The credible print and online newspaper ThisNigeriaVol.1.Vol.1. No No 36 16 N200 N200 N2001 Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

N32.915trn: Issues in Nigeria’s Rising debt index PG Monday, January 4 – January 10, 2021 8

OPEN GRAZING/MOTOR SPARE PART

Malami seriously missed PG the point – Ozekhome 5 AS MORE TRIBUTES TRAIL TRAGIC END OF COAS... The PG 14 Final Salute •General Attahiru’s unfulfilled dream •His stint at Brigade of Guards under IBB and Abacha •Why General Buratai withdrew him as Lafiya Dole Commander 2 ThisNigeria Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Lt. Gen. Attahiru: Life and Times in pictures

Lt. Gen. Attahiru: died in the ill-fated NAF aircraft that crashed in Kaduna

Attahiru (left) recieving the staff of office from former COAS, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai President Buhari (left), Attahiru, Mrs. Fati Attahiru with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

President Buhari (left), Attahiru and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Attahiru and Irabor at TRADOC, Minna Attahiru

Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi (M) Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari (4th R) Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar (3rd R) President of the Senate Ahmed Lawan (2nd R) Gov. Imam of National Mosque Abuja, Dr Ahmad Onilewura Army officers carrying the casket bearing the remains of the late Lt.-Gen Babagana Zulum of Borno State (4th L), during a prayer ,leading a prayer for the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Attahiru for the late Attahiru and other officers who died in the Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers. ill-fated NAF aircraft. ThisNigeria 3 Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

One crash too many OUR VISION To be Nigeria and Africa’s nce again, the nation woke accident, but rampant air crashes any weather. foremost print and to the grim news of another have really become worrisome, It therefore means that to prevent digital newspaper brand, Oplane crash which claimed especially for military jets that are air crashes, we have to critically projecting our country and the life of the army chief, his aides supposed to be objects of precision. look at these issues. continent in their authentic among others, eleven souls in all. colours to the world According to aviation experts, Beyond the official explanations The nation is mourning, and flags generally, there is not a single cause we are given about frequent jet are flying at half-mast at the barracks for an accident, but a combination crashes in Nigeria, it simply means OUR MISSION and military formations nationwide of several factors. that something is drastically wrong: To deliver high-quality as we mourn the horrible demise of Apart from losses during military Navigational issues, poor pilot the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- actions or wars, accidents and training, dilapidated or unserviceable journalism through our Gen Ibrahim Attahiru. incidents involving military aircraft aircraft, or even sabotage by military print and digital platforms could be due to mechanical failures or extraneous actions or all of the in objective, unbiased The list of the dead also includes or weather and pilot error. Others above are possibilities. and credible manner, that Brig.-Gen. M. Abdulkadir (the Chief are chronological lists, lists by guarantees justice, equity of Staff to the COAS); Brig.-Gen. conflict and lists by aircraft model. We at ThisNigeria strongly believe and fairness to all Olayinka (acting Provost Marshall of that the time is ripe to tell ourselves the Army); Brig.-Gen Kuliya (acting Of the causes of plane crashes and some basic truths. Nigerians are Chief of Military Intelligence); how to prevent them, experts list tired of official explanations rooted THISNIGERIA Major L.A. Hayat (the Aide-de-Camp human error as by far the most in the “immediate cause of the MEDIA COMPANY to the COAS) and Major Hamza (the common cause of air crashes, This crash is still being ascertained’’. Chief Security Officer to the COAS) is said to account for about 50 per Eric Osagie and five non-commissioned officers. cent of accidents. History have shown that such Publisher and CEO reports are never made public, and This, indeed, is one crash too many. Next is mechanical failure or defect. the game of Russian roulette usually It would seem that we are at the Modern planes are adjudged far safer continues until another ‘bird’ falls mercy of death these days, with than aircraft used in the past, and are from the sky. three military air crashes claiming becoming more safe with time. 20 souls in just three months. It is high time we took a pragmatic We also have weather problems. look at the state of our military Editorial Recall that the spate of bad luck But modern planes are generally hardware, personnel and equipment Charles Abah lurking in our skies in recent times rated as being able to fly in almost to check our poor military aviation Kassim Omomia started on February 21, 2021; seven history, especially in recent times. Emma Obe persons were confirmed dead when Mudiaga Affe military aircraft, NAF201, crashed Are our pilots exposed to the right Online on approach at Abuja airport after training and welfare? Are we buying Adekunle Aliyu an ‘engine failure’. We are yet to get the right planes and equipment? Technical a report on that incident. What about the prospect of military Vincent Chukwuka action and sabotage? Graphics In the North-East, hotbed of Jonathan Agboola insurgency, another jet in pursuit There is need There is need for a proper and Accounts of terrorists disappeared from the thorough investigation into incidents Blessing Nwosu radar at about 5.08 p.m. on 31st for a proper such as this. Plane crashes are not Sales & Distribution March, 2021 and up till date, it has and thorough something to gloss over. Perhaps John Okpaire not been found. The two pilots have the authorities take delight in Advert / Marketing also not been accounted for. investigation into classifying these type of accidents The Media Post as a ‘military affair’. It should not be The latest calamity to befall the incidents such as any longer. Contributing Editors/ nation happened on Friday, May Special Columnists 21, 2021 when eleven military this. Plane crashes The authorities can take a cue personnel, including the nation’s are not something from a Civil Society Organisation Mike Ozekhome, SAN, PhD army chief and ten others perished (CSO), Concerned Nigerians, which Issa Aremu, mni at the Kaduna airport. to gloss over has called for the employment of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN independent air accident experts to Sam Kargbo The incident has been attributed unravel the cause of the crash. Tony Iyare to ‘bad weather’ by the Defence Headquarters. As usual, the authorities We have lost far too many human say investigations are ongoing. and material resources to air crashes of all types. It would seem there will always be rationalisation or reason(s) for any We cannot afford to lose more. 4 ThisNigeria Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 ThisNigeria 5 NewsInsight Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

OPEN GRAZING/MOTOR SPARE PART Malami seriously missed the point – Ozekhome, other SANs tackle AGF of Nigeria, why have they not elicited any resentment of other Nigerians? It is simply because they live and do their business peacefully without any problem. It is the murder- ous activities of Fulani herders that have given rise to the current demand for laws that will bring about peaceful co- existence of all Nigerians. “Why should an AGF be so fixated in evoking ethnic/re- gional fault lines when duty calls for him to be a statesman? It is disheartening that Mr. Abubakar Malami has chosen to debase our country. He has indeed questioned Nigeria’s unity. Very unfortunate,” Abaribe said in a statement by his media aide, Uche Awon. For Ajulo, attempt to criticise the actions of the southern governors on open grazing was detrimental to national se- curity. Ajulo, who runs a law firm in Abuja, said, “From all indica- tions, any attempt to criticise the actions of the southern gov- ernors on the ban of open grazing which is a regulation of pasturing and herding of cows is calculated to fan the embers of sectionalism, and to polarise people along ethnic lines to the detriment of national security.”

Malami unfit to remain as AGF- Lawyers Also, a lawyer, Elempe Dele, said Malami reduced his sta- Malami Ozekhome tus by comparing killer herdsmen with legitimate spare parts dealers. “How can the Minister of Justice reduce By Mudiaga Affe, Andy Asemota, David Lawani of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, missed the point sorely himself to the level of not knowing the difference between and Cajetan Mmuta when they compared Igbo peaceful spare-parts dealers who go trespassers (let’s put it lightly) and legal occupiers of about their normal spare parts business legitimately, (building shops who pay rents to landlords? ore knocks have come the way of the Attorney- or renting their shops), with savage, maniacal AK-47-wielding “I wish Malami could compare bandits to school teachers, kid- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, herdsmen. nappers to medical doctors, robbers to estate developers, ter- MMr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), as senior lawyers, “Igbo traders do not kill or attack northerners with their rorists to taxi drivers, and perhaps Abubakar Malami to Abuba- activists, and groups have called for his sacking from the stock of motor-tyres, rims, spanners, or chassis. They do kar Shekau since the names sound alike. cabinet. not pour petrol from fuel tanks that they sell on Fulani The AGF’s comparison of open grazing with the sale of herdsmen. They do not use car bumpers or wind shields to A former journalist, Mr. Osazua Ivbaze, said, “As a law of- spare parts, they argue, was an “awkward analogy”. smash the heads of herdsmen.” ficer, Malami should have known that his submission por- Governors of the 17 states in the south had met penulti- trayed poverty of logic. It is not too late for Buhari to fire mate week in Asaba, Delta State, where they called for the According to Ozekhome, freedom of movement is only for Malami who, by his pronouncements and actions, has ex- restructuring of the country, ban on open grazing, among human beings and not for cattle, sheep, and goats. posed this country to global ridicule.” A former Aviation other national issues. “Will the northerners tolerate the open sale of alcoholic bever- Minister, Amaechi, said Malami’s outburst had exposed Malami, while reacting on the governors demands on Chan- ages in their states, even though it is the constitutional right of how the country’s leadership valued its citizens. nels Television last week, stated that the resolve to ban open other ethnic groups to move about and sell beverages of their grazing by southern governors was equivalent to prohibiting choice,” he queried, adding, According to him, if the government that hired him thinks spare parts trading in the north. he is doing the right thing by condemning the position of “Are these northern elite seriously arguing that southern state the southern governors, the governors had made their de- The AGF said, “The decision does not hold water in the governors cannot ban open grazing in their states, to protect cisions and their position is within the ambit of the law context of human rights as enshrined in the constitution. their innocent citizens from deadly killer herdsmen? and space. “Whatever Malami said shows the level and It is about constitutionality within the context of the free- standards of the legal department of the federal govern- doms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the He advised southern governors to immediately sue the Federal ment. It shows the standards of the legal make up of the rights of a Nigerian?” he queried. Government, invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme government. When somebody comes so low, it shows the “For example it is as good as saying, perhaps, maybe, the Court under section 232 of the 1999 Constitution. standard is so low,” Amaechi explained. northern governors coming together to say they prohibit spare parts trading in the north. “Does it hold water? Does Another SAN, Zibiri, urged the southern governors to do- Also, a senior lawyer and Political Adviser to Governor Willie it hold water for a northern governor to come and state mesticate their collective decisions and begin the process Obiano of Anambra State, Chief Ifeatu Obi Okoye, said the expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the of implementing the anti-grazing law. comments by Malami were an embarrassment. north?” “Governors of southern states as the custodian of the con- He said, “As a lawyer, I am embarrassed about the state- stitution in their states have a responsibility to protect the ment coming from a SAN, and more so the AGF. The com- But some Senior Advocates of Nigeria including Chief lives, property, public health and safety of their states,” he parison is illiterate, coming from somebody who should be Mike Ozekhome and Joseph Okutepa as well as an Abuja- said. well informed.” based lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo; Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinaya Abaribe; President, National Association Yet, on his part, Okutepa said Malami’s statement was like Don’t give official seal to Malami’s statement of Seadogs, Mr. Abiola Owoaje; former Niger State Gov- comparing death with sleep. However, a former governor of Niger State rejected what ernor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; and a First Republic Aviation Okutepa added, “I think the statement by the AGF is as he described as giving an official seal to the political opin- Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, said such a statement sad as it is unfortunate. It is akin to comparing death with ion of the minister. from the chief law officer of the country was “sad and -un sleep. The office of the Attorney-General is serious. Any- fortunate”. one occupying the office must exhibit pan-Nigerian disposi- Babangida, who aligned with governors’ position that the Ozekhome said northern elite, including Malami, missed tions at all the time.” era of open grazing was over, however, said it was possible the point when they compared Igbo spare part dealers The Minority Leader of the Senate, said Malami’s ill-advised to divorce Malami’s unfortunate comments as a politician who go about their lawful businesses with criminal Fulani comment had exposed his mindset about Nigeria. from his office. He said, “We are paying too much attention herders. to political statements that is why a little statement should Abaribe said, “While the local “bureau de change” busi- even be looked at all. I see this (AGF’s statement) not in He said, “The Northern elite, including the Attorney-General ness mostly done by the Fulani are operating in all parts terms of his office, I see it more in terms of a politician.” 6 ThisNigeria NewsAfrica Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

South Africa to push for military action against Mozambique insurgents Reuters outh Africa will press for urgent military action by regional body SADC to quell an Islamist insurgen- Scy in Mozambique threatening to destabilize neigh- bouring countries, the foreign minister said. It will make this call at a summit of the Southern African Develop- ment Community’s 16 member states this week, Naledi Special Representative of the Secretary - General and the United Nations support Pandor told Reuters in a telephone interview. mission in Libya SADC leaders have been discussing how to tackle the insurgency by Islamic State-linked militants, with an op- tion for force, but this is the first time South Africa has explicitly thrown its weight behind the idea of a military Libya mercenaries threat intervention.

Since 2008, SADC has had provision for a standby bri- gade, part of a regional defence pact that allows military to entire North Africa intervention to prevent the spread of conflict. “We sup- Al-Jazeera port the use of the defence pact. It’s never been utilised Libya has been racked by chaos since a NATO-backed in the region, but we believe this is the time, this is a he UN special envoy for Libya warned the Se- uprising toppled long time ruler Muammar Gaddafi in threat to the region,” Pandor told Reuters. curity Council that progress on the key issue 2011 and split the oil-rich country between a UN-rec- Tof withdrawing mercenaries and foreign fight- ognised government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival A spokesman for the Mozambique government could ers from Libya had stalled and their continued pres- authorities based in the country’s east, each backed by not immediately be reached for comment. Mozambique ence is a threat not only to Libya but to the North armed groups and foreign governments. has been hesitant about foreign involvement in the past, African region. but last month President Filipe Nyusi said his country The UN estimated in December there were at least needed help from outside powers, so long as they did not Jan Kubis said recently that the current disturbing 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, in- replace Mozambican forces. events in neighbouring Chad, where rebels were cluding Syrians, Russians, Sudanese and Chadians. blamed for last month’s killing of long-time president Diplomats said speakers at an informal council meet- Mozambique, which borders South Africa to the south, Idriss Deby, are a reminder of the link between the ing in late April said there were more than 20,000, in- has struggled to contain the violence in its northern- security situation in Libya and the security and sta- cluding 13,000 Syrians and 11,000 Sudanese. most province of Cabo Delgado. Some 52,000 people bility in the region. were displaced in the latest bout in Palma district from In mid-April the Security Council voted to deploy up March “The high mobility of armed groups and terrorists to 60 international monitors to the UN political mis- but also economic migrants and refugees, often sion in Libya to monitor the ceasefire and withdrawal Analysts suggest the insurgency has its roots in poverty through channels operated by organized criminal of mercenaries and foreign fighters. Kubis said the UN and unemployment afflicting Mozambique, one of the networks and other local players across uncontrolled Secretariat in New York and the mission in Libya are world’s poorest countries, making recruitment easier borders only enhances risks of furthering instability planning for an initial deployment of just five observers among communities not benefiting from new mining or and insecurity in Libya and the region,” he said. to Tripoli. petroleum projects. Kubis said the UN mission in Libya, known as UN- He said the ceasefire agreement calls for all military SMIL, reported “the continuing presence of foreign units and armed groups to return to their camps, and elements, mercenaries and assets, thus entrenching in parallel all mercenaries and foreign fighters should the division of Libya”. depart from Libya. Safaricom wins Ethiopian operating licence Reuters portunities. The awarding of the new licence marks the “beginning of a new era in our country,” the Ethiopian thiopia’s telecommunications regulator awarded Communications Authority said on Twitter. one operating licence to a consortium led by Ke- Enya’s Safaricom (SCOM.NR) Vodafone (VOD.L), As the licence fee, the consortium plans to invest up to and Japan’s Sumitomo (8053.T) Brook Taye, a senior $8.5 billion in infrastructure among other areas, Brook adviser at the finance ministry, said on Saturday. said, adding that it was expected to create up to one and a half million jobs. “With over $8 billion total investment, The consortium, which includes Vodacom (VODJ.J) and this will be the single largest FDI (foreign direct invest- British development finance agency CDC Group, paid ment) into Ethiopia to date,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed $850 million for the licence, Brook said. South Africa’s said on Twitter. MTN (MTNJ.J) had also bid for a licence. The operator will begin with 4G services, Brook said. Africa’s second-most populous country is hoping that “We will soon open a bid for the remaining licence,” said the opening of one of the world’s last major closed Balcha Reba, director-general of the Ethiopian Communi- telecoms markets will create millions of online job op- cations Authority. Pandor ThisNigeria 7 Newsworld Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Israel-Hamas ceasefire holds, US Treasury Egyptian mediators shuttle proposes 15 percent global between two sides minimum corporate tax rate

