands of a governor who himself is scandal personified. But it didn’t start after the elections even if the manifestation came then. Sometime in the summer of 2017, Sanusi, going by feelers from the state government, knew there was trouble. The state anti-graft agency had started looking into the books of the Emirate Council and was almost concluding that certain things were untidy. Sanusi was also accused of having the “effrontery” to send his daughter to represent him at a function in Abuja. It was not known if this was against tradition or not in an ultra-conservative society. Beyond that, however, the fact that Sanusi, a former top banker with First Bank and erstwhile governor of CBN, was being investigated for mismanagement of funds was enough embarrassment. It was inconsequential if he was guilty or not. Prominent northerners intervened and his blushes were saved. If Sanusi thought those who wanted to do him in would relent after 2017, he was wrong.
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aide to the embattled Emir. Bayero is not new to royalty and the rumbles that go with it. He was one time chief aide to Ado Bayero, Sanusi’s predecessor. He had told newsmen about his invitation and subsequent appearance before the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. He stated, “When I appeared before the investigating panel, I was presented with some documents which I went through and I requested for more time to study and return them.” In a rehash or dusting up of the rule book of the 2017 attempted drag in the mud, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje signed a bill into law breaking up the Kano emirate into five. The journey to the signing of the new law started when a petition that was sent to the Kano State House of Assembly was curiously given expeditious attention and consideration. A couple of weeks back, one Ibrahim Salisu had sent a petition to the Kano State House of Assembly. What did he want? Simple. Or so it seemed. He wanted some traditional rulers to be upgraded from just District Heads to first class Emirs. These were Karaye, Bichi, Rano and Gaya. In doing that, the Assembly would have to split the Kano Emirate into five. Ordinarily, one would have expected that such petition would be thrown into the trash can, but it was not; obviously, the petitioner was probably not acting on his own. If the Emirate was split, Sanusi would be left to be Emir over just 10 local governments from 44! Even if the bill was submitted by a member of the Assembly, it would not have received the kind of speedy attention the legislature gave the petition. Within 24 hours, it had been passed and the Kano Emirate Council, as it was known, was to be no more. Sanusi would not be the only emir again. And within 36 hours of receiving the passed bill, Ganduje assented to it and it became a law.
Aide Grilled…
Respite from the Courts...
The Kano State government’s anti-graft agency two Thursdays ago grilled Isa Bayero, a former
While Sanusi was still wondering what must have befallen him, a Kano High Court came to
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SUNDAYCOVER Sanusi: An Emir and the Making of a Diminished Emirate
Continued on Pg.76
his rescue Friday afternoon. What the lawmakers had done, and which Ganduje assented to, was to amend the Kano State Chieftaincy and Local Government Law to create the additional four emirate councils. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the state had claimed that the Assembly was not properly convened to sit over the petition that requested the amendment of the law. They claimed that Majority Leader Baffa Danagundi read the report of the committee, which was set up the day the petition was received. Danagundi claimed there was “wide consultation” with stakeholders and what they found out was that there was need to upgrade the traditional rulers. The new law, Emir Appointment and Deposition Bill 2019, was passed all with 48 hours of receiving the petition that ‘demanded’ for this. Now, the courts have restrained the governor or the House of Assembly from implementing the break-up of the Kano Emirate Council. Perhaps, the government will obey the court order.
Wittingly or Unwittingly Helping a ‘Political Cause’...
Sanusi had a very distinguished and flowery career as a banker. He rose to the top as the managing director of Nigeria’s foremost bank, First Bank, and from there he became the governor of the CBN. He had succeeded Chukwuma Soludo, a professor, who was accused of not being able to wield the big stick against banks who were cooking up their books. Sanusi came in and walked his talk. Within a couple of years, some banks had gone under and some merged and bank managing directors who had been living large off depositors’ funds were brought to face the music. From almost 100, the nation’s banks were reduced to 25. Strong 25. Sanusi was working and whenever he coughed, bank executives caught not just cold but also flu. Even when he was doing this, he never hid his ambition to become the Emir of Kano, his native land and an ancient city where his grandfather once held sway as Emir. Many would have been wondering what Sanusi was looking for in life again, having risen to the pinnacle of his career as a banker. But ambition is ambition and at times it defies logic. While Sanusi was nursing his ambition, some major political changes were going on in the country. Some political groups, parties and sectional interests were coming together and negotiating the formation of a mega party that would challenge the behemoth called PDP for power at the centre. Perhaps, these political groups and interests had come to the realisation that the reason the PDP had been riding to easy victory at the polls was because the opposition had been fragmented. The consultations mainly between Senator Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), General Mohammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the remnants of the now defunct All Nigeria Peoples Congress (ANPP), and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) eventually led to the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 31, 2013. While Sanusi was not openly seen as being part of this new political development, those sympathetic to former President Goodluck Jonathan said he was one of the major financiers of the party. Though this seemed far-fetched, events that unfolded in early October 2013 tended to strengthen the hands of those who held that view. Then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, a professor and former World Bank Managing Director, had received a call from the then CBN governor about a letter he had written to the President about a missing $20 billion from the proceeds of the national oil giant, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which was supposed to be remitted into the coffers of the federal government. Sanusi had actually sent the letter to the President on September 25, 2013 and was just notifying Okonjo-Iweala about 10 days later. In fact, the figure he initially claimed was actually $49.8 billion, which he said was missing between January 2012 and July 2013. Sanusi had also claimed the figure came from a “thorough job” his team at the CBN had done on the inflow of revenue from the NNPC into the Federation Account. Okonjo-Iweala was alarmed. Her alarm came from the fact that there were actually shortfalls in remittance but not a staggering almost $50 billion. According to her, it was between $10 billion and $12 billion. Writing in her autobiography, Fighting Corruption is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines, the former finance minister said they actually had a spreadsheet in her ministry which showed that truly, there was a shortfall but not anything near what Sanusi had claimed. Now, the aspect that lent credence to the thinking that Sanusi deliberately leaked the letter was aptly captured by Okonjo-Iweala in the book. She had written inter alia: “My other worry was that such a sensational letter would be leaked to the press and reflect negatively on the country. In which kind of country could $50 billion go missing or unaccounted for? Surely, a banana republic. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi assured me that only three people knew of this letter – himself, myself and the President. But I was skeptical. I asked if he had typed the letter himself and he said, no. It means other people had handled the information and were in the know. I was sure the letter would leak to the press very soon and I was surprised that the President had not mentioned the letter to me ... At an early morning meeting, the President acknowledged that the Central Bank governor had indeed sent him such a letter. He said he was astonished at the amount and asked if Lamido had discussed the matter with me before hand. I said, no. When the President asked my opinion about the unaccounted amount; I gave him the same answer I had given Lamido the night before-the Finance Ministry estimate was in the rage of $10.8 billion to $12 billion. The President then said he found the situation troubling and wondered if it was related to an ongoing investigation with the governor that I had not been aware of.” Okonjo-Iweala’s fears were later confirmed when, few weeks later, she got a call from the African correspondent of the Financial Times, Williams Wallis, who claimed he had a copy of the letter from the CBN governor to the President alleging that a sum of almost $50 billion was missing from the nation’s coffers and wanted to know the minister’s reaction to the matter. And that was it. No matter the explanation from the Presidency or the Finance Ministry, the opposition had gotten something to latch onto. Even before Sanusi’s letter, the issue about the Jonathan Presidency was that it had treated the issue of corruption with kid gloves. Just before Sanusi wrote his letter, there was another issue with the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, who was accused of lavishing over N260 million on luxury cars. And there was also the unending issue of “subsidy bazaar” in which the then President had, allegedly, allowed people to claim money from the controversial subsidy funds for petroleum products they never brought into the country. The allegation of Sanusi seemed to be the final nail that sealed Jonathan’s Presidency. The newly formed APC, apparently enjoying the narrative and harping on it, did not miss any opportunity to tell the outside world of how much Jonathan condoned corruption. The Presidency had responded by suspending Sanusi but the opposition jumped behind him and claimed he was being victimised. Suddenly, the coming Emir of Kano had become anti-corruption hero. The Presidency stood its ground and Sanusi had to go. And by February 20, 2014, Sanusi left office as Governor of CBN. However, before he left office, the federal government had opened investigations into his tenure as the head of the apex bank and also as chief executive of First Bank. It was a clear case of the Presidency fighting back, as it felt Sanusi had provided the opposition weapon to fight it. The fact that Sanusi even later reviewed his figures downwards – from $49.8 billion to $20 billion and later $13 billion – the issue would not just go away.
Riding on the Back of the Tiger…
While all these were going on, the then Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, died on June 4, 2014 and with it came the high wire politics of succession. In modern history, there had never been any time the choice of a new Emir of Kano had been that tense. The APC was enjoying a lot of goodwill among Nigerians, especially in the northern part of the country. And there was no better way to prove its relevance than being seen as instrumental to the installation of a traditional ruler as strategic and important as the Emir of Kano. Meanwhile, the then Kano State governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, had just joined five other PDP governors to decamp to the APC. The party’s apparatchik relocated to the city of Kano and started
Sanusi pulling the strings behind the scenes. While Abuja was pushing its weight to ensure that Sanusi did not emerge as the new Emir. The federal government had backed the son of the late Emir to succeed his father and he was even the preferred choice of most Kano indigenes. But the antiJonathan Presidency movement was also very strong then. Hence, on June 9, 2014, Sanusi emerged as the 14th Emir of the ancient city of Kano. APC had had its way.
And Rider and the Tiger Fell Apart…
From all indications, Emir Sanusi had been voicing his frustrations about the situation of things in the country. Even as a banker, Sanusi has never run away from controversy. He has called on the North to embrace education and has also lamented the security situation in the northern region. But beyond this, he had never hidden his disdain for the governor of the state, Ganduje, who, alongside many prominent Kano indigenes, he believed had brought shame to the state, especially going by his bribery scandal when a video went viral where he was apparently collecting bribe money in dollars from a contractor. In the build-up to the election, it was obvious that most top Kano sons and daughters were against Ganduje’s return. But even after the election went into a rerun, Ganduje had his way and the emir was shown the first sign that trouble was on the way for him. Supporters of Ganduje, after his announcement as the winner of the governorship rerun election, and, apparently working on prompting, had gone to the Coronation Hall at Government House and removed the photograph of the Emir. Ordinarily, that should have been a sacrilege, going by how much the Emirship is held in reverence. But those who carried out the act got away with it. As controversial as the whole issue has turned out, there are those who feel Ganduje is not doing anything unusual. The Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Anthony Sani, is one of them. He said there was no big deal in breaking up the Kano Emirate Council and added that he would not be surprised if the Sokoto Emirate Council was also broken up into more councils. Speaking to an online newspaper, The Interview, Sani was asked if he saw what had befallen Kano coming the way of Sokoto Emirate, too, being the last of the old emirates standing. “I cannot tell precisely because governance and traditions of society are dynamic and in a state of flux. If language, which is emblematic of culture is dynamic, traditional institution is subject to change. There will be nothing exotic or quixotic if such changes take place in Sokoto State,” Sani said. Going down memory lane, Sani said Ganduje was not the first governor to break up the Kano Emirate. “Governor Abubakar Rimi (former Kano State governor) did it before. It was President Buhari in his first coming as military head of state that reversed it.” He added that the former governor of Plateau State, the late Solomon Lar, had done something similar in the past, when he increased chiefdoms in Plateau under the “emancipation mantra.” Sani was not done. He added that the former military governor, Ja’afaru Isa, of Kaduna State, created chiefdoms in the southern part of the state to extend the influence of the so-called nonindigenes. Sani said a similar situation happened in Oyo under the outgoing governor. But a top media practitioner who had a chat with this reporter yesterday suggested instead that Ganduje should go ahead and depose the Emir but should not tamper with the current structure of the Kano Emirate Council. “Let him depose the Emir if he wants to. But he should not destroy the emirate,” he admonished.
From Abuja, Mum is the Word…
The deafening silence from the Aso Rock seat of power had been disturbing to many observers who believed that the silence of the Presidency was an indication that Ganduje might have been acting out a script meant to clip the wings of the controversial but flamboyant emir. In fact, the governor was said to have instructed the Emir to report to the local government chairman instead of reporting to him. And from all indications, those who removed the Emir’s picture in the Coronation Hall early this year might have been overzealous, but how prophetic their action has turned out. That is if Emir Sanusi goes the way of his grandfather, Emir Mohammad Sanusi, who was deposed and banished to a village close to Wudil in the outskirts of Kano.
Between Capacity to Govern and Integrity According to Sanusi
In the run-up to the presidential election in February, Sanusi was reported to have said “It is NOT always easy to have a leader who has both integrity and capacity to govern - two important qualities of a leader. If a leader does not have both integrity and capacity to govern, choose the one that has the capacity to govern because his capacity to govern will benefit the people while his lack of integrity will be his own harm. If you choose a man who has integrity without capacity to govern, his lack of capacity to govern will harm the people while his integrity will only benefit himself.”_ Not a few interpreted the above to be a veiled jab at the president who was being packaged on his integrity while his opponent was campaigning on his competence and capacity. Any wonder that the Presidency has kept mum on the raging issue of balkanisation of the emirate to whittle down Sanusi’s influence?
