Buhari Canvasses Stronger Pressure on Mali to Return to Civil Rule Deji Elumoye in not aborted. The president’s a military coup in the country. In doing so, we must take the health of our organisation to protect people’s aspirations position was contained in Buhari, who spoke realistic and practical decisions, with the hope of repositioning to freely choose the form President Muhammadu his address yesterday at the extensively on the Malian which will positively impact to serve our people and sub- of government they want. Buhari has called on West 59th Ordinary session of the situation, said, “At this our citizens. region better. Pressures are needed to ensure African leaders to exert Authority of Heads of State Summit today, we are “Some of those decisions, “While democracy continues that the transition process in more pressure on the and Government of ECOWAS expected to review a number necessarily, will have to do to develop in our sub-region, Mali, which is halfway to its military leadership in Mali in Accra, Ghana. of important reports dealing with evolving political and recent events in Mali are sad conclusion, is not aborted. to ensure that the transition Mali was recently suspended with various issues of concerns security situations in our reminders that vigilance process in the country is from the regional bloc due to to our organisation and people. sub-region as well as evaluate remains a crucial imperative Continued on page 12

Finally, Emirates Concedes, Nigerians Can Now Travel Directly to Dubai… Page 12

Sunday 20 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9568

www.thisdaylive.com T N400 RU N TH & REASO Bawa: EFCC Won’t Hand over Cases of Interest to any State Says commission as a creation of N'Assembly supersedes states’ establishments Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed over cases of interest to any agencies by some states. states envisage that the EFCC commissions. Bawa, has declared that state government. Bawa spoke , Kano, and Bayelsa would hand over corruption The EFCC chairman Chairman of the Economic and the commission, under his against the backdrop of the states have, recently, set up cases concerning their states Financial Crimes Commission leadership, would not hand setting up of anti-corruption anti-graft agencies. Some of the to the local anti-corruption Continued on page 15 Kebbi Students May Have Been Rescued as Scores of Bandits Killed Onuminya Innocent in five students and two teachers, Sokoto while announcing that one of the students, a female, had Three days after the violent died in the forest. kidnap of more than 80 Nigerian army spokesperson, students, a majority of them Onyema Nwachukwu girls, and five teachers at confirmed that a female the Federal Government student was found dead in College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi the forest by troops tracking State, federal troops late the kidnappers, adding that yesterday night were believed those who were rescued were to have rescued the rest of the freed after an exchange of fire kidnapped victims. in the early hours of Friday. The troops, THISDAY With support from the gathered, were able to rescue Nigerian Air Force, the troops the students and their teachers also reportedly recovered after closing in on the bandits about 800 stolen cattlefrom and killings scores of them, the grip of the bandits during before the rest abandoned the operation, the statement their hideouts, leaving the by Nwachukwu claimed. victims behind. So far, no official source Speculations, however, could confirm the eventual became rife late yesterday rescue of the rest of the over alleged rescue of the abducted students and their students and their teachers, teachers at the time of filing even though details were still this report, but a few other unclear as to how the troops sources have confirmed the ultimately pulled off the rescue development, albeit without operations. the requisite details. Although a day after the raid One of the sources contacted by the bandits, the military too had moved swiftly, rescuing Continued on page 16 Falana: APC Has Perfected Plans

to Rule Indefinitely...Page 16 BAWA DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH THISDAY... See full inerview on pgs 18, 19, 20 & 21 2 SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY 5 6 SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8 SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10 SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY 11 12 ͺ͸˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER PAGE TWELVE Finally, Emirates Concedes, Nigerians Can Now Travel Directly to Dubai Night landing returns in Lagos as FAAN fixes runway light Chinedu Eze and Michael for Nigerian travellers, UAE must undergo a PCR test on to the other conditions given We look forward to facilitating community and safeguard Olugbode has new regulations for arrival at Dubai airport. Transit to Nigeria and South Africa. travel from these countries and travel sector.” passengers travelling from passengers should comply Confirming the withdrawal supporting various travellers’ Reacting to the new Emirates Airlines will resume South Africa and India to with entry protocols of final of the antigen test, Emirates categories. development, President of the flights to Nigeria from June Dubai. destination,” the statement Airlines issued a statement “We will resume carrying National Association of Nigeria 23, five months after it banned For South Africa, the new said. signed by its management, passengers from South Travel Agencies (NANTA), outbound flights from its Abuja rules stipulate that passengers For travellers from India, which said, “Emirates Africa, Nigeria and India in Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, and Lagos destinations. This should have received two UAE said passengers should welcomes the latest protocols accordance with these protocols said UAE had done what followed the withdrawal of doses of a vaccine approved have received two doses of and measures announced by from 23rd June. We thank the Nigerian government the Rapid Antigen Test the by UAE authorities. a vaccine approved by UAE Dubai's Supreme Committee the Supreme Committee for wanted. Akporiaye said United Arab Emirates (UAE) “Passengers must present a authorities and passengers of Crisis and Disaster their continuous efforts in the new development had had insisted passengers from negative test result for a PCR must have received a Management to allow the monitoring the development of shown that no country could Nigeria travelling to Dubai test taken within 48 hours negative test result for PCR safe resumption of passenger the situation and announcing rubbish Nigeria if it insisted must take four hours before before departure; UAE citizens test taken within 48 hours travel from South Africa, the appropriate guidelines on a position popular with boarding their flights. are exempted. All passengers before departure, in addition Nigeria and India to Dubai. and protocols to protect the its citizens. In another development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed it had fixed the airfield light at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Runway 18R, to enable flights land in the night. Regional Terminal Manager in charge of MMIA, Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba, stated this on Saturday in an interview with THISDAY. The UAE antigen test requirement was against Nigeria’s policy that passengers travelling out of the country should conduct Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test 72 hours before their flight. But on Saturday, UAE issued a statement conceding that Nigerian passengers that wished to travel to Dubai “must have received a negative test result for PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure.” The statement posted on Instagram by the Dubai media office also said passengers travelling from Nigeria should present a negative PCR test certificate with a QR Code from labs approved by the Nigerian government. It stated that all passengers must undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai, adding, “Transit passengers should comply with entry protocol of final destination.” The media office said the new regulation was part of measures aimed at easing inbound travel restrictions by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management. The committee introduced new HIGH-LEVEL MEETING... entry