Kanu-Agabi Leads PDP’s Legal Team in Bid to Oust Matawalle, Others Gusau agog as PDP supporters welcome deputy governor Chuks Okocha in Abuja main opposition Peoples Attorney General of the Governor Mahdi Gusau, who challenge the legality of the (SAN), when the suit and Innocent Onuminya in Democratic Party (PDP) to Federation and Minister of remained in the party, to a defection of members of the challenging the defections Zamfara the ruling All Progressives Justice, Godwin Kanu-Agabi, tumultuous welcome in the national and state assemblies would be filed at the Federal Congress (APC), the National to challenge the defection. state capital, Gusau. from . High Court in Abuja this week. Following last week’s defection Working Committee (NWC) But a massive crowd of The legal action, THISDAY Kanu-Agabi would lead a A PDP source said, "A of Zamfara State Governor of the former has approved PDP supporters yesterday gathered, was not limited to team of lawyers, including Bello Matawalle from the a legal team led by a former treated Zamfara State Deputy Matawalle, as it would also Senior Advocates of Continued on page 8

Negotiate Your Way to Power, Imoke, Saraki, Others Charge Nigerian Youths… Page 5

Sunday 11 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9589

www.thisdaylive.com T N400 RU N TH & REASO APC Writes INEC, Demands Indefinite Postponement of Party Congresses Earlier date wasn't sacrosanct, says Akpanudoedehe Tinubu, other presidential hopefuls now in suspense Chuks Okocha and Adedayo scheduled to commence immediate postponement addressed to Chairman of the of APC, Senator John date was not sacrosanct. Akinwale in Abuja July 10, may not hold, as the of the exercise electoral body, the ruling party Akpanudoedehe, said Unfortunately, by the leadership of the party has In the letter dated July did not state any reason for the party did not intend development, the 2023 The much-awaited congresses written to the Independent 6, 2021, with reference the indefinite postponement a postponement of the permutations by one of the of the ruling All Progressives National Electoral Commission number APC/NHDQ/ of the congresses. congresses but to cure legal Congress (APC), earlier (INEC) demanding the INEC/19/021/39, and But National Secretary landmines since the earlier Continued on page 5 Diplomatic Community Meets, Writes N’Assembly over Draft Electoral Law Urges caution, need to deepen democracy Lawmaker alleges 20 illegal insertions to rig 2023 election Chuks Okocha and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A recent alleged attempt to tamper with the country's draft electoral law might have attracted the attention of the diplomatic community, which met last week with the leadership of the National Assembly and followed up with a private letter appealing to the lawmakers to do all within their powers to deepen democracy through the current effort at amending the Electoral Act. This development followed an uproar generated by reports that there was an attempt by a section of the National Assembly leadership to ENTER AURA HOSPITALITY... smuggle certain clauses into the draft electoral law banning L-R: President/CEO, Transcorp Plc, Mrs. Owen Omogiafo; Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Group Chairman, Transcorp Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, CON; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mrs. Dupe Continued on page 6 Olusola, at the inauguration of Aura, by Transcorp Hotels, Abuja ...recently

Buhari Orders Military to Go After Bandits in Zamfara, Kaduna States... Page 8 2 SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY  ͹͹˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER 5 PAGE FIVE Negotiate Your Way to Power, Imoke, Saraki, Others Charge Nigerian Youths As Wike blasts Secondus, says he lacks character and quality of a leader Rivers gov, Oshiomhole engage in verbal brickbats Emameh Gabriel in Abuja enough to be "a member of never influence change! You to, 2023 provides you with Other dignitaries at the event things is to build people with an organisation but to also can make all the noise, you an opportunity to be in the also took their turns to extol character. Character to be able Ahead of 2023, a former be a member of the board, can have all the activity, you boardroom, provides you with the virtues of the former Cross to know what you stand for. Governor , because that is where things can have all the followers, but, an opportunity to take control River State governor, saying Having an ambition is not a Liyel Imoke, has charged happen, unless you are in the you will not change the policy. and to take charge. But, it's a he laid the foundation, where bad thing, because it is the Nigeria youths to leverage board, you will remain where "This is the time for a new lot of work. Are you ready to the next generation of leaders ambition that will drive you their influence and negotiate you are. generation to get into the deliver? Are you ready to do would emerge from. to become a leader. their way into power. "Whenever you think you boardroom, it is time for a new what it takes? Saraki, while speaking, "The youths must be ready This is as River State Governor, have such a power of influence generation to appreciate the "The time has come for you described Imoke as a man of to use their voting strength to Nyesom Wike went hard on for any activity, it must be for a importance of being audacious. to make those decisions”, he character and commended him make the change. They must the National Chairman of purpose. It must be towards an No one, not anyone of us in said recounting how one of for the feat the foundation had not only engage in complaining the Peoples Democratic Party objective. And until you become front, or anyone there is going the keynote speakers, Nelson attained in the last decade. but be fully involved. Please, (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, part of that decision-making to shift! No one is going to shift Chamisa, an opposition leader The former senate president be bold, be focused and be describing him as a serial liar process, your effort will remain by you saying, please make in Zimbabwe challenged the said character was what makes audacious”, he added. and one that could not be taken just an effort. space for me, I am young, it government in Zimbabwe, and a good leader not age even The PDP national chairman, for his words. "Next time, before you finish is my time. to the surprise of everyone else, as he charged the youth to be Secondus, in his tribute, thanked Imoke made the call your influences, make sure you “Nobody gave me space. At he got 45% of the popular actively involved in politics the organisers of the event for yesterday in his opening negotiate your way into the 30, nobody gave me space. It vote in the election. It was and to also leverage their using the occasion of Imoke’s remarks at his 60th birthday boardroom. When you get to was hard work. But, the good unprecedented and the most population advantage to change 60th birthday to organise a and 10th anniversary of his the boardroom, there you can fortune was that I wanted to recent is Bobi Wine, a Ugandan the leadership narrative in the platform for national leadership foundation, Bridge Leadership influence policy. Until you get be in the boardroom. The politician, who challenged the country. dialogue aimed at transforming Foundation (TBLF) as well as into the boardroom, you can generation that we are talking status quo. He said: "One of the important the country. 11th Career Day Conference of the foundation. He said despite the influence the Nigeria youths commanded both in and outside of the social media, they have not been able to annex such influence to break into what he described as the 'boardroom' so as to provide a fertile ground for them to influence policies in the polity. He identified the failure of the youths to set out their objectives before going into politics as one of the reasons they have been constantly sidelined by the current generation of leaders in the country. He noted that social media seemed to be the place, where the young people thought they had influence but added it was not enough, given the fact that government across Africa always had certain influence over the operation of social media. He advised that the current crop of leaders in the country would not be ready to shift except and unless the youths broke their ways in and be actively involved in politics. He, however, reminded them that just as 2023 was around the corner, it provided them another ample opportunity to get into the business of political leadership. He said they must be audacious to make the change they yearned for. IMOKE AT 60... He noted that it was not Former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke (left) and Governor, Aminu Tambuwal during Imoke’s 60th birthday anniversary celebration in Abuja yesterday APC WRITES INEC, DEMANDS INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT OF PARTY CONGRESSES national leaders of the party, receive your cooperation, please taking delivery of the materials revalidation and update for the exercise." issue a statement on the new Asiwaju , as well accept the assurances of my for the congresses in batches, as exercise in Imo, Kwara, Ogun, A group, Concerned APC date. However, Buni and co as other contenders, may have highest esteem." of the close of work on Friday, and Rivers states. Stakeholders, while reacting, should tread softly and not been put in suspense. The timetable and schedule no state had taken possession Akpanudoedehe had in a decried the postponement lead the party to destruction The letter, which was signed of activities released by the of the nomination forms for statement said the approval as another scheme by the due to greed and inordinate by National Chairman of the party’s Director of Organisation, any of the congresses. followed the recommendation committee to perpetuate itself ambition." Caretaker/Extraordinary Professor Al-Mustapha Medaner, The APC national secretary of the membership registration in office. The spokesperson Meanwhile, the indefinite Convention Planning showed that the congresses said, “The above document appeals committee. of the group, Mr. Abdulahi postponement has not only Committee, Mai Mala Buni, would commence with the in circulation did not intend He said, "With this approval, Dauda, said the excuse they altered calculations in the camps and Akpanudoedehe, stated sale of nomination forms for a postponement of the the membership registration, heard was that materials were of presidential hopefuls, but that the postponement served as the ward congress between ccongresses. How it leaked from revalidation and register being printed. But he alleged also the national chairmanship a formal notification pursuant July 1 and July 7. The party INEC is strange. It is to cure update exercise in the four that the chairman did not carry aspirants, like Saliu Mustapha, to the provisions of Section 85 also fixed the inauguration of the legal landmine occasioned states will continue for two other members of the caretaker , Al Makura, and of the Electoral Act (2010), as Ward/Local Government Area by Section 85 of the Electoral weeks. committee along when the Abduallahi Adamu. amended. Congress Screening/Screening Act on the issuance of 21 days "Those who have not been timetable for the congresses The postponement, according The letter read, "We refer to Appeal Committees for July 10, notice to INEC, bearing in mind registered in these states can was issued. to political analysts, may have our letter reference number 2021; Ward Congress was billed that the earlier date we released purchase forms for congresses, Dauda stated, "The put the permutations of potential APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/012/20 for July 24, local government was not sacrosanct.” party office elections and postponement is another presidential contenders in dated 10th June, 2021 on the congress was slated for August Apart from logistics convention. For congresses scheme to perpetually remain suspense. Among those who above subject and wish to 14, and the state congress was challenges that caused in , all those in office, even though they are had been drumming for an inform the Commission that to hold on the September 18, delay in the distribution of who have purchased forms occupying such offices illegally. early convention are the many the party has rescheduled 2021. the forms, some states were in the past will be allowed to The excuse we heard was that supporters of the presidential its Congresses and National THISDAY investigation still in crisis over membership participate in the congresses the materials were being printed aspiration of Tinubu, who see Convention to a later date, revealed that the inability of the registration and as a result, on the presentation of the bank and the chairman did not carry the election of new principal which will be communicated national secretariat of the party some members were allegedly teller as proof of payment.” along other members of the officers of the party as a to you. to distribute the nomination denied registration. It was The national secretary caretaker committee in issuing first step in their bid for the "This serves as a formal forms for all the congresses to against this background that warned, "Any attempt to the last statement as regards presidential ticket. notification pursuant to the the 36 states and the Federal the leadership of the party, deprive intending registrants the congresses through Director The development is bound to provisions of Section 85 of Capital Territory (FCT) led to last week, approved the would be dealt with accordingly of Organisation. unsettle the TIinubu camp as the Electoral Act (2010) as the postponement. continuation of the party's in line with the provisions of the "We are reliably informed that it has thrown their projections amended. While hoping to While the party has started membership registration APC constitution and guidelines CTC will meet next Tuesday to into confusion. 6  ͹͹˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NEWS

THE LSE ALUMNI... L-R: 2019 Presidential Candidate and former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu; Chairman, National Human Rights and former Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Salamatu Suleiman, UK High Commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing; former Minister of National Planning, Dr. , and Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dapo Oyewole, at the inaugural London School of Economics (LSE) Alumni Talks held at the residence of the UK High Commissioner in Abuja..recently EFCC Files 800 Fraud Cases Since Judiciary Strike Zeros in on nightclubs owned, patronised by fraudsters Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja immediately judiciary workers charged to court and use such clubs as decoy for ill-gotten money. in a recent interview with called off their strike some convicted while others are their nefarious activities. "Many of those spending THISDAY lamented the The Economic and Financial weeks ago. still standing trial. Some of the clubs are said money lavishly in the clubs involvement of youths in Crimes Commission (EFCC) The cases include Internet "We have filed over 800 to charge between N2 million are also involved in 419. cybercrime. has filed 800 fraud cases since fraud, email compromise, cases of fraud since judiciary and 5 million for a table per These days young ladies are He said it was a national the end of the industrial action romance scams, ponzi workers called off strike," a night. also getting involved in the emergency bothering the embarked upon by judiciary schemes, and property fraud. source at the commission said. A source with knowledge illicit business. Young ladies leadership of the commission. workers. Others are contract scams, Meanwhile, the anti-graft of the operations said, these days see them as their Bawa said, "If there is one This comes as the anti- embezzlement of public agency is focusing attention "Major nightclubs in favourite choice of guys to thing that I am worried about graft agency is set to focus funds and cases bordering on nightclubs in Lagos charge from N2 million to date even when they know it is the issue of cybercrime attention on nightclubs in on criminal conspiracy and operated and patronised N5 million for a table per they are fraudsters. Morals are and it is with mixed feelings Lagos operated and patronised obtaining by false pretence. by fraudsters. night. Many of the owners practically gone. One wonders and reactions and they have by fraudsters, where, in some The agency had, recently, THISDAY gathered that of these clubs are actually if this is the generation that tagged me the hope of the cases, N5 million is paid for arrested over 1,502 young some of the club owners involved in 419 fraud, credit Nigeria will be handed over youth and here we are, the table a night. Nigerians alleged to be and their patrons were card scams, drugs etc, using to," the source lamented. people in my constituency are THISDAY checks show that involved in Internet scam, alleged internet scammers the bars and clubs as cover Chairman of EFCC the ones involved in Internet the agency filed over 800 cases some of whom have been and money launderers, who to disguise sources of their Abdulrasheed Bawa had crime. DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY MEETS, WRITES N’ASSEMBLY OVER DRAFT ELECTORAL LAW electronic transfer of election legacy of strong and sound also believed to be divided over Rig 2023 Election told our colleagues that she resist. We call on Nigerians results, even though the same electoral system, they the matter, making the issue one was not aware of any changes to rise up, for this is the section agreed to an electronic contended that it was not in of the most sensitive political A member of the House of for the initial harmonised act time, when they should take voting system. the interest of the country concerns at the moment. Representatives from Benue of both chambers. responsibility for the people A meeting between the and their foreign allies to lag Sources hinted that while State, Hon. Mark Terseer "Obviously, there is an they have elected to represent National Assembly leadership behind in the collective effort some politicians believed Gbillah, alleged that the Senate insertion. I can confirm that them. The servants cannot and a group of five foreign to entrench a solid culture of that the electronic transfer of made 20 illegal insertions about 20 clauses have been dictate to the owners. envoys, including the European democracy. results could undercut their into the 2021 Electoral Bill inserted and it is alleged “Nigerians, you need to Union, led by the United Specifically, the EU was said chances in the election, there under consideration in the that it was inserted from the rise up and make your voices Kingdom held last week. The to have noted at the meeting were those who held the view National Assembly. Gbillah senate version. I want to say heard and some of us are there foreign missions expressed that the support they give to that it was the only way to put said the insertions were part that we are at a point in the to support your position and concerns over the electoral Nigeria over the years was to their traducers in check since of a larger scheme to rig the country, where you should not to pursue what is best for law review and urged the ensure the entrenchment of a the road to 2023 appears to 2023 general election. be playing politics with this this country." lawmakers to do their best lasting democratic culture. It be rough lready. The lawmaker who was issue in this country. On the three per cent to ensure that the gains of the cited such support to include Another party source, chairman of the House "I wonder why people think allocation to the oil producing over two decades of democratic logistics and trainings. who was opposed to the committee involved in the that they are going to stay in communities and 30 per experience were not wasted. The EU explained that controversial insertions, said harmonisation of the bill, and power in perpetuity. Tomorrow, cent provision for frontier To further register their the idea was to deepen the the excuses being pushed who was deputy chairman it will be somebody else; we exploration in the PIB, to concern and the readiness to country's democratic process against electronic transfer of of the House Committee on need to leave a legacy for our which Niger Delta governors assist in the democratic process, and not shut it down, adding results did not hold water. Petroleum (Upstream), also country. We need to leave a and stakeholders have the diplomatic community, that the amendment process This, he said, was because if condemned the three per cent legacy for our nation. The objected, Gbillah said, "The allegedly, followed up with is expected to advance the network was the issue, INEC allocation to oil producing world is moving forward issue of PIB percentages, these a letter, where some of the electoral system. had since assured that where communities by the Senate and we are still deliberating are all issues we believe need concerns expressed at the Meanwhile, there have the network failed and voting in the Petroleum Industry on electronic transmission, to be looked at. We are not meeting were put in black been different theories on had been done, the results Bill (PIB), describing it as when it is something that immediately affected by the and white. those likely to be behind would automatically download "unfortunate and ridiculous". is a forgone issue in other production now but the Benue According to National the attempt to tamper with once network came on. He rejected the 30 per cent nations. trough is one of the initial Assembly sources privy to the electoral law, just as the Contending that electronic clause in the PIB for "frontier "We in the opposition are siting of oil. We believe in the meeting as well as the move has already begun transfer of results would be exploration", which he said insisting that the issue of equity and we believe in letter, the countries, included to divide the political class, the best thing to happen to was an invitation to corruption electronic transmission is justice, the people of the Niger the United Kingdom, France, including the lawmakers. the country's electoral system, and remained unacceptable. sacrosanct and we suspect Delta have been saddled with United States, and the Many federal legislators have the source maintained that Speaking on Arise TV, that those insertions were this issue for several decades. European Union. They noted denied knowledge of the illegal Nigeria would be better off Gbillah insisted that the intentional, premeditated "The environment has that they did not intend to insertion of anti-people clauses. dealing with the failure of Senate inserted 20 clauses so that this Electoral Act been destroyed. Three per interfere with Nigeria’s But fingers are being pointed the initiative than sticking that were not originally part of will be contentious and cent is inadequate and the electoral system, but were at the leadership of the National with the analogue mode of the Electoral Bill in the Senate won't be passed so that in senate even made it much genuinely concerned about Assembly. Many of National transferring election results, version after harmonisation the upcoming elections, the worse, which in my opinion the possibility of losing the Assembly members are believed which is generally believed by the two chambers. ability to rig and manipulate is unfortunate and ridiculous. gains of the past. to be readying to seek election to be prone to manipulation. Gbillah stated, "Let me go the result of the election will The 30 per cent for frontier While urging the National in other capacities in 2023. to the issue of Electoral Act. be possible. exploration is unacceptable. Assembly leadership to Supporters of a popular Lawmaker Alleges 20 Chairman of the committee "This is unfortunate. This It is not money that can be bequeath to the country a politician in the South-west are Illegal Insertions to in the house mentioned and is something we are going to accounted for." SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8  ͹͹˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NEWS Buhari Orders Military to Go After Bandits in Zamfara, Kaduna States Tells them to respond to the killings in language they understand Deji Elumoye in Abuja response to the killing of innocent citizens in the rural President Muhammadu communities. Buhari has responded to He also averred that the the recurring incidents of nation, its military and the banditry killings in both entire population needs Kaduna and Zamfara States to summon the courage saying the military and other required to defeat the bandits security agencies should go and terrorists. after the bandits and crush The President condemned them. some politicians making The President, in a release utterances on security, merely Saturday by his spokesman, seeking applause, advising Garba Shehu, condemned them to join the ongoing repeated bandit killings in genuine efforts aimed at Zamfara and Kaduna States, finding lasting solutions to urging the nation’s military the challenges confronting to respond to the worrying the nation. situation in a language that The bandits in recent times the bandits understand. had upped their activities He expressed the nation’s with increased attacks sorrow over the loss of lives, and killings of villagers in urging security agencies to Kaduna and Zamfara States. do everything possible to On Thursday night, no prevent the recurrence of fewer than 42 farmers were attacks with impunity. killed by bandits in Faru, President Buhari noted Maradan local government that the military and other area of Zamfara state, where security agencies are now the state Governor Bello working on new methods Matawalle hails from. and policies that are yielding The affected communities good results in many of the are Tsauni, Gudan-Baushi, PEACE AND SECURITY FOR THE NATION... troubled parts of the country Gudan-Adamu, Wari and Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Rev. Father Matthew Kukah (left), discussing with the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’Forum (NGF) and and called for a crushing Guda-Maidawa. Governor, Dr. , during the inauguration of NGF maiden Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative in Abuja ...recently FG Sets Up 10-Man Panel to Resolve Kaduna Govt, NLC Dispute Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja illegal protest that disrupted Akpan, will serve as secretary. laws of the federation. any reliability. any discharged worker. He activities in the state. Speaking at the Ngige explained that “So, in applying this, we further stated that there was The federal government A statement issued by inauguration ceremony, downsizing or rightsizing must subject it to the relativity nothing wrong with Kaduna has inaugurated a 10-man Deputy Director, Press Ngige recalled that the of workforce in any of merit, skill, ability and State government stopping committee to resolve the and Public Relations at the federal government had organisation, government reliability. If somebody has the expenditure of 96 per cent dispute between the Kaduna Federal Ministry of Labour stopped the strike initiated or private sector, was a a forged certificate, he should of its earnings on personnel State government and the and Employment, Mr. Charles by the NLC in redundancy issue, which be asked to go because he cost in order to save enough Nigerian Labour Congress Akpan, on Saturday said in May, with the parties must be subjected to the didn’t merit the job in the for capital projects, but that (NLC). The government the minister, Senator Chris signing a Memorandum principles spelt out in the first instance. it should be done within the charged the committee Ngige, had inaugurated of Understanding to Trade Disputes Act, Laws of “If you go to a nursing ambit of the law. to ensure the return of a new committee headed restore peace, noting that the Federation 2004 Cap L1. home and find somebody Ngige informed the industrial peace to Kaduna by Permanent Secretary, intervening circumstances He stated, “The law says working in the ward with committee of Buhari’s in the shortest time possible Federal Ministry of Labour made the reconstitution of in Section 20 (A) that ‘in a Bachelor’s degree in History, expectation of speedy return in line with the expectation and Employment, Dr. Peter the committee inevitable. the event of redundancy, he stands disqualified, because of industrial harmony in of President Muhammadu Yemira Tarfa, to try to resolve According to him, the every employer shall he doesn’t have the skill in Kaduna State. Buhari. the labour dispute. committee was expected inform the trade unions or the first place. He has to go. Speaking also, Lawal The committee has 21 days The committee has to resolve all the issues in representatives of workers So, these are the qualifications gave assurances of the state to complete its work and Secretary to Kaduna State dispute between the Kaduna concerned of the reasons that must be noted in this government for the restoration report back to the Federal Government, Balarabe State government and NLC. for or the extent of their principle of last in, first of industrial harmony, adding Ministry of Labour and Lawal, and Deputy National The minister acknowledged anticipated redundancy.’ out. It is not absolute. It has that Kaduna is not at war Employment. President of NLC, Najim that the issues in contention “Section B equally states exceptions and qualifications.” with labour. The peace committee was Hashim, as co-chairmen, bordered essentially on that the principles of last in, The minister noted that In his remarks, President to have been inaugurated while Director, Trade Union trade dispute. He charged first out shall be adopted in the employer had the right of NLC, Comrade Ayuba over month ago but the Services and Industrial the expanded committee to the discharge of the category to reduce staff strength of Wabba, assured the committee state government withdrew Relations at the Federal resolve the issues holistically of workers affected, subject to his organisation but was of labour's commitment to from the talks after accusing Ministry of Labour and and be guided by the 1999 all factors of relative merit, bound by law to negotiate the resolution of the impasse the NLC of precipitating an Employment, Mrs. Omoabi Constitution as well as labour including skill, ability and redundancy payment to in Kaduna State.

KANU-AGABI LEADS PDP’S LEGAL TEAM IN BID TO OUST MATAWALLE, OTHERS combined reading of Section and their implications and “(e) Save as otherwise or of a merger of two or and PDP caretaker committee the people of Maradun 221 of the 1999 Constitution status in law, taking into prescribed by this more political parties or members. Local Government Area, and the pronouncements account the Supreme Court Constitution, he becomes factions by one of which he Addressing the party where gunmen suspected of the Supreme Court in judgement of June 2019 that a member of a commission was previously sponsored.” faithful at his residence, to be bandits killed about Faleke v. INEC (2016) are brought in Matawella as the or other body established While some senior lawyers Gusau enjoined them to 49 people last Thursday. The clear in holding that it is the Zamfara State governor. by this Constitution or by insist that no law prevents remain calm, stressing that deputy governor condemned political party that stands for PDP would seek the any other law… an elected governor from the defection of the governor the killing, calling the act election, that votes scored interpretation of the “(f) Without just cause leaving for another party, would not affect the chances barbaric and inhumane. in election belong to the entire Section 68 of the he is absent from meetings some argue that the of the party in future A PDP caretaker committee political party, and that constitution as regards of the House of which he governor should relinquish elections. He maintained member and former publicity the candidate nominated members of the National is a member for a period his mandate on account of that as the highest political secretary of the party, Alhaji to contest at an election by and State assemblies, who amounting in the aggregate the platform with which he office holder in the party, Faruku Ahmad Gusau, who his party acts only as the also defected from PDP to to more than one-third of came into office. he had become the leader spoke to THISDAY said, the agent of his party." the APC with Matawalle. the total number of days Meanwhile, PDP of the party in the state. large crowd that came out Section 221 of the 1999 Section 68 states, "(1) A during which the House supporters, who came out The deputy governor in solidarity with the party Constitution states, "No member of the Senate or of meets in any one year; in large numbers to welcome explained that he would showed that PDP was on association, other than a the House of Representatives “(g) Being a person whose Gusau, carried placards with do everything possible to ground in the state. He political party, shall canvass shall vacate his seat in the election to the House was the inscriptions, such as: reposition the party in the stated that no amount of for votes for any candidate House of which he is a sponsored by a political “APC is prohibited for us, state, even as he solicited intimidation would make at any election or contribute member if - party, he becomes a member we remain in PDP,” "With the cooperation of members them defect to APC, saying to the funds of any political “(a) He becomes a member of another political party Mahdi new Zamfara is of the party. people should watch, as PDP party or to the election of another legislative house. before the expiration of the possible,” “Zamfara is PDP, "As you all know, the would soon bounce back in expenses of any candidate “(b) Any other period for which that House PDP is Zamfara.” recent political happening the state. at an election." circumstances arise that, was elected; Provided that The PDP supporters in the state, as the leader of The former publicity if he were not a member his membership of the latter blocked the Tsafe-Funtua the party, I would not relent secretary dispelled The legal team would of the Senate or the House political party is not as a road. in my effort in rebuilding insinuations that all the also be relying on Sections of Representatives, would result of a division in the Those who accompanied the party,” he stated. state House of Assembly 179 and 181 of the 1999 cause him to be disqualified political party of which he the deputy governor included He commiserated with the members had moved to Constitution, as amended, for election as a member… was previously a member his father, Gen Aliyu Gusau, people of the state especially, APC with the governor. SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10  ͹͹˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NEWS Adesina: Nigeria Must Manage Diversity to Attain Greatness Says 38.5% of youths in the country are unemployed, lacking skills, economic opportunities Tobi Soniyi believing that, somehow, it the lack of diversity. without preconditions, but a Nigerian. As I have quite not our problem. Diversity is better without the other. According to him, after with one goal: build one often said, I will live as a is our strength. But when President of the African We must manage diversity one year of service the cohesive, united, fair, just Nigerian, die as a Nigerian, mismanaged, diversity Development Bank, Dr for collective good." NYSC graduates are often and equitable nation for and on the resurrection becomes divergence. Rather Akinwumi Adesina has said Adesina said, any society not able to gain employment all, not for a few or for morning, I will ask God than unite, we become that Nigeria will only attain where meritocracy is in governments where they any section of the nation for permission to rise as a splintered, with each entity greatness if it manages its subjugated to aristocracy, served, simply because they are or religion. Nigerian, with the green- believing that, somehow, it diversity properly. ethnocracy or religiocracy not indigenes of those States. "A nation, unified by a white-green flag in my is better without the other. Speaking, on Saturday, at eventually tends towards "That in itself, is an irony!" sense of commonwealth, hand!” Adesina said. We must manage diversity the convocation lecture he mediocrity. He added. not a collage of ethnic “Nigeria is blessed with for collective good. delivered at the American He said: "Nigeria must He said: "The young nationalism. A nation incredibly rich diversity: “Nigerians deserve wealth, University of Nigeria learn from this experience graduates are strangers driven my meritocracy, not of people, of cultures, not poverty. For all the (AUN), Yola, Adamawa and forge a new way of in their own country. A ethnocracy, religiocracy or of religions, of mineral abundant wealth of natural state capital, Adesina said engaging among its diverse country they pledged to aristocracy." resources, oil, and gas, resources, Nigeria’s poverty Nigerians deserve wealth, ethnic groups and religions. serve. opportunity is denied He also decried the present amazingly rich biodiversity, situation is unacceptable. not poverty, adding that the "Nigeria must start just because they were not level of poverty in Nigeria that should make us the Today, sadly, there are way nation must learn how to managing its diversity for born in those states! Even saying this is unacceptable envy of the world. We are too many poor people in manage its diversity for prosperity. We must drive if they were born in those considering the country’s blessed with abundantly Nigeria. The Government prosperity. for national cohesion, not states, they are told to return abundant natural resources. diverse agro-ecologies, that is implementing bold social He said that the nation's ethnic nationalities." to the States of their origin. The AfDB President stated should also make us a land programs to reduce the diversity is at present being He said the National Youth Yet, their origin is Nigeria, that 38.5% of youths in the of bountiful harvests with number of poor, through mismanaged and suggested Service Corps (NYSC) was not their States!" country are unemployed, capacity to feed Africa. interventionist programs, the way out, citing the a very good idea because He also called on leaders “lacking skills, economic “We are a religious nation, but the fact of the matter Singapore example. it allowed graduates from to address reasons for opportunities, discouraged, so we should understand is poverty is not just about According to him: "Our tertiary institutions to have agitations by listening to the angry and restless, as they that God loves diversity. The money.” diversity is not our problem. one year of national service, agitators. "We must address look at a future that does diversity of rich and brilliant Adesina further said there Diversity is our strength. largely (ideally) outside of the fundamental reasons not give them hope”. He colours that we see in our should not be a Nigeria for "But when mismanaged, their places of origin. for agitations, by listening, therefore called on the forests, oceans, seas, and in the rich and another Nigeria diversity becomes divergence. However, he stated that the understanding, removing government to prioritise flora and fauna, reflect the for the poor, adding that Rather than unite, we become real test of “national service” prejudices, and allowing investments in the youth. beauty of the Creator." every citizen has the right splintered, with each entity was that it often revealed for open, national dialogues, "I speak to you today as Therefore, our diversity is to a decent life.

AFRICAN ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE... L-R: Founder Flying Doctors (member of the Board of Advisors African Enterprise Initiative), Dr. Ola Brown; Founder and Executive Chairman African Enterprise Initiative, Dr. Nicky Okoye; Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Director of Investment Promotion, Ministry of Industries Trade and Investment, Mrs. Abibola Arodudu; directors of the FMITI, and other members of the Board of Advisors for African Enterprise Initiative FG Inaugurates Advisory Board for African Enterprise Initiative Obinna Chima Safety Agency (NIMASA), Trade and Investment and Initiative as a strategic response African Enterprise Initiative grassroots and for the nation’s Dr. Dakuku Peterside; co- Okoye. to need for inclusion in the and we are extremely fortunate community based entrepreneurs Minister of Industries, founder, Star Crest, Fifi Ejindu; Adebayo was also quoted global market value chain that the federal government and micro enterprises. These Trade and Investment, Mr. Founder of Flying Doctors, to have said, “We are proud for all Nigerian and African has identified value in what micro community enterprises Adeniyi Adebayo, yesterday, Dr. Ola Brown; and Director, to partner the Nicky Okoye enterprises. In an effort to we are doing.” will have the direct access to inaugurated the Nigerian Investment FMITI, Olukemi Foundation to implement the drive that inclusion we have The African Enterprise African Enterprise Initiative’s Board of Advisors for the Arodudu. African Enterprise Initiative, identified the key resources Initiative was designed to community enterprise clinics, African Enterprise Initiative. Chief Executive Officer which has major impact and requirements our African provide the capacity, drive, which will be sited in over 500 According to a statement, the of SMEDAN, Managing implications for Nigeria’s youth businesses will need, including funding and platform required many communities across Board inaugurated recently Director of Bank of Industry, employment situation as well access to capital, skills, market for Nigerian enterprises Nigeria. include Dr. Nicky Okoye, Chief Executive Officer of as for growth in the capacity penetration, and seamless operating at all levels, especially, “The African Enterprise who is the founder and Nigeria Sovereign Investment of Nigerian businesses. platforms to do cross board the micro, small and medium Initiative will also create Executive Chairman of the Authority, and Country “We are grateful that transactions. businesses, to penetrate global strategic platforms and African Enterprise Initiative. Director for the African Dr Nicky Okoye and the “We have developed markets, expand their product interventions for the Others are Chairman of MRS Development Bank are also Foundation chose to start the these interventions and and service offering base as well sustainable growth of Nigerian Group, Mr. Sayyu Dantata; members of the board. implementation of the African streamlined them in an easy as attract investment capital enterprises across the board Chairman of Eko Electricity The statement explained Enterprise Initiative with to understand format, which from local and international working closely with the Distribution Company, Charles that the Memorandum of Nigeria and we believe that is supported by technology, sources. Ministry of Industries, Trade Momoh; Chairman/Chief Understanding (MoU) for the Nigeria’s extensive population capital and expertise. Our The statement added, “A and Investment, local and Executive, Sahara Power implementation of the African of entrepreneurs will benefit strategic partnership with the major intervention of the foreign development partners, Group, Kola Adesina; former Enterprise Initiative was signed from this initiative.” Federal Ministry of Industries, African Enterprise Initiative state governments and other Director General, Nigerian by Permanent Secretary of the On his part, Okoye said, “We Trade and Investment is a is a strategic intervention Federal Government Ministries, Maritime Administration and Federal Ministry of Industries, designed the African Enterprise monumental pillar of the designed for Nigerians at the Departments and Agencies. SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 11 12 SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 13 14 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 OPINION TB JOSHUA: THE MAN WHO BELIEVED IN ETERNAL MORNINGS

Sola Ojewusi pays tribute to Temitope Balogun Joshua, a pastor and philanthropist

ell, finally, I have enough strength and for- His snuggling up to the leppers and mendicants of Oko-Oba the church headquarters in Lagos, one of the thousands of titude to write this tribute in honour of my settlements remain unsurpassed by his contemporaries. His eye- Joshua's neighbours who had over the years been beneficia- friend, mentor and benevolent supporter, goggling display of practical Christianity and the power of grace ries of a man's amazing love, "We are all orphans with this TB. Joshua. I must confess it's been so and Chris-like redemption amazed even the worst of sceptics. singular death." difficult for me to come to terms with the Even those who were not of the Christian faith were awed by TB Joshua was a man of huge and practical faith. He was rude shock of a passing so monumental. It his acts of faith and love. According to one Suleiman Alhassan on a prophet who believed that as God's children, in spite of took me this long because the sledgeham- Facebook, "Not minding my religious background, I had always the drudgery and vagaries of life, we must live in eternal mer of his passing on the heart, the psyche loved his commitment and dedication to the service of God and mornings. That was why there is never afternoon nor evening was just unimaginable. I just didn't have enough presence of humanity. He lived for others and though died in his prime, he when you're greeted or welcomed to the church. So it should mindW to put the right words on paper. Or how do you begin recreated himself in a lot of people through his selflessness. I use not surprise you when you visit at twilight and you are to write in the past tense, the life of a man you spoke with few this opportunity to condole the family and indeed his multitude welcomed with the greeting, "Good Morning." days earlier and who never showed any inkling of the sad of members across the world. May he find eternal peace with the This at first was unclear to me personally. Why would these epiphany that the end in this mortal terrain was near? How Lord. Amen." people keep greeting me "Good morning in the afternoon"? do you string together enough words to tell the world that this Popular TV man Babajide Kolade- Otitoju could not contain In time, deep reflection on this symbolic gesture made it all man they knew was more than the man they knew? How do his respect for Joshua. He wrote: "Prophet TB Joshua. You will plain to me! With Joshua, life was always a new opportunity, you recall the wonderful times when a man's humanity truly be sorely missed for your philanthropy. My last two bibles were a fresh day in the hollow of God's hands. He never believed shone like millions of watts of light? gifts from your humble self. RIP." Another observer of this unique in the dusks, the dark parts of existence. He wanted the world TB Joshua was a man of astonishing mould, a non-pareil life, Adisa Oluwasegunfunmi Edwards wrote, "We lost a real and to know that in faith, man will never have to wallow in the specimen of God's deft creative hands. He was the cornucopia rare gem. Ìgbà táa bá kú tán là dère (We only become idolised harsh realities of life's afternoons or the dampening happen- of man's true rise from grass to grace. He was a guy who after we've gone). May his gentle soul continue to rest peacefully ings of dusk. To him, a Christian's life deserved to be spent in defied unimaginable poverty to carve a niche for himself, well." the freshness, the calm and the soothing dews of perpetual choosing the path of service. From what seemed like a crude, These were just a few heartfelt tributes in a deluge of effusive mornings. rustic beginning, this man surprised us by rising through the commendations from the nation and the world's high and When he was hit by tragedy and those he considered his doldrums of obscurity to the high pedestals of international mighty and the millions of ordinary folks on our universal children died, he expected his nation, his own people to renown. He was our Number one religious tourism ambassa- streets. According to a man who lived around the precincts of understand, to commiserate even when they tried to unravel dor. From the far reaches of the world, pilgrims came in droves the truth. He was like a voice crying in the wilderness. The in search of compassion and redemption. Through him, our prophet's homeland refused to come forward with the love nation Nigeria, in spite of the sham caused by political malad- You may not like his style of Christianity the prophet deserved. What message has his Maker now sent venture, became the bride of millions of citizens of the world but you can never deny his place as a true to us as a nation? Is it not something like, "Since you do not who craved to see the very land that produced such a man. value this immeasurable gift, let me as well bring him back You may not like his style of Christianity but you can never pride of our nation. At least he made the into my bosom of true love." deny his place as a true pride of our nation. At least he made world believe that something good can Despite his immense acts of unimaginable love, many the world believe that something good can come from this despised him, many pilloried him, many excoriated him but hapless land! TB Joshua's ministry was that of God's compas- come from this hapless land! TB Joshua's he was unperturbed. He never replied his critics directly as far sion and His unimaginable love. He made charity look so ministry was that of God's compassion as I know. He carried on with the act of faith, carrying his own effortless and selfless-giving a way of life. His passion for the and His unimaginable love. He made cross with admirable calm and equanimity. He ignored his own downtrodden and underprivileged warmed our hearts. human frailty while his devoted his body and soul to the welfare TB Joshua's door was open to the High and Mighty just charity look so effortless and selfless- of others. Even when he hurt, he never showed it publicly. as it was always ajar for the ordinary folks in the streets. He giving a way of life. His passion for He immersed himself in the deluge of his mission, soothing, dined with the physically challenged, transforming their lives helping, healing and making the burden of others his own. in many amazing ways. The elderly had a dream life with the downtrodden and underprivileged TB Joshua. His memorable trips to the homes of the aged warmed our hearts. and dying, giving them joy brought tears of joy to our eyes. Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com HOW TO KILL A NATION BY DESTROYING ITS NATIONALITIES Nigeria should tell its story with maturity and honesty, writes Francis Adewale