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 12, 2019
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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Rochas Okorocha
Okorocha
President Buhari Not behind My Travails Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, bares it all in this interview with journalists in Abuja, where he argues that there is no justification for the travails he is being subjected to by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission, in his bid to collect his Certificate of Return, as the duly elected winner of Imo West Senatorial election. He discusses other issues of national and party interests. Iyobosa Uwugiaren was there. Excerpts:
H
ow far have you gone in your bid to retrieve your Certificate of Return seized by the Independent National Election Commission, as a senator-elect? I had written a letter to INEC informing the officials about their wrongdoings and illegal actions taken by INEC to withhold my certificate on mere allegation of duress, which was never founded, neither was there any committee set up to investigate the matter. INEC on their own believed the reports by their returning officer, without investigating the authenticity of such allegation. So, there was no issue of fair-hearing at all on whether I committed the offence that their person alleged. What is important here is that INEC doesn’t have the power to withhold my certificate of return, having declared a result. Both the certificate of return and the declaration is just one subject matter, just that the other one is ceremonial, because result has been declared. Looking at some of the activities that have taken place since this issue of my certificate, it became obvious that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, was up to a game with the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, who are being used to frustrate my coming to the Senate and this is politically motivated. I’ve given enough time that INEC might correct themselves and do the needful and issue a certificate of return, all to no avail. To buttress the point more, even after issuance of this letter to INEC, many things have happened within the week. For instance, INEC that made a submission to the tribunal in Owerri has gone back requesting that they want to withdraw the submission they have made. The submission they made was defending the declaration by INEC, which is normal that INEC ought to defend their declaration.
But because that submission was seen to be in my favour, INEC has gone back to say they will withdraw the submission, which is also out of time. Now, they went through an affidavit by the Head of Legal Department, one Mr. Elekwa, who made the submission has now gone back to say he wants to withdraw and reliably, I was informed that he was under threat by one Festus Okoye, who has threatened to sack him from INEC if he does not withdraw. So, there is a huge threat going on now in INEC to sack the gentleman for not doing the wrong thing or being part of the script and I’m sure, for some reason, they may have forgotten to inform him to do the wrong thing, because if they had informed him to do the wrong thing, he would have done that. He went there believing that he was defending INEC the normal way they should. Festus Okoye is the man being used as the hatchet man now to do this in line with the game being played by the National Chairman of APC. What facts do you have to buttress your belief that the APC chairman is involved in your travails with INEC? Surprisingly, and again to also buttress the point, the APC National Chairman has gone to the tribunal asking to withdraw the matter, which APC had filed defending the victory of APC at the Senate. What INEC is doing is the same thing the APC is doing. So, this tells you that there is a game going on. But I wonder what they will do with the certificate. If they don’t give me the certificate, who will they give it to? Maybe they will give it to Festus Okoye, because Festus Okoye is from my senatorial zone. But what these gentlemen are doing is presenting INEC as a lying organisation and that is dangerous for our democracy, because, as it stands right now, the image of INEC is bastardised for this singular act and they are setting a bad precedent. What
that means is that tomorrow, somebody can withdraw the result of anybody, because you don’t like his face or because you feel he is going to politically challenge you in the future. But, it is rather very funny to see this happening in our own time and generation. What is happening now is what happened in the primitive days, not now in this modern world! What image is INEC trying to portray to the rest of the world? INEC should just come to me and say we don’t want you to go to the Senate, because our leaders have said so and we must fight you. A man, having won the election, having been declared by INEC, now you don’t want to give him his result or maybe you give him his result sometime after they have constituted the National Assembly. Then by so doing, you are depriving the entire people of Imo West the opportunity to be represented and this whole attack is on Imo State, not anywhere else. A similar thing is taking place in Okigwe, where a candidate took the last four years result sheet to declare himself winner and the person, who declared the result ran away to Canada. As it stands now, Okigwe Senatorial zone, Imo North does not have a Senator. Imo West does not have a Senator. Only one Senator now represents the whole of Imo State, because of this illegal and corruptive act coming from INEC and the party. If INEC were to have been very serious, the gentleman who used fake result sheet should have been arrested to face a criminal charge. How will INEC allow somebody to use a fake result sheet of four years ago to declare himself and the man has the audacity to go to court and INEC is leading him to go to court, all to fight Rochas? How will INEC allow a Professor of Mathematics, their Returning Officer, to announce the result of a governorship election that took place with a lot of abnormalities? Knowing too well that the person never met 25 per cent of two-thirds of the number of local governments, they still went ahead and announced such result in this country, and a Professor
T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MAY 12, 2019
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SUNDAY INTERVIEW t 04)*0.)0-& :",6#6 61 50 40.& 4*/*45&3 1-05 t Continued fromPg.78 of Mathematics cannot differentiate what is called two-thirds. If it is a civilised country, that man would have been in jail by now, because you are encroaching on the fundamental constitution, not the Electoral Act. And INEC is comfortable announcing such result and issuing certificate of return and my own that I have won, I’m not issued certificate of return. It’s very glaring that they are up to something. I call on INEC to as quickly as possible, make amends and get these things out there so that we can correct the battered image of INEC right now. Has the INEC responded to your letter? They have not responded to my letter. They have said nothing to me. I wrote that letter in my capacity as the Governor of a State, who contested for the Senate and INEC, cannot ignore my letter. So, I demand explanation from INEC as to why they have withheld it. Did you go to court? I took INEC to the court in a matter between me and INEC, to give me my certificate, which is the normal thing. But INEC has also now connived with other parties, the Peoples Democratic Party and also the All Progressive Grand Alliance, to be a joinder. Even today, they also said somebody else wants to join. Every day, somebody keeps joining, just to delay the matter. There is complete high level conspiracy to fight Rochas. But I assure them, they will fail. Why is the conspiracy? It’s politically motivated, definitely. If not, why do this? The story started when they imposed a candidate on Imo State; when they imposed Hope Uzodinma, who came two weeks to our primaries and they want to give him the ticket at all cost, leaving the people who founded the party, who won the primaries. You remember Gulak came and ran away with the result sheets. They upheld it. But men who support evil will have evil on their way one day. You said the National Chairman of the party is part of your travails. But you were one of those who supported him to emerge the National Chairman of your party. What suddenly happened that he is now against you? Yes, he is part and parcel of the game plan. There is nothing personal between Adams Oshiomhole and I other than that Adams Oshiomhole is part and parcel of this high level conspiracy to bring down Rochas politically. This is just aimed at making sure that Rochas doesn’t have a solid foundation politically. They say if I get to the Senate, I want to run for the President and all of that; that I want to run for 2023 elections. Who told them? Have I declared? You wait until I declare and when I do declare, we now fight politically. But what is painful is that the Adams Oshiomhole that I unilaterally put into this position, I never asked him to do me any favour, but all I requested from him was to do what is right, could turn around to commit this evil. It’s totally unacceptable. That the party that I formed, that brought out the APC we have today will treat me in this manner is also unfortunate, because the evil I feared in the PDP has befallen me ten times in the APC. I hate injustice and that’s what I’m seeing on daily basis now playing out. What they are doing makes them to also appear to me as cowards. When you want to fight a man, you come out and take responsibility and I say I will fight Rochas. But they are hiding. If they are man enough, let them come out and say Rochas, I’m going to fight you, let me know how they want to fight. But they will go and start holding night meetings, conspiring here and there, withholding certificates and INEC will make themselves an instrument of illegality in this country. That’s unfortunate. Part of the problems you have with your party is because of the alleged anti-party activities that you carried out in Imo State by asking your candidate to join another party to contest the gubernatorial election and you used your machinery to support him. Is that true? This is just a later development. It has been on. You forgot there was a primary. You forgot there was even a Congress where the then Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso ran away with the ballot boxes and the Police Commissioner was later transferred? It’s just a booklet that is opened page by page on a daily basis. You forgot that Gulak even came and ran away with the result sheets and said election is finished. The security were there and all of these people. That’s part of the conspiracy. It’s not about anti-party. You met with the President on this matter on two occasions. How come the party has not resolved the problem? What I took to the President was entirely a different matter, because I believe that this matter shouldn’t be a matter that the President should come in. If you know President Muhammadu
Buhari as a person, he is not such a person who interferes. Once he gives you a job, you do your job. He doesn’t want to interfere. At the end of it all, you make yourself good or bad. I know his style and I know his person. So, I didn’t want to belabour him with talk to this or that person on what is clear and right. You are very close to the President, but unfortunately there is this impression that the President could be behind this? I don’t think the president is behind this. Buhari is definitely not behind this. If you know President Muhammadu Buhari in his own style, you will know that he will keep quiet and never say anything about this until they prove themselves right or wrong. If those behind it are very close to the president, can’t the president call them to order? Remember this matter has to do with INEC and INEC is perceived to be independent and if the President is going to talk to INEC, he’s interfering with the independence of INEC. Whether the President speaks or not, what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. Now that you are in court, are you prepared to allow the processes of the court to run out? I’ve just said that these are all delay tactics. INEC at the end of it all will have to give out the certificate. I’ve advised them, the only person who qualifies to get that INEC result is Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner. But Okoye has said since you are in court, it’s only the court that could give them order to issue the certificate to you. Is that not the right statement? He is very funny about it because he is like the hatchet man for the whole show. So, since he is from the Orlu zone and he is the one they are using from the INEC quarters, he is the only person who qualifies to take the certificate. They should give him the certificate, because who else can they give it to? You can’t give it to somebody who lost election. With all these, do you still feel comfortable remaining in the APC? I’m in the APC. I’ve never thought of leaving the party for now and I have no reason, because I won under the platform of APC. You just said the misfortune you feared in PDP has befallen you ten times in the APC and you are still comfortable remaining in the party and allowing the misfortune to multiply? Where will I go to? I have to be in the APC. I formed the APC. Are you stranded? I’m not stranded. I’m in APC and I have not indicated that I’m going to leave APC. Remember that the intention of these people is to frustrate me out of politics and out of APC so that they can have a field of play. But all I advise today is that let no institution
or organisation allow themselves to be used as an instrument to destroy somebody politically, who has committed no offence. If by chance you meet Adams Oshiomhole today, what will you tell him? We will chat as usual. What will I do to him? The last time I saw Oshiomhole was when I went to Oshiomhole’s office and he sent his State Security Service man to insult me in his office, before the governorship candidate of Akwa Ibom, the NDDC guy who also reacted against the gentleman. An SSS was pushing me out as a governor from his office. So, I’ve taken enough of insults from Oshiomhole and all those that are planning this evil. You said the anti-graft agencies are on the trail of many people in your government. Are you suspecting that they are part of this conspiracy because what they said before the election was that you were taking money from government coffers to buy votes? First and foremost, if you think right and people reason well, if you want to withdraw N17 billion in this country now, it will take you two years to get N17 billion from all the banks in Nigeria. So, these are frivolities. But anybody can say anything against you just to find a way to attack you and I’m saying that they should apply some reasonability in what they do. Nobody should be used as an instrument to fight anybody because of some political reasons. If not, such institutions also will lose their credibility. You are the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and there is a frightening security challenge in the country. As somebody who is a huge stakeholder in this government, aren’t you worried about the security situation? It’s a cause for concern really and my heart goes to those who lost their dear ones. What is happening in Nigeria, we don’t need it; we don’t need such distraction; we don’t need such bloodshed. But what is happening is deeper than we all can tell, because at a point, we thought it was taking a religious line. It happened in Benue and we thought it was the Muslims against the Christians. It happened in Jos and Zamfara. The fight against this insurgency should be collective responsibility and not something that government alone will do. These people are taking advantage of the disunity amongst all of us, either on tribal basis, religious basis or political basis. So, we need to have a unified force to fight insurgency as a nation. But our nation does not know when to play politics and when to stop politics, because if we come together across party lines, across religious line, across ethnic groups and fight these insurgents, it will end. But to some people, it’s a plus the moment people are killed in Zamfara, because they think it will give them a political advantage. They celebrate it. This is where I don’t understand what kind of country Nigeria is. If this had been America, parties will disappear, religion will disappear, tribes will disappear and they focus and deal with this matter.
(See the concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)
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Eighth Senate and Saraki’s Legacies With his sterling record in four years as President of the Senate, history will be kind to Dr. Bukola Saraki, writes Shola Oyeyipo
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n an obviously ambitious statement, the Senator-elect for Kwara Central, who will be replacing the outgoing Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, said after collecting his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in March that he would surpass Saraki’s achievements in the Senate. In what many serving and former lawmakers would easily consider as politics of hate taken too far, Oloriegbe was quoted to have said: “Despite attaining the position of Senate President, Saraki has not set any standard of performance for any successor to study or build on. “The responsive representation I will put up for Kwara Central people within the next four years, coupled with the required legislative engagements to be made on both the floor and at committee levels for good governance in the country, will surpass whatever performance Saraki has rendered in the past. “Saraki, by his brand of politics and inordinate political ambition, focuses more on national politics and not responsive and quality representation for Kwara Central people, who are his constituents.� Not a few people will disagree with Oloriegbe. Unverified assertions such as his above statement could not have put into cognizance the fact that Saraki rose from being a governor to become chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). When he joined the Senate and was chairman Senate Committee on Ecology, he also made his marks. At every level he had shown exemplary leadership and he infuses vibrancy into his responsibility at these levels. As governor; your attention is fully on the state but as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you legislate for the entire nation. More so, when you attain the position of a Senate President, the entire Nigeria becomes your constituency. Under Saraki’s leadership in nearly four years, the Senate had passed over 222 bills and cleared 151 public petitions, these include the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill passed to promote transparency and accountability in the oil industry after 12 years and which President Muhammadu Buhari refused to assent to on the grounds that the provisions of the bill tends to reduce the president’s powers. Saraki has been variously ranked as the most outstanding President of the Senate, owing to his commitment and focus despite the travails that lasted the period of his reign. He is brilliant, smart, intelligent, compassionate and futuristic. The Senate under him remains the best in Nigeria’s political history. Though always referring to his achievements as the President of the Senate as collective achievements with his other colleagues, which would not have been possible without the backing of Nigerians, Saraki is personally satisfied that the 8th Senate worked diligently to meet the aspirations of Nigerians. When Saraki reeled off the achievements of the Senate under him during the third year anniversary of his leadership, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu stated that: “In this time, we have passed 213 Bills, cleared 138 petitions submitted by the public. We are happy to say that this Senate is the most productive since 1999. It has surpassed
Saraki...leaving the senate better
the 5th Senate which with 129 bills in four years had the highest number of bills, as against the 6th Senate with 72 bills, and 128 passed by the 7th Senate. “The number of petitions we have successfully treated to the satisfaction of Nigerians, who filed them dwarfed those treated by the sixth and seventh Senate respectively.� Still enumerating those factors that set the 8th Senate apart, he said the present Senate worked to grow the economy by passing Bills like the Companies and Allied Matters Act; the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act; the Credit Bureau Reporting Act and the Warehouse Receipts Bill; Nigerian Railways Authority Bill; National Transportation Commission Bill, because they were designed to bring about notable reforms to the business environment and strengthening Nigeria’s lending legislative frameworks. “We are particularly glad that the impact of the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act and the Credit Bureau Reporting Act became apparent immediately after they were signed into law as they form the basis for which the World Bank upgraded the rating of Nigeria in its Annual Ease of Doing Business rating,� Saraki said. He is optimistic that when the new Company and Allied Matter Act (CAMA), which we just passed becomes law, it will bring about more significant results, particularly such that small and medium scale entrepreneurs can access capital, grow and multiply. Some other important Bills passed by the 8th Senate which have national appeal are the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill; the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill; the Witness Protection Bill; the Whistleblower Protection Bill and the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill. These were efforts directed towards supporting the federal government’s fight against corruption. Worthy of note is the fact that the National Assembly was quick to act in a manner that prevented Nigeria from being expelled from the global community by expediting the passage of the NFIU bill, which guarantees the exchange of financial intelligence.