protocols for passengers effective June 23. L - R: Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo; President and President, Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, at the 59th Besides the new condition Ordinary Session of Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Accra, Ghana...yesterday BUHARI CANVASSES STRONGER PRESSURE ON MALI TO RETURN TO CIVIL RULE “A further slide in Mali stakeholders in Mali through Libya without, first, ensuring The president said these process, saying he looks sustainable. This positive could prove catastrophic to our astute mediator, former that they are disarmed and regions faced a clear forward to an ECOWAS action will certainly enable the Sub-region, considering President , that neighbouring countries possibility of instability that is “fit for purpose”, our organisation move that about half of that who, I congratulate warmly and the Sub-regions were with the invasion of the delivering services to on and deliver services country is, unfortunately, for his untiring efforts engaged, to put in place fully armed foreign fighters. the satisfaction of the to the satisfaction of our under the grip of terrorists.” thus far. I encourage him modalities for containing or “It is imperative that community citizens. Community citizens. The president appealed to sustain these efforts to managing the movement of ECOWAS leaders, at this Buhari commended the “Let me remind us that to the military leadership ensure that the transition is these fighters. Summit, decide how the UN- President of the Commission this is only the beginning in Mali to understand the completed as scheduled,” the “While this action was Sub-regional organisations and his team, the Ad-hoc as the responsibility of critical state of their country, president added. aimed at bringing about partnerships should be Ministerial Committee streamlining operational which he described as On Libya, Buhari faulted sustenance of peace in reviewed to address the on Institutional Reforms, costs as well as the “clearly under siege”. the recent United Nations Libya, non-collaboration dangers that this UN as well as the Council of modalities for the Noting that the principal resolution to expel all foreign with regional stakeholders Resolution poses to the Ministers for the excellent appointment of statutory responsibility of the military fighters in Libya without on this critical decision has region,” he stated. report presented to the positions of the incoming must be to protect and first ensuring that they were now created newer threats to The speech by the Nigerian Authority of Heads of State. management are still guarantee the sovereignty disarmed. peace, security and stability president at the Summit also He said, “We have clearly outstanding. It is my view of the West African country, He stated, “On the security in the region, which could addressed other issues of realised that operating a that paying attention to Buhari cautioned them not situation in the region, our lead to lack of coordinated concern in the organisation, bloated administration with existing regulations that to perpetrate acts that could organisation must note with management of huge including the on-going the current global economic guide the appointment destabilise and destroy their serious concern the recent humanitarian crisis across institutional reforms in collapse occasioned by the of statutory appointees country. decision by the United the Sahel, North, Central and ECOWAS. He declared COVID-19 pandemic will be will further guarantee the “I urge our organisation Nations and its Resolution to West Africa, including the Nigeria’s unequivocal to the detriment of services efficiency and sustainability to remain engaged with all expel all foreign fighters in Lake Chad region.” support to the reform to our people, which is not of the organisation.” ͺ͸˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER 13 NEWS

IKOYI GETS SANWO-OLU’S ATTENTION... Newly upgraded and rehabilitated network of roads: Mac Donald road/Lateef Jakande road, Milverton road and Thompson Avenue in Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, inaugurated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, last Friday. (INSET) L-R: Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu representing the Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Special Adviser to Governor on Works & Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye; Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; member, Governor’s Advisory Council, Mr. Wale Edun; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, during the inauguration. 2023: Political Parties Task INEC on Need for New Electoral Laws Want Anambra governorship election as a test case Chuks Okocha in Abuja nullity without a legal backing unanimously that it will the National Assembly on prevail always. Electoral Act by the first with the passage and assent amount to nothing, if there is the Electoral Act Amendment "The urgent need for quarter of 2021. Eighteen political parties of the new electoral act by no new and efficient electoral bill is therefore worrisome. reforming the Electoral Legal "We are now in the second recognised by the Independent President Muhammadu law to give life to it. Nigerians demand that Framework is founded on quarter of 2021 and the National Electoral Commission Buhari. "We, as leaders of political their elected representatives the broad-based consensus Electoral Act Amendment (INEC) has mounted pressure In a motion moved by the parties here gathered, are respond to the urgent need for by Nigerian citizens’ and Bill is yet to be presented on the commission to impress National Chairman of the appealing to you to impress an electoral legal framework electoral stakeholders on the for third and final reading in it on the National Assembly Peoples Democratic Party it on the National Assembly that genuinely strengthens need for a more credible and both chambers of the National to pass the new electoral (PDP), Uche Secondus,at to ensure that a new electoral the electoral processes improved electoral process. Assembly. This process is laws before the next general the meeting with INEC law is passed and signed into and procedures, promotes "A process that will required before the Bill can election in 2023. and sponsored by the law by the President. It is inclusivity and addresses encourage active citizens’ be transmitted to the President The eighteen political parties National Chairman of the only then that Nigerians will impunity. participation and guarantee for his assent," he said. also expressed concern over Young Progressives Party appreciate all efforts. "The continued delay in their rights in electing leaders The PDP National the delay, silence and lack (YPP), Bishop Amakiri, the "We are unanimously asking concluding the process is and representatives that Chairman, therefore, urged of information on the status political parties told INEC for election results to be reminiscent of the failed will provide as the Senate the National Assembly that of the electoral bill currently that all their efforts at the transmitted as was done in the process in 2018 and attendant President at the time promised in considering the Bill, they before the National Assembly. expansion of polling centres Edo and Ondo governorship impact on the 2019 General Nigerians, a new Electoral Act must undertake an in-depth Their concern, they said, and the continuous voters elections. This is our position. Election," he stated, noting by March 2021. That timeline consideration of the citizens’ was based on the inability registration (CVR) would Please help us to ensure that that, elections remain the has come and gone." priority issues to address by the two chambers of the amount to nothing if there there is an efficient election fulcrum and constant cardinal Secobdus said the ninth identified gaps in the current National Assembly to expedite was no new electoral act that law that would guarantee feature in a democracy, as National Assembly, under electoral legal framework. action on the bill after the would guarantee a free and an efficient and transparent such, "It is important to the leadership of the Senate He reiterated the political electoral reforms bill has fair election as was the case election," Secondus added. protect all conditions and President, Ahmed Lawal and parties’ belief in a new passed second reading. in last year. However, speaking further instruments required to the Speaker of the House electoral law that would The political parties Secondus said, "We after their meeting with conduct free, fair and credible of Representatives, Femi strengthen the financial and maintained that efforts of appreciate what you are INEC, Secondus said, "The elections to ensure that the Gbajabiamila, promised operational independence of INEC would amount to a doing, but we state here seeming lack of progress in sovereign will of the people Nigerians a people-responsive INEC. 14 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 OPINION VACCINATIONS: SILVER LININGS, BUT SERIOUS CHALLENGES AHEAD Nobody is safe, till everybody is safe, writes Rajendra Aneja