Aljazeera he U.S. has proposed that countries agree to a 15% global minimum corporate tax in Tinternational negotiations aimed at ending competition to lure companies through cheap rates, which then end up eroding government revenues. “It is imperative to work multilaterally to end the pressures of corporate tax competition and cor- porate tax base erosion,” the Treasury Depart- ment said in a statement recently. “Treasury un- derscored that 15% is a floor and that discussions should continue to be ambitious and push that Netanyahu Haniyeh rate higher.” Reuters Palestinian attacks killed 13 people in Israel, where the The offer, which came in talks held this week, rocket attacks caused panic in some communities. moves the U.S. position closer to the 12.5% rate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas-led Pal- that had been discussed at the Organization for estinian militants in the Gaza Strip has so far A source familiar with planning said U.S. Secretary of Economic Cooperation and Development prior to Aheld as Egyptian mediators pressed on with State would visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority the U.S. re-engaging in the negotiations following talks with the two sides on securing longer-term in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday and Thurs- Joe Biden’s election as president. The American calm, officials said. The ceasefire began before dawn day, hoping to build on the ceasefire mediated by Egypt move could help provide additional momentum last week Friday, and Palestinians and Israelis are with U.S. support. Egypt sent a delegation to Israel last to reach a deal in the summer, as the OECD has now assessing the damage from 11 days of hostilities week Friday to discuss ways of firming up the cease- been aiming for. in which Israel pounded Gaza with air strikes and fire, including with aid for Palestinians in Gaza, Hamas militants fired barrages of rockets at Israel. officials told Reuters. Some lower-tax countries — such as Ireland, with a 12.5% corporate rate — had been sceptical of Palestinian officials put the reconstruction costs at The delegates have since been shuttling between Israel the 21% rate that the Biden administration had tens of millions of dollars and medical officials said and Gaza, with talks continuing Saturday, the officials previously proposed for global income earned by 248 people had been killed in Gaza. The devastation said. Despite confrontations between Israeli police and U.S. companies. British officials have also wor- has raised concerns about the humanitarian situa- Palestinian protesters at a Jerusalem holy last Friday, ried that the rate was too high for the long term tion in the densely populated enclave. Economists there were no reports of Hamas rocket launches from — even though the U.K. intends to raise its cor- said the fighting could curb Israel’s economic recov- Gaza or Israeli military strikes on the enclave as of Sat- poration tax to 25% in 2023 to replenish public ery from the COVID-19 pandemic and medics said urday morning. finances after the pandemic. Streaming wars leave Europe’s TV networks behind DW spending an estimated $49 billion (€40.2 billion) lion, $3.54 billion). he streaming wars between Netflix, Ama- on programming in 2021. Discovery chief execu- zon Prime and Apple TV+ just got a lot tive David Zaslav, who will run the merged entity, At the same time, the large US players have more interesting. Two US television gi- plans a content budget worth nearly half of the en- stolen a march on streaming as a content deliv- T tire US streaming market, at $20 billion. ery system, continually chipping away at their ants, Warner and Discovery, announced merger plans this week, creating the world’s second- European peers’ market share. For example, largest media company by revenue, after Disney. Viewers are benefiting massively from the stream- strong subscriber growth for Germany’s TV ing wars — enjoying a golden era of original TV Now Premium (from RTL) and the UK’s Brit- The coupling will bring together several iconic productions, including the UK drama series “The box have been dwarfed by Disney’s own stream- mass-media brands on a single video streaming Crown,” the comedy “Mythic Quest” and the hor- ing offering, worsening the global versus local platform, including HBO, CNN, Warner Bros, ror series “Them.” imbalance. DC Comics, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. Traditional European broadcasters, on the other While many broadcasters have seen viewership hand, increasingly find themselves crowded out by increase during the pandemic, more than two- Tony Gunnarsson, a streaming analyst at the the sheer number of options available to viewers thirds of viewers in the UK, France, Germany, London-based media consultancy Ovum, told and budget restraints caused by public sector cuts Italy and Spain say they now prefer watching DW that the merger will create an operation with or plummeting advertising revenues due to the streaming platforms to broadcast TV, according both the “inhouse know-how on content and tech- COVID-19 pandemic. to a study by the Magnite advertising platform. nology,” and “the financial power to compete on the scale of Netflix, Amazon and Disney.” European content budgets are a fraction of their The UK is Netflix’s biggest European market US peers — German public broadcasters ARD/ with 15 million subscribers, followed by Ger- And the new platform will need that firepower. ZDF spend around €4 billion ($4.87 billion), while many with 7.2 million. Nearly half (46.4%) of all Between them, the US streaming giants are the UK’s main public broadcaster, the BBC, has German homes now have Amazon Prime versus a budget of roughly 2.5 billion pounds (€2.91 bil- 53.5% in the UK. 8 ThisNigeria Economy Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 N32.915trn: Issues in Nigeria’s rising debt index That has been the major issue. “In other African countries, you would be surprised that building rail lines of very high lengths are done with $1m, for example, and in Nigeria, it is $20m-plus. What does that tell us? It tells us that there is a problem of corruption and incompetence within the system. “And if you are borrowing in an incompetent system, it is a total waste. You are only passing your debt burden to generations yet unborn because these debts must be paid at a point in time. This is not the time that you would say that the debt would be forgiven. We have already enjoyed that and it might not work again in our lifetime. “So, I don’t think it is a proper thing to do. I am not in the National Assembly any more. And I may not if that request was accompanied by specific projects. But so far I have not read in the press or the social media that that the request came with projects to enable the Buhari Zainab National Assembly to even to analyse and able to come out with the feasibility of borrowing such money.” By Mudiaga Affe, Emma Obe and Jude Idu income, should not be used for developing the country more especially that part of the country that has been ith a $33.348bn external debt and debt stock of short-changed. I don’t want to say that this is premedi- Loans injurious to economy N32.915trn, the economic policies of the Presi- tated as an unenlightened person would believe, but in For Tella, the nation’s economic managers are not dent Muhammadu Buhari-led administration times like this, I am forced to think so. thinking beyond the loan. He said, “Their thinking is W that you must get a loan to move forward and that is has come under serious scrutiny with many experts declaring that Nigeria is heading for economic doom. “It also means that the Nigerian currency would con- not true. They should be thinking of how to create rev- tinue to trail others with the loan signed in dollars and enue and wealth rather than just going for loans which Their worries stemmed from the President’s recent be serviced and paid in dollars. And during these years, is part of what is currently killing the economy. letter to the National Assembly seeking its approval to the Nigerian foreign reserves will suffer, education will borrow a N2.3trn ($6.18bn) external loan to finance suffer, hospitals and the entire needed infrastructure “Before now, when there is a price increase in crude part of the 2021 budget deficit of N5.6trn. will suffer because Nigeria may be involved in no capital oil which leads to an increase in revenue, you will see projects except payment and servicing of loans,” Nwag- the difference and the economy will start picking up Federal lawmakers have already granted the president’s bara explained. gradually. Unfortunately, that is not the case now be- plea even as the Debt Management Office (DMO), said He added, “I don’t even know why they keep saying that cause we are spending a large amount of money to off- the request was already captured in the 2021 budget. Nigeria is out of recession, I so much believe that Nige- set loans that are already due and to service debts. So, ria will soon go back to recession because no sector of getting more loans is very injurious to the economy.” However, Nigerians have lambasted the Buhari-led ad- the economy is working. ministration for what they referred to as plunging the Tella, who called for cutting down cost of running gov- nation into economic woes that may take several years “It is, however, obvious that some of the financial poli- ernment, also accused the National Assembly mem- to redeem. cies are not followed since the rubber-stamped National bers of approving loans for their pecuniary gains. Several economic and finance experts, including Assembly says yes at every request. But one grave ques- the renowned professor of Economics at the Olabisi tion should be, of what purpose does Buhari indulge in “What we should do now is to cut down on the expens- Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Sherrif- borrowing? I believe that there must be some political es. We would have to re-prioritise the items that we deen Tella; a developmental economist, Prof Odilim undertone because this is more than trying to build in- are spending money on. It seems the government is Nwagbara; Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Ni- frastructure, which we have not seen for some six years bent on spending what they have budgeted for the year geria (MAN), Rivers/Bayelsa chapter, Senator Adawari now.” and that is not correct. A budget is just an estimate. I Pepple; and a Port Harcourt-based finance consultant, think the National Assembly is supposed to caution the Churemi Ekaa, said external borrowing have a far- In his views, Pepple said apart from the fact that the Federal Government. reaching negative impact on the economy and foreign process of obtaining previous loans had not been trans- “Again, the lawmakers believe that approving the loans exchange. parent, the loans taken so far have not been applied to will enable them to get the money that they have been the real and manufacturing sectors, which would have getting because when you get the loan it gives you a According to Nwagbara, it appears the present admin- stimulated the economy. kind of money illusion, and therefore, you will not find istration does not know what the endless borrowings a solution to the problems confronting us. meant for the future of the country. He said, “There is nothing wrong with borrowing. What is essential is that the borrowing should be for develop- “The two major problems that we have now are the “I know that most of the loans he (Buhari) took have ment, so that the items for which the loans were taken payment and servicing of debts as well as for settling double interest rates, which makes it precarious for the can pay for themselves. political office-holders. Ghana, for instance, is running country at any point Nigeria services the loan. Buhari’s a presidential system but are they are not complain- own is out of the ordinary and maybe there is another “It is important that we should note that the Debt Man- ing about the cost of running the government because reason why he does what he does. Any sane President agement Office had come out with staggering amounts they follow the laws with regard to financial spending. should not go it this way,” he said. that the federal and state governments owe already. And Which law, for instance, allows our legislators to be col- this has not been healthy. The country has borrowed lecting at least N15m every month? There is none. The economist said with over N33trn loans under this heavily from China recently. administration and still counting, the nation’s foreign “There is a fiscal policy law that stipulates how many debt profile might hit N100trn before 2023.. “In what sectors would these monies be applied? And civil servants will collect monthly, but the lawmakers what is the due diligence process? What are the transpar- have gone ahead to implement policies that will enable “It means that in the next 30 years, Nigeria’s capital ency processes that were used in seeking these loans? them to collect huge monies. So, we are caught in the ThisNigeria 9 Business Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Forex speculators to lose N100bn as FG engages CBN sustains funding for BDCs Facebook/ Nairametrics speculators. speculators lose their capital should they oreign exchange speculators are set persist in the illegal activity. WhatsApp to lose over N100 billion in the next He called for the return of normalcy to the one month as the Central Bank of Ni- market as the ongoing speculative behaviour He said, “The ABCON and CBN have ob- F served with disdain the speculative behav- on updated geria (CBN) sustains massive funding for hampering the market operations and stabil- Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators. ity will come at a huge loss to speculators. iour currently beclouding the market with the misinformation that the CBN has ad- privacy policy This is as the apex bank still sells dollars to The ABCON boss linked the continued fall opted I&E window as its official rate. BDC operators at N393 to a dollar. of the naira at the parallel market and Inves- tors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) Forex window The above information is not true because This disclosure was made by the President, to currency speculators who are hoarding as operators we still funded our accounts Association of Bureaux De Change Op- dollars to profit from the currency crisis. He at our normal rates of N393/$ and not the erators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu said the perpetrators were creating artificial I&E window rates for our operation this Gwadabe, on Friday in Lagos. scarcity of the greenback within the market Friday.’’ to cause more woes for the local currency. he Federal Government has ex- Gwadabbe said the CBN was committed He advised BDCs not to join the rumour pressed its reservations over the to improving funding for over 5,000 BDCs Gwadabe added that the ABCON Manage- mongers creating confusion and fragility in Tnew updated privacy policy that nationwide in a new move to deepen mar- ment and the CBN-licensed BDCs would the market. WhatsApp will share information of its ket liquidity and protect the naira against fight alongside the regulator to ensure that users with Facebook, which is its parent Gwadabe said, “ABCON will continue to company, and other Facebook companies. keep you posted and guide you accord- Bitcoin in dire straits, as ingly. We urge all members to continue This follows the government’s commit- to give the CBN the utmost support as a ment to upholding the data privacy of market loses over $400bn strategic partner and in the interest of the Nigerians in its Nigeria Data Protection Nairametrics Bitcoin mining hub, triggering the flagship economy.’’ Regulations (NDPR) and the possibility crypto to fall as low as $33,000 on Friday with of this new Facebook policy breaching the ost investors in the crypto market investors reacting negatively to this news. regulations. He said that CBN-licenced BDCs were are currently having a sour time fighting back by supporting the apex bank as the crypto market whipsawed In a meeting headed by its Vice Premier This disclosure is contained in a press M in tackling forex spectators and reiterating statement issued by the Technical As- most of their earnings after a wave of nega- Council Liu, the Chinese authorities further commitment to operate within set rules. sistant (Information Technology) to the tive macros that include Chinese officials discussed strict anti-crypto regulations, sug- According to Gwadabe, “Naira for Dollar cracking down on Crypto assets. Minister of Communications and Digital gesting the crypto market will face more Policy” being implemented by the CBN Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi. Bitcoin, the pioneer crypto fell as low as headwinds as over 1.5 million traders got Governor, Godwin Emefiele, would further $30,000 during the week before rebound- liquated in the past week, amid high price lift market liquidity and improve the status The statement said that some of the infor- ing to as high as $41,800. swings in play. of the naira. mation to be shared by WhatsApp users include user phone numbers, transaction The crypto almost struck below $30,000 data, service-related information, mobile earlier in the week, after ending May 14 device information, IP address and others. at above $49,000. The world’s most popu- It also stated that the Minister for Com- lar crypto lost about $400 billion in value munications and Digital Economy, Isa after, breaking below a trillion dollars to Patanmi, has directed the National Infor- trade around $68 billion. mation Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to engage vigorously with Face- The bears are hammering hard on crypto book to understand the processes, level of assets with recent macros revealing one of security, and so on, of the data of Nigerian the highest levels of the Chinese govern- users in order to ensure that policies pro- ment, China’s Financial Committee issued posed for Nigeria strictly adhere to the a statement on curbing the world’s biggest provisions of NDPR. Bitcoin N32.915trn: Issues in Nigeria’s rising debt index web of payment for debts and the cost of projects and we are using it to yield some- (CSJ), Mr. Ezeh Onyekpere, said Bu- governance. thing that would generate employment hari had lost economic direction. “It is “He wants to live a huge debt to the in- and would generate employment and im- obvious that the President is bereaved coming president. Another point is that “We are already spending 70 per cent of prove the living standards of the people, it of the economic indices and that is why we are already enslaved to the lenders our budget on recurrent and that is why is a different thing.” we keep gambling into contradiction. because the condition for payment must we are having the problems we are faced What is the repayment plan? What is the not be so easy for the country to wriggle with now. So, such loans will never be Similarly, a Rivers State-based legal prac- duration of the loan and at what interest out of it. turned down by the National Assembly titioner, Dr. Emmanuel Mgbe, said those rate is that loan coming into Nigeria? because they will benefit from the loan” in government have not done what they Among all these, I can tell you that there A former Dean of Faculty of Applied Eco- he added. should do to reduce borrowing. Accord- is no clear evidence to show that we are nomics, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. ing to him, the government should adopt close to getting it right. Mike Ezugwu, said issues in the country A Port Harcourt-based Finance Con- austerity measures in the expenditure of had no technical approach because its sultant, Ekaa, said instead of going for public officers. “I believe that the next Nigerian Presi- leadership was not listening to advice. external borrowing, which might have dent will be frustrated out of office by negative impact on the economy and “By all statistics, international agencies the countless loans President Buhari He said, “Do you think that borrowing is foreign exchange, the authorities should and economists say Nigeria is over-lever- has taken from foreign countries and a bad thing? No, it is not. But the way this harness abundant domestic resources aged with loans. So, adding to it without the fact remains that the deeds on the administration is going about it, shows and opportunities that are lying fallow. assured productivity is a No! IMF has condition of these loans are shrouded in our ways of doing things. Every day now, talked, World Bank has talked and even secrecy. Ordinarily, it should be a public we hear of Mr. President asking for loans He said, “We have enough resources in government economists have all talked document domiciled at the National As- and more loans and I keep asking myself, this country for us to harness without that we are over-leveraged,” he lamented. sembly or the DMO or possibly make a is this how past leaders did it. And the way having to go for external loans. If an ex- national publication of the loan negotia- this National Assembly approves the loan ternal loan is to be applied to investment Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice tion. speaks volumes.” 10 ThisNigeria Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 ThisNigeria 11 Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 12 ThisNigeria Agriculture Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 LCCI seeks FG’s intervention on hinderances to agric sector “Others are poor infrastructure, multiple on urban farming were ongoing to improve self-reli- taxation and charges. These issues should ance in the agricultural sector. be mitigated, if the diversification goal of the government is to be achieved through agri- Akpabio, who also spoke on the scarcity of Titus and cultural interventions,” she said. Croaker fishes, said the time had come to increase and improve local fishing species and resources, so Akpabio attributed the current hike in food as to reduce reliance on imported ones. prices and other commodities to the ripple effect of the increasing cost of funding, in- “We have enormous fish resources and species that security and the impact of the Coronavirus are local, and we must focus on them as we cannot pandemic on planting, particularly during the continue to rely on imported food. lockdown. “We do not need to spend the little foreign exchange She explained that the COVID-19 lockdown we have to eat what we do not produce,” she said. began around the time planting was to com- mence, when many farmers were unable to access their farmlands. “By the time it was lifted, a lot of ground has FG donates 100m been lost and this has affected food supply, though we are only just seeing it now. tomato seedlings “Also, inflation is high and the moment there’s inflation, prices will go up, as the cost of funding has gone up, so the cost of providing the to farmers in Ogun he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry goods and services will also rise. (LCCI) has tasked the Federal Government to fashion out measures that would enable Nige- he Federal T “Terrorists and herdsmen/farmers clashes have also Government ria achieve its diversification agenda through agricul- affected food production with farm invasions and tural interventions. Ton Saturday in destruction. Farming is not like a factory, as it takes Abeokuta donated time. The solution is to galvanise the populace by 100 million improved Mrs Edobong Akpabio, the new Chairperson, Ag- teaching them how to farm. riculture and Agro-Allied Group, LCCI, who began tomato seedlings to farmers in Ogun. a two-year tenure in May, expressed her optimism “Everybody has a backyard or access to some land on the role of agriculture in reviving the Nigerian where basic vegetables and cash crops can be planted economy. The News Agency for consumption and sale. of Nigeria (NAN) re- ports that the seed- She identified limitations, such as unfavourable loan “This galvanisation should be done neighbourhood interest rates, unrealistic collateral requirements, lings were donated by neighbourhood, community by community, to by Raw Materials Re- onerous application procedure for loans, insufficient address the food crisis,” she said. She revealed that loan size and maturity date as hindering the sector. search and Develop- programmes and collaborations with the government ment Council (RMRDC), under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Presenting the seedlings at the opening of pre-season Minister urges youths to training for farmers, RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Hussaini Ibrahim, said it was imperative to boost to- mato production in the state. Ibrahim, who was rep- resented by RMRDC State Coordinator, Mr Kayode embrace bee farming Abiola, noted that the presentation of tomato seedlings he Minister of Agriculture and Rural Devel- tapped in Nigeria. was to sustain development in its value-chain. opment, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, on Fri- He, however, urged the beneficiaries to ensure judi- Tday urged youths to harness the potential “The very many opportunities within the Honey Bee cious use of the input for a sustainable growth in to- in apiculture sector for the growth of the nation’s value chain provide employment, means of livelihood, mato cultivation. economy. wealth and high nutrition to the teeming populace. In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Nanono, who made the call at the Nigerian Youth “This portends great investment for now and the Dr Adeola Odedina, noted that the state government Beekeepers Summit to commemorate the 2021 future in Nigeria. As you are aware that, apart from would continue to take advantage of policies and proj- World Bee Day in Abuja, emphasised that apicul- honey, other bee products of value include bee wax, ects capable of empowering farmers and contribute to ture portends great investment opportunities for propolis, pollen, bee venom and royal jelly to mention the socio-economic growth of the state. the youth. a few.’’ Odedina disclosed that a 10-hectare plots of land would The 2021 World Bee Day is with the theme “Explor- He said that the value chain of bee keeping was also be set aside for the planting of the seedlings across the ing the Potential of Apiculture in Nigeria’’. a vast area to be tapped by Nigerian youths for its three senatorial districts in the state. He said that the significant advantages. “These products are useful in state was at the forefront of being the largest tomato “I implore you therefore to explore and bring up pharmaceutical, confectioneries, beverages, medicine production in the South-West. the best potential of the apiculture industry for the and cosmetic industries. growth of the nation’s economy and wellbeing of Ni- Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Industry, gerians. ‘’It is necessary to take advantage of these strings of Trade and Investment, Mrs Kikelomo Longe, com- profitable aspects of bee production, processing and mended the agency for its immense contributions to The minister stressed: “This is really a great devel- marketing. agro-boosting programmes in the country. Represent- opment for our youths who are embracing diverse ed by the Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Kayode areas of agriculture. ‘’And I will like to let you know that the ministry is Akintanmide, Longe said that the donation was target- supporting the honey bee value chain in its pro- ed at farmers to produce adequate quantities of tomato “Agriculture, as you know, is an area still largely un- grammes,’’ he said. towards meeting local and international demands. ThisNigeria 13 Agriculture Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 Civil groups misleading Nigerians on genetic foods –DG National Biosafety Agency The Director-General, National Biosafety Agency, Dr. Rufus Abegba, speaks on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the challenges facing the agency in this interview with Idu Jude