The lawmakers also broke the PIB jinx, by passing the Governance Component of the Petroleum Industry Bill. Public hearing has been conducted on the Administrative, Fiscal and Host Community Components of this Bill. This is the most extensive work ever done on the bill since 1999. There were also some constitutional amendment bills; a number of them will change the face of politics in Nigeria. The ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill, the Financial Autonomy for Local Government Bill, Financial Autonomy for Houses of Assembly are all bills that received widespread approval among Nigerians and members of the international community as capable of improving governance and ensuring that government serves the people better. Other measures that won the Saraki leadership applause from members of the public include the provision of details and breakdown of the annual budget of the National Assembly, holding of public hearings as part of the budget preparation process, the proposed Open NASS week aimed at engaging with other arms of government and civil society groups and the frequent discussions with a view to resolving issues involving labour unions, government and other stakeholders. “We exposed high-level corruption in the management of the North-east relief efforts, and passed the North-east Development Commission Bill, which has now been signed into law. “We have also engaged stakeholders on the drug epidemic that is ravishing a significant demography of our population and we are set to pass new Bills that will help to address the Mental Health aspect of drug abuse and the law enforcement component that has to do with ensuring that all agencies of the federal government are working in-sync to tackle this menace,� Saraki said. To ensure that healthcare remains the right of every Nigerian, the lawmakers passed the bill that one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) should be used to establish the Basic Healthcare Fund in the 2018 budget, so that primary healthcare comes within reach of every Nigerians.
Their intention is that the fund will help eliminate the problem of maternal and infant mortality as well as create a healthy population. It will also ensure that all kids get necessary immunisation that keeps them insulated against various diseases while ensuring that mothers have the best care during child birth. In the aspect of failing security, Saraki has said it time without number that senators “are tired of the frequent observance of one minute silence following the killing of Nigerians in the various conflicts and criminal activities across the country,� and as such, he said the Senate has been engaging with security agencies to ensure that all the necessary laws and funds needed to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country are put in place. To him, security issues are “work in progress�. And he pledged repeatedly that the National Assembly under him will continue to be transparent, accountable and responsive. Even when he has been hounded and hunted, those seeking to nail him have not said he has mismanaged National Assembly resources. At best, they have only continued to dig endlessly but fruitlessly into his tenure as governor with the hope of fishing out something incriminating against him. Earlier this year, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), nongovernmental organisation (NGO) set up in 2004 to address developmental and human rights challenges such as corruption, poverty, inequality and discrimination, commended Saraki over the passage of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill. The Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives recently passed the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill, which SERAP said was a major achievement in a post on its Twitter page, saying “Dear Bukola Saraki, the passage of Police trust fund bill is a major achievement.� Finally, Saraki remains a face of democracy. Despite the open and calculated persecution by forces in the executive who fought him tooth and nail for emerging Senate President without their approval, he held on. And without getting ruffled, he piloted the affairs of the Senate till date. His admonition to the newly-elected National Assembly lawmakers to conduct their affairs in a manner that commands respect from other arms of government during a dinner for elected 9th assembly lawmakers by the National Assembly management at Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja recently, was instructive. In his remarks, Saraki said the legislature is the pillar of democracy and its independence in a democratic government is non-negotiable. “In its constitutional role, the National Assembly carries out oversight, makes laws and ensures constituency representation. In carrying out constitutional functions, lawmakers must always recognise that the independence of the legislature is non-negotiable.� Saraki came, he saw and he conquered. It would only be foolhardy for any incoming lawmaker to castigate him and assume that he has nothing to learn from an outgoing Senate President, whose performance was stellar. Besides, the current situation in Kwara is obviously temporary. For someone who has a lot to offer, he has only gone on sabbatical to be back when he is most needed.
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Interest Groups and the 9th N’Assembly Leadership It appears some nerve-racking surprises still lay-in-wait for some political actors as the jostle for the leadership of the ninth National Assembly heightens, Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo report
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rdinarily, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that produced more than two third members of the Ninth National Assembly should have no issues with the election of officers for both the Senate and House of Representatives upon inauguration in June. The reverse is however the case with various interest groups within the party now rooting for different candidates to lead the two chambers of the legislative arm of government. No thanks to the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who few weeks back, openly endorsed the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan as the next Senate President without consultation with other stakeholders especially, the Senators-elect. The said endorsement appears to be the undoing of the party now with different camps now coming up within the party and the legislators-elect over the choice of the presiding officer of the Senate. Also, the recent vituperation of Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State, against the political influence being wielded by a former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is a pointer to things to come ahead of the election of presiding officers of the National Assembly. Though some persons present at the May 4 event of the Bridge Club, a Pan-Nigeria association of professionals from diverse fields of endeavors, where Governor el-Rufai spoke against Tinubu’s “Godfather� status in Lagos and proffered how to defeat him, have maintained that his comments were fair, intellectual and not targeted at the Lagos politician, however, fact is that something is really wrong with the APC. The indication is that efforts to arrive at a consensus candidate by the APC for the leadership of the Ninth Assembly are suffering a major setback. There are now Tinubu and el-Rufai factors ahead of the June inauguration of the ninth assembly. Reliable sources told THISDAY that el-Rufai was not alone in the move to checkmate Tinubu’s influence on the next assembly. He is said to have on his side some governors and ministers. Their agenda, according to sources, is to reposition the APC ahead of 2023, particularly, ensuring that decisions are collectively reached and not imposed on the party by the duo of Tinubu and Oshiomhole. Credible sources have hinted that anti-Tinubu/Oshiomhole forces in the APC are not leaving anything to chance in the 2023 journey, starting with the leadership of the ninth National Assembly. Not only are they working to whittle down his influence by disallowing his candidates for Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, they are equally vigorously canvassing to secure strategic positions for themselves in the coming government so as to effectively checkmate Tinubu. Interestingly, President Muhammadu Buhari is believed not to be oblivious of the current moves by El-rufai and others. Members of the top hierarchy of the party have drawn his attention to the power game, which some consider inimical to the progress of the ruling party but that he has not said anything openly about the development. However, the three ranking APC Senators eyeing the Ninth Senate Presidency have intensified their consultations and campaigns in the last few days. While the duo of Senators Ahmad Lawan and Ali Ndume, last week took their campaigns to media houses in Lagos and Abuja, Senator Danjuma Goje, still remains at the background pressing necessary buttons and consulting with the high and mighty but yet to openly declare his interest. Goje has though not made public his intention to vie for Senate Presidency, different groups and organisations have continued to clamour for his candidacy through rallies at the entrance of the National Assembly. On his part, Ndume has reiterated his commitment towards service in the Ninth Senate adding that he was not the most qualified candidate for the Senate Presidency. “Let me quickly add that is not to say that I think I am more qualified to be the Senate President. I am not better than them in any way. Most of them were born with silver spoons. I came from a very poor background. My father was not educated. I am the son of nobody that became somebody. “I am a human being that has rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which I won’t compromise. Even before I threw my hat into the ring for the Senate Presidency seat, my people called on me to go for the position.� Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, has also said he was encouraged by his colleagues to vie for the Senate President shortly after the parliamentary election in March. He stated that it was his colleagues, who approached him on the need for him to run for the coveted office based on his experience and ability to deliver.
lawan
Ndume
In the House of Representatives, there are still conflicting signals from the various camps of candidates eyeing the speakership as regarding their chances. Top on the list is the Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. The Lagos lawmaker, who already has the backing of the APC leadership, is obviously unfazed by his challengers. Even in the face of the unconfirmed news doing the rounds that a section of the APC leadership has dumped the Gbajabiamila speakership project, he and members of his camp have opted to keep sealed lips on the issue. When asked to comment on the most recent position of the APC on the Gbajabiamila endorsement by the APC, the Director General (DG) of his campaign council, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, declined comment. He refused to comment on the possibility that the APC might be reconsidering its position on his candidate. Though media-friendly and very outspoken, member of the House of Representatives representing Surulere/Ogo Oluwa federal constituency, Oyo state, Hon. Olusegun Odebunmi, who is another prominent South-west candidate in the race, said “I am off the media for now.� He has maintained that if the speakership was zoned to the South-west, other states in the region, including his state, should be allowed to join the race. But Jibrin had earlier hinted on his twitter handle that Hon. Idris Wase (Plateau) is likely to emerge as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to Gbajabiamila. Jibrin wrote on his twitter handle that: “Mr. Speaker and Mr. Deputy Speaker 9th Assembly. If you are an APC member and against the two, you are on collision course with the party; 2015 is not 2019 in so many ways. We are assuring our 360 colleagues, Femi and Wase will run an all-inclusive House.� Apparently not bothered by the rumour that northern elements are considering him and Senator Ahmed Lawan as the choices of one man (Tinubu) imposed on them by the party and basically relying on the support he enjoys from the party, Gbajabiamila has continued to woo both the newly-elected and returning House members. Gbajabiamila’s aspiration to become Speaker received a major boost recently when 178 newly-elected members openly declared support for him. The new House members with a handful of older members, who are members of his campaign organization, converged on Abuja Thursday where they held a closed-door meeting and arrived at the decision to throw their weight behind Gbajabiamila. The incumbent Speaker of the Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Onofiuk Luke, who addressed the media after the meeting, said the incoming members, irrespective of their party affiliations, resolved to back Gbajabiamila after identifying him as the best candidate in the race. “I am the Speaker of Akwa-Ibom State, and here with me are newly elected members of the House of Representatives, and this is a conglomeration of people of different parties. I am of the PDP. We have members of the APC here, we have members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), we have people from Action Alliance (AA), we have people from Allied Congress Party (ACP) and we have people from African
Democratic Congress (ADC). It’s a multi-party arrangement. A prominent female APC lawmaker also eyeing the speakership, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has however said the endorsement of Gbajabiamila could not stop her desire to lead the 9th House. She said last week that since the endorsements were not cast in iron, they posed no threat whatsoever to her ambition to succeed Hon. Yakubu Dogara. “Endorsement or no endorsement, anybody can be endorsed, and there is still time. Change is constant. Somebody, who endorses today may change his mind tomorrow, so, I am not overwhelmed, because I am not going to be part of that, because I know that life is about change and people change their minds every time. Somebody can change his mind, even on the day of election. Reacting to the insinuation that she was never interested in speakership but only using the ambition to negotiate for juicy position in the 9th assembly, she said: “Why would I want to bargain for something less than Speaker? Do people go to bargain with running from speakership? “This is my first time of hearing that. If you know me very well, I am a very serious-minded person, I don’t give-in to frivolities and would I be playing anybody’s game or would I be a stooge for anybody? The answer is capital no! I am very much in the race as much as you can think of.� Another speakership contender whose ambition is capable of upturning the game-plan of Oshiohmole is Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago from Niger State. He is not favourably disposed to the earlier zoning arrangement that favoured the South-west and Gbajabiamila as the choice of the party for the position and as such, insisted that he would slug it out this time around to correct the “injustice� and inequality the North-central zone has continued to suffer in the country’s balance of power. He is equally canvassing the APC leadership to adhere to the party’s constitution, saying “Imagine that it was the South-west that was short-changed. After the 1983 coup, Nigerians who were present at the Constitution amendment of 1999, made sure that the Constitution took care of agitation like this in a federal arrangement, where every part of this country is integral to the other, and that no people or section of this country should be marginalised either in the revenue allocation, political appointment, space or liberty. So, every Nigerian is at liberty to live anywhere they want to live and stay there without any form of intimidation. “Every part of Nigeria must be seen in every office in Nigeria in manner that reflects federal character. It is a constitutional provision. And APC; even the drafters of the party’s constitution made it very clear that the constitutional provision of fairhearing, justice, equity and federal character will be upheld.� The inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly is about a month away and all interest groups both within the ruling APC and opposition PDP are hell bent on determining those to lead the legislative arm from June. One thing is certain though. On the day of inauguration, only the 479 members of both the Senate and House of Representatives will be in the Chambers to elect the presiding and principal officers of their choice.
82
MAY 12, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
with RenoOmokri THE ALTERNATIVE In Nige ria, D ea dl y Ter r or i s t s D e s e rve Gover nment’s R es p e c t !