n the midst of the enormous human suffering due to the These laudable initiatives do get stifled at times, due to lack of of goats, cows, etc. These tribal groups have to be identified pandemic, there are also instances of human initiatives adequate vaccines in India. About 240 million doses have been and vaccinated. They will need persuasion and will have to be and institutional cooperation, that need applause. They disbursed. Thus, 17.6 percent of the population has received a vaccinated in their camps. inspire faith. jab; however only 3.4 percent has received both the jabs. India is The tribals often live below the poverty line of USD two per Many private sector companies are forging with local desperately short of vaccines. The Government has announced that day, lack access to health, child and maternal care and even municipalities to vaccinate their employees in the offices all Indians will be vaccinated by end 2021. However, at best, India sanitation. Some of them are desperately poor. They do not own in India and the UAE. Some of them are also vaccinating will be able to vaccinate 50-60 percent of its population by the end of smart phones or tablets. So, one can forget internet, connectivity the families of employees and associates like the suppliers, 2021. and registration on any apps. Many of them may not even have distributors, etc. This accelerates the vaccination process and also The challenges in the vaccination programme will multiply the Aadhar cards (National Identity Cards). India should start de- reducesI the crowds at the hospitals. A multinational provided manifold, as the drive travels to the villages. There will be logistical ploying the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires just one 4,000 oxygen concentrators to district administrations, when challenges in reaching the 6,64,369 villages across the country. These jab. This one-jab vaccine should be used to vaccinate nomadic oxygen was in acute short supply. The company also gifted problems are surmountable with vaccinating vans, motor-cycles groups, which may be difficult to track for the second jab. In e-rickshaw vehicles to widows, to help them to make a living. and bicycle brigades. However, the real issue is that many villagers village Lidderwat, 100 kilometres from Srinagar in J&K, medical Private hospitals are allotting time slots to corporations, during are sceptic about the vaccines. They believe that the vaccines can team trekked for over six hours on foot and ponies, to vaccinate which their employees and families take the jabs. create serious side-effects, etc. Health officials visited Sisauda village nomadic shepherd tribes. They also carried oxygen cylinders, Citizen groups in apartment buildings in Mumbai city, are in Barabanki district, UP state. The villagers did not want to get through this mountainous region. procuring doses to vaccinate all the residents, maids, drivers vaccinated, fearing that the vaccines were poisonous. They fled There are 400,000 beggars in India, according to the Social and even the slum dwellers in their vicinity. They visit homes to from the village and jumped into the nearby Saryu river. Of the Justice Ministry. Most of the beggars sleep on the streets or in register the names and ages of potential recipients of the vaccines. 1,500 residents in the village, only 20 could be vaccinated. Managing temporary shelters. Local governments will have to organise to Health workers in the mountainous Jammu & Kashmir state, prejudices about the vaccines, will require communicating in the vaccinate them also, with a single-jab vaccine. took the initiative to vaccinate villagers in remote areas in their local dialects. There are various NGOs like the missionaries of Charity of homes. In Bandipora and Ramban districts, health workers A serious challenge in the vaccination drive will be to inoculate Mother Theresa, in many towns like Kolkata, Chandigarh and visited inaccessible villages, scattered in hilly areas. These villages the tribal communities. About 8.2 percent of India’s population Mumbai. These charities provide accommodation, food and have no access to internet. Health workers crossed rivers on foot comprises of tribals, who live in the hinterland. They number about medicines to the old, infirm, orphans and the abandoned. The in the remote districts. They carried cold boxes with vaccines. Due 111 million and are scattered in 212 tribes, according to theAnthro- inmates of these institutions should be vaccinated through to this dedication, a few districts have inoculated 100 percent of pological Survey. Many of the tribals are nomadic, tending to herds government agencies undertaking the inoculation at their their adults. centres. These humanitarian institutions should not be required The Sikh community in Delhi city rendered yeoman’s service, to pay for the jabs. by opening oxygen clinics, when there was a frantic shortage of These instances of human beings helping each other in dis- oxygen in the city. Any person could go to the oxygen clinic and tress, are laudable. At a time, when governments and institutions receive oxygen free. This saved many lives. Another person in The G7 developed countries should are under severe pressure due to the pandemic, ordinary citizens Mumbai city needed an oxygen concentrator urgently. After he are picking up the gauntlet to fight, each in his own way. appealed, a person in Delhi city couriered it to him. It arrived in donate their surplus vaccines to nations The G7 developed countries should donate their surplus vac- just 24 hours. in Africa and Asia. President Biden’s cines to nations in Africa and Asia. President Biden’s announce- Prestigious clubs in many cities are tying up with local hospi- ment to buy 500 million doses for distribution to needy countries tals, to vaccinate their members and families. Parents of children, announcement to buy 500 million doses is welcome. Africa has inoculated only about two percent of the who travelled by school buses, collected moneys to disburse to for distribution to needy countries is 1.3 billion people. Covid-19 is a miserable disease. Nobody is drivers, who were unemployed, due to the closure of schools. welcome. Africa has inoculated only safe, till everybody is safe. Many voluntary organisations and NGOs have started free ––Rajendra Aneja was the Managing Director of kitchens to feed the poor, who have lost jobs. Bengaluru city has about two percent of the 1.3 billion Unilever Tanzania. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business even provided a budget to feed hungry stray dogs. The pandemic people. Covid-19 is a miserable disease. School and the author of books entitled, “Rural Marketing has pushed 230 million people into unemployment and poverty across Countries and “Business Express”. He is a Manage- in India in 2020. Nobody is safe, till everybody is safe ment Consultant. Let Us Separate Peacefully Tola Adeniyi argues that there is no more basis to preserve Nigeria as one country