“The greatest threat to freedom is the components of the creator God, Chineke) met and formed they are constantly transitory in outlook. This myth explains human beings, male, and female. This is the root of Igbo why they value property and ownership far above all others, absence of criticism”- Professor Wole individualism, if your chi is bound up in the Supreme Being, including human lives. why should you bow to another chi? I draw on these small examples to illustrate the divergent Soyinka. According to the Bayajidda legend, the Hausa states were perceptions of reality among the over 300 ethnic groups in founded by the sons and grandsons of Bayajidda, a prince whose Nigeria. Ordinarily, such disparities should not work against ometimes what others say about their experience rings origin differs by tradition but official canon records him as the the creation and formation of a nation, as we see in the USA home to me. I was particularly disillusioned about person who married Daurama, the last Kabara of Daura and if they must face a common enemy together, be it, colonialism, events happening in our dear country Nigeria when heralded the end of the matriarchal monarchs that had erstwhile war, plagues, or common religion. I read David Brooks most recent column in the New ruled the Hausa people. According to the most famous version Nigeria however got its independence from Britain without York Times and to my utter surprise and consternation, of the story, the story of the Hausa states started with a prince fighting a single battle. The original plan is for each of the I found a lot of parallels between what he wrote about from Baghdad called "Abu Yazid". When he got to Daura, he major regions to move for independence at its or her own pace. America and the ongoing troubles in Nigeria. He went to the house of an old woman and asked her to give him In the United States of America, the revolutionary wars, wrote, “Great nations thrive by constantly refreshing water, but she told him the predicament of the land, how the as a national experience invited all Americans to share what two great reservoirs of knowledge. The first contains the knowledge only well in Daura called kusugu was inhabited by a snake Walt Whitman calls the passion to contain “the whole vast Sfrom the stories we tell about ourselves. This is the knowledge of called Sarki, who allowed citizens of Daura to fetch water only carnival of stories, to see themselves in its themes and to feel who we are as a people, how we got here, what long conflicts bind us on Fridays. Since "Sarki" is the Hausa word for "King", this may themselves within this story”. This is further accentuated by together, what we find admirable and dishonourable, what kind of have been a metaphor for a powerful figure. Bayajidda killed the commonality in the Declaration of Independence - the world we hope to build together. This kind of knowledge is not merely Sarki and because of what he had done the queen married quest for freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. factual knowledge. It is a moral framework from which to see the him for his bravery. After his marriage to the queen, the people This emotional and moral knowledge gives Americans world. started to call him Bayajidda which means "he didn't understand a sense of identity, a sense of ideals to live up to and an Homer taught the ancient Greeks how to perceive their reality. (the language) before. This myth helps the Hausas to seamlessly appreciation of the values that matter most to its people — Exodus teaches the Jews how to interpret their struggles and their accept their Fulani conquerors in the 19th century and assimilate equality or prosperity or freedom. Even though blacks and journey. them. Native Americans were excluded. This shared knowledge For America, the dominant story has been filled with resonant The Fulani have a picturesque creation myth. The Fulani helped Americans fighting slavery, colonialism, Jim Crow characters — Irving Berlin and Woody Guthrie, Aaron Burr and live and die by dairy farming. Not surprisingly, therefore, they laws, the right to vote, housing, employment, the right to Cesar Chavez, Sojourner Truth and Robert Gould Shaw. believe that the world began as a great globule of milk. Then the bear arms as members of a militia and other economic and For Nigeria, the Yorubas see their world through Oduduwa and god Doondari descended, and from the milk he created stone. human rights. Through this, they discover a shared destiny Obatala who created the world and started from Ife, and thence In due course, the stone created iron, the iron created fire, the and shared affection for one another. It is a lot easier to to Oyo-Ile, Benin, etc. Oduduwa was the first divine king of the fire created water and the water created air. When this chain rally around a George Washington, Abraham Lincoln , and Obatala fashioned the first human beings out reaction was complete and the five elements were in place, and Martin Luther King Jr who can draw on this ethos to of clay. It is said the Yoruba people believe that their civilization Doondari came down a second time and shaped the elements demand a higher elevation of liberty, prosperity, and a call began at Ile-Ife where the gods descended to earth. The Yorubas into people. to a “better angel of our nature.” believe all civilizations can trace their roots to a quarter at Ile-Ife, the But the people proved to be proud. So Doondari created Compare that to Nigeria, where joint emotional and moral spiritual but not necessarily the political capital of the World. The blindness, and blindness defeated the people. When blindness knowledge is lacking. And an appeal for the education of stories Yorubas tell themselves help them cope with tragedy, such as itself became proud, Doondari created sleep, and sleep de- citizens by Chief can easily be dema- the sacking of arguably the most advanced political city-state south feated blindness. And when sleep, in turn, became too proud, gogued by saying he only wants to emphasize the advantages of Sahara- Katanga and the internecine wars spurned thereafter. Doondari created worry. And worry defeated sleep. Worry. gained by his race being among the first to be exposed to Therefore, the Yorubas honour elders and traditions, understand Like breathing and eating, it is something that all humans do. Western education. tragedy and see the need for a strategic long-term view of things The Fulani will have their word for it. But they will never tell compared to Pyrrhic victory. you what that word is, rather they as nomadic people will use –Adewale is Attorney at Law, Spokane, Wa, USA In the Igbo creation myth, the God, Chineke, created man with other people’s terms and do things in the same way as people in part of Himself. Here, the God, Igwe, and the Goddess, Ala, (both their host community permit. They blend in easily even though Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 15 LETTERS GOVERNOR AHMADU FINTIRI’S MISTAKES

overnor to the PDP people of outside Adamawa. control of His Excel- Ahmadu similar status which One interesting lency. Some observers Umaru Fintiri the PDP has lost to scenario is the Numan are of the view that, is committing the APC. This is Federation - despite Fintiri is a man that costly politi- a political disaster its massive vote to doesn’t adore sharing cal mistakes. approaching. Fintiri, the bloc has power. GHe has centered the On the economic become a mere specta- Most members of the Adamawa socio-polit- side, most of Ad- tor. Its son, the deputy Atiku political family ical-economy around amawa businessmen governor still lives in have grudges with himself. Adamawa and women that his personal house of Fintiri. In fact, ABTI is basically a civil supported Fintiri have which the road to the Printing Press, one service state - salaries, not been compensated house is still unpaved; of the most modern wages, contracts and commensurate with his office running cost printing houses in the patronage are the the support they has been slashed from northeast has not been oils that lubricate the gave him. People like N35 million to N8mil- given a printing job social and economic Tukur Madagli, Musa lion. Furthermore, even for market re- order of the state. Gov. Garba, Yunusa Belel, stakeholders like Joel ceipts. As a politician Fintiri knows more Shiek Arabu, Jauro Madaki, PDP Chair- that went through than anybody, but he Turaki, Koinranga man Barr. A,T Shehu, the mills, Atiku has chooses to look the Jada, Alh Maiwada, may be said to be sensed the danger and other way. Or he has etc. Many of them unhappy. In fact, Joel an imminent internal underestimated the deserted former Madagali has retired rebellion against Fintiri political implications Governor Bindow to Bagale; of recent, and future elections. of such stands on his Umaru Jibrilla for he has not attended So, that is the main desire to get a second Fintiri, but in his clas- any of the functions reason Atiku is still in term as governor. sical style, Fintiri has Fintiri organized. Yola to mend fences, Political patronage not given them new Former Governor reconcile differences is very essential in a contracts, nor paid who and correct Fintiri’s participatory democra- them for their previ- provided his po- third-rate politics. It cy. In fact, the reward ous work; in fact, for litical structures and was even said, Atiku system is a must in some of them, Fintiri fully participated will stay in Yola even politics. Throughout attempted to revoke in street campaigns after Sallah celebra- the world of democ- the contracts awarded for Fintiri, has not tions and AUN convo- racy - support, loyalty to them during Bin- been given the due cation just to correct and allegiance are dow’s reign. It is good recognition, in fact, political blunders rewarded! to note that these his legal entitlements and repair damaged Fintiri’s poor reward people left Bindow, have not been paid- relationships. system led him to not because Bindow Fintiri has not given Political leaders have losing some critical wronged them or GOVERNOR AHMADU Boni even the slot of at their disposal a stakeholders in the they wronged him, it a messenger in his great deal of patron- Adamawa PDP includ- was in their spirit of financial supporter some good contracts. government. One age. Whether we like it ing a sitting Senator loyalty to the former or a voting bloc that Mind you, the said stakeholder appointed or not, democracy has Abbo Ishaku, former vice president Atiku has benefited from the person, contested for as a ‘Board Chairman’ many elements of the governor Bala Ngilari, Abubakar, Waziri Finitiri government the House of Reps got the shock of his ‘spoils system’. Fintiri Senator Bent Grace, Adamawa a contract worth N50 in the 2019 elections life after collecting his must learn the act of and many others. One In the entire million. It is only a on the platform of first salary of N34,000. balancing policies important thing that Adamawa PDP, former member of the APC. Most of, or One may not be and politics - he Fintiri and his team it would be very the House of Reps all wrong to say many should take the path failed to realize is that difficult to pinpoint from 'walla' that is government contracts of Fintiri’s political of reconciliation and they haven't attracted a PDP stakeholder, said to be enjoying are handled by people appointees are in employ the spirit state of 'Allah Sarki’. of give and take in There are reports his political style. that many MDA’s He must use ‘today’ under the SSG have in the spirit of his ABIODUN AND THE ABAN- been transferred to ‘tomorrow’. the office of the Chief Of Staff. Clearly, that's Zayyad I Muham- DONED AGBADO IJOKO-ROADS under the direct mad, Abuja

hen that should be the most Ajuwon, Alagbole, ing roads enhance the English deplorable road in Ojodu and Agbado economic development poet and . If you Crossing amongst of a state; and that JAPAN AND literary actually bought your other places to a Prince Dapo Abiodun critic, car with your hard- Government Rejected on his emergence WSamuel Taylor earned money, while Area (GRA) in the last as the Governor of Coleridge, in his struggling through 20 years. Ogun State noted 2021 OLYMPICS poem titled “The that road, you would The dungeons we that infrastructural Rime of the Ancient be livid till you get to have as roads in this development is the here is a be winners and some Mariner,” said: “Wa- your destination. That axis have been like first among the five philosophical records will probably ter, water everywhere, is even the manage- that since the last days developmental pillars question, "If a be broken but at what / Nor any drop to ably passable part of in his administration tree falls in a risk to the athlete and drink”, he must have of it as commuters office. Daniel inherited popularly known as forest and no official's health? had Agbado-Ijoko have abandoned the it. Amosun neglected ISEYA, I hope and one is around Perhaps it would be and its environs in Ifo government roads for it. And Dapo Abiodun appeal to Prince Tto hear it, does it make better to put a line Local Government the improvised rat-run has yet to attend to Abiodun to come the a sound?" and this through 2021 and Area of Ogun State within streets. An it. These deplorable rescue of the residents could be extended to come back in 2024 for on his mind. To make eyesore. roads have negatively of the aforementioned "If no one goes to the the safety of everyone Coleridge’s line aptly To Agbado-Ijoko affected many com- so that they can also Olympics did they although given how a complete, I’ll add: and its environs, munities with over a testify to the divi- happen?" number of countries “du ngeons, potholes development is a million people. Busi- dends of democracy. The Japanese Gov- are handling the everywhere/No good taboo as midwifed by nesses have collapsed, This is an area that ernment has finally COVID virus that roads to travel upon”. the terrible state of houses have been forms a large chunk decided that there might be 2028 or 2032. As humans, the the roads that lead to abandoned and as a of the second biggest will be no crowds at The world has bigger road has always and within the area. result of the influx of local government the 2021 Olympics problems than who fascinated our species. Both the present and motorcycle riders— in Ogun State— Ifo which seems a wise will win the 100m It is the outlet out the past governments since vehicles couldn’t Local council. Massive and quite expected race and the Usain there. No country, no have turned Agbado, ply the roads— crimi- number of votes decision. What will Bolt record isn't likely government, no club, Ope-Ilu, Oluwo, Itoki, nal activities are on the would always ema- really be different? to be beaten for a long no school operates Lemode, Abule, Robi- increase in the area. nate from this area. The athletes will still time. without the road. So, yan, Ibaragun, Orudu, Since the construc- They deserve good be able to compete Sit at home, watch it is little wonder that OgbaIyo, Arepo, Gas tion of durable roads, road networks too! unless there are it in safety and cheer development is noth- Line, Lisa, Adiyan, bridges and culverts positive cases and through your masks. ing without it. Giwa, Oke-Aro, Mato- in every part of a Folorunso Fatai, then events will stop Agbado-Ijoko road gun, Osere, Lambe, state as well as the Oluwo-O peilu, and eventually maybe Dennis Fitzgerald, will embarrass you. Abule-Ekun, Tipper, rehabilitation and Agbado Station, the competition will Melbourne, Aus- I presuppose that Oniyanrin, Akute, maintenance of exist- Ogun State stop. There will still tralia 16 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA EDITORIAL Email [email protected] THE JACOB ZUMA PRECEDENT The trial of former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, holds lessons for the continent

ormer South African President, as extensions of the reign of the political Mr Jacob Zuma, has proceeded to executives that appoint or nominate them for such appointments. prison. This follows a verdict by the he general impression around the Constitutional Court sentencing rest of the world is that African him to a 15-month jail term. Zuma democracy operates without regard is facing an avalanche of charges for for the rule of law when it comes corruption and abuse of office alleg- to issues of accountability by those who lead. At best, there are two sets of edly committed during his tenure T laws in much of Africa: one for the ruler as president. But that is not why he is currently and the other for the rest of the citizenry. Fin jail. He is incarcerated for contempt of court, This is more so when it comes to matters which is routine in most African countries. relating to corruption and public account- Although Zuma appealed the judgment, the ability. The African ‘big man’ president has operated with an unlimited sense of court insisted that he must first obey the entitlement to public resources and the na- imprisonment verdict. tional wealth. The president and his family Irrespective of the eventual outcome of this freely help themselves to the resources of case and Zuma’s appeal, what is important the state without any fear of consequences. is the significance of the verdict itself and This is a cultural carryover from ancient African feudal dispensations which should the imprisonment of Zuma for governance have no place in modern democracies and accountability. The prevalent culture of where sovereign power resides in republi- African politics has been the reign of the can ethos. ‘big man’ president. In the unwritten code The Zuma case may not have been concluded. The charges of corruption of this culture of leadership, the president against him in various courts are yet to is regarded and be heard just as investigations on some treated as one of the issues are ongoing. He is yet to file There is a sense above the law. Most his defenses in a number of these cases. often he takes liberties But the allegations of diversion of public in which Zuma resources to private ends hung heavy on Zuma’s with public resources, SUNDAY NEWSPAPER personal reputation and political legacy. Also, the can be seen as flouts the rules of public EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU African National Congress (ANC) is under pres- conduct, tramples on DEPUTY EDITORS OLAWALE OLALEYE, TOBI SONIYI sure to salvage its hard won and long-standing being on trial the rights of the very reputation from the burden of Zuma’s less than people he is elected to MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO dignifying record. not just for his DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE In contrast to what the South African court has serve and generally lives own failings CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI done with the Zuma case, a combination of weak above what ought to be EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN and compromised institutions – cutting across but also for the guiding principle of MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary all democratic dispensa- – have allowed the culture of corruption to thrive the African tions. in Nigeria, a culture which has badly damaged the country’s reputation. Most of the overpaid continent The rule of the outlaw THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED politicians and public officials have continued as king is perhaps to fleece the very people they are supposed to EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA protect and yet walk the streets free. Because the best description GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, of the rule of law in much of the continent. In the judiciary is weak and heavily compromised, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI there are hardly consequences for bad behav- turn, African judiciaries have failed to rise to DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI , PETER IWEGBU, iour. the imperatives of the rule of law and their own ANTHONY OGEDENGBE There is a sense in which Zuma can be seen independence in terms of the judgments they DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI as being on trial not just for his own failings SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH but also for the African continent. At the end, his deliver when consequential politically exposed ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI persons are on trial. In most countries within the plight may yet serve as an abiding precedent of CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI the obligations of the rule of law as the irreduc- continent, cases that call the integrity of political DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO ible definer of standards for the conducts of all leaders to question receive cynical treatments HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA those who must serve their nations at the apex of from judges who have tended to see their tenures TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] political power.

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varice and prejudice varied. Colonialism by aliens plans of the 60s, 70s, 80s and Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). It is fairness and unanimously agrees drove European gave way for colonialism by 90s. In fact, we do not have against sensibility that ewes which that the presidency of Nigeria be conquistadors to natives; black-on-black oppres- concretised development plans make the best milk should not eat rotated between southern and carve up much of sion. anymore, but we always have more of the finest grass. To stave off northern Nigeria and resolved that Africa like cake. In Nigeria’s case, the worst plans and budgets for elections. possible agitations in the future, it is the next president of Nigeria should With the gradual form of colonialism steeped in It has been said that Nigerian only reasonable that the Niger Delta emerge from the southern region’’ Aend of the transatlantic slave prebendalism, carnivory, nepo- politicians plan for the next region from where the bulk of our – could be unnerving for people trade spurred by the indus- tism, tribalism, corruption and election instead of staying in revenue comes from is accorded this who are not from the south. trial revolution in Europe, predation took root. Nigeria’s the present and working for the advantage. I think matters of this character the trespassers, possessed political class are a hybridised people. It is always about the In general, the intention of the require national consensus not by capitalist fiends, sought version of the European colonial next election for them. It is all governors may be noble, considering a regional gang-up. It requires sources of raw materials for masters. about how to acquire power, that it is for the preservation of their statesmanship. their industries and markets for It is about two years to the abuse it and retain it. region. But where does the manifest Most political leaders in the their manufactured products. next general election in 2023, On Monday, governors polarisation of Nigeria into north north have openly expressed sup- These encroachers considered and already there is chaos, of the southern region met and south by political leaders leave port for a power shift to the south Africa as “terra nullius’’ – a vast confusion and caustic rhetoric and issued a communiqué the country? Regional agenda has in 2023. Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna land belonging to no one --, so brought on by politics of after the conclave. I must say, become centralised against the goal governor; Babagana Zulum, Borno they struck, usurping natural conquest. It is always about the the official communication of the collective. There is a pursuit governor, and Abdullahi Ganduje, boundaries and turning broth- cake for the Nigerian political contained fine points like -- ‘’the of self in negation of the whole. The Kano governor, are some of the ers into strangers. All for greed, class -- how to carve it up and forum rejects the proposed chasm between the north and the leaders who have said the next prejudice and arrogance. serve it among themselves; who 3% and support the 5% share south is widened by the operations But nothing changed after to get what and what portion. of the oil revenue to the host of political leaders. Fredrick Nwabufo, fredrick- the European raiders left Africa. It is never about how to make community as recommended The resolution of the governors [email protected] Only the skin colour and facial life better for citizens. Nigeria by the house of representatives’’ that – ‘’the forum reiterates its Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com features of the oppressors abandoned the development as regards the recently passed commitment to the politics of equity, SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 17 18 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri Fajuyi as a Bridge Between Yoruba and Igbo n my column last week, I published a piece, titled‘Destroying Age-Old the race to be the Secretary General of the United Nations to Boutros Myths About The Yoruba’, in which I described the heroic sacrifice Boutros-Ghali of Egypt in 1992, because the Babangida administration made by the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi as apocryphal. was not really keen on his candidature for what they felt was his stab in Apocryphal simply means a historical event that cannot be proven. the back of the North with the book, Nzeogwu. I was referring to the refusal by Colonel Fajuyi to abandon the Babangida might not personally have retained his bitterness five years then Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, choosing after the book. However, there were elements in the North that nursed instead to be loyal to him until death, even though he was given their bitterness up until then, and even beyond. Some still nurse that the option to remain behind at the Military Governor’s residence, grudge till date. which would have spared his life. So, it riles me when some persons accuse the Yoruba of being betrayers. II have since discovered that I was wrong, and I apologise to the family Which person, living or dead, has shown as much love, loyalty and com- of the late great Colonel Fajuyi. The account of his death is not apocryphal. mitment to Nzeogwu, at such great personal cost to himself, as Obasanjo? There were witnesses and I have since verified the authenticity of the It is one thing to show loyalty to the living. At least, you can expect account of his death from an eyewitness and another remote witness. your loyalty to be rewarded. However, to show loyalty to the dead is The events were confirmed by a former minister, who also happened almost unheard of. It is most chivalrous and altruistic, precisely because to be a soldier in the Nigerian Army when that incident happened. He it cannot be rewarded. It is a virtue worth commending and emulating. was there and saw it and confirmed it. Obasanjo again displayed this trait, when he showed his loyalty to his Also, a former President, who was himself involved in pulling Nigeria late friend, Shehu Musa Yar’adua, by almost single-handedly making his away from the brink confirmed it. younger brother, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, his successor. Colonel Fajuyi pleaded for the life of his guest, Major General Ironsi, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, had already concluded plans to retire to a tertiary and when his pleadings fell on deaf ears, he insisted that if Ironsi would institution as a chemistry teacher, when Obasanjo plucked him out almost be killed, then it would be over his dead body. from obscurity. He did not have the clout, finances, or alpha personality The rest is too gruesome to recount here, and out of respect for his required to dominate the political landscape of 2007. As a matter of fact, family, I will stop here. Obasanjo campaigned for him in more states than he himself campaigned. Colonel Fajuyi was a hero like no other. The only person who has Many people do not know this, but Obasanjo appointed Nzeogwu’s shown a similar loyalty in Nigeria’s history is former President Olusegun brother as one of his Special Assistants when he returned as Nigeria’s Obasanjo, who was the best friend of Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, Fajuyi elected President in 1999. He also appointed the son of another January and who stood by his friend, in life and death. 15, 1966 coup plotter as his Special Assistant (I am honour-bound not to After Nzeogwu’s death (the circumstances of his death are still hazy he would take it as the price he had to pay for honouring his late friend’s mention the name of his father). and shrouded in controversy) at the age of 30 on July 29, 1967, his friend, memory. Not done, Obasanjo then appointed Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, the son , cared for his family, and assisted his siblings with As a matter of fact, thousands of copies of the book were bought by of the late Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, as Minister of Defence their education, and became like a son to his mother. Northern groups and taken to the University of Zaria (now known as in 2006. That was one of the most difficult ministerial appointments in (Let me here note that Nzeogwu’s death was spiritual, and dare I say the Ahmadu Bello University), where they were burned in a ceremony Nigeria’s history, because certain persons felt it was an insult to their injury. mystical, because it occurred on the first anniversary of the July 29, 1966 eerily reminiscent of the Nazi Book Burnings organised by Josef Goebbels. And that, perhaps, was why Obasanjo only appointed him as minister Northern counter coup. Why is this significant? It is significant because on As they were burning the books, the mixed group of students, faculty in his second term. If he did it in his first term, he might not have won that day, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was killed as a direct result of Nzeogwu members and clerics were insulting Obasanjo, calling him in English and a second term. and Ifeajuna’s actions of January 15, 1966. Ifeajuna himself would later Hausa “arne”, ‘’traitor’’, ‘’conspirator’’ and ‘’ungrateful person’’. Before then, Obasanjo made him an Ambassador. Can you imagine be executed in Biafra on September 25, 1967. If you attended primary The anger and indignation caused by the book was so widespread. There the flak Obasanjo got from the North? Obasanjo did not have to do it. school in Nigeria between 1960 and 1990, you may perhaps have used were riots, and the Government (the then military President, As a matter of fact, Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi was actually another eyewitness an exercise book known as the OLYMPIC 2B Exercise Book. The man who General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, a great admirer of Ahmadu Bello was to the events of July 29, 1966. He was with his father at Colonel Fajuyi’s was drawn on the front cover of that exercise book is Emmanuel Ifeajuna. from Niger state), revoked the Certificate of Occupancy to a 5,000-hectare residence. He was hidden for his safety, but he knows what happened. The drawing is of his Gold-winning High Jump at the 1954 British Empire piece of land that had previously been allocated to Obasanjo Farms Nigeria And he is still alive today. and Commonwealth Games, in Vancouver, Canada). Limited. After Fajuyi was killed, his successor as Military Governor of the Western At great risk to his political future, Chief Obasanjo wrote a biography The furore caused by the event made the book an Instant bestseller, Region, Adeyinka Adebayo, became almost like a surrogate father to the of his late friend simply titled, Nzeogwu, which was published in 1987. and I read it as a thirteen-year-old boy. It attracted the foreign press, and late Aguiyi-Ironsi’s daughter, Louisa Aguiyi-Ironsi, who grew up partly with That book caused an uproar in the North because of the way and the New York Times did a special feature on the troubles caused by the his own children. manner Obasanjo eulogised the man who killed the late Sardauna of book in a piece entitled, ‘Of Fig Leaves, Art and Other Disputes; Nigeria: Young people of Southeastern origin should not think that the Yoruba Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, believed to be Northern Nigeria’s greatest and Strife Stirred By Best Seller’. are their enemies, or that they are perpetual cowards, ‘sabo’, and betrayers. favourite son. That New York Times piece is still available online. I urge my readers It is not true. Obasanjo did not have to do it. None of Nzeogwu’s military colleagues to read it. The only way we can ensure a level playing ground for all Nigerians is from Eastern Nigeria did it. But he did. And in the preamble to the book, It was speculated that Obasanjo’s political career was over, because by having a common Southern front. When we have Southern solidarity, he admitted that he knew he was attracting enmity to himself, but that of his book on Nzeogwu. Some even went as far as saying that he lost then we will have Southern equality with the North.

with Chido Nwakanma @ChidoNigeria THE PUBLIC SPHERE https://www.facebook.com/chido.nwakanma The Role of the Writer in Political Reform ind your voice! 3. Revelation 1:19. Therefore, write down the things you viewpoints, and aspirations. Nigeria is in the throes of change. Change was have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will The many communication tasks speak to its significance in the mantra of the ruling party as it swept into happen after this. the modern world, made more so by the diversity of platforms office in 2015. Since then, change has buffeted it 4. Deuteronomy 27:8. And you shall write distinctly upon and players feeding the pool. and the country from various directions, mainly in these stones all the words of this la”. Communication is central and contributory to the effective the areas where it promised to deliver positives. The story outlives us all, both writer and reader. Chinua Achebe functioning of communities and nation-states. These are the economy, security and the state famously stated that the writer’s role is to teach and provide The quality and qualify of information people share directly of the nation. guidance for the people. “...only the story...can continue beyond affects their well-being. Communication counts in peace and Nigerians have experienced negative changes in all three the war and the warrior. It is the story that outlives the sound war. Sean McBride, Canadian and president of the International Fareas. Nigerians now clamour for reform, beginning with the of war drums and the exploits of brave fighters. It is the story... Commission for the Study of Communication Problems, envisioned structural foundation of the country. that saves our progeny from blundering like blind beggars into the scope of communication. He stated, “As communication is so The writer is an intellectual or anyone who deals in and with the spikes of the cactus fence. The story is our escort; without central to all social, economic and political activity at community, ideas.”An intellectual is a person who engages in critical thinking, it, we are blind. national and international levels, I would paraphrase H. G. Wells research, and reflection about the reality of society, who may Does the blind man own his escort? No, neither do we the and say human history becomes more and more a race between also propose solutions for the normative problems of society, story; rather, it is the story that owns us and directs us. --Chinua communication and catastrophe. Full use of communication in and thus gains authority as a public intellectual” – Wikipedia Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah (1987) all its varied strands is vital to ensure that humanity has more Writers fit into this schema. For political engagement, we The writer is a teacher, mentor and mobiliser. He plays a critical than a history, that our children are ensured a future.” adopt a broad definition of the writer as an intellectual. and significant role in the brave new world of communication Experts and lay citizens alike point to the tone, content and Noam Chomsky asserts, “It is the responsibility of intellectuals on multiple platforms. UNESCO in 1980 listed several functions quantity of information between and against the Hutus and to speak the truth and expose lies.” Chomsky says that faced of communication. They align with the part of the writer. Tutus as contributory to the Rwandan genocide. Nigeria is going with apparent lies, outrages and oppression, “intellectuals should These functions of communication are information., socialisation, through a period of passionate disagreements among citizens follow the path of integrity wherever it may lead” His umbrella for motivation, debate and discussion. Others are education, cultural representing different persuasions. Writers are in the mix. intellectuals takes in”journalists, academics, artists, even clergy.” promotion, entertainment and integration. In the past, the call would be on editors to up their gatekeeping Good writers have well-defined vision and mission statements Socialisation provides a common fund of knowledge that function. The barriers have lowered because of the diversity of though primarily unstated. It often includes participation in enables people to operate as influential members of the society platforms, and now almost everyone creates and distributes the conversations about the past, present and future of their they live in, fostering social cohesion and awareness, thereby content. countries. It is a primary reason for writing. permitting active involvement in public life. Through debate Therefore, the call is to everyone who creates or shares content Even the Christian Holy Book recognises the role of the writer and discussion, the media enable the provision and exchange on all the media of this age: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, in visioning. Seven instances will do. of facts to facilitate an agreement or clarify differing viewpoints YouTube, Twitter, GooglePlus, print, radio, television. Exercise 1. Habakkuk 2:2. Then the LORD answered me and said: on general issues; the supply of relevant evidence needed to circumspection as you write on the trending issues. Do not “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may foster greater widespread interest and involvement in all local, join the mob spreading fake news or propaganda. The scientist run who reads it” national and international matters of common concern. The Isaac Newton reportedly stated, “Tact is the art of making a 2. Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the Integration function refers to providing all persons, groups, and point without making an enemy”. past was written for our instruction so that through endurance nations access to the various messages they need to know and The writers and editors of Nigeria must craft content that and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.” understand each other and appreciate others’ living conditions, makes the point for each side without making enemies. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 19

Editor: Kunle Aderinokun BUSINESS 08033204315, 08111813084 Email:[email protected]

One of host communities in Niger Delta d ... oil spill and wallowing in squalour Bedeviling PIB with Obnoxious Provisions

Finally, the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill was passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly, recently. Of the 319 clauses and eight schedules that make up the bill, the ones concerning the host communities and the frontier development of oil have sparked national conversation, threatening to stir up a storm should reservations arising therefrom are not addressed before President ’s assent. For them, giving three per cent, rather than the 10 per cent demanded, to host communities, stretching the definition to oil infrastructure transit communities and using other people’s oil profit to grope for oil in unlikely or impossible places, bring to remembrance some of the on-going open grazing controversy in the country. Chris Paul reports

fter a clause-by-clause include governance and institutions; admin- contracts to fund the exploration of frontier host communities as against the development consideration of a istration; host communities development; basins, also got the nod of the red chamber. of infrastructure in midstream gas operations; report by the Joint petroleum industry Àscal framework; and Estimated at $500 million annually, the the recommendation of the Joint Committee Committee on Down- miscellaneous provisions, the PIB has a total Senate approved 3 per cent of operating was amended in Clause 52(7d). stream Petroleum of 319 clauses and eight schedules. expenditure of oil companies (OPEX), to be Uproar greeted the Senate-approved 3 per Sector, Petroleum In the NASS approved bill, Clause 53 empow- paid as contribution to the host community cent equity for host communities; as Senators Resources (Upstream), ers Petroleum Resources Minister to incorporate development fund. were split on the right per cent of oil proÀts to and Gas on the PIB, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation The bill also include Clause 4 which seeks be accrued to the Host Communities Trust; two decades of failed attempts later, the Senate (NNPC) as a limited liability company to be the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream before the bill was passed. passedA the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), two known as NNPC Limited, six months after Regulatory Commission to provide techni- In the executive bill, the Presidency had Thursdays ago. the commencement of the Act. cal regulatory functions that would enforce, forwarded the proposed 2.5 per cent operational By this passage, the upper chamber approved At incorporation of NNPC Limited, the administer and implement laws, regulations cost-share for the host communities to both the commercialisation of Nigerian National minister is mandated, under this clause, and policies relating to upstream petroleum chambers of the National Assembly last year. Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and scrap- to interface with the minister of Ànance to operations. Though opposed during the public hearings ping of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) determine the number and nominal value of The approved bill makes provision for the in February by leaders of the oil-producing and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory the shares to be allotted. This forms the initial establishment of Nigerian Midstream and communities, in the proposal, the Senate joint Agency (PPPRA), while it okayed 30 per cent paid-up share capital of NNPC Limited. Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, committee that worked on the bill, recom- of proÀts accruing from oil and gas operations Ownership of all shares in NNPC Limited is which shall be responsible for the technical mended 5 per cent; which, according to the by the NNPC Limited for the exploration of to be vested in the government at incorporation and commercial regulation of midstream committee, was to ensure adequate develop- oil in the frontier basins. and held by the ministry of Ànance incorporated and downstream petroleum operations in ment of the host communities and reduction The bill also set aside three per cent of the on behalf of the government. the petroleum industry in Nigeria. in the cost of production. operating expenditure of oil companies for Funding mechanism of 30 per cent of NNPC To ensure that all monies received from Predictably, the sensitivity of this host the development of host communities. Limited·s oil and gas proÀt in the produc- gas Áaring are channeled for the purpose of communities’ clause caused some tension Consisting of Àve distinct chapters, which tion sharing, proÀt sharing, and risk service environmental remediation and relief of the in the red chamber when the Senate passed 20 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 BUSINESS Bedeviling PIB with Obnoxious Provisions an amendment to Section 240 of the bill on the sources of funding for the fund, slashing and Àve per cent as a Greek gift, stressing that the percentage to 3 per cent. the slashing of host communities’ percentage Senators from the Niger Delta did not take was ridiculously painful. this lying down as they immediately rose Making the position of the Ijaw people against the amendment. known on Monday during a press conference Proposing an amendment for the retention in Yenagoa, , he contended that of the provision of Àve per cent in the report, the Ijaw nation deserved fair treatment as it had Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta), said, “This suͿered long years of environmental pollution particular thing that is before us is something and injustice despite producing the wealth that is very bitter for us to swallow, a very that had sustained the health of Nigeria. bitter pill for us to swallow.” He also posited that increasing the percentage While Manager’s appeal was rejected, Sena- for more petroleum reserves in the “frontier tor George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers) called for a basin” to 30 per cent as well as redeÀning division to challenge the ruling of Lawan; after the meaning of host communities to include the Senate President ruled on the 3 per cent. communities where oil pipelines pass through Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, intervened were disgusting and provocative. and prevailed on Sekibo to withdraw his mo- “We reject in its entirety the three per cent tion, pleading that if it allowed division to and Àve per cent provisions as compensation; happen, the Senate would be heading to the the redeÀnition of host communities and other state of Armageddon. provisions, including the allocation of 30 per Conceding that calling for division is the right cent of our oil resources to grope in the dark in the name of exploitation, a paradox of extreme of every lawmaker, he pleaded with Sekibo to Buhari Sylva allow the Senate progress with the bill. kind that is not in symphony with common Evidently overwhelmed, Sekibo agreed, sense, equity and good conscience,” Okaba said. but appealed that the percentage should be He urged President Buhari to refrain from increased. Another contentious aspect of the appending his signature to the PIB until the bill is the joint committee’s recommendation National Assembly prescribed 10 per cent. on Frontier Basins. Unlike the 13 per cent, which was constitu- In recognition of the need for Nigeria to tionally committed to the oil states as derivation explore and develop the Nigeria’s frontier royalties, this three per cent will be deducted exploration, the joint committee’s move was from the annual operational expenses, OP-EX, designed to take advantage of foreseeable of the oil companies and allocated to the Host threats to the funding of fossil fuel projects Communities Development Trust, (HCDT). across the world; due to speedy shift to alterna- The passage of this bill by the 9th National tive energy sources. Assembly, makes it the second time in 20 years, This frontier basins funding idea, is as unat- the PIB has been passed by the Nigerian federal tractive as the 3 or 5 per cent host communities legislature. fund is put o΀sh to the Niger Delta region Passed as the Petroleum Industry Gover- representatives, who believe this passed PIB nance Bill ( PIG-B), in 2018, President Buhari is an unacceptable rape of the rights of the refused to sign it into law citing constitutional real oil producing communities in Nigeria. issues. Political and sectional interests have To them, this move is reminiscent of the been the major reasons for the long tenure of dreaded ranching or Rural Grazing Areas the Bill at the NASS. (RUGA) policy the federal government is For decades, Nigeria has been denied creating to protect and pamper the herdsmen, billions of dollars in new investments and who are predominantly Northerners of the Ahmed Gbajabiamila income coming to Africa annually; due to Fulani extraction. the absence of an enabling law that meets Necessitating a reassertion of the anti- open the contemporary needs of the oil industry by the Southern governors against perceived the aspirations of the communities; adding in a competitive world market. grazing Law in the Southern part of Nigeria, forceful takeover of Lands in the South by that the PIB, which oͿers the host communi- the Southern governors converged on Lagos, If this bill becomes law, it is hoped that many the Fulanis. ties three per cent equity participation, was of these issues will be addressed; including the towards the end of last week, to respond to But what is the rationale behind setting unacceptable and described it as a mischievous President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to unbundling of NNPC, and the protocols laid out up such a huge chunk of proÀt made in the piece of legislation. to tackle gas Áaring and other environmental Ànd grazing routes for cow herders, in his now business by other people only to possibly Rather than the PIB to stand alone, the host historic Arise Television interview. consequences of production. waste it looking for oil where it is not likely communities advocated that the bill should be If faithfully implemented, this long awaited Their rationale is anchored, logically, on to Ànd a drop. In practical terms, it means that merged with the Solid Minerals Act to better the fact that herding of cows is a personal legal framework, for the Nigerian oil and gas if after spending over $10 billion for industry tackle their plights as they were denied the industry, will prove revolutionary. business; just as any other trade and should operations for the year and generate a proÀt right to their natural resources. be treated as such. Before it proceeds on its July 25 recess, the of, say, $20 billion, it means $6 billion will In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the legislators are determined to transmit the bill In other words, the Southern governors be dedicated to Ànance oil explorations in Chairman of the coalition, Barituka Loanyie, reckoned that open grazing of cows is done to Buhari. Preparatory to that, the usual confer- Frontier Basins. Meanwhile, non-oil produc- said the PIB would end up compounding them ence committee was constituted last week to at the expense of other people’s sweat. ing communities will share a negligible 3 per rather than solving the problems in the oil Allowing the herders to roam the streets and harmonise the diͿerent versions and they are cent with oil communities because both are and gas sector. likely to submit their report early this week. farms, unhinged, will impact negatively on impacted ab initio. “Having critically studied the Petroleum people’s farms and eventually lead to hunger. Spokesman for the Senate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, The resistance by Niger Delta lawmakers Industry Bill, 2021 recently passed into law said, “The National Assembly will carry out Claims by some members of the Northern against the obviously defective part of the bill by the National Assembly, we, the Coalition intelligentsia, alluding to the fact that the North necessary legislative actions on the bill.” is a reÁection of the Niger Delta people’s senti- of Rivers Oil and Gas Host Communities The Senior Special Assistant to the President owns all the land space across the South for ment against these critical clauses in the bill. reject it for the reason that it fails to address their cattle to graze on, were false. on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator As the two chambers prepare to transmit the lingering issues of the oil and gas host Babajide Omoworare, commended the Senate Asking helpless farmers to surrender their the bill to Buhari for his assent this week, communities. land to intrusive, disruptive and destructive for passing the much-delayed PIB. opposition to the bill has begun to mount as “The bill, rather than solve germane issues In a statement, Omoworare said that passing herders, (‘since only the living can argue about Niger Delta youths and groups have started in the oil and gas sector, ends up compound- Land,’ as a Presidential Aide once said) is the bill after several eͿorts by the previous expressing their rejection of the bill. ing them. assemblies was a testament that the executive interpreted by Southern governors, as a joke Speaking at a media brieÀng in Abuja on “We want to state without equivocation that taken too far. and the legislature could really work together Monday, National Leader of the Pan-Niger the law is a mischievous piece of legislation and without compromising party position and So, seeking to allow 30 per cent of industry Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, a far cry from the yearnings of oil and gas host proÀts to prospect for oil in places that show individual perspective, in the most positive rejected the recently passed PIB, describing its communities, which only ends up providing a manner with a view to actualising the com- no possible oil is similar to demanding for the provisions as unjust, satanic and provocative. legal framework for corruption and portends building of RUGA settlement across the South. mon goal and communal good for Nigerians. Clark said the bill as passed was part of a a sinister ploy to continue with the unhealthy Speaking after the adoption of the clauses, While the redeÀnition of host communities, larger plot to continue the subjugation of the practice of denying host communities the right to include communities that have oil and gas House of Representatives Speaker, Femi people of the Niger Delta by international to their God-given resources,” he said Gbajabiamila, commended his colleagues, infrastructure like pipes etc. running through oil companies (IOCs) and their northern col- He added that the provisions of the PIB their land, reÁects the assertion in President saying, “Even with this feat of landmark laborators. were surreptitiously making every commu- legislation, we are going on a high note.” Buhari‘s recent cow grazing route directive. SpeciÀcally noting the provision of 30 per nity that had a pipeline underneath them, oil For the Southern governors and their people, In his remarks, Senate President Ahmad cent of proÀts for further frontier oil exploration and gas host community, stressing that the Lawan said the 9th Assembly had achieved Buhari’s insistence on turning the South into in the North, Clark called to question claims Solid Minerals Act, which governs the solid a grazing route for herders who are largely one of its fundamental legislative agenda, by the current regime that it was working minerals sector, had better protection for the emphasising that, “The demons (of PIB) Northerners of Fulani extraction, is seen in towards an economy away from oil. communities in extraction sites, hence would the light of the President’s penchant for using have been defeated in this chamber. We Represented at the press conference by better serve the oil producing communities. have passed the bill.” his powers to twist the law just to favour his PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken For the Ijaw nation, no less than 10 per cent, own kinsmen; in this case, giving the itiner- Given the growing opposition by the Robinson, Clark said the IOCs faced a di΀cult which the oil-bearing communities demanded Niger Delta people against the passage of ant herdsmen same right as indigenes across operational environment if the bill was not during the public hearings on the PIB, would territories in Southern part of Nigeria. the PIB, which he presided over, the demons revisited and the concerns of the people of be acceptable. he defeated in the chambers may wear the The growing insecurity, occasioned for the the region properly addressed. Rejecting the three and Àve per cent al- most part by invading criminal herdsmen, who agitation regalia and return to NASS with Also rejecting the bill is a coalition of Rivers located to the host communities in the PIB, a renewed vigour, if the concerns raised are kill farmers, rape their wives while their cows State oil and gas host communities, in a state- the President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof destroy farms is the cause of the resistance not decisively tackled before Buhari appends ment, the group said the bill fails to address Benjamin Okaba, described the proposed three his signature to the bill. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 21 TOURISM Ibom Xmas Village as New Face of Nigeria’s Tourism Okon Bassey writes on the focus and excitement as the Government hosted the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators

he potentials of the annual Akwa Ibom Christmas Village came into focus as tour operators from all over Nigeria and beyond recently converged at the prestigious and serene Ibom Icon Resort, at the historical Nwaniba village, on the outskirts of Uyo forT the annual general meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP). The meeting, which brought together proven professionals in the industry from within and outside the country, saw potentials unveiled, challenges x-rayed, targets set, promises and assurances extracted, advice given, and dancing skills showcased. Places of interest toured and diverse local cuisine enjoyed as the tour operators savoured the serene and beautiful environment and climate of Akwa Ibom. It set the stage for intellectual and enriching discourse on the way forward for tourism to take its rightful place in the country’s economy and the West African sub-region as a whole. It had as its theme: “Re- starting Tourism in Nigeria: A New Template.” While declaring the conference open, the chief host, Governor Udom Emmanuel, tasked the participants to adopt new strategies in promoting tourism in Nigeria. The governor expressed delight with the new level of commitment and zeal, in recent times, by the tour operators and unity park other stakeholders in promoting tourism in the country, saying the new lease of life in the sector, tourism. We must do what we preach. If people of the Christmas Village and the Bridge of stakeholders to come and enjoy the synergy of if sustained, could generate huge revenue for don’t move, there is no tourism, so we move No Return to attract more tourists, as well as our facilities. Akwa Ibom is your best choice for both practitioners and the government. people. As we come to Uyo, our members will welcome back descendants of Nigeria, lost to tourism in Nigeria.” He said the people’s hospitality remained obey all the approved COVID-19 protocols, the Atlantic Slave Trade. The commissioner commended NAPTOP for infectious while recent developments in trans- and we hope to enjoy the bounties that Akwa Afeku further urged government and practi- their partnership and commitment to showcasing port, social, and tourism infrastructure despite Ibom oͿers. On behalf of NATOP, I thank tioners to focus on domestic tourism, lobby for the country’s tourism potentials and expressed dwindling revenue was a deliberate strategy to Akwa Ibom for hosting us. Our coming will tourism incentives, adopt a policy of right of hope that the conference would develop a new open the state to the world. The state, according put Akwa Ibom Tourism on the global map,” abode for relatives in the Diaspora, repackage template for running tourism in Nigeria. to Emmanuel, is blessed with more than scores the president declared. tourism sites and patronise Made-in-Nigeria Minister of Information and Culture, Lai of cuisines. At the same time, natural tourist A keynote speaker at the AGM, Group Man- products and services. Mohammed, represented by the Permanent sites, including the residence of Mary Slessor, aging Director of Decision Group, Akanimo “Domestic tourism is very essential because it Secretary Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, in a good- the blue river, the longest coastline in Nigeria. At UdoÀa, said tourism could generate more than is the real catalyst for change. The Right of Abode will message, urged NATOP to rediscover the the same time, the annual Christmas Carol and crude oil and gas for the country with improved Policy is also key as it provides opportunities to country’s damaged tourism reputation and Christmas Village have become a must event commitment and institutional attention. He migrate back our lost relatives who we lost to urged them to increase international partner- in the calendars of lovers of tourism. added that many countries not blessed with the slave trade. Also, try to repackage things that ships adopting international best practices for He pledged the assistance and partnership natural resources have thrived and prospered have to do with the sea because sea adventure networking. of the state government to NATOP but urged through tourism. UdoÀa maintained that tourism is of interest to the young ones. In this regard, Mohammed called for increased participation them to adopt measures that would project their represents one of the world’s leading service boat regattas and cruise ships could also attract from the private sector, while urging stakehold- services and attract goodwill to the country. sectors that generates sustainable revenue and tourists here because you also have a peaceful ers to work towards packaging the investment National President of NATOP, Bilkisu Abdul, is a major wealth and job creator. environment,” she added. and tourism potentials by repositioning the who paid glowing tributes to NATOP former “You will be pleased to hear that a country Commissioner for Tourism Orman Esin, country’s image. The minister assured of the president, Fatima Garbati, expressed sadness like Thailand, which is a developing country, applauded NATOP for choosing Akwa Ibom readiness and commitment of the ministry in over the loss of revenue to the tourism sector ranks as the 4th highest earner for tourism in and expressed hope that the conference would implementing necessary policies that would occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. But she the world, earning a whopping $60 billion a usher in a new lease of a partnership between grow and strengthen the sector. was happy that the tour business has gradually year from tourism. On the other hand, Saudi the state and tour operators. Chairman, NATOP Board of Trustees and Act- returned, with Akwa Ibom being one of the star Arabia is the 19th most visited country in the Esin pointed out that the state pioneered ing President of FTAN Nkeruwem Onung, in destinations for tour operators. world, with as many as 15 million people visit- several aspects of tourism in Nigeria and is his goodwill message, canvassed for a separate “Domestic tourism started to come back to ing yearly. Most of the tourism in Saudi Arabia home to the earliest missionaries. He added ministry to exploit and develop the country’s life towards the end of last year. I am glad to largely involves religious pilgrimage, and it that with the longest coastline in Nigeria, a fertile full tourism potentials. Onung commended the note that Akwa Ibom became one of the star generates $12 billion per year. Now remember land rich in tourism, an international airport, state government for its continued interest in destinations for tour operators. They came for that Saudi Arabia ranks as the second-largest and one of the best golf resorts in West Africa, tourism and hoped that tourism in the state the Christmas village events in December and proven petroleum reserves in the world and the state is well-positioned to take tourism to would boost the conference’s end. observed that it was a great success. They found the source of most of its revenue, yet it pays a lot the next level in Nigeria. In a vote of thanks, the Vice President of your state rich in attractions. As we begin to of attention to other sectors, including tourism “Akwa Ibom, the real deal, we have the op- NATOP, Ime Udoh, said the choice of Akwa breathe back life into tourism, insecurity and which is less than two per cent. tions for all types of tourism in Nigeria. We have Ibom State as a destination for the AGM was high airline ticket prices became a big problem. “I believe that irrespective of this small the biggest hotel property in West Africa, with very apt and glad that the state government “Those two evils of tourism are one of the slice of the pie of their total revenue, we can consistent growth over the years. We knew that stood up to support the meeting. reasons we have chosen Akwa Ibom as our all agree that $12 billion revenue from tourism bringing the Naija7Wonders group to our state She noted that Akwa Ibom was strategically destination of choice for our AGM 2021. Akwa on a yearly basis is still a signiÀcant amount of in December for the Christmas Village will bring positioned as a destination and urged the state Ibom State is secure and has the infrastructure money. Bringing it closer home, Sao Time and us the attention we needed. We are your partners government to do more to boost tourism drive that we need to thrive. It has one of the best resorts Principe is a very small island oͿ the coast of and will grow tourism together. The governor has and become more eͿective and e΀cient as a in Nigeria, has an airline and an airport. Our Cameroun and Equatorial Guinea with about a vision of a modern state and has deliberately destination of choice. According to her, the tour coming to Akwa Ibom State is not accidental. 200,000 people. It generates a revenue of roughly engineered the development of industries and operator connects the destination with tourists NATOP uses its AGM to promote domestic $66 million (17% of its revenue) from tourism. improved the existing infrastructure. and the channel through which each destination destinations, and all our past destinations of The Gambia makes about $116 million per year “Cuisine, infrastructure, scenery, people, and is being promoted. choice have become viable locations for tourism. from tourism, and that accounts for about 20% buildings are the hallmarks of Akwa Ibom. We Other goodwill messages were received “In 2016, we were in Calabar, Cross River of their GDP,” he disclosed. are a very secure place not by accident, but by from the Government, the Nigerian for our AGM. In 2017, we moved to Lagos. In Also speaking as a guest speaker, a former the determination, focus, and will of the state Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), 2018 we were in Jos, Plateau. In 2019, we went Minister of Tourism in Ghana, Catherine Afeku, government. the National Institute for Hospitality and to Ile-Ife. We did not hold AGM in 2020 as we and using the Ghana experience, urged the Akwa The governor is an industrialist, and the Tourism(NIHOTOUR), National Council of did not think virtual conferences yield value for Ibom government to utilise the opportunity state will beneÀt from energising the tourism Arts and Culture (NCAC). 22 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 ENERGY ‘Better’ Phenomenon Driving Sustainable Performance at Egbin Power It’s the Àrst of its kind at Egbin Power Plc. A clear demonstration of what happens to businesses when the thinking at the top is reimagined. You could touch the excitement and taste the joy of employees. It’s the celebration of excellence and appreciation of the men and women who run the 1,320MW thermal power plant. It’s the ‘Betters’, the Áagship reward and recognition platform for Egbin Power employees. Kunle Aderinokun reports

he term ‘Better’ is the mantra for work philosophy at Egbin Power, the largest privately run thermal plant in sub-Sahara Africa. It propels employees to work towards being better - consistently, resiliently, and innovatively. So, no Egbin employee is satisÀed withT hitting the mark; every success becomes a springboard for achieving something better. Monday, June 14, 2021 was Egbin employees’ day in the sun, the climax of the Performance Improvement Celebration (PIC). The celebration was glorious, with lots of laughter, great food, drinks, music, and gifts. Yes, the gifts The diͿer- ent categories had a tinge of fun with captions like “The Honorary Engineer”, “Egbin Star Faculty”, “FireÀghter Award”, “Catalyst Award”, “Power Angel”, and “Smooth Operator”, among others. Egbin’s reward and recognition scheme, among others, also has the E-Áex wallet, a platform where employees can earn instant rewards in tokens that can be converted to cash, by participating in key projects. The on-going transformation at Egbin Power post privatisation has led to consistent perfor- mance, with the plant hitting peak generation of 970MW this year. During a recent visit to the facility, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, said the turnaround of the plant L-R: Chairman, Egbin Power Plc, Temitope Shonubi, Winner, Best Egbin Power Employee in 2020, Abiola Sodiq Aribilola and Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina at the Betters event for employee reward and recognition at Egbin Power Plc was indicative of the quality of expertise and huge investment injected into the plant since its take-over by Sahara Group. “The project will add impetus to Sahara “It’s an immense privilege to be here and see Group’s unwavering commitment to reducing the progress at Africa’s biggest thermal plant. Not gas Áaring and ensuring that we play a leading surprised by the obvious quality of operational role in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing activities and the value addition since takeover the global carbon footprint. Ultimately, we would by the Sahara Group,” Kyari said after a tour have a state-of-the-art facility that is generating of the facility. clean energy sustainably and paving the way And how has Egbin been able to up and sustain for seamless energy transition in Nigeria and the ante of achievements? “We extract value beyond,” Shonubi said. from an endless pursuit of better. When you He added: “With environmental sustainability are the largest thermal power plant in Nigeria and e΀ciency in place, we expect the project and Sub-Saharan Africa, better becomes the to drive reduction in cost of generating power most appropriate response to ensuring seam- and facilitate corresponding positive impact less and e΀cient power generation. We have on accessibility and aͿordability. It will also seen our better mantra transform operations present an opportunity to expand our reach and performance, while we keep committing by pushing the power to neighboring countries ourselves to being better,” explained Temitope via the West Africa Power Pool.” Shonubi, Chairman, Egbin Power Plc. Another aspect worthy of note is Egbin’s com- According to Shonubi, “Egbin has 1,320MW mitment to promoting global environmental capacity. As of the time we took over, the plant sustainability. The company introduced 150 was generating 300MW which is abysmal 22 bicycles, electric buggies and scooters to facilitate percent. As of today, our generation capacity clean commuting by employees, healthy living, has surged, and we are doing 89 percent. We The other picture shows Abiola showing off his prize and enhanced productivity. It also operates a hit generation peak of 970MW this year de- closed-circuit water system which conserves with bated breath. It had been a keen contest ment of organisational values, while enhancing spite challenges many thanks to expertise and energy and water, a process that has helped involving the top 10 employees in 2020. The employee work ethic, team productivity, and dedication of our employees and support of our preserve trillions of liters of fresh water over winner, Abiola Sodiq Aribilola of the Mechanical customer experience. “Reward and recogni- stakeholders. We are delighted at the tireless the years. Maintenance Department, was on the seventh tion have gone beyond cash. For us at Egbin, commitment of our employees to our vision The company said the plan is to ramp this heaven after he heard his name. The audience we have a holistic approach that also includes of lighting up Nigeria and ultimately, Africa.” up to 500 bicycles and additional 200 electric went wild and thereafter, Abiola drove oͿ from peer-to-peer recognition which gives employees Better Egbin. Better Power Generation. Better scooters in line with Sahara Group’s climate the event in a brand-new 2020 Hyundai Accent a strong in the determination of how employees Environmental Sustainability. Better Healthy action campaign. saloon car. are recognized and celebrated. This enhances Lifestyle. Better Carbon Footprint. These are This is in addition to ongoing green opera- “This is way beyond what I believed was up positive reinforcement in Egbin, making our phrases that have become imprinted in the tions/policies, tree planting, monthly walk-to- for grabs when it emerged that I was among employees happier, more collaborative and hearts of Egbin Power employees. They also work exercises, and sundry multiple stakeholder the top 10 employees. I can barely contain my better,” said Funmi Adeniji, Chief Human wear the words as garlands, a constant reminder collaboration. excitement and just want to salute the manage- Resources O΀cer at Egbin Power. of the overarching better phenomenon. Then The excitement at the ‘Betters’ was so much ment for empowering and rewarding us as we With an installed capacity of 1,320MW, Egbin of course, there‘s the robust Better Reward and that employees were already looking forward continue in our quest for better. I also owe the is easily Africa’s largest privately run thermal Better Recognition policy, indicating the com- to the 2021 edition and what the prize would entire team a debt of gratitude as it’s always plant. The omens of an empowered and col- mitment of the business to celebrating better in be for “Egbin’s Number One”. about everyone working together to get the laborative workforce portend great tidings for a transparent and sustainable manner. Ultimately, the prize for Nigeria would be job done at Egbin,” said the elated Aribilola. Egbin as the organization prepares for its Phase The highpoint of the ‘Betters’ was the moment sustained power generation, and hopefully, HR experts say eͿective employee reward II expansion plan projected to add between 1,750 when “Egbin’s Number One” for 2020 was un- as the transmission and distribution leg of the and recognition policies as the one at Egbin megawatts (MW) and 1,900MW to Nigeria’s veiled. The hall went quiet as everyone waited power value chain improve, uninterrupted, Power contribute immensely to the improve- power generation pool. accessible and aͿordable power supply. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 23 DEVELOPMENT Avoiding Pitfalls in Negotiated Agreements Recent developments that have put Nigeria in a precarious situation, with billions of dollars lost to some unscrupulous foreign businessmen with the active connivance of criminal elements in Nigeria, has necessitated the importance of arming relevant government o΀cials, representing the country in international trade and contract agreements with requisite negotiating skills to avoid pitfalls, associated with a number of bogus foreign deals. Kunle Aderinokun reports

n 2010, P&ID entered a 20-year gas contract with Nigeria under the terms of building and operating a plant to reÀne natural gas into “lean gas” in Calabar, Cross River State. Gas was being Áared in the Niger Delta region of the country and the federal government thought it wise to have a company convertI some of the wasted and poisonous gas into electricity in the face of Nigeria’s perennial power woes. The contract also stated that the government would install the necessary pipelines and infrastructure and receive the lean gas free of charge to power Nigeria’s fragile national grid. However, the contract was never executed and the contractor (P&ID) dragged the Nigerian government to court in 2012, alleging breach of contract. In August of 2019, P&ID won its case against Nigeria. Initially awarded for $6.6billion, the contract sum later rose to $9.6bn due to accrued interest since 2013. According to the New York Times, govern- ment o΀cials said the contract was signed while late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was critically ill and Goodluck Jonathan was Acting President. However, former President Goodluck Jona- than had denied any knowledge of the contract. Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the contract had been signed with no clear terms and conditions and that it “was engineered to fail” and defraud the country. The President Muhammadu Buhari Admin- istration, which took over from the Jonathan government, said the contract was fraudulent from inception and those involved, including Vice President, Yemi Osibajo ICPC Chairman - Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye Nigerians who signed it, did so to defraud the country. Nigeria has been entangled in legal suits in the Strategic Alliance Contract in Nigeria, among and lack of transparency for poor contract He underscored the importance of negotia- the last couple of years due to poorly negotiated others, point to the fact that “poorly negotiated negotiations and implementation in Nigeria, tion of (commercial) agreements and economic contract agreements, which have resulted in contracts or framework agreements can lead to noting that these have resulted in huge loss development. illicit Ànancial Áows and loss of revenue for serious Ànancial losses for countries.” of revenue through illicit Ànancial Áows from “Poorly negotiated/implemented agreements the country. He explained that, one of the most signiÀcant Nigeria. stultify development. More importantly they Although commercial agreements have sources of economic loss for a country is the “It is not just poor negotiation; poor monitoring lead to losses rather than anticipated economic aided development of nations, experts have consequence of poorly negotiated agreements. and implementation of contract agreements have development. Therefore, there is a strong nexus also argued that poorly negotiated contract Osinbajo noted that “every negotiator must dire consequences for the country. Corruption, between negotiation of agreements and attaining agreements are bane of economic growth and realize he or she is putting the entire nation’s compromise and lack of transparency are key the aspiration to develop. development. They lead to losses rather than economic prospects on the table every time factors in poorly drafted contract agreements,” “The negotiation process is therefore impor- anticipated economic development. they negotiate. he stated. tant to development. Often times, negotiators Worried by the lack of understanding of “My position is that depending on the size He urged the participants at the capacity mistakenly assume that beneÀcial agreements contract agreement negotiations by government of some of these contracts, and their implica- building to pay more attention to the dispute can be concluded mainly by diplomatic, political, o΀cials, the Independent Corrupt Practices and tions, external counsels who are subject matter resolution clauses which, according to him, are compassionate, human rights or other non-legal Other Related OͿences Commission (ICPC) experts, should be involved at all stages of the often skewed against the country. considerations alone,” he added. and Inter-Agency Committee for Stopping Illicit negotiations.” Osinbajo commended the Inter-Agency The Chairman of Inter-Agency Committee for Financial Flows from Nigeria held a two-day In preparation for the Climate Change Con- Committee for Stopping Illicit Financial Flows Stopping Illicit Financial Flows from Nigeria, physical and virtual capacity building for middle ference of Parties (COP 26), the vice president from Nigeria and the ICPC for organising the Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, identiÀed poorly negoti- level negotiators drawn from the Ministries, urged that negotiators from Nigeria and other training programme for negotiators. ated and hidden contracts as one of the most Departments and Agencies of government. developing countries must be focused on issues The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owa- identiÀable ways through which illicit Ànancial The training was to improve the terms of of a ‘just transition’ to the net-zero emission target, sanoye, SAN, revealed that fresh draft guidelines Áows happen. engagement and mitigate illicit Ànancial Áows by including ensuring that gas projects continue to for negotiating contract agreements will be He noted that the training was necessary to negotiators on behalf of the federal government. be funded by international Ànancial institutions. prepared by the Inter-Agency Committee for develop a crop of Nigerian o΀cials skilled in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who According to him, “a topical issue in terms of Stopping Illicit Financial Flows from Nigeria and international negotiations in general and with addressed the negotiators on the Àrst-day of negotiations is the preparation for the Climate presented to the O΀ce of the Attorney General specialisation in key thematic areas. the training programme, expressed the hope Change Conference of Parties taking place in the of the Federation and the Federal Government. “This workshop is being organised to help that the capacity building would be the start of United Kingdom towards the end of this year. In his presentation at the capacity building the Nigerian negotiating o΀cials cope with a structured regular programme of training for “I expect that the approach that will be titled “Guidelines for Negotiating International international obligations. We want to develop negotiators in the areas of investment, trade, taken as we count down to that event will be Agreements for Economic Development”, core people who will make sure that agreements environment, natural resources and taxation to compose an interdisciplinary team of experts Owasanoye emphasised the need for the Of- signed for the country and government do not agreements. and negotiators that can engage meaningfully Àce of Attorney General to be the depository of lead to illicit Ànancial Áows,” he remarked. He said, “I expect further down the line that in the talks.” all contract agreements signed by the country OͿering practical tips for successful ne- negotiators of other similar agreements Ànancial, Osinbajo charged participants at the work- and ministries, departments and agencies of gotiations, Dipeolu accentuated the need air services, shipping, Àshing rights and such shop to come up with new draft guidelines for government. for preparation through assembling a strong like will also be included in the programme. negotiating contract agreements which should According to him, “At the moment, there is inter-disciplinary team, knowing negotiating “Our objective must be to build a corps of be submitted to the federal government for no mandatory depository obligation of all major objectives and obtaining a negotiating mandate. crack negotiators and subject matter experts in consideration. agreements by MDAs. The O΀ce of Attorney He also advised the participants at the work- international economic agreements and indeed He said, “There is need for this workshop to General of the Federation ought to be the o΀cial shop to focus on dispute settlement matters to develop what should emerge as a national come up with new draft guidelines for negotiat- depository for all agreements.” during negotiation of contract agreements. style of negotiations.” ing contract agreements to be presented to the The ICPC boss called for the establishment “It is very important that you pay close atten- Referencing instances of agreements that government for consideration. The guidelines of foreign agreements registry/oversight func- tion to the clauses on dispute settlement matters. brought about undesirable outcomes for will set out steps and processes for negotiating tions for the O΀ce of Attorney General of the The agreements must comply with Nigeria’s countries, the Vice President noted that the investment, trade and other contract agreements Federation and the National Assembly, saying legal requirements,” said Dipeolu, who is also Simandou Iron Ore contract in Guinea, the for Nigeria.” this will reduce problems of opacity of contract the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Bilateral Investment Treaty in Pakistan, and Osinbajo attributed corruption, compromise agreements. Matters (O΀ce of the Vice President). 24 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 BUSINESS OUTSIDER Marketing is Not a Guessing Game Tunji Adegbite

s marketing ever a guessing game, and did companies get success- ful out of sheer luck? A deceptively simple part of every business, marketing is in its sim- plest form all the activities tar- getedI at converting individuals and/or businesses into customers and driving profit. Marketing involves the research, product de- velopment, promotion and pric- ing strategies required to position products and services in the marketplace and motivate target audiences to make a purchase. Marketing is what distinguishes product A from B and is the secret sauce of successful businesses. Whether your business has existed for years or just recently started, finding the most effective marketing strategies is critical - small and large. From the market stalls in Idumota, Onitsha or Kano to the sleekest boardrooms, all businesses depend on market- ing. While the market person might ring a physical bell in an attempt to sway passing custom- ers, large corporations also ring bells using marketing materi- als. Marketing requires careful planning and strategy to ensure appeal to the intended target audience. The most successful marketing campaigns do not just happen - they are planned down Here are some known tactics Technology and Automation current consumer trends, educat- an inch. that have aided 21st Century Less than two decades ago, ing, showing behind-the-scenes Marketing is not one size, one marketing scene: businesses focused their mar- moments using appealing images community fits all: once only a Content Generation keting efforts on cold calls, and videos, and setting the brand one-way conversation, market- To focus and convert customers billboards, newspapers, and tv up in the consumer’s mind as the ing continues to evolve and with precision, content-driven adverts with stringent workflows preferred choice. We see a perfect be redefined to fit the current marketing addressing potential and processes. However, now example on platforms such as generation. The average con- needs and concerns from the tar- with the emergence of technol- Twitter, where brands such as sumer is now defined by personal get audience is assured to bring ogy, there are multiple marketing Cowry wise or Piggyvest leverage characteristics and their ‘digital in leads. More often than not, and automation software helping trends and share jokes with the tribes’ in our increasingly hyper- companies churn out content that companies to reach their goals consumers. connected world. Local context is not focused on their respective and scale across multiple plat- matters - the nuance of who and target audience and runs, losing forms with ease. It has inevitably Community Engagement where, is essential in crafting a their attention. Research statistics made it effortless to respond A community is a group of successful marketing campaign. indicate that content marketing to customers, take orders and people connected by a single When Nike releases an advert, it costs 62% less than traditional maintain connections. To support cause or attribute. Some elements deploys quality visual imagery marketing and generates three content schedules and customer link people together. A growth and inspirational messaging to times as many leads. For exam- relationships, brands now have strategy as a marketer is to create capturing audience attention in ple, content creation on TikTok, the power to schedule their posts a community around a business most western countries, yet that a social media application has ahead of time, automating initial or a particular product. Commu- same method sparked outrage in generated buzz. inquiry responses on WhatsApp, nity engagement builds loyalty as Japan. Instagram, or email, etc. For it feeds directly into the needs of Age of Social Capital and instance, the Nigerian hair com- the consumer. The future Sustainable Marketing pany, Natural Hair Wigs, uses an The conversation is not a one- Ask any marketing or brand In the age of sustainable mar- automated email workflow as one way street with the consumer as enthusiast, the most popular keting, customers, especially of its revenue-generating chan- they are in tune with the happen- marketing theme is the 4P model Millennials and Gen Z, are sig- nels. ings and works of the business. – Product, Price, Promotion, and nificantly paying attention to For instance, Disney has a strong Place. However, this ubiquitous brands that are well informed Social Media and Conversation community within the entertain- marketing formula has evolved on the societal problems and Social media a great tool for ment industry. and no longer obtains in its origi- issues in the world. This goes sparking and building on con- All these strategies enable a nal form. with personal commerce, where versations; it begins with content business to reach customers ‡ Product – focus is no longer customers co-curate their experi- marketing and the right choice of more precisely and effectively. It on the actual product but the ences with brands to reflect their social media platform to facilitate answers the question of market- entire product ecosystem and preferences over a given period. the exchange. People are innately ing not being a guessing game if content In this instance, businesses are social beings who crave connec- the focus is right on the customer ‡ Price – focus is now on rev- expected to serve and engage tion and interaction. Social media ecosystem and their needs. enue models. The goal is to price with what they believe in, which has been that link enabling busi- the ecosystem and not just the may range from traditional to nesses to leverage personas and ‡$GHJELWHLVDWKRXJKWOHDGHU product or service. liberal views. Brands build ef- humanize their brands to their in Strategy and Supply Chain, ‡ Promotion – focus is now on fective sustainability marketing target audience. To humanize the who has worked with leading Engagement, to gain deep in- when they speak the customer’s brand is to act just like a friend organisations like PwC and an sights about customer motivation language and have actions that to the consumer, one they are IOC. He also founded Naspire, a and behaviour, and not just about solve a particular social problem. familiar with and find relatable. business research platform using consumer and trade promos. For instance, Ghanaian skincare Hence, instead of always sell- African business insights to help ‡ Place – focus is now on ac- brand, Nokware, appeals to cus- ing on these platforms, the goal entrepreneurs and professionals cessing customers and customer tomers with its natural products should be to build community succeed. He can be reached via relationships everywhere as and sustainable packaging. by driving conversations with [email protected]. access has been democratised. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 25 WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS MARYGOLD ADIEME Fakery is Not Synonymous to Jewelry Business Alone Marygold Ologun Adieme is the chief executive o΀cer of Marygold Global Concept, a jewelry business that started small, but has grown phenomenally. A holder of master’s degree in psychology from , Adieme started her career in the banking industry and after working for eight years, decided to set up Marygold Global Concept. In this Interview with Oyinlola Sale, Adieme reveals the prospects and challenges of jewelry business in Nigeria

fter eight years and maintain our customers through- in the banking out the years that we have been in sector, you went business. ahead to establish Satisfying our clients has been our Marygold Global goal. We have maintained customer Concept, now satisfaction and we also do after sale tell us the story service. I go from one place to another behind it? in search of quality, unique and uncom- My going into business was by ac- mon jewelries. Most of our jewelries cident.A I had to get into business when I are near to gold and most people don’t could not get a ministry job because the believe it’s not real gold, because we banking job was tasking and with little copy real gold. The only diͿerence is or no time for my home, my husband that it has no karat. In terms of durabil- suggested that I quit. ity, we are number one. Our customers I was introduced into this jewelry can testify to it. business by a friend called Juliet. A childhood friend of mine who saw In this your business journey, was my potential that I will be a very good WKHUHDWLPHWKDWZDVVRGLͿFXOWWKDW business woman you felt like giving up? Compare and contrast the jewelry There are times that I really thought business in Nigeria and abroad.. of giving up. Most customers like to The jewelry business in Nigeria is not buy on credit. Sometimes your money bad at all. Nigeria being a social coun- will be tied down for a while because try especially in the Yoruba setting. you are waiting for customers to pay I am one of the pioneers that brought up. We all know that credit kills busi- costume jewelry business into lime- ness. light when the price of real gold sky There are also times when customers rocketed. are rude just because you remind them to pay up their debt. But what do I do? I What does it take to set up a jew- just have to be patient. Being in busi- elry business like Marygold Global ness is not an easy task. We sometimes Concept, is it capital intensive? had to source for money somehow to Jewelry business is capital intensive restock before the monies outside will but you can start small like I did when I begin to come in. Àrst started. Business in Nigeria is not really easy, the average Nigerian wants to buy on In the Jewelry Industry, many credit. entrepreneurs have complained about In fact they tend to patronise LQÀOWUDWLRQRIIDNHSURGXFWVZKDWFDQ someone who agrees to sell on credit. be done to reduce it in the market? Especially products like mine. But There are so many fake products. when it comes to payment, that’s when It’s not jewelry alone. Even in terms of the issue will start especially when they clothes, bags to name a few. The only have no money. way to get going is to keep buying However, the jewelry business, I from a good source. Once you are sure must confess, is a very lucrative busi- of the source and where you can get ness. It has to do with a lot of dedica- real and genuine, stick with it. tion, time, taste and style. You are very busy woman with Adieme As an entrepreneur in Nigeria, in responsibilities of managing your what way can the government make business and the home, so tell us you started this business? lost a lot of money then. There are some your business thrive? about how a typical day starts for In starting a new business, there is customers who buy on credit and don’t Government can create an enabling you? always fear of the unknown if will it pay up on the agreed time. It’s really environment for small scale business to I start my day with prayers. The work or not. Someone like me that was not easy when you deal with women grow, If they can provide good ameni- beauty of being on your own as a busi- coming from the banking sector, it was especially in business. ties like light, good roads , Áexible loan ness woman is that you have your time a big challenge for me. It’s also a very vast business. When and also let money be in circulation. If to yourself. You can plan your day and I was shy initially about what will you talk about jewelry business, you the standard of living is raised, people manage your time to your satisfaction. people will think about me, as a banker are talking about: wrist watches, rings, will live well and also be able to want now selling jewelries. I had no shop. I neck and ear sets, chains, bangles, ac- to look good. Raising funds for a business is was going from salon to salon, o΀ce to cessories in general. Keeping track and In a country where food is expensive, not easy, so how did you manage to o΀ce showcasing my jewelries. I had counting is always very di΀cult. Sales it’s only those that have fed well that ÀQDQFHWKLVEXVLQHVVLQLWVHDUO\GD\V" my junior sister with me then and she representative will cheat, steal and ac- they can think of buying jewelries and Financing the business in the early gave me the boost. Before you know it, countability is always not sure. Some- clothes to look good. stage was not easy at all. I started with I was making money. times you feel like running mad when the little savings I had and my husband dealing with these people. Especially The journey in business can be supported me as well. In addition Running a business in Nigeria is when you are not always in the shop. quite unpredictable, but as an entre- to that I was getting stock from my ÀOOHGZLWKFKDOOHQJHVVRWHOOXVVRPH Aside from sales reps, some customers preneur you must be visionary, so customer and paying after sales. Yes of the challenges you are encounter- do shop lifting. All these are part of the where do you hope to see Marygold Once your suppliers trust you and ing? problems one faces in business. Global Concept in the next 5 years? see that you are consistent, they give Well, there are challenges in every Marygold global concept has come you stocks to sell above your money. I business. I have had issues with people Now, what makes Marygold Global a long way and we have also been didn’t go into Loan at all. owing and Ànding it di΀cult to pay. Concept unique from other Jewelry known internationally. My plan is to Especially when we had a lot of clients and accessories brands out there in the open shops abroad, so that all over the Starting up a business comes with in the banking sector and were laid oͿ market? world, Marygold will be a household fear of uncertainty, so tell us what their jobs. Many of them could not pay Marygold Global is unique in the name. Our slogan is “ Marygold: look- were some of your biggest fears, when me and went away with my money. I sense that we have been able to keep ing good is our business”. 26 JU ͹͹˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER PERSPECTIVE Regulatory Guidelines For Cattle Ranching and Grazing Reserves in Nigeria Stephen Bello without human assistance or human intervention. The ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF CATTLE BREEDING How Crash Dieting Messes size of a grazing reserve can vary from about one square Now that conditions for smooth acquisition of land for lashes between farmers and herders kilometre, to about 25 square kilometres (ie 5Km by 5Km). cattle farming is understood, we can now turn our attention in Nigeria has become a recurring Reserves normally have multiple tenants and are usually to another critical success factor, which is finance. There is up Your Metabolism incidence and the rate seems to be in established by government. always a cost associated with every law or regulation that the increase in recent times. It appears requires compliance. Therefore, those who make laws or crash diet is typically a low- the word FORGIVENESS is not in the Other provisions of the law must include the following: draft regulations must put the cost of compliance into calorie diet where you eat dictionary of both parties hence the Effective date of the law, those responsible for enforcing the consideration when enacting laws. From an economic very restrictively for a short almost vicious cycle of attacks and coun- law, appropriate courts for tryingoffenders, what constitutes point of view, cattle farming is a world-wide multi-billion period of time. ter- attacks. This prompted the historic an offence and penalty for the offence, who has authority dollar industry. There are approximately 1.5 Billion cattle They can be very tempting meeting of southern governors in Asaba recently. It is a to grant land for ranches (Governor or LGA Chairman), in the world, out of which about 12 million are in Nigeria because of the promised quick Cpointer to the gravity of the problem and the desperation tenure duration, tenure renewal, rights privileges of cattle according to Statista.com. In comparison there are 3 billion fix for a long term problem with by everybody to find a permanent and lasting solution to farmers, offences that may lead to land revocation, need pigs and 6 billion chickens world wide. India with 305 popular ones like the juice diet the problem. The governors took a decision to ban open to pay token land rent (amount in regulation), need for a million cows has the highest number of cows in the world, and military diet leaving you with an all or nothing grazing in their states, this is in tandem with an earlier secured fence for ranches, method of demarcating and followed by Brazil, China, USA and Argentina in that order. approachA to eating. Northern governors’ declaration that open grazing has protecting grazing reserves, minimum distance between a Five countries, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and While these diets may help you lose a significant outlived its usefulness. That is an indication of a de facto ranch and nearest human settlement, right of government Uraguay have more cattle than human beings. About 25 amount of weight in time for that wedding, vacation consensus. However the federal government, accord- to inspect ranches and reserves etc. A department in the per cent of the grains produced in United States are used or photoshoot, the results are generally short-lived ing to the President’s aids, has preference for GRAZING Ministry of Agriculture or an independent parastatal that will for feeding animals. Animal farms also occupy about 30 and can have a negative impact on your body. RESERVES, even though we did not hear it from the horses’ register, monitor, regulate the ranches or grazing reserves. per cent of world agricultural land. A cow requires about When you cut your calories drastically and mouth. Well, whether it is RANCHING or grazing reserve, Professional lawyers will know additional issues that should 30 gallons of water to produce 1 (one) gallon of milk. A quickly, your body may respond by losing weight the important thing is that both parties have now agreed be addressed by the law. cow needs to eat at least 15 kilograms of grass in order but most of these will be water weight. that this is the beginning of the end for open grazing in Enacting a law is the first step in the process, however, to produce 1(one) kilo of meat. So a lot of resources are Your brain is going to send your body the signal Nigeria. The two methods can co-exist seamlessly in the laws should be supported with subsidiary regulations. required for cattle breeding and these include land, food that you are starving, because your body’s number country and it is now a matter of preference by individuals Regulations help to achieve two purposes; they help and water. one priority is to keep you alive and as far as it’s or groups. A state may even decide that both ranching to avoid misinterpretation and misapplication of parent A cattle ranch or grazing reserve will require a borehole concerned, you’re stuck on a deserted island eating and grazing reserve can co-exist side by side. As the Hausa laws enacted by parliament. Secondly, they contain and with stand-by generator or a water tanker to transport water way less calories than you need for your weight. saying goes ‘kowa da nasa, ai ba fada’. disseminate lighter conditions and rules which may require from the nearest water source to the ranch or reserve. A It responds by slowing down your metabolic Definitely, there is light at the end of the tunnel. If frequent changes. Today because of historical antecedents, water pipeline may be the best solution for a grazing reserve rate. This process is called metabolic adaptation. this matter is finally resolved in the next few months, legacy issues and unpleasant precedence, most villagers covering an area of say 10 square kilometres. The vicinity Depending on how much body fat you had Muhammadu Buhari will forever be remembered as the and rural land owners are reluctant to lease their land to of lakes, dams or medium-size rivers are good locations when you started, it may take only days or weeks President in whose time the problem of herders-farmers non-natives. Their fear is that the land may be turned into for cattle farming in order to minimize cost of production. or even months for this metabolic slow down to clash was finally resolved; just as Olusegun Obasanjo is a settlement and after two or three generations the settlers Cattle ranchers will have to buy food for their animals or happen but when it happens you are going to today being remembered as the president that gave may claim ownership of the land or appoint a king- bale, set up subsidiary grass-producing farms to supply food plateau because your body is desperately holding Nigerians telephones. eze or sarki. In some cases they may even agitate for to their cattle. In Sudan, a large portion of which is desert, on to the fat that you have left for energy stores. My main aim in this write up is to suggest the various their own local government area. Such cases have led farmers grow a protein-rich grass called Alfa Alfa along Scientist Kevin Hall carried out a study on con- legal instruments and regulatory provisions that should to serious communal clashes and a thorn in the flesh of the banks of River Nile and transport it to cattle ranches testants from The Biggest Loser Season 8 show. be put in place in order to actualise this historic consensus National Boundary Commission. To avoid such fears, I am in other parts of the country. This study documented the long-term weight loss and agreement on how to resolve our common problem. recommending provisions in the subsidiary regulationand Consequently, transition from open grazing to ranching results of contestants for over six years and found I have been involved in regulation for several years and I safeguards, that will pre-empt such developments and or grazing reserves will involve an initially high capital outlay that 13 of the 14 contestants did regain most if know the importance of these things. give the land-owner and communities assurance that they and a moderate increase in running cost. Thereare three not all of the weight that they lost on the show. Most countries in the world try to rear cattle in areas will not forfeit their land nor will the land be turned to an major implications of these requirements: The rate at which their metabolic rate slowed where it is most efficient to do so. I remember my geography illegal satellite village. Hence the regulation should contain (1) Cattle farmers will need to raise finance to implement was high, with nearly all the contestants having lessons in Kufena College, Zaria in the 60’s, two of such the following provisions: the new arrangement a slower metabolism at the end of the study than places are the Prairies in the American Midwest and the 1. No residential building should be erected on a ranch (2) They will need some time to raise funds, acquire land they did before the show because the method used Pampas of Argentina. America employs two methods of or grazing reserve. All employees of the ranch or reserve and put necessary infrastructures in place in order to comply was very extreme; significant calorie reductions cattle breeding; an enclosed ranch in which the cows don’t should live in the surrounding villages or cities and transport with the ban on open grazing. A time frame of 6 months from their previous intake and over exercising. move around but are supplied with special animal feeds themselves to the ranches when reporting for duty. Gate to 18 months might be required. However the time frame Yes, the only way to lose weight is to be in a consisting mainly of maize and soya beans. In a recent houses and security post can however be built to provide can be shortened to 3 to 6 months if Central Bank and state calorie deficit but the more drastic you cut these documentary on DSTV I saw a ranch in the Kentucky State shelter for the security personnel in case of inclement governments raise special intervention funds (single digit calories, the more quickly your metabolism will in which 50,000 cows were kept in an enclosed area of weather. Government regulatory agency for ranching loans) to accelerate the process. has promised decrease. about 5 acres or so, real high density breeding. The method will have the right to demolish any structure that violates land to cattle farmers wishing to invest in the state. Other You’re better off with a slower progression. used in Texas is very different, because of availability of this condition and repeated breach of this condition will states can provide incentives to attract those who want to Give yourself more time with realistic weight land and low population density, ranches there consist constitute a ground for revocation of land permit for the invest in cattle ranching as that will boost the economy of loss goals by: of open grasslands five kilometers in length. Cowboys on ranch or expulsion from the grazing reserve. the state through employment creation and other direct horses drive the cows in open fields where they feed on 2. Structures erected as cattle sheds or milking areas can economic benefits. Those with large herds can sell part of 1. Reducing alcohol intake natural grass and no arable farming is allowed in such only have permanent wall that are not more than 1 meter their cattle stock to raise fund for the infrastructure they 2. Reducing sugary and processed foods areas. This method is also used in Argentina, Australia in height, that is in addition to the roof supporting pillars. require. The above factors must be put into consideration as 3. Including more lean protein in your diet and Scottish highlands in UK. Such structures will be subject to approval by the regulatory the various houses of assembly begin to put the necessary 4. Increasing dietary soluble fibre My suggestion is that Nigeria should adopt both methods authority. Stores or cattle sheds made of temporary laws in place to end open grazing in Nigeria 5. Including some form of weight training in of cattle farming. Where land is scarce, enclosed ranches architectural material such as tents, canopy or prefab (3) At the end of the transition, changes to the price of your exercise program. You can start with body supplied with animal feeds should be used and where may be allowed subject to approval and on condition cattle or meat will be inevitable. In the immediate term, the weight or resistance bands workout. This will help there is surplus land, open grazing with natural raw grass that they will not be turned into accommodation for price of cow or meat will increase, so consumers of meat with increasing your resting metabolic rate (energy can be used. This flexibility will enable a compromise to human beings. must be ready to pay more for the meat they consume. you burn in a state of rest). be achieved and also accommodate all shades of opinion 3. All ranches must have a fence along their perimeter An average cow that costs 150,000 Naira today may rise and preferences. Where there is a will, there is always a way. strong enough to prevent cattle from breaking through to 180,000 or more because of the higher cost of inputs. One of the most important ways to lose weight Let us now look at the various legal and regulatory and straying into residential areas or surrounding farmlands. On the other hand, if ranching is well managed and safely and maintain your metabolism while doing issues that should be addressed in order ensure successful Also all grazing reserves should be demarcated by an efficiency increases in the cattle industry, the long term so is to make sure to have enough lean proteins implementation of the compromise solutions proposed untarred road around its perimeter and planted with effect is that prices will fall below present rates. Nigeria in your diet. Proteins are the building blocks for above. suitable vegetation that can stop cattle from straying can in the near future begin to export meat to other muscles so if you lose weight by cutting your In his recent comment, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria outside the grazing reserve. An earth moat or a trench countries. Infact, Brazil exports 12 Billion dollars worth calories drastically without enough protein you advised that all 36 State Houses of Assembly in the 36 can also be used for the demarcation. All roads crossing of meat to Russia every year. Nigeria can achieve the don’t have the building blocks to keep your muscle states must enact a law to back up the policy regarding the grazing reserve boundary must have manned security same feat in a few years. mass. Thus you’ll lose fat but you’ll also be losing the phasing out of open grazing in their respective states. gates to check unauthorised exit by cows or unauthorised In conclusion, it is clear that the economic benefits of substantial amounts of muscle, slowing down Thereafter they should specify the approved method of entry by cattle rustlers ending open grazing in Nigeria far outweigh the extra your metabolic rate. cattle rearing that can be used either ranches or open 4. A buffer zone of 50 meters round should separate cost to be incurred in setting up ranches and grazing It is imperative that you build your calories grazing or both. Below are my suggestions on certain a ranch from the nearest residential area or farmland. The reserves. The plan, if fully implemented, will increase crop back up slowly when you’re done with cutting issues that must be addressed by these laws among others. perimeter road will act as buffer for grazing reserves.The farming 5 fold as more farmers will be able to go back to the and getting into more of a maintenance phase Definition of terminologies: The Act must fully define all road must not be used as a public highway. farm without the fear of AK47. Also food prizes will drop to over the course of a couple of weeks, depending major terminologies used in order to avoid ambiguities. 5 Prior to a land revocation order, the cattle rancher or half or even one quarter of current prices as at June, 2021. on how restrictive the diet you were on, because if For example the words ranch and open grazing must be tenant in a grazing reserve must first be informed about Apart from the lives of herders and farmers that will be you all of a sudden jump from 1200 calories a day well defined in order not to confuse the two. A ranch any breach of regulatory conditions and given opportunity saved since clashes between them will be eliminated. Cattle to 2500 calories in the course of a couple of days, is an enclosed cattle breeding industry in which the to remedy the breach. Failure to make changes after two rustling will reduce drastically or even disappear altogether. you’ll experience fat loss rebound, gaining all the animals don’t move around to source food and water reminders within a three-month interval, will lead to a Also cattle farmers will benefit from increase in meat and weight you lost and most likely more ending up for themselves, but are fed by human beings with specially revocation notice. This is to protect the investor against milk production and higher income and wealth. Each State being worse off than you started. prepared animal feeds, or natural green grass or hay(dry arbitrary revocation orders as a result of political bias or Government and Aso Rock should pursue their preferred –– Odunuga is a certified fitness trainer and grass). The size of a ranch can vary from one acre of land other frivolous reasons. solution to the overall benefits of the nation. is the founder of Easyfit, a brand that aims to to 3 or 4 acres. The maximum size of a ranch must be 6 All land leases for cattle breeding must be supported simplify the obscurity that people have about specified in the Act. by a standard contract that guarantees protection for the Long live Nigeria fitness. You can follow @Easyfitng on instagram A grazing reserve is a cattle breeding industrial location in land owner and the cattle farmer alike. The above laws for fitness tips, motivation and healthy recipes which the animals are allowed to move around and source should apply to both lease-hold and free-hold premises – Stephen Bello was Ag. EVC Nigerian Communications and reach her at Easyfi[email protected]. food and water for themselves from natural vegetation use for cattle farming. Commission.. SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 27 28 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER• JULY 11, 2021 MARKET NEWS