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n January 6, 2018, The Nation Newspapers carried a headline which read as follows “Why we attacked Benue communities-Miyetti Allah cattle breeders”. In the accompanying story, Garus Gololo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association justified the mass murder of Nigerian citizens in Benue state and told the BBC that ‘herdsmen were only defending themselves from thieves.’ In any country, but Nigeria, an association that made such careless comments, like the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, would be answeing questions, but Nigeria is a special case. Rather than caution this group that have severally tried to justify the killings of Nigerians by herdsmen, who in most cases are not Nigerians, the Presidency unbelievably said “The Miyetti Allah group is like Ohanaeze and Afenifere.” The above is a direct quote. I did not add to it. It is what it is. First of all, how can you equate an association formed for the purpose of breeding cows to associations formed for the purpose of protecting human beings? Are Garba Shehu and his boss okay? Miyetti Allah protects cows. Afenifere and Ohana’eze protect people. They are NOT on the same level. At the height of racism in England, homes for rent used to carry signs ‘For Rent. NO Irish. NO Blacks. NO Dogs. We fought against that. Now, in Nigeria, a Black run government is equating the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, an association formed to protect cattle, with Afenifere and Ohana’eze, ethnic national associations formed to protect people. Is it that the Buhari government is racist or stupid or both? And when the leaders of Afenifere and Ohana’eze, ethnic national associations rightly rejected being compared to a group that has been known to justify genocide, the Presidency unbelievably released a statement doubling down on its earlier classification. According to the Ohana’eze spokesman, Uche Achi-Okpaga, “You can never put Ohanaeze and Miyetti Allah on the same pedestal. Even at that, Miyetti Allah members are herdsmen who are tormenting Nigerians and you are hobnobbing with them, what are you telling Nigerians?” I must say that he is right. I align myself to his stand fully. On his own part, Yinka Odumakin, the spokesman for Afenifere, said “We are surprised that the spokesperson (Shehu) was talking like someone under the influence of drugs. In Afenifere, we don’t kill, we don’t abduct people. How can you compare us to a group of people who have been killing in Enugu, Benue, Ogun and other states?” In response to these statements, the Presidency released its own statement on Friday May 10, 2019 and said inter alia that “Miyetti
Buhari Allah, like any other trade, community, ethnic organization or interest group is a legal stake holder in our nation and should be respected. We maintain that the government needs to engage all stakeholders and seek partnership in building our country.” Miyetti Allah deserves respect? Really! Herdsmen and their Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association do not need to have a spokesman. President Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, appears to have been assigned the job of speaking for them by the President. I hope Nigerians are watching as their own government equates killers with peaceful organisations like Afenifere and Ohana’eze. With the way President Buhari and his Any Government in Power Spokesman, Garba Shehu, are so biased in the defence of herdsmen and their umbrella body, only a fool will have confidence that this government will ever bring killer herdsmen to justice! I thought things were bad when the Nigerian Police paid a ransom to the kidnappers of 2 policemen last week. But this week, I was weak when Buhari complained that ‘kidnapping is now a business’. If the President complains, what should ordinary citizens do? The fact remains that herdsmen of Fulani heritage are behind most kidnappings in Nigeria today. My own brother-in-law, was kidnapped by herdsmen. Coincidentally, the head of Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae, has himself been kidnapped by herdsmen, and his farm destroyed. Just yesterday, an orthopedic surgeon at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Professor Olayinka Adegbehingbe, who was himself kidnapped on Sunday May 5, 2019, testified that he was kidnapped by herdsmen who hap-
pened to be Fulani, and that a N5.045 million ransom was paid before he was freed. That is why I almost wept when the President attended a sermon at the Aso Villa mosque and the imam told him that the high rate of insecurity under Buhari is a test from God. Was it God that told President Buhari to treat members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association with kids glove when they perpetrate actions inimical to the national security of Nigeria? Things have gotten so bad to the extent that the Emir of Daura, President Buhari’s village, says “I have not seen this kind of country; how do we live like animals”! Why will this not be the case when we have a government that insists on treating killer herdsmen with “respect”? In 2015, the Global Terrorism Index listed herdsmen of Fulani descent as the world’s 4th most deadly terrorist group. In 2019, the Nigerian Presidency released a statement saying that their umbrella organisation deserves “respect” and you still wonder why Nigeria is the world headquarters for extreme poverty? Anyway, going back to the Emir of Daura, the man has forgotten when he was asking Nigerians to vote for Buhari and #NextLevel. Mr. Emir, enjoy your “type of country”! I am sorry, but I have no sympathy for this Emir. You had a choice between a PROBLEM and a SOLUTION, and you chose a PROBLEM. Therefore, you must REAP what you SOWED!
Reno’s Darts
In 2014/2015, a BLOODY LIAR (let me control myself and not use unprintable words) who was REPORTING to then President Goodluck Jonathan, felt he had dealt Jonathan a death blow politically by telling a $49 billion dollar LIE. In 2019, those on whose behalf he dealt that LYING blow on Jonathan, have themselves dealt him his own LYING blow that reduced him to the level of REPORTING to a Local Government Chairman. Meanwhile, as you are reading this, the President of South Africa is reporting to ex President Jonathan who is heading an election observer mission to that nation. The Law of Sowing and Reaping has no MENU. You get SERVED what you DESERVE #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosDarts
Reno’s Nuggets
You can have a PRIVATE jet and live in a PRIVATE estate. You can even be buried in a PRIVATE grave. But you will either end up in a very PUBLIC HEAVEN or a very PUBLIC HELL. So don’t let the PRIVATE wealth you temporarily have make you PUBLICLY proud. Avoid pride by all means. God can fetch water with a basket just to disgrace a proud bucket. Never look down on anyone otherwise God may ensure you fall down like Goliath. There is no big man or low man. The status may be big, but all men are equal before God. #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets.
RIGHT OF REPLY
Reno Omokri: Poster Boy for AllThat IsWrong with Nigeria
Chinyere Nwosu
T
his week, Reno Omokri, a popular public affairs commentator, chose to jettison the fairness and objectivity that he preaches on a daily basis and join the bandwagon of ethnic jingoists out to tarnish the image of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa,. In a piece titled Buhari and Abike Dabiri as Poster Boys for All that is Wrong with Nigeria, the writer, a self-described stickler for facts, resorts to illogic and outright lies in his bid to tar Dabiri-Erewa with the brush of ethnic jingoism and perversity. He wants the world to believe that Dabiri-Erewa hates the people of South-East Nigeria, the Igbo, with passion. In doing so, he employs the sinister tool of power called projection, a technique whereby you accuse your opponents of crimes which you are the one committing. He claimed that when multiple Nigerians were either executed or arrested for drug related offences in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and another set for Internet and credit card/mortgage fraud in the United States, Miss Dabiri-Erewa did not feel the outrage she felt over the Dubai incident. It is difficult to imagine how Reno came to determine what Dabiri felt or did not feel about these incidents, but it is perverse to say that she condoned them because the perpetrators were not Igbo. To come
to such a conclusion, you need solid proof, but Reno supplies none. Instead, he resorts to lies: An Igbo who was first elected an MP in Canada has now been appointed a minister of Municipal Affairs. I thought Dabiri would celebrate this feat. She did not. This claim is scandalous, to say the least. Not only did Dabiri-Erewa congratulate Madu publicly, she in fact wrote him a personal congratulatory letter, as she always does in numerous cases of Nigerians succeeding abroad. This incident only reinforces fact that Reno Omokri, and many like him who are bitter at not retaining the seat of power, are really the problem with Nigeria. They are the witches they themselves are seeking to hunt down. It is clear that these individuals will do anything to fan the embers of discord, disunity and warfare at any given opportunity and for any reason that suits their devilish intentions. Only this week, Dabiri-Erewa wrote on twitter: Abigail Katung Marshal has been elected as Counsellor under the Labour and Co-operative party in Leeds City Council Election on 2 May, 2019, in England. Congratulations to one of ours from Nigeria. Nigerians continue to do us proud all over the world. In any case, as even Reno himself would agree, Dabiri-Erewa cannot decide what news trends or does not. She certainly does not decide what goes into the front pages of the countrys newspapers. Besides, when eight Nigerians were arrested for forgery in the US, with the news carried on front page by a national daily based in the South-West,
why didnt people from that region scream that that action had embarrassed the South-West? Pray, has Reno not heard the story of Chima, Chidozie and Anyele, a set of triplets resident in Ikorodu, Lagos State, whom Dabiri-Erewa gave scholarships throughout their university education ? Out of ten scholarships, three went to these brilliant guys of Igbo extraction who are all proud graduates today. But to those deploying criticism for mischief, maybe facts dont matter these days. Renos provocative piece is indeed not fortuitous; it is the fruit of deliberate mischief, a chapter in the campaign of calumny currently being propagated by self-appointed guardians of public morality. In the past few weeks, some commentators in the public space had indeed been busy ascribing perverse ethnic, specifically anti-Igbo, sentiments to Hon. Abike DabiriErewa. Appalled by the bad image consistently given the country by Nigerians who commit crimes abroad and the burden placed on the government and Nigerians, the presidential aide had called on Nigerians to be more forceful in condemning the activities of these felons, including the five Nigerians arrested for robbing a Bureau De Change to the tune of Dh 2.3 million in the Sharjah Area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The robbers in question were caught on CCTV and the incident was circulated around the world. In a statement by her special assistant, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri gave the names of the suspects as Chimuanya Emmanuel Ozoh, Benjamin Nwachukwu Ajah,
Kingsley Ikenna Ngoka, Tochukwu Leonard Alisi, Chile Micah Ndunagu, describing their action as despicable and shameful, having brought the country to disrepute. Earlier in a tweet, she had said: We need to tell our brothers behaving badly to behave. Lets get the names of those involved to name and shame them. In calling for a naming and shaming strategy, a strategy which anyone with at least a modicum of education should be familiar with, Dabiri merely sought to harness the power of social and communal sanction in preventing further deaths of Nigerians on foreign soil for crimes ranging from drug trafficking to kidnapping and armed robbery, reasoning that if Nigerians condemned these crimes with much more resonant force, those minded to toe a similar path would have a rethink, knowing that they have no home support to fall back on should they fall into the hands of law enforcement agents in the countries of their target where, as they themselves probably are aware, they face certain death. Surprisingly, however, while patriotic and forward-looking Nigerians endorsed this call in several spheres of life, including online and print media, a mischievous band of commentators seized on it to cause inter-ethnic strife. –Dr. (Mrs) Chinyere Nwosu contributes this piece from Alvan Ikoku Polytechnic, Owerri. (Reader concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)
82
MAY 5, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
with RenoOmokri THE ALTERNATIVE In Nige ria, D ea dl y Ter r or i s t s D e s e rve Gover nment’s R es p e c t !
O
n January 6, 2018, The Nation Newspapers carried a headline which read as follows “Why we attacked Benue communities-Miyetti Allah cattle breeders”. In the accompanying story, Garus Gololo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association justified the mass murder of Nigerian citizens in Benue state and told the BBC that ‘herdsmen were only defending themselves from thieves.’ In any country, but Nigeria, an association that made such careless comments, like the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, would be answeing questions, but Nigeria is a special case. Rather than caution this group that have severally tried to justify the killings of Nigerians by herdsmen, who in most cases are not Nigerians, the Presidency unbelievably said “The Miyetti Allah group is like Ohanaeze and Afenifere.” The above is a direct quote. I did not add to it. It is what it is. First of all, how can you equate an association formed for the purpose of breeding cows to associations formed for the purpose of protecting human beings? Are Garba Shehu and his boss okay? Miyetti Allah protects cows. Afenifere and Ohana’eze protect people. They are NOT on the same level. At the height of racism in England, homes for rent used to carry signs ‘For Rent. NO Irish. NO Blacks. NO Dogs. We fought against that. Now, in Nigeria, a Black run government is equating the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, an association formed to protect cattle, with Afenifere and Ohana’eze, ethnic national associations formed to protect people. Is it that the Buhari government is racist or stupid or both? And when the leaders of Afenifere and Ohana’eze, ethnic national associations rightly rejected being compared to a group that has been known to justify genocide, the Presidency unbelievably released a statement doubling down on its earlier classification. According to the Ohana’eze spokesman, Uche Achi-Okpaga, “You can never put Ohanaeze and Miyetti Allah on the same pedestal. Even at that, Miyetti Allah members are herdsmen who are tormenting Nigerians and you are hobnobbing with them, what are you telling Nigerians?” I must say that he is right. I align myself to his stand fully. On his own part, Yinka Odumakin, the spokesman for Afenifere, said “We are surprised that the spokesperson (Shehu) was talking like someone under the influence of drugs. In Afenifere, we don’t kill, we don’t abduct people. How can you compare us to a group of people who have been killing in Enugu, Benue, Ogun and other states?” In response to these statements, the Presidency released its own statement on Friday May 10, 2019 and said inter alia that “Miyetti
Buhari Allah, like any other trade, community, ethnic organization or interest group is a legal stake holder in our nation and should be respected. We maintain that the government needs to engage all stakeholders and seek partnership in building our country.” Miyetti Allah deserves respect? Really! Herdsmen and their Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association do not need to have a spokesman. President Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, appears to have been assigned the job of speaking for them by the President. I hope Nigerians are watching as their own government equates killers with peaceful organisations like Afenifere and Ohana’eze. With the way President Buhari and his Any Government in Power Spokesman, Garba Shehu, are so biased in the defence of herdsmen and their umbrella body, only a fool will have confidence that this government will ever bring killer herdsmen to justice! I thought things were bad when the Nigerian Police paid a ransom to the kidnappers of 2 policemen last week. But this week, I was weak when Buhari complained that ‘kidnapping is now a business’. If the President complains, what should ordinary citizens do? The fact remains that herdsmen of Fulani heritage are behind most kidnappings in Nigeria today. My own brother-in-law, was kidnapped by herdsmen. Coincidentally, the head of Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae, has himself been kidnapped by herdsmen, and his farm destroyed. Just yesterday, an orthopedic surgeon at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Professor Olayinka Adegbehingbe, who was himself kidnapped on Sunday May 5, 2019, testified that he was kidnapped by herdsmen who hap-
pened to be Fulani, and that a N5.045 million ransom was paid before he was freed. That is why I almost wept when the President attended a sermon at the Aso Villa mosque and the imam told him that the high rate of insecurity under Buhari is a test from God. Was it God that told President Buhari to treat members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association with kids glove when they perpetrate actions inimical to the national security of Nigeria? Things have gotten so bad to the extent that the Emir of Daura, President Buhari’s village, says “I have not seen this kind of country; how do we live like animals”! Why will this not be the case when we have a government that insists on treating killer herdsmen with “respect”? In 2015, the Global Terrorism Index listed herdsmen of Fulani descent as the world’s 4th most deadly terrorist group. In 2019, the Nigerian Presidency released a statement saying that their umbrella organisation deserves “respect” and you still wonder why Nigeria is the world headquarters for extreme poverty? Anyway, going back to the Emir of Daura, the man has forgotten when he was asking Nigerians to vote for Buhari and #NextLevel. Mr. Emir, enjoy your “type of country”! I am sorry, but I have no sympathy for this Emir. You had a choice between a PROBLEM and a SOLUTION, and you chose a PROBLEM. Therefore, you must REAP what you SOWED!