t one point or the other every known political leader in There is yet another powerful group claiming they want to them, can they continue with the reckless pillage they indulge this contraption created by British commercial interest preserve the ‘territorial integrity’ of the country. The question in. The unearned wealth and unmerited false status they swim and greed, has described Nigeria as a mistake, a mere to ask them is; ‘preserve territorial integrity for whom and to in will vanish if nations in the amalgam go their separate geographical expression, a marriage of contradictions, what end’? Are you preserving the integrity for people being ways. For that group of mercenary and commercial politicians, a clog in the wheel of the nationalities forcibly yoked slaughtered on daily basis across the country? Are you preserving Abuja, a no man’s land, provides the corrupt cover for iniquities, together, an unworkable entity, or an outright tragedy. territorial integrity for the dead, the maimed, the raped, the brigandage, lavish opulence and nauseating impunity and There is no negative word in the dictionary of every dispossessed and the oppressed and repressed? lawlessness. And they want the status quo to remain ad language spoken in the Nigeria space that has not There is the tiny group of timid and cowardly people who infinitum. been used to describe the country viewed as a giant zoo with tigers say they are very happy to donate their mothers, wives and There is no unemployed, or wrongly- and under-employed Aand sheep, hyenas and pigs, hawks and chickens locked up in one daughters to beastly rapists and plunderers instead of lifting a youth anywhere in Nigeria, and they are more than 150 borderless and un-demarcated cage. finger to defend their birthright, their dignity and honour as well million, who still want to remain in ‘Nigeria’ as presently There is hardly any place in the vast expanse of land christened as their ancestral land. Such people also submit to the myth of the configured and in ruins. ‘Nigger-area’ by Lugard’s Ms Shaw that is not under siege imposed ‘superiority’ and ‘invincibility’ of some ‘untouchables’ who may Of course there is another category that believes Nigeria must on the country by obvious failure of governance, crass mismanage- overrun the entire 200 million people currently yoked together remain ‘Nigeria’ so that they can continue the ‘master-servant ment of pluralism and diversity as well as wrong-headed expansion- in Nigeria. It is in this category you find people who believe, governance model’ which has garnered for them and their col- ist and colonization ambitions. And there is no ethnic nationality that due to their limited exposure, that all separations must entail laborators feeding on remnants, irritating advantages over the is happy and fulfilled in this joke of a ‘union’ wobbling in the dark. bloodshed. The pathological cynics among them argue that after rest of the country. It is those oligarchs and their cohorts already At this critical time we should examine and expose the fallacies all it is the same politicians with their baggage that would run armed to the teeth that shout to high heavens their self-serving that have kept all of us hoping against hope and living in denial. new sovereignties, forgetting [or ignorant of the fact] that African desire to keep Nigeria in its present decayed and vanishing We should identify the vocal and powerful few who are against the communities, nation states and empires were run perfectly well form by hook or crook. And if that dream is not attainable, they dissolution of the charade called Nigeria and why. before the colonialists brought their extremely corrupt systems of are bent on setting the country ablaze and run away. Those in that category of irritating slogan “Nigeria is indissoluble” government. Has it ever occurred to anyone that the Igbo [for example] are people who are romanticizing with the name Nigeria, a Yes. Some people worry about what might happen to their are not limited to the geographical confines of the so-called derogatory word for negroes, and wrongly believe that the size of a businesses and investments scattered all over the country as South East Nigeria? Do some people know that IPOB is just country confers magical prosperity; ignoring Israel, Singapore, United well as long term relationships including intra-ethnic marriages, one of the many self-determination groups in the East? Do the Kingdom, Japan, Norwegian and Scandinavian success stories, and forgetting that Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv, Kanuri, Hausa, Izon and other few poisoned and poisonous minds nudging those with the several affluent countries that are not bigger than Lagos State either nationals in Nigeria own and operate businesses in Ghana, levers of power to annihilate the Igbo with ‘the Military and in landmass or population. Dubai, England, the US and everywhere across the globe. If we the Police’ as ‘directed’ know that there are millions of Igbo There are those in another category who vaingloriously beat their separate peacefully those who own hotels and estates in Abuja, nationals in Lagos, and several other major towns and chests that they fought a war to keep Nigeria one. What a fallacy! Kano, Lagos, Jalingo and would continue to own cities in Nigeria? Is anyone aware that there are millions of Igbo There was never a war to ‘keep-Nigeria-one’ and if any at all, it and run their businesses just as non-indigenes/non-nationals/ indigenes in countries in the South and East of Nigeria’s porous would not be from a section of the country that threatened secession non-residents run their businesses all over the world. Nothing borders? Is it not obvious that there are millions of well-to-do twice or from their lackeys. In any case, the truth of the matter was would happen to marriages; there are inter-ethnic, inter-racial Igbo in the Diaspora as opposed to the rag-tag impoverished that a section of the country, in pursuit of vengeance, deployed the marriages the world over. It is left for the couple to decide where bloodsucking militia men and women imported to Nigeria to federal forces [when there was one such] to pursue another section to call home. carry out programmed pogrom? of the country already fleeing mass massacre to their homeland and Perhaps the stoutest in opposition to dissolution of the collapsed engaged them in killing spree. That was not a Civil War but pure contraption are politicians, all of them, who believe, rightly so, that ––Otunba Adeniyi, Jagun Oodua Adimula. carnage. it is only in a country like Nigeria, as constituted and exploited by (See concluding part of the article on www.thisdaylive.com) ͺ͸˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER 15 NEWS South-east Governors, Leaders Set up Committees to Engage Agitating Youths Reaffirm commitment to one Nigeria Christopher Isiguzo and engage such youths to stop and diplomatic engagement in the north. Those present at the Governor of , Chief Gideon Arinze in Enugu and allow elders speak to with foreign missions.” “We call on leaders in meeting included the host, ; and former address such fears”. The meeting was a follow-up other regions to take note of Governor of , Military Administrator of old Leaders from the South-east Regarding the safety of to the one the leaders held with the threats and take proper Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Abia , Rear Admiral zone, yesterday, announced the Igbo in other parts of the presidential delegation, led action,” he said, adding that State Governor, Dr. Okezie Allison Madueke. the setting up of different the country, and the newly by the Minister of Defence, the leaders condemned the Ikpeazu; Deputy Governors In attendance also were committees to engage agitating established regional security Maj.Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), killing of security operatives of Anambra and Imo states, Speaker of Enugu State youths in the area as part of outfit, the communiqué said on June 11, in the wake of the and destruction of security Dr. Nkem Okeke and Prof. House of Assembly, Rt. new initiatives for a lasting the “meeting directed our rising insecurity in the region. facilities in the zone. Placid Njoku, respectively; Hon. Edward Ubosi; Senator peace. This followed a meeting governors and Ohaneze Umahi, who read from He maintained that the Senate Minority Leader, , Deputy in Enugu State. Ndigbo to liaise with indigenes the communiqué said, the impression that leaders in Senator ; Minority Leader, House of The leaders, who met for from the northern part of leaders had reaffirmed their the zone were silent over the Minister of Labour and Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby the second time in two weeks, Nigeria and indigenes of other commitment to one nation built rising wave of agitation was, Employment, Dr. ; Okechukwu; Chief Emmanuel reaffirmed their commitment to regions to assure the nation, on fairness, love and respect wrong as they had come out and Minister of State for Mines Iwuanyawu; Catholic Bishop a united Nigeria, and rejected Nigeria, and their people of for one another. He added that publicly to speak against the and Steel Development, Hon. of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. the agitation by the Indigenous their safety in South-east.” the committees were to help agitations. Uchechukwu Ogah. Callistus Onaga; Archbishop of People of Biafra (IPOB) for a The committees set up, articulate the demands of the Umahi said, "We have Others were President Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Republic of Biafra. according to the communiqué, region, particularly as it relates again endorsed Ebubeagu General of Ohanaeze Most. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel According to a communiqué were those on “agitation; to insecurity, and meet with and asked them to work with Ndigbo, Ambassador George O. Chukwuma; Chairman, read by the chairman of South- engagement with other the federal government. security agencies to ensure the Obiozor; former President of Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ east Governors Forum and regions; those of our people The governor regretted protection of lives and property the Senate, Senator Anyim Council, HRH Igwe Lawrence Governor of , Dave in the North, South-east, that although leaders in the of the people in the South-east." Pius Anyim; former Governor Agubuzu; immediate past Umahi, the South-east leaders South-south and South-west; South-east had reassured He called on security of old Enugu State, Dr. President General of Ohaneze said in order not to manage IPOB, MASSOB, youths and people from other regions of operatives working in the Okwesilieze Nwodo; former Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; the situation in the zone, they market people, Okada and their safety, Ndigbo were still region to operate within the Governor of Ebonyi State, and Professor Chinedu Nebo, “have set up a committee to Keke; diaspora; advocacy; being threatened, especially, confines of the law. Senator ; former among others.

IN QUEST OF LASTING PEACE... Host/Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (3rd left), Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Engr. David Umahi (2nd left), their counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (3rd right), Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke (left), his Imo State counterpart, Prof. Placid Njoku (2nd right) and the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Prof. George Obiozor, during the meeting of South East leaders and stakeholder, at the Government House, Enugu...yesterday

BAWA: EFCC WON’T HAND OVER CASES OF INTEREST TO ANY STATE also denied asking the National Assembly, which, State or you have property, is an offence not to comply. That we said is that we just need than the EFCC. Nobody has management teams of banks of course, supersedes, when a lot of things will come up. is why we write to individuals, copies of those things, we challenged me on that. to declare theirs assets to the it comes to that. So, there's “Maybe he has property in politicians to submit to us so have already demanded. On “We go to court. We love commission. He insisted his already a federal legislation. America, you need to carry that we will compare, because June 1st, we wrote to all the going to court. We have 90 per pronouncement was merely “We are yet to see how the out request, involving mutual if you are a suspect, before us, banks, the MDS and DMDs cent to 95 per cent success rate for purposes of eliciting EFCC is going to hand over legal assistance treaty between, you are expected to even fill should submit copies of their in court on the cases that we information, as the agency cases that they are interested let's say, Nigeria and America, our own declaration of assets declaration of asset form. have charged. So, it is not about was not empowered to dish in to any state government or whether or not the American form here.” On accusations that the stating the facts and losing out such an order. see any correspondence to that government will recognise that. He explained further, "We agency had engaged in cases. Assuming we have 70 effect. We are investigating our “So, a lot of things left, right write to CCB, for instance, to media trial of suspects, the per cent success rate in court, Speaking in an exclusive matters. In that regard, we are and centre are at play regarding furnish us what you declared. EFCC chairman said the is it not an A that you will interview with THISDAY, making progress.” it. It is very, very expensive. Yes, we write them to give commission on his watch had give us, but as you know, we the EFCC boss stated that Bawa also expressed doubt “Then, the issue of capacity. us information on what you not only conducted diligent have over 90 per cent success as a creation of the National over the capacity of states to Yes, anybody can develop a declared so that we can make investigations but had also rate in court. Assembly, the federal agency handle certain investigations capacity to do that. But let's comparison. contributed significantly to “But, of course, we have superseded any similar agency in view of the capital-intensive wait and see.” “We have our reason for the development of law in changed our strategy in set up by the states. nature. Addressing the alleged saying that come June 1st, Nigeria in the last 15 years. that regard as well. And He stated, “I am aware that According to him, “What I demand for declaration of we are going to demand for Bawa stated, “Now, rightly that is why maybe you Kano and Bayelsa have started can say is that law enforcement assets by bankers, Bawa said the declaration of assets. or wrongly, the media, once are not seeing people their own anti-corruption is a very, very expensive venture it was within the powers of the That's what I said. So, it matters are in court, you have under investigation being agencies. But those laws do not and requires a lot of training agency to make such demands. doesn't matter whether you the right to go and get the mentioned in the media. contain anything that says that and retraining, with trends of However, he said, “I did not have not declared, it doesn't facts – reporters are always “But there was never a EFCC has nothing to do with crime developing everyday, say banks will come and declare matter whether you have done in court to report what has deliberate attempt, anyway, investigating their states, they every second, and you need their assets to us. It is not within anything, but what we said is happened. So, you have been to do that (media trial). We would rather be complementing to catch up with people doing our powers to demand for that. that we are going to demand accusing us wrongly of this. are just trying to do things what the EFCC is doing. that. But it is within our powers to for it. “You did mention something by the book but maybe that “There are a lot of Supreme “Take, for instance, issues demand for information. You “You understand this? This that we do media trial, and is the change of strategy that Court decided cases on this of money laundering, where, and associate (s) without any is in a 1986 law. It was passed then we rush to court. There is you people have observed. particular issue. From the maybe, somebody somewhere hindrance or failure must give when I was just six years no agency of government that We are working quietly and briefing that I have received, has laundered the proceeds of us information on demand. old. Yes, it's an old law and has worked and contributed diligently on cases without those things are already there. crime, let's say somewhere in “If you are an individual or they are expected to declare to the development of law in necessarily drawing public The EFCC is a creation of the Sokoto and you are in Oyo corporate entity or company, it their assets annually. So, what this country in the last 15 years attention.” 