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors. Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 08- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Jul-2021, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date. 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Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.14% AIICO CAPITAL LTD [email protected] Vantage Balanced Fund 2.88 2.95 1.01% Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.02% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.17 151.45 -2.78% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.26 3.43 -3.95% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.27 1.32 1.21% [email protected] Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.06% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fi[email protected] Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.41 1.43 3.47% Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,152.70 1,152.70 4.32% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.64 20.23 8.28% Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.45 11.4992 9.34% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 425.78 438.62 6.35% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.89% ARM Ethical Fund 38.19 39.34 13.29% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.97 -8.11% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.09% PACAM Balanced Fund 1.67 1.70 7.12% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED [email protected] PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.51 11.56 -5.16% Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.80% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.66 4.30% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.41 113.07 1.34% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED [email protected] SCM CAPITAL LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.37 133.68 4.23% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED [email protected] SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD [email protected] Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 -16.16% SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 3.41% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.07 2.11 -14.49% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,262.16 3,294.15 1.53% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 231.11 231.11 2.78% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.21 1.23 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 303.80 303.80 3.10% Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 220.55 223.82 1.05% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.49% Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.85% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,300.27 10,446.22 -1.85% Paramount Equity Fund 16.62 16.94 3.97% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 2.85% Women's Investment Fund 136.77 138.36 2.78% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 114.69 114.69 3.25% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 102.10 102.10 - Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.89% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 117.23 118.00 United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.12 107.12 United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT [email protected] United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.87% United capital Sukuk Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund 1.18 1.20 -1.48% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD [email protected] Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.36 1.36 -14.44% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Zenith Equity Fund 12.89 13.00 8.63% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.11% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.18 14.31 16.07% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 3.21% Zenith Income Fund 24.16 24.16 0.76% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,146.68 1,159.58 -0.57% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.44% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] REITS Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS REIT 124.09 2.77% FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,385.31 1,385.31 11.10% Union Homes REIT 51.54 -1.64% FBN Balanced Fund 190.42 191.74 1.46% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FBN Halal Fund 111.01 111.01 8.17% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.20% Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 13.21 13.31 -0.05%

SIAML Pension ETF 40 126.19 129.22 4.90% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 125.97 125.97 3.52% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 157.50 159.66 4.18% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 99.41 101.52 0.16% MERGROWTH ETF 17.97 18.07 FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] MERVALUE ETF 18.42 18.52 Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.30% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Debt Fund 3.95 3.95 2.11% Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.96 4.00 4.73% Legacy Equity Fund 1.59 1.62 4.06% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.95 6.03 4.55% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.18 1.18 3.69% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.41 17.51 7.29% Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.79% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.19 19.39 -6.44% Coral Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 151.57 153.57 -30.82% Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Coral Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.52 13.11% The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only. A WEEKLY PULL-OUT 11.7.2021 JEWEL OF THE DELTA: TRIUMPHS OF SHOLAYE JEREMI AT 43

Oil magnate Sholaye Jeremi’s story is a great lesson for self-starters everywhere because it debunks many prejudices and stereotypes that unfairly hold much back. He’s dispelled the idea that kids from very humble backgrounds somehow couldn’t hack it into high society— and that being from a humble background is somehow at odds with being an aristocrat. He has covered many grounds and has stories of conquests to line up at an age when many of his contemporaries are still struggling to find their feet. Contrary to what you might read, Jeremi is no overnight sensation. He achieved success the old-fashioned way: he earned it. He worked hard and stayed humble. He lives the right way; he plays the right way. His story tells you that if you show grit, discipline and integrity, you too can get an opportunity to overcome the odds, writes LANRE ALFRED.

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/[email protected] 54 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ COVER What I Have Going For Me is the Determination to Succeed

es, he would have been a It is a popular saying that money can buy good broadcaster because the best of things but not style. For Sholaye of his occidental drawl, but Jeremi, he comes naturally as a man of style somehow, the gods’ windmills and taste. He really is a picture-perfect fashion set a different path for him. buff with his classy wristwatches, shoes, and What, however, the media suits, especially from Tom Ford. With cute looks profession missed in him, garnished with inexhaustible megabucks, he is he is giving to oil and gas. Sholaye Jeremi is an endearing and pleasing sight to the female hardlyY the type of billionaire whose affluence folks. How does he handle advances from some is clutched in baubles. His ascension to the of the daring admirers? “One cannot do away billionaires’ club was no trick of fate. Neither with such things, but I know when to draw the was it a mirage mired in tufts of fleeting vanities lines. I don’t entertain them. I only listen, and and buzzwords. He is indeed worth every if they delve into something that is not part of ounce of invincibility, and financial acclaim what we are discussing, I always politely cut accorded him. Unlike many of his peers, his them off”. rise to eminence was as much In pursuit of fortune and a product of unrelenting will acclaim, Jeremi understood that a and his astounding ability to rolling stone gathers no moss, but pirouette himself from obscurity it gets rid of the rough corners and to entrepreneurial acclaim by the takes on a lovely polish. Guided by bootstraps. this mindset, he established himself As far as business ideas and and carved his niche in the cut- innovations are concerned, he throat world of entrepreneurship. turns nothing down except the There is no gainsaying collar of his shirt. the world of business is like a Jeremi clocked 43 last Monday. dangerous coast riddled with There were no surprises that storms. But despite its turbulent he did not roll out the drums in tides, Jeremi, like a sea-hardened celebration as he is widely known sailor, navigates through the as self-effacing. Many reckoned that despite gales armed with stubborn there not being a birthday party, it must have resolve and unyielding spirit. Today, that been a day for the businessman to look back at relentless spirit has paid off. It has guided him his life of service and sacrifice and realise that through the bittersweet, cut-throat world of every day deserves celebrations because of global commerce till he emerged unscathed his trajectory and telling impact on humanity and undaunted in spirit and resolve, like a through his businesses. champion. At 43, Jeremi reminds us that we can all Having seen the world change around resist the excuses that guard us against giving people who were unprepared for its love. Whatever power we have, whatever our transformation, the dark-hued dude, at a very wealth and attainments, we attain humaneness young age, pitched his flag in the tumultuous and immortality, perhaps, by lifting others up, terrain and battle zone of global commerce. But especially those who are less privileged than while many of his rivals and contemporaries we are. Little wonder he reached out to the Jeremi fixated on making money from the confusion underprivileged in the city with gifts and food growing up, but it is to God’s credit that I am faintest whiff of reticence, amplifying his characteristic of the business zone, he chose on the day of his birthday. where I am today.” Also self-assured that he graceful modesty and ability to navigate the to help clarify the confusion and sanitize Interestingly, however, like all great men always does “what my heart desires. I am not tricky slopes of toil, acclaim, and humane ethics the terrain through an ethical and humane with substance and self-worth, Sholaye Jeremi in competition with anybody who is wealthier. - whether in the cut-throat world of commerce entrepreneurial culture. has evolved into a very savvy entrepreneur I only do things to satisfy my conscience. I don’t or social politics, he meanders the fiddly inclines Commerce is far too precious and and acclaimed visionary, but none of that do things to impress people. I only do what with the grace of a saint. fundamental to be left to the wiles and exploits influences his estimation of his competence is required of me. I don’t have any political Jeremi is the epitome of humility, which he of villainous characters; hence he believes and self-worth as he affects a humble poise. ambition; I will never delve into politics. I’m not described as the greatest lesson life has taught that the doctrine of altruism and love must be His unique lack of vanity inspires a lot of his a politician. I’ve never aspired to be one. I have him. “I’m extremely humbled by the fact that preached as a counteraction to the doctrine of contemporaries and underlings to consider that always believed that if you belong to a particular everything I have actually acquired at this stage mercantilism cut-throat competition and greed they could also conduct themselves humbly constituency, hold on tight to that. I believe came to me through the blessings of God”. that has overtime become the norm in business and unpretentiously. This rare attribute also that wherever I find myself today has been What does money mean to Sholaye Jeremi? circuits. Virtues, according to him, should be in excites cosy presumptions that he is the type of ordained by God”. I’m doing pretty well where “Money means nothing to me, you are only a the popular estimate, the rule guiding human dude you can sit next to on a plane and start a I am now. If I intend to move to some other custodian of money if you are rich, and you are conduct in business, social and political circuits conversation with on any issue, even if you are background, it may not work for me. Politics has only wealthy if you are able to touch people’s rather than the exception. just meeting. This is not only impressive, but it’s never interested me. There many other ways lives, people who are in need. I see money as Interestingly, however, luxury excites also important. through which one can contribute to humanity a means to an end.” He succinctly puts. Many Jeremi. It animates him hence his awareness Jeremi’s favourite chess piece is probably without participating in politics. I’m not one of things may not be known about Jeremi, but one as a connoisseur, enthusiast, and collector of not the mighty queen but the humble pawn. those who like blowing one trumpet because indisputable fact about this man is his penchant luxury and grand designs. It is, therefore, a Perhaps because he knows that it can become whatever one does for charity is between one for exotic cars as he parades them in different function of style and a taste for the grandeur anything when the pawn crosses to the and God. I can tell you that I’m engaged in a lot classes and colours. To him, “Automobiles are that he ornaments his life and every aspect of other side, except the king, little wonder he of humanitarian services.” manufactured for people to be driven, and his homestead to reflect his innate passion for treats his associates, friends and random Jeremi nurtures a robust interest in the I’m human. If I see anything I like and that I the classy and rarefied. If universal rules could acquaintances with the utmost regard. In- humane. He was never brought up to savour can afford it, I go for it.” Is there is any object teach poise and panache, it would no longer person, he’s endearing; he carries himself with bluster by finding pleasure in what is so of desire that Jeremi cannot afford? He went be poise or panache. Every middling fellow an assuredness that could be mistaken for pride commonly condemned neither was he given to philosophical, “Well, I think human nature with deep pockets or otherwise may adorn yet he is unmistakably humble. pessimism at an early age. He chooses only to cannot stop wanting until we are dead. So, we themselves with the twin traits of sophistication Jeremi parades a persona that is shorn of see the sunny spokes behind the darkest pall. are continually seeking everything. But I have and elite breeding. conceit. In fact, very few of Nigeria’s affluent Left to him, a modern traveller could the spirit of contentment. I don’t get myself Nonetheless, there is no gainsaying he can achieve every great feat in their youth, as he spend his time peacefully admiring the world’s bothered with inordinate ambitions.” possesses admirable poise and panache; a did, and remain quiet and self-effacing, like an picturesque scenes and the good among He must have some words for the aspiring man of venerable taste in fashion effortlessly avatar of the Himalayan thrust. men instead of feeling mortified by the wild, youths who are in dire need of mentorship, “I depicts style as an outward and inward sign of He attains great feats with unusual finesse grotesque inclinations of the world and the always advise them that they cannot sleep and grace and character. Jeremi has got the money and yet carries on with no false air of modesty. grind of mankind’s fledgling inhumanity. Thus wake up millionaires. They must be focused, habit and an enduring flair for the modish and While his peer is busy pushing status and he eschews impatience and quick-fix solutions determined, and also have a fear of God. Fear of timeless, in repute and proportion. their immense bulk in a desperate dash for to society’s fledgling problems. He does not God in the sense that times are tough, but they Unlike several billionaires of his ilk, he is socioeconomic and political acclaim, Jeremi turn a blind eye to the needy. Rather he pays should also look at themselves as a potential neither tormented nor overwhelmed by his love affects tact and humility without ostentation or good mind to their needs. In this respect, his success. If you believe in whatever goals you for the classy and urbane. Such habit and love pretence. generosity proclaims him. set for yourself, you can achieve them. There are practicable at a steep price, and he rises to The dark and handsome dude understands Yes, Sholaye is indeed generous at heart. is no two-way to it; you cannot go to steal. If the measure and monetary worth of his taste for that regardless of your background, if you stick He embarks on a humanitarian odyssey like you steal, you get caught, obviously. You have high fashion and art. to your goals and vie, undaunted, against the a kind of poet and painter whose imagination shortened your goals because you are going Very few people perhaps are aware of his odds, eventually you will attain success and is unclipped. He paints picturesque scenes in to be arrested and possibly put in jail. Look at weakness for everything stunning and posh. He ultimately become a better version of yourself. lives severely marred by squalor; he encrusts some good values from people. Whoever your never dithers from acquiring the finest luxury Indeed, unlike most of his peers who are bleakness in shiny varnish and, as he is able, he mentor or role model is, he also has certain money can buy, and as you read, his picturesque too busy poking their noses in the murky seeks to mend small damaged lives here and qualities that you extract from such people. I abode gives shelter to the most expensive politics and intrigues of their respective states there.”I have a lot of compassion in me to help never stole, and I would never steal. But what automobile, interior, and exterior decor, to and even neighbouring territories, he simply people. As you grow and as God blesses you, I have going for me is the determination to mention a few of his enviable acquisitions. His focuses on his enterprise and applies himself to the more you realize that your needs are actually succeed. Honestly, I had my hard times, but love of cars transcends the trope of obsession or it conscientiously and with a towering sense of very little. Far more of what you make actually one thing I never did was put myself in trouble. ordinary fleeting fascination. personal and professional business ethics. goes out to other people because your needs I don’t like to be associated with bad things Add that to his love for branded and elite Sources close to him revealed that he abhors and your life are too small to be the purpose of like “the police have held that guy. Look at the Italian and English couture, and you have a the smudge and perils of cut-throat politics. This your life”. embarrassment he brought to his family or his perfect portrait of a man at home and at peace is why his businesses are never mired in dirt or Curiously, however, at the high-octane 60th friends”. I learnt to be contented with whatever with his inner grandeur. A cursory peep into fraudulence of any kind. birthday of the legendary actor Richard Mofe, little I have. So, in my personal capacity, I’m his closet reveals an array of top designer According to Jeremi, “Attaining the Jeremi donated a whooping N20 million to doing my bit, but all hands must be on deck to brands and timepieces reflective of his taste age of 43 means different things to different support his new book, RMD, Portrait Of A Warri address the country’s unfortunate high level of for the finest luxury. Bespoke suits tailored by people; to me, it is that stage of human life Boy. Described as one of the largest individual employment. The standard of our education Italy and Savile Row’s best, complemented when inventories are taken to engender donations that night. Of course, those who have must be refashioned in such a way that an with classic male accessories, reveal a fine eye improvements where necessary and giving heard are shrieking in shock and surprise. Left to average graduate must not only be employable for detail and embodiment of class by the thanks for God for his unflinching faithfulness Jeremi, he would have donated as he is wont to but also be driven by entrepreneurship. It is self-made billionaire. You may call him an to His promises. When I looked back and tried without any noise. high time we paid greater attention to these Adonis or a dandy for his drop-dead dress to take stock of what life has offered me, I could His candid cadences, touch with just the issues.” sense and expensive taste in designer apparel, not but just praise God. Yes, I had my challenges especially Tom Ford and Saville Row suits. COVER 2 A WEEKLY PULL-OUT 11.7.2021

he newly installed Queen Idia Mask in front of the sprawling old colonial building that once housed Lord Luggard Office on Broad Street, Lagos, is gradually becoming a work of art that illuminates the entire neighbourhood at night. The Centre for Black and African Arts and TCivilization (CBAAC) is known as one of those government agencies, but the narrative is changing as one of the most cherished archives where culture and monuments that define us as a people can be found. Inside the edifice are artefacts, historical statues, photographs and momentous from the famous FESTAC ’77, where 59 countries from different continents were represented. Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, a woman with a Midas touch who has excelled both in the private and public sector, is in charge. Since she came on board 11 months ago as CBAAC helmswoman, Amao’s ingenuity, craft, creativity, and brilliance are reflected in this federal government agency. Her experience as a seasoned businesswoman and her public exposure while serving as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the late Governor of , Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, came in handy in piloting the affairs of this agency to an enviable position. Looking regal in her forest green traditional attire, Amao has a solid footing, having been born by the Ibadan successful business mogul, Chief Bode Amao. “I am the first daughter of Chief Bode Amao, the Asiwaju of Ibadan land. I was born in Kano. But when I was nine months, my grandmother took me to Ibadan. So I grew up with my grandmother in Ibadan. She died when I was eight years old. So I had to go back to Kano to join my parents. But my stay in the North was short-lived because my parents later moved to Lagos.” Born on March 4th, 1960, Amao began her educational pursuit at St. Peters Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan, after which she proceeded to Reagan Memorial Girls Primary School, Onike, Yaba, Lagos. She finished her secondary education at OLUWABUNMI AMAO Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu- Remo, Ogun State. A well-educated and grounded woman, she moved to Halidon House School Stoke Poges, Surrey, England for her ‘A’ Level, after which she gained admission into Richmond College, Surrey, THE NIGERIAN WOMAN where she bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Finance. That Amao is brilliant is an understatement. Her brilliance and academic prowess would later earn her a Master’s degree in Business Management PRESERVING CULTURE, and Finance at International University Europe, Sandiego, California. Prior to that, she had spent her summer schools at Syracuse University and California State University, Fullerton. After her sojourn in HERITAGE AND HISTORY Europe and America, Amao returned to Nigeria and served her mandatory NYSC at the Ministry of Urban Planning and Land Matters, Lagos, in 1983. Having a father with a deep pocket is From presiding over her father’s conglomerate in Ibadan, where she excelled and good, but creating a niche through hard work is key in Amao’s career trajectory. Armed forming her own furniture company where she dazzled households/royal palaces with with degrees from reputable institutions abroad and with determination to succeed her jaw-dropping architectural pieces, and her exceptional performances in the public as a young girl climbing the ladder of success, she plunged herself into her father’s sector as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi of conglomerate. At the young age of 24 in Oyo, Oluwabunmi Ayobami Amao, the first daughter of Ibadan business magnate, Chief 1984, she began her career as a Finance Manager of Joas Electrical Industries Limited Bode Amao is gradually leaving her legacy and name on the sands of time. Currently, the a position she held until she was promoted to the position of Group Managing Director Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Amao, tells of JOAS Group of companies overseeing companies under JOAS Group such as Joas why she is passionate about preserving the Electrical Industries Limited, Joas Trading, Funke Olaode Joas Furniture Ltd, Bode Foam Industry Ltd culture, history and heritage of Nigeria. and Atlantic carpet managing close to over

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/[email protected] 56 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ COVER 2 Inside the World of CBAAC’s New Chief

Tourism. We have started writing to Embassies, and we have also written to UNESCO. It is going to be a big thing which will hold for three days in Abuja. We are going to involve not just the African countries in the African continent. We are also going to engage the Western world for them to buy into what we are doing. “And as a country, we will provide an avenue for reflections on what has happened in the past and also provide a platform for the assessment of the African unity, Africa arts and culture and how it integrates the country as a whole. So these are some of the programmes that we are going to do. “Also, the international conference falls within the theme of the African Union. We are doing that in the Gambia. I don’t know if you are aware that the year 2021 has been declared by the Africa Union as the day for African Art Heritage and Culture. It is a year-long event, so we are going to plan our own differently. So we will engage all the agencies responsible for the management of culture in Africa, some of which might be in Mali, Cameroon, Ghana, and the rest. You know we have organisations such as centre for other traditions. We are the ones hosting it sometime this year. We are also doing another lecture on how to create our products and market right from the local point of production to export. Speaking further, she said, “We are going to call seasoned people in the fashion industry to tell us how they package their dresses and send them to the outside world. So people who are starting from the grassroots will benefit from the wealthy experience of people who are already rooted in what they do. These people have created a niche for themselves in marketing Nigeria’s creative products to the outside world. I believe these cultural activities that we do and which the centre represents by virtue of the decree, is one of the important instruments for cultural diplomacy that is being employed by the country now in terms of image-making, in terms of reaching out to the diaspora.” Amao, as a woman of substance and workaholic, is obvious in various leadership roles she has held both in private and public capacities. But she is still sceptical that women’s representation in both politics and the private sector is very low. “We are still advocating about that. I joined the 100 Women Lobby Group. I was then the South West coordinator. We are still advocating, and we are still talking, because there are many women out there that are really better than men. And you know, because the way women are created is unique, so we want to do a lot. We want to make an impact in the country. There is something about women that I cannot discuss because most of the women I am very close to that I relate with, for instance, Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, is a workaholic. And there are other women out there. My big sister, who turned 70 recently, Erelu Olusola Obada, is my mentor any day. Aunty Shola, too, doesn’t know how to sleep. Once she is sleeping, she is shaking her legs that the husband will now have to steady it. And when we are going somewhere, she walks briskly, and we will be running after her. She has done so well that anybody that is close to her will know that 2,000 people. Soweto when the children decided to go on God has created this woman specially. Then how was it like growing under a rampage that they are not going to school “I remembered one day I was listening to the the tutelage of a wealthy father? “My Amao (Apartheid). And to me, that had gone, even house of representative or the senate, and one father is a disciplinarian. He will tell you in Soweto now they are going to school. So got up and said please, I am begging you in the that look. I came from a poor background. I left the place, we brought in five awards during I now used the opportunity to bring out name of God, and in the name of Allah, don’t All that I have achieved today is through a festival competition held among 36 states. What African culture and food for children. The give women more than what you can give them my hard work. So you cannot now be actually gave us the award was the masquerade, theme was ‘African Culture fit in For the they will take over from us. If you give them gallivanting around that you are the the best dressed, which has never happened Upbringing of African Child.’ It went so well one mile, they will go five miles. That is the way daughter of Chief Bode Amao you have to before. Because it is only Cross River, Rivers, and that people were now calling us that they they are. We must not do it. He was advocating work for yourself. This is my own money.” one other state that used to collect this award, it want us to start talking about it. that they should not give women space. Having gathered enough experience was when Chief Edem Duke was the minister.” “We realised that most parents, especially Some men know that if their wives take over under a disciplined and successful father, With desire to serve her people, Amao the Yorubas, believe that if they don’t start something, they will now be like second- after 10 years, Amao set out to become contested for the House of Representatives their children with English, they won’t class citizens. They don’t like it, and it is a her own boss. She floated House of representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency know how to speak English. So our culture, natural thing, and it is a global thing. There Furniture and Designs Ltd, an outfit in in 2015. Her party APC still recognized her especially the Yoruba one, is eroding. The are women out there who have done well and which outstanding crafts spread to the contributions, and she was appointed the DG of Hausa people up till now they train their still doing marvellously well. What we need households of rich and royalty, palaces, CBAAC on the 26th of August 2021. children in Hausa. And those children, as a woman is a support and an enabling government offices with jaw-dropping On her assumption of office, something when they speak English, is flawless. The environment to blossom.” architectural masterpieces. came to Amao’s mind. As somebody with vast same thing with the Igbo people. So that As the interview came to a close, Amao A very successful businesswoman experience in different capacities in various fields, is what we now did, even some people reflected on her 11 months in office and and entrepreneur, Amao’s hard work, she wanted to project the agency’s image to the came to meet me and said they are guilty what the future holds. diligence and ability to turn things around front burner. of it too. The point is that we must not “I am here to make an impact. And positively haven’t gone unnoticed. In “The first thing I did was to read the act under allow our culture to be destroyed. So it with my supportive staff members, we are 2011, she was appointed Special Adviser which the agency was established. Former DGs of was a successful occasion that it was well moving forward. The day is still young, but on Culture and Tourism under the the agency were from the academic community, publicised.” in the end, I want people to say that in my Senator Ajimobi led administration, a and CBAAC only resonates in the academic It has been 11 months since Amao time, she changed the whole system to this position she held for three years before arena. We are the custodian of all the materials became the DG. One can literarily say and to that. There are nine agencies, and being appointed as Special Adviser on of the 59 Black and African countries; dancing, she hit the ground running with various CBAAC is being placed on number eight Establishment and Training and later singing etc. And this came to the front burner innovations and activities to bring the while we should be on number one because Trade and Investment in 2015. during FESTAC 1977. CBAAC is an embodiment agency to national and international we comprise everything. Now everybody has Under her watch, Oyo Culture of everything you need to know about festivals recognitions. “Preparations are ongoing been calling me that we are making an impact and Tourism sector experienced turn or cultural activities. I read the act, and I decided to celebrate FESTAC 77 at 45 next year. We because I use my art to see what and what around winning awards. “Before my to follow what it is written in that act. We did met the African Union, and we are going to could be done. I am not only for Nigeria but for appointment, culture and tourism have something recently, Day of African Child. Day of Ethiopia for it. We are doing it in collaboration the whole world, and everywhere there is the never received any recognition. But before African Child is supposed to be during the time of with the Federal Ministry of Culture and black race.” SUNDAY JULY 11, 2021 • THISDAY 57 58 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ GLITZ FOCUS For Moghalu-Oguadinma, the Boy-child Matters Too By Vanessa Obioha

dvocacy for the girl-child is prevalent in many societies today. From education to protection, the girl-child, seen as a vulnerable member of society, is often at the forefront of advocacy. This is not entirely a bad thing as most girls have been victims of violence and Aprivation, irrespective of the hue. However, it exposes an imbalance in the way child issues are treated based on gender. A vulnerable girl-child is likely to get a quicker response compared to the boy- child. The implication of this is that the boy- child is neglected, and societies are flooded with boys who become irresponsible or susceptible to crimes. Against this backdrop, Nkiru Moghalu- Oguadinma gathered stakeholders to launch the Boy-child Transformation Centre (BTC) recently in Ikoyi. It is an intervention platform that provides a positive, permanent shift in the quality of life of the boy-child. For the single mother of three boys, author and business strategist, the male child is not getting adequate attention in society. “Evidence shows more women and girls have received attention and consideration as they are seen as more vulnerable to abuse, attacks and as well as less privileged. What this world order fails to grasp is the fact that the boy-child has the same or even worse challenges as the girls. A neglected boy-child generally grows up to be a bigger danger to society than the girl-child.” She buttressed her points by providing statistics of prison admissions in Nigeria, which showed that the male gender commits the top 10 crimes for most prison admissions. “Eighty per cent of suicide cases occur with men due to social pressure to be a man and be strong. The use of drugs and narcotics is 70 per cent more with boys than girls. And school dropout is gradually increasing with boys. The boy-child also offers various forms of abuse including rape, which is also sadly on the rise.” Moghalu-Oguadinma’s advocacy for the boy-child stems from a desire to see responsible male children in society. “I have three amazing boys that I’m raising and every day, I look at the world around us, and I’m worried. Worried about children that I’m seeing, and videos of what is going on within our society. I get worried Moghalu-Oguadinma about kidnapping, rape, cultism, banditry attack. These are people’s children that have suddenly turned into something else. I’m a mother, I’m very concerned in the first Dakuku Peterside, who deconstructed myths International Day of the Boy Child is The boys are grouped in different instance, and then as a human being as surrounding the male child preference in being observed around the world today stages to address their needs adequately. well.” most African homes and called for better every year on May 16. For instance, for boys aged five to 10, the Her parents, she said, instilled core role models for the boy child in his keynote The convener plans to have 100 focus will include developing identity and moral values in her, which has helped shape address. children go through the BTC every year. character; and understanding personal and her narrative of life and thus prepare her The Senior Special Assistant on Her target audience is boys between the cultural values. for the role she is taking in transforming the Education to the Lagos State Governor, ages of five and 18 who will be groomed Moghalu-Oguadinma will be working boy-child in society. Adetola Salau, emphasised the need for in the core values of personal identity, with foundations that focus on children, “What is actually missing in all these character development of the boy-child role model, integrity, mutual respect, government parastatals, community schools, talks about crimes in society is the aspect in the educational curriculum while also empathy and self-worth by mentors and churches and corporate organisations. There of mind shifts. Everything starts with the highlighting the importance of having the coaches. are also plans to work with organisations mind. And I’m saying, how can I also right mindset and working in harmony with “Let’s begin to nurture these ones around Nigeria to realise her vision to train contribute my own quota, because again, both genders in society. appropriately, so they don’t end up on a generation of boys driven by conscience, if you’re saying you’re living a purposeful While Moghalu-Oguadinma’s utmost the streets just like others. It is easier to empathy and living a purposeful life. life, these are all the things that you need to concern about the male child is for him to win over a child than to repair broken “The most important thing we preach think through.” overcome peer pressure and do what is right, men. If we all contribute our own quota is conscience because when a child has Her thoughts were echoed by former she is also pushing for the United Nations in this direction, we can help to salvage conscience and empathy, he will not become Director-General of Nigerian Maritime to make provisions for the boy-child in what we are seeing right now, within the violent or indulge in other vices,” she Administration and Safety Agency, its policies and programmes. Already, an society,” she noted. concluded. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ 59 GLITZ PERSONALITY Ugo Udezue: For the Love of Basketball and Fashion He’s been rich, broke, played basketball, and now runs a sportswear fashion brand, AFA Sports Apparel, among the global brands that will be outfitting a team at the Olympic Games in Japan this month. A former NBA agent, Ugo Udezue is telling the African story in a positive light through fashion and sports, writes Vanessa Obioha f the two tall white buildings hassles his late father went through. Part of his in the quiet street of Kafayat ambition may also be attributed to his state of Abdulrazaq in Lekki, the AFA origin, Anambra. An indigene of Nnewi, he is Sports Apparel building was proud of the enterprising nature of his people. more distinguished. Its iconic “It’s in my blood,” he said confidently. logo was emblazoned on it Being a ‘returnee’, navigating the Nigerian and if one looked closer, one landscape could be hectic, but not for Udezue, would see the company’s who was teachable and discarded the name on one of the gate pillars. superiority mentality usually donned by most OInside the white coloured building are a returnees. maze of offices and a showroom. The walls “I could learn from my driver or my cleaner. are also coloured white with some parts So I learned quickly, I just watch, learn and adorned with murals depicting the company’s adapt. That’s the key to my survival here. I don’t vision and the slogan ‘This is Ours’. In one try to change the narrative. I don’t come here of the offices sat Ugo Udezue, a former thinking like an American, you will fail. Once I National Basketball Association (NBA) agent get on that plane heading to Nigeria, I take off and founder of the sportswear fashion line. my American mindset and put on my Nigerian Metaphorically, he is as tall as the building, mindset,” he said, laughing heartily. towering at almost seven feet. Even though Udezue’s core objective when he returned he hasn’t played basketball actively for a long was to start a basketball league in Nigeria. In while due to a knee injury, his physique is as a way, to build a basketball league that would intimidating as one who is constantly on the rival the NBA. He started the African Basketball basketball court. League with six teams in 2017 and rebranded it One does not need a soothsayer to into the 10-team Continental Basketball League discern that he is the pilot of AFA. His in six African countries. Through his efforts, business-like demeanour signalled that: he the NBA Africa was born, and recently, he answers questions straightforwardly without was appointed the chairman of the Anambra blinking, though his voice is deep and gentle. Basketball Association. A former basketball Occasionally, his lips break into a smile that player, Udezue was part of the Nigerian junior eventually becomes a hearty laugh — a short national team in 1996. Of his siblings, he is the bubbling sound — showing a playful and only one in the sports field. approachable side of him. “I come from a family where everyone is His office is also painted white. On its either a doctor or an engineer,” he said. walls are paintings and a mood board where He got a scholarship to study in America Udezue his ideas are articulated before translated and play basketball at Riverdale Baptist School into finished products. A cloth hanger stand in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. There, he Nike, and carried out a feasibility study. displaying the latest collection of AFA sits idly made a name for himself until a knee injury “The first place I went was the Palms on one side of the office. halted his advances. While the graduate of Shopping Mall in Lekki, and I sat in front If anyone had shown Udezue a picture of Communications is known for his contributions of the Nike store for two days, spending him today five years ago, he would probably to basketball in Africa, he is becoming five hours a day. I watched what people laugh out loud, shrug them off as if they are increasingly popular for his sportswear fashion were buying and not buying. I noticed a on drugs. Why would he want to leave his line, AFA which stands for ‘Africa for Africa.’ lot of people were going to the food courts dream job as a top NBA agent in America for AFA was born out of necessity to kit his more than the stores,” he explained. an uncertain future in Nigeria? There was basketball players. At first, he reached out to the He would later go to the Trade Fair no plausible reason to take such a radical popular sportswear brand Nike to produce kits International Market along the Lagos/ step. Alas! He did! And now, he campaigns that are suitable for Nigerians but was turned Badagry expressway and visit the popular to other Nigerians living abroad to make a down. The rejection launched AFA. “At the shoe market in Aba, , just to similar move. In one of his Instagram posts beginning, it was just about creating something see how things are done organically. His early this year, he wrote about the big leap relevant,” he explained. next trip was to China, where he visited and encouraged others who are struggling to “We had no experience whatsoever in factories and shared his vision with the decide without buttering it. any kind of retail, inventory, warehouse. The operators. Not until last year did he begin “Even in despair, there are opportunities only strengths we had were marketing and production in Nigeria. here. Good things don’t happen in times communication, so we have to learn very Three months before the pandemic of prosperity, it is in despair. That’s when quickly. We didn’t know what would come out that pay celebrities to market their products, shut down the world, Udezue had the Udezue found celebrities patronising AFA. you make a change,” he said.Explaining his of it. We didn’t know the kind of investment to nagging thought to begin production post further, he said, “Everything is not for take. We just keep pushing day by day.” “They are just passionate about our in Nigeria. Again, he began studying story.”He is currently working on a new everybody. Living in the U.S. creates some Today, AFA is a leading sportswear brand the production process. He reached an kind of comfort and stability in so many ways. in Nigeria. It joins other global brands that collection Afrileisure. agreement with his board members and “We are trying to turn traditional African But for me, I started the business very early. will outfit a team at the Olympic Games kicked off production. I’ve accomplished some of the goals I set. I’m in Tokyo, Japan, later this month. It will be wear into athleisure—something you can just “Three months later, COVID hit. wear to a club, meeting or gym and still look also aware that the most important thing in life kitting Nigeria’s Women’s National Basketball Nobody could import. We were the only is the legacy you leave behind. It’s not about Team, D’Tigress. It has collaborated with other comfortable. We use colours that are rich but people that could supply. That’s when minimalistic. We want to have our own concept the money you make, or the people you meet, basketball teams such as the Benin Basketball the brand became popular. Everyone that because all of that will pass. Federation and the Nigerian Volleyball team. of athleisure.” was in sports was at home working out. The collection includes a kaftan-like “Legacy is more important to me. I have Looking back to almost four years ago when If I didn’t do that, we would have gone been in sports for most of my life. Once I saw AFA Sports was birthed, Udezue clarified that athleisure outfit and funky, traditional caps. under.” Sometimes, it amazes Udezue how one gets this opportunity to make something different, the direction to make it a major fashion line He may not be an Elijah, but his it got me excited, and we wanted to build evolved at some point. to a certain age and discovers new talents. He’s prescient nature has helped him make been rich, broke, played basketball, and now something special that would be around, that “Our goal wasn’t just making money. It the right decisions in business, and to could feed families, create an entity that will be was to create a vehicle that was sustainable runs a Pan-African fashion line. Yet, in all of an extent, nudged him back home. He these, he is modest, refusing to take the crown around years after we leave this earth. If you and could create jobs. Every time I travel, I see revealed that the inspiration to create AFA look at most major corporations in Nigeria international brands like Nike and Coca Cola for all the hard work. — from the logo, the name to the direction “I’m just the pilot. This vision has never today, after the people who found them are but you really don’t see any product that is from — came to him in a dream. gone, the wealth and legacy dissipate, and Africa. It evokes some kind of emotions in you been about Ugo Udezue. I see AFA in five years “I didn’t see all these things because becoming a vehicle that tells a story through their families have to start from scratch. Why when you see that. So our goal from day one I was the smartest person or I foresaw don’t we have the Cadburys and Heinekens was to create something beautiful and different. its products—telling the African story the right COVID. Even the Olympics deal, I didn’t way—conveying messages of togetherness that outlive one generation? Most Nigerian Something that can give hope to people that this look for it. There is always something businesses end in one generation.” can be done here too.” and that things can be done. We are not just that connects everybody in this business. married to one country in Africa. We want to The zeal to make a legacy for himself An avid reader, Udezue armed himself with I would be absolutely foolish to think made him shy away from his father’s a lot of books before he kicked off his fashion tell our story in a very positive light, where there’s no bigger play here.” every country in Africa wears AFA and lives are production business. In fact, he admitted that business. He read several books on fashion retail Beyond sports, AFA is a popular brand he hates anything production because of the and branding, including a book on the history of impacted. We want to make AFA a vehicle of among entertainers. Unlike other brands African empowerment.” 60 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ

with KAYODE ALFRED HighLife ͮͶͯͯʹ͵ͳͷͶͮ͵˜E-mail: kayfl[email protected] ...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