Reno’s Darts
In 2014/2015, a BLOODY LIAR (let me control myself and not use unprintable words) who was REPORTING to then President Goodluck Jonathan, felt he had dealt Jonathan a death blow politically by telling a $49 billion dollar LIE. In 2019, those on whose behalf he dealt that LYING blow on Jonathan, have themselves dealt him his own LYING blow that reduced him to the level of REPORTING to a Local Government Chairman. Meanwhile, as you are reading this, the President of South Africa is reporting to ex President Jonathan who is heading an election observer mission to that nation. The Law of Sowing and Reaping has no MENU. You get SERVED what you DESERVE #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosDarts
Reno’s Nuggets
You can have a PRIVATE jet and live in a PRIVATE estate. You can even be buried in a PRIVATE grave. But you will either end up in a very PUBLIC HEAVEN or a very PUBLIC HELL. So don’t let the PRIVATE wealth you temporarily have make you PUBLICLY proud. Avoid pride by all means. God can fetch water with a basket just to disgrace a proud bucket. Never look down on anyone otherwise God may ensure you fall down like Goliath. There is no big man or low man. The status may be big, but all men are equal before God. #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets.
RIGHT OF REPLY
Reno Omokri: Poster Boy for AllThat IsWrong with Nigeria
Chinyere Nwosu
T
his week, Reno Omokri, a popular public affairs commentator, chose to jettison the fairness and objectivity that he preaches on a daily basis and join the bandwagon of ethnic jingoists out to tarnish the image of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa,. In a piece titled Buhari and Abike Dabiri as Poster Boys for All that is Wrong with Nigeria, the writer, a self-described stickler for facts, resorts to illogic and outright lies in his bid to tar Dabiri-Erewa with the brush of ethnic jingoism and perversity. He wants the world to believe that Dabiri-Erewa hates the people of South-East Nigeria, the Igbo, with passion. In doing so, he employs the sinister tool of power called projection, a technique whereby you accuse your opponents of crimes which you are the one committing. He claimed that when multiple Nigerians were either executed or arrested for drug related offences in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and another set for Internet and credit card/mortgage fraud in the United States, Miss Dabiri-Erewa did not feel the outrage she felt over the Dubai incident. It is difficult to imagine how Reno came to determine what Dabiri felt or did not feel about these incidents, but it is perverse to say that she condoned them because the perpetrators were not Igbo. To come
to such a conclusion, you need solid proof, but Reno supplies none. Instead, he resorts to lies: An Igbo who was first elected an MP in Canada has now been appointed a minister of Municipal Affairs. I thought Dabiri would celebrate this feat. She did not. This claim is scandalous, to say the least. Not only did Dabiri-Erewa congratulate Madu publicly, she in fact wrote him a personal congratulatory letter, as she always does in numerous cases of Nigerians succeeding abroad. This incident only reinforces fact that Reno Omokri, and many like him who are bitter at not retaining the seat of power, are really the problem with Nigeria. They are the witches they themselves are seeking to hunt down. It is clear that these individuals will do anything to fan the embers of discord, disunity and warfare at any given opportunity and for any reason that suits their devilish intentions. Only this week, Dabiri-Erewa wrote on twitter: Abigail Katung Marshal has been elected as Counsellor under the Labour and Co-operative party in Leeds City Council Election on 2 May, 2019, in England. Congratulations to one of ours from Nigeria. Nigerians continue to do us proud all over the world. In any case, as even Reno himself would agree, Dabiri-Erewa cannot decide what news trends or does not. She certainly does not decide what goes into the front pages of the countrys newspapers. Besides, when eight Nigerians were arrested for forgery in the US, with the news carried on front page by a national daily based in the South-West,
why didnt people from that region scream that that action had embarrassed the South-West? Pray, has Reno not heard the story of Chima, Chidozie and Anyele, a set of triplets resident in Ikorodu, Lagos State, whom Dabiri-Erewa gave scholarships throughout their university education ? Out of ten scholarships, three went to these brilliant guys of Igbo extraction who are all proud graduates today. But to those deploying criticism for mischief, maybe facts dont matter these days. Renos provocative piece is indeed not fortuitous; it is the fruit of deliberate mischief, a chapter in the campaign of calumny currently being propagated by self-appointed guardians of public morality. In the past few weeks, some commentators in the public space had indeed been busy ascribing perverse ethnic, specifically anti-Igbo, sentiments to Hon. Abike DabiriErewa. Appalled by the bad image consistently given the country by Nigerians who commit crimes abroad and the burden placed on the government and Nigerians, the presidential aide had called on Nigerians to be more forceful in condemning the activities of these felons, including the five Nigerians arrested for robbing a Bureau De Change to the tune of Dh 2.3 million in the Sharjah Area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The robbers in question were caught on CCTV and the incident was circulated around the world. In a statement by her special assistant, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri gave the names of the suspects as Chimuanya Emmanuel Ozoh, Benjamin Nwachukwu Ajah,
Kingsley Ikenna Ngoka, Tochukwu Leonard Alisi, Chile Micah Ndunagu, describing their action as despicable and shameful, having brought the country to disrepute. Earlier in a tweet, she had said: We need to tell our brothers behaving badly to behave. Lets get the names of those involved to name and shame them. In calling for a naming and shaming strategy, a strategy which anyone with at least a modicum of education should be familiar with, Dabiri merely sought to harness the power of social and communal sanction in preventing further deaths of Nigerians on foreign soil for crimes ranging from drug trafficking to kidnapping and armed robbery, reasoning that if Nigerians condemned these crimes with much more resonant force, those minded to toe a similar path would have a rethink, knowing that they have no home support to fall back on should they fall into the hands of law enforcement agents in the countries of their target where, as they themselves probably are aware, they face certain death. Surprisingly, however, while patriotic and forward-looking Nigerians endorsed this call in several spheres of life, including online and print media, a mischievous band of commentators seized on it to cause inter-ethnic strife. –Dr. (Mrs) Chinyere Nwosu contributes this piece from Alvan Ikoku Polytechnic, Owerri. (Reader concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)
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NEWSXTRA Scoring 347, Ezenala, 15, Emerges 2019 UTME Best Candidate t JAMB releases 1,792,719 results, withholds 34,120 Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
A 15-year-old, Ezenala Ekene Franklin, from Imo State, has emerged the best candidate in the just concluded 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), scoring 347 marks considered to be the highest by
the board. Likewise, a 16-year-old candidate, Igban Chidiebube from Abia State has scored 346 marks to emerge the second best candidate in the 2019 matriculation examination while a 17-year-old, Isaac Olamilekan from Osun State, scored 345 marks.
Registrar and CEO JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede made this known on yesterday in Abuja, saying out of the 1,826,839 candidates who sat for this year’s UTME, the board has released the results of 1,792,719 candidates. By implication, the registrar said the exam body withheld
results of 34,120 candidates for further screening. A further break down shows that 2,906 candidates scored above 300, about 57,579 candidates scored between 250 to 299, a total of 366,757 candidates scored between 200 to 249 and 361, 718 candidates scored between 180 to 199. However, Oloyede raised
concerns over the age and choice of institution by Franklin, saying he might not be admitted into the University of Lagos, as age 15 was considered underage by the institution. He urged candidates to check their results through the mobile phones used for the UTME registration by texting RESULT to 55019 between now and Wednesday. He warned candidates not to approach any Computer Based Test (CBT) centre or cyber cafe until they check and know their real results through the registered mobile phone. For the 2019 UTME, the registrar said 1,886,508 candidates “registered including those who registered at the foreign centres.
Out of this number, which excludes the Direct Entry candidates, 59,667 were absent. “A total of 1,826,839 sat the UTME. Today, we are releasing the results of 1,792,719 candidates. Some 34,120 results are being withheld including the results of 15,145 candidates being further clarified as identical twins and siblings. “Those who have facial identities in multiples are crosschecked further by ascertaining their fingerprints. There is no need to approach any CBT Centre or cyber cafĂŠ to check results. Those who were ABSENT, got their Registration CANCELLED or have their results WITHHELD will be told,â€? he said.
Tuition: EKSU Threatens to Rusticate Defaulting Students Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
TRUE EMPOWERMENT L-R: Executive Director, Ikeoha Foundation, Dr. Cindy Ezeugwu; Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Senator Chuka Utazi and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Ikeoha Foundation, Dr. Nwanneka Ekweremadu, during the inauguration of the foundation’s 2017/2018 scholarship/bursary awards at Ndeabor, Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State... Friday
FG to Demolish Structures on Lagos-Ibadan Rail Corridor Kasim Sumaina and Oluchi Chibuzor
The federal government yesterday directed all owners of businesses and structures within the Apapa-Ebute-Meta corridor of Lagos-Ibadan railway to relocate in order to allow the construction of the rail project continue without delay. The apex government equally explained challenges hindering conveying of cargoes by train to and from the ports, disclosing that it had not constructed the standard gauge to its full capacity. The Minister for Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi gave the directive at a meeting with
stakeholders on the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan rail project at Papalanto, Ogun State. At the stakeholders’ meeting, the minister said there would not be construction without demolition, noting that human beings are occupying the existing right of way illegally. He said, “One day, they have to be cleared. There are some structures that the Lagos State Government is supposed to pay for, have they paid? We will write to them. “I was once a governor. It takes time for the system to bring out the money. You do not just go and ask the system to give you money and they immediately give you the money.
It takes processes. So, let’s wait and see what happens.� Amaechi asked the officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation to write through the State Secretary to the Government notifying him on the promise he made concerning the building located at No. 5 and 7, Funsho Williams Avenue, beside Costain bridge, Lagos State. Amaechi said there “are structures belonging to Nigeria Railway Corporation. We said they should not just do valuation; they should also identify ownership of the properties. “If they have leased them out and they are legal, we have no choice than to pay. If the
lease has expired, the owner has no choice but to hand over our properties to us. But we want to do an audit first.� He said the land available for the Apapa railway station “is not enough. We should have a very wide space that we can say this is a station than to have buildings crossing the front of the station. That is why we want to see that everything is done properly.� On transporting cargoes by rail, the minister said the federal government “is yet to construct the standard gauge. For now, standard gauge is not functioning to its capacity. Until these two things happen, you can’t move enough cargoes.�
Stop Blaming Buhari Alone for Insecurity, Uzodinma Tells Opposition Bennett Oghifo The Chairman of Southern
Senators’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma has expressed worry over what he described as “undue politicization of the security situation in the country,� and advocated a bi-partisan and collaborative approach among all stakeholders in Nigeria towards addressing the issue. In a press statement yesterday, Uzodinma, who flew the flag of All Progressives Congress in the just concluded governorship election in Imo State, said it was unpatriotic for opposition politicians to make political capital out
of the entire security situation in the country. Whileacknowledgingthatitis the responsibility of government to provide adequate security for lives and property, Uzodinma said the citizens themselves have a critical role to play to ensure the realization of a safe country. Noting that security is the collective responsibility of all citizens while the leadership provides the resources, the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, appealed to his colleagues in the National Assembly to provide leadership in evolving more effective means of tackling security. He also advocated for the
active involvement of traditional and religious leaders and other various stakeholders in the quest to identify and repress the sources of insecurity starting from the community level. According to him, “the tragedy of the Nigerian situation is that everybody thinks that tackling insecurity is the duty of only the president and governors. Until all of us make the issue of security our personal problem, we may still be a long way from achieving our goal.� Hesaidbecausesecurityforces did not operate in a vacuum, “it behooves on the citizenry, led by the leaders in every community,
to provide them the necessary intelligence required to confront both the bandits, kidnappers and even terrorists. “I do believe that we require a collaborative approach devoid of politics and religion. We must see what is happening in Nigeria today as a challenge to all of us and not only for President Buhari and APC�, he said Uzodinma applauded the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Adamou Mohammed, for his open mindedness in engaging the Senate and other stakeholders on the security issues, and called on other service chiefs to take a similar step.