should not create unnecessary doubts or try to mislead years without coming out with any product. I think the citizens. there is the need for every Nigerian to contribute to the growth of the country. We should not always wait How is funding a problem when Nigeria is a sig- on the Federal Government or the President alone. natory to international biosafety programme? My success here is the success of the government and my You will agree with me that economic crises are sweep- failure is the failure of government. When you say govern- ing across the globe and Nigeria is not an exception. ment, it does not mean an individual, it means an institu- She is part and parcel of the comity of nations and tion run by individuals. So, you and I are part of govern- the issue of funding is a global issue. Nigeria cannot ment. We need strong men that can drive the institutions. divorced from the economy of the world. However, we are progressing, even with our limited resources pend- But we believe your office has a lot to do in ing when the economic crisis is over. But I can tell you terms of economic growth? that such is not peculiar to this agency. My office is a driver of economic growth. We give a safe enablement to research institutes and companies to Are you saying that genetic products can solve come out with innovations, to come out with modern the problem of food scarcity in the future? biotechnology, and we ensure that these things are safe. The population of Nigeria is projected to exceed that of United States of America (USA) by the year 2050. If Nigeria keys into the biotechnology project, It is predicted that this could result in geopolitical and where will the country be in the next 10 years? socio-economic crises such as shortage of food and ag- If Nigerians should respond positively in the area of ricultural land. In the face of this impending calamity, it biotechnological research and innovation, we should is essential to take remediation steps to safeguard the not be talking of 10 years. I can tell you that within five survival of the future generations. One potential solu- to six years, we should be able to create up to 30,000 Abegba tion is to embrace modern agricultural biotechnology. jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths. This is so be- cause the job opportunities cut across all professions, hat services do this agency render and Yet, the design, development, and adoption of agricul- ages and backgrounds. It has a value chain. has it got some challenges? tural biotechnology in Nigeria have remained low due to The agency is just six years old and there socio-economic, ethical, health or political concerns. Be- And I can tell you that the economy will diversify be- Wis no doubt that it has some challenges. However, the sides, the slow rate of adoption and implementation of ag- cause the same modern technology will come up with challenges are not permanent; they are surmountable. ricultural biotechnology can be ascribed to lack of knowl- raw materials, agricultural sector will grow, and the First, we lack a befitting office space and when I say edge, high costs, and inconsistent field performance. So, pharmaceutical companies will come up with more po- that I mean a permanent office. We have challenge of in- we need to prepare now even when advanced countries tent drugs. The research institutes will be effective at adequate funding and misunderstanding of the agency’s have gone far in providing alternatives for food crisis. the value chain, while working with the various sectors. role in ensuring safety in the consumption of GMOs. The private sector will also go into research and devel- What is the relationship between your agency opment. I tell you Nigeria will be great for it. We also have issues with the civil society organisa- and other organisations under your watch? Can tions (CSOs) who are trying to bring down the agency you testify of the products from them? What is your take on borrowing to run the as far as biotechnology is concerned. I am sure that Our agency is a regulatory body; there are other agen- economy? Do we have to borrow to import the these CSOs understand the trend but some of them cies that do the job of promoting the products. There same goods that we can produce? are deliberating trying to tarnish the image of the are also researchers and developers. The national bio- I have said that with conviction and change of at- agency. Some who indulge in this have never taken technological development agencies basically develop titude by Nigerians, we can generate up to 30, 000 their time to visit our agency and laboratories to see seeds and regulate that sector. Apart from that, there employment annually and GDP will also grow. Local for themselves what we have. They are only interested are other institutes that are involved in the research and foreign companies will also spring up. And for the in maligning the agency. Sometimes they argue that area of biotechnology. We have had to accredit those GMOs, we do not need to import again. We will de- the government does not have a body to regulate the institutions who are into genetic engineering and other pend on the ones produced locally. But what we are activities of biotechnology agencies or agric research products for experimental purposes. saying is that Nigerians do not even accept our prod- agencies. But I tell you, these are all falsehoods. ucts due to politics and propaganda by some people. The ones we confirm are safe. Again, when a crop is We do not need to import or spend money importing You alleged that the CSOs are campaigning bombarded with insecticides, such a crop can never any. Perhaps some importers are among those sabo- against the agency, what do you think they want? make full potential. But with insect resistant, you dis- taging our work. There is a trade war going on between the agro-bio- cover that such crops attain full potential because under chemical companies and the biosafety sector biotech- normal circumstances, those that are not genetically We are going to stop Nigeria from importing any nology. So, it is not that the civil societies do not un- enhanced may not get up to maximum productivity but GMOs. It is a promise. The first step is for us to ac- derstand the situation but they have an agenda. The those that were genetically enhanced give full yield to cept our own developed products at home. Let us talk agenda is that they do not want the GMOs because of 90/95 per cent full potential. Also, we have embraced of the apathy over GMOs those their business is being affected. So, these per- the government idea of wanting better days for farmers sons are funding them to achieve the purpose. so that they can lead normal lives like other Nigerians Yes, our own sensitisation is to enable Nigerians to and educate their children. The rate at which our farm- know about the efficacy of the products as a regulatory CSOs are important in a nation but when their actions ers are now; their labour does not translate into huge agency. We are not really on the marketing side of the are becoming malicious and they are casting asper- production. Nigeria has established the ministry of sci- products. Ours is if there is an issue of safety, we step sions on the integrity of an agency and its leaders, it ence and technology to drive that. in and make sure that the people are well educated is no longer fair. They should be fair to this country. about the products. The idea is to give Nigerians the Science and technology will continue to be the driver How does the exodus of Nigerian researchers to confidence. We don’t go out rightly to campaign. of change and development and nobody can stop it, other countries affect the sector? There are other agencies like the national biotechno- especially as government has put up an initiative for The issue of human capital flight has also become logical organisation agency, under the ministry of ag- safety measures such as the biosafety agency. They troublesome. Some say it is due to lack of job certifica- riculture, which performs extension services. They should learn to trust government. When a agency tion. Others attribute it to disenchantment. Sometimes have their roles, to convince the people on how best such as ours says that a certain food is safe, people you see that these scientists are just there. They spend the product can be for consumption. 14 ThisNigeria LeadStory Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

AS MORE TRIBUTES TRAIL TRAGIC END OF COAS... The Final Salute •General Attahiru’s unfulfilled dream •His stint at Brigade of Guards under IBB and Abacha •Why General Buratai withdrew him as Lafiya Dole Commander Attahiru By Mudiaga Affe, Kassim Omomia, Andy Haram insurgents. “As we mourn, a dependable colleague, we remain undaunted, Asemota and Ben Ogbemudia A charismatic officer, Gen. Attahiru believed it was a question unmovable, the war against insecurity must be won. Just pray of time before the enemy was crushed. for us. The death of our colleagues is not in vain’’, Irabor t sneaked in like a thief in the night. However, its impact assured, adding the late Chief of Army Staff died when he was was devastating. A crash. Deaths. Grief. A military insider told ThisNigeria, “The battle would have most needed. ISince Friday when the news broke, that Chief of Army been decisively concluded before the end of this year with the Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, had died in a military aircraft way the late CoAS was going. Despite shortfall in ammunition, Also, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi crash, it has been a torrent of tears. he had raw courage and was focused. He motivated his officers Gbajabiamila, described the death as shocking, saying the Reason: He was a competent and fine officer; indeed, one of and men. He was one officer who led from the front. He wasn’t unfortunate incident came at a time that the military was Nigeria’s best. He was also seen as the hope of advancing the an armchair officer.” finding solutions to the country’s security challenges. Having battle to ending insurgency and other criminalities ravaging taken over from the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, the country. “As Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, he was Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai, a few months ago, the speaker said effective. He was picked by powerful forces outside the army Attahiru had shown a lot of commitment to tackling the Attahiru and 10 others, including three generals died to lead it, but somehow his predecessor, Gen. Buratai wasn’t country’s security challenges. Gbajabiamila added that the in a Beechcraft 350 aircraft that crashed at the Kaduna quite happy with him. So all kinds of stories were cooked up late army chief was a core professional officer. He said the International Airport. to portray him as incompetent. He was withdrawn and sent military, especially the Nigeria Army, has lost a dedicated and to TRADOC in Minna and later moved to Abuja. It was all committed senior officer whose services to fatherland will be The other military officers that died alongside Attahiru were military politics. But, he was a thoroughbred infantry man sorely missed. Chief of Staff to the CoAS, Brig.-Gen. Idris Abdulkadir, Chief who yearned for action. You can see what he has achieved in of Military Intelligence, Brig.-Gen. Abdurrahman Kuliya, his short-lived stint as army chief.” Maj.-Gen Lawrence Ngubane (retd) summed up Attahiru’s Provost Marshal (Army), Brig.-Gen. O.L Olayinka, and Aide life and times thus: “The late army chief spoke eloquently on de Camp to CoAS, Major L.A Hayat. Others are the Finance Indeed, Gen.Attahiru had leadership capability. He was a the importance of command and leadership in achieving any Officer, Major A. Hamza, and the Orderly to CoAS, Sergeant professional soldier. He was knowledgeable. Above all, he assigned mission. “He was passionate and confident that the Saidu Umar. was competent. President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed armed forces in collaboration with other security agencies these as much. The President, represented by the Minister of Nigeria were capable of stemming the tide of security The flight crew members of the ill-fated plane were Flt. Lt. of Defence, Gen. Bashir Magashi,(retd), at the funeral on challenges in the country, if only, command and leadership Taiwo Asaniyi, who was the pilot; his co-pilot, Flt. Lt. A.A Saturday described Attahiru and his late colleagues as “icons qualities were applied at all levels. He had a vision, and wanted Olufade; Sergeant Adesina and ACM Oyedepo. of professionalism”. They were glorious and served the to realise it by leading from the front”. Unfortunately, the tenure of the 54-year-old and the country’s country gloriously, Buhari added. 21st army chief lasted for only four months and 25 days, The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss having been appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari last The President noted particularly that Attahiru was a Mustapha, described the death of Attahiru and 10 others as January 26. courageous man and a source of inspiration to officers and men “a very dark moment for Nigeria”. and will always be remembered as an epitome of Nigeria’s His regrets hope in the military. The President had earlier in a statement An impactful tenure If there is one regret the late General would have carried to by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, said he was saddened by Although Attahiru served as the CoAS for a few months, his his grave, it will be perennial struggle to equip the military. the death, describing him and the other late officers as heroes impact will continue to resonate for years to come. who paid the supreme price. This is so because from the moment he mounted the saddle Competent sources told this newspaper that he was not as the army chief, he had a burning desire to deal with pleased that despite the huge resources budgeted for arms “This crash is one mortal blow to our underbelly; at a time, our the Boko Haram insurgency that has taken its toll on the and ammunition in the fight against Boko Haram and armed forces are poised to end security challenges facing the North-East and other parts of the country. His tragic death insurgency, not much was on ground. country’’. “I am deeply saddened by the air crash. All of them may shock many as his career trajectory moved in and out are heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security of the epi-center of the war against Boko Haram and other “That was one reason he appeared to snap at the presentation in the land’’ Buhari said. insurgents in North-East, where he was first appointed the in the National Assembly. He asked the lawmakers to direct Theatre Commander of the joint task force assigned in July the enquiries on how the $1bn dollars was expended to those The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, at the funeral, 2017 to deal with the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist who superintended over the funds. The truth is, he wasn’t too noted that the late Army Chief died for the love of country group, Abubakar Shekau. pleased,” sources confided in this newspaper. Irabor said, “The day was a very sad day for the armed forces and the country. I received it with shock the death of Attahiru Attahiru had also on assumption of office said he would not Another of his unfulfilled dreams was the total defeat of Boko and others’’ allow those trying to break out of Nigeria to succeed. He said ThisNigeria 15 LeadStory Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 ‘Epitome of Nigeria’s hope in the military’ Meanwhile, some top military officers, who spoke on the the Nigerian Army had resolved to deal with secessionists condition of anonymity, during the funeral on Saturday, called who were threatening the peace of the country. No group has on President Buhari to appoint a successor to Attahiru from succeeded in seceding and it is believed that Attahiru’s wish within the 36th regular course. The officers, who spoke to would be sustained by security forces. one of our correspondents on the sidelines, said the call was necessary to sustain the tempo and high morale already Indeed, of the three things that define a fine soldier- set for the army by Attahiru. The officers noted that the leadership, doctrine and equipment, ThisNigeria gathered, determination to bring radical changes in the force and end that the late army chief possessed the first two comfortably the security challenges, had already been introduced into the and abundantly. What he lacked within the short period he system by the late General. ‘’The tempo should not die, and was in the saddle, public commentators say, was equipment. one way is for Mr President to immediately look within 36th Attahiru, an infantry soldier, had a stint at the army’s elite regular course to find a suitable replacement’’ corps, Brigade of Guards, during the reigns of former military Heads of State, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. Military officers’ wives lament He was described by his colleagues who served with him at In another development, wives of military officers have the Guards Brigade as, “professional and competent. He had lamented the frequent deaths of their spouses in military no time for frivolities. He was a devout Muslim. If you check plane crashes. his forehead, you will readily see his commitment to keeping his religious obligations.” The Presidential Guards Brigade ‘’This year alone, we have been to this military cemetery is an elite corps of the army responsible for protecting the many times to bury our loved husbands’’, a woman, dressed president and his guests, as well as performing ceremonial Attahiru in army officers’ wives association attire, said. duties at the nation’s seat of government. His controversies that have displaced more than two million people and killed ‘’The aircraft should always be maintained and serviced as over 30,000. of when due. If the equipment were updated, the pilot would He had also recently told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc have detected that the weather was not favourable and do Committee probing the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, the needful promptly”, another said. They, therefore, called Ammunition and Related Hardware by Military, Paramilitary Details of the other officers that died with Attahiru were sketchy, but it was learnt that one of the flight crew members, on the authorities to take immediate steps to maintain and and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria to invite his service military aircraft that convey their husbands and loved predecessors to shed more light on the arms procurement. Flt. Lt. Asaniyi, who was the pilot of the flight, was preparing for his wedding.He was said to have done his introduction in ones on military duties.