§ Which Way, Lai Ex-First Bank MD Bisi Onasanya Mohammed? Making Waves with Address Homes It was Countee Cullen that wrote these Onasanya’s venture in real estate is yielding revolutionary words: “Some are teethed on sumptuous fruits. a silver spoon with the stars hung up for Onasanya’s company, Address Homes a rattle. I cut my teeth like a black raccoon Limited, has been hailed as one of the more for implements of battle.” This is Cullen successful property development outfits in describing how former First Bank MD Bisi recent times. What is incredible about the Onasanya ended up on the path of good company is not that it can manage some of money, breaking the law of entropy by raising the best locations and properties on Banana his wealth a few metres after six years away Island in Ikoyi, Lagos, but also that it is Bisi from the First Bank apex position. Onasanya, a retired banker, that is the brains Where do MDs go when they retire? Bisi behind it. Doesn’t this suggest that Onasanya Onasanya was one of those that necessitated is as much a super realtor as he was a super this question when he retired from the position banker? of Group MD and CEO of First Bank in 2015. Regardless, Onasanya’s wealth is Onasanya had been a regular at the bank for gradually approaching the calibre of more than two decades and spent the last conglomerate CEOs in Nigeria. Before anyone six years as the number one man. And so he knows it, this man with an Ijebu pedigree left and news bearers reported that he had might just overtake some of the big names on decided to settle on the docks of Real Estate. the Nigerian (and even African) lists of funds From the latest reports coming in, Bisi and fortune. Mohammed Onasanya has begun to let a bit of his deep Then again, who doesn’t know that Bisi pocketedness leak out. Folks have reported Onasanya is a meticulous planner? If his Adversaries within and enemies seeing some of the finest, most expensive, meritorious stay in First Bank is not enough without—this is the knot that Nigeria’s and jaw-wrenching vehicles in the garage of indication, surely his Address Homes Limited Onasanya Minister of Information and Culture, Lai his Banana Island mansion. By all accounts, is enough proof. Mohammed, is facing. After showing himself to be a bulwark, particularly in the Buhari-led administration, cracks are Timi Alaibe: I Don’t Know Brenda Ataga beginning to emerge in the minister’s The narrative started with a blogger who— destructive lies just to rubbish not only my foundations, cracks that are forming without evidence—dramatically cast Timi person, but to smear the integrity of the woman from within. Alaibe as the villain in Ataga’s family matters. in question. Up till this moment, I do not know Kwara APC is currently Said blogger reported that Alaibe was courting the woman called Mrs. Brenda Ataga; not Brenda Ataga and that the latter was well- to talk of having any relationship with her. I undergoing a shift in leadership known in Alaibe’s circle as his ‘official mistress’. with Lai Mohammed and Governor wonder why the husband to someone I have Deliberately or otherwise, the blogger cast never met would confront me about his wife; or Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq contending aspersions on the markedly spotless reputation how a woman I do not even know would have to emerge on top of the situation. of Alaibe and dragged him out for denunciation. a child for me! This is utter rubbish because I Whereas the governor has many Alaibe’s swift and strong rebuttal shutdown have never had any business with this woman supporters, including Kwara senators, any doubt that may have been created by the or the late husband at whatever level. That is the minister has only himself to count insane fabrication: “My initial reaction was to the truth as God knows it. ignore this nonsense. But in the past 24 hours, I on. “I am warning whoever is behind this devil- have been bombarded with telephone calls and driven, destructive agenda to stop it. Don’t While there might have been messages from friends within and outside the ever think you are hidden. God is watching altercations here and there, this is the country. Why? In the early hours of Saturday you. Circulating ruinous falsehood in the social first time Lai Mohammed is going all night, someone had sent me an anonymous, media about innocent persons just to rope them out to reclaim the APC chairmanship demonic-sounding social media post linking me into a crime or dent their image will do you no in Kwara from Governor Abdulrazaq. with the wife of Michael Usifo Ataga, the late good. I challenge the person behind this tar- chief executive officer of Super TV.“The insane, brush to make public any verifiable evidence From the minister’s point of view, this unknown writer of the unthinkable falsehood is the natural course of action in the face to corroborate this falsehood. My conscience is Alaibe stated that Ataga’s wife left the husband to clear.” of what he considers betrayal by the be my mistress; and that the late Ataga had Timi Alaibe, former MD of the Niger Delta However, THISDAY Newspaper also governor. physically confronted me; and that the woman reported the story, attempting to convey Development Commission (NDDC), has is a household name among my friends. The The crack in the wall became reiterated that he knows nothing about Brenda that something mischievous was currently apparent when Minister Mohammed writer added that the woman is also my “official underway and possibly creeping towards Ataga, the widow of the late Michael Usifo mistress” in “social circle and class.” He went claimed that he, along with some friends Ataga, founder and CEO of Super TV. This is tarnishing the good name of the former ahead to state that I already have a child from NDDC MD. Unfortunately, the attempt was and associates, had single-handedly not surprising considering the coverage that the woman whose DNA matches mine.“I do the ill-contrived story enjoyed in the past two unsuccessful since the narrative was reported in funded the elections that won Governor not understand why a human being with blood a tone that comes across as equally vilifying. Abdulrazaq his gubernatorial position, weeks. in his veins would sit down and conceive such as well as that of the lawmakers. Consequently, as the information minister concluded the matter, APC Movers and Shakers of Society Plan Superb 75th had entered ‘one chance’ by having Abdulrazaq as governor. Unfortunately, these remarks did not sit well with some Birthday for Cardinal James Odunmbaku Kwara lawmakers. A well-placed man is often a well-liked A close friend and colleague of Asiwaju According to reports, Senators man. Since Dr James Omolaja Odunmbaku Bola Ahmed Tinubu, legend states that the Ibrahim Oloriegbe (from Kwara began publicly labouring for the well-being clergyman was already in the thick of political Central), Lola Ashiru (from Kwara of Lagosians and the prosperity of Lagos things as far back as the 1993 presidential South) and Umar Sadiq (from , folks have found one way or another to election. In fact, his nickname, Baba Eto, is North) were the first to decry Minister eulogise him. But those that know that Cardinal said to have been bequeathed by the late Odunmbaku has been in the thick of things MKO Abiola himself when he appointed Mohammed’s opinions, noting that the long before the Fourth Republic hail him as one Odunmbaku as a special adviser on grassroots APC funded the 2019 elections under the of the most prestigious political figures in the mobilisation. judicious supervision of the governor. country. As the man prepares to clock 75, the But the Odunmbaku political conquests They also reportedly expressed their top shots of the Nigerian society are already are not only in the far past. Those in the support for the governor, stating that he holding meetings to see his name written across know recognise him as one of the main is the true APC chief in Kwara, not the the sky. power brokers in Lagos. He, it is reported, August 3, 2021, is going to be one of those held the hands of former Governor minister. days in Lagos history where ink pots dry out. and then the latter While the 69-year-old man is losing Why is this? Because words will fail to capture rose to gubernatorial heights. Odunmbaku grip of APC in Kwara, PDP members the rattling that the city will experience in the reportedly anointed Governor Babajide have used this opportunity to punch name of Dr James Omolaja Odunmbaku’s Sanwo-Olu during Ambode’s tenure, holes in Lai Mohammed’s armour. They 75th Birthday. If reports are to be believed, declaring him as the successor. Only described the minister’s ‘one chance’ certain super political figures will be leaving those who knew Odunmbaku’s abilities their self-imposed seclusion ahead of the 2023 believed him. Who is on the Lagos State comment as the perfect summary of the presidential election to pay homage to the governorship seat now? APC-led administration. By so doing, clergyman who reigns supreme in political So, it is not altogether surprising that Lagos the PDP used the gap in his heft in circles. city will play host to the movers and shakers Kwara to cut down the APC. In other Nicknamed Baba Eto, Dr Odunmbaku is of Nigeria as they arrive to pay homage to words, things are not looking good for one of the strongmen of the All Progressives Cardinal Odunmbaku on his 75th birthday. He the minister. Congress (APC), particularly in Lagos State. deserves the accolades. Odunmbaku THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ 61 HIGHLIFE Florence Ajimobi for Senate? and a negative, depending on the kind The reports also have it that of leader leaving office. How does this the political figures intend to have play to the favour of Madam Florence Florence Ajimobi continuing where Ajimobi? Will the senatorial robe fit her her late husband stopped. Anyone as well as it did her late husband? Oh with a bit of sense would understand yes, says the latest rumours from Oyo. that if this report is true, then these Since former Governor Abiola folks intend to cast Madam Florence Ajimobi passed on, rumour mongers as Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Returned, have found one way or another to someone who can sneeze and the rest drag his wife onto public eyes. of Abiola’s All Progressives Congress Whether the intentions are pure or (APC) rattles with vibrations. otherwise is still a matter of debate Then again, some folks have at this point, but the possible results expressed extreme dissatisfaction with of these endeavours leave one the kinds of rumours that Nigerians pondering. can cook up. This particular one, they Certain political figures in Oyo say, is too ridiculous. After all, Madam are reportedly pushing Florence Florence is not a native of Oyo, not Ajimobi towards Senatorial politics. to mention Oyo South Senatorial Okonkwo Ajimobi According to those in the know, these District. But then again, the Nigerian figures are playing to the emotions Constitution sorts of allows it. Even One of the many ways by which of those still fiercely loyal to the so, does the APC? Do the people? modern democracy is different from late governor and asking that his Assuming that the rumour is true and Who’s After the heritage-style system of African widow take his place as Oyo South Madam Ajimobi accepts the prodding, government is that lines of succession senator, possibly at the end of this will be history. If the rumours are bear little resemblance to blood the tenure of the present senator, just that, rumours, well, that’s just Nnamdi Okonkwo? relationships. This is both a positive Mohammed Kola Balogun. another day in Nigeria, isn’t it? The tree might wish for peace, the ancient Chinese people said, but the wind is not likely to let her have it. This fits Gbenga Elegbeleye Becomes Rallying Point in Ondo the recent Nnamdi Okonkwo situation almost perfectly. Great men are always relevant men to secure a Bachelor of Arts degree After what seems like a long and vice versa. This is a construction of from Obafemi Awolowo University, vacation for the celebrated Lord Acton’s famous words, but it is Ile-Ife. Afterwards, Elegebeye former Fidelity Bank MD/CEO, no less true. A few notable characters earned his Master’s degree in Public troublemakers have featured in Nigerian politics have proved this, Administration from the University of him in a new rumour. But this the most recent being Honourable Ado-Ekiti and has been in public office is not the usual laugh-it-off Gbenga Elegbeleye, former director- ever since. scandal, but the kind that can general of the National Sports As the chairman of Akoko North extinguish a legacy. Commission. East LGA, Ondo Waste Management Only the most pessimistic It might surprise many that Authority, House of Reps member of minds could have imagined Gbenga Elegbeleye is still very active for Akoko North East/North West it, but it happened: Nnamdi in Ondo politics in the present. While Federal Constituency, member Okonkwo was alleged to some of his peers have decided to of the Ministerial Committee have become the subject of a take up regular vacations at choice on the Reform of Football deepening probe authorised locations elsewhere in the world, Administration in Nigeria, by the Board of Directors of Elegbeleye has maintained his decision and DG of National Sports Fidelity Bank. The rumour to stay in Ondo, serving his people in Commission, Elegebeye has been further noted that the probe the best way he knows how—politics. nothing less than effective and was proceeding rather well From a national perspective, exemplary. and could get the former MD Elegbeleye’s best contributions came And yet, after so long, the behind bars if he is unable during his time as National Sports man has refused to leave his people to get a good lawyer to represent him in court. Commission DG (2013 to 2015). The Elegbeleye to the inexperienced and dishonest. Of course, anyone achievements of Nigerians during this celebrated today. Thus, Elegebeye has remained in the period are clear to all. Nevertheless, his thick of things since leaving the sports that knows the depth of Indeed, Gbenga Elegbeleye’s Okonkwo’s loyalty to Fidelity folks back in have never historical profile sets him up as tailored commission in 2015. He is still a very forgotten that he started from Akoko influential, well-connected, and well- Bank would have eventually for politics. Born in Ikare, Akoko North found the rumours a bit North East as its youngest chairman East area, Elegbeleye spent his formative liked character in his constituency and and that his legacies in that role are still state. too fantastic, even at these years in Ondo until 1983 when he had excitable times. It would be those who know little of Okonkwo’s exploits, his devotion, and long-standing contributions to the growth and development of the bank Glad Tidings! As Timipre Sylvia that might spend a moment or two pondering the details of the allegation. Celebrates Another Beautiful Year Nevertheless, the current management of Fidelity In a turn of events, the kind that for Petroleum Resources. In 2007, Sylva Bank has responded in the is rarely seen in Nigerian political succeeded Goodluck Ebele Jonathan strictest way possible to the space, the elite and grassroots alike (who went on to be President) as the rumours. In very clear terms, have taken to celebrating with loud governor of Bayelsa. Unsurprisingly, the press release stated that cheers the 57th birthday of the Minister Sylva’s ascension to gubernatorial the allegation is “entirely of State for Petroleum Resources, heights was met with opposition on false, malicious and should be Timipre Marlin Sylva. A man who has many fronts, but that did not deter him. discountenanced.” What is a won the hearts of his people, Sylva’s Sylva’s persistent spirit and better defence than this? birthday is one of the few days in any candidness have endeared him to many Moreover, not too long year that even political rivals agree on people. Thus, it was not surprising ago, it was again rumoured something. that President Buhari appointed him This year’s celebrations are no petroleum minister and met little that Okonkwo would join different. Folks have already begun resistance. the gubernatorial race in to send their goodwill messages to So good is Timipre Sylva with , flying the the former Bayelsa governor, Timipre the majority of power brokers in the All Progressives Grand Sylva. All of a sudden, folks are country that the South-South Emerging Sylvia Alliance (APGA) flag. How making it a point of duty to chant “For Leaders’ Forum (SELF) has reportedly that narrative came to be is he’s a jolly good fellow” in the most noted that it is to Sylva’s credit that the National Assembly. beyond logic and fact. So maybe sonorous of melodies. For those who long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill This is evidenced by the fact that this gist about a probe is from follow political matters less resolutely, (PIB) (which is targeted at transforming the passing of the bill came a few days before the minister’s birthday the same source. But why? Timipre Sylva has been in the centre everything related to petroleum Who is intent on fiddling with of national administration since 2004. resources in the country to sustainable as if to cement his exploits in the During this time, the Bayelsan was the exponents of economic growth and Ministry. Indeed, what better way the public image of Nnamdi special assistant to the Minister of State development) was passed by the to measure one’s worth than the Okonkwo? Who is after a man accolades from friends and rivals? so well thought of? 62 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ

LOUD WHISPERS with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791) Igbo Marginalisation – Myth or Reality?

You know, say I don’t know how to got very strategic appointments and held shebi they have ban twitter when will mind my business. Igbo people have been high positions, including the number they extend it to blog o? crying marginalization. I am not Igbo, two position in both civilian and military This boy has yabbed me finish. He and the only link to Igbo is the woman administrations. Mbok, what exactly did I has finished me o. Mbok, from now wey born for me and even that one sef, say wrong that these boys come finish me onwards, I no put my mouth again, if is half-Edo. That is how I went to write like this? You see why Lai ban Twitter. Igbo people want to go they can go o. It is an article and publish in Ripples taking a The abuse was too much. I swear if not my problem again abeg. Mbok, me, firm stance against their position. Come I had power, I would have proscribed lazy attention seeker, me, a whole Duke and see abuse. that Ripples online platform. Even as I of Shomolu, Elder of the Present Truth These people abuse me o especially write, the thing is paining me. Let me Ministry and only one who can cheat on two Igbo boys. Nothing they didn’t call quote one of them: “People should not Duchess and live to tell the story na him me in this life. Kai, the thing pain me o take the fool writing this junk seriously this boy finish like this? and is still paining me. What did I say because looking at his face alone will tell Sad thing is that it is not only him o? I only said this their complaint that you everything you need to know about o. The comments reach 15. I come dey everybody is complaining the same in him and a very corrupt and hungry, lazy beg the Editor big-headed Sam to pull this country o. That you can only be attention seeker.” Me, me o, this boy down the comments he know answer marginalised if you say you are and that finish like this. If you see the way this me o. Please Igbo nation listen carefully. Igbo people must understand how to thing is paining me, you will not imagine. I am no longer interested in your matter. engage in the power play and that it is all I swear if I catch this boy, even if he turn Anything you want to do, please do, just about building alliances through concrete to cat, I will wring his neck. He no even leave Cossy Orjiakor, Genevieve Nnaji negotiations and compromises. look at the issues in the very powerful and one or two other beauties when you I ended up by saying that Igbo have article na to call me ugly and lazy. Please are leaving. Mbok, I tire. See abuse. Obiozor

TOKYO OLYMPICS – COLOSSAL WASTE OF ABUBAKAR MALAMI – A DISGRACE? The most important thing now is how to decampment to APC or even NYSC will TIME Still on this matter of abuse and insults: we get this Nigerian-Canadian’s nude picture not be new. Please just go so that PDP I used to wonder why we used to waste have read that one Nigerian in the diaspora and release on Twitter even though we here can clear its eye. We do not want an our time and be going for these huge who has managed to become something in Nigeria will not see it, our cousins in the unopposed president in 2023. We need a international tournaments when our sports up there has just called our greatest justice diaspora will see it. So that he will shut up. president who will suffer to get there to people used to just go for sightseeing and minister ever a disgrace to the rule of law. How can he call our Oga disgrace? It is his know not to take us for granted. tourism. My position here is not whether the man buttocks that are a disgrace. The economic situation in this country now deserves this new title or not. Please, don’t AND NDDC’S cannot handle this jamboree in the name of ask me any mumu questions. Last I checked, UCHE SECONDUS – KINDLY RESIGN UNCOMMON CRISIS sports. It’s even more concerning now that I don’t know how to change to a cat. The This is not something anybody should be If you understand the politics of the the issue of COVID is prevalent. Somehow point is that this man has yabbed our Oga telling this bobo. The way his people are South-South, especially as it concerns somehow, God has let this one pass over us. and I am happy our Oga has given back. You crossing over like a distressed bank the NDDC, you will understand why Be like say someone carry a giant red mark see me, I am not one for turning the other suffering from a run should make him this appointment of mercurial Godswill and surround the whole of Nigeria the way cheek when I am stoned. I will stone back o. begin to consider leaving. It is not until Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta they did it in the Bible to the Children of In fact, if you throw one I will throw they tell him before he will start packing. could be seen as a perfect definition of a Israel such that when the plague came, he five. Malami should not just end with The man is presiding over a sinking boat. square peg in no hole. The Commission pass them over. that statement where he has called the A boat bereft of any ideology or strategy was ostensibly set up to intervene in This Covid thing just could not take firm man eccentric and weird in response. He to pull back the emigration. the socio-economic development of the root here and now we now want to go and should pull his village into the matter, his I have met him before. I met him in Abuja region. look for trouble by sending people who will housemaid and his cat. He should go all out. and I will not say with whom or where It was set up as a result of very serious just go there and carry last in everything and If he cannot do it well, he should come and before he come slap me. The truth is that agitation for development in the region. possibly bring delta variant here to come and recruit me because that statement he released he did not strike me as a gentleman of But ever since, na all sorts of journeymen kill us. is tepid and not up to the standard required. depth. I didn’t see the charisma to lead have been running the place, turning it They say the first batch has gone and na I am an expert in this kind roforofo. Go and a serious opposition against a sitting into a cesspool of corruption and avarice. rowing—rowing o. My people rowing, apart ask Osa when he call me mumu on Duke and very aggressive government. This So in trying to clean it up, it is not a huge from the fishermen I used to see in Ilaje for summit. I abuse him o. He almost start to was just a jolly good fellow who was politician as this one that should even be Bariga, I have not heard or seen Nigerians cry. I describe his big head, skinny legs, and swigging the very best of wine and just involved. show any sign of interest in that thing that the fact that he lost an election in Magodo to having fun. Mr Akpabio is ‘interested’. Still variedly is what we are sending people that we abuse him. He send people to come and beg. Look, Nigeria needs credible opposition. ambitious, still engaged in the divisive politics should have sent to farms to go and do in I abuse him for three days non-stop. Not the Sowore type but a strong of the region, there is no way this would Tokyo where they have declared a state of While we are still abusing, we must also platform like the PDP with the reach and not be turned into a veritable war chest in a emergency cos of Covid. At times, I used to forget the things that led to the abuse o. sagacity to give the APC a fight for the Hobbesian quest for a return to relevance. sha wonder if it is cotton wool that is in the That is how abuse dey sweet na, no logic, betterment of democracy. So presiding We need at the NDDC a detached and very head of our leaders and decision makers. no sense, just emotive salvos that go at the over a boat that everybody is bailing out experienced technocrat or professional with Come and slap me here if we win one medal personalities and not addressing the issues. is not my idea of credible opposition. You a very strong understanding of the socio- in this jamboree. In fact, if we win one I will Issues like were any international laws will need to step out let’s see if we can economic terrain. go celibate for one day and you know what contravened in this move, is it true that get a much more rounded leadership or We never get it. When we miss it at the that means. One day I will go celibate if we the Kenyan government has denied any better still, you too can decamp, nothing position of leadership, we will be shouting win one medal. Waste of time. involvement amongst others and if so, what else will surprise me in this Nigeria. marginalization, Fulani, Buhari and finally, are the true implications to the rule of law Anything can happen after all Ojukwu we will end with a stupid cry of separation as and international conventions protecting wrote a book about Bianca when the human rights and all that big English. whole world was waiting for his own Let’s forget that one first, doesn’t matter. side of the civil war story. So your

Secondus Akpabio Abubakar

Malami THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ 63 LOUD WHISPERS if when we finally separate, we will not carry from the international conglomerate HP. all these uncommon leaders with us. Let’s get They are the first in Africa and the Middle serious, please. East to have that. You see, this school is one of the striking RMD’S WONDROUS BIRTHDAY PARTY examples of how Nigerians can build I had prepared for this party since o. I had sustainable institutions steeped in excellence. warned my brother Mudi that I must get the While the rest of us are out there crying and invite o. I know that one will be fearing now, complaining about the nation, a few are since I went to Azuka’s party and wrote a building. piece on how the waitresses were looking My children attend Greensprings, all of finer than the female guests because of over them and I must say that I will continue to make-up and defective plastic surgery. thank Duchess for making that decision That is how the write-up went virile, and and sticking by it. When she first came up they started to abuse me o. One of them with the idea, I look the school fees per even abused my just buried mama. That term, almost double my monthly salary was low. So I yab you say you look like at that time. I say leave am, make we go Kano mannequin, the next thing na my dear somewhere. She say no. I say why, she say mama you see to abuse. It’s ok. There is God. na wetin she want. I say is it you that is going Anyways, I assured Mudi that this time, I to school. Mbok we no do. She say she will will not write anything. But no be me. I must wait for one year instead of going to another write o. school. That is how she went to register my As I appear at the Federal Palace Hotel, I first son o, my first seed in lesson so that I can see my brother Mai Atafo running with save enough to go to this school. bag like he dey run to catch molue. I follow Na him I say let me go and even see this him run just in case ‘they are coming’. But school. My people when I spent a whole day he was running to go and dress the man of there, I knew that I had to give my children this the moment. So Mudi, Tade and talented platform. I spoke with the founder Mrs Koiki photographer Kelechi Amadi Obi and and came out of that session with a remarkable myself now waited for Mai to go and give Tolofari admiration of what she was trying to do. They RMD his undies. even have one maths teacher. His name is That is how RMD came out o. The man is wanted to read more. I drink am sha and I enjoy am but would Mr Mudasiru. The man is gifted, I swear. My fine. I tell you. Come and see the jacket Mai We talked about this, and that, and I have preferred Afang. Anyways, that was an son came out with the best result in Art in the sew for him - mad. He come wear red socks. listened. I always listen when elders who experience. I enjoyed myself. Great man. God whole of West Africa. Cambridge gave him The perfume sef almost give me covid as I have had a front-row seat speak. I listened bless you, sir. an award. Chantal came out with 90% and is couldn’t breathe. Oh boy this man truly has o, and he educated me about life and his doing a powerful medical programme in the God’s blessing. That is how we all moved in career. I was engaged and almost didn’t GREENSPRINGS SCHOOLS – MORE POWER UK. Not only me o. The place and many others the train to the hall. Come and see the whole want to go. Then he apologized for not TO YOUR ELBOW! like that all over the country will form the core of Lagos. I saw everybody o. Taiwo-Ajai giving me Afang. Apology not accepted. They have just gotten 8 of their teachers and the basis for the rejuvenation of leadership Lycett, Soni and Betty Irabor, Ramsey Noah, You cannot summon the Duke and now not certified with the HP- IDEA thingy. This is in this country. Well done Greensprings. Well Olumide Akpata, Dele Momodu. My Oga give him Afang come dey offer am Cognac. the certification you get for digital education done to the team, especially the bursar who Chike Ogeah. too many people o. used to give me a payment plan and credit. The ladies were all fine o. They were all fine Well done, guys. o. the make-up was perfect. The dresses were GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU perfect. Everything was ok. The tummies FUBARA TOLOFARI- ACCEPT MY CONDOLENCE were well tucked in, the push-up bras did Fubara is a two-time commissioner in Rivers their work, and everybody looked sweet. I and my chief strategist in my failed attempt at hope I talk am well o. The place was perfect. – KINDLY ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE taking over the Command Secondary School Sitting sweet, sound was from heaven and Alumni Association. He recently lost his very the food was divine. RMD enjoyed his day. I suddenly had a brainwave and called with one Prince. Prince say Duke, you still beautiful mum and had her interred in their He was 60, and Lagos came out to celebrate Makinde Adeniran, the hard-working dey this waka. I say I must pay school fees homestead in Rivers. him. I even saw his pretty wife, Jumobi, who writer/director of my new play, Awo. I na. Since Fashola time, I don dey write I could not make it but sent in my greetings looked like the Marriot – seven stars. Happy said, Makinde, what if we have Governor letter to Lagos State Government and I and well wishes. The Tolofaris, especially birthday, bro. Sanwo-Olu play a cameo in the play. must say it clearly that the Lagos State Rosemary, were a staple in my growing up It will be historic, and it will strongly Government has been quite phenomenal years in Secondary School, hence this special AIR VICE-MARSHAL OMBU – A SWEET project the capacity of the industry in job in supporting not only me but the industry message to them. God will give you guys REUNION creation, youth empowerment, amongst as a whole. the grace to bear this irreparable loss but be That is how I was running from LASTMA others. Even this one, they have given me Glover consoled that she has gone home and she in Lekki when the call came. I didn’t know Makinde say he too lean to be Awo and Hall built in 1887 and recently refurbished will be roommates with my mum. God bless who was calling, and I was shouting at my he head small pass Awo own. I say wetin for use for free oo. Three Parastatals are you guys. driver to reverse as the LASTMA people they do you na. That na His Excellency you supporting phenomenally but all that one were looking like chasing us. We have not dey talk about o. He say but the stature no no do me o, na until His Excellency climb WHO WANTS THE DUKE OF SHOMOLU entered the one-way yet o. We were just fit. I say that is why you no get money. No stage. So your Excellency, don’t fear. Agree. DEAD? about to when we saw the ‘bobos’, so we be him go play Awo, he go do cameo. He We will rehearse with you well. We will Duke, you have to be careful about the days decided to reverse and run. go appear as himself and go come at the tail give you experienced actors so that they around your birthday. That was mummy That is how my phone started ringing, and end of the Play and give a strong message will guide you gently and nudge you Sara, grandmother to my beautiful daughter someone had told me that LASTMA has of exhortation to the youth on imbibing the towards giving us an Oscar-deserving Annette. I have dreamt three times this gone digital, so that was me thinking that ethics and values that made Awo, Awo. performance. If you agree, I will give you month that you were poisoned, but I have they have already caught me in their control Makinde shout o. Duke you be genius. I better Afang to eat under the tree in front of prayed and cancelled it. office and were calling me not even to say siddon there. You never see anything. my house. Honour reserved only for war I say mummy, let me send for afang for attempt to cross the border and that I should The next thing, I write one powerful letter heroes. So what say you, don’t disgrace me you be like say na him dey cause all these surrender. So with trembling hands, I picked. to Sanwo-Olu carry go him office. I drop o? Just agree abeg. It will be historic. Thank illusions wey you dey get. I forgot about it Is this Edgar Joseph? The voice was am for the place them dey submit letter you. and went my way. The next day, I sent out a commanding and authoritarian. It was a broadcast on it, making a mockery of the whole voice that was used to giving instructions. I thing. Then my friend Samson called, ‘Edgar, was proud and afraid at the same time. If this please take this as real. We have seen the vision was LASTMA, they have really progressed, in my church, and we have been in prayers and I was afraid that they could send a cruise for you. You will not die. Arghh. missile from Alausa to take me out o. As I was trying to understand Samson, So I answered humbly, ‘yes sir, it is another childhood friend Lukman called, me’, and the voice screamed - Duke of saying, Edgar, if you had not broadcast Shomoluuuuuuuuuuuu. I relaxed and this, I wouldn’t have talked about it. You said if na LASTMA, we go negotiate am. I know how you people look down on answered my lord. Who you be. He said, white garment churches, well the vision Air Vice Marshal Ombu. I say na wa o. had come in last week that you will be AVM na LASTMA oga now o. This country poisoned and my prayer warriors have been anything can happen o. He say, where can at work. I buy all you books. I am an avid reader of By this time, I don even die. I could not feel your column, send me the bookshop address. my erection. I just collapse for chair. Mbok, I need all your books. I check my account who want to poison me o? Me, an orphan. My balance na N6,234. I say, mbok where you dey, mama just die. I have five children and looking I dey bring all of them to you immediately to take a new wife anytime from now. My plus manuscript of the one wey I never even other wife just die. Mbok who have I offended? write. Fear catch me o. People start to give advice. He say, I dey Lagos and that is how I walked Stop eating afang, stop having sex, this world into the premises of the great man. I liked is wicked, stop eating at your regular places. him instantly. Good looking and suave. Very Wear mask. Maybe na Duchess want kill gentle and likeable. Nothing around him you, maybe na your mama wey dey miss suggestive of the gruff and ‘can’t you fear you. All sorts. me’ mien of most military officers and he Me, I am begging the person or the people. did not speak to me in the ‘language I would We have plenty bandits and kidnappers, understand’. He called his beautiful wife go try and poison those ones. Mbok, leave out. Come and see who is in our house o, me alone o. Na school fees be my problem the Duke of Shomolu. She was gracious. She o, nothing else. I dey beg o. kai. Only in commended the column and also said she Sanwo-Olu Nigeria. Pray for me. 64 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ

Adebayo Adeoye   [email protected]; 08054680651

War Lingers on in FRA Williams’ Family his grave. In the past 16 years, there has He was famously known as Timi the reportedly been no love lost among his four Law. Until he passed on in 2005, the late children. Fredrick Rotimi-Williams was regarded At the moment, they are said to have as the biggest lawyer in the country formed different camps and are also for his brilliance and intelligence. engaging in backbiting, name-calling, Beyond his intimidating frame, he was mudslinging, and throwing tantrums. also a delight to watch in courtrooms; Worse still, they have continued to drag you could not but be enthralled by one another to court while also petitioning his articulation and aplomb. He was the anti-graft agency, EFCC, and the police. graceful in his fine grasp of legal Society watch gathered that the crisis intricacies, erudition of the law. is taking a new dimension as the eldest Indeed, he was as complete in son of the legal icon, Chief Oladipupo substantive law as he was in court Williams, has dragged the Asset processes and rules, an attribute which Management Corporation of Nigeria made him floor his otherwise brilliant AMCON before a Federal High Court to ‘learned colleagues ‘ on the opposing ascertain the circumstances surrounding side. He was more than an icon; he was the indebtedness of his brother, Folarin and an idol in the legal system that many two others in relation to the estate of their worshipped. late father. Adeleke He was fulfilled, and he left a lasting He is urging the court to direct and Williams legacy in his chosen profession. But if compel AMCON to make available to him details regarding the loan. Ladi alleged the deceased legal luminary, who was copies of documents contained in the file that Folarin might have used part of one of the first Queen Counsel, QC in of his brother, Folarin, and two others, the unconstituted estate of their late Again, Dancing Nigeria, could look back and see how Lambo Jumoke Oguntuga, and Kemi Sheri father (which he is not beneficiary to) sharply divided his family is over his Williams, concerning the N2,303,470,835.43 to secure the loan to which he is now Senator Demola estates, he would definitely turn in in which they stand indebted and any other indebted. Adeleke Eyes Osun Governorship Accomplished Banker Tony

mbition is enthusiasm with Elumelu Breaks New Ground Interestingly, not only was a purpose, says top five multi-sectoral big players on the American-born artist Elumelu involved in the pre-and continent’s economy. His name resonates post-execution of the strategy and writer Frank loud in other sectors such as hospitality, leading to the launch, he personally Tyger. No doubt, if power, oil and gas, health, and real estate supervised the construction of the the list of lucky politicians in in the country. Though he has managed 7-floor corporate headquarters of the A to juggle all of these with astounding the country is to be compiled, two companies, as he was reportedly results, he is still angling to break new sighted on numerous occasions at Senator Ademola Adeleke’s grounds. name will enjoy a prominent the facility to ensure it was built to Years ago, when he set out to specification and also ready for the mention. He found himself in invest in the Nigerian insurance official launch. Unlike some others the murky waters of Nigeria’s landscape, not a few agreed that the who see investing during a crisis politics after the death of sector would never remain the same as a gamble of sorts, Elumelu, who his brother, Isiaka Adetunji again. Some of the existing operators loves to lead by example, knows reportedly became jittery, knowing how taking a bold risk can be Adeleke, who was a senator full well that Elumelu does not do his representing Osun West rewarding. own things in half measures. Many When he led a small group of Senatorial District. had to go back to the drawing board investors to take over a small, He embraced the game for the obvious reason that whatever financially distressed commercial with his full chest, gusto, and Elumelu he touches turns into gold. Recently, bank, he strived for excellence. confidence, and in no time, he he caused a ripple in the sector with He beat his chest that he must not the formal launch of two firms: Heirs became a known face, as he Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United fail, and he didn’t. A few years after, Insurance and Heirs Life. the bank became one of the top five won a by-election to the Senate Bank for Africa, is an accomplished While Heirs Insurance offers a full to replace his late brother. banker and economist. Elumelu, a serial banks in Nigeria, metamorphosing range of insurance services, covering into UBA. UBA has subsidiaries in 20 He is not new to the game, entrepreneur, has continually broken accidents, fires, health, investment, new grounds to the admiration of all. African countries, the United States of considering the fact that his life, and pensions, Heirs Life offers America and the United Kingdom. late father, Ayoola Adeleke, He has established himself as one of the premiums in case of death. who was the Balogun of Ede in his time, was also a Senator in Greg Uanseru, President and CEO the Second Republic. of Greg Continental Agency (GCA) Oil Giant, Greg Uanseru’s His victory into the upper Energy Limited, sits atop a number of chamber launched him into the investments in Nigeria. limelight, and he became a very He is acknowledged to be a kind Uncommon Philanthropic Gestures popular one at that, especially man who has chosen charity as his for his never-seen-before dance hobby. He does not wish to be giver.” that earned him the sobriquet respected for his wealth but for It will be recalled that, at the ‘Dancing Senator.’ However, the grace to impact the lives of onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the people around him. While he he was one of the first to lift the his adventures in politics burdens off some underprivileged started becoming uninspiring believes in giving to the cause of humanity, that it is far better Nigerians as he distributed in less than two years at the and more gratifying to make a palliatives and other relief Senate, when he became more difference in the lives of the poor. materials to them. His decision ambitious and threw his hat And he has been giving and giving saved many lives and inspired his into the ring for the number without looking back and blinking peers to do the same. one job of . an eyelid. He did all of this without But he got what he did Society Watch gathered that making a noise, believing that not bargain for. In fact, little he believes life is meaningful “When helping the needy, keep did he imagine that Senator only when it is lived in service the camera out home.” For him, to humanity. Over the years, the turning 62 on July 26 will be would someday a big deal. But unlike many in become a spoke in the wheel of serial entrepreneur has always been guided by this philosophy. He does his class who would roll out his political ambition. Omisore, not wish to be respected for his the drums and paint the town who had earlier played a major wealth but for the grace to impact red, the businessman will be role in the election of Adeleke the lives of the people around him. awarding some indigent students into the upper chamber of He is a good Christian who scholarships while also assisting the National Assembly, later strictly believes and follows in the some less privileged ones around became a clog in the wheel of words of God in the Bible, especially him with money and food items. his governorship ambition. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 that says: “Whoever His life in its entirety is a This situation paved the way sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, compelling study in determination, and whoever sows generously will also focus, and ambition. His humble for Gboyega Oyetola of APC, Uanseru beginning makes him a great becoming the winner in the reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under inspiration to many in society. end. compulsion, for God loves a cheerful THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 65 with Chidi Amuta ENGAGEMENTS e-mail: [email protected] An AK-47 in Every Hand