The Ekiti State University at the weekend threatened to rusticate any student owing school fee in the university, thereby slowing development due to lack of funds in the institution. The institution added that the era when defaulted students were being shown mercy on school fees was over, saying it would not hesitate send away any student who fails to pay school fees for the on-going 2018/2019 academic session. The acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olubunmi Ajayi gave the warning in a statement the institution’s Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs issued the matriculation of 7,664 fresh students admitted into different departments on Friday. The vice chancellor said the institution won’t hesitate withdraw the studentship of any
student who fails to promptly pay school fees for the on-going 2018/2019 academic session Ajayi said it was a privilege for the 7,664 fresh students admitted into the institution out of the 15,348 candidates that applied for admission through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). She, thus, charged them to ensure prompt payment of fees and be duly registered in their various faculties, saying the university had put in place a task force to enforce strict compliance. According to her, the university would no longer accommodate fee defaulters and failure to pay up on time could lead to loss of studentship. She urged the new students “to be wary of scammers, who, under the pretence of rendering assistance to unsuspecting new students, defraud them of their money and possessions.�
Expert Recommends Storytelling to Strengthen Britain, Nigeria Relationship Raheem Akingbolu
A writer and member of NigeriaBritain Association, Olabode Ogunlana, has emphasised the need for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of storytelling and history documentation to strengthening her bond with the Britain. The storyteller stated this at one of the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian British Association, themed: ‘What the British brought to Nigeria and their leave Behinds.’ The event, solely organised in honour of the folklorist at the British Council, Ikoyi, Lagos, featured extracts of Nigerian history, NBA history and the author’s books such as, Out of the Black Pot, Selected Tales, Yoruba Love Stories and The Quest for the Rare Leaf. Ogunlana maintained that stories about the country’s cultural heritage should be kept and transmitted to generations unborn so that they
would be acquainted with their culture. “Story does not only teach, instruct, amuse and entertain. It is a pity history has been removed from our curriculum. Bad leaders seem to think that by covering misdeeds, they are safe,� he stressed. He continued: “It is important to write stories to call attention to what happened in the past, which is still affecting us today. We need to read and write stories; it is the thing that links the past, present and future. If we don’t know what happened in the past, it affects our future.� The folklorist stressed that history would enable the people know what transpired between Nigeria and Britain and also correct the negative perception about the colonial rule. He also stressed the need “to learn from what has happened in the past. It is all about the people’s life and telling it.�
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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER t.": , 2019
NEWSXTRA Islamic State: We Have Killed 11 Soldiers tAs Boko Haram kills four in Borno Tobi Soniyi and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri One week after Islamic State claimed responsibility for the death of 10 soldiers in Borno State, the group yesterday said it had carried out yet another attack in the northeastern state that killed at least 11 soldiers. In another development yesterday, the Boko Haram attacked Maiduguri and abducted five persons, thereby carting away food items and other valuables. The Islamic State claimed it killed members of the Nigeria Armed Forces through its news agency, Amaq last night. According to the information, the insurgent group struck at a barracks in Gajiganna Local Government Area of Borno state, killing 11 soldiers and leaving many injured. It released pictures of burnt barracks and dead bodies, which it claimed were those of soldiers. At press time, THISDAY was unable to verify the claim by the group. Although the army is yet to comment on the attack, an official of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) said some of the victims of the attack are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. “We have been attending to
the victims of the unfortunate attack from Gajiganna and they are responding to treatment,” said the official who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak. Boko Haram joined Islamic State after Abubakar Shekau, leader of the sect, pledged allegiance to the group in 2015. It, however, split with the group in 2016 over leadership issues. In March, the IS sacked Abu Mus’ab Al-barnawi as the leader of ISWAP, a faction of Boko Haram. Ahmad Salkida, a journalist known to have access to the leadership of Boko Haram, said the new leader of the group is Abu Abdullah Ibn Umar Albarnawi. On the Maiduguri attack, the Boko Haram yesterday attacked Maiduguri and abducted five persons while carting away food items and other valuables. But four of the five persons abducted were later shot dead about seven kilometres away as the fifth persons was thought to have died but only sustained wounds from the gunshot. Founder of Bethel Assembly International, Maiduguri, Prophet Sunday Solomon, said the insurgents came into the compound, which has six bungalows, where he resided at Njimtilo, in the outskirts of
Maiduguri at about 12.25am. He said when he heard some movement within the compound, he thought the gate was not locked and came out to check, only to be met by
a stranger, who pointed a gun at him and called on others to come in. Solomon said he took the initiative to lunge at him and immediately left for his apart-
ment, adding that the attacker fired several shots at him but that it was a miracle he survived even without a shot hitting him. He said they later came into his residence, took food items
from the kitchen and mobile phones from his living room. He was surprised that they did not see him and his family where they hid in one of the toilets in the flat.
STRENGTHENING TIES
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bwari in a warm handshake with the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Lehmann during a courtesy visit to the minister in his office, Abuja ... recently
Families Lament Detention of Ngige Can’t Inaugurate Kokori as NSITF Chair, Says Presidency Adara Leaders without Trial Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja
John Shiklam in Kano Children of nine Adara leaders arrested in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, yesterday protested the detention of their fathers without trial. The children lamented that the detention of their breadwinners without trial was a violation of their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. They expressed their concern in a statement signed by Bege Bawa-Magaji, Mercy Dio-Maisamari and Godiya Sani-Magaji, calling for the release of their breadwinners. The police had arrested the Adara leaders on February 16 for allegedly conspiring with others at large to attack Fulani inhabitants” February 14, 2019 The affected leaders include the acting traditional ruler of Adara, Mr. Bawa Magaji; President of Adara Development Union, Mr. Awemi Maisamari; former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sani Magaji and National
Treasurer, Adara Development Association, Mr. Joseph Abdallah. Others are Village Head of Maro, Tanko Maisamari; Village Head of Ungwan Gamo, Mr. Hosea Danladi; Village Head of Kutura, Mr. Joseph Ayuba; Village Head of Aguba, Mr. Tanko Wada and Elder Ulu Maitumbi. In the statement they issued in Kaduna yesterday, the children of the affected leaders accused the Kaduna State Government of alleged bias against the Adara people by singling out their leaders for arrest in the crisis in involving two groups. The statement said about 200 people were killed while 12,480 others were rendered homeless in the series of attacks by suspected herdsmen on Adara communities. It noted that the state government “claimed that 66 Fulani bodies were found. The state government eventually increased the death figure of Fulani victims to 130... ”Incidentally, there have been series of attacks and killings,
Durojaiye Oyinlola Passes on at 80 The Oyinlola family of Okuku, Osun State, has anounced the transition to glory of Prince Ebenezer Durojaiye Oyinlola on April 18 at the age of 80. A statement from the family announcing the death, said the deceased was a devout Christian and had an illustrious career spanning
several decades in the private sector. He chaired various boards, presided over several institutions and held executive positions in Nigeria and abroad. He is survived by his wife, Folashade Oyinlola, children and grandchildren. He will be laid to rest on May 16.
The Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, can no longer inaugurate former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr. Frank Kokori as the Board Chairman of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) due to the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to reassign Kokori, a source in the presidency has said. Speaking on the ongoing saga between the Minister and the organised labour, the source said that Kokori’s initial appointment was faulty as he was found not to be “a fit and proper person” for the chairmanship of the agency. He said the original appointment of Kokori as Board Chairman of NSITF failed to follow the
due process as stipulated by the Act setting up the fund. Describing as “fit and proper person” as someone who would not be beholden to any of the tripartite parties as recommended by the enabling law, the sources claimed that Kokori was recommended by the President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba to Acting President Yemi Osibajo against the dictates of the enabling law. The source said when Buhari was fully briefed by the minister following an extensive review, he had appropriately reassigned Kokori to the Pa Michael Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies, while a “fit and proper” candidate has been nominated to chair the Board of the NSITF. “In the enabling law establishing the agency, the federal government in its wisdom decided
to give it a tripartite coloration (Government, Labour and Employers) because of the Industrial Relations nature of the entity. “Consequently, the management and board was set out as follows in Section 4 of the Act: The Chairman who shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Labour; two persons each nominated by: The Nigeria Employees Consultative Association (NECA) - then the only Employers’ Association. “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) (because they were the only Labour Federation then); One-representative each of: the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour & Productivity (Supervising Ministry); the Central Bank of Nigeria (Financial Institution); Three Executive Directors (EDs) – Federal Gov-
ernment interest; and one Managing Director (MD) – Federal Government interest. “Section 5 (3) of the Act also says – the Members of the Board shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as the Minister of Labour may from time to time determine.” The sources said “from the foregoing, it is clear that the appointment of the Chairman for the Board of NSITF is a straight forward engagement by the Minister recommending a fit & proper neutral person to Mr. President for appointment.” He said the president of NLC had in 2017, approached the minister to inform him that he and other Social Partner, the then DG NECA had submitted a nominee for the position of NSITF Chairman to the office of the Vice President.
Oilserv to Complete Obiafu- LASG: FG Hasn’t Released National Stadium to Lagos Oben Gas Pipeline Soon has almost become dilapidated. Raheem Akingbolu Peter Uzoho The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Group, Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, has said that efforts were being put in place to ensure that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) ‘LOT B’ gas pipeline being handled by his company was completed by September 2019. Okwuosa gave the assurance at a session with journalists recently, noting that the project was quite a challenging one, adding that the company had always shown commitment in the process of executing the project from the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) stages. He disclosed that the OB3 Gas Treatment Plant (GTP)
is the largest in Nigeria and by extension Africa with a capacity of two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (2bscf/d). Commenting on the project delay, he said that few changes in the entire design concept alongside some shortcomings led to some setbacks in the initial delivery date. Oilserv Limited, a leading engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning company in Nigeria has been a major player in the industry since its inception in 1992 and has contributed immensely to the development of pipeline systems infrastructure in Nigeria, having executed various large and medium scale projects.
The Lagos State Government at the weekend said the federal government had not handed over the National Stadium to Lagos State, saying the facility had not been officially implemented up till this moment. The Chairman, Lagos State Sports Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Femi Pedro disclosed this at a briefing on the plan of the management of the LSSTF and other stakeholders to turn Lagos State to leading sports hub in Africa, through effective funding and collaboration with relevant bodies in the next few years Pedro, former Deputy Governor of the state, called on the federal government to speed up action on the handing over of the national monument, which
Pedro said were it to have been ceded officially to Lagos, the place “will witnessed a positive turnaround and haven of various sporting activities. As regard the national stadium handing over, it is mere news reports that have not been officially applied. “If the federal government can be magnanimous enough to do as promised and cede the National Stadium to Lagos, I can assure Nigerians on behalf of Lagos State Government that the stadium would witness a positive turnaround.” Pedro said the LSSTF was primarily inaugurated to play a critical role in financing the development and promotion of sports, sporting activities and facilities in the state.
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NEWSXTRA Scoring 347, Ezenala, 15, Emerges 2019 UTME Best Candidate t JAMB releases 1,792,719 results, withholds 34,120 Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
A 15-year-old, Ezenala Ekene Franklin, from Imo State, has emerged the best candidate in the just concluded 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), scoring 347 marks considered to be the highest by
the board. Likewise, a 16-year-old candidate, Igban Chidiebube from Abia State has scored 346 marks to emerge the second best candidate in the 2019 matriculation examination while a 17-year-old, Isaac Olamilekan from Osun State, scored 345 marks.
Registrar and CEO JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede made this known on yesterday in Abuja, saying out of the 1,826,839 candidates who sat for this year’s UTME, the board has released the results of 1,792,719 candidates. By implication, the registrar said the exam body withheld
results of 34,120 candidates for further screening. A further break down shows that 2,906 candidates scored above 300, about 57,579 candidates scored between 250 to 299, a total of 366,757 candidates scored between 200 to 249 and 361, 718 candidates scored between 180 to 199. However, Oloyede raised
concerns over the age and choice of institution by Franklin, saying he might not be admitted into the University of Lagos, as age 15 was considered underage by the institution. He urged candidates to check their results through the mobile phones used for the UTME registration by texting RESULT to 55019 between now and Wednesday. He warned candidates not to approach any Computer Based Test (CBT) centre or cyber cafe until they check and know their real results through the registered mobile phone. For the 2019 UTME, the registrar said 1,886,508 candidates “registered including those who registered at the foreign centres.
Out of this number, which excludes the Direct Entry candidates, 59,667 were absent. “A total of 1,826,839 sat the UTME. Today, we are releasing the results of 1,792,719 candidates. Some 34,120 results are being withheld including the results of 15,145 candidates being further clarified as identical twins and siblings. “Those who have facial identities in multiples are crosschecked further by ascertaining their fingerprints. There is no need to approach any CBT Centre or cyber cafĂŠ to check results. Those who were ABSENT, got their Registration CANCELLED or have their results WITHHELD will be told,â€? he said.
Tuition: EKSU Threatens to Rusticate Defaulting Students Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
TRUE EMPOWERMENT L-R: Executive Director, Ikeoha Foundation, Dr. Cindy Ezeugwu; Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Senator Chuka Utazi and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Ikeoha Foundation, Dr. Nwanneka Ekweremadu, during the inauguration of the foundation’s 2017/2018 scholarship/bursary awards at Ndeabor, Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State... Friday
FG to Demolish Structures on Lagos-Ibadan Rail Corridor Kasim Sumaina and Oluchi Chibuzor
The federal government yesterday directed all owners of businesses and structures within the Apapa-Ebute-Meta corridor of Lagos-Ibadan railway to relocate in order to allow the construction of the rail project continue without delay. The apex government equally explained challenges hindering conveying of cargoes by train to and from the ports, disclosing that it had not constructed the standard gauge to its full capacity. The Minister for Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi gave the directive at a meeting with
stakeholders on the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan rail project at Papalanto, Ogun State. At the stakeholders’ meeting, the minister said there would not be construction without demolition, noting that human beings are occupying the existing right of way illegally. He said, “One day, they have to be cleared. There are some structures that the Lagos State Government is supposed to pay for, have they paid? We will write to them. “I was once a governor. It takes time for the system to bring out the money. You do not just go and ask the system to give you money and they immediately give you the money.