16 ͺ͸˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER NEWS Falana: APC Has Perfected Plans to Rule Nigeria Indefinitely Laments Buhari’s failure to amend 2010 Electoral Act Says demand for self-determination, a constitutional right Gboyega Akinsanmi concern that the ruling party the APC Committee on True governments and hundreds of the serious breakdown of law he said. reneged on its pact with the Federalism; the outcome had local governments are under and order in some states in He, therefore, noted that the Unlike the Peoples Democratic people on electoral reform. fuelled agitations either for either total or partial control of the Southeast, I am interested campaign “is fully supported Party (PDP) that boasted to Before the return to regional government insurgents, bandits and other in addressing the root cause by diaspora Nigerians. Based rule Nigeria for 60 years, governorship election in or outright separation from gunmen. It is hoped that the of the crisis. That can only be on arrogance of power, the Nigeria’s foremost human 2014, he explained how some Nigeria in different parts of federal government will not achieved if the separatist groups federal government has rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana APC leaders obtained court the country. invoke and apply Section 135 are given the opportunity to continued to play into the (SAN) yesterday disclosed that orders, which restrained the Despite Buhari’s lukewarm of the 1999 Constitution,” he dialogue and negotiate with hands of the campaigners the All Progressives Congress Jonathan administration from approach to comprehensive observed the federal government and the for the balkanisation of the (APC) had perfected plans to deploying the armed forces in electoral reforms, Falana He noted that the section state governments over their country.” rule the country indefinitely. the management of elections. challenged the National empowered the president grievances,” Falana suggested. Consequently, Falana Falana, a former President He, however, said: “The APC Assembly to fast-track the “to postpone elections if He justified his position on observed that the agitation of the West African Bar government deploys armed process of amending the he considers that it is not the ground that the federal had been fuelled by nepotism, Association (WABA), also military and police personnel in Electoral Amendment Bill practicable to hold elections on government had negotiated lopsided appointments, said the Electoral Amendment the manipulations of elections ahead of the 2023 general the ground that the country is with terrorists and bandits corruption, impunity, ethnic Bill might not be signed into including local government election. involved in a war in which its and granted amnesty to politics and the zealous law citing the failure of the elections. As if that is not He recommended the need territory is physically involved. many of them in spite of their implementation of neoliberal National Assembly to complete enough, voters are induced to legalise the use of card “This is why all hands involvement in crimes against economic policies, which had the process of its enactment with money, rice, beans and readers and electronic voting should be on deck to enact humanity such as gang-raping been worsening unemployment, and transmit it to President salt in utter contravention to and collation of results and a new electoral law, which of women, abduction and poverty and unemployment. Muhammadu Buhari for assent. the Electoral Act.” direct transmission to INEC should provide for electronic killing of innocent people, Out of sheer frustration, He expressed these grave On these grounds, the central server. voting. That is the only way displacement of millions of according to the human rights concerns during an exclusive senior advocate claimed that He urged the National to ensure that elections are others whose houses were lawyer, the campaign for the interview with THISDAY the Buhari administration had Assembly to prioritise the conducted in many parts of set ablaze. breakup of the country is yesterday, pointing out how the failed to reform the country’s review of the Electoral the country at any given time.” He emphasised the need gaining momentum. Buhari administration reneged dysfunctional electoral system Amendment Bill since the Falana, also, faulted the for the federal government “I have continued to insist on different promises made to after six years in the saddle, president did not sign the president’s threat to use “to appreciate that the crisis that it is no longer acceptable Nigerians during presidential hence contravening its bill into law in 2018 on the brute force in response to the of global capitalism has forced to say that the unity of Nigeria campaigns in 2014. campaign promise. ground that it was too close demand for self-determination millions of young people to is not negotiable, because it is Falana, who spoke on diverse Before the 2015 elections, to the last general election. by some separatist movements embrace supremacist ideology an indissoluble and indivisible issues of national concerns the APC entrenched The human rights lawyers nationwide, especially, the with emphasis on balkanisation entity.” during the interview, said: restructuring in its manifesto observed that the new bill Indigenous People of Biafra of many countries.” To respond to the agitations, “Unlike the PDP, which boasted and campaigned for power “has not been passed and (IPOB). He, thus, said the demand Falana recommended that the that it would rule Nigeria devolution from the centre forwarded to the president He explained that Nigeria for separation was not peculiar federal government “has to for 60 years, the APC has to the other federating units, for his assent for reasons best had ratified and domesticated to Nigeria, citing how in jettison its arrogance of power perfected plans to rule Nigeria one of the reasons it garnered known to both chambers of the African Charter on Human the United States, a faction and enter into meaningful indefinitely. popular support nationwide. the National Assembly. and Peoples Rights, which of the Republican Party led dialogue with all separatist “Hence, the new Electoral Apart from its promise “The delay is affecting the guaranteed rights to self- by former President Donald groups and other aggrieved Amendment Bill is not likely to devolve powers to the preparations of INEC for the determination. Trump has become popular citizens. to be signed into law. Very federating units, the APC also 2023 general election. It is Under Article 20, Falana among the white community, “The federal government soon, Nigerians will be told campaigned to reform the high time sufficient pressure pointed out that the charter because of the campaign to may realise rather too late that that the bill cannot be signed country’s electoral system in was mounted on the federal “guarantees the right of chase away immigrants from no amount of brute force can by the president since the 2023 line with the recommendation legislators to pass the Electoral the Nigerian people to self- the country. silence the separatist groups. elections are around the corner,” of the Justice Muhammed Amendment Bill as a further determination. On that basis, He, also, pointed at how If the government defeat he observed. Uwais Electoral Reform Panel. delay will adversely affect the the demand for the breakup the United Kingdom “has them militarily, they may go Reflecting on Buhari’s On December 7, 2018, conduct and management of of Nigeria is not a criminal pulled out of the European underground and embark on breach of campaign promises, Buhari rejected the Electoral future elections in the country. offence.” Union while the people of guerilla warfare. Falana explained how the Amendment Bill that could “But it is doubtful if If demand for self- Scotland are fighting for “The earlier the war APC had campaigned to have transformed the the country can hold a determination was anchored independence. In Spain, mongering tactics of the reform the electoral process country’s electoral system peaceful general election in on violence, the senior advocate the people of Catalonia are government is reviewed the by implementing the positively on the ground 2023. In 2015, the Jonathan said Nigeria would not hesitate fighting for independence. In better for the corporate existence recommendations of the Justice that it could affect the 2019 administration postponed to frame charges, which Canada, the people of Quebec of Nigeria. I do not need to be Muhammed Uwais Electoral elections contrary to these the general election for six reinforced the position of the are fighting for independence. a war expert to know that the Reform Panel before the 2015 promises. weeks because some local federal government to blame “The story is the same in armed forces cannot win the elections In the same way, the governments in the killing of security personnel other parts of the world. The war on insurgents, bandits and Upon assumption of power, president had not taken were under the