1 CORRUPTION IN NIGERIAN: PROFILE OF A POLITICAL ECONOMY IPPIS: DOES ASUU HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE ? THE WAR AGAINST INSURGENCY AND THE DYNAMICS OF POLITICAL ZONING AUG 9 -16 2020 2 CONTENTS Critical Conversation 21. The War Against Insurgency and the Dynamics of Political Zoning Politics 27. Ondo State: Jousting for the Governorship Seat at Alagbaka 29. The Punishing Power of Perfidy Economy 32. Stamp Duty: A Looming Tenancy Crises? Culture and Lifestyle 33. Africans Must Hold Fast to their Voices. 37. Theme and Tempo of RezthaPoet’s Cold and Frostrated 39. Going Up North 42. Daniel Oriahi’s Sylvia is a Nuanced Take On Mental Health Stories Around the Globe 44. Trawling Netflix NIGERIA AFRICA Education THE REST OF THE WORLD 48. COVID 19, FG & ASUU Who Wants to Give Nigerian Student Extra Year? From the Editor-in-Chief 50. WASSE: Writing a Regional Exam in a Pandemic 6. The Pursuit of Reason, Truth and Equity Health 52. COVID 19: A Survivor’s Journey to Testing and Recovery Cover Story 8. Corruption: Daring the Mon- International Affairs ster 54. Donald Trump: Marveling at America 9. Urgent Reform for the EFCC 12. The ICPC and its Many Great People Hurdles 55. Babangana Zulum 16. IPPIS: Does ASUU have Something to Hide? HERstory 18. Corruption in Nigeria: Profile 59. Aisha Mohammed Oyebode of a Political Economy Dr. Iwebunor Okwechime Website and social media handles Dr. Aminu Umar The Journal is a Pan-Nigerian online newspaper that engages all Dr. Moses Yakubu segments of the Nigerian life. The Journal provides objective and Dr. Abiodun Bello professional analysis on national and international issues with a www.thejournalnigeria.com critical and progressive balance. Editor The Journal is published by May University Press Limited. Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Femi Morgan Address: 51c Gbolahan Awe Close, off Jubril Liadi Street, off Dr. Udu Yakubu Emmanuel Keshi Street, Magodo Phase 2, Lagos. Graphic Artist Editorial Board Aduroja Olawale Contact: LT. Gen Chikadibia l. Obiakor (rtd) Editorial: Femi Morgan Chief Bisi Ogunjobi CORE VALUES Email: [email protected] Prof. Yima Sen Truth Tel.: 08068108018 | 08174717765 Prof. Mohammed Bhadmus Objectivity Dr. Niyi Osinowo, Rear Admiral (rtd) Integrity Adverts, Business and Partnership: Gabriel Esemokhai Amb. Dr. Chijioke Wigwe Analytical Reasoning Email: [email protected] Dr. Isaac Mankilik, Commodore (rtd) Empirical Research Tel.: 08087193172 | 09069340828 Prof. Adoyi Onoja Constructive Criticism Dr. Anthonia Yakubu Professionalism The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are completely and solely those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views and perspectives of persons, groups and organisations associated with The Journal. 3 STORIES AROUND THE GLOBE NIGERIA be resolved soon. to evaluate the effect of AIRPORT PROJECT COVID-19 on workers and TO BE COMPLETED IN GOVERNMENT PRESIDENCY also to promote the health of 2022 – EBONYI GOVT. MOVES TO ACTION REFUTES THE ON- Nigerians, their job security AS STRANDED GOING CLAIM OF and to give a sense of living to Governor David Umahi NIGERIAN STUDENTS ABSORBING EX- millions of Nigerians. disclosed the plan of his IN SAUDI ARABIA BOKO HARAM Emmanuel Ugbofa, Secretary- government to complete the CRY OUT FIGHTERS INTO General of Nigeria Labour Ebonyi Airport project come MILITARY Congress (NLC), affirmed 2022 regardless of the financial the positive results recorded unpredictability permeating Mallam Garba Shehu, from its collaboration the world as a result of the Senior Special Assistant to with Nigerian Employers’ COVID-19 pandemic. the president on media and Consultative Association The governor unveiled the publicity, made a clarification (NECA). size of the airport to be two on the false news going and half the size of the State’s around as regards the plan International Shopping Mall, of the Presidency to absorb FEDERAL HOUSING with the tartan track to be Video of Stranded Nigerian repentant Boko-Haram AUTHORITY GETS 100 meters in width, with 10 students studying in Saudi fighters into the military. A NEW EXECUTIVE lines by 4km and is said to be Arabia has gone viral. The He further said that the DIRECTOR – five times the work on road students accused the Nigerian rehabilitation and conversion ABDULMUMIN JIBRIN projects. The result of the embassy and consulate office of violent fanatics is a work on the tarmac will have of impeding their evacuation borrowed practice from Salihu Yakasi, media aide an impact and traction on the plan. Nigeria seem to have other countries with similar to Abdullahi Ganduje, the special design. left her scholarship students experiences. He said that this Governor of Kano State, behind during the pandemic. was adopted into the Nigerian unveiled the appointment of It was revealed that, students system to achieve good and the new Executive Director E-LEARNING DEVICE from about 150 countries have positive result. He said this of the Federal Housing DONATED TO travelled to their respective decision already earned the