Although he did not mention any name, his predecessors March. Following his tragic death, his family in Ibadan, Oyo State is said to be devastated by the loss of their shining star. Also, an Army Captain said Attahiru had introduced measures during the year under review included, Lt. Gen. Azubuike that have moved the army to the next level. “We were very Ihejirika (retd.) who was the CoAS between September 2010 sure of his promises. And he was very ready to change the and January 2014; Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah (retd.), who was A family member, Deacon Adeleke, had while receiving the Nigerian Air Force delegation that had come to console the aged narrative of the security problems in Nigeria. the CoAS between January 2014 and July 2015 and Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (retd), who served from July 2015 to January parents of the deceased in Ibadan, pleaded for immortalisation of all the deceased. He advised that the government should “You hardly see him resting. He worked from home and 2021. The actual probe of the past CoAS by the lawmakers anywhere to ensure he achieved his goal. The few months had yet to commence. always remember the deceased families. It was learnt that the man who is supposed to be his best man on the wedding day he piloted as Chief of Army Staff, there were tremendous Attahiru’s profile has remained inconsolable. Also, the co-pilot Flt. Lt. Olufade, boost in the morale of the rank and file. He will be missed by all’’. The funeral expectedly brought Abuja to its knees Born on August 10, 1966, in Doko Kaduna North Local is survived by his new wife, who, according to relatives got married two months ago. as activities in the city were low keyed, especially around the Government Area of Kaduna State, Attahiru, commenced Area 8, Army headquarters. cadets training in January 1984 and was commissioned into Litany of crashes in three months the rank of Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Also, economic activities were virtually grounded around Infantry Officer. No fewer than 20 military officers have lost their lives in the last three months in three crashes involving Nigerian Air Force Area 8, 10, Central Mosque and Airport road axis as relatives and friends paid their last respects to the victims. He obtained a Master’s degree in Strategic Management and jets. Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy. Last February 21, seven NAF officers died on board a The Nigerian Airforce and Beechcraft King Air The late CoAS has held several appointments on the staff, 350i instructional, and in command during his military career. Beechcraft King Air B350i aircraft when the jet crashed in Abuja. ThisNigeria gathered that the Nigerian Airforce took delivery For instance, he had a tour of duty with the United Nations of three new Beechcraft King Air 350i in August 2014. in Sierra Leone as a Military Observer, where he facilitated Similarly, last March 31, 2021, the spokesman for the Nigerian These aircraft are reportedly operated by the NAF’s 209 United Kingdom military engagement, Operation BARASS Executive Airlift Group (EAG), based at the Nnamdi Azikiwe in September 2000. He was an Operations Officer and later Air Force, Air Cmdr Edward Gabkwet, disclosed that an Alpha- Jet aircraft that was involved in the anti-terror war against International Airport, Abuja. However, there has been Company Commander in NIBATT 19 ECOMOG Operations speculation from some quarters that they might have been in Liberia. He also had the privilege of having commanded Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province lost radar contact in Borno State. converted for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance with distinction all through the chain of command in the (ISR) operations. Nigerian Army. The whereabouts of the two airmen who were on board This was confirmed with the mishap last February 21, where Prominent among these appointments is Commanding the missing jet which was later declared crashed were still unknown to date. a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft King Air 350i crashed Officer 146 Battalion Nigerian Army (Operation HARMONY near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, killing all IV) in the Bakassi Peninsula, Commander 13 Brigade Burial rites seven people on board. According to the Scramble Magazine, Nigerian Army (Operation PULO SHIELD), General Officer the NAF operates four Beechcraft 350i King Airs with the Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army. He was a one- The remains of the General were interred in the military cemetery in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on 209th EAG. The serials of these aircraft are: Beechcraft time Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE. He is 350i King Air: NAF201 (c/n FL-585), NAF202 (c/n FL-890), survived by a wife and three children. Saturday.Before then, the remains of Attahiru, his Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Idris Abdulkadir, Chief of Military Intelligence, NAF203 (c/n FL-891) and NAF204 (c/n FL-902). Other CoAS tenure that was short-lived Brig.-Gen. Abdurrahman Kuliya and ADC to CoAS, Maj. L.A The Nigerian Airforce has lost two of these aircraft in three Attahiru’s few months in office was the second shortest stint Hayat, Finance Officer, Major A. Hamza, and the Orderly to CoAS, Sergeant Saidu Umar were taken the mosque. months. The first, NAF 201, last February 21, and the second, as country’s army chief after the three months stewardship NAF 203, three days ago, precisely on May 21. Curiously, of Lt. Gen. Aliyu Gusau between September and November commentators are wondering why the frequent mishaps 1993. While the remains of the Provost Marshal (Army), Brig.-Gen. O.L Olayinka and crew members, Flt.-Lt. T.O Osaniyi, Flt.-Lt. associated with the aircraft in the country. The shortest stint before him in the democratic era was A.A Olufade, Sergeant Adesina, and ACM Oyedepo were taken to the church for the funeral. The Beechcraft King Air 350i is being used by over 42 Gen. Andrew Azazi who served for 11 months before he was countries’ Air Force. The last time a King Air belonging a promoted to the post of Chief of Defence Staff. All the bodies were interred at the Military Cemetery along Airport road after 21 gun salutes for the fallen heroes. country’s Airforce was involved in a crash was in 2015. Attahiru was appointed Army Chief last January 26, when However, there was a United States Army Aircraft FL-751 President Buhari made a sweeping change of the service The CoAS’s wife, Mrs Fati Attahiru, and the wives of the other crash in Iraq in 2016, just as the Pakistan Army Aviation chiefs following years of mounting criticisms over violence Corps recorded a mishap in July 2019. perpetrated by Islamist insurgents and other armed gangs officers were said to have witnessed the burial rites. 16 ThisNigeria Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Working forfor thethe peoplepeople of Rivers State

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His Execellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON Governor, Rivers State ThisNigeria 17 Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 18 ThisNigeria Politics Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 Ayade and his political permutations for 2023 Emma Obe, in this piece, asks whether Governor Ben Ayade’s fresh journey to the All Progressives Congress will take him to greater political heights or lower his popularity? overnor of Cross River State, Prof. leader of the party in the state. Ben Ayade, caused an intriguing Ayade’s departure from PDP in the state Gpolitical interlude in the heated na- was long in coming. He had fallen out tional discourse on security and political with the current national leadership of restructuring, last Thursday, in Calabar, the party in the state, especially during when he invited seven governors from the events leading to the nomination of the All Progressives Congress to dinner, candidates for the 2019 general elec- after which he announced that he and his tions. The party refused to defer to him supporters had defected to the APC. during the nomination of candidates for Hitherto, Ayade was of the Peoples Dem- the general elections. And the governor ocratic Party (PDP), a party that brought had to cry out several times, even threat- him to power in 2015. ening to leave if the party leadership con- tinued to ignore him. Expectedly, the governor gave ‘good rea- sons’ why he joined the APC. His speech Staying back in the PDP, where he was was brief but it was good enough for the not in control of the structure of the camera. And it was different from what party, would not have served him to his other governors that defected to the political taste. “It would just have ended party controlling the government at the his political empire because after leaving centre usually give: that there was the as governor in 2023, he would amount to need to join hands with the President to very little politically, without the control move the country forward and then to of the political structure,” said one politi- bring the people of the state to the main- cal observer in Calabar. streams of national politics. Ayade’s style of leadership, which some Ayade of his critics considered arrogant, had Ayade said, “We need to join hands with put him in trouble with many leaders of President Buhari in his determination come the country’s pain in the neck. Those robs citizens who vote for them of leadership the PDP, who had probably been waiting to enhance the fortunes of the country. I that you regard as your leaders are your based on party promises or ideology.” to humiliate him in 2023. Now with the need all governors to similarly join me and biggest problems,” Olupono lamented. Sam Egbe, who believed that Ayade defect- handing over of the APC structure to understand my decision to join the APC. ed to save himself from the being probed him by the national leadership of the par- “We need to work ahead with the presi- An APC member in Rivers State, Fred said he would not even escape it by joining ty, the governor might feel very comfort- dent for the future and unity of Nigeria. Ekoongei Oyor, said Ayade had long struck APC. “Your defection will not shield you able choosing virtually all the candidates We all need to sit at the same dining ta- a chord with President Buhari. “He is the from recompense and at the appropriate that would contest the 2023 elections on ble with Mr. Presidential to save Nigeria. only PDP Governor APC President Bu- time, both yourself and the ones you are the platform of the APC. “It is my responsibility to bring back hari visited in his first tenure for a project joining will have your day of accountability Cross River to the centre in order to en- commissioning. He (Ayade) had his inter- in the days to come in this nation.” He had also been on a collision course hance her fortunes. I therefore formally est in APC at the center all along. He only with the political elite of the southern declare myself a member and leader of made it public now after years of secrecy.” In spite of what the people have been say- senatorial zone, when the Obong of Cala- APC in Cross River State.” John Okosi, who said he had been watch- ing by the political decision of the gover- bar declared him a persona non grata for ing the governor’s body language of recent, nor, he has also been receiving support allegedly disregarding certain traditions However, some watchers of the politics said it was not a surprise that Ayade was from top politicians in the state. of the people. Though that relationship of Cross River think that Ayade’s defec- one of the two southern governors that did One of them is Senator Ita-Giwa, a for- was patched later on, the cold war be- tion is a master-stroke, which will not not attend the meeting at Asaba where a de- mer Special Adviser to the President on tween him and the people has persisted. only put the political control of the state cision was proposed to ban open grazing in National Assembly, who herself had three Interestingly, going by the rotation of the in his hands if APC wins in the state even all southern states. “No wonder, he did not years ago defected from PDP to APC. She governorship of the state, Cross River after he has left office, but would also attend the Asaba Accord Meeting,” Okosi described Ayade’s defection as the “right South is due to produce the governor of provide him with a soft landing with the recalls. “He was plotting his defection.” move in the right direction,” and declared the state in 2023. And would the political federal government-controlled anti-graft that “where the leader (Ayade) of the state elite of the South, who are very influen- agencies when he leaves office. Jeremiah Ojomo, who believes that Ayade goes, I go with him.” tial in the PDP let Ayade pick a Calabar had committed political suicide by dump- candidate to succeed him in 2023? That But the reactions to his defection are ing the PDP, said, “What happened to the However hidden away from the television is a question for conjecture. still pouring in, with many of those who former governor of Akwa Ibom State (God- show of last Thursday, is the desire of the responded not given to swallowing the swill Akpabio, who lost election to the sen- governor like his predecessors and indeed But it does not appear that Ayade would reasons he gave for leaving the party in ate after defecting to APC) awaits you. Cross other retiring governors to become the de give up on that. All his predecessors since the twilight years of his eight-year rule. River State has always been PDP and will facto political godfather of Cross River 1999 had chosen their successors. For ex- “Nigerian politicians are a funny set of remain PDP regardless of defection or no State and determine single-handedly who ample, when Donald Duke was leaving in people, always driven by their selfish de- defection. The governor is full of himself and succeeds him in 2023, while he retires to 2007, he backed Liyel Imoke to succeed sires,” said Buchi Mosy, who did not find promising what he cannot deliver.” probably another political office. him. And in 2015, Imoke backed Ayade. Governor Ayade’s action funny. This view was shared by Ekpo Tek, who And the governor did not hide the direc- Removing the PDP structure from Ayade “They are PDP in the morning, APC in said, “Ayade has just killed his political tion he was going when he directed all his would have made it almost impossible for the night. Ayade must be afraid of EFCC career. Cross River State is a PDP state. political appointees, cabinet members, him to choose his own successor. (Economic and Financial Crimes Com- The best he can get is to contest for sen- members of the House of Assembly and mission) coming after him and decided ate in 2023, which he will lose as he has all his loyalists and supporters to leave the So with his control of the structure of the to take cover on time. Anyway, let’s see not used his present position as governor PDP and go to their respective wards to APC, which incidentally controls the fed- where all these shenanigans will lead to uplift life in his senatorial district.” register for the APC. eral might and that portends – the elec- them. No defection surprises me again toral commission, the military, the police in this country,” Mosy continued. But Substance Okoinem thinks defection For those who understand, Ayade has put ev- and huge financial arsenal, Ayade might by political office holders was becoming a eryone on notice that, come 2023, he would feel sure-footed that his political wishes for But for Ajayi Olupono, there is really no distraction and was short-changing the elec- call the shots in the state. And he appeared 2023 would just be granted. That might difference between the two major parties. torate who vote along party lines. “Until de- to have sealed his deal with the APC national include the forgiveness of his sins as gover- “The APC and the PDP have always been fection is paid with forfeiting the office held, leadership, whose interim national chairman, nor, as a former National Chairman of the the same. From all indications, it is clear politicians will keep defecting and re-defecting Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, declared APC once declared anyone that joins the that Nigeria’s political leaders have be- for monetary and power benefits and this without prompting that Ayade is now the APC would have his sins forgiven him. ThisNigeria 19 OpenParliament Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

‘How to stop attacks on police stations, INEC offices’ By Beatrice Gondyi, David Onimisi Lawani