control of and destruction of government campaign for the balkanisation separatists at the same time,” however, the human rights any concrete step to terrorists. properties on the IPOB. of Nigeria has been influenced he said with concern for the lawyer noted with grave implement the report of “Today, a number of state “While I do not support by developments in the West,” future of Nigeria. Angry Youths Block Kaduna-Abuja Highway as Bandits Kill Four, Abduct 49 John Shiklam in Kaduna and injuries, after the bandits had with THISDAY, one of the This angered the youths and State Police Command, a source told THISDAY was Laleye Dipo in Minna earlier raided some villages sources said, a total of four this morning (Saturday), they Mohammad Jalige, could told. in Munya Local Government people were killed, while 49 blocked the Kaduna-Abuja not be reached at the time Although it was gathered Angry youths, Saturday, and killed two. others were abducted within road by the overhead bridge, of filing this report. that the bandits took away blocked the Kaduna-Abuja However, the Kakau three days. to expressed their frustration From Niger, some of the the corpses of their colleagues, following the killing of four community, which is located According to the source, over the security situation.” villages raided by the bandits, THISDAY also learnt that the people and the abduction of 49 in the outskirts of the Kaduna who pleaded anonymity, The source said, “What who came in large numbers cattle earlier rustled were others in a weeklong attack by metropolis, was said to have “On Tuesday, the bandits baffles us is that we have and rode on motorcycles, recovered and returned to rampaging bandits in Angwan come under persistent attacks invaded the community,killed the female soldiers camp while at the same time the owner. Madaki, Kakau community, by bandits throughout the two people and abducted 15 close to Kakau. There is also bearing Ak 47 rifles, included Director General of the Niger Chikun Local Government week. others. On Thursday, they another soldiers camp close Kuchi, Kurubbako and Guni. State Emergency Management Area of . The latest attack, according came back again and killed to the main road, yet, the "They shot sporadically Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji But in nearby , to sources in the community, two people and kidnapped attacks have persisted. Our as they entered the villages Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, when men of the local vigilante occurred on Friday at about 14. Yesterday (Friday) at about people have been living in to scare away the villagers contacted confirmed the story in collaboration with some 10pm, when the bandits, in 10pm they came and killed perpetual fear and this is a after which they embarked on but said the agency was yet to youths, yesterday, repelled their large number, stormed two people and kidnapped community that is close to rustling of cattle and looting get "full details of the incident". attacks by suspected bandits the community, killed two 20 others including the Chief, Kaduna metropolis! Many of the homes of the villagers. But Police Public Relations and in the process neutralised people and abducted 20 his brother and wife. people have relocated to The youths recovered from the Officer, Niger State Police five of the robbers while many others, including the chief, “Throughout this week, our Kaduna metropolis as a result initial shock and countered Command, DSP Wasiu others allegedly escaped with his wife and brother. community had been under of these frequent attacks”. the bandits, resulting in the Abiodun, could also not be gunshot and matchet cut In a telephone interview constant attack by bandits. Spokesman of the Kaduna killing of 5 of the bandits," reached for confirmation.

KEBBI STUDENTS MAY HAVE BEEN RESCUED AS SCORES OF BANDITS KILLED early this morning confirmed amongst certain class of people, Usman Aliyu, said the gunmen of their officersduring an A resident, Atiku Aboki, at the Federal Government that the news of their alleged who were confident that the took more than 80 students, exchange and also shot a who went to the school shortly College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi, release had been swirling since students had been released,” most of them girls. student, who had since been after the gunfire stopped, said marked the third mass late last night, but that there the source stated. "They killed one of the receiving medical treatment he saw a scene of panic and abduction from a school in was no concrete confirmation Bandits, on Thursday, (police officers), broke through at an undisclosed hospital. confusion as people searched Northwestern part of Nigeria from any of the official sources kidnapped at least 80 students the gate and went straight The Police for their children. in some weeks, with armed as everyone seemed to have and five teachers from the to the students' classes," the Command further claimed "When we got there, gangs carrying out the shut down. Federal Government College, teacher reportedly told Reuters, that the vehicle used to convey we saw students crying, kidnappings for ransom. “We heard the news but no Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State, a foreign news medium. the kidnapped students and teachers crying, everyone is More than 800 students were one has the details, much less killing a police officer in the Kebbi State police spokesman teachers belonged to an sympathising with people," believed to have been taken seen any of the students. But process. Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed unnamed High Court judge he also said to Reuters. from their schools in the region the news has been circulating A teacher from the school, that the gunmen killed one in the state. Thursday’s kidnapping since December. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 17

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA EDITORIAL Email [email protected] INVOKING ANCIENT GRAZING ROUTES The President is ill-advised. The Land Use Act invests all land in state governors in trust for the people

uring his recent interview with whether the president is actually getting ARISE Television, President the correct legal advice from his attorney- general and the legal team,” the senator Muhammadu Buhari spoke about said. “There is nothing like grazing routes reviving the contentious grazing or grazing reserve law, in the laws of the routes throughout the country federation of Nigeria. There is no federal for cattle herders by dusting up legislation that the president can implement a gazette of the First Republic. over such matter.” Even if the grazing routes were still valid, they can only facilitate While that position pits him against further clashes between settler farmers and the southern governors who had banned open migrant herders who have no legitimate Dgrazing because of the criminality and insecurity claims to the lands on which they and their associated with it, legal practitioners now argue herds settle and devastate. that the law being cited by the president was only e find it difficult to understand applicable in Northern Nigeria. Even if there was who the president is speaking such a gazette in the past, it is of grave concern for. Following a meeting with that the president the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Those who handle should be drawing (NGF) in January this year, the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle the president on policy inspiration from W Breeders Association (MACBAN) agreed policy matters are such an ancient law in to outlaw open grazing, underage grazing, better advised 2021. This is deeply and night herding in the South-west states, to update the flawed. given the rate at which some undesirable It may be useful elements who parade themselves as herders background commit heinous crimes. So, at a time the to remind the conversation is about how to modernise information they president that the the way we rear cattle, President Buhari is equip him with First Republic ended advocating that the primitive method be to prevent these 55 years ago. In sustained. the intervening period, As we keep reiterating, one of the curious all too frequent SUNDAY NEWSPAPER tragedies of modern Nigeria is that we have come relapses into migrant cattle herding EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU to accept the category 'nomadic' as a