gun in many illegal hands is the readiest metaphor disappeared, their stockpiles of AK-47s have fallen into the hands of for a state consumed by insecurity. The consequence black market dealers and itinerant rebels with dubious causes. The is something even more unnerving and sinister. It anarchies in Libya, Syria and Yemen have yielded a trove of weapons is the democratization of the ability to kill through that have fallen into the hands of jihadists and fundamentalist terrorists uncontrolled access to arms. Indiscriminate death in Mali, Chad, Niger and Nigeria and the entire Sahel region. in the hands of random assailants is perhaps the Coming specifically back to Nigeria, the AK-47 has become the closest you get to anarchy. Those with guns kill weapon of choice for all manner of non- state rebels with murky those who do not or frighten them into parting causes ranging from Niger Delta militants to Boko Haram terrorists who with their freedom and possessions. The accompanying uncertainty of needed to train their converts on the go. In some Nigerian contexts, Alife and the spread of fear describes a state of nature which lovers of the AK-47 has served as an instrument in the service of the quest for Thomas Hobbes love to cite in all mangled forms. That is the usual equity and justice. Militants of the various Niger Delta militias pressed place of anarchy where life is brutish, nasty and short. The trouble the weapon to great advantage in countless kidnapping and oil and with the state of nature is not that it describes the absence of order gas installation disruptions that drew world attention to the plight of but that it also confirms either the absence of a state or the collapse the region and earned it lucrative economic and political dividends. or desperate failure of an existing state. It presupposes the absence In the hands of armed Fulani herdsmen, the AK-47 has emerged of a leviathan or the emasculation of an existing leviathan as deus as the prime weapon for the re-drawing of the political map of the absenticus, the king who is not there. nation under President Buhari. The transformation of herdsmen into A legalized liberal possession of guns can be a mechanism for the armed militants has indirectly put power in the hands of previously balancing of the right to defend oneself and one’s possessions with itinerant and inconsequential group. Through the conscious promotion freedom from fear of harm and danger from others. In a state where of the emergence of the Fulani as a political faction in modern Nigeria, the right to bear arms is legalized, the potential to do harm to others armed Fulani gunmen masquerading as herdsmen have systematically is balanced by the fear that harm could come to one from others as infiltrated ungoverned spaces in most parts of the country in a pat- well. The knowledge that everyone possesses the lethal weapon to do tern that is hardly accidental. Fulani gunmen and their AK-47s have us maximum harm and even inflict death is considered a deterrence placed matters in the public agenda that were hitherto unheard of. to trouble makers. It is the reciprocity of violence. The United States We are now debating open grazing, grazing routes, cattle settlements remains the world’s most conspicuous showpiece of this dastardly etc. Innocuous interest groups like Miyetti Allah have germinated into logic. It defines the essence of democratic freedom as the right to kill Monguno public prominence. thy neighbor or the corresponding possibility to that he will kill you. All over the country, possession of the AK-47 has given birth to new But see the madness that America’s liberal gun laws have produced. become important because the popularity copious presence of the categories of troublemakers thus expanding the vocabulary of criminality All too frequent shootings in schools, work places, homes, streets and AK-47 marks a movement of illegal gun possession from small arms in Nigeria. We now have bandits, unknown gunmen, vigilantes, civilian public spaces. to the territory of military grade assault weapons. Most of the AK 47s in JTF, hoodlums, cultists in addition to the familiar armed robbers and Because it is a constitutional right and one which has become enmeshed circulation are in the hands of either organized or free lance non- state armed smugglers at the borders. in special interests, politics and big money, America is in the vice grip actors. The colonialists who created Nigeria had the maxim gun. The In the hands of political thugs and mob contractors, the AK-47 has of guns. An estimated 393 million guns in private citizen hands for bands of rascals who want to dismember the country have the AK-47. become instrumental in pressuring electoral outcomes in favour of the a population of 328.2 million citizens is the highest per capita gun By the time he died on 23rd December 2013 at the age of 97, the most armed and vicious highest bidders in the bazaar for political thugs possession rate in the world. America has more guns than citizens. inventor of the AK-47, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, a patriotic who deploy violence and intimidation to determine the outcomes of The US military has a total population of 1.4 million which means communist military officer was astonished at the multiple roles the rifle elections. The more creative political entrepreneurs have been known that on a per capita basis, the military is outgunned by the citizenry. had played in world history. From its inception in 1947 to its present to invest in the importation of military and police uniforms in addition The state only overwhelms its possible non state challengers through universal application as the world’s number one killer equipment, the AK-47s to equip their own private armies for election purposes. To this a monopoly of weapons of mass killing and evisceration-bombs, war AK-47 has played a central role in the largest number of political extent, this rifle has been a tool in either the derogation of democracy planes, missiles, a nuclear arsenal and aircraft carriers. changes in the world. or its promotion in the hands of security forces deployed to protect Nigeria’s current epidemic of insecurity has brought illegal possession Its advantages of versatility, easy of use, low maintenance requirement the ballot or safeguard voting venues and ballot collation centres. of guns into public view. Our everyday experience is now suffused in and resilience have placed this weapon in the forefront. It has a life In the hands of the new crop of separatists and secessionists, the guns, just as our daily news feeds are drenched in the blood of those span of 40-50 years on the average. To date, an estimated 100 million AK-47 is the ready tool for disturbing the peace in order to draw killed by guns. The combined death toll in the hands of all violent actors AK-47s have been manufactured. Even if we adopt the morbid statistics attention to worthy causes either drowned by the passage of time or has made Nigeria one of the most dangerous places in the world. People of crediting each AK-47 with only a modest 3 deaths, we are still left the oversight of arrogant incumbency. The militants of IPOB and ESN are being killed daily on an industrial scale by sundry actors ranging with a frightful killing machine. This gun is easily the most democratized are reported to sport several AK-47s in their exploits. In posing direct from armed robbers, bandits, militant secessionists, fundamentalist weapon only followed by the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). challenges to national sovereignty and unity, the AK-47 has created zealots, terrorists to badly trained policemen and soldiers. There is The AK -47 has become the weapon that democratized death as new political theatres. ground for genuine concern. The more illegal arms that have entered a consequence of either conflict or deliberate misdeeds. We can only The state security contingent that invaded Mr. Sunday Igboho’s Ibadan into circulation, the higher the death toll and the more widespread guess how many people they have killed in the last 50 years. There is a fortress recently listed some AK-47s among the trove of evidence they the atmosphere of fear and insecurity. cruel sense in which the AK-47 has also become a factor of population found. The military and police garrisoning of the entire South East The proliferation and easy access to small and light arms has of late control through warfare and the democratization of violence and death. has yielded many prisoners of war including alleged IPOB and ESN attracted the attention of both government and the elite. Widespread Whether this is good or bad, I do not know. A weapon that has been operatives. In the police video footages that have emerged form the insecurity has thrust the necessity for some form of arms control into used to decentralize and privatize violence and death deserves, if nothing south east operation, I saw a frightening one. It was the image of a fierce public prominence. The available statistics are cause for serious concern, else, appropriate acknowledgment in the weapons hall of fame. young man said to be another IPOB ‘commander’. This ‘commander’ Mr. Abdulsalam Abubakar, former head of state and Chairman of Because of its popularity as a weapon of choice for causes as far had two AK-47s with independent magazines welded together to form the National Peace Committee recently disclosed the extent of arms diverse as civil wars, insurrections, rebellions, revolutions to organized the most monstrous killing machine that I have ever seen. proliferation in the country in a report by his committee. The report crime and frontier wars, global demand for AK-47s has remained huge. In some unusual settings, AK-47s have become part of the costume indicated that there are over 6 million (6,145,000 to be exact) guns in Consequently, manufacturing franchises for AK-47s have spread far and and dressing of professional troublemakers who want to be identified the hands of private citizens. The current total population of Nigeria’s wide. China has become a net exporter of AK-47s. One curious irony as nothing more than gunmen, bandits or ethnic militants. armed and security forces is about 300,000 with 89,000 reservists. If you of this globalization of killingby AK-47s is captured by the period of I recall when the governor posed for a photo op with add the police, civil defense, customs and other departments officially Russian occupation of Afghanistan. The assault weapon of the Russian some bandit leaders and security commanders after signing an MOU allowed to bear arms, we do not have more than 500,000 legal arms military war was the original Russian made AK-47. But the Mujahedeen with bandits that were terrorizing his state. The bandit leader’s regalia in the holding of the state. This simply means that the state and its fighting them were armed and supported by the United States. They included an Ak-47 which he proudly slung over his shoulder while security forces are outgunned by a high deficit ratio. also carried AK-47s but made in China. The Mujahedeen’s AK-47s masking his face before the camera as the governor and army and So far in recent times, an estimated 80,000 deaths have occurred mostly were paid for by the CIA and shipped into Afghanistan by the United police commanders grinned sheepishly. from gun violence. More than 3 million people have been internally States to fight the Russians! The most significant symbolism of the AK-47 in today’s Nigeria is displaced as a result of armed insecurity in the country. According to Elsewhere and at different times, the AK-47 has been pressed into its emergence as a business tool. It is now a curious capital expenditure the 2019 report of the Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria was rated as the the service of diverse political causes. It has been a tool in the hands item in the business of terror for profit. There is no direct relationship most terrorized country in the world. By 2020, we had graduated to the of nationalist armies in Vietnam and in the Iran versus Iraq war. It has between the unit cost of an old AK-47 ( usually between 650,000 to 1 third position in terms of terrorism deaths. seem to have graduated to served as the standard assault rifle of national armies from the former million Naira in the black market) and the return on the investment. It the top position in terms of terrorism deaths. The ranking in terms of Soviet Union to the armies of the former East Bloc countries. The rifle is the principal tool for Kidnapping for ransom, transactional abductions, percentage of terrorism deaths in 2019 was as follows: Nigeria (9%), Iraq has powered revolutions and insurgencies as with the Sandinistas just armed robbery, piracy and transactional militancy. The spate of armed (4%), Somalia(4%), Syria (4%). The uniqueness of Nigeria in this club as it has served as an instrument for the promotion of freedom as in extortions is indicative of the profitability of the macabre trade. The is that the others are countries that have fought officially acknowledged the anti colonial wars in Africa especially in Zimbabwe, Mozambique rate of return on investment defies the laws of capitalist profitability. wars. The Nigerian government insists we are in peace time. and Angola. Kidnappers and bandits receive ransoms in millions of dollars or As multiple wars against insurgency, banditry, secessionist pressure African coup makers found it a veritable instrument for the disruption hundreds of millions of Naira. This weapon has become a very short and banditry are ranging simultaneously, it is hard to estimate how of order, the sowing of confusion, the disruption of democracy and the cut to recognition and stupendous wealth for persons who may have much effort is being made to control the free flow of arms within limitation of freedom and inauguration of autocratic regimes. no formal education or training in any trade. Their identity is the Nigeria. Recently, the federal government announced the setting up of Because of the AK-47’s light weight and ease of operation, it has dictum: “I shoot, therefore I am”. a new outfit to control the proliferation of illegal arms in the country. been a facilitator in an unfortunate iteration of unconventional warfare The logic seems to be that if you want to be a billionaire, get some The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons especially in the Third World especially in the 20th century. This is the AK-47s, arm some young unemployed lads and go in search of soft has General A.M Dikko as Chairman. This is an apex agency in the emergence of the unfortunate phenomenon of the child soldier. This targets- schools, wealthy individuals, groups of travellers on the highways office of the National Security Adviser to research and monitor the has reopened the debate on the morality of war and the consequential or carefully chosen high value targets. Ransoms are either paid in movement of these weapons across borders in Africa. Its adequacy matter of the liberalization of killing, making it more of a sport than dollar cash or through bank transfers; banks do not discriminate about outside a comprehensive revision and enforcement all existing gun a consequence of the historical necessity of warfare. sources of money. laws in the country remains doubtful. The AK-47 weapon has also facilitated the development of microwave In the generous spread of AK-47 possession in Nigeria, a different The imbalance between the arms in private hands and what is military formations under instantaneous commands leading to the problem has been created. An unwritten law in Nigeria is that once a available to the security forces lies at the root of our current insecurity. emergence of war lords as entrepreneurs of war and merchants of tool of profitable trade is found, its use spreads quickly. The AK-47 has It implies that the state is outgunned by other gun wielders especially violence. Rewind to the emergence of figures like Charles Taylor in found its way into the realms of national greed, politics and profit. This non-state actors who have only one target: the state and its security Liberia and Mohammed Farah Aideed of the “Black Hawk Down” trinity is hard to dislodge. Those who must end the current insecurity personnel. Of the multiple light arms flowing freely in Nigeria, the fame in Somalia. must therefore prepare for a long nasty engagement. Mexico here Ak-47 has become the prime symbol of the current insecurity. It has Where fiery eyed revolutionaries have dissipated their fervor and comes your African equivalent. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JUNE 24 2012 ARTS && REVIEWREVIEW A PUBLICATION 11.07.2021 JACQUELINE SUOWARI’S FETISH FOR THE HIDDEN SELF In an ongoing solo exhibition in an Abuja-based gallery, the leading female ballpoint pen artist Jacqueline Suowari extends her exploration of the subtleties of the human body language while examining the conflict between the public persona and the masked inner self. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

reening herself before a mirror, a Language, which held from November 29, 2019, to respectably dressed youngish lady February 9, 2020, saw the artist reading between the contemplates her reflection. Now, lines of human expressions. More precisely, she is what could she possibly have in com- inspired by the subliminal, rather than the obvious, mon with her reflected scantily-clad human expressions. In a society, where virtually alter ego? It is obvious: she is being everyone dons a mask as though in a fancy dress tugged at from one end by an aspect ball, she scours beneath the surface to access these of her life, which she would rather not expressions. expose to public view. It is this aspect of her life that “As a people, we constantly struggle with self, the theP artist Jacqueline Suowari labels the “inside life” idea of who we really are, the masking of personality, in an apparent nod to the slang popularised by the the fear of judgement and vulnerability,” she argues.“In Nigerian musician Naira Marley in his song “Soapy”. As a bid to find comfort outside ourselves, we MASK. We for the mixed-media painting, produced like others mask emotions, expressions, actions and reactions. with ballpoint pen, ink, acrylic, gold leaf and cloth We embrace what is not and mask what is. Layers on archival paper, she titles it “Red Room Dialogue”. and layers of be-ing, buried under a mask with the And it helps that there is an accompanying poem intention to stay acceptable and approachable. We guiding the viewer’s musings as he contemplates enjoy the benefits of masking, of being seen and the painting. yet unseen, settling for the illusion of acceptance.” Perhaps, there are also parallels – albeit tangential– While investigating the stereotypes, she reexamines to be drawn between the painting’s title and the the concept of “what should be” against the backdrop Swedish novelist August Strindberg’s 1879 novel of “what is”. As she puts it in a statement, published The Red Room, which the critic Edvard Brandes in her exhibition catalogue, “I am challenging the said: “makes the reader want to join the fight against narrative of self as a singular entity and embracing hypocrisy and reaction.” the duality of the expressions and manifestations Indeed, isn’t Suowari’s solo exhibition, which is of self. Thereby, I am creating an alternate reality of titled Now I Wear Myself…, all about interrogating A view of the exhibition showing paintings and an installation be-ing and of culture, one that is ignored but reflects “selfhood”? More specifically, the exhibition – which what really is prevalent while stretching the notion opened at the Retro Africa Gallery in Asokoro, Abuja Nigerians remonstrated against being harassed for by the externals. Thus, dogma – be it of the social, of perception and acceptance.” on Friday, June 25 and ends on Tuesday, August 31 such apparently trivial things as having tattoos or cultural or religious kind – has become an ersatz But, how does one “wear oneself” in a globalised – is all about a tug of war playing out between the sporting dreadlocks. Suowari decries these excesses version of a suppressed intuitive life. world, where the lines between the cultural dif- public persona and the hard-to-repress “inside life”. of the law-enforcement officers, who profile people Then, the artist challenges the patronising liberalist ferences are blurring daily? Suowari appropriates But then, it is hard to tell where the line between for their“bright colours, tattoos, piercings, braided hair, assumption that women, who are required by their ancient cultural symbols (Nsibidi inscriptions, Nok, hypocrisy and the striving for the aspirational self fully grown beards or beautifully worn dreadlocks”. faith to don hijabs, are miserable. In the accompanying Benin, Ife masks and sculptures) and contemporary should be drawn. But she fails to delineate the limits of the expression poem to the painting, titled “Now or No-wear”, she local sartorial elements (Dutch wax and lace fabrics Who, for instance, would see a woman of good of individual freedoms. asks: “…How can you tell that a person is covered/ to reconstitute) to reconstitute what she calls “new breeding in the apparent seductress – almost set Sadly, nothing much better could have been Is it because they cover only what you can imagine/ imagistic forms of self-identification.” for an outing – in another mixed-media painting, expected in a scenario, where perceptions have Like a fruit covering it seeds/ How can you tell a need Urging her audience to embrace the many facets titled “Red Bottoms for the Culture”? Her immodest been narrowed due to man’s voluntary yielding or the lack of it/ For creeds and deeds past/How can themselves “as one would a badge of honour”, the dressing, which leaves little to the imagination, not to base vibrations. Because the inner disposition you separate now from nowhere.” award-winning artist, who has participated in several only proclaims her as being shamelessly enslaved to or inclination towards the ignoble beclouds the A quick flashback to the University of Port Harcourt group exhibitions both in Nigeria and the US, roots fashion but also as superficial. Yet, the viewer discerns vision of a human being, he cannot possibly act in fine art and design graduate’s last-known solo exhibi- for an unbridled expression of one’s freedom. behind her the trappings of cultural consciousness a right or responsible way. With his descent from tion held at the Adrienne Art Center for Performing Yet, it has been established that the removal of and intellectual depth. his pedestal as an intuitive being to the level of a Arts in Miami, USA. external constraints and deterrents to the free exercise Or, what about the lady in the painting “Inside Life”, “soulless” automaton, he is predisposed to judging That exhibition, titled Jacqueline Suowari: Body of the will does not necessarily make a society free. who is apparently engaged in a staring contest with her less flamboyant and bejewelled other self? This is a BOOKS painting, in which the artist assures the viewer that she is “exploring the layers of multiple personalities in an individual, the seen and unseen, the communicated With Eyes Riveted On $100,000, 11 Vie For The Nigeria Prize For Literature and the relegated.” Her allusion to “multiple personali- ctivities swirling around this year’s edi- of Ibadan’s professor of Literature in English Toyin ties” – perhaps, a euphemism for sham existence – is tion of The Nigeria Literature Prize Jegede, consists of the following books: Delusion the rallying point of the exhibition’s 12 paintings, (sponsored by NLNG) have started of Patriots by Obianuju V. Chukwuorji, Give Us Each a video installation (titled “Of Lines and Layers”), a revving up with its advisory board’s Day by Samuel Monye, Imminent River by Anaele Ihuoma, In the Name of Our Father by Olukorede sculptural installation (titled “Body of Truth”) and a recent announcement of a shortlist S. Yishau, Mountain of Yesterday by Tony Nwaka, performance. “When last did you stop to think of of 11. This shortlist – which not a few Neglected by Lucy Chiamaka Okwuma, The Colours of your multiple personalities, and welcome them to literary enthusiasts would rather Hatred by Obinna Udenwa, The Girl with The Louding the table?” she asks. “This is your person and it’s your call a longlist – was drawn from 202 Voice by Abi Dare, The Return of Half- Something by choice which of them you show the world. We all entries in contention for this year’s – 2021 – edition Chukwudi Eze, The Son of The House by Cheluchi have an inside life. Let he who is without sin be the ofA the prize. Another shortlist of three, from which a Onyemelukwe-Onuobia and Your Church My Shrine first to cast a stone.” possible winner could emerged, is expected to be by Law Ikay Ezeh. In any case, most, who habitually arrogate to announced in September, a statement signed by The other judges, besides Professor Jegede, themselves the right to pass judgement even over the NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and are Professor Tanimu Abubakar and Dr Solomon things they do not understand, wouldn’t hesitate Azumurana. While Professor Abubakar is a professor Sustainable Development Eyono Fatayi-Williams of literature in the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria’s to gleefully cast the first stone. They are, of course, reminded the literary community. Faculty of Arts, Dr Azumurana is a senior lecturer in Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo not oblivious to the aphorism that the cowl does not The prize, which rotates annually among four the University of Lagos’s Department of English. make the monk. But then, their blinkered worldview broad literary categories – namely, prose fiction, On the just-announced shortlist, the judges the advisory board’s chairperson, Professor Akachi doesn’t recognise other traits through which monks poetry, drama and children’s literature – is worth lauded the entries as fresh approaches to looking Adimora-Ezeigbo disclosed that there was a unani- can be identified. $100,000, which will be awarded by the advisory at issues, using new and exciting narrative strategies, mous agreement among the board members that board in October. It runs concurrently with the Nigeria techniques and well-written organic plots to present it was an excellent one. Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo Suowari also references the recent mass revolt Prize for Literary Criticism (also sponsored by NLNG), in Nigeria’s major cities against police brutality and topical discussions in realistic ways. also commended the judges for doing a thorough which is valued at N1 million. Talking about the latter, They enthused about what they deemed a visible job, which chimes with the watchword of the prize: extra-judicial killings, tagged #EndSARS. The SARS four entries for it were received in 2020. Meanwhile, – an acronym for the Special Anti-Robbery Squad improvement in writing skills, while commending excellence, and added that the onus was on the the current shortlist of 11, which was presented by the the NLNG for giving writers the platform to blossom advisory board to continue in the tradition that – operatives have been known to base most of their chairman of the prize’s judging panel the University and experiment. Also commending the shortlist, was handed to them by the past board. arrests on stereotyping. Hence, the protesting young EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ [email protected] THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 67 ARTS & REVIEW\\MOVIES SHADES OF A TRAGIC HERO Yinka Olatunbosun

beat freak would certainly move to the signature drums that often precedes the music of the original bad boy of Apala music, Ayinla Omowura. Also known by the moniker Anigilaje, he was a successful musician who lived a troubled and flamboyant life in his Abeokuta roots. Born in Itoko, Ayinla built a music Aempire and battled for supremacy on and off the stage all his life. In 2021, which incidentally makes it 41 years since Ayinla’s death, the ace cinematographer and cultural activist, Tunde Kelani presents a biopic that spotlights the climatic point of Ayinla’s music career titled ‘Ayinla.’ Starring Lateef Adedimeji in the lead role alongside Kunle Afolayan, Debo Adebayo the internet skit sensation otherwise known as Mr. Macaroni, Omowunmi Dada, Bimbo Manuel, Ade Laoye, the movie was TK’s first full-length movie since 2015. Sponsored by a first-generation bank, the movie tells the story of a tragic hero-Ayinla- with a tragic flaw, short-temper. Through the plot development, Ayinla is revealed as an uneducated but extremely talented musician, whose music transcended the boundaries of Egbaland to become one of the most-sought after artists in Nigeria of the period. Signed by EMI Records, the stage was set for his first international tour in London. His manager, Bayowa (Debo Adebayo) developed into a villain when conflict ensued between him and Ayinla. A tinge of romance was brought to the plot as Ayinla’s personal was peeled in layers-revealing a generous spirit with philandering exploits. Ayinla’s shows were often marked by violence and thug invasion which is all-too familiar to the fans of hip-hop music. No doubt, artists’ rivalry is rife in popular music and Apala scene of the 70s and 80s was not an exception. For the Egbas and the Yoruba folks in general, Apala represents what rap is to Queens (New York)- a cultural staple. Although most of artists’ rivalry ended up as studio beef songs, some artists take it beyond the artistic to the sanguinary. As an artist, Ayinla was a subject of interest to the media as portrayed in the characters of Jaiye and other journalists depicted in the movie who A scene from the biopic attempted to interview and report on his life and music. The movie also demonstrates the essential accessories also synced into the way he internalised Although Kelani is not a newcomer to period Rated 15, Ayinla biopic threw up themes of shat- roles that culture journalists play in documenting the role. He had the right stage presence at the dramas, one of the greatest challenges for the tered dreams and fatality with potent lessons for artists and why painstaking research is key to rehearsal and performance scenes and spoke filmmaker was to recreate a story of four decades young artists who often get into brawls and rivalry. getting the job done. Ayinla the outlaw was also with the distinct Egba accent which added some ago with historical integrity. Costume was a huge Surprisingly, his music has survived through the captured in the visual narrative as the focus was comical to his delivery of the lines. challenge for the extras in the movie as some of decades and many cinema audiences echoed the on his antics with the masquerade, alcohol, drugs, This is perhaps Oladimeji’s best acting yet and them were sporting lace fabric designs of the 90s lyrics of some of his hits such as ‘Owo Tuntun,’ ‘Owo amulet and the metaphysical came into view. His he’d better start drafting acceptance speeches for and 2000s. Udoji’ and other songs that are considered as socio- love for the good life could be gleaned from his awards that the role would likely fetch him. Quite A female dancer even wore an ‘oleku’ (short political commentaries that are still relevant today. moments at the pub and with his women. unmissable is the sound quality and editing of the sleeved buba) made of ankara that was stoned For whatever reasons, the scene many seemed to The most incredible feat for the movie director movie. One couldn’t expect anything less from the around the neckline, which was a fad just a few be waiting for was where the elated Ayinla declared, was to pick an actor that could interprete the Ayinla director of classic movies such as O leku, Thunder- years ago. This is a clear indication for the vacuum “Serve them Round.’’ Nigerian movie scene needs persona almost to perfection. Adedimeji took bolt, Saworo Ide, Ti Oluwa Nile, Koseegbe, Dazzling of period costumes merchandise in the Nigerian more music biopic to bridge the gap between the on the character and owned it. His costumes and Mirage, Agogo Ewo amongst others. movie industry. academic and practice. DANCE Rasheed Ibrahim: Dancing into Limelight Yinka Olatunbosun I was shocked. I stopped immediately and all I could ariga, a suburb in Lagos, may have remember that day was that he asked, ‘Would you become synonymous with extreme love dancing? Immediately, I said yes and that was how the journey started.” poverty, but many talents had As a child, he had encountered some works of Hubert emerged from that community to Ogunde, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Bob Marley, Prof Wole change the narrative for the less- Soyinka and how these artists had used their diverse privileged. Some creatives have art forms as social commentaries. He decided to do found their daily agonies as raw the same with dance. materials for their creative produc- “I use my dance in telling stories,” he continued.“I don't tions. , 9ice, and Segun Adefila are just dance for dancing’s sake. In creating my dance, I someB of the biggest names in popular culture that always and won't forget always that my main target had emerged from Bariga. audience are two namely the blind and the deaf. Since For theatre, Adefila had done so much for grass-root the blind cannot see but can hear, I use sounds and talent development with his production company, music in making the blind understand what my story Crown Troupe of Africa. With many international is. For the deaf-who cannot hear but can see-I use my productions recorded for over two decades, Adefila body language in making him or her understand what had groomed some protégés for the arts. One of I'm going through at that particular moment on stage them is Rasheed Ibrahim, an award-winning dancer, with my movements.” choreographer and the artistic director, Ijolomo Dance Ibrahim believes strongly in the power of dance to tell meaningful stories just as acting and singing. Company. Ibrahim during a performance He began dancing at the age of seven when Crown Although he admitted that dance is yet to get the right kind of appreciation that it deserves, he is optimistic Troupe as a group was rehearsing in the compound Corpse e Gestes and toured Yaoundé and Douala in Bariga Edition. A dance tour of Lagos State where where he grew up.“I had the privilege of watching most about the altitude that dance at a professional level is, will certainly be topped to meet global standards. Cameroon. He was the Assistant Choreographer and expressive dance is the medium used to address vices of there rehearsals, and in my little corner I would lock lead dancer at the 5th All Africa Music Award in Accra, against humanity in Lagos State and for Nigeria as in up myself in my mom’s room and begin to practice “With time, we will get the right recognition. We have our own Adedayo Liadi, Kaffy, Mr Victor Erebifa Phullu, Ghana. Recently, he won the first prize at the Covid-19 general sponsored by the TNN platform. Other inter- what I have watched them do while rehearsing,” he League Challenge Dance Competition. national events where he had performed include the reminisces. “One day, while I was practising, I was so Abel Utuedor, Segun Adefila, Mrs Yeside Dosumu Lawal and many more who deserves much more,” he said. Rasheed Ibrahim widely known as Ijolomo who has Maida International Dance Festival, AFRIMA concert, lost and didn't notice that Segun Adefila was watching emerged as one of the four winners of Movement, Trufesta International Dance Festival and Agogo Festival. me and all of a sudden, I heard my name ‘Rasheed.’ He took his first dance piece titled ‘Ayeraye’ to 68 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021

Editor: Olawale Olaleye GAVEL SMS:08116759819 email:[email protected] Electoral Act Amendment Bill Debate Continues A recent attempt to sanitise the country’s electoral process suͿered a setback last week over reported plan by some elements in the National Assemby to remove electronic transmission of results from the Electoral Act amendment Bill due for consideration by the National Assembly this week. Adedayo Akinwale reports t came as a rude shock, when news Àltered in that electronic transmis- sion of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been expunged from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 billed for consideration by the two chambers of the National Assembly this week.I The Section was believed to have been “smuggled” into the Bill as it was never part of the provisions agreed to by the stakeholders and the Senate Committee on INEC during their various engagements. The Bill, which ordinarily should have been passed last week was not considered at all by the two chambers due to the negative reac- tion generated by the smuggled section that prohibits electronic transmission of results. The development also forced advocates of electronic transmission of results to protest to the National Assembly against the clandestine move by those against transparent Electoral process in the country. Section 50 (2) of the Electoral Act Bill, which is presently before the National Assembly makes no provision for INEC to transmit results of any election electronically. It is believed that the electronic transmission of results would go a long way in curbing rigging and manipulation of electoral outcomes. The Section states: “Voting at an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting, provided Buhari, Lawan and Gbajabiamila that the Commission shall not transmit results of elections by electronic means.” racy continue, you are going to see increased to tell my people if this House will do all it Act to remove electronic transmission of result How House Member Reacted demand for secession, you are going to see takes to ensure that is addressed.” is, therefore,a malicious and unpatriotic act The member representing Donga/Takum/ increased banditary, you are going to see aimed to emasculate our electoral system, Ussa and Yantu federal constituency of Taraba increased disappointment of people in the From the Speaker’s Stable undermine our democracy and destabilise State in the House of Representatives, Hon. political leadership and things that are hap- Responding, Speaker, House of Represen- our dear country, and such cannot be condoned Rimande Shawulu described as worrisome, pening. And you will see people trying to now tatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said while or justiÀed under any guise whatsoever.” the strange clauses that were allegedly inserted use self-help to help themselves. I don’t think his privilege was noted, he didn’t want to, The lawmakers were of the views that elec- into the Electoral Act amendment Bill. that this is the legacy President Muhammadu or make it a habit to speak to a report that has tronic transmission of results directly from the The lawmaker, who expressed his concern Buhari will want to leave for the people of this not been submitted to the House. polling unit is a Àrm step towards the elimina- while featuring on ‘Good Morning Show’ on country,” he said. According to him, “We have procedures tion of result collation related malpractices, ARISE News Channel, a broadcast arm of Shawulu stated categorically that the Presi- which are time tested. The Committee has including alteration of Àgures, mutilation of Leaders & Company, parent company of dent needs to call his men to order so that the been given an assignment, they will do their documents, snatching and diversion of bal- THISDAY newspapers, said members were country would have an electoral system that work and they will present their report to the lot materials on transit to collation centers, not aware of the report, because it had not reÁects the wishes of the people at the various Áoor and the House as a whole will vote on among others been distributed to them. levels. that report clause by clause. I will not comment Shawulu said: “In this case, we have not He called on Nigerians to rise up and insist on things we read on the pages of newspapers PDP N’Assembly Caucus SStrategises received the report of the committee on Electoral that the electoral reforms that were started by but because of the cacophony of voices and The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cau- matters. They have not been distributed to the Jonathan administration and the reform because you have raised that matter and just cus in the National Assembly has assured members of the House, the information we that the present leadership of INEC had said to allay fears, let me say that I do not believe its members that it was already taking very have is the same information that the public has. it was embarking on are respected. there is any alteration. strong and uncompromising steps to ensure “What is published in the social media is The lawmaker noted that Nigerians were “Only the authentic report of the Committee, that the provision guaranteeing the electronic what we can refer to and some of the issues asked to register their phone numbers to make as has always been, will be tabled before the transmission of results was not tampered with raised in the social media are very worrying things work seamlessly, saying, “why would House. Nothing more, nothing less. I have in any form whatsoever. especially, with regards to the questions of how you tell people to register their sim cards and asked the Chairman of the Committee and It frowned at the clandestine moves to ma- the result will be transmitted to the collation you will not want to use an electronic system she is not aware of such and so, it remains in nipulate and alter the Electoral Act by removing centres.” for the election, why are we using double the realm of speculation. We will wait till the the electronic transmission results from the Shawulu recalled that INEC had informed standards?” Committee submits its report and like I said, law, stressing that it was an attempt to subvert the House and boasted that it had practiced At plenary last Tuesday, Hon. Ugonna that will be done before we close on the 14th.” democratic process, institutionalised rigging, or attempted to experiment in some of the Ozurigbo, who is a member of the House bastardise and frustrate genuine eͿorts towards oͿ-season elections and it reported that they Committee on Electoral Matters raised a Southern House Members Kick credible elections in our country. were successful. He added that the electoral point of order under Order 6 rule 2, being a DissatisÀed with Speaker’s response, the The Senate Minority Leader, Senator body believed that such innovation would matter of privilege before the House. There House members from the 17 Southern states, Eyinmaya Abaribe, the Minority Leader of help clean up the electoral system. have been a lot of comments about the House described the attempt to tamper with the Elec- the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi “Unfortunately, what we’ve been hearing in and what the green chamber has done on the toral Act to remove electronic transmission Elumelu and other members of the caucus, the last 72 hours is very worrying, especially, new Electoral Bill that has not been submitted of results as a malicious and unpatriotic act who addressed journalists in Abuja described the fact that an insertion is alleged to have on the Áoor of the House. aimed to emasculate the electoral system, the plan to tamper with a critical component been put into the report that results shall not He said: “I don’t know how this speculation undermine democracy and destabilise the of transparency and credibility of the electoral be transmitted electronically. That is actually going round came about. But my constituents country. process as unpatriotic and mischievous. worrying. I have read a few posts by members have called my attention to it and citing what Chairman of the House Southern Caucus, The caucus said: “After due consideration of the committee on INEC on Electoral matters, has been going around. They have said that Hon. Victor Nwokolo in a statement said and extensive deliberations on political and who said it is an insertion; that they are not the new electoral bill we are working on which the alleged attempt to remove electronic security situation in the country, the Joint PDP aware of such a decision,” Shawulu noted. has not been submitted to the House, that we transmission of results could not be condoned National Assembly unanimously upholds the The lawmaker revealed that he has seen carefully amended Section 50(2) and inserted or justiÀed under any guise whatsoever. resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum some members of the committee expressing a provision to prohibit INEC from transmit- It stated: “Furthermore, against the backdrop (SGF) in vehemently rejecting the clandestine disappointment over the alleged insertion, ting election results electronically from the of our commitment towards free, fair, credible moves to manipulate and alter the Electoral stressing that some members have written polling unit. and transparent elections, the members of the Act to remove the electronic transmission posts that he has seen and insisted that the “I have been part of the process of this new House of Representatives from the South also results from the law decision they took did not include the ban on law and there was never a time that we were backs our governors in rejecting the moves “Electronic transmission of results is the electronic transmission of results. involved in such. I don’t think this issue should to outlaw the electronic transmission of elec- only way to eliminate malpractice and ma- He lamented that it was unfortunate that be swept under the carpet. We should look at it tion result in the Electoral Act, as well as the nipulations associated with manual collation the country was going back on the electoral and investigate it and know where this wrong conÀrmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre- of results, including alteration, switching and reforms that have brought the country this far. information is coming from. My privilege has election matters on the Federal High Court. disappearance of election materials while on “I dare say that if these attacks on democ- been infringed on and I will have something “The attempt to tamper with the Electoral transit to various collation centers.” THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 69

Editor:Olawale Olaleye CICERO mail:[email protected], SMS: 08116759819 IN THE ARENA Who’s Afraid of Electronic Results Transmission? Transforming the electoral system apparently remains a Sisyphean task with some federal lawmakers ‘smuggling’ a clause into the Electoral Act Amendment Bill specifically barring electronic transmission of election results by INEC. Achi Louis writes

aming the electoral manage- responsibility of credibility from the pre- ment system continues. Since siding officer and allowing him even less the end of the Cold War, demo- opportunity to doctor results. In effect, cratic elections have become this defeats the known practice of sharing almost a universal trend. Yet, money to electoral officials at polling in many countries, where elec- points to permit malpractices. tions are held, freedom and In politicians’ bid to win at all cost, they democracy are actually in retreat. Intended have understood the manual method asG mechanisms for the peaceful arbitra- totally and intimately know how to doctor tion of political rivalries, they rather often the system. The new electronic system become flashpoints for political violence. will certainly kill-off all those exploitable At the core of these paradoxes are elections chinks. without integrity. All too often, elections But the apparent lack of sincerity on the serve merely to give autocratic regimes a part of lawmakers breeds mistrust. For coating of legitimacy. But fundamentally, instance, in a bland delivery that made elections without integrity cannot provide Russia’s Putin look a callow teenager, Reps the winners with legitimacy, the losers with Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila denied with a security and the public with confidence in straight face that an alteration clause was their leaders and institutions. smuggled into the Electoral Act Amend- In Nigeria, this trend represents something ment Bill. This was his reaction to a point of a mixed bag as the evolution of a progres- on matters of privilege by Hon. Ugouna sive, democratic state tentatively unfolds. Ozurigbo (APC-Imo), at Tuesday’s plenary The country has a long, unflattering history in Abuja. of inconclusive elections foreshadowed by Ozurigbo had stated he received informa- election malpractices like multiple voting, tion that the House Committee on Elec- thuggery, stolen ballots, results tampering toral Matters, chaired by Hon. Aisha Duku and personnel intimidation. (APC-Gombe) had altered the bill. Currently, the emerging controversy over The Speaker held that the speculation was alleged doctoring at the national parliament unfounded. His words: “I really don’t want of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which to speak on a report that has not yet been sought to incorporate modern technology in submitted to the House. I have asked the results transmission, amongst others, mir- chairman of the committee and she said rors one of such paradoxes in the nation’s that nothing of such has been done” electoral management journey. He said that the committee had been given As the Senate prepares to pass the Electoral an assignment that would be submitted Act amendment bill, the abrupt emer- to the House once the job is finished and gence of a strange Section 50(2), which more specifically that the report would completely outlaws transmission of votes be laid before the House proceeds on its by electronic means, is not unexpectedly recess on July 14. generating tension among lawmakers. If there are compelling reasons to bar elec- Clause 50 (2) of the Bill states that: “Voting tronic transmission of results, the federal at an election under this Bill shall be in ac- lawmakers ought to have articulated and cordance with the procedure determined by communicated it in a very clear way. the Commission (INEC), which may include True, Nigeria’s internet penetration is still electronic voting, PROVIDED that the low in many regions as the NCC confirmed Commission shall not transmit results of that Nigerian broadband penetrations elections by electronic means.” still stand at 39.6%, well below average. Some members of the Kabiru Gaya-led com- Also currently, it is uncertain what kind mittee have described the provision, which Lawan of transmission technology INEC wants was clearly smuggled in as strange. to deploy. Ghana and South Africa use ballot-based vot- The proposed use of more technology by the nation’s elec- ing processes and already transmit their election results toral umpire in the electoral process has been extolled by raised red flags. Curiously, while permitting electronic vot- electronically. both government and diverse stakeholders as an important ing, it foreclosed electronic diffusion of results. It could be recalled that INEC had adopted the electronic avenue towards enhancing transparent and credible polls. The brains behind this adroit of quirky clandestine move are transmission of results in some previous elections to the This proposal was initially made in 2019 before the general certainly not rookie parliamentarians. Their intent is also admiration of many stakeholders, particularly in the Septem- election. However, its assent was delayed by President Mu- clearly not salutary to the yearnings of Nigerians for free, ber 2020 governorship polls. hammadu Buhari, who claimed the possibility of associated fair and transparent elections. Worse, they maybe fronting The National Assembly should reflect on Clause 50(2) in the disruptions since it was already so close to an election. Last for crooked big fish, who believe their fate cannot be sup- version of the draft bill agreed to by the joint Senate and year, INEC started working with the National Assembly to ported by transparent elections. House of Representatives Committees on INEC and Electoral reboot the process. Then, there are hardly any consequences for such rankling Matters. The version states that, “Voting at an election and However, on the verge of passing the amended Bill submitted legislative malfeasance. transmission of result under this Bill shall be in accordance by the Upper Chamber’s Committee on INEC last week, some With emplaced electronic collation/transmission of results, with the procedure determined by the Commission (INEC).” new additions that differed from the 2019 Bill were detected. fewer people have the ability to influence results. Elec- Meanwhile, for head-scratching masses, it’s morning yet on The specific barring of electronic transmission of results tions can be monitored from anywhere, removing the sole creation day! POLITICAL NOTES Has APC Learnt Anything from Zamfara? The current state of play in the All Progressives members, when it places outsiders over and above its Congress (APC), Zamfara State, is an unfortunate one. It own, who had stayed through thick and thin with it? If does appear the political actors in the state have learnt anything, especially, that the APC considered Zamfara nothing so far. Despite losing it all to political rascality one of its strongholds, the most sensible thing would and brigandage in the 2019 general election, it seems have been to defeat Matawalle at the polls, and deny the party has yet to learn anything, because it is about to him a re-election. That way, loyalty would be what every start another round of political misadventure that may yet member of the party consider sacrosanct. again consume it. But with the suspension of Marafa for objecting to Since Governor Bello Muhammed Matawalle defected making Matawalle their leader, the Mai Mala Buni leader- from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ship of the party has also not exhibited discretion in the the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), things have handling of a rather sensitive situation. If he thought that not been the same again in the APC. Other members of the other members would just keep quiet and say yes to the party like former governor Abdul-Aziz Yari and Sena- his pronouncing Matawalle their leader as if he was a lord tor Kabir Marafa would not buy the idea that the party of the manor, then, he probably lacks requisite emotional leadership in the state be conceded to the new entrant, intelligence to lead the party. For now, things are not albeit a governor. looking good for the APC in the state, despite increasing Matawalle Of a truth, how does the party reward loyalty to in size and number. 70 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 BRIEFINGNOTES Adeosun: Contextualising the Certificate Issues While former Minister of Finance, , is busy celebrating a Federal High Court’s judgment over her non-particiaption in the National Youth Service Corps scheme, what she does not want anybody to remind her is the allegation of forgery of the “exemption certificate” still hanging around her neck. Davidson Iriekpen writes