n view of the growing attacks on police stations Tunde Salman, and INEC offices in South-South and southeast, Convener, INigerians have proffered suggestions on how best Good Governance Team Nigeria to address the agitations advising the government at or me, personally, it is uncalled for. We cannot all levels to open channels of communication and dia- continue to target law enforcement agencies or logue in nipping the issues in the bud. Finstitutions of government for whatever reasons. But I also want the government to increase the perma- nent dialogue mechanism on police citizens’ relation- Charles Osagie, PRO, ships. So that they can rebuild the trust. National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN The trust deficit between the citizens and government Looking at this current issue of attacks on police is generally at the lowest ebb in the country. Govern- stations, INEC offices and Correctional Centres ment must do a lot humanly possible to revamp the in the in the South-East and South-South are un- confidence of the people in what the government is do- called for. I am asking everyone who is part of this ing, and the best way to do that is to ensure they block to cease the fire. the loopholes in the system. These government institutions and facilities that Loopholes in terms of the ability of government to de- are being destroyed are only an avenue to set us liver quality service to the people. By the time people back. We live in a country where we struggle to are seeing quality service and its impact, they them- get infrastructure, and if we have these little infra- selves will be the ones protecting the government fa- structures, we should guide them jealously and not Jennifer Mutihir, cilities. But I want to appeal to the masses themselves have them destroyed. Laboratory staff most especially our brothers and sisters in the South East and South-South in particular, we must look for a We understand the economic situation of the coun- any police stations have been affected. non-violent way of expressing grievances. There is no try. Now, the Federal Government will be talking The same thing, INEC offices. It is terri- community that doesn’t hold grudges or others against about rehabilitating and doing everything possible ble that we are witnessing this at this time. the government. But if everybody wants to turn an eye to put these facilities in good stead at a cost which M for an eye, it will be catastrophic of indefinite propor- have been destroyed. These facilities could have The agitators in the east have say or claim they tion. I am appealing to them to allow a peaceful ap- served us better than we even thought them to be. are being attacked by unknown gunmen. Only God proach to address these issues. We need these secu- Imagine how they would have been of help in re- ducing unemployment and debts from the states knows who these people are because the primary rity agents to stay safe and be protected. At the end of and the Federal Government. duty of government is to protect lives. Who are the day, it is the money they are supposed to use for these gunmen working for? development intervention that will now be used for re- I am calling on all stakeholders in the society to building of these facilities. put heads together, most especially the politicians, And, you can imagine that most of these attacks civil society groups, leaders of thought, media have been around police stations and INEC offices. professional unions to rise up and say no to this Is it not sad? At times, they cart away arms and am- continuous destruction of these government facili- munition. So, I don’t know where this is taking us ties. It is unfortunate and uncalled for. It is an em- to, or what they will achieve from it. phatic no. Those caught in this evil act should be dealt with so that others can learn a lesson from it. Those the authorities have identified should be This recurrence is becoming something else, and made to face the full wrath of the law. Recently, we we must never allow it because if we do, we might learnt about 146 policemen who have lost their lives be entrapping ourselves for no reason. These acts from these attacks. I feel that the trouble is that should be condemned by all Nigerians irrespective we as a people are not doing enough to ensure that of our ethnic, religious, and political affiliations. these dangerous acts are prevented. We are tired Salman of hearing that the perpetrators would be brought to book. Alhaji Haliru, Public analyst, Bauchi There should be a deliberate action to check these hoodlums irrespective of where they are located. I think it’s simply because the police does not have a This is making the country look like a laughing good image and they are seen as accomplices in every- stock. We have been made to be aware that about thing that is not okay. 16 of these gunmen have been arrested. We don’t want the police to be sleeping. The people don’t want that. Why is it that civil defence formations or stations are not being attacked, or the The INEC offices destroyed will cost so much to military or any other arms of the forces? Not even the rebuild. The data that have been saved will be lost, MOPOL that is an arm of the police. Why is it only the except a miracle happens. This is not expected at regular policemen? I think they should change their im- all. Where there are genuine grievances? I believe age, and it is a pointer. I also think it is a continuation there should be room for better redress, not hood- of #endSARS and reaction to police brutality. lums taking laws into their hands. What have they achieved with the destruction of these government I think more to that, it is the lack of trust in the police facilities with their bad acts? Nothing, if you ask me. that is making them to attack those places. As for the Osagie I feel sad for this nation. May God help us all. INEC offices, I think it is politically motivated. 20 ThisNigeria Parliament Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Nigeria as kidnapping haven, worrisome –Senate The grave danger that abductors, kidnappers and terror- Bill, 2021, that was read for the first time in the cham- ist organisations pose to Nigeria and Nigerians has again ber on March 10, 2021 and passed for second reading on come to the fore. This time, the Senator representing Imo May 19, 2021, is timely”. East, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, says that Nigeria has the high- est rate of kidnap for ransom cases in Africa with kidnap- Recall that the bill seeks to amend the Terrorism (Pre- pers operating in each of its 36 states. vention) Act, 2013, to outlaw the payment of ransom for the release of any person kidnapped. The amendment The Red Chamber According to Onyewuchi, payments of ransom have trig- aims at making anyone who pays ransom guilty of a felo- gered more abduction in the country. ny and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment By Andy Asemota for more than 15 years. In fact, some analysts and public commentators totally For a security expert, who craved anonymity, “It is time agree with the senator. to amend the Principal Act to meet the need of prevent- ing hostage taking and kidnapping which has become a An Abuja based public analyst, Richard Ugwu, said, “What- fast and lucrative business in Nigeria. In fact, let the bill ever the reason, it is no doubt that kidnapping in the coun- jolt the nation back to reality that kidnapping has now re- try has put everyone at risk. The lawmaker decried the mained the most virulent form of banditry in Nigeria and Bill to establish aerospace, payment of ransom because people easily identify with in- the most pervasive and interactive crime in the country. dividual suffering in spite of its counter productive toll on aeronautics under way efforts to check kidnapping in the country. “The growing cases of kidnapping in Nigeria has also he Senate has organised the public hearing on the drawn attention to the fact that government cannot con- bill to establish University of Aerospace and Aero- “The bill titled the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) tinue to watch while poverty, religion, politics, deficien- nautics in Oka Akoko, Ondo state. cy in existing laws, unemployment, connivance of secu- T rity agents, corruption and greed, among others fuel the rise of this criminal activity. The gesture, Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Ahmed Baba Kaita “Nigeria must begin to take the scourge of this menace (Katsina North) explained, is targeted at aggregating stake- that has continued to persist till today more seriously”. holders view and to X-raying their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat as well as increasing aerospace In this wise, according to Onyewuchi, government and aeronautics skills in the country. should provide adequate security and strengthen the economy as a matter of urgency, accelerate its poverty This bill sponsored by Senator Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo alleviation programmes, provide employment opportuni- North), the Senate Deputy Leader, was no doubt informed ties targeting youths who are mostly involved in abduc- by the fact maintenance of the nation’s airports requires tion and kidnappings, strengthen law enforcement agen- thousands of workers which the envisaged university can cies and provide necessary support to end the vice. produce as graduates in the nearest future to help the avia- tion sector. The National Assembly should explore the options avail- able in this bill and its Legislative proposal in order to Kaita noted that many developed nations were establishing mitigate the rising scourge of kidnapping, which unfor- and expanding infrastructure to support airports while ex- Lawan tunately, is reverberating beyond the shores of Nigeria. panding runways and terminals and therefore Nigeria could not be left behind. Keeping billions of naira revenue leakage in check The plan to establish the aerospace and aeronautics univer- he revelation by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta pected to generate revenue of at least $353bn by 2026, sity is definitely a good starting point to meet the require- North), that Nigeria lost hundreds of billions of naira as rising from $157.7bn in 2018. Consequently, the statutory ment of the sector for more workers in the years ahead. Trevenue due to federal government from the proceeds remittances by lottery operators in the country have been of lottery sales in the last couple of years obviously raises seri- extremely poor and not reflective of the actual sales gener- It is a public knowledge that the establishment of the var- ous concerns. ated by the operators. sity would be of great benefit, especially to the host commu- nity in employment generation and growth of the country’s Nwaoboshi had, in a motion on the need to investigate the We applaud the resolve of the Senate to mandate its com- GDP addition to promoting specialized field of studies in loss, on May 19, 2021, explained that between 2018 and 2019, mittee on sports to investigate the circumstances sur- promotion of aviation industry. Nigeria reportedly generated a paltry N2bn annually from lot- rounding the alleged non – execution of the terms of said tery in spite of its population of over 200 million with roughly settlement and report back within four weeks. We applaud the plan to enhance the spread of educational 60 million Nigerians aged between 18 and 40 involved in ac- tive sports betting. infrastructure in diverse demographies and urge the Sen- ate committee to set in motion legislative mechanism that The huge amount of money lost to leakages in the lottery would allow for improvements in all facets of Nigeria’s edu- industry could be gleaned from the simple fact that Senegal cation sector for a better tomorrow. with a 12 million population generates about N125bn annual- ly; Ivory Coast with a 25 million population generates N312bn The ninth senate owes it a duty to support legislations to annually and Burkina Faso with a 20 million population gener- ensure affordable resource centres of excellence for acquir- ates N562bn annually. ing knowledge and specialized skills required by Nigerians. It is therefore necessary to urgently review the terms of set- While the assurances of Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, tlement approved by the governing board of the National Lot- that the upper legislative chamber had proceeded in tak- tery Regulatory Commission and the lottery firms, as avail- ing more of crucial bills central to national development able statistics show that over N2bn is spent on sports betting framework is welcomed, we cannot overemphasis that this daily which translates to about $2.2bn per annum. is a regular requirement in any democracy concerned about growth and development. It should also be noted that the global lottery market is ex- Nwaoboshi ThisNigeria 21 Parliament Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 Asaba declaration: How debate on Malami’s comments failed ttempt to discuss the Attorney-General of the ters of privilege and its relevant subsections. Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Bob urged the House to call the minister to order. AMalami’s comments on southern governors But the Deputy Speaker stopped him midway on the for banning open grazing in their states failed on the grounds that he had gone outside the order which he floor of the House of Representatives. relied upon, instead advising him to bring the matter under a motion. A member of the House, Solomon Bob, from Rivers State, had at the plenary raised a point of order un- “The order under which you are bringing this matter der privileges to draw members’ attention to com- is wrong. You can bring it as a full motion to be debat- The Green Chamber ments credited to Malami, which according to him, ed but coming under matters of privilege is wrong. By Kassim Omomia was capable of fuelling crisis in the country. So take your seat”, Wase said. The lawmaker said the AGF’s comment on the ban Speaking to newsmen, Bob faulted Malami and reit- was “disingenuous, irresponsible and loaded with in- erated that the AGF’s comments lacked any founda- cendiary trope and ethnic slur”. tion in law. However, in making his presentation, Deputy Speak- He said, “Section 41 of the constitution which the Gbajabiamila mourns er, Idris Wase who presided, requested to know the minister alluded to deals with freedom of movement specific order in the House Rule Book. Bob, repre- of human persons, not animals, and that comparing senting Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Con- that with spare parts business is “bad politics which Army Chief Attahiru, others stituency of Rivers State, cited Order 6 under mat- is akin to preparing the ground for violent attacks on he Speaker of the House of Representatives, dealers in the business in the northern parts of the Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described as country”. Tshocking and sad the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 oth- Cautioning the AGF, Bob urged him to be watchful ers in a plane crash on Friday in Kaduna. of his role under the constitution as the chief law of- ficer of the federation. Gbajabiamila said the death of the army chief was unfortunate coming at a time that the military was He also advised the minister to shun “divisive utter- seeking solutions to the security challenges in the ances” that cast him as sectional and partisan. country. Recall that 17 southern governors passed a resolu- He said having taken over from the immediate past tion banning open grazing in the region. The also COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, a couple of months called for the restructuring of the country, among ago, Attahiru has shown a lot of commitment in other issues, when they met in Asaba, Delta State, tackling the security situation in the country. penultimate Tuesday. But the AGF was spotted on a television programme Gbajabiamila, who said he had a few meetings with faulting the resolution and equating the ban of herds- Attahiru in search of solutions to the challenges, men to prohibiting auto spare parts business in the noted that the late army chief came across as a core Solomon Bob north. professional officer. He said the Nigerian military, especially the army, has lost a dedicated and committed senior offi- House moves to protect cer whose services to fatherland would be sorely missed. local inventors, patents The Speaker sent his condolences to President Mu- he House of Representatives has begun a process”, the bill indicated. Matters from pat- hammadu Buhari, the Nigerian military, and the At- moves to give legal protection to invention ent inventions, even if they are inventions within tahiru family over the loss. He prayed for the repose Tsuch as patents, utility models and designs the meaning of section 1, of the bill, are excluded of the souls of Attahiru and the other victims. made by Nigerians. from patent protection. They include discoveries, scientific theories, and To rationalise the proposal, the lawmakers are in mathematical methods. the process of repealing the Patents and Design Act ...Welcomes CAP P2 LFN, 2004 and enact a new law, the Patent Other striking features of the bill are clauses for and Designs Act 2019. offences against the proposed law and penalty, as Gov Ayade to APC well as regulation, Taiwo further stated. peaker of the House of Representatives, Sponsor of the bill, Oluga Taiwo, member represent- Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed delight ing Ayedaade/ Irewole/ Isokan Federal Constitu- The proposal added, “Subject to section 11(4), 13 Sover the defection of the Governor of Cross ency of Osun state, during debate on its general and 14, a person who knowingly performs any of River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, to the All Progres- principles, said that the new law seeks to give legal the acts referred to in Section 11(2) in the coun- sives Congress (APC). cover to inventions such as patents, utility models try without the consent of the owner, commits an and designs. offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding 2,000 Gbajabiamila said Ayade’s action has once again penalty units or imprisonment of a term not ex- shown that APC is the party to beat in the coun- Titled, ‘Patent and Designs (Repeal and Re- Enact- ceeding two (2) years. try. ment) Bill 2019, Taiwo noted that the proposed The Speaker said the governor had taken the piece of legislation would be arranged into five In regulating the sector, the minister of Industry, right decision and shown a good example for oth- parts, containing its detail objectives. Trade and Investment may make regulations for ers to follow. the effective implementation of the Act and such Under the bill, patent means the title granted to regulations shall be subject to the approval of the He said the ruling party remains open to all, call- protect an invention, while invention accordingly is National Assembly vide the approval of the rel- ing on well-meaning Nigerians to join the APC to an idea of an inventor which permits in practice the evant Joint Relevant Committees of the National move the country forward. solution to a specific problem in the field of technol- Assembly. ogy. The Speaker noted that APC will continue to be The bill has, however, been referred to the Com- just and fair to all its members “An invention may or may not relate to a product or mittee on Commerce for further legislative works. 22 ThisNigeria Newspoint Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 ‘Nigeria must have a workable solution’

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress from Kano State, Dr. Muazu Magaji, speaks on the southern governors’ Asaba declaration, among other sundry issues, in this interview monitored on AIT public affairs programme, Kakaki.

Magaji hat do you make of the Asaba meeting of this idea of ranching and, in fact, the Miyetti Allah have portant, the way Nigeria is structured has it ever the southern governors? now started a structured engagement with the cattle worked, will it ever work, or is it working? Let me I will say thank God and welcome on board, be- owners. The truth of the matter is, there are very few of attempt to answer some of these questions. Nigeria Wcause there has been controversy on how the livestock in- the Fulani that own these massive herds of cattle. The was structured after independence as a parliamen- dustry will be transformed. And we have had from the Fed- cattle business is an investment made by many of the tary state. And between 1953 and 1960 was the time eral Government the policy of RUGA, which was basically a elites in this country. we took to negotiate our corporate existence as a grazing reserve policy. The Federal Government set aside people. It took us seven good years, going back and funds under the vice president’s office, in conjunction with The Fulani as cultural people just enjoy roaming around forth, going to London, Lagos, London, Lagos and the governors, to assist any governor that wants to set up and looking after cattle and they take commission on back to our communities discussing with very cred- the infrastructure that will basically provide funds for this transactions. So, they will even be better off if they ible representation from all nationalities in this coun- industry. We want to clearly understand that this is an in- embrace the idea of ranching because they have the try. And we came to a consensus that we agree to co- dustry that provides the needs of Nigerians and, therefore, skills. They become the business managers of ranch- exist in unity, but in diversity and that model led us it is important that we look at how agricultural industries ing because they have the know-how of the rearing of to adopt regional parliamentary system. Which gave around the world that are strategic to the citizens’ life are cows, the behaviour of the cows. I am telling you this each region the sense of semi-autonomy, belonging supported or subsidised. In this case, we have two challeng- is a golden moment for us because Miyetti Allah is on to the federation and commitment to ownership of es; organising the industry in a fashion that it will eliminate board, southern governors are on board, southern state citizenship and patriotism. That was the only work- the risk and all the conflicts that resulted in the open grazing, assemblies are on board, prominent northern members able negotiated existence and document we agreed and secondly, supporting the industry that will formalise it, are on board. I think it is extremely easy to get the rest on. After the coup of 1966, unfortunately the country in such a way that its economic impact will be obvious, its of the governors on board. The Federal Government has became a centralised government due to military in- multiplying effect from the economy will increase, and then, an idea of how this should be done. We all need to come tervention. of course, the participants will become active players in the together and basically flesh out the meat of this idea and economy of the country. So, I think the southern governors how it should be planned. The military centralised the country, that was not have come together, they have passed this resolution. And our consensus. That was not our agreement, and I heard from you now that the assemblies of the southern What should be the new norm in rearing cattle the centralisation continued over time with vari- states have also ratified and agreed to come together on the in the country? ous military regimes because that is their nature. decision of the southern governors. I think it is a cost-benefit analysis. I have friends that have That is how they rule, the command and compliance cows. I told you I have cows myself, but I have domesti- structure. But when civilian regimes returned, we Why do you think there is so much resistance to cated and ranched them. In fact, I embraced the moderni- negotiated a constitution which was different from the proposals and demands made by the south- sation of the industry so that people will understand. I have what we agreed at independence, to the presiden- ern governors? friends who have thousands of cows in the hands of Fulani, tial system of government, which gives a president There are underlying reasons why this policy is shaking, and the sharing formula is like is 75/25. It is an economic two cameral legislations and also state governments and the circumstance and situation that resulted in that factor. The problem is that people are making a hell lot of with their own orders; three arms of government, resolution did not emanate from an economic perspec- money without spending money to feed their cows. And the presidency, the legislators, and the judiciary. tive or an analytic perspective of promoting the industry. I think the economy needs to be structured. It is an in- We have tasted all the two, so now, we have two It came as a reaction to the security situation. and then put and output thing. When you buy cows and just give to choices. They are two systems that have been oper- shortly after that resolution, the other resolution, which is Fulani and they are just rearing and grazing them every- ated by Nigeria. Now the question is what worked restructuring. So, the belly of that resolution is hinged on where, they just grow. You do not even see these cows un- and what are we comfortable with. What can we some form of push-back and, therefore, people read mean- til many months after, or until the time for harvest. Then adjust in these two systems? What can we redesign ings. Combining restructuring and open grazing ban kind they will say, “take 200 and sell them in the market”. This so that this country will, in the modern times like of send mixed signals in the two resolutions. My take is is opportunistic business. For me, it is exploitative because we are talking about ranching, time has come for us simple; that both resolutions are important on their own the amount of the help that the Fulani are giving, and the to renegotiate the structure of this country and the account and we need to look at them independently and fact that you only buy cows, and you get a grown-up cow ownership. basically treat them independently. However, it is impor- that is costing like 10 times more. Please we have to have tant that the restructuring agenda be also tabled at a very a business model around us. Ranching means that the in- What is your view on devolution of powers highest level in the country. frastructure will be built, people will get jobs. and resource control? I have discussed some these concepts; that if we are Despite the opposition to the decision by the Should government be responsible for the busi- going to adjust these two systems, we must do it stra- southern governors, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breed- ness of cattle rearing? tegically and tactfully. For me, there are two major dis- ers Association, seems to have concurred with the We are at inflection point. We are at the point where we cussions on federalism -Fiscal Federalism and Political position of southern governors on the ban on open want to change the model. Something must step in and Federalism. Those are the overriding discussions ev- cattle grazing. Do you think that is the way to go? demonstrate a role modelling of the new business model. ery time the Nigerian elite speaks about federalism or I am also glad to say that the operators of the industry who I believe this is a private business. I also believe that when restructuring, or the discussion is around how much have been very difficult partners in censorship have come industries are getting set up in states, they are all business of a resource will come to me, and how much political to the table you see Miyetti Allah’s major interest is safe- enablers. power will I have? But I have also advocated the third guarding their cattle, their economic life, their culture and arm of this discussion, which is development federal- their social life. However, because time is changing, cul- What does restructuring of Nigeria entail? ism. In my view, that is the consensus between the tures must change, domesticating animals does not stop in For me, restructuring means asking the especially im- physical and political. Development federalism recog- cattle rearing. They have come to understand that, as an portant question; Is Nigeria working? Has it worked; nises that each region of this country will have its own economic venture, they will be better off if they embrace will it work? These three questions are especially im- potential ThisNigeria 17 Monday November 23ThisNigeria – November 29, 2020 23 Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 24 ThisNigeria Interview Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