It takes processes. So, let’s wait and see what happens.� Amaechi asked the officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation to write through the State Secretary to the Government notifying him on the promise he made concerning the building located at No. 5 and 7, Funsho Williams Avenue, beside Costain bridge, Lagos State. Amaechi said there “are structures belonging to Nigeria Railway Corporation. We said they should not just do valuation; they should also identify ownership of the properties. “If they have leased them out and they are legal, we have no choice than to pay. If the
lease has expired, the owner has no choice but to hand over our properties to us. But we want to do an audit first.� He said the land available for the Apapa railway station “is not enough. We should have a very wide space that we can say this is a station than to have buildings crossing the front of the station. That is why we want to see that everything is done properly.� On transporting cargoes by rail, the minister said the federal government “is yet to construct the standard gauge. For now, standard gauge is not functioning to its capacity. Until these two things happen, you can’t move enough cargoes.�
Stop Blaming Buhari Alone for Insecurity, Uzodinma Tells Opposition Bennett Oghifo The Chairman of Southern
Senators’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma has expressed worry over what he described as “undue politicization of the security situation in the country,� and advocated a bi-partisan and collaborative approach among all stakeholders in Nigeria towards addressing the issue. In a press statement yesterday, Uzodinma, who flew the flag of All Progressives Congress in the just concluded governorship election in Imo State, said it was unpatriotic for opposition politicians to make political capital out
of the entire security situation in the country. Whileacknowledgingthatitis the responsibility of government to provide adequate security for lives and property, Uzodinma said the citizens themselves have a critical role to play to ensure the realization of a safe country. Noting that security is the collective responsibility of all citizens while the leadership provides the resources, the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, appealed to his colleagues in the National Assembly to provide leadership in evolving more effective means of tackling security. He also advocated for the
active involvement of traditional and religious leaders and other various stakeholders in the quest to identify and repress the sources of insecurity starting from the community level. According to him, “the tragedy of the Nigerian situation is that everybody thinks that tackling insecurity is the duty of only the president and governors. Until all of us make the issue of security our personal problem, we may still be a long way from achieving our goal.� Hesaidbecausesecurityforces did not operate in a vacuum, “it behooves on the citizenry, led by the leaders in every community,
to provide them the necessary intelligence required to confront both the bandits, kidnappers and even terrorists. “I do believe that we require a collaborative approach devoid of politics and religion. We must see what is happening in Nigeria today as a challenge to all of us and not only for President Buhari and APC�, he said Uzodinma applauded the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Adamou Mohammed, for his open mindedness in engaging the Senate and other stakeholders on the security issues, and called on other service chiefs to take a similar step.
The Ekiti State University at the weekend threatened to rusticate any student owing school fee in the university, thereby slowing development due to lack of funds in the institution. The institution added that the era when defaulted students were being shown mercy on school fees was over, saying it would not hesitate send away any student who fails to pay school fees for the on-going 2018/2019 academic session. The acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olubunmi Ajayi gave the warning in a statement the institution’s Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs issued the matriculation of 7,664 fresh students admitted into different departments on Friday. The vice chancellor said the institution won’t hesitate withdraw the studentship of any
student who fails to promptly pay school fees for the on-going 2018/2019 academic session Ajayi said it was a privilege for the 7,664 fresh students admitted into the institution out of the 15,348 candidates that applied for admission through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). She, thus, charged them to ensure prompt payment of fees and be duly registered in their various faculties, saying the university had put in place a task force to enforce strict compliance. According to her, the university would no longer accommodate fee defaulters and failure to pay up on time could lead to loss of studentship. She urged the new students “to be wary of scammers, who, under the pretence of rendering assistance to unsuspecting new students, defraud them of their money and possessions.�
Expert Recommends Storytelling to Strengthen Britain, Nigeria Relationship Raheem Akingbolu
A writer and member of NigeriaBritain Association, Olabode Ogunlana, has emphasised the need for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of storytelling and history documentation to strengthening her bond with the Britain. The storyteller stated this at one of the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian British Association, themed: ‘What the British brought to Nigeria and their leave Behinds.’ The event, solely organised in honour of the folklorist at the British Council, Ikoyi, Lagos, featured extracts of Nigerian history, NBA history and the author’s books such as, Out of the Black Pot, Selected Tales, Yoruba Love Stories and The Quest for the Rare Leaf. Ogunlana maintained that stories about the country’s cultural heritage should be kept and transmitted to generations unborn so that they
would be acquainted with their culture. “Story does not only teach, instruct, amuse and entertain. It is a pity history has been removed from our curriculum. Bad leaders seem to think that by covering misdeeds, they are safe,� he stressed. He continued: “It is important to write stories to call attention to what happened in the past, which is still affecting us today. We need to read and write stories; it is the thing that links the past, present and future. If we don’t know what happened in the past, it affects our future.� The folklorist stressed that history would enable the people know what transpired between Nigeria and Britain and also correct the negative perception about the colonial rule. He also stressed the need “to learn from what has happened in the past. It is all about the people’s life and telling it.�
86
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚Î
SUNDAYSPORTS Liverpool Aim to Overhaul Man City and Make History
Edited by Demola Ojo Email: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com
L
Liverpool are bidding to become the first team to overtake the Premier League leaders on the final day as they look to wrest the title from champions Manchester City today. The Reds, who host Wolves, are one point behind leaders City, who visit Brighton - with both games at 3pm. It is the eighth Premier League title race to go down to the final day. Champions League finalists Liverpool have not won the league since 1990. It has been a title race of the highest quality, with City winning their past 13 league games and Liverpool winning eight in a row. Neither side have lost a league game since January. With City on 95 points and Liverpool on 94, whoever finishes second is guaranteed to have the highest final points total of any runners-up in English top-flight history. Realistically Liverpool need to beat seventh-placed Wolves and hope Manchester City drop points against 17th-placed Brighton. The Reds come into the game high on confidence after reaching the Champions League final with a stunning 4-0 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday, after losing the first leg 3-0. They face Tottenham in the Madrid final on 1 June. City are looking to become the first team to win the English domestic treble. Pep Guardiola’s side beat Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup final and face Watford in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Those cup finals are on the back burner until the Premier League title is decided, however. “We think about Wolves,� said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who has not won a major trophy since the 2012 German double with Borussia Dortmund. “You get millions of messages and nobody speaks about the weekend. It’s all ‘unbelievable’ and ‘all the best in the final’ but we play Wolves now. “It doesn’t make Tuesday night’s achievement any smaller. It was for sure one of the best moments in football history, not only Liverpool. But it has nothing to do with the weekend except that we should be confident.� Liverpool were seven points clear of Manchester City until the champions beat them 2-1 on January 3 in what remains the Reds’ only league defeat this season. “It’s a dream to be here. I didn’t expect... to be in the position that we are now,� said Guardiola, who can become only the third manager after Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho to win consecutive Premier League titles. “We’re going to play well, strong mentally, knowing it’ll be tough. It’s better to focus on what we do. If we win, we don’t have to look at anything else.� Neither of the title chasers’ final-day opponents have anything left to play for. Wolves are guaranteed seventh spot, which will be enough for a Europa
Virgil Van Dyk (left) edged Raheem Sterling to Player of the season and hopes Liverpool can overhaul Man City today League place if City beat Watford in the FA Cup final. Brighton are safe from relegation, sitting five points above Cardiff City. There is still a mathematical chance of City and Liverpool finishing exactly level on points, goal difference and goals scored, which would mean a one-off title play-off at a neutral venue to decide the champions. But the only way that could happen is if City lose 4-0 to Brighton and Liverpool draw 4-4 with Wolves (those two results have combined odds of 18,750-1) - or a 5-1 defeat and 5-5 draw, a 6-2 defeat and 6-6 draw, and so on. On all seven previous occasions that the Premier League title has gone down to the final day, the team who started the day top have won it. The closest Premier League title race ever saw Manchester City beat Manchester United on goal difference in 2012. That remains the only time the lead has changed hands in the ‘as it stands’ table on the last day. Sergio Aguero’s injury-time winner against QPR denied United the chance to be the first team to
start the day second and win the Premier League. Only once have the second-placed team blown the chance to win the Premier League on the final day. In 1995 Blackburn lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield but still won the title. Manchester United would have won the league had they beaten West Ham, but they drew 1-1. The last team to start the final day of the English top flight at the top of the table and not win the title were Liverpool in 1989, when Michael Thomas’ dramatic injury-time goal gave Arsenal the 2-0 win they needed at Anfield to secure the old First Division title. Golden Boot Race Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, fit again after missing Tuesday’s famous European victory with concussion, is looking to win his second consecutive Golden Boot and he leads the way on 22 goals. But three players have a realistic chance of at least sharing the Golden Boot - with Reds team-mate
Sadio Mane, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all on 20 goals. It is likely to be the lowest top-scoring total since 2010-11 when Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez shared the Golden Boot with 20 goals each.
FIXTURES Brighton Burnley Crystal Palace Fulham Leicester Liverpool Man United Southampton Tottenham Watford
v v v v v v v v v v
Man City Arsenal Bournemouth Newcastle Chelsea Wolves Cardiff City HuddersďŹ eld Everton West Ham
*All matches kickoff 3pm
Bundesliga Goes to Wire as Bayern Miss Chance to Win 7th Straight Title Bayern Munich missed the chance to win a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title with a game to spare when they were held to a goalless draw at RB Leipzig. Leon Goretzka found the back of the net in the second half but his effort was ruled out by VAR. Second placed Borussia Dortmund, who had to better Bayern’s result to keep their title hopes alive, beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 3-2. Niko Kovac’s side sit two points clear of Dortmund heading into the final
day. Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry missed Bayern’s best chance of an entertaining first half at the Red Bull Arena, firing straight at Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi from a tight angle. Goretzka volleyed Ibrahima Konate’s poor clearance past the Hungarian seven minutes into the second half, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for an offside against Robert Lewandowski. Bayern host Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend, while Dortmund travel to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Spanish GP: Bottas beats Hamilton to pole Valtteri Bottas beat Lewis Hamilton to take his third pole position in a row and lead a Mercedes one-two in qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Finn was 0.634 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who made a series of errors on his first lap before a slower track meant an improvement was impossible on the next. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was third with an 0.866secs gap to Bottas. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Bottas, who leads Hamilton in the championship
by one point, set a superb one minute 15.406 seconds on his first run in final qualifying, while Hamilton had a mistake-strewn run. He had wheelspin out of the final corner starting the lap, then ran wide out of Turn Seven, bouncing over the kerbs on the exit. And then he ran wide again at Turns 12 and 13. By the time he did his second run, the track was slower, partly because of the gravel that Hamilton himself had deposited on the track in the final sector, and none of the top four improved.
Bertens (left) moves up to no 4 on the rankings
Halep Misses out on No 1 with Final Loss to Bertens Romania’s Simona Halep missed out on regaining the world number one ranking as she lost the Madrid Open final to Kiki Bertens yesterday. A win would have seen Halep overtake world number one Naomi Osaka but she lost 6-4 6-4. The title is the biggest of Bertens’ career and she will climb to fourth in the rankings tomorrow, making her the highest-ranked Dutchwoman in history. She also becomes the first woman to win in Madrid without dropping a set.
Halep is the fourth Grand Slam champion Bertens has beaten during the tournament and will now been seen as one of the favourites for the French Open, which begins in two weeks. Both players struggled to hold serve with eight breaks across the two sets - three to Halep and five to Bertens - but the Dutchwoman was the more dominant. Last year’s runner-up hit 25 winners and four aces with her forehand in particular causing problems.
86
THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍşËœ ͺ͸͚Î
SUNDAYSPORTS Liverpool Aim to Overhaul Man City and Make History
Edited by Demola Ojo Email: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com
L
Liverpool are bidding to become the first team to overtake the Premier League leaders on the final day as they look to wrest the title from champions Manchester City today. The Reds, who host Wolves, are one point behind leaders City, who visit Brighton - with both games at 3pm. It is the eighth Premier League title race to go down to the final day. Champions League finalists Liverpool have not won the league since 1990. It has been a title race of the highest quality, with City winning their past 13 league games and Liverpool winning eight in a row. Neither side have lost a league game since January. With City on 95 points and Liverpool on 94, whoever finishes second is guaranteed to have the highest final points total of any runners-up in English top-flight history. Realistically Liverpool need to beat seventh-placed Wolves and hope Manchester City drop points against 17th-placed Brighton. The Reds come into the game high on confidence after reaching the Champions League final with a stunning 4-0 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday, after losing the first leg 3-0. They face Tottenham in the Madrid final on 1 June. City are looking to become the first team to win the English domestic treble. Pep Guardiola’s side beat Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup final and face Watford in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Those cup finals are on the back burner until the Premier League title is decided, however. “We think about Wolves,� said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who has not won a major trophy since the 2012 German double with Borussia Dortmund. “You get millions of messages and nobody speaks about the weekend. It’s all ‘unbelievable’ and ‘all the best in the final’ but we play Wolves now. “It doesn’t make Tuesday night’s achievement any smaller. It was for sure one of the best moments in football history, not only Liverpool. But it has nothing to do with the weekend except that we should be confident.� Liverpool were seven points clear of Manchester City until the champions beat them 2-1 on January 3 in what remains the Reds’ only league defeat this season. “It’s a dream to be here. I didn’t expect... to be in the position that we are now,� said Guardiola, who can become only the third manager after Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho to win consecutive Premier League titles. “We’re going to play well, strong mentally, knowing it’ll be tough. It’s better to focus on what we do. If we win, we don’t have to look at anything else.� Neither of the title chasers’ final-day opponents have anything left to play for. Wolves are guaranteed seventh spot, which will be enough for a Europa
Virgil Van Dyk (left) edged Raheem Sterling to Player of the season and hopes Liverpool can overhaul Man City today League place if City beat Watford in the FA Cup final. Brighton are safe from relegation, sitting five points above Cardiff City. There is still a mathematical chance of City and Liverpool finishing exactly level on points, goal difference and goals scored, which would mean a one-off title play-off at a neutral venue to decide the champions. But the only way that could happen is if City lose 4-0 to Brighton and Liverpool draw 4-4 with Wolves (those two results have combined odds of 18,750-1) - or a 5-1 defeat and 5-5 draw, a 6-2 defeat and 6-6 draw, and so on. On all seven previous occasions that the Premier League title has gone down to the final day, the team who started the day top have won it. The closest Premier League title race ever saw Manchester City beat Manchester United on goal difference in 2012. That remains the only time the lead has changed hands in the ‘as it stands’ table on the last day. Sergio Aguero’s injury-time winner against QPR denied United the chance to be the first team to
start the day second and win the Premier League. Only once have the second-placed team blown the chance to win the Premier League on the final day. In 1995 Blackburn lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield but still won the title. Manchester United would have won the league had they beaten West Ham, but they drew 1-1. The last team to start the final day of the English top flight at the top of the table and not win the title were Liverpool in 1989, when Michael Thomas’ dramatic injury-time goal gave Arsenal the 2-0 win they needed at Anfield to secure the old First Division title. Golden Boot Race Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, fit again after missing Tuesday’s famous European victory with concussion, is looking to win his second consecutive Golden Boot and he leads the way on 22 goals. But three players have a realistic chance of at least sharing the Golden Boot - with Reds team-mate
Sadio Mane, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all on 20 goals. It is likely to be the lowest top-scoring total since 2010-11 when Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez shared the Golden Boot with 20 goals each.