ormer Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, was appointment was not illegal, neither was it unconstitutional, in the news last week, when a Federal High Court even without presenting the NYSC certificate. in Abuja, ruled that she did not need the National Justice Taiwo concluded that Adeosun having graduated Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to from the University of East London in 1989 at the age of 22, up a ministerial appointment in the country. her participation in the NYSC scheme and the possession of Delivering judgment in a suit she instituted its discharge certificate were not a yardstick for qualification against Abubkar Malami, the Attorney General for appointment as a minister or to stand election as a of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Justice member of the House of Representatives. Taiwo Taiwo held that Adeosun was not qualified to Immedately after the judgment, Adeosun in a statement, Fparticipate in the NYSC scheme, when she graduated from said she had been vindicated by the court, adding that she a London university at 22 years, because she was then a had a traumatic spell on the certificate forgery allegation British citizen. She further held that, as at when she formally against her. The former minister said the judgment was returned to Nigeria, and became a Nigerian citizen, at over not only a personal victory for her but for all Nigerians in 30 years old, she was no longer eligible to present herself the Diaspora. She said she would take further steps at the for the NYSC scheme. appropriate time to protect her reputation. Adeosun came into political prominence in 2011, when While the former minister is rejoicing over the judicial re- she was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Ogun prieve, perhaps, what she did not know is that the issue she State by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration. took to court was not her eligibility or for the NYSC scheme, During her tenure, she was said to have redefined the but the presentation of a forged ememption certificate. financial fortune of the state. After President Muhammadu Observers feel that she is rejoicing, because the AGF and Buhari won election in 2015, she was recommended, and police have refused to prosecute her for forgery. They held appointed Minister for Finance. that her suit was a smart ploy to avoid prosecution. Adesoun was having a good run in office until sometime They faulted the AGF and the police, whose responsibility in July 2018, when it was reported that she skipped the it is to file criminal charges against the former minister for mandatory NYSC scheme and procured a forged certificate forgery, and are rather indifferent in prosecuting her. They purporting to have exempted her from the one-year argued that if she was promptly charged, her suit would mandatory exercise. have been unnecessary. Following intense pressure for her to be sacked and Moreso as the NYSC scheme is compulsory for all prosecuted for forgery, she tendered her resignation Nigerians, who graduate from universities or equivalent letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on September 14, institutions at less than 30 years of age. 2018, admitting that she realised that the NYSC certificate In addition to being a requirement for government and she had presented to be appointed as minister “was not private sector jobs in Nigeria, the enabling law prescribes genuine.” She admitted presenting the same fraudulent Adeosun punishment for anyone, who absconds from the scheme or certificate for her earlier appointment as Commissioner for forges its certificates. Eligible Nigerians, who skip the service Finance of Ogun State in 2011. certificate was anything but genuine. are liable to be sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and/ Excerpts from her letter to the president read: “Let me “Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun or N2,000 fine, according to Section 13 of the NYSC law. commence by thanking you profusely for the honour and State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of Section 13 (3) of the law also prescribes three-year jail privilege of serving under your inspirational leadership. It State Services (DSS) clearance as well as to the National term or option of N5,000 fine for anyone, who contravenes has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone provision of the law as Mrs Adeosun has done. Subsection 4 and to observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability of the same section also criminalises giving false information duty. I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th or illegally obtaining the agency’s certificate. It provides for “I have, today, become privy to the findings of the September, 2018.” up to three-year jail term for such offenders. investigation into the allegation made in an online medium Instead of being immediately arrested and prosecuted While a cross section of Nigerians, who do not understand that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth based on her confession, since ignorance of the law is not the case before the court have been criticising the judiciary, Service Corps (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. an excuse from prosecution, nothing was done to her until the courts on a number of occasions have ruled that they This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line she, through her lawyers, filed a suit marked, FHC/ABJ/ are not Father Christmas, and as such, cannot decide on with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the CS/303/2021 against the AGF. issues not brought before them. In the instant case, it was honourable thing and resign. Among her four prayers in the suit was “a declaration that clear that the case brought before the court was a civil “Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the plaintiff, being a United Kingdom citizen as at 1989, matter and not criminal. Instead, all attention should be the background to this matter. I was born and raised in when she graduated from the University of East London, focused on the AGF, who has been shielding Adesoun from the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home London, United Kingdom at the age of 22 years, was criminal prosecution. remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of ineligible to participate in the NYSC scheme, established by Another issue, does the judgment obtained by the former thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK the National Youth Service Corps Act, CAP N8, LFN, 2004.” minister last week exonerate her from prosection? The passport. Justice Taiwo, in granting the four prayers requested by answer, to many, is no. To them, the onus lies on the AGF. “I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of Adeosun, also noted that the plaintiff was not supposed to In the build-up to the 2019 general election, the ruling thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as present herself for the NYSC scheme, because under the All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified the Minister of to whether NYSC law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to 1979 Constitution, which was in force at the time of her Communications, Adebayo Shittu, from participating in the my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my graduation, she was not a Nigerian citizen and that she Oyo State governorship primary, following another expose residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty became a Nigerian citizen, when she was above 30 years, that showed that he too skipped the NYSC. (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until which was beyond the age of participation in the scheme. A suit he subsequently filed to challenge his disqualifica- recent events, that remained my understanding. He held that since the 1979 Constitution, which was in tion was struck out by the Federal High Court in Ibadan “On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and force at the time she graduated did not recognise dual on technical grounds in April 2019. Justice P. I. Ajoku, who assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC citizenship, Adeosun could not have engaged in the NYSC heard the case, because the plaintff did comply with the were approached for documentary proof of status. I then scheme, because she was then a British citizen. Constitution, which only gives him 14 days to file his suit received the certificate in question. Having never worked The judge added that since the extant Constitution did after the action has commenced. in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar not require the plaintiff to present an NYSC discharge Shittu skipped the NYSC but unlike Adeosun did not with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate to be appointed a minister, her ministerial forge a certificate to get his ministerial appointment. NOTES FOR FILE Do You Believe El-Rufai? Kaduna State Governor, Malam it’s worth, the statement was truly Not only does he think it’s the turn Nasir El-Rufai, last week, said at harmless and fortuitous, then, do of the south, he has been speaking 62, he was too old to aspire to be you believe El-Rufai could have in its support. Nigeria’s president. His statement just given up on his presidential Generally, with the state of the came amid speculations that dream like that? nation, a much younger fellow, he might have sent a subliminal For many, it’s hard to believe that with energy and focus, who message to some people in the the Northwestern governor, whom understands the issues, highly political space, believed to be many have always known to be cosmopolitan and able to network, eyeing the presidency, too. eyeing the presidency to come up is the ideal successor to President Well, knowing El-Rufai, he with such a position that takes him Muhammadu Buhari. couldn’t have truly made such a out of the equation. It is, however, not essentially statement in vacuum. Again, to be fair to El-Rufai, he about the number in terms of age, He must have targeted an indi- has been consistent on the mat- but one who comfortably ticks the El-Rufai vidual or individuals. But, if for all ters of the presidency come 2023. boxes. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 71 CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

to douse then growing discontents. With a well-off profile, fit enough for the job and paired with another sound mind, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu came into office and landed into multiple crises of governance, leadership and administration. As though he had been prepped for the job, Sanwo-Olu has continued to handle the job well to the best of his ability – currently posting above average results. It goes without saying that Sanwo-Olu cannot finish the work of the developments of the state. But, the fact cannot also be denied that he is doing as much as possible within the timeframe and resources available, with the hope that a re-election might help to consolidate. And boom, the amber light flashed. The speculation is rife now and no longer a big deal amongst the political elite of the state that Sanwo-Olu might be served the Ambode treatment. First, he was said to have agreed to an understanding that he would only serve a term. Whether or not that is true, the speculation is now a matter of public discourse. Second, being a Christian, he is said to have been ‘hired’ to serve out the second term of the Christian slot, which Ambode was denied. Unfortunately, that excuse belies logic in all its forms. While it is true that they are both Christians, Sanwo-Olu, from Lagos Central, cannot – politi- cally and strategically – complete the tenure of Ambode, who represented Lagos East. And third, his returning to office is being seen as likely to unsettle the plan to allegedly drag Tinubu’s son, Seyi, into the political terrain in a capacity not clear or defined yet. This supposition has also gone on for a while and it appears all things are beginning to work together for the conspiracy theory to excel and as well, materialise. However, if there had been doubts that there were plans to stop Sanwo-Olu in 2023, two developments – deliberate political machinations though – have successfully funneled authenticity into the suspicions. Sanwo-Olu...fingers crossed! One, to prevent anyone in the core of the party leadership from speaking against whatever decisions Tinubu takes at the end of the day, especially, with respect to his son, Tinubu has al- legedly ‘fixed’ at least one child of all the members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC). So, Lagos 2023: The when the time comes, no one in the all-important group would be able to speak in that direction. Political morality has been compromised, first off. Two and very noteworthy, the treatment meted out to Sanwo-Olu in the recently held local government primary elections was a clear and Amber Light Flashes unmistaken message that stated: “I’m done with you”. Not one local government chairmanship slot was conceded to a sitting governor. This is aside muscling other major interests in the party. In 2023, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s re-election, is The only chairmanship slot initially yielded to the issue. Olawale Olaleye writes the governor out of the 57 was later retrieved from him and handed to someone believed to have come from Kwara State. Yet, his son, Seyi, here are speculations that the Lagos new but obviously manipulated projections. The with other equally critical interests in the state very was said to have cornered over 10 of the slots State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- culture is Darwinian and a cycle typified by schooled well whilst minding the business of governance and across the state. Olu, might be stopped from seeking corruption. Welcome to Eko for show! administration, strictly. This is beside other indignations the governor re-election. It’s not false. But, this To activate this thriving template in 2007, Thus, the attempt to undo his rise and stop his was alleged to have endured in order not to be time, it’s not going to be a walkover choosing a successor was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s re-election failed on the strength of the groundswell distracted from his current mandate, knowing for the “architects” of this otherwise biggest challenge as he prepared to leave office. of supports he had secured over time. He has that his name is at stake and would ultimately venal and destructive politics. He was governor of the state between 1999 and since remained the face of progressive politics take responsibility. Some of the factors that will 2007. But he chose to gamble and that gamble, in terms of performance and the understanding As it is now, the amber light is on and except determine the tide of events in Lagos in 2023 (SAN), who was then his chief of of governance issues. Unfortunately, Fashola’s the monolithic leadership of Lagos politics is Twill not make it easy for fascism. It’s going to be a staff, paid off. successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, another gamble able to interpret the signs very well and tread different ball game, this time. After all, Edo’s recent Suffice it to say that Tinubu is not a very tolerant by Tinubu, was not as lucky. Ambode’s inability to cautiously this time, there’s nothing about the governorship run, has taught all that possibilities are politician, not even the dissenting views of persons properly manage extant relationships and failing to much touted political template in the state that limitless in politics. considered subservient could move him. This, use smart back-channels, were his major undoing is irreversible. It may be delusional to assume Quite naturally, Lagos, in the 2023 elections, perhaps, can explain why in the period he served as he thought having Tinubu alone was all that was so. Indeed, there may not be enough ‘loyal foot promises an interesting spectacle. It always does. as governor, ended up with three deputies: Senator needed to survive the minefield of the politics of soldiers’ to prosecute the Lagos 2023 battle. Since the nation’s return to civil rule in 1999, Lagos Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Otunba Femi Pedro re-election. The idea that anyone, even though constitu- has never abdicated its place for another in terms of and Prince Abiodun Ogunleye. But Tinubu, expectedly, caved-in to the pressure tionally entitled to a re-election, who allegedly pacesetting – politically and development-wise. While the need to dominate the political turf, of his long ignored followers, who moved against agreed to an ‘ungodly’ understanding to serve just As the commercial nerve centre of the country, control the levers of power and continue to decide the former governor and showed Ambode the way a term in the state, must uphold same, would be former capital city and Nigeria’s most viable state a successor of choice could have been partly out. Ambode remains the one sitting governor in addressed by the public, when the time comes. – economically – it is not by mere coincidental responsible for why Tinubu fought and outran three this part of the country not allowed the opportunity And, of course, it would be subjected to both reference that Lagos is monikered the “Centre of deputies, all of his successors have always had a of seeking re-election and not that he failed to legal and constitutional interrogations with all the Excellence”; it earned it. Lagos is truly mega in all difficulty returning for a second term, also on the return at the polls. tenets of democracy thrown up for a fair debate. considerations. same account. Again, to replace Ambode, Tinubu, yet gambled Importantly, too, if the rumoured presidential This is also why its politics is nothing compared Fashola, interestingly, scaled the re-election hurdle. and dragged into the race, the current governor, bid of Tinubu is true, then, the amber light to any other. Lethally civil and treacherously exciting, Although the current minister of works and housing Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a man, who seized the directly flashes in his face. It is yet to be seen how it always leaves behind many takeaways and in refused to meddle in the politics of the state at the momentum of Ambode’s missteps to come into he’d set his house on fire and at the same time, the end, gives soothing bruises. With a perfected time he was governor, he managed relationships office – boasting sweeping goodwill amid promises continues to chase a bigger dream on the same winning template – somewhat – that has survived turf. The contradictions, without a doubt, speak over two decades, the tendency to brag and to his capacity to have a rethink and review the claim control by the operators of her politics and subsisting equation. This will enable him make the self-styled leadership, may not be misplaced. They, They’d rather pander to what they often refer to as smartest choice in the circumstances. too, earned it. the ‘bigger picture’ even if and when their interests But, to deny the fact that the amber light Not even with the multitude of supporters that is on and flashes steady, is to continue to live have come to accept their fate in terms of whatever might have been canceled out of the new but a devastating lie, not even when Mr. Olajide the leadership dishes out to them as political direc- Adeniran, a much younger, energetic and tion. Lagos, as it is today, is politically regimented obviously manipulated projections. The culture formidable member of their party, is an irrepress- with diehard discipleship. ible option waiting to happen. To dismiss and They’d rather pander to what they often refer is Darwinian and a cycle typified by schooled underestimate Adeniran’s political machine is to to as the ‘bigger picture’ even if and when their toy with an obvious danger lurking in the corner interests might have been canceled out of the corruption. Welcome to Eko for show! of Lagos politics in 2023. 72 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 CICERO/REPORT When Sule Spoke In Labour’s Language After three weeks of hesitation, Governor Abdullahi Sule of , finally succumbed to pressure from the Organised, writes Igbawase Ukumba

Signing the MoU at the Government House, Lafia

he strike by the Nasarawa ment to embark on meaningful projects in negotiation, and Hon Aliyu Ahmed Wadada Sule told the labour leaders. State workers, which lasted the state. for the finishing touches, the following were The governor reiterated that, Nasarawa over two weeks was sup- In a statement issued by chairman of the achieved: (I) No longer ‘No work No pay has the capacity and prospect of being able posed to have commenced Nasarawa State Civil Service Commission, rule’. This is to say that June 2021 salary will to stand on its feet, but that such could only since June 7, 2021. It was, Alhaji Musa Dangana, the State Executive be paid in full. (ii) All promotions at hand up happen when the workers show commit- however, delayed by labour Council invoked the ‘No-work-no-pay rule’, to 2017 shall be implemented in the month ment. due to intervention by stressing that salaries for the month of June, of August 2021. (iii) Last tranche of the Outlining the details of the agreement traditional rulers in the state. 2021 would be paid based on attendance August 2016 salary arrears shall be paid.” between the state government and Labour, But the Organised Labour said it was left registers placed at various Ministries, To that extent, labour has signed an Attorney-General and Commissioner for Twith no other option than to speak the Departments and Agencies (MDAs). agreement with the state government Justice, Abdukarim Abubakar Kana, said language the state government understood “Government noted with dismay the to bring to an end the over two weeks key among the resolutions reached in better, which was strike. position of the labour unions that govern- industrial action embarked by workers to the agreement were that all pending Thus, on June 15, 2021, the labour move- ment should use available resources to press in their demands. promotions/annual increments at hand ment mobilised its members and began an implement promotions and pay salaries Announcing a truce with government for workers under government employ, indefinite strike in the state after the State only, rather than executing viable projects during a meeting in the Goverment House, that were due and pursuant to the report Executive Council (SEC) meeting. Addressing that have bearing on the lives of the Lafia, the state NLC chairman expressed of the committee for implementation journalists after the meeting, Nasarawa citizens,” the statement said. gratitude to see to the end of the impasse of outstanding promotions up to 2017, State chairman of the Nigeria Labour The statement further called on MDAs that saw workers down tools for over two should be implemented with effect from Congress (NLC), Yusuf Iya, said the industrial to submit valid attendance registers for weeks. He said by agreeing to sign the new August 2021. action became imparative due to failure on the month of June, 2021 to the office of agreement, Governor Sule has proven that He said all pending promotions from the part of government to meet workers’ the Head of Civil Service, through their he waas a man of integrity who adhered to 2018 to date be processed and imple- demands after two months ultimatum. permanent secretaries or Chief Executive due diligence in all his undertakings. mented for all those that qualified in line The NLC chairman listed some of the Officers, and enjoined willing workers to Iya emphasised that the period of the with the public service rules of Nasarawa demands of workers to include partial resume their duties. industrial action embarked by workers State. implementation of minimum wage without Curiously, however, Governor Sule in the state has alsoserved to confirm Kana elaborated: “On the issue of recourse to due process of collective could not continue with his fight with the Sule’s level of commitment, passion and minimum wage, it was resolved that bargaining and lack of implementation of Organized Labour due largely to pressure enthusiasm for workers of Nasarawa State. having commenced the payment for promotions since 2008. Others were lack from traditional rulers of the state, and He prayed for cordial relationship between workers on levels 1-6, discussions and of annual increments, lack of training, lack succumbed to their pressure after more government and the Labour to continue, consequential adjustment for level 7 and of confirmation of appointments of casual overtwo weeks of hesitation. stressing that labour would continue to above will continue through the standing workers, some of whom, according to Iya’s Based on this, the Nasarawa NLC chair- partner his administration to the end. committee on implementation of minimum claim, “have been working for more than 10 man congratulated his fellow workers of the Sule, too, was grateful to leaders of wage. Regarding the August 2016 salary years’, among others. state in the Organized Labour Bulletin No.8 Labour for giving him a window of op- arrears, it was agreed that payment of the Iya said: “Some of the problems lingered issued on July 5, 2021: “We congratulate you portunity to enable him sign the agreement last trenche of the outstanding August 2016 for a long period of time, but the govern- for the victory recorded today. This marks bringing to an end the over two weeks salary arrears be paid immediately. ment has failed to give priority toward yet another milestone and value addition strike by civil servants. “Part of the agreement was that no addressing them. We have given the in the history of labour movement in the “The suggestions you have given also worker shall be victimised on account of his present administration more than two years state. Comrades, we thank you for your made me to believe that you also meant or her participation in the industrial action, grace to address our challenges, but the understanding and the commitment you well for the state, because if you have not with the Organised Labour agreeing not government has been paying lip service.” have shown before and during the strike. given me the window of opportunity to be to also victimize any worker that abstained But the Nasarawa State government, dur- “Arising from the discussions between able to pay you, I won’t have signed. The from the strike. It was equally agreed that ing an emergency expanded State Execu- the Organized Labour and the government, value addition that I am looking for from government will introduce a development tive Council meeting to review the ongoing and the interventions of some prominent the organised labour is for the civil service levy in the state for all category of earners, strike by the Organized Labour held at the stakeholders in state, most especially, the to work with my administration so that to enhance revenue for the next 12 months Government House, Lafia, recently said, it Emir of Lafia, the Andoma of Doma, Emir of Nasarawa State can become independent to enable government meets up with its would not be distracted from its commit- Azara and Osu Ojiri for opening the page of of reliance on federation account to survive,” commitments and existing obligations.” THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 73

CICERO/INTERVIEW Peter Akpatason Akpatason: PIB Debate was Tainted with Sentiments The Deputy Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpatason, amongst other issues, explained how the federal lawmakers arrived at the 5% operating expenditure granted to the Host Communities in the PIB. He spoke to Udora Orizu. Excerpts:

he National Leader of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark has rejected some provisions in the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), particularly the 3 and 5 per cent operating expenditure granted to the Host Communities by the Senate and House of Representatives. In your opinion, Tdo you think the 5% is good enough? It’s not good enough but that was the best we could get at that particular time. The reason is that legislation is a game of numbers, to get anything in the legislation you need a number and it requires persuasion and all that. And number, even when you add the Southeast and Southwest, it’s not up to the number of our colleagues in the north, so, the PIB at some point assumed a sectional dimension, the debate was more less tainted with the sentiments of north, south, east, west and all of that which is very terrible thing. Things shouldn’t happen that way. We should actually be looking at things irrespec- tive of ethnic and sectional consideration. Unfortunately, it happens from time to time, it’s not limited to Nigeria only. So, at that point we had to start negotiating and in the House, we were able to arrive at five per cent, while senate arrived at 3. I’m not pleased with the 5 per cent but that was what we could get at that time.

Southern governors are currently clamouring for Southern Presidency in 2023. Do you see thatpossibility? Yes, it’s possible but it’s not going to be easy, and the way to go about it is to apply diplomacy,because politics is a game of numbers and we need the number and so we need to be persuasive about it. So, I believe it’s possible but I don’t think it’s going to be easy.

What’s your take on the accusations that the federal government is not pursuing Akpatason bandits with the same energy it’s using to clampdown on secessionist agitators? after completion of those stages, it will go to is actually not part of the work given to the to make sure that if the contractor is doing Yes I support that the government should the third stage, I think that’s the stage that’s contractor. anything short of the provisions of the BOQ, clampdown on every element that is ongoing currently. However, the contractor was actually he will be made to pay for it. Just now I’m told undermining the security of this country but We had opportunity of doing inspection in involved in doing it as part of the support that he has not been paid a dime for the job. in doing that there must be objectivity. What’s the first and second phases that happened to the community based on the request of He hasn’t been paid at all, he has done first good for Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho much earlier. The third phase just commenced the community people, who have come out and second phases, it’s the third one that’s is also good for ISWAP and Boko Haram. a while ago, I have not been on ground to do to confirm that yes they requested for that. ongoing which means he can’t run away. So, Boko Haram and ISWAP have assumed a the inspection at this stage. I was surprised Reason being that the length of work he was there’s no need for drama. Also, I’m currently very monstrous dimension, it did not start when I saw the video a few days ago, the given to do, ended at a point where the water doing up to 5 road construction projects yesterday, they have been there for a long gentleman never spoke with me about it will not easily flow into the right channel, in my constituency. I have a mini stadium time and has spread their tentacles and reach and nobody ever did. So, when I saw that the stream that is close to that place. They ongoing, event center like a civic center with far beyond what’s happening elsewhere. immediately I tried to reach out to my staff felt that if the additional work is not done 500 capacity, very massive project, people So, combatting those two terrorists on ground, who went there and eventually then they will be having a challenge with have inspected and they praised the quality of organisation would be more challenging produced a preliminary report for me. that drainage and the contractor agreed with work that’s going on in that place. So, I have than a fresh agitation. My point is that it When I got to the office being the first day them to support the community to do that never been fingered in any substandard work. has become more difficult, because of the after I saw the video, I wrote a letter to the job. As for ‘Unu ese Bridge’, as the signage spread and amount of network that they have rural development department of the ministry What I will say clearly is that if I were in suggests, the job is ‘Construction of Unu ese developed over the years but the government of agriculture to furnish me with details of the a contractor’s position if I choose to give Bridge’ which I facilitated into Budget 2020 in being a responsible government at this point contract and also for them to do on the spot assistance to support the community, I will do fulfilment of my campaign promise to Ojirami must develop stronger capacity to combat assessment of what’s going on to establish the same quality that’s contained in my BOQ. Afe (Afekunu) people. The job is domiciled Boko Haram and ISWAP. whether actually the job is shoddily done If what he did is different from that, then, I in Benin Owena Rivers Basin Development or not, so that if they find any such thing won’t be happy with him. We are going to Authority, in the Ministry of Water Resources. You sponsored the construction of a 200 appropriate sanctions can be meted out to analyze that. The report I have for my people In the course of inspection, my home team metres link road in your constituency in whoever is culpable. So, that’s it so far. I’m is a shoulder of the road not the road itself drew my attention to the fact that contractor Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of expecting their feedback today, hopefully. and those materials are waste materials. was only grading the access road leading to Edo State. There’s a video trending, accusing By the time we get their feedback, we will Basically, that is it but I appreciate the the bridge, while no work was going on at you of facilitating a substandard project, now swing into action properly. But in the fact that somebody in the community was main bridge. what do you have to say about this? meantime, the preliminary reporting got from able to come out to draw attention to what I immediately intimated the head of the Well, in respect to the video. The Project in my team in Akoko Edo clearly contradicts the it considered to be poor work, irrespective agency and requested that the contractor be question is a project that I facilitated in the report that was presented in that video. of the drama. I’m pleased that somebody is made to focus on the bridge construction 2020 budget. It’s a one kilometer road job, The job is ongoing at the time he made this doing something. work as specified in the Appropriation Act. the first phase was in the 2020 budget and video, the workers were right there working, To inspect a project everyone must be After consultation with his team, the MD the completion stage is in 2021 budget. The work was ongoing when he met them, raised involved. The agency that awards projects informed me that ‘construction work’ was not Job was domiciled in the rural development the issue of not having iron rods in a certain must inspect projects, the community that are in the first phase of their BEME. At this point, department of ministry of agriculture and parts of the job that was ongoing. Sincerely benefiting from the project must inspect the since 2021 Budgeting exercise was over, we rural development. They awarded the speaking, I don’t have the details about the project. both agreed that he has to address the people contract to one royal jeff Nigeria limited. base of quantity, which indicates what should The office of the legislator or whoever the of the community for them to understand The first phase of the contract was awarded be where and all of that I only obtained those person is must inspect project. It’s the reason the situation and the remedies being sought. sometime in the year. The second phase was documents now. I checked the report of why I appreciate the fact that the young man He actually went and had a dialogue with also awarded to the same contractor. And my people and what it indicated is that the could go there and look at what is happening. the community. You may have to contact the portion of the drainage showed to the world However, we will do everything possible agency for further details. 74 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2021 SUNDAY INTERVIEW Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu: Iwuanyanwu: An Igbo President May Not Solve Southeast’s Agitation In this interview with Chuks Okocha, prominent Southeast politician from , Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu spoke on topical issues. Excerpts:

ow will you describe your journey brain in journalism with Henry Odukumaya as the into politics? first Managing Director of Champions newspaper. I became a politician by accident, In most cases, especially, in engineering, I employed because by profession, I am an expatriates, when I could not get Nigerians to man- engineer and scientist. It is a age. I know that how to run business is basically profession I love so much, that having good staff. I appointed board of directors,who elevated me and even gave me may not be equity holders in the company, but I money. What happened was that remunerate them very well and gave them some when the then military president, , bonus share sometimes. Hlifted ban on political activities, many of the old This method made me to prosper and most Igbo politicians were still banned and there was times, I could be sleeping and people will be happily nobody to represent the Igbo. Ekwueme was among working for me, because they know that they are the foremost Igbo politicians that people hoped working for themselves too. would hand over to him in line with what was mutually agreed. What do you consider your biggest regret But Ekwueme was among those Babangida in life? banned. I was the only person people considered This is a very deep question that I may not answer to have the resources, credibility and the reach to in haste. I cannot actually point at anything I will be able to carry the political mantle of the Igbo single out as my biggest regret, but I can say that race. That was how I actually came into politics the saddest period of my life was when I lost my and when the ban on political activities was lifted, wife, Lady Uduora Iwuanyanwu. She was a very I was more or less compelled then to join political good woman and my girlfriend in the university. association. I must also say that I have tremendous We courted for six years before we got married. We support from the Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and across were married for over 40 years before she died. I every ethnic nationalities in the country. was shattered and devastated. However, when I The Igbo leaders at that time, the leadership prayed God to give me another comforter, He gave of Ohanaeze spearheaded by the trio of Jerome my present wife, Nonye, who has proved to be Udoji, Francis Ibiam and Prof Nwabueze, took me to very good. She has a very adorable son I gave the Nnamdi Azikiwe, the greatest political figure of Igbo name Emmanuel having seen all my reflexes in him. extraction then, for endorsement. Most prominent traditional rulers were also part of the delegation How do you want to be remembered? to kick-start that my entry into politics. Our political I want to be remembered for what I have done association metamorphosed into a political party, to give happiness to humanity and improve the the NRC, and because I was planning to run for world. My greatest ambition is to make the world the presidency, I didn’t contest the position of the better than I met it and I have been able to do party’s national chairmanship. Tom Ikimi eventually that. I feel completely fulfilled and accomplished. emerged the chairman. I am not a very rich person, but I have been able I contested the primaries under the then popular Iwuanyanwu to have enough to carry out my philanthropic Option A4, but emerged the party’s work. I have trained over 5,000 persons in higher candidate despite my winning substantially in some there is no change. In fact, this is not the Nigeria going to be a psychological boost for the younger institutions. I have been able to build structures states. We finally agreed that I will be the running of my dream. generation, feeling that they too can assume the in many schools, universities, medical institutions, mate to Ciroma, but surprisingly, the presidency highest position in the land. It will be against their churches and many more. made announcement banning all of us. It practically Why have you not left the PDP to join the current feelings that they cannot aspire for the I made substantial contributions in the building of threw us out of the party, creating room for Bashir APC? position of presidency once you are an Igbo person. the Anglican cathedral in Owerri and single-handedly Tofa to emerge our party’s presidential candidate. I have been in the PDP since 1999. Today, I am That is what we must try to avoid. built the one in my dioceses, where I spent over N1 After the election, Abiola’s SDP won. the oldest person on the Board of Trustees of the billion. I built a blood bank in Imo State when there But we resolved that instead of instituting PDP and I am also the oldest person in the NEC of What is the biggest lesson you learnt in was nowhere to get blood many years ago and the legal action, we are going to support Abiola even the PDP. I am 79 years going to 80 years next year. politics? ones sourced elsewhere were affecting the people. though we know that there were irregularities like At the moment, I am the chairman, Elders Council I learnt so many lessons in politics. Even though The good news is that the federal government has in every election. Since we are very keen to get of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and by that position, I should I did not win in the previous attempts I made, I taken it over and expanded it. democracy back, we agreed to support whoever be non-partisan. So, even if I leave the PDP today, will not say that my journey into politics was a Another thing that gives me joy is the Imo Airport. wins. However, the election was annulled. I still I am not going to join any other party because waste. It was a very useful enterprise I ventured It was my brainchild because I conceived the idea and contested for president a number of times, totalling firstly, I am too old at 80 to run for any election. into. Without my involvement in political activities, I presented it to then military administrator, General three. I can tell you that politics is like infectious I won’t accept any political appointment and I can will not have had the kind of influence I have today. Ike Nwachukwu, a man with amazing leadership madness, once you start, you won’t know when only do the job of Ohanaeze or other responsibility I enjoy enormous influence across all parts of the qualities. to stop. My final attempt to contest president was within my community and state as well. I won’t country. I am very highly respected, regarded and The government did not have money to build it, in 1999 under the platform of APP. join any party now, but I will be very happy if our equally appreciated by the youths across the country. but he was able to galvanise the Imo communities The Igbo have strong aspirants in both APP and people will address certain issues concerning the I have been honoured three times by the federal comprising the present day Abia, Imo and some parts PDP with names like Alex Ekwueme and myself, youths in politics. At the appropriate time, I will government, because they know and worked with of Ebonyi States that started to build the airport. It but then the military hierarchy had made up their give advice to younger politicians on what I think me. I am a very detribalised person and have been was largely built by community contribution. After minds that the presidency must go to Yoruba land they should do to make politics a huge success. able to work very well with persons from different creating Abia, I had to give out $2 million in the to compensate them for the Abiola June 12 debacle. tribes and religions. I am one person that can work name of Owerri zone, when the project ran into a There was, however, no Yoruba candidate in our Is Igbo presidency feasible in 2023? and produce result across barrier of ethnicity and hitch. I had to transfer $2 million from my account party strong enough to win the ticket. They pleaded The truth about Igbo presidency is that younger religion. I will encourage anybody, who can go in New York to be able to make it up. That time, with me, but I told them that I won’t surrender generation of Igbo are losing their self-esteem. They into politics, because it is a good venture regardless Naira was stronger than Dollar. My interest in airline the ticket to anybody. feel that something is wrong, because it is not only of whether you win or loss. I don’t regret going business was just to make Imo Airport to function. They manoeuvred the system and brought the challenge of presidency that they are facing. One into politics even though it is very expensive and They had refused to open it after completion. They . I don’t know what they told of my sons had asked me why the Southeast should costs me so much money. insisted that we had to get an airline. him, but it was shocking how somebody who lost have five states while other geographical zones I had a private jet I usually use to shuttle Nigeria the governorship ticket in to Sam have six? I had difficulty answering that question What is the way forward to the insecurity and my offices in New York and London, but not an Egwu could become the presidential candidate and it is the embarrassment we constantly get from in the Southeast? airline. I had to procure four Aircraft that I started the of our party. We have not even voted when they the young generation of Igbo. This is among the I don’t actually want to talk about that now, because Oriental Airline with just to facilitate the opening of announced him winner. I left Kaduna, the venue things I believe our political leaders can handle and it is very complex. I believe that the situation will the Imo Airport. Graham Douglas, the then Aviation of our primaries disappointed and finally joined there will be no problem if they are handled. There soon be brought under control. Minister helped me to secure the operating licence. the PDP. I have remained with the PDP ever since. must be ethnic balancing especially, in Nigeria with My entry attracted the like of Okada, Kabo, Interestingly, while Onu was still jubilant and hopeful multi-ethnic and religious group to ensure that What is the secret of your successes in among others. It was not profitable initially until that he was going to run, they replaced him with everybody feels accommodated. Igbo presidency multifaceted areas like politics, sports, airline, later. When they all joined I had to stop the airline Olu Falae as the party’s candidate. He was really is not all that matters. In fact, you will be surprised publishing and engineering? business, because I was not actually interested in disappointed too. that the Igbo president may not even be the person It boils down to leadership, because I found that it, but I just floated it to make sure Imo Airport to solve the various agitations from the region. out early in my life. I started with class prefect,because becomes operational. I also feel fulfilled that I started Will it be right to say that you met your After all, the northern part of Nigeria has produced I was very humble and quiet. I was also academically Champion newspaper. target going into politics? presidency more than other regions but it does not very bright, which attracted me to many of my No. I did not meet my target and I don’t feel reflect much in the development of the area. The teachers. I believe more in actions than words. What was the turning point in your life? fulfilled as such, because I did not win any election fact is that if anybody tells you that Igbo presidency More importantly, I learnt how to use the best Well, the turning point of my life was when I was to actualise my dream of making the country a will do miracle in the Southeast or Igboland, the hands to achieve results. I went for the best hands able to execute some contracts as an engineer. I better place. Nigeria is nowhere a better society. person must be lying. He is going to work with when I established my airline. I paid them well and did lots of things like designing of bridges, I also It seems the country is even worse today than the constitution and all eyes will be on him. The allowed them to run the business. When I went established companies into production, but essentially, what it was then. I am not a happy man, because only good thing in Igbo presidency is that it is into publishing, I did the same, employing best engineering actually gave me a lot of my money. THISDAY THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ 75

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi NEWS E-mail: ÑÌÙãÏÑ˲ËÕÓØÝËØ×Ó̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͸΀͹ͽͺͻͽ΁ͺͽͻ Probe AMCON, Sterling Bank for Unethical Practices, Firm Tells Buhari T S the president to intervene to It said: “AMCON should Bank management in order to ultimately ensure that the ethics was established in 2011, the redress the injustice meted out commission a valuation of the ensure that the court verdict the of the banking profession is banks transferred the loan to A property development to him and his company. property and take the portion of company won was not executed upheld and not be dragged the corporation, but Sterling company Grant Properties He also called on the CBN it which satisfies the obligation, engaged in an intricate web into the mud because of the Bank retained the Knight Limited, has asked President to review the action taken by and then return the remainder of mind-game, bringing in the greed of some individuals in Rook shares and used the Muhammadu Buhari to cause a the bank. to us. AMCON to set obstacles for the the industry. same to trade illegally. probe into an alleged collusion The petitioner said: “We “After the obligation is company in order to arm-twist The petitioner recalled that at “We discovered that between Sterling Bank Plc and would, however, like the CBN satisfied, AMCON should be it to abandon its judgement it some point in 2009, the project Sterling Plc did not transfer Assets Management Corpora- to investigate the legal and ethical asked to issue a letter of release, won at the Lagos High Court. was stalled due to liquidity all of our collateral to AM- tion of Nigeria, (AMCON) in issues raised in the insider abuse, and return our Knight Rook In the petition to the CBN, he challenges in the banks, “and CON, instead it diverted 10 the dissipation of the company’s collusion and illegal sale of a shares and other properties held asked the apex bank to inves- they were no longer able to hectares of the land, which it assets to satisfy a facility customer’s assets by Sterling by AMCON and the Receiver tigate the dealings of Mr Yemi provide funds to continue the secretly sold to its Director, Mr obtained by the company. Bank to its directors.” Manager to us,” it said. Adeola and co-conspirators in development.” Yemi Idowu, a rival real estate The company said it had se- The company stated that the The company said Sterling Sterling Bank and AMCON and He said: “When AMCON developer.” cured a loan from a consortium judgement of a Lagos High Court of four banks, including Sterling had established the illegality of Bank, Skye Bank, Unity Bank their actions, which broke the and Wema Bank, to finance AMCON Act, the Securities and the development of an estate, Exchange Commission laws, Victory Banking laws and all the ethics Park Estate, in Lekki, Lagos. of the banking profession. It said the facility was secured Among other demands, via the shares in its subsidiary, it asked the CBN to cause a Knight Rook Limited, which thorough investigation of the only asset of about 46 hectares insider trading and collusion of land in Victory Park Estate. by Sterling Bank and its top A similar petition was written management, Yemi Adeola, to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Yemi Idowu and Ms Justina Both letters, which are duly Lewa; Compel Sterling Bank acknowledged receipt by the to return the 10 hectares of Presidency and the CBN, were land which Yemi Adeola and obtained by our correspondent. Yemi Idowu illegally sold to The petitions were signed by themselves, to AMCON as part Chief Olajide Awosedo (now of the collateral. This, itself was late) who was then the chairman in line with the judgement of of the company. a Lagos High Court which In the petition, entitled: nullified that sale. Insider Abuse, Collusion and The company also asked the Fraud: Petition Against Sterling CBN to compel AMCON to Bank Plc, Mr Yemi Adeola, recover the 10 hectares of land FROM CAPTIVITY TO CONSOLATION . . Mr Yemi Idowu, Ms Justina as its collateral, and apply it L-R: President of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; one of the Chibok girls who escaped Boko Haram captivity Lewa & Asset Management toward the N8.5 billion debt in 2014, Miss. Mary Katambi and a former Vice-President and Founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar at Katambi’s Corporation, Awosedo asked obligation. graduation from the institution in Yola, Adamawa State… yesterday Wife of Slain Super TV CEO Demands N1bn Over Libelous Reports U A addressed to the Managing CEO. with the suspect through Brenda’s official of the Nigerian govern- National newspapers including Director of the online medium, The command had also boyfriend. ment as a loose woman and a The Punch newspaper. Brenda Ataga, wife of the Mr. Makinde Azeez through claimed that the suspect was In her letter of claim, however, flirt, carrying on extra marital “That you pay the sum of slain Super TV CEO, Mr. her counsel, Chief Charles caught with a blood-soaked Brenda described the report affairs with another Mr. Izu. N1, 000, 000, 000 (One Billion Usifo Ataga has asked the Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN). cloth worn on the day of the published by the online platform The letter demanded that the Naira) through our office to our management of Naijaloaded Ataga, also a director in Super incident and confessed to stabbing as a callous, malicious and mind- story be immediately pulled client as pecuniary compensation Blog for a sum of N1 billion as Network Limited, was recently the deceased with a kitchen knife less attack on the personality of down from the website of for your reckless and mindless compensation for the publication found dead in a pool of blood after a struggle. their client. Naijaloaded online, while calling injury to her vide the published of libelous and malicious reports at a short service apartment Chidinma, at a parade at the The lawyer stated that the for a complete retraction of the defamatory materials aforesaid. against her person. at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos state police command in Ikeja, had publication described his client damaging story, to be carried first “If at the end of 14 days from Brenda, also, asked the online shortly after his family declared confessed that she and Ataga as a conniving criminal that was in online platform news blogs and the date of this letter, any of the platform to pull down the report him missing. were “having fun” when an part of the plans that killed her other online news outlets. listed demands still stands unful- from the website and retract Subsequently, the Lagos State argument broke out and she husband, father of her children, The letter read in part: “A prop- filled, we would proceed on our the damaging report through Police Command arrested a stabbed him twice. a most heinous cunning act. erly worded unreserved apology full instructions to initiate steps its medium and other online 21-year-old undergraduate But in its report published on The letter, which described for the libel published in your to bring the full consequences news outlets. of the University of Lagos June 26, Naijaloaded had fingered the report as false, hinted that news blog, two national televi- of your recklessness in the She made these demands (UNILAG), Chidinma Ojukwu Brenda in the murder of her it labelled Mrs Ataga who is a sion stations including Channels aforementioned publications in a letter dated June 28 and for allegedly killing the late husband, citing her relationship wife, mother and highly placed Television Network and three to you. FG Engages 46 Independent Monitors for Social Investment Programme in Imo T S tors who turned out in their wanted to know how impact- expected standard. who was represented by the N- SIP, Princess Christina numbers to be captured. ful the program would be The director stated further Commissioner for Budget and Ude expressed her joy on In a bid to monitor the ongo- Speaking during the event, and whether there would be that the programme covered Economic Planning, Dr C.C. behalf of her office for the ing National Social Investment the Honourable Minister desired results in the various four social investment pro- Osuala urged the monitors to distribution of the engagement Programme in Imo state, the of Humanitarian Affairs, social investment programmes grammes namely Home Grown see themselves as being used for letters and tablets to the trained federal government has Disaster Management and and where it was not, what School Feeding Programme, the betterment of the society and Independent Monitors. distributed engagement letters Social Development, Sadiq the problem was and how it Conditional cash transfer , should do it with the fear of God. She explained that the and tablets to forty six trained Umar Farouq, represented could be resolved. Government Enterprising and He said that corruption and national social investment Independent Monitors for the by the director of programs, He said: “So we expect the Empowerment programme other social vices “will not be programme was targeted at supervision of the program. Mr Raphael Obi Oraeluno independent monitors to do and the N- power adding tolerated. The more genuine people reducing poverty in Nigeria. The event, which was held urged the monitors to do the their work diligently.” that the tablets would be are captured, the more poverty She stated that the engage- at the office of Sustainable work with utmost diligence He noted that the work was assigned to supervise each of will be reduced.” ment of the independent moni- Development Goals SDGs and commitment because the not transferable to third party the programmes in his or her Also, the Special Adviser tors for a period of one year and Humanitarian Affairs, programme is centred on the because participants would localities and would be given to the Governor of Imo state was one of the programmes the Owerri, mid-week, witnessed life of the poor and vulnerable receive monthly stipends and details on how the monitoring on SDGs and Humanitarian ministry employed to ensure the presentation of the tablets members of the society. the ministry was not ready should be done. services, who doubles as the that these programmes achieve and the letters to the moni- Obi noted that the ministry to get anything less than the Governor Hope Uzodimma focal person in Imo State their desired results. 76 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ NEWSXTRA Matawalle’s Defection Won’t Affect PDP in Future Elections, Says Zamfara Deputy Gov Adedayo Akinwale left the PDP on June 29. congestion in the state capital with some members of the State House political office holder in the party, the PDP ahead of the 2023 He gave this assurance during commuters held in gridlocks for of Assembly. he would mobilise grassroots elections. The Deputy Governor of a solidarity rally organised in hours due to the large number Addressing the party faithfuls support to bring the PDP He, therefore, urged every Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahdi support of the People Demo- of party supporters that trooped yesterday, Mahdi disclosed that back to the seat of power. leader and member of Zamfara Aliyu Gusau yesterday told a cratic party (PDP) in Gusau, the in for the solidarity march. the defection of Matawalle would The deputy governor PDP “to cooperate with him teeming number of his supporters Zamfara State capital yesterday The deputy governor was ac- not in any way affect the chances added that he would work to reposition the party. With during a solidarity rally that the and attended by thousands of companied by his father, General of the PDP in future elections. with all party leaders at the Matawalle’s Defection, I am defection of his principal, Dr. Bello party members from 14 local Aliyu Gusau, members of the Mahdi assured the party ward, local government, state now the leader of the PDP in Matawalle would not affect the government areas (LGAs) PDP Caretaker Committee and supporters that as the highest and national levels to reposition Zamfara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the state. in the future elections. At the solidarity rally, Gusau, son of a former Na- party faithfuls across the tional Security Adviser, General state held placards with Aliyu Gusau and currently the inscriptions: “With Mahdi, youngest deputy governor in new Zamfara is possible; the country, also disclosed that Zamfara is PDP and PDP he would not defect to the All is Zamfara.” Progressives Congress (APC) The rally, which kicked off at with Matawalle, who officially about 11:00 a.m., caused traffic Bauchi Police Torture Man, 33, to Death