The problem with Nigeria – Ekiyor, Ijaw leader President Emeritus of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Dr. Chris Ekiyor, who just lost the presidential race of the Ijaw National Congress(INC), spoke with Ben Ogbemudia on the growing insecurity in Nigeria. Excerpts:

Some few years ago, we were able to have access when Goodluck Jonathan was president of Nigeria and the whole world got interested. Today, it is like we never started anything. Even the amnesty office, NDDC, and so on, all have been hijacked through the backdoor by the same people who have subjected us Ekiyor to poverty unfortunately. It is God that gives power. I didn’t make it (become INC president). Maybe God You contested the presidency of Ijaw National Con- the clamour for restructuring? did not want me to sit there today and provide the gress (INC), but lost. Are you still aggrieved? The things that brought about the civil war (1967– radical change that we need. I hope that those that 1970) were not as bad as it is now. The civil war emerged (as INC executives) will do justice to the The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) was just about some military men killing some other region and Nigeria. Until we negotiate with Nigeria as should be a person produced by all the Ijaw people. military men which got people angry. This time, we equal partners, nothing is going to happen. This year, it was done through a delegates’ confer- are talking about armed bandits stronger than the ence where we had 420 supposed delegates. No country’s army, destroying the country, taking hos- There is a despoliation of the Niger Delta region election process is perfect. But this is a clear depar- tages of local government and spreading slowly into and that’s exactly why I contested for the INC presi- ture from the past, and the outcome is accepted by communities. The worst part of it is that the govern- dency. Ijaw people cannot now go and sleep when me in the interest of the Ijaw nation. ment is not supporting communities to defend them- the drumbeat of war is everywhere. So, I encourage selves. What you see is that the government comes the new executives of the INC to know that’s a chal- I have my own misgivings about a lot of issues. But and bombs the whole place like what you are seeing lenge. It’s not about APC or PDP. They are a coin like I said, I have congratulated the winner who him- in the South-East. People are being invaded in their with the same face. The same people move from self is an Ijaw man. He has won an Ijaw election. We homes and they decide to do what is called vigilante one political party to the other. The truth is that have to accept it the way it is. I contested the INC to defend themselves. Rather than government tak- the political class leading this country are not do- presidential election to provide the kind of leader- ing over the process and helping to support com- ing well. The National Assembly is lazy – they can- ship that would have been required at that moment. munity policing, government is waging a war against not challenge the president. The media has been those people, therefore making them feel that the silenced because if they publish a story, they are What is your take on the issue of insecurity in Ni- government is the enemy. It is a mismanaged pro- threatened and arrested. If you criticise Mr. Presi- geria? cess. If I were the president of Nigeria, National dent, you’re threatened and arrested. Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff or Inspector- Only a few days ago, you would have heard of an at- General of Police, I would have sat down with these Why do you say that you move around with your tempted coup issue in the country, which is a sign people and look at what positive gains we can get in coffin? of a failed state. Nigeria is certainly a failed state. their trying to secure themselves, because the army We are only pretending, and it is just a matter time. doesn’t have the manpower, neither does the police You will recall that several years ago, I told you that We are not different from Rwanda now. We are a have the manpower to do national security anymore. I move with my coffin. I am not afraid to die speak- country of patient people. People who are tolerant. ing the truth. They have attempted to kill me, shot So, we are tolerating all these garbage we call gov- How about the morale of the armed forces? at my vehicle several times. God has been keeping ernance. Government today is at the highest level me going. As far as I know, I will respect the consti- of indiscipline, corruption, deceit, et cetera. When We are talking about one million dollars taken away tution of the country. But in respecting the constitu- a government deceives its citizen, then there is no for two years. Nothing is talked about it. We are talk- tion, it should be guaranteed that my fundamental government in place. The people living in Abuja are ing about people over-staying their welcome in the human rights must be protected. It also guarantees confused about the presence or not of the presi- military and dampening the morale of people in the me the right to ask questions about my existence as dency. service. It’s not acceptable. a Nigerian. If I cannot ask those questions, why am I opted to contest the presidency of INC because I I living? How did we get here? know that it is only the Niger Delta people that can stop what is coming. We have courage. What’s lack- This country should go back to the first constitution The country has been partitioned to cabals and ing in the leadership space of the Ijaw people is the that Aguiyi-Ironsi tried to destroy. They should pick cartels who manage their small space in what you ability of the INC to find its feet. I thought that if I am it up and dust it. Let the regions have their pow- call the comity of agencies. A group of powerful there as president, I would be able to galvanise the ers, let people run a federated system where we people would gang up and run a certain section of Niger Delta together and ensure that we stop this have mutual respect for each other. That’s the only the economy on behalf of all of us. What they decide madness that is coming. After all, everything that way that this country can move forward. This uni- becomes what the president accepts. The president runs Nigeria comes from the Niger Delta. There’s tary system that someone sits in Abuja and seize is hidden from the people. Everybody is complain- no section that’s producing anything today that can everybody’s patrimony and gives to you whatever ing that the villa is shut against people. The borders run this country. All the oil, all the gas come from they want cannot move the nation forward. It is a in the north have been opened for everybody from here (Niger Delta). Whether you are building indus- backward system. It is not for this kind of country the Sahel to come in. We have a country that has try in any part of the country, the oil and gas comes with a multi-ethnic and multi-religious setting. Let been invaded slowly by people that we cannot de- from here. We are the people heavily marginalised us make it clear that the beauty of it is that nobody scribe if they are Nigerians. What is your take on and denied the opportunity. can subject the rest of us to slavery or servitude. ThisNigeria 25 Interview Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 Non-implementation of confab report responsible for our challenges – Shaibu A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship aspirant in Kogi State, Dr. Mohammed Shaibu, speaks on the country’s socio-economic issues in this interview with Kassim Omomia and Alex Emeje ecute the ones that are implementable. If President Jonathan had implemented some, perhaps these clamours and agitations would have been mini- mized. As beautiful as the recommendations of that conference was, it has not been implemented. APC as a party did not send anybody there because they said they did not believe in the exercise. But Buhari, if you ask me, needs to implement the report of that conference because the glory is for him. It will be said that it was during his time we had achieved this and that.

With the killings, kidnappings, and banditry ev- erywhere, don’t you think community policing is the way to go instead of security outfits such as Amotekun, Ebubeagu? The clamour has been there. All that is important is to send it to the National Assembly for parliamen- tary approval and it becomes a law. Everybody is now calling for restructuring and resource country. It is good for us and is in the interest of the country.

What about devolution of powers? Shaibu We are talking the same thing. We need autonomy for How would you describe the state of Nigeria now? we use the resources to our ultimate benefit? all of them. Look at the local governments nationwide. Today, which of them is performing? Not one, because Everybody is afraid because things are not moving Eventually, Obasanjo came in, but I do not want to go to governors take their money and use it the way they as they should. Even the President and Presidency Shagari era. Shagari did not do badly because he took some want. No infrastructural development. Governors pay are not settled. Like the minister of defence said, profound steps. Look at his housing programme. There is them anything they want as salaries and that is all. No if the nation is bleeding, everybody bleeds. We are no where you go to in this country today, and you will not connection with the grassroots and the people are suf- stagnated in terms of socio-economic development. see his housing initiative. Go to Kogi State and see his fering. Therefore, devolution becomes very imperative. We are stagnated in terms of investment. But the footprints in Ajaokuta Steel Company and in other states. hope is that Nigerians are very resilient people. After that, Obasanjo came in again and the same Nigerians What are your take on restructuring in terms of We will overcome this because we have overcome sold the dummy called “Third Term” to Obansajo. From regional autonomy and creation of local security bigger challenges before now. I am confident that there, Obasanjo was no longer himself. He was no longer networks like Amotekun, among others? we will overcome them. The more your population, organised because things were no longer in agreement with the more your problems and challenges. Population his third term agenda and even his handover was not as he They will all die as soon as these challenges are is like a market and so the bigger you are, the more planned because the third term failed. over and there is good governance. If there is sta- you face challenges as a nation or individual. That bility and peace in the country, all these agitations is my view about what is happening. Was that where we began to miss the democracy and regional security would give way for peace and Are there crises? Yes, there are. Are we getting out dividends that has degenerated in the country? business will flourish once again in the country. of it, of course, we are? We are going to come out big- ger and better. But we need the support of everyone It is because Obasanjo refused to be satisfied with As one who has seen it all in the private sector, what and not the leaders alone. There can never be leader- the privilege of being a president. If you look at do you think of the economy, considering the al- ship without the support of the followership. Obasanjo, he has all the quality of a leader, part of it leged printing of money and our mono-economy? I do not want to see President Muhammadu Buhari as a is, energy. Obasanjo is energetic and experienced. I problem. But we all need to come together to find solu- have had discussions with some persons that worked We have depended too much on a single economy. tion to the numerous challenges facing us as a nation. with Obasanjo. Any memo that came to him, he took We need to open our economy. It will be better for time to look at it from A – Z before sending it out and us to sit down and diversify instead of relying on one In all, where do you think we missed the point, that is how leadership is. But as soon as he lost the source of income. Even if we focus on mining alone, given the complaints about the lopsidedness in third term agenda, he was no longer himself. it is good for us. I am also into mining but I cannot appointments as well as the herders/farmers, Then my friend, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan came in. If go there because of insecurity. Any time I ask my Boko Haram, Eastern Security Network, Amoteku, you look at the history of this country, no one has that friends in the security circles, they will advise me Oduduwa crises.? kind of educational qualification as president. He has a do not go there because of insurgency. This is not Ph.D. and then we thought he was going to pursue the good for economic development. No economy grows I do not want us to look at these issues from the Buhari Yar’Adua agenda, but he did not. Jonathan tried, no under insecurity, where people cannot go to farms, government but from the first coup of Major Nzeogu that doubt. He set up a national conference, but he did not children cannot go to schools and read comfortably. scattered the unity and togetherness of this country. implement it. Some of the agitations and complaints going on would have been taken care of if he had. Even What’s your message to Nigerians and Kogi people? The opportunity of bringing us together existed if he did not implement something, we are saying he in that republic when Sardauna, Awolowo Aziki- should have done what he could do then-- short term My message for Nigerians is to keep hope alive. Nige- we, Tafawa Balewa, among others were there, yet or long term. It may not be all the recommendations. ria will be stronger and it will be the desire of all of us. we wasted the opportunities. But after that, were All the agitations and complains will be over. To Kogi we able to wake up? Yes, we woke up. We went Was the problem that of Jonathan or the National people, whatever has a beginning, certainly, will have through the civil war. We came out. Many coun- Assembly at that time? an end. Whatever they are going through now, they tries went through civil war but did not survive. I am coming from the private sector. You do and should take solace in the fact that it will one day come But we did, and with all the resources available, did pay attention to the immediate need or priority. Ex- to a stop and better things will start happening. 26 ThisNigeria Sport Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Ogbonna Insect: Rocket shattered Ogbonna’s house Ex-Hapoel Tel Aviv star, Ogbonna, escapes death •After Hamas bomb attack •Says: ‘I’m happy to be alive to tell the story’ Stories by Babs Oyetoro throwing from his dining table, where he head and brain. apoel Tel Aviv former Nigerian was having his breakfast, and crashed “The rockets had been raining as we “My family and friends back home star, Ibezito Ogbonna, narrowly him into his sitting room as shrapnel of watched on TV, not knowing my house in Nigeria were terrified and calling Hescaped death after a rocket broken window glasses injured his fin- was the next target,” “Zito continued. when they saw the live videos I did launched by the Hamas Separatist gers and knees. “I was the only one hit while my family shortly after the rockets came down group shattered through his house in was in safe hiding and I thank God for on my house and in the hospital. Ashdod, Israel, last week. “Zito” was rushed in an ambulance to a that. nearby hospital, where he was treated “I want to say that I appreciate all the This incident came in the face of the and discharged later that day. “The effect of the bombing was devas- love and care people showed me in ongoing war between Hamas and the The former Kaizer Chiefs of South Afri- tating as several buildings were affected this hard time and I love them all. Israeli government over the occupation ca striker, who now lives with his family and lives lost. of the port town of Ashdod. in Israel, was later back to the hospital “My father was philosophically calm “Zito” told SCORENigeria that the the following day after complaining of “But thank God I’m alive to tell the story when news reached him back home, rocket came down heavily on his house, head pains where doctors scanned his myself. and almost immediately, I rang him, and we spoke. “The family is calm and happy now Iheanacho wins Leicester’s goal of the season that I’m out of the hospital and very here is no doubt this is Kelechi fine.” Iheanacho best season in his ca- However, Iheanacho missed out on the Treer since his sojourn in Europe players’ player of the year award and Meanwhile, his former club Hapoel as a professional footballer. supporters’ player of the year award, Tel Avi and thousands of his fans all which both went to Youri Tielemans. over the world have continued to lend Aside for the personal awards he had their support for their loved star and won this season in the EPL, he equally Iheanacho was one of Leicester’s best even launched a GoFundMe account made history with the Foxes by winning players this season. The 24-year-old to raise money for their retired legend. the elusive prestigious FA Cup at the has scored 19 goals and provided seven fifth attempt. assists ahead of the final game of the Ogbonna is still considered one of the season that was held on Sunday. best foreign players ever to wear the Again, Iheanacho’s goal against Crystal red and white colours of the multiple- Palace has won Leicester City’s goal of The ex-Manchester City man was key time Israeli league champions. the season, but the striker misses out to Leicester’s first FA Cup title, scoring on the player of the year award. against Brighton, Manchester United He will be remembered for his incredi- and Southampton. ble super sub roles and his memorable Iheanacho’s brilliant left-footed finish goals, including the added time goal to after receiving a pass from Jonny Ev- This season, no player has a better goal beat Vincent Enyeama’s Bnei Yehuda ans gave the Foxes a 2-1 win over the per game ratio in the Premier League in the 2006 Israeli State Cup final to Eagles. than the Nigerian international. ensure his side’s title win after a 37- year wait. ThisNigeria 27 Sport Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Venus Williams, Tyson Fury gives 40, is love drunk with 23- pregnant wife treats year ATP player all them Romeo and Juliet you may not •Agrees to fight Deontay Wilder before AJ be too far from it. The truth is that the Cduo are becoming too close for com- He added the heartbroken emoji and fort, and tongues are already wagging about played the song ‘Heartbroken’ by T2 the two love birds. To the old war horse ten- on his stories to further prove his nis star, Venus Williams, age may not be a point. barrier when it comes to sharing her heart with a man she is in love with. Although FWSThe couple ordered a premium she is 40-year-old while Reilly Opelka, who sushi platter which includes 12 oys- stands at 6-foot-11 is 23, the ATP player is ters, three maki rolls, 14 pieces of NS a junior Wimbledon champion and Red Bull sashimi and six pieces of NS nigir. ambassador. Their eight-year-old son, Prince John Neither Williams nor Opelka has confirmed James, was already in the US with his they’re an item, but fans have noticed they’ve dad as he trains for his upcoming fight. been spending time together through vari- ous social media posts. More so, Williams Upon arrival, she shared a snap of the has been dropping flirty comments under clan being reunited with Tyson outside some of Opelka’s Instagram photos, includ- the airport. The trip was also a chance ing a few red heart emojis under a post he to flash some designer clobber as the shared recently. family kitted out their kids and Tyson himself in matching Versace clothes. First, the two practiced together in April at Ibis Golf and Country Club in Palm Springs. Tyson first met his childhood sweet- Williams’ tennis coach, Eric Hechtman, heart Paris during a wedding of mutu- shared a video of the pair hitting balls at the al friends when she was just 15 years club. old. At the time, Opelka said his session with Meanwhile, the Fury has agreed to Williams “was a lot of fun!” On May 6, Hech- fight Deontay Wilder as directed by tman shared a collage of Instagram photos arbitrators. indicating that he travelled to Rome with Wil- liams and Opelka, who he credited for being The two fighters fought to a draw in the group’s tour guide. 2018, and then Fury beat Wilder via TKO in the Feb. 2020 rematch. Fury The last photo in his post featured Williams was negotiating to take on Anthony and Opelka sporting matching plaid outfits Joshua, but an arbitrator ruled that while exploring what appeared to be an Ital- Fury with his family in Miami Fury was contractually obligated to ian museum.Williams, who has been play- face Wilder a third time. ing in Europe over the last few weeks, has been documenting her travels on Instagram. Stories by Babs Oyetoro back-lit venue. The two men are set to meet on July She’s been enjoying Italian wine and food, yson Fury treated his pregnant But far from a quiet night out, the ven- 24 in Las Vegas. Yahoo’s Kevin Iole as well as a few tennis-related events. How- wife, Paris, to a ride in a super- ue had pumping tunes which could be reported recently that Wilder has ever, Opelka hasn’t been featured in any of car and a lavish sushi dinner heard amid the boxing champ’s cheers signed on for the fight. her posts. The ATP player hasn’t posted Wil- T liams to his social media, either. after joking he was in her ‘bad books’ on the video he shared on his Insta- even as he has agreed to fight Deon- gram. However, Fury has told Joshua that he tay Wilder before taking on Anthony would beat him after defeating Wilder It will be recalled that Venus has yet to get Joshua in August. He then shared shots of their seafood again. So, you can expect Fury to keep married. Sometime ago she separated from platter, which is reportedly priced as giving fans a show. her boyfriend Nicholas Hammond after dat- The couple, who are expecting their high as $250 on the menu. ing him for two years. sixth child together, visited Asian fu- Poking fun at the incident, Tyson said: Fury is 30-0-1 in his career. Wilder is sion restaurant, Baoli and tucked into “Looks like the GK is in Mrs Paris 42-1-1, with his only blemishes coming a pricey sushi spread at the neon Fury’s bad books!” from Fury. Sparta fans beg Okoye to stay for another season any Sparta Rotterdam fans the campaign on a terrible note, Sparta Okoye took to his social media site to have applauded Nigerian rallied to end impressively, with Okoye express his feelings about Sparta and Mgoalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, contributing his quota by keeping ten the concluded season. for his excellent displays all season clean sheets. long that helped the club finish eighth “A great season came to an end last on the Eredivisie table even as they Henk Fraser’s men qualified for the night. Happy to be part of this Club!! I were on their knees pleading with Eredivisie’s Europa League playoffs, thank God Almighty for all he had done the Super Eagles’ goalie to extend giving the club the chance to make it to for me,” wrote the 20-year-old. And his his stay for another season. the continent for the first time in over post attracted quite a few comments. three decades. Okoye signed for De Kasteelheren in While a Borussia Dortmund lover the summer after departing boyhood But a 2-0 defeat to Feyenoord at the Sta- called on the German side to move club Fortuna Dusseldorf and shortly dion Feijenoord on Wednesday aborted for Okoye, some Spartan supporters became the number one gloves for that dream and brought a disappointing urged the Super Eagles goalie not to the Dutch side. And despite starting end to an otherwise good season. Still, leave the club just yet. Venus 28 ThisNigeria ForeignFeature Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