FIXTURES Brighton Burnley Crystal Palace Fulham Leicester Liverpool Man United Southampton Tottenham Watford
v v v v v v v v v v
Man City Arsenal Bournemouth Newcastle Chelsea Wolves Cardiff City HuddersďŹ eld Everton West Ham
*All matches kickoff 3pm
Bundesliga Goes to Wire as Bayern Miss Chance to Win 7th Straight Title Bayern Munich missed the chance to win a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title with a game to spare when they were held to a goalless draw at RB Leipzig. Leon Goretzka found the back of the net in the second half but his effort was ruled out by VAR. Second placed Borussia Dortmund, who had to better Bayern’s result to keep their title hopes alive, beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 3-2. Niko Kovac’s side sit two points clear of Dortmund heading into the final
day. Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry missed Bayern’s best chance of an entertaining first half at the Red Bull Arena, firing straight at Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi from a tight angle. Goretzka volleyed Ibrahima Konate’s poor clearance past the Hungarian seven minutes into the second half, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for an offside against Robert Lewandowski. Bayern host Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend, while Dortmund travel to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Spanish GP: Bottas beats Hamilton to pole Valtteri Bottas beat Lewis Hamilton to take his third pole position in a row and lead a Mercedes one-two in qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Finn was 0.634 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who made a series of errors on his first lap before a slower track meant an improvement was impossible on the next. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was third with an 0.866secs gap to Bottas. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Bottas, who leads Hamilton in the championship
by one point, set a superb one minute 15.406 seconds on his first run in final qualifying, while Hamilton had a mistake-strewn run. He had wheelspin out of the final corner starting the lap, then ran wide out of Turn Seven, bouncing over the kerbs on the exit. And then he ran wide again at Turns 12 and 13. By the time he did his second run, the track was slower, partly because of the gravel that Hamilton himself had deposited on the track in the final sector, and none of the top four improved.
Bertens (left) moves up to no 4 on the rankings
Halep Misses out on No 1 with Final Loss to Bertens Romania’s Simona Halep missed out on regaining the world number one ranking as she lost the Madrid Open final to Kiki Bertens yesterday. A win would have seen Halep overtake world number one Naomi Osaka but she lost 6-4 6-4. The title is the biggest of Bertens’ career and she will climb to fourth in the rankings tomorrow, making her the highest-ranked Dutchwoman in history. She also becomes the first woman to win in Madrid without dropping a set.
Halep is the fourth Grand Slam champion Bertens has beaten during the tournament and will now been seen as one of the favourites for the French Open, which begins in two weeks. Both players struggled to hold serve with eight breaks across the two sets - three to Halep and five to Bertens - but the Dutchwoman was the more dominant. Last year’s runner-up hit 25 winners and four aces with her forehand in particular causing problems.
Sunday May 12, 2019
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Price: N400
MISSILE Obi to Nigerian Leaders “Any leader interested in Nigeria must look for ways to create jobs in Nigeria; lessen the forces of heterogeneity that is loosened upon the state and respect the diversity of the country by carrying everybody along.” Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Peter Obi at a breakfast meeting in Awka, Anambra State with the formators and students of Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha.
SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!
simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961
Whatsoever a Man Soweth
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leven years ago — to be specific, on July 7, 2008 — the title of my column was: “One Day, the People Will Rebel”. I warned that the extravagant lifestyles of our elite in the face of crippling poverty in the country would come back to bite all of us one day. At the time, kidnappings were a Niger Delta thing as militants agitated for resource control, but I was talking about what I called the “non-oil” kidnappings which I said would become the fad in the near future. I said the Nigerian elite must get the message that they could not continue in their ways and expect peace and safety. I warned that there was a lot of frustration, anger, bitterness and resentment in the land. I wrote that when “blood relations of wealthy people are being kidnapped in exchange for ransoms, that is a clear danger signal to the elite. You have a driver. You have a cook. You have a security guard. You have policemen guarding you. They are all human beings. They see things happening around them. They hear your phone conversations as you conduct your mindless transactions. They are hearing the mind-blowing figures. They see the movements of Ghana-Must-Go bags. In an attempt to ‘redistribute’ the loot, they will resort to kidnappings and demand ransoms. It is happening already. More are in the offing, I think”. A reader was so angry with me that he sent me this SMS: “Simon, you are sowing evil ideas in the minds of our drivers and domestic staff. You are highly irresponsible. I will never read your column again.” Typical of me, I did not respond. I had realised early in my column-writing career that those who really want to engage in constructive debates normally use decent language. I hate street fights. As a kid, I was never involved in street fights. My grandmother (God bless her soul) was always proud to show me off to her friends as a “good boy”. I would be letting “Iya Kola” down in her grave if I engage in internet street fights. So I always let attacks and insults pass — with all pleasure. However, I am always unhappy whenever I lose a reader because of my views. I feel I have lost a potential co-evangelist in my “leadership by example” approach to the building of a nation “where peace and justice shall reign”. That reader clearly misunderstood me: I was only forewarning on a disturbing development with the sole aim of gingering our leaders to act. Growing criminality is a product of our broken social system that deprives the majority of Nigerians the basics of life such as roads, water, healthcare, education, security and jobs. I was fighting for social justice. I was warning the elite that they were not safe in their fortresses no matter how many police escorts they have. As a philosopher said, all I did was to hold up a mirror for the society to look at itself. Breaking the mirror — as that angry reader decided to do — would not change the picture. The inequality in Nigeria has been too much for too long. In a country where people lose their lives because they cannot afford drugs of N1,000, you have people buying private jets and flashy cars not from some hard work but by feeding on the commonwealth. Our hospitals are rejecting poor patients because
President Muhammadu Buhari
there is no bed space. Pupils are sitting on the floor to learn chemistry and biology in schools the governor cannot allow his relatives to attend. Such a society cannot escape doom. In that “offensive” article, I asked, sarcastically: “What is the way forward? More policemen? More bullet-proof SUVs? More private jets? More Banana Islands? More signs of ‘military zone, keep off’?” I then replied myself: “I don’t know, but I have a hunch that more equitable management of resources could be of help. I suspect that more jobs, more housing, more medicine, more books, better roads, and better power supply would be of use. I suspect that less looting, less waste of resources would go some way. But if things continue the way they are, there is no doubt about it: one day, the long-suffering people of this country will react. They will rebel. Mark my words.” The rebellion seems to be in full motion today as Nigerians groan under the pandemic of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, internet fraud and all kinds of criminality. Worse still, the security system cannot protect either the rich or the poor. We should ask ourselves how we got here. One of my favourite Yoruba proverbs, as oft-repeated by my late grandmother, says “when a child stumbles, he looks at his front; when an adult stumbles, he looks at his back”. Someone else would add: “Where did the rain begin to beat us?” If only we could retrace our footsteps, we will gain insight. We can then begin to sow a different seed today so that we can reap a different harvest tomorrow. Last week, I watched as some members of the house of reps took turns to lament the state of insecurity in the country. One speaker after the other complained that they can no longer travel to or sleep in their villages because of insecurity. They are overwhelmed by the army of criminals. However, they just cannot see a link between their greed — their obscene allowances, their extortion-driven oversight activities as well as the padded budgets — and the poverty and insecurity in the land. That is the problem with Nigerian politicians: they think Nigeria is like this by mistake. They think if we are able to deploy more troops, kidnapping will stop. If only it were that simple! Let me say this yet again: the Nigerian ruling elite need to have a meeting, perhaps a “meeting of minds”, and agree to change their ways. We cannot continue to run a system of an overfed elite minority and a malnourished
majority and expect to keep travelling to the village in glittering SUVs without consequences. No. It won’t work. We cannot run a system where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer and expect peace. We have been living a lie for too long. Commonsense tells us that inequality comes with a price. We cannot sustain a system that ruins the lives of the majority of 200 million Nigerians and hope to sleep and snore at night. Although the economic downturn in the last five years and some of the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari are implicated in the current socio-political crises, the truth remains that for too long, we ignored the warning signals. For decades, the UNDP told us that 70 percent of Nigerians were living on less than $1 a day. What did we do to prevent the incoming disaster? It was all Greek to us. We spent our petrodollars as if there would be no tomorrow. Well, today is yesterday’s tomorrow. You don’t have to be a development expert to know that any country where the bulk of the youth are unemployed or unemployable is headed for chronic insecurity. Don’t take my word for it. Check the poverty and unemployment rates of countries with the least incidence of crime and you will get a better idea of what I am driving at. When young men and young women wake up in the morning with nowhere to go, they are tempting the devil. He will give them something to do. Their energies will be misused and abused as they struggle to survive. No human being will sit down at home and die of hunger. Survival is a basic human instinct. The human being will survive by any means necessary — even if it is to steal, beg or borrow. The police and the army combined cannot contain crime when the factory producing criminals has not been closed. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. We have sown the wind and we are reaping the whirlwind. The teens and teenagers that we refused to care for yesterday have become our nemesis today. They are now in our neighbourhood and on the highway, making life unbearable for us. The security system we failed to overhaul and modernise for ages — despite security budgets in billions of dollars — is now unable to protect us. But if I may ask, what are we doing today to make sure our trouble does not double tomorrow? Are we investing properly in the future? Are we striving hard to make the country conducive in the future so that ordinary people can enjoy the basics of life? The elite must realise that it is in their own interest to make Nigeria habitable. This milking must subside. Until the elite across board reach a consensus to curtail their greed and put Nigeria first, we cannot begin to make meaningful progress as a nation. Our predatory system will continue to breed terrorists, kidnappers, ritual killers, yahoo boys and circumstantial sex workers. What we are witnessing today would be child’s play compared to what is ahead. Nobody is safe in Nigeria, including those who think they are covered by a convoy of armed escorts. It is just a matter of time. Until we begin to sow the good seeds at all levels — federal, state and local — our troubles will keep multiplying. Nigeria will not develop overnight, but if we fail to act decisively and intelligently today, we cannot hope to reap gainful jobs, lasting peace, security and national prosperity tomorrow.
And Four Other Things… RAPID RESULT On Monday, the Kano house of assembly received a bill seeking to decimate the 214-year-old emirate. By Wednesday, it had become law — all because Governor Abdullahi Ganduje wanted a pound of flesh from the emir, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II. It may sound weird but the Kano drama has revived my hopes in Nigeria. It tells me that if Nigerian politicians really want to get something done, they can do it in seconds! Therefore, if they decide to start doing the right things for the good of this country, our development won’t take 50 years! There is just one problem though — they only use their energies for the things that have no impact on the price of garri. Pity. THE NAVY 15 Comedy paid tragedy a visit on Monday when the Nigerian Navy denied knowledge of the whereabouts of 15 Nigerian citizens they have been detaining incommunicado and without trial since September 2018. Was that really a joke? The navy initially got court orders to detain them and later wrote the lawyer of one of them that the detainees had been transferred to the EFCC, which turned out to be false. As Mr. Femi Falana asked: at what stage did they disappear from custody? The navy must prove to Nigerians that the detainees are still alive by charging them to court for any offences they are accused of committing. This military rule in disguise must stop. Enough! EMEFIELE’S 5+5 Mr Godwin Emefiele is not the dream governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the opinion of some analysts, but President Muhammadu Buhari has given him another term of five years after much speculation. That suggests the president is pleased with him. In the last three months, the Nigerian rumour factories had gone into overproduction over Emefiele’s fate. Some even named his successor! For me, I never doubted that Emefiele would be re-appointed, even if that would be the first time a CBN governor would be getting a second term in this democratic dispensation. Let’s now hope Buhari will complement the governor with a solid minister of finance. Onwards. MYTH BUSTER When next you get a broadcast telling you that the full meaning of Google is “Global Organization of Oriented Group Language of Earth”, laugh very hard until you forget your name. In fact, Google is derived from the word GOOGOL — a mathematical term for the digit “1” followed by a hundred zeros. It was coined by Milton Sirotta, nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, and popularised in the book, “Mathematics and the Imagination”, written by Kasner and James Newman. In 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin named their search engine “Google” — playing on the word “googol” to show the endless possibilities of their invention. How did I know? I googled it. Simple.
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