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi “When they arrested him in front of his shop, we pleaded A team of police operatives with them to release him but attached to the Yelwa Division they refused and forcefully took and some vigilantes has allegedly him into the car they came with. tortured a 33-year-old man, Dauda That was around 9pm. Danladi to death in . “The next day, I could not go PROMOTING FOOD SECURITY. . . But the Commissioner of Police, to the station because I was not L-R: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Soybean Breeder, Dr. Abush Abebe; Director-General, Premier Agribusiness Academy/ Mr. Abiodun Sylvester Alabi feeling too well. But someone Project Director, Soy Excellence Centre, Toromade Francis; Registrar/CEO, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Prof. Eustace Iyayi; Maize has ordered an investigation to told me that the man that was Associate Scientist, IITA, Dr. Meseka Silvestro, after a meeting to train poultry farmers on maize and soybean production as a ackwardb ascertain the actual circumstances arrested last night is dead. I also integration strategy to reduce poultry products cost and ensure regular availability in Ibadan, Oyo State…recently surrounding the death of the confirmed from one man selling 33-year-old man. meat close to where our shop is THISDAY learnt Danladi was and he said it was true.” Adichie Explains Alienation from Catholicism, Alleges Harassment of Women arrested in front of his shop located She added that as soon as she in Yelwa Kagadama, a suburb of heard it, she looked for his house Funmi Ogundare fundraising, and thanksgiving”. of females in the church. Spiritans left, an uncharitable chill Bauchi metropolis at about 9pm and went there and confirmed In her latest piece, however, “Years later, something also descended on my university on Thursday and was taken to that it was true. Award-winning novelist, Chi- Adichie wrote: “I was raised changed. My pious passion church,” she said. the Yelwa Division. Another eyewitness, Liatu mamanda Adichie has explained Catholic, on the campus of the withered. I remember my first Adichie claimed women were At the police division, according Nuhu, also said security opera- why she separated herself from University of Nigeria. We attended moment of recoil from the church, often harassed and made to feel to different eyewitnesses, Danladi tives came in their vehicle at Catholicism even as she alleged a love-filled church run by the when a gentle and devout couple uncomfortable. was allegedly tortured to death. about 9:00 p.m and arrested some the church harasses women. Spiritan congregation. was banned from communion She said: “Women of all ages An eyewitness, Sheba Baban- persons in the area including Adichie revealed this in an “As a teenager, I wore my Catholic because their daughter had were often harassed, men baring gida, told THISDAY that when the deceased. article titled, “Dreaming as a identity like a favorite dress, joyfully married an Anglican. their entry into the church unless the police and the vigilante came, When they arrested the Single Family” published in the and reverently. I was a self-styled “It felt to me not only unchari- they wrapped themselves in shawls they started arresting people from deceased, according to the latest edition of the L’osservatore Catholic apologist, arguing pas- table, but unnecessarily so, as did to hide their shoulders and arms the snooker spot belonging to eyewitness, we tried to prevail Romano weekly bulletin, released sionately with the Protestant children other subsequent incidents, such (which apparently would cause the deceased. on them to release him. But they on Friday. in defense of such subjects as the as poor people who were refused men in the church to sin). She said: “We were doing our turned down our pleading. Adichie had, in January 2021, Blessed Virgin Mary, tradition, burials because they owed money “Entire homilies were dedicated business. We even chatted with Nuhu said: “I was doing my explained why she stopped and transubstantiation.” to the church. to the wiles and evils of women. him. He went into his shop and business when, suddenly, the attending Catholic churches in The award-winning writer, “This happened in my ancestral How unsettling to sit through Mass later came out. Some officers came police and some vigilante came, Nigeria. She had also criticised who is popularly known for her hometown, in a provincial parish feeling as though one, simply by and started arresting youths in more than 10 of them and started the community’s activities as feminist views, attributed her first far from the university campus being born female, had become the area. arresting people. being “too much about money, sign of alienation to the treatment where I grew up. But after the inherently guilty of a crime. Buni Meets Kwara Senators, FG Rejects Flour Mills, Flutterwave’s Applications for Tax Holiday Oluchi Chibuzor this tax incentive are agricul- Solutions (online payment). African Towers, African Pledges to Resolves Crisis ture, mining and quarrying, The report said Echostone’s Foundries, Aarti Rolling Mills, The federal government has manufacturing, electricity and application was rejected due to Princess Medi-Clinics Nigeria, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja the caretaker committee is repo- declined applications from 10 gas supply, waste management, a contract project not allowed Medlog Logistics, and Tiamin sitioning the party, reconciling companies seeking pioneer construction, trade, information under IDITRA; while Bench- Rice. The Chairman of the Care- differing opinions to build a status under the industrial and communication, profes- mark Constrictions did not These firms had invested taker Extraordinary Convention strong and united membership development Income Tax sional services, financials, and comply with the documentary N45.5 million into the economy Planning Committee of the All that will improve the fortunes Relief Act (IDITRA). administrative services. requirement for PSI approval. as at March 31, 2021. Progressives Congress (APC) of the party.” This is according to the The companies whose Royal Foam and Flour Mills According to the report, 17 Mr Mai Mala Buni yesterday Buni assured members of the Nigerian Investment Promotion applications were declined applications were rejected be- companies had their applica- met with Senators representing party that the leadership had Commission (NIPC) report on include Fountain Manufacturing cause it was not eligible under tions approved-in principle, Kwara State as part of an effort great respect for due process, Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) Company (soap), Echostone De- IDITRA (expansion project); and meaning these firms are subject to restore peace in the state discipline and all programmes applications for the first quarter velopment Nigeria (real estate), Fountain Manufacturing and to the payment of application chapter of the party. that would contribute to making of 2021 (Q1 2021). Al-Hamsad Rice Mill (rice mill- Super Packaging Limited was fees and will only take effect Buni, in a statement is- the party strong. The PSI is a tax holiday that ing), Benchmark Constructions because its activities are not in (application) after the payment sued by his Director General, The three senators are: Sena- grants qualifying industries and (real estate), Super Packaging the PSI list. of such fees. Press and Media Affairs, Mr. tor Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara products relief from payment Limited (woven sacks). Meanwhile, Al-Hamsad Rice The report further disclosed Mamman Mohammed said Central), Senator Oyelola Ashiru of corporate income tax for an Others are Royal Foam Mill, ENGIE Fenix, Envoy Hotel, that there are 33 current PSI the national leadership of the (Kwara South) and Sen. Sadiq initial period of three years, Products Nigeria (mattress), and Flutterwave applications beneficiaries, including Dangote party would continue to support Suleiman Umar (Kwara North). extendable for one or two ENGIE Fenix Nigeria (solar), were time barred. Sinotrucks West Africa and unity and progress of APC in The senators said that they additional years. Flour Mills of Nigeria (grain The federal government Honeywell Flour Mills; while the state. would continue to promote According to NIPC, the products), Envoy Hotel (hotel), granted tax holidays to six the applications of 132 companies He said: “As you are aware, unity in the party. pioneer industries eligible for and Flutterwave Technology companies, which are Pan are pending. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ 77 NEWSXTRA YPP Asks Court to Nullify PDP, APC’s Primaries in Anambra Alex Enumah in Abuja ducted to nominate candidates Donald DeNwigwe (SAN) days before the date of the produced Valentine Ozigbo as the party’s flag bearer is for the next elections. said in view of Rule 4.5.1 and primaries. as the party’s flag bearer for void or otherwise. The Young Progressives The party made the de- 4.5.2 of the guidelines for the Citing various court judg- the state’s 2021 governorship It wants the court to further Party (YPP) has asked a mand in two separate suits Conduct of Political Parties ments, the plaintiff is asking election and from further determine the validity of the Federal High Court, Awka, with numbers FHC/AWK/ Primaries 2018, the court the court to among others participation in the process aforementioned primary in to determine the validity of C5/53/21 and FHC/AWK/ should determine if the PDP’s determine if INEC was right of nomination of candidates view of Section 285 (14)(c) primaries the All Progressive C5/52/21 filed before the court purported primary was valid not to have barred the PDP for the aforementioned election. of the Constitution of the Congress (APC) and People’s on Friday. following the party’s failure from holding the purported The YPP also asked the court Federal Republic of Nigeria Democratic Party (PDP) con- YPP through its counsel, to submit its delegates list 7 primary on June 26 that to determine whether INEC (as amended), Section 87(1) in view of the commission’s of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as Monitoring Committee Report on amended) and Guidelines for the aforementioned PDP primary the Conduct of Party Primaries Women Charge N’Assembly to Enshrine Affirmative Action in Constitution and the decision in APC V. Marafa as provided by INEC and the (2020) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721), can commission’s Monitoring Com- Tobi Soniyi consultative meeting with get more women into elective commission to prosecute per- stakeholders towards increasing offices and that unless these petrators of electoral violence chose when to enforce provisions mittee Report on the purported of the Electoral Act, Rule 4.5.1 primary conducted by the APC. Women have called on the number of elected women parties are compelled by laws, against women in political leadership across they are not going to do it. They called on the govern- and 4.5.2 of the guidelines for Also in the suit, the YPP in the National Assembly to the Conduct of Political Parties view of the Supreme Court incorporate affirmative action all level by 2023 in Nigeria, They stated that the political ment to prosecute people who in Abuja. process is skewed in favour of misappropriate funds and Primaries 2018 which require decision in APC V. Marafa (2020) in the ongoing review of the parties to submit their delegate 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721), Section 285 constitution by reserving The meeting was organised men and called on the National use the institution of state by the Nigerian Feminist Assembly to intervene by en- to manipulate processes to lists to the commission 7 days (14)(c) of the 1999 constitution of certain forty percent of elective before their primaries. the Federal Republic of Nigeria offices at the national, state Forum (NFF) and sponsored acting legislation to guarantee further their personal interests. by the Ford Foundation. women more elective offices. The Nigerian Feminist The party asked the court (as amended), Section 87 (1) and council levels for women. to determine whether INEC of the Electoral Act 2010 (as They also called on political The meeting was attended ]They also called on women Forum is a biennial public by the , People’s to come out en masse and par- policy forum that brings being a public regulatory body amended), Regulations and parties to include in their for political parties, is right not Guidelines for the Conduct of constitutions provisions to field Redemption Party, Action Alliance, ticipate in politics. According together self-identifying Alliance People’s Movement, Inter- to them, statistics from the feminists, who through femi- to have declared the purported Party Primaries, and the Report women for forty percent of primary conducted on June 26 by of INEC Monitoring Committee elective offices for which they Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Independent National Electoral nist principles challenge the Conference of Nigerian Political Commission had shown that system of power, promoting the PDP as a nullity for being in on the aforementioned primary, are sponsoring candidates. violation of the judgment of the asked the court to determine The women noted that for Parties, Young Progressives Parry men voted more than women the learning and teaching and the African Democratic during the last general election. of feminist principles and FCT High Court in Suit No. if INEC is right not to have too long, the governments at FCT/HC/BW/CV/160/2021 barred the APC from further all levels and the leadership Congress among others. They also called on women universality of women’s In a communique issued to speak out on issues affect- rights. between Akaeze Ugochukwu participation in the process for of political parties had paid Vincent and the Peoples nomination of candidates for the lip service to getting more at the end of the meeting ing them and should stop the NFF positions Nigerian participants noted that except practice of allowing men to feminists at the cutting edge Democratic Party. November 6th Anambra State women into elective and In the case of the APC, the Gubernatorial Election follow- decision-making offices. affirmative action was backed decide issues affecting them. of a movement that demands up with legislation, getting The women called on INEC courage, commitment, strength plaintiff wants the court to ing the failure of the party to The time, they argued, had determine whether the pur- conduct primary election for the come to take concrete steps more women into decision to deregister political parties and analytical skill, in order making and elective offices that fail to implement provi- to make the needed critical ported primary conducted by election of candidate between to achieve these laudable the All Progressives Congress June 10 and July 1 time frame objectives. would remain a dream. sions on women participation. analysis that will become a They noted that political parties They also called for the key element in a new politics (APC) on June 26, 2021 which given by the commission for The women canvassed these produced Senator Andy Uba conduct of primaries. positions at a one-day feminist were not doing enough to help creation of an electoral offence for Nigeria. 78 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾  ͯͯ˜ͰͮͰͯ NEWSXTRA Southern Govs’ Call for Power Shift Can Cause Nigeria’s Break Up, Warns PSC ‡ Faults deadline to states on anti-grazing law

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Governors Forum for power grazing law an offence attracting officers in Abuja. “We don’t see how the gov- settled by a caucus within the ernors should be confronting Governor’s Forum or at the party shift in 2023 could lead to the jail sentence. At the inauguration, Moham- A support group of the All breakup of Nigeria. The Director, Media and mad said the North would not be the President. Look at their level. Progressives Congress (APC), the The committee, also, faulted Publicity of the group, Dr. compelled to yield to the demand insistence that power should shift “To resort to a direct con- Presidential Support Committee the decision of the forum at its Kailani Mohammad, served the by the southern governors because to the south in 2023. We are also frontation with the President is (PSC) yesterday warned that last meeting in Lagos State to warning over the weekend after the North has the advantage of Nigerians and we have the bulk unfortunate. Unfortunately, our the demand of the Southern make the violation of the anti- the inauguration of PSC national a voting bloc. of the votes in the North. politicians have deviated from “It is a matter of give and take; the very foundation of unity of it is not an issue of making it a our founding fathers,” he said. must. If they are saying it is a He warned that the threat by must- it means they are looking the governors to promulgate the for something- like breaking up anti-grazing law by September 1, the country. That is just a simple 2021 will result in a clash of interest analogy,” the publicity director between the federal government said. and the state governments. He likened the second gov- The PSC also expressed dismay ernors’ summit as a gang up with some commentary on the against the President, saying their arrest and prosecution of the leader resolution was not in tandem with of the proscribed Independent democratic norms. People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi “For setting a deadline to stop Kanu for treason and jumping of open grazing even when President bail. The group urged the public Muhammadu Buhari has made a to allow the law to take its full statement in that regard, is an open course without any prejudice confrontation against the President. as the matter is now before the It is not a wise political decision. court. “It is disturbing that elected The body also demanded that officials would come out with Kanu be given a fair hearing in an ultimatum in defiance of the line with the principles of the opinion of a sitting President in Rule of Law. a matter that could have been The presidential support com-

CONGRATULATIONS. . . Dominican Preachers Unveils 100% Wife of the graduand, Mrs. Ifeoluwa Alabi; Head, Corporate Communications, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Scholarship for Indigent Children Industry (LCCI), Dr. Segun Alabi; a former Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Olusegun Awonusi and a Guest, Mr. Aremu Oduntan, at the conferment of Doctor of Philosophy Degree in English: Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Scholarship Trust Fund (ISTF), to take Language Use and Communication on Alabi during the 51st convocation of the institution... recently Abuja care of as many out of school children ETOP UKUTT as possible. The Dominican preachers under the He said: “The order of preachers seeks aegis of Society for Vocation Support every opportunity to advance the case of (SVS) have established a college in holistic development and formation of Twitter Ban: ECOWAS Court Names RFK Human Rights Amicus Curiae Abuja to help indigent children and the human person in any way possible. Tobi Soniyi and/or rescind its suspension or “includes freedom to seek, receive Ikechukwu Uzoma, staff attorney out-of-school children with 100% Establishing and running academic potential indefinite ban of Twitter and impart information and ideas at RFK Human Rights. scholarship. institutions is one of our domains of The Community Court of Jus- and/or any other social media of all kinds, regardless of frontiers He added: “In addition, there Prior Provincial, Dominican Province achieving this.” tice of the Economic Community service provider in Nigeria. … and through any media.” is growing consensus that the of St Joseph the Worker (Nigeria and Also at the unveiling, Ogbe said of West African States (ECOWAS In addition, SERAP sought In addition, human rights use of technology such as VPN Ghana), Rev. Richard Ogedegbe the ISTF “is to assist poor kids get free Court) has granted the application and obtained an interim order mechanisms in Africa, Europe, for encryption and anonymity unveiled this initiative in Abuja yes- education. The Dominican Society came of Robert F. Kennedy Human restraining Nigerian authorities and the Americas have asserted is protected under international terday alongside the Coordinator of the up with the college in order to give free Rights to intervene as amicus from arresting Nigerians circum- that rights that exist offline must law especially given the trend Dominican College, Fr. Stephen Ogbe. education to all indigent children curiae in the case challenging venting the Twitter ban by the be protected online. of reprisal all over the world.” At the unveiling yesterday, Ogedegbe who may never be able to afford the decision of the Nigerian use of Virtual Personal Network RFK Human Rights’ amicus In addition to freedom of said the SVS would give indigent private schools. government to indefinitely ban (VPN). curiae brief addresses these inter- expression, Twitter and other children 100,% scholarship to out-of- “The Dominican society is right the use of Twitter in the country. As a party to several regional national and regional standards on social media platforms play a school children to attend the Dominican at the forefront of trying to see that The #Twitterban case filed and international treaties which the right to freedom of expression crucial role in the full enjoyment of College, Abuja many of our children are educated. by Socio-Economic Rights and guarantee the right to freedom of online and offline; the scope of the right to freedom of association He said: “It is our own way We are flagging out today the Accountability Project (SERAP) expression, Nigeria is obligated States’ obligations to protect the and assembly in Nigeria. of reducing the number of out of Indigent Scholarship Trust Fund. originates from the order dictated to protect and respect this human rights and right to use encryption The #ENDSARS campaign for school children. Our desire is to use “The number of children we are on June 4 by the Nigerian Govern- right. technology such as VPN. accountability and reforms in the Dominican College, Anini, Kwali, Abuja as going to pick will depend on how ment banning access to Twitter The International Covenant on “There is international con- Nigerian Police Force was largely a platform to further bridge the education much people are willing to help. from the country. Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), sensus that internet platforms organized and sustained online. gap between children from economically People can decide to adopt children, The lawsuit seeks, among other just like the African Charter on are media for expression and The current Twitter ban was put stable backgrounds and those whose if you adopt a child all we need reliefs, an order of the court direct- Human and Peoples Rights international human rights law into effect a few days before the families are economically disadvantaged. from you is to contact us and we ing the Nigerian government and (ACHPR), establishes that the protecting free expression offline June 12 democracy protest for its agents to revoke, withdraw, right to freedom of expression applies to online expression,” said good governance in Nigeria. To this end, the cleric disclosed that will tell you what it takes to keep the society had established the Indigent the child in school. Ogunlowo Passes on at 91 Lagos Panel Admits Autopsy Reports on 99 #EndSARS Victims Pa. Adebayo Ogunlowo, an Segun James the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi, The pathologist added that had hijacked the protests. astute administrator and Anglican admitted the documents in three persons were killed in Ahmed Taiwo, Commander priest, has passed on at 91. Lagos State Judicial Panel on evidence after the counsel to Lekki when soldiers opened of the 81 Division, Military Ogunlowo’s passage was Restitution for Victims of SARS some #EndSARS protesters, fire on unarmed protesters at Intelligence Brigade, Victoria contained in a statement Media and the Lekki Tollgate Incident Yinka Olumide-Fusika, moved the toll plaza on October 20, 2020. Island, had told the panel Consultant to the family, Mr. yesterday admitted in evidence for the documents to be admitted. The remaining bodies were of Inquiry into the Lekki Aramide Tola-Noibi issued at autopsy reports of 99 persons Okuwobi adjourned further received from other parts of the Tollgate incident that the the weekend. reportedly killed in Lagos during sitting to July 13. state including Surulere, Ikorodu, army went to the tollgate The statement said Ogunlowo the 2020 #EndSARS protests. During the cross-examination, Ajah, Fagba, among others, Mr “with both blank and live passed on peacefully on May 29, The Chief Pathologist of the Olumide-Fusika noted that Oba- Obafunwa said. ammunition”. leaving children and adorable Ogunlowo Teaching funwa disclosed that the bodies On October 20, military of- The official also fell short of grandchildren behind. then Western Region Ministry of Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. John were recovered from different ficers arrived at the Lekki Toll saying his men fired live shots Born on April 30, 1930, the Education, Ibadan as a Clerical Obafunwa submitted the reports parts of Lagos at the time. Gate in Toyota Hilux vans and at Nigerians on their way “to statement said Ogunlowo started Officer and was posted to the following an order on June 5 for “I want to prove to this panel shot at peaceful protesters that clear the Lekki, Eti-Osa corridor”. his elementary education at the St. Provincial Education Office in the post mortem results of all the that the claim that only three dead converged on the tollgate waving Peter’s Anglican School, Oluponna Abeokuta. 99 corpses to be made available. bodies were brought in from the Nigerian green-and-white flag in 1938 and gained admission to “He was later posted to the The evidence, which the chief Lekki is not true,” Olumide-Fusika and reciting the national anthem CORRIGENDUM Ibadan Boys High School in 1945. Planning Office, Ilaro in Egbado pathologist tendered at the sit- said at the sitting of the panel. The youths were protesting It said: “Ogunlowo crossed to ting of the panel yesterday, was Obafunwa, a professor of police brutality and asking for ËÝÞáÏÏÕ˜ÓØËÚÒÙÞÙÍËÚ- where he along with other officers ÞÓÙؘáÏÍËÖÖÏÎܲÎÜÓËØ Remo Secondary School, Sagamu worked tirelessly to prosecute the contained in two nylon bags- blue Medicine and the Head of the reforms in governance. and lastly to the C.M.S Grammar free Primary School Education and white. After the evidence Department of Morbid Anatomy The army, which initially ÑßØÞÒÏÒÓÏÐâÏÍßÞÓàÏ School, Lagos where he obtained Scheme then newly introduced tendered before the panel, there at the Lagos University College denied shooting at the protesters, his Senior Cambridge (Oversea) ÐÐÓÍÏܘáÒÏÜÏËÝÒÏÓÝ by the then Premier of the was no objection from any parties of Medicine had claimed that later admitted that its men carried ÞÒÏÓÍÏÒËÓÜ×ËØÙÐÞÒÏ School Certificate in December Western Region, late Chief Obafemi at the panel. at least 99 persons were killed live bullets that night but only 1953. Awolowo. Subsequently, the Chairman of during the #EndSARS protests. to tackle armed hoodlums who ÍÙ×ÚËØã˛ “He started work in 1954 at the THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JULY 11, 2021 79

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe SUNDAY SPORTS email:[email protected] EURO 2020 FINAL...EURO 2020 FINAL...EURO 2020 FINAL... Italy Not Afraid of Playing England at Wembley, Says Bonucci yesterday. Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report “But being there will be additional motivation for us because we want espite facing to achieve something historical and England’s will do everything we can to play a partisan crowd great match, then we will see what in today’s Euro the Ànal result will be.” 2020 Champi- Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 onships Ànals World Cup in Russia, but have since at the Wembley improved immensely under former Stadium tonight, Italian defender, Manchester City manager Roberto LeonardoD Bonucci, has insisted that Mancini, and head into tonight’s the Azzurri will not be afraid to play Ànal unbeaten in their last 33 in- the Three Lions at the Wembley ternational matches. Stadium tonight. Meanwhile, Harry Kane is hop- The 34-year-old, alongside ing England will be Euro 2020 top 37-year-old captain Georgio Chi- guns in Sunday’s final against ellini, has excelled in the Azzurri Italy after receiving a message of backline throughout this tourna- support from Hollywood actor ment and is preparing to play in Tom Cruise. England captain his second Euros showpiece event. Kane will lead his country in Italy were heavily beaten 4-0 by their first major final for 55 years. Spain in the Euro 2012 Ànal, how- Ahead of the historic show- ever Bonucci is “very conÀdent” down at Wembley, Kane revealed that this result will not be repeated Gareth Southgate’s squad had Italy’s Captain, Georgio Chiellini (left) and Harry Kane will go to war tonight for the most coveted prize in European football at Wembley. an unexpected call from “Top “We will be playing at their home Gun” and “Mission Impossible” but we are not afraid of that. We are star Cruise, who was in London Kane told the BBC. “We actually had have a watch of one of his Àlms so I “I’m not sure if he will be there looking forward to going to Wem- on Saturday for the Wimbledon Tom Cruise get in touch yesterday think he was over here in the UK and at the Ànal or not but football is bley on Sunday, even though we women’s Ànal. evening, you get everyone who he just dialled in and FaceTimed us such a big part of the world and will have a mostly English crowd,” “Obviously we have had ex- loves football.” just to wish us the best as a group so it’s nice to have that support from Bonucci told the Evening Standard players and people get in touch,” “We were fortunate enough to that was nice of him,” Kane added. all diͿerent types of businesses.” AHEAD QATAR 2022 3LQQLFN&RQÀGHQWRI(DJOHV·6WUHQJWKLQGHSWKDV+H:DWFKHV(WHER·V)LUVW7UDLQLQJ $OO+DQGVRQ'HFN President of the Nigeria Football a Super Eagles’ camp,” said a beaming Federation and FIFA Council Member, Pinnick as he met with Club’s Techni- WR5HOHDVH'·7LJHUV· Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick was in ec- cal Director, Cristiano Giaretta. “I told stasy at Hertfordshire, England yesterday Mr Giaretta that we have six players as he watched the Àrst training session at Watford FC now and three of them Kits from Lagos Port of Nigeria midÀeld ace, Oghenekaro are regular Super Eagles teamers and The leadership of the Nigeria Etebo who recently joined English Pre- therefore, we need to forge a stronger Basketball Federation (NBBF) is miership side Watford FC from Turkey’s relationship with the club. optimistic that the D’Tigers jerseys Galatasaray. “Watford is returning to the Premiership at the seaport in Lagos will be cleared Hard-tackling Etebo has been a key in the coming season, so it is a good feeling before the commencement of the Àgure in the Super Eagles’ set-up since all around,” stressed the NFF Boss. Olympics. impressing at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, Apart from Etebo, there are also at Wat- Reacting to a recent media report, where the U23 boys won Team Nigeria’s ford FC Super Eagles’ deputy skipper Wil- the federation’s President, Musa Kida only medal at the games – a bronze. liam Troost-Ekong, forward Emmanuel said that all hands are on deck over He featured prominently in the qualify- Dennis, former junior internationals Isaac the clearance of the kits from its ing campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Success and Tom Dele-Bashiru, and little- sponsor-Peak. Cup, as well as played at Russia 2018 and known Dapo Mebude. “The Federal Ministry of Sports is also featured in the qualifying race and Between 2014 and 2017, former Super aware of the situation and they have Ànals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Eagles’ star Jude Odion Ighalo (top scorer stepped in and are in discussions with Etebo was also inÁuential in the squad at the 2019 AFCON) pulled up some trees the relevant bodies.” that won the ticket to the 2021 AFCON. at Watford FC, scoring a total of 36 goals “I can assure you that the Minister “Watford FC is gradually becoming in 90 matches in all for the Hornets. Pinnick (Third left) with the Nigerian contingent at Watford...at the weekend of Youth and Sports, Honourable Sunday Dare is in discussion with the Ministry of the Finance who is in charge of such waiver on Customs %DUW\%HDW3OLVNRYDWR:LQKHU0DLGHQ:LPEOHGRQ7LWOH duties.” “The NBBF is an agency of the government and it is expected that Djokovic to play Berrettini in men’s final today such a fee would not be a source of Ashleigh Barty won her maiden Both women were making their Barty took an early break in the worry for us because if you look at Wimbledon title as she beat Karolina debut in the Ànal of the grass-court third, which proved decisive as she what they are asking for and our Pliskova in a nervy Ànal to become the Grand Slam - the Àrst time since 1977 added the Wimbledon trophy to the Ànancial capacity, there is no way we Àrst Australian women’s champion that had happened - and that may French Open title she won in 2019. can raise such money on our own.” for 41 years. go some way to explaining the roll- Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has For the federation, the jersey the Barty won the Àrst 14 points to ercoaster nature of the match, which said that it “would mean everything” team is going to wear at the games take early charge in a 6-3 6-7 (4-7) felt at times more like a battle of the to win a sixth Wimbledon title which should not be a primary source of 6-3 win on the 50th anniversary of minds. would equal Roger Federer and Rafael worry as he advised fans to focus idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s After Barty’s Áying start, Czech Nadal’s all-time record of 20 Grand more on the preparations and funding maiden win here. Pliskova settled in the second set, Slam men’s triumphs today. of the Olympics teams. “This is incredible,” said Barty, who rediscovering her big serve before Serbia’s Djokovic, 34, faces Italy’s “Nigerians should focus on what dropped to her haunches in tears. errors crept back in the third. Matteo Berrettini on Centre Court the federation, coaching staͿ and the “It took me a long time to verbalise, Ashleigh Barty Barty had the chance to serve out at 14:00 BST today. Seventh seed players are doing right to get ready to dare to dream it and say it.” victory in the 12th game of the second Berrettini, 25, is playing in his Àrst for the Olympics.” After climbing up into the stands set but she was broken as Pliskova Grand Slam Ànal. He promised that the NBBF will what-ifs. I hope I made Evonne proud. not spare eͿorts to ensure best to hug her team, she told the Centre “I have to thank every single person forced a tie-break, which the Czech “He’s in great form. He’s serving Court crowd: “I didn’t sleep a lot won when the Australian double- big, playing big,” said Djokovic, who performance ever of the Nigerian in this stadium. You’ve made my basketball teams at any Olympics. last night. I was thinking of all the dream so special.” faulted. is the two-time defending champion.

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COVID-19 Tests & Vaccinations “Any society where meritocracy is subjugated to aristocracy, TEXT‘COVID’ TO58123 26 ethnocracy or religiocracy eventually tends towards mediocrity.” years – Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank

This service is provided in association with accredited service providers Group delivering a lecture at the American University of Nigeria. SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE! [email protected], sms: 0805 500 1961 And Four If Nigeria Finally Breaks up… Other Things… Nigeria, a country of roughly Will there be “federal character”, so that a Biafran 250 ethnic groups arbitrarily president of Wawa extraction does not fi ll his PUMMELLING PIB coupled together by the British cabinet with Wawa appointees? Will “merit” be How did a penalty kick land across the colonialists in 1914, is mired in tempered with power rotation so that Anambra touchline and end up as throw-in? I don’t an “existential crisis”, probably does not produce Biafran presidents non-stop using know. Since 2000 when President Obasanjo like never before. Apart from their big voting population? Will the Ezza/Effi um set up the Emmanuel Egbogah-led Oil and the north, it seems every other communities in Ebonyi fi nally stop killing each Gas Implementation Committ ee (OGIC), part wants out. The Indigenous People of Biafra other? Never mind, Biafra will be fi ne “las las”. we had been trying to reform the governing N(IPOB), under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Will the Republic of Niger Delta be the most has long declared its intention to pull Nd’Igbo prosperous of the post-Nigerian entities, with billions laws of the oil sector. This gave birth to the out of the Nigerian “zoo”. Chief Sunday Igboho, of petrodollars cementing their progress after years Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in 2008. This increasingly referred to as Yoruba rights activist, is of “exploitation” and “oppression” by the Nigerian bill was not passed into law — until now. The fronting the agitation for the Republic of Oduduwa. nation? Have their leaders done commendably 9th National Assembly has fi nally done it, Some Niger Delta militants recently announced well with 13 per cent derivation? If yes, imagine but an inept communication strategy may the resumption of hostilities. The details are not what they can do with 100 per cent! Will the over have turned victory into defeat. Most of the yet out, but the region, whose oil is critical to 50 ethnic groups become united and peaceful in negative comments on PIB are profoundly government revenue, has its own ideas. the absence of the Nigerian “parasites”? Will the misleading and even mischievous. Flaws Is it fi nally time for the country to break up? I Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), can always be corrected, of course, but the have never hidden where I stand: I believe in one which has received over $50 billion since inception, government is not communicating. Poor. Nigeria. It is not because I am such a wonderful fi nally go nuclear? Some say more money has not patriot. No. But I have gone round Nigeria and Buhari produced more development in the region — but interacted intensely with ordinary Nigerians. I Hausa-Fulani in the defunct Federal Republic of the Republic of Niger Delta will be fi ne “las las”. CHOLERA COUNTRY have always come to the conclusion that we are Nigeria, so would the Ijaw, Urhobo, Edo and Ibibio, Meanwhile, the popular assumption down As at the last count, cholera has claimed not sworn enemies. Rather, we are victims of elite among other smaller groups, complain of being south is that the north is one. When President over 300 lives, mostly in northern Nigeria. manipulation and political mismanagement. I have dominated by Yoruba/Igbo oligarchy in DRSN. It Muhammadu Buhari named Mr Boss Mustapha Cholera is a disease of the poor who live always concluded that we can live and prosper was not that diffi cult to get the southern minorities as SGF in 2017, someone shouted: “Yet another under unsanitary conditions and lack clean together “in peace and unity” if the political and to back out of Biafra in 1967. It was as simple as Fulani Muslim!” He didn’t know that Mustapha water. While the northern politicians and economic conditions are right. But my opinion telling them the Igbo were only after their resources is neither Fulani nor Muslim. Actually, some of leaders remain obsessed with holding on to is just one out of 200 million. It is a drop in the and that they would become second-class citizens. those tagged Fulani in Buhari’s government are political power, ordinary northerners remain ocean. I have now reached a stage in my life It worked like magic. I think DRSN will be not not. There are close to 200 ethnic groups up north. in the fi rm grip of poverty and disease, with that I don’t care again. Whatever we settle for, one country. Since religion is the strongest identity over there, no end in sight. What should power translate life goes on. It is, therefore, more convenient for me to see the a single Republic of Northern Nigeria may not to in the end? But what do we even say about But how many countries would Nigeria split south breaking into three: Republic of Oduduwa for be fi t for purpose. We may need two northern into? Nobody has mandated me to work it out, Yoruba, Republic of Biafra for Igbo and Republic countries to achieve a semblance of homogeneity: Delta and Bayelsa, two of Nigeria’s richest yet it gives me a headache whenever I think about of Niger Delta for the oil-producing region. At the Islamic Republic of Northern Nigeria (IRNN) states, where cholera cases are also being it. On paper, given the ongoing campaign that the beginning of the Republic of Oduduwa, I and the Middle Belt Christian Republic of Nigeria recorded? I hope that one day, Nigerians “the north is dragging us backward”, we should can see some fi scal crisis. As things are, only (MBCRN). will come to the consensus that our real ordinarily suppose that Nigeria would break into Lagos state pays salaries and pensions and still Will the Islamic Republic of Northern Nigeria — problem is not someone’s ethnic group or two: the Democratic Republic of Southern Nigeria executes projects without much sweat, apart from where cholera can be described as a punishment constitution but inept leadership. Tragic. and the Republic of Northern Nigeria. I went for taking a lot of debt. The state will have to be its for adultery and mannequins classifi ed as symbols this preliminary assumption because the south brothers’ and sisters’ keepers by helping other of immorality — fi nally fi nd peace in the bosom NO LAURELS seems united against the north. Many people also O’dua states with the wage bill. Remember that of the Lord? Will IRNN end the crushing poverty There has been some furore over the assume Nigeria to be simply north and south. the Niger Delta oil money will be gone. Even and abject underdevelopment dotting its landscape? nomination of Mrs Laurett a Onochie, the Power rotation is often about north and south. Ondo state that is “oil-rich” still struggles to pay Will the millions of out-of-school children and sharp-tongued presidential aide, as an There is also a prevailing international typecasting its bills. Lagos state will become the Niger Delta thousands of communities drinking from dirty of Nigeria as “Muslim north and Christian south”. of Oduduwa Republic. river and getting affl icted with water-borne diseases INEC national commissioner. The main Down south, the Democratic Republic of Let me explain with statistics. According to the fi nally fi nd fulfi lment in a Muslims-only country? objection is that she’s an APC member, Southern Nigeria, DRSN for short, will have two boffi ns at StatiSense who analysed data provided Will Shi’ites and Sunnis sheathe the sword and which violates Section 156 of the 1999 dominant ethnic groups: Igbo and Yoruba. The by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), all embrace each other? Will Boko Haram fi nally accept Constitution. Although she said she has DRSN minorities may accuse them of feeding the six south-west states internally generated fellow Muslims as true Muslims and stop killing resigned her membership, the litt le detail fat on their oil — the same accusation the north a total revenue of N516.01 billion in 2020. Out them? In that case, IRNN will be fi ne “las las”. that got away, for me, is that until Section faces perennially. As things stand, oil is still the of this, Lagos alone generated N418.99 billion, “Middle Belt” is the euphemism for Christian 156 was amended in 2010, you actually biggest contributor to the national purse. Most of representing 81.2 percent. That is, for every N100 north, so I automatically assume they will need had to be a member of a political party to the economic calamities that befell Nigeria recently generated in the south-west, Lagos contributed their own country. But why do I think it would qualify for INEC commissionership. That stemmed from falling oil revenue. Will DRSN N81. Without Lagos, the entire internally generated be a geographical nightmare to create a country was obviously not the intention of the leaders grant “fi scal federalism” to the oil-rich revenue (IGR) of the south-west was N97.02bn. If for the Christians spread across Kebbi, Kaduna, framers, but the wording was so clumsy states? If so, the non-oil states may face a crippling not for federation allocations, no south-west state Borno, Gombe, Niger, Bauchi, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, there could be no other interpretation. That fi scal crisis and lapse into the beggar-thy-neighbour would still be alive today. From the NBS data on Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Adamawa? You mode, but they should all be fi ne “las las” (if you IGR, most states are fi scally challenged and only can’t even draw the northern Christian map on is why constitutions are living documents don’t understand Nigerian English, that’s “in the a handful can survive without the oil revenue. paper! But if we manage to separate the Christians and amendable. Thankfully. fi nal analysis”). Does that mean Lagosians will resent other from the Muslims and create a country for them, Hold on. Yoruba and Igbo living together in O’dua states as “parasites on our IGR”? An Ondo I suspect there will still be cries of marginalisation FAUX PAS same country? What was I thinking? Ndi Ofe man once grumbled to me that Chief Obafemi by Idoma in Benue and scores of ethnic groups The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Nmanu vs Omo Ajokutamamumi. It will be a Awolowo used their cocoa revenue to develop in Plateau, Kaduna, Niger and Nasarawa. But Plc has graciously allocated N7.62 billion Rumble in the Jungle. They only seem united in Ibadan, and that Ondo was marginalised. Will the cumbersome multi-ethnic MBCRN will be to the “senate” in its 2021 budget. I’m not taking on the Hausa-Fulani. With Nigeria broken political violence, the type we see regularly in Ibadan fi ne “las las”. kidding. Normally, those things are not up and no Hausa-Fulani to fi ght, I don’t see Igbo and Lagos, disappear in O’dua Republic? Will there There are times I wish we could perform an brazenly listed in the budgets. There is a way and Yoruba sleeping on the same bed. They may be cries of marginalisation? Currently, Oke Ogun experiment: break up Nigeria for 10 years and see be smiling and hugging for the cameras, but people say they are denied Oyo governorship; how the new countries will be run. If it works, the billions for “senate”, “house of reps” and they mistrust each other with passion. Igbo will Yewa people say they can’t produce an Ogun we can then kiss Nigeria goodbye. But here is “ministers” are hidden under projects that regularly accuse Yoruba of chickening out and governor; same with Awori in Lagos; and the my biggest headache: if Nigeria fi nally breaks may never be executed. Now, I don’t know betraying them in 1967 by not declaring Republic Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says south-west up, will every Igbo relocate to Biafra, Yoruba to if to commend NBET for their transparent of Oduduwa. Yoruba will fi ght back and ask Igbo Muslims are marginalised, particularly in Ondo O’dua Republic and Hausa-Fulani to IRNN? honesty or scold them for embarrassing to leave Lagos, else they will be thrown into the and Ekiti states. But O’dua Republic will be fi ne Nigerians live in other countries such as Republic our distinguished senators and subjecting Lagoon. Igbo will retort: “No way, we built Lagos! “las las”. of Benin and Ghana, so I am afraid ex-Nigerians them to public ridicule. By the way, NBET We own Lagos!” Should we expect a Biafra where everything will still live and work in other regions of the has been unable to sett le the bills of power No, I wouldn’t put Igbo and Yoruba together will be based on merit and where no part will defunct Nigeria. In that case, they will still have generating companies, who in turn owe gas in DRSN. That would be too risky. It would only complain of marginalisation? Will there be quotas for to learn to live together and tolerate one another. increase my headache. More so, the Niger Delta educationally disadvantaged Biafran communities Above all, good governance will still be critical to companies, but it plans to buy transformers may become suspicious of both of them. If Yoruba or will it be the battle of the fi ttest, where only the development. And confl icts will not end — they for villages — which is none of its business. and Igbo complained about being dominated by fi ttest of the fi ttest shall survive and stay alive? will only take new shapes. Naija! Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected]. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: [email protected]