Bill Gates reportedly engaged in questionable conduct before divorce pany Gates initiated a sexual relationship with her in 2000 that lasted for years, The Wall Street Journal reported. Microsoft’s board investigated the incident and wanted Gates to resign from the board, accord- ing to The Journal. Gates stepped down in March 2020 before the board completed its investiga- tion. A spokeswoman for Gates told The Journal his decision to step down “was in no way related to this matter. In fact, he had expressed an interest in spending more time on his philanthropy start- ing several years earlier.” 2006: Gates asked a female Microsoft employee out to dinner. The New York Times reported Gates asked a fe- male Microsoft employee to dinner after attend- ing a presentation she gave. “If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened,” Gates wrote, according to The Times. 2007-08: Gates asked a Gates Foundation em- ployee to dinner. The New York Times reported that at a cocktail party on a work trip, Gates asked a woman who worked for him to dinner. “I want to see you. Will you have dinner with me?” Gates said in a hushed voice, according to The Times. Some employees told The Times they were dis- appointed in Gates but didn’t believe his behavior Bil Gates was predatory. 2011: Gates continued to spend time with Jeffrey Epstein years after his sex-crime conviction. Business Insider image of a nerdy do-gooder, largely through his phi- lanthropy. • Bill Gates has engaged in inappropriate con- The New York Times reported Gates met with duct at work on multiple occasions, according to But since Gates and his wife, Melinda French Epstein at least three times beginning in 2011, news reports from The New York Times and The Gates, announced their plans to divorce, reports despite French Gates’ objections. The meetings Wall Street Journal. about his conduct toward female coworkers and his occurred three years after Epstein was convicted relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey of soliciting prostitution from a minor. • Several accusations have surfaced since Gates Epstein have chipped away at that image. and Melinda French Gates announced their di- “Your characterization of his meetings with Ep- vorce on May 3. These allegations have come from a variety of stein and others about philanthropy is inaccurate, sources and mention incidents dating back years including who participated,” Bridgitt Arnold, a • Gates’ also had a deeper relationship with Jef- before the divorce announcement, suggesting spokesperson for Gates, told The Times. frey Epstein than previously known which, ac- Gates’ private reputation has long diverged from cording to the news reports, was a point of con- the image he’s portrayed publicly. 2017: At least two Gates Foundation employees tention between him and French Gates. kept in touch with Epstein. Here are all the times Gates has been accused of Bill Gates’ public image as a nerdy do-gooder has questionable behavior. The New York Times reported at least two senior crumbled amid recent allegations of misconduct. officials with the Gates Foundation remained in 1987: Bill Gates started dating Melinda French contact with Epstein until late 2017, years after n 1998, Bill Gates, then the wealthiest per- Gates while he was her boss at Microsoft. accusations against Epstein had piled up. son in America, appeared before Congress to testify about whether Microsoft, then the While he wasn’t her direct boss, Gates ran Micro- 2018: Gates botched an investigation into a sex- I ual-harassment allegation against his longtime wealthiest company in America, about accusa- soft when French Gates joined as a product man- tions it was abusing its market power. Industry ager in 1987 straight out of college, and he asked wealth manager. observers believed Gates was overly arrogant her out in a company parking lot, she said at a 2016 during his testimony, and the government even- conference. The New York Times reported French Gates tually reined in Microsoft’s power in a landmark wasn’t happy with how Gates handled a sexual- antitrust lawsuit. 2000: Gates had an intimate relationship with a Mi- harassment allegation against his longtime crosoft employee while married to French Gates. wealth manager, Michael Larson, and pushed for Since then, Gates has tried to shed his reputation an independent investigation after Gates tried to as a cocky tech mogul, instead crafting a public In 2019, a female Microsoft employee told the com- settle the case confidentially. ThisNigeria 29 Viewpoint Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

A way forward for administration of justice in Nigeria (3) dispensation of justice. Before now, we have always advo- to dance to the tunes dictated by his governor, will soon cated for some drastic measures to address the problems of find his way out of office. Indeed, that is the general trend the courts. The case of the Federal High Court is particularly across the land, wherein the executive has successfully pathetic, especially the Lagos division of the court. You get to pocketed the judiciary in the States, in order to perpetuate court and cannot find a single seat, not even space to stand. their reign of terror, mis-governance and impunity, without So, lawyers are crowded outside the courtrooms, struggling any challenge. But why must this be so? Did we vote people and peeping to know when their cases will be called. Litigants into office to become civilian dictators? If the judge who is are forced to stay outside, not able to follow the proceedings to adjudicate on a major dispute between a citizen and his of the court in a case which they filed and paid heavily for. In governor has to go cap in hand to negotiate his financial some of the courts, the distance between the presiding of- survival from the same governor who is a party before him, ficer and the witness box is so close that at times you fear for what then is the fate of the hapless citizen? the judge, when it is realized that some frustrated accused person or litigant can actually leap across the divide and take Judicial financial autonomy and national stability Ebun-Olu hold of the judge. It is that bad. And I cannot even mention the Right from the period of independence till now, the courts issue of parking space or public conveniences in the courts. have been the stabilizing force of unity and survival of the Adegboruwa, SAN And yet we expect robust legal submissions and the very best nation. No one has ever been so drunk with power to dis- of judgments from the cage that the courts have become. solve the court system, even in the dark days of the military. And yet, we now have those who claim to be democrats The consequences of lack of judicial financial autonomy breathing down upon the most vital arm of government. We When we assess the During the ceremony to mark the new legal year of the Su- cannot and must not allow it. We should all rise up to rescue preme Court on September 23, 2019, the CJN spoke the the judges from the captivity of the executive arm of govern- judiciary from the financial minds of judges across the land. He stated categorically that ment. It is now time for Benchers, Senior Advocates, NBA the judiciary was under siege, particularly from the execu- officers and all other stakeholders to take over the cry of perspective, how free can tive arm of government. Let us hear him. the judges, before it gets out of hand. Judges being unofficial members of the Bar Association, it is our duty to speak out we say we are? The annual “Be that as it may, when we assess the judiciary from the fi- for and protect them in times like this. budget of the Judiciary is nancial perspective, how free can we say we are? The annual budget of the Judiciary is still a far cry from what it ought to be. The way forward The figure is either stagnated for a long period or it goes on a There are said to be several dialogue sessions being un- still a far cry from what it progressive decline. The only thing I can do at this juncture is dertaken by different authorities, all aimed at ending the ought to be to plead with all concerned to let us enjoy our independence ho- JUSUN strike action, but not much disclosure has been listically. If you say that I am independent, but in a way, whether made about the content and outcome of these talks. I like it or not, I have to go cap in hand, asking for funds to run my office, then I have completely lost my independence. It is 1. NBA, in conjunction with the Body of Senior Advocates n 2015 when the present government was seeking pow- like saying a cow is free to graze about in the meadow but at of Nigeria, BOSAN, should take the lead in partnering with er from the electorate, it would have been suicidal to the same time, tying it firmly to a tree. Where is the freedom?” JUSUN to get the governors to a round table, to extract a Ithink of a situation whereby the Courts in Nigeria would written commitment for judicial financial autonomy. be locked up indefinitely, for reason only that the execu- That is the one-million-dollar question indeed: where is the free- tive arm of government is unwilling to respect the demo- dom? Judicial independence in Nigeria is still a myth, the gover- 2. The various judgments delivered by the Courts on this cratic concept of separation of powers, or to uphold the nors of the States still lord it over their judicial officers, various issue should be the basis of negotiation, by virtue of sec- provisions of the Constitution which they swore to protect. political office holders still carry on as if they own some judges tion 287 (3) of the Constitution. We are now fully in the second month of the strike action and even traditional rulers go around boasting about their influ- embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JU- ences on judicial officers and the courts generally. The effect of 3. Beyond JUSUN strike, NBA should have a Committee SUN, since April 6, 2021. When the courts are not function- this on our justice delivery system is very debilitating indeed, to audit the state of the judiciary, comprising the NBA ing in a supposed democracy, what that translates into is as when the neutrality of the court cannot be ascertained or Branches of the States for that of State Courts and a se- simply that there will be no justice at all. It then means that guaranteed, then there is no need approaching that temple for lected Committee for the federal courts. all along, the country has been running upon the wheels any form of remedy. Like I say always, the organ of government of impunity, injustice, autocracy and general disorder. We that is muzzling the courts is the executive arm, whose actions 4. Government should declare a state of emergency in have only been forcing those in authority to tag along by and decisions are most often the subject matter of various court the judicial sector, in order to undertake comprehen- only rehearsing jingles of judicial power, whereas in point of cases. There has to be a consciousness on the part of the ex- sive reforms thereof. fact, effective and efficient justice has not been the focus of ecutive to allow judges to function according to the dictates of governance. For good cause, the covenant of the ruling All their conscience and the appropriate statutes. If we ever get to 5. Judges should take up the battle for judicial autonomy Progressive Congress, APC, as expressed in its Manifesto the stage where the people have totally lost confidence in the through their various spheres of influences, as some have for the 2015 general elections that brought it into power, judiciary, then we should all be ready to live in the Hobbesian spouses and connections within the Presidency, State is to achieve devolution of powers that will lead to fiscal state of anarchy, where life will become brutish and short. Let Houses, National Assembly, etc. They shouldn’t leave the federalism, and ultimately, independence for the judiciary, us listen to the CJN once more. battle for lawyers and JUSUN. financially and statutorily. This has not happened however. “The gross underfunding and neglect of the judiciary over 6. Regular media engagements by the NBA to sensitize In the course of the week, Governors of the Southern States the years have impacted negatively on the infrastructure and members and indeed the nation, on the strike action and of Nigeria met and reeled out a number of resolutions, one of personnel within the system. It is to a large extent, affecting what has been achieved so far. which is a national conference that will eventually lead to re- productivity, increasing frustration and deflating morale. That structuring. This indeed, is the essence of the JUSUN strike is certainly not a good omen at this stage of our nationhood. 7. NBA National and indeed the branches should liaise action, whereby it is demanded that the judiciary should be The Constitution provides for separation of powers and inde- with JUSUN leadership to offer legal services to check- freed to control its own vote from the federation account. In pendence of the three arms of government. I am using this mate likely witch-hunting and victimization of JUSUN this concluding part of the paper presented at the Webinar of medium to appeal to governments at all levels to free the judi- members by the various State governments. the Gwagwalada Branch of the NBA, I looked into other areas ciary from the financial bondage it has been subjected to over of judicial financial autonomy and then proffered solutions. the years. Let it not just be said to be independent but should, Everywhere seems choked up, from the Correctional Cen- in words and actions, be seen to be truly independent. There tres to the police stations and even the barracks, as suspects Infrastructure deficit as a clog should not be any strings attached. We would not like to ne- cannot get justice from Courts that are presently locked up. At the ceremony to mark the new legal year of the Federal gotiate our financial independence under any guise. Even as I We should not allow this to fester, moreso that the gover- High Court, the Chief Judge, the Honourable Justice John speak now, some States Judiciaries are still having issues with nors are demanding restructuring. That fundamental agen- Tsoho, cried out aloud that the court had become over- their respective governments. A stitch in time will certainly da should begin from the doorsteps of their Excellencies, as burdened with too many cases, such that judges could no save nine. Let the judiciary take its destiny in its hands.” charity is best pursued, when it starts at home. longer cope. He said the volume of political cases filed in the Abuja division of the court alone is hindering effective It is common knowledge that every Chief Judge who is unable Life without Christ is Crisis 30 ThisNigeria Viewpoint Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

The latitude of labour in a capitalist country On the other hand, Socialism, which is lay off workers from the civil service on where workers and our “comrades” tend account of lack of productivity or funds to lean more, is based on government plan- to pay their salaries. One thing Mallam ning and limitations on private control of should know is that the civil service does resources. So, while the central character- not and can’t operate on the same prin- istics of capitalism is capital accumulation, ciples of profiteering as the private sec- through competitive marketing that per- tor. In classical economic theories you will mits the making of maximum profit, social- be right to argue on concepts like value ism, with it’s limitations on private control for money, productivity and results from of resources, is more inclined to, and pro- investment. However, the civil service is tective of workers wages. not strictly and originally based on such principles. It is seen largely as the ben- Under socialism, wage labour becomes efits those who suffered themselves to go Bala Ibrahim the socioeconomic relationship between a to school should derive from the system worker and an employer, where the worker to the resources of which, they are co- While serious governments sells their labour under a formal or informal owners.” are coming with an out employment contract. It is, for the pursuit of the essentials of such contracts that la- I particularly like his use of the word co- of the box planning, that bour unions are formed, in order to repre- owner. Which means there are other peo- sent the collective interests of workers, by ple with equal stake to the resources. I am would enforce efficiency, bargaining with employers over such con- also in love with the phrase, “the benefits cerns as wages and working conditions. those who suffered themselves to go to representatives of labour school should derive.” would always be a spanner in So while serious governments are coming with an out of the box planning, that would For someone to rise to the position of the wheels enforce efficiency, representatives of labour a commissioner, from Nasarawa state, would always be a spanner in the wheels, in which was created in 1996, I believe he order to ensure limitations on private con- must be above 20 years of age. Anyone hank God, calm had returned to trol, or use of resources. that came to this world around that time, Kaduna State yesterday, after the even if his parents are wealthy, must have Tannouncement by the president of And precisely that is where people like Mal- enjoyed one form of education assistance the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), lam Nasir El-Rufai, who has arrived at the or the other, by way of scholarship, sub- Mr. Ayuba Wabba, that the five-day warn- government house with a reformist mind sidy, or some sundry school services. If he ing strike in the state has been suspend- set, would continue to clash with the labour checks amongst his peers, some have not ed. The truce was reached, following the unions. Mallam want’s productivity driven gotten those privileges. Were they des- Federal Government’s intervention. by efficiency, while labour is fearful of force- tined to be so denied? With scholarship, ful eviction because of the cruelty of capital- you were paid and pampered to school, That announcement has come with a sigh ism. not suffered, I think. of relief for all, but with it also came a question, how often should Nigerians be But then, Nigeria is a capitalist country that If you devote 90% of the states resources expecting strikes from workers, who are has gotten everything coined and captured to service the taste of only 10% of the peo- always banking on such strikes, for creat- in the constitution after the American style. ple, whose “suffering in school” was paid ing bargaining leverage? The country’s drive, albeit poorly, is to imi- for by the resources of the other co-own- tate America. May be that’s why it dropped ers, are you being just to them? If you say The legitimacy of strikes has always from it’s national anthem, “Nigeria We Hail someone is a co-owner to a car, but the car been a contentious issue between the Thee”, which has been in use since inde- is mostly, or almost always, driven by the employers and employees, particularly pendence in 1960, and adopted “Arise, O other person, are you being just to him? the state governments, who see strikes Compatriots,” in 1978, to sensitize the as a challenge to their authority, power, citizens to rise towards the propensity for The failure of the elites, or those who ben- and interests. For the government, work capital accumulation. efitted from the system, to visit their con- stoppages are often the most damaging, science, and see what the less privileged especially when done with surprises. In attacking Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for seek- would get if they make sacrifice is the ma- ing efficiency and productivity in the public jor problem we are having. And most of I want to put aside the legality or oth- service, some have missed the point, by it is driven by sentiment and hypocrisy; erwise of the “when and how” workers thinking that the twin terms are suppose to the two evils a reformer would be quick should go on strike. I am more interest- be resident only in the private sector. No, to confront. ed in the morality or otherwise of using capital NO. such strikes to achieve missions, particu- One Bayo Onanuga, put forward the larly in a weak capitalist economy, like Government’s basic functions are providing question, “How much of state resources Nigeria. leadership, maintaining order, providing should be spent on governance, in paying public services, providing national or state salaries, pensions and other emoluments The Economists say Capitalism is a form security, providing economic security, and of civil servants and political appointees? of economic, political and social organisa- providing economic protection. You cannot 40%, 60%, 80%, 90% or even all?” In sum- tion that enables investors and traders to provide any economic protection if your mary he said, “Governor Nasir El-Rufai is have a form of security, guaranteed by leadership style is tilted towards the trun- fighting a new war that both the Federal the State, based on individual initiative, cation of the treasury. An inefficient work and other 35 States and the FCT are shy- and favours market mechanisms over force cannot provide an efficient public ser- ing away to confront, choosing instead to government intervention. vice, or maintain any order in the society. cower in fear of the blackmail of labour.” So Capitalism is a major driver of innova- Much as I subscribe to some of the submis- While it is imperative for government to tion, wealth, and prosperity in the mod- sions of Yusuf Shehu Usman, former Attor- think out a solution on how best to serve ern era, because, competition and capital ney-General and Commissioner for Justice the public interests, especially after learn- accumulation combine to give incentives of Nasarawa State, in his article, captioned, ing from the covid pandemic, when work- to businesses, to maximize productive ef- EL RUFAI AND THE PLANNED MASS ers were ordered to stay at home and ficiency, or the capacity of a worker to do SACK OF CIVIL SERVANTS: An Appeal the state did not collapse, labour leaders more or better work, or even both, dur- For caution, my views differ, where he said, should learn to play within the latitude of ing a specified period of time. “El Rufai is trying to test the efficacy of the law, by staying away from politics, and text book economic theory by proposing to remaining responsibly responsive. ThisNigeria 31 Viewpoint Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021