Authority via a tweet recently. SOUTHWEST PUPILS countries. support of the European Abdulmumin Jibrin, Union and United Nations former Kano lawmaker, The Ibironke Adeagbo It was later discovered that academically and materially. got appointed by President Foundation donated 55 Saudi Airline had prepared six Muhammadu Buhari as the samples of learning devices trips for the Nigerian students new Executive Director of the to the Development Agenda to travel home for holiday, but NLC AND NECA IN Federal Housing Authority for Western Nigeria (DAWN) the Nigerian embassy would COLLABORATION TO in charge of Commercial, Commission, DAWN. The not consent to the request PROTECT WORKERS Corporate and Social devices were meant for made for landing permit due RIGHTS Housing. pupils in Southwest States to their self-interest. The NLC and NECA joined forces of Oyo, Ondo, and Osun. embassy has, however, refuted to protect workers’ rights with This to bring about the the allegation, claiming it to respect to job security, rights continuation of learning for be false. at work, social protection, pupils amid the COVID-19 Mustapha Lawal, Permanent occupational health and pandemic. Ibironke Adeagbo Secretary to the Ministry of safety for workers amid the said that this is in fulfillment Foreign Affairs, has assured COVID-19 pandemic. of the foundation’s goal Nigerians of the government’s The signed memorandum which is geared towards the commitment in tackling the of understanding (MoU) production of the device for issue at hand and that it will is to aid the social partners improved learning to cater to 4 the myriad of challenges in would reduce the people’s DMO DG, AMAECHI, ministries and agencies in the Nigeria. financial burdens. He said AHMED AND OTHER previous administration. Adeagbo said, ‘We know that that The Land Use charge is GOVERNMENT Majority of the revenue the future of education will to be reversed to what it was OFFICIALS operated in the name of be digital, but that future before 2018 and also penalty SUMMONED OVER Gombe State Government suddenly arrived with the for defaulters between 2017 LENDING FROM didn’t reflect in the outbreak of the coronavirus…’ and 2019 should be waved. CHINA government’s account. The He believes digital learning State Government decided would continue after the The reviewed Land Use charge to merge all accounts into lockdown because the digital law also exempts property of Zainab Ahmed, Minister of one for close monitoring and world is where the future is.’ pensioners, including public Finance, Budget and National public accountability. and private retirees or persons Planning, Isa Pantami, who have attained the age of Minister of Communication GOVERNMENT’S 60 and are not active in any and Digital Economy were QUEST TO FINDING profit-making business from called upon by lawmakers of AFRICA VACCINE FOR Land Use charge, whereas, the House of Representatives NIGERIANS profit-making cemeteries and over loans taken by Nigeria EGYPT AND SUDAN burial grounds and private from China. SUSPEND TALK WITH Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo libraries are not exempted The committee appointed ETHIOPIA OVER DAM recently unveiled the plan from the Land Use charge. to investigate Nigeria’s of the administration of borrowings is of the opinion President Muhammadu The government also re- that the agreement signed by Buhari in the quest to finding introduced 15 per cent and 10 Nigeria with China might put a vaccine for coronavirus percent COVID-19 incentive, Nigeria under the duress of for Nigerians and also conceding its sovereignity to made known the virtual the Asian country. meeting with the BUT162 N59.7M APPROVED It was made known that more representatives as regards FOR AMOTEKUN top government officials had progress in the development TAKE-OFF been summoned by the panel of the vaccine in Africa and as the loan was no limited to the rest of the world. The State Security Network the Ministry of Transport Egypt pulled out of talks The meeting scheduled with popularly known as alone. with Ethiopia and Sudan on Pfizer Biotech International ‘Operation Amotekun’ the controversial $4 billion Pharmacy firms was borne takes-off as the Oyo State dam on the Blue Nile. It is a out of a dire need of a vaccine government approved the 700 ACCOUNTS growing disagreement with and find a cure to COVID-19. sum N59.7 million for the OPERATED BY Ethiopia over access to water. purchase of uniforms, lanyard, GOMBE STATE Egypt and Sudan are afraid of LAGOS LAND USE combats boots, baseball OFFICIALS conceading to the proposal CHARGE RATE hats, security belts, logo, UNDER THE EX- put forward by Ethiopia. REVIEWED etc., for easy identification of GOVERNMENT They are worried over the personnel of the agency. COMMISSIONER structure’s safety. Both Rabiu Olowe, Commissioner nations have requested a for Finance said that the Zubair Umar, State’s suspension in their talks with reversal in the Land Use Attorney-General and Ethiopia for further internal charge law of 2020, and the Commissioner for Justice consultations.