The trials of Brother Jero and bizzare metamorphosis of Nasir el-Rufai seen viral videos where so called Pastors urinated in the mouths DSS, Kaduna branch and the DIG of Police, Kaduna State. That of their hypnotised worshippers, or farted on their faces, or sat on is Nigeria’s sorry State. Complete nadir. their heads, with other members washing his legs on their heads? Free advice for you, swashbuckling Deity, El -Rufai. You should They are told that is the only way to get rich or see paradise. Re- not dare arrest the NLS Chairman, or dismiss the Nurses. You ligion had been termed opium of the people by Karl Marx, used have changed from the sweet guy I used to know and gradually, as an instrument to fight wars as beast in Europe, instead of using not suddenly, become dictatorial and despotic. You are remind- it to give solace to the soul of man. Soyinka had theorised along ing us of Hitler and Musolini. I am genuinely shocked as to how that line. such a well read, exposed and travelled man like you, who once self-exiled himself from Nigeria for fear for his life, has metamor- el-Rufai and I: Before before phosed into a full-blown tyrant and intolerant absolutist god that Welcome, Mallam El Rufai, the cerebral Quantity Surveyor Gover- must be worshipped, because of the intoxicating effect of power THE Mike nor of Kaduna, once upon a time an otherwise jolly good fellow. I on you, as an aphrodisiac. Why have you developed an insatiable consider you my dear friend. I don’t know if you still do, me, based bacchanalian appetite to inflict sufferings and misery on Nigeri- Ozekhome on our different world views and obvious glaring deological differ- ans, especially your own citizens that you govern? ences. As Minister of the FCT, you were uncompromising against SAN, PHD corruption and defacement of the Abuja master plan. Not ready to Certain rights are inalienable column play ball with the legislative arm on financial gratification, you were Let me tell you this. The rights to life, dignity of the human per- promptly declared a persona non gratia by the NASS, and banned son, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of expression, peace- Now, El Rufai,you, have from holding public office for 10 years. You immediately consulted ful assembly and association and freedom of movement, etc, are me. I met with you and my good friend, Senator Uba Sani, at your basic human rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. metamorphosed, like brother Life Camp home. On your instructions, I headed for the Federal They are respectively contained in sections 32, 33, 34,35,38,39 High Court, Abuja.I won the case. The NASS appealed. I also de- and 40 of the1999 Constitution of Nigeria. At least, your tyranni- Jero. You now see yourself as feated the NASS at the Court of Appeal, Abuja. That was how you, cal Government has not yet abrogated this Constitution. These a tin god, a powerful deity, Nasir came back to public reckoning, to have been able to contest rights are also universally recognised under the United Nations and win election as Kaduna State Governor in 2015,and then 2019. Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human to be appeased by human I don’t know if your present beyond-the-clouds office will allow you and People’s Rights, the European Charter on Human Rights, remember this piece of history. But, the cold, hard records are the American Convention on Human Rights, the International sacrifices in terms of toying there. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international with citizens’ welfare instruments. Workers and el-Rufai’s gradual metamorphosis Now, El Rufai,you, have metamorphosed, like brother Jero. You AND THIS Introduction now see yourself as a tin god, a powerful deity, to be appeased by The right to protest is a constitutional right know you people in the corridors of power don’t bother human sacrifices in terms of toying with citizens’ welfare. El Rufai, The right to protest without even seeking Police permission about reading or hearing from we lesser mortals. You love you had sacked over 45000 workers. You did not care about their has been serially upheld by Nigerian appellate courts. See Ilistening to yourselves, fawners, bootleggers, bootlickers, families and dependants in these horrific harsh economic times the cases of IGP V ANPP (2007) AHELR 179 (CA);(2007) 18 contractors, influence-paddlers and genuflectors. I am not one. unleashed on Nigerians by your clueless and anti-people APC NWLR (PT 1066) 457, at pages 49I- 499, per Adekeye, JCA (as Fortunately. But, give me some minutes and read this this my Government. The workers kicked, as they are entitled to in any she then was?; AG FEDERATION V ABUBAKAR (2007) 10 humble open letter in the form of my column contribution. democracy; even under totalitarian military juntas. You flexed your NWLR (PT 1041) 1,92-93; OSADEBEY V AG,BENDEL STATE This is because aside being a patriot, pan-Nigerian, Constitu- tiny mosquito muscles and played Louis X1V of France (of the ‘L’ (1991) SCNJ 102,218.Mallam, I read to my chagrin that you tional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist and Pro- democracy cam- etat ce’st moi’ - I am the State’- fame). Ayuba Wabba, NLC Presi- have allegedly offered to pay handsome ransom for the arrest paigner, I am also an avid and voracious reader, writer, Essayist, dent, gathered his Kaduna flock workers, like a hen, her chicks, of Ayuba, the NLC Chairman. Let me advise you to rather use archivist and historian. Aside law books, I also write long es- and called out a Kaduna State strike. You, El Rufai, will hear none the ransom for the release of the helpless and unfortunate Boko says, poems, articles and books on sundry matters, such as lit- of it. Your authority had been challenged by lesser mortals. Haram- kidnapped students of your state. If you yield to my ad- erature, history, native laws, customs and traditions. I presently vice, you would not be doing anything new at all. After all, you write 6 columns for 6 different newspapers EVERY WEEK, To you, a civil strike amounts to economic sabotage, and Ayuba once told shocked Nigerians how you had to pay humongous some since 2014.NON- STOP! Wabba must be apprehended and tossed into jail like a common ransom to the rampaging Fulani armed bandits that poured into criminal. You even placed a handsome reward, an expensive ran- your state from neighbouring African countries in 2015, to en- Wole Soyinka,Brother Jero and Karl Marx som, on Waba’s head. You are a Governor who has so far refused able the 2015 presidential elections hold. I have therefore been I once read Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka’s “JERO’S to pay ransom to free your own innocent University Students kid- incredulous and nonplussed as to your sudden pretended Janus METAMORPHOSIS”, a play staged in 1960 (I was barely 2 napped from their University, right under your nose. Five of them votle-face “haram” or revulsion against payment of ransom, even years old then), and published in 1963. I also read Soyinka’s have since been butchered. You were not touched. The rest live in to free the endangered souls of vulnerable school children who “THE TRIALS OF BROTHERS JERO”. In the former play, daily terror, fear of death and fear of fear. Their parents are tired of were kidnapped under your very despotic Government. Out of Jero was in possession of a confidential file which revealed gov- crying. Their oceans of tears have dried up in supplication to god these, 5 had already been brutally killed in cold blood. Can you ernment’s plans to transform the beach into a public prosecu- El Rufai, to help save their innocent children. You, El Rufai, will not really sleep, or fold your legs on the mat to pray to Allah? What tion ground and tourists’ centre. The satirical play was about budge. Like the Pharaoh of Egypt, you will not let your people go! will you be praying for? I can no longer understand you elites in the willy ways Jero tried to unite all the church leaders operat- Government and how you suddenly change once you taste the ing at the beach and make them form one church, with him NOW THIS intoxicating liquor of power .Or, can you, Nigerians? El Rufai, as the sole leader. Soyinka was satirically decrying the hypo- The fury of Kaduna State workers why are you playing brother Jero? Why are you acting out Idi critical way Nigerians practised the Christian religion. He was Now, the workers carried out their threat. They downed tools. Amin, Emperor Bokassa, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Pol shocked at the obsequious and unquestioning devotion that Swaging Emperor Nero El Rufai will take none of the ‘nonsense’. Pot? Why have you shredded your beautiful garments of empa- converts and adherents displayed towards their manipulative Pronto, you fired all Nurses from level 14 downward, for daring to thy and dorned the dictatorial apparels of Saddam Hussein, Ivan spiritual leaders. In “The Trials of Brother Jero” first published participate in the collective strike. Nigerians, can you believe that? The Terrible, Kim 11 Sung, Ayatollah Khomeini, Nero, Gheng- in 1964, Soyinka mocked the proselytizing Church preachers I cannot, myself? his Khan, Mao Zedong, Ivan 1V, Lepold 11 of Belgium and Attila who did not even have churches (as did brother Jero) and so The Hun? Why Nasir? Why, El Rufai? Why, Ahmad? Just why, preached in public places. He highlighted the transformation of The workers nonetheless took to the streets in a peaceful protest, for God’s sake? these leaders with religious titles of Bishop, Pastor and Proph- waving banners. Yes, as done by innocent Nigerians who had et, to military titles such as General, Colonel, Sergeant, etc. waved Nigerian flags and banners in a peaceful protest and were Thought for the week He depicted church leaders as deceptive, corrupt, fraudulent, horrendously mauled down at the Lekki toll gate in October, 2020. “Civilization must stand up and combat the current collapse of politically ambitious and abandoning their flock in pursuit of What did your El Rufai’s Government do next? It panicked, insti- governance, the rise of violence, and the spread of chaos and merchantilistic and mundane cravings. Thus, Like Karl Marx, gated violence, employed a horde of weed-smoking, cudgel--car- fear in many parts of the world”. (Rudy Giuliani). Soyinka satirised these crafty preachers who deceived their rying, machetes- brandishing and stones-hauling street thugs and sumnabulistic followers. The play exposed the contradictions in urchins to unleash violence and mayhem on these peaceful pro- Last line: Fellow Nigerians, synergise with me every week, to blind faith and slavish following, and satired the too many social testers. The security agents were there, watching, enjoying them- put our heads together on how to retool Nigeria. Right here on and political imbalances in Nigeria of the 60s. The ills Soyinka selves. They ‘siddon look’. Never mind that Ayuba Wabba ,NLC “The Nigerian Project”, by Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, kicked against in the early 60s are even worse today. Have u not President, had sent SOS to the Director, DSS, Abuja, Director, OFR, FCIArb, LL.M, Ph. D, LL.D. The credible print and online newspaper

32 ThisNigeria In questions ofMonday power, May 24, let– May no30, 2021 Parliament more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution – Thomas Jefferson 3rd President of the United States

Monday May 24, – May 30, 2021 Vol.1. No 36 The Backpage Sam Kargbo Separatist agitations ndia, Pakistan and Bangladesh used to be sity in Durham, North Carolina, United States, sub- formed countries like Sudan. one country called British India before 1947. mitted that one of the two approaches to the analysis ILike Nigeria, they were under British Colonial of separatism and secession is to ask the following Where the economic factors are the driving force rule, imperial Governance succeeding commer- intriguing question: what forces are responsible for of separatist agitation, one may say that economic cial interests. And, like Nigeria, British India was the general surge in secessionist movements -- from equity and fairness on the side of the state may divided along religious lines; the two dominant, Burma to Biafra and Bangladesh, from Corsica to calm nerves. Quebec’s agitations were motivated fiercely competing religions being Hindu and Is- Quebec, and from Eritrea to Southern Philippines? by the desire to protect the French language and lam. The Hindus dominated that part of British Although his work provided an insight into the forces not so much about economics as the region may India now called India, and the Muslims dominat- behind separatist agitations, I believe that Psycholo- only be second to Ontario out of the 13 provinces ed the part now called Pakistan and Bangladesh. gists and Sociologists have their jobs cut out for of Canada in terms of economic viability and pros- Because of the fractious nature of their relation- them by his question. perity. The agitation of Quebec has been assuaged ship, Britain had to partition British India into by policies meant to protect the French language two self-governing countries in 1947: the Republic The following depiction by Wikipedia is not only in- from English preponderance. of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Did structive but gives us a peep into the separatist men- separate governance solve the problem of the two tality: a “common definition of separatism is that it Where the agitations are motivated by ethnic ego countries? No! Whereas India was for decades is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, and pride, the issue is quite complicated. The Cat- plagued by political crisis, Pakistan is still steeped religious, racial, governmental or gender separation alans of Spain are still finding it difficult to surren- in religious crises. Bangladesh seceded from Paki- from the larger group. While it often refers to full der to Spanish suzerainty on account of their de- stan in 1971. political secession, separatist groups may seek noth- sire to preserve the Catalan language. Agitations ing more than greater autonomy.. Separatist groups propelled by idealism or unbridled radicalism are Every continent has a list of regions and countries practise a form of identity politics, “political activity by far the worse because they are directionless. that have experienced the separatist knife. In Af- and theorizing founded in the shared experiences of rica the latest is Sudan. South Sudan became a injustice of members of certain social groups”. Such Separatism is hardly an answer to ethnic, socio- sovereign state on July 9, 2011. Before breaking groups believe that attempts at integration with cultural, economic injustices; and separatist agi- away from the Republic of Sudan, it was thought dominant groups compromise their identity and abil- tations need not be violent. History has taught that independence would bequeath it peace and ity to pursue greater self-determination. However, us that violence would always yield to reason. prosperity. It is, however, doubtful whether “sep- economic and political factors usually are critical in Brawny and vulgar agitations are definitive of the arateness/independence” has changed the for- creating strong separatist movements as opposed to warped, chaotic minds of their promoters. The tune of the people of Southern Sudan. less ambitious identity movements.” greatest revolutions are masterminded by intelli- gent, refined, cautious individuals. The Christians The Congo region has also failed to make a case Unfortunately, human wants are insatiable. Econo- are proud of the Lord Jesus Christ because he for separateness or corroborated agitations for mists aver that humanity has no sufficient resources conquered the world’s worst adversary with supe- separation. From Zaire (now the Democratic Re- to satisfy all of human wants, which explains why rior intellect and values. Mohandas Karamchand public of the Congo) through the Republic of Con- there is no ideal country, where the state is said to Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) is a revolutionary leg- go to the Cabinda and Zaire Provinces of Angola, satisfy the wants, needs and desires of all of its con- end not because he shed blood, but because he peace is still a prized commodity. Somali has also stituents; it explains why peace has eluded newly- subdued the adversary of India with nonviolent given a damning case for separatist agitations. but persuasive civil disobedience values. The as- sassinated African American clergyman, Martin The former Russian countries of Eastern Europe Luther King, Jr. broke racial barriers through have not been saved from Russian imperialism by peaceful social change advocacy. South African the European Union. Separateness has not insu- Nelson Mandela defeated apartheid with superior lated them against Russian overbearing influence intellect and ethereal moral values. and interference. To call one’s people to To call one’s people to take up arms against other Nigeria has had several political and administra- take up arms against people in a country in the name of separatist agita- tive experimentations all in the effort to address tion is, to my mind, insane. Humanity must grow or minimize separatist agitations. The country other people in a country and develop beyond the use of arms to pass across has moved from regional political and administra- messages or express a point. We must strive to tive divisions to states. The expansion of states to in the name of separatist develop ourselves to the position of seeing con- 36 and the inclusion of the Local Government sys- agitation is, to my mind, flict as a challenge that must be addressed with tem are all conscious, deliberate efforts against artistic refinement. State functionaries must-see the rigid centrifugation of the country. insane. Humanity must agitations as legitimate calls for attention -- not grow and develop beyond necessarily a confrontation. Seeing agitators as In an article entitled “Patterns of Ethnic Sepa- enemies does not improve the value of a Govern- ratism” published in the Journal of Comparative the use of arms to pass ment’s stock in the public or global exchange. Eq- Studies and History (1981), Donald L. Horowitz, across messages or express uitable distribution, utilisation of state resources the James B. Duke Professor of Law and Political and fair treatment of all ethnic nationalities is a Science at the Duke Law School and Duke Univer- a point panacea for separatist agitations.

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