permanent has ceased in almost DEPUTY EDITORS OLAWALE OLALEYE, TOBI SONIYI description of a vital segment of our populace. We embarrassing every other country. have gone ahead to create schools, map out grazing prehistoric Modern ranches have MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO trails and sundry other things to enshrine this DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE comfort zones replaced roving herds unfortunate doctrine. A consequence has been the CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI ever frequent bloody clashes between nomads and while beef production EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN settled landowners and farmers in nearly every part has become a modern mechanised industrial under- MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE of the country. Besides, by allowing them to roam taking. Furthermore, wherever those grazing routes the length and breadth of the country, often herding of the 1960s may have been, population growth evacuated cattle, we violate the rights of these animals and endanger the health of citizens through and pressure of farming and land use would have THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED exposure to the elements and a cocktail of diseases. brought them under new uses. In fact, under the In all, the president’s claim on grazing routes does EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA Land Use law, there may be nothing in that ancient not invalidate the sovereign control and powers GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, gazette that protects them from the authority of which the constitution grants to state governors to ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI make laws governing the conduct of humans and state governments. DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI , PETER IWEGBU, their animals in their jurisdiction. There is nothing Spokesman of the Senate and member of the ANTHONY OGEDENGBE in the presidential utterance on grazing routes that ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI invalidates the Asaba resolution of the governors Basiru, says the gazette being referred to by the SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH of the southern states on open grazing. On their ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI president was a decree promulgated in northern part, those who handle the president on policy CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI matters are better advised to update the background Nigeria in the 1960s, that had been rendered null DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO information they equip him with to prevent these all and void by the Land Use Act recognised by the HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA too frequent relapses into embarrassing prehistoric constitution. “Nigerians should be concerned over TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] comfort zones.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact Letters to the Editor details to [email protected]. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to [email protected] along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer. LAGOS AND THE ANTI-CULTISM LAW ecently, the Odumosu announced initiative is commend- the Anti-Cultism Bill, with If the above ugly and Lagos State that they had com- able. The management strict clauses contained in disturbing trends must not Police Com- menced a combat train- of the Lagos Police the act. continue, the state govern- mand issued ing exercise, musketry, Command deserves a The notable one is the ment, with the support a press state- and range practice for pat in the back, if not 21-year jail term for anyone and cooperation of the ment, where police personnel in the resounding applause found guilty of engaging in judiciary, must start mak- Rit disclosed that it had state, even as training for conceptualizing the cultism. Six months after, ing scapegoats of criminals arrested over 127 traffic for police operatives innovative idea. cases of traffic robberies, who wittingly desecrate robbers. According to attached to the newly- But it must be said hooliganism, cult clashes, the provisions of the anti- the Police Command, formed Anti-Traffic also, that long before street killings, among cultism act. It will deter the 'petty', yet daredevil Robbery Squad (ATRS) Odumosu's disclosure others, are staple items in others. criminals, were nabbed had been kick-started. about the ATRS, series media reports. Sadly, not The punishments out- in the last three months. Checks by this writer of reports on traffic even a single conviction had lined in the act must be The Commissioner revealed that the ATRS robberies, hooliganism, been recorded by the State put to the practical test on of Police, Mr Hakeem personnel will be cultism and cult clashes, Ministry of Justice. defaulters. Odumosu, in the state- tasked with the exigent gangsterism, and even Just recently, the All Our collective and dar- ment, dated 17 June responsibility of ending juvenile crimes, were Progressives Congress (APC) ling 'Centre of Excellence' 2021, however, reassured the menace of robbery not short in demand. local government primaries must not be allowed to residents of the ‘State of in the ever-chaotic At a point in time, the in the state, witnessed degenerate into a haven the Aquatic Splendour' Lagos traffics, by the wave of crimes in Lagos terrifying attacks on rival for criminals. It is time that his team had time their training State was unstoppable. hooligans and even innocent the newly-promulgated bill "deployed its human program is completed. In the first quarter party faithful, to the extent bared its full and danger- and material resources If the truth must be of this year, the State that two persons were said ous fangs. to tackle the menace said without any preju- Governor, Babajide to have died in Surulere ––Segun Michael Adey- headlong". dice, the ATRS security Sanwo-Olu, assented to local government. emi, Lagos 18 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 SUNDAYINTERVIEW

Bawa... We Won’t Hand Over Cases of Interest to Any State Photos by Julius Atoi Bawa:Youth Involvement in Cybercrime, My Greatest Worry Forty years old Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa is consumed with passion for his job and country. Young and bursting with energy and ideas, he charts a new path of credibility for the anti-graft agency. In this first major and exclusive interview with Shaka Momodu and Kingsley Nwezeh, Bawa addresses practically all the concerns swirling around his emergence and operations of the commission. Excerpts:

ou have been on tour of EFCC offices since the staff, for them to see their new chairman, who has been one complaints. You can’t run an office with disgruntled staff. Yes, we your assumption of duty as Chairman. What of them. And then, of course, I needed to also remind them of the have been around for a very long time. But it is good that you have you found or observed and how do you fact that the task before us is enormous. We need to re-energise have advice from them, because nobody has the monopoly of hope to improve what you met on ground? ourselves to do what is expected of us. You know, the expectations knowledge. That has been nice. And it’s been worth the while. Okay, thank you. Let me start by thanking you are very, very high. I’m still going round. I still have about three zones to go, I hope to for finding time to come, finding it worthy to fly We have the support of the government, I think the majority achieve that before the end of the month. Y in from Lagos. Thank you very much. Well, the of Nigerians and to also remind them of the fact that anybody tour of duty is something that came naturally. I that is found wanting, sanctions would be applied to the point of It’s already 100 days since you assumed office, what have went out there to see things for myself, to have an interaction with getting out of the system. And then of course, to hear their own you achieved so far even though 100 days is pretty too soon for an appraisal? So many things. The confidence is back. A lot of people and the staff are happy with the administration. We have come up If there’s one thing that I am worried about, it is the issue with a lot of policy documents that we are working on, training policy, policy on sexual harassment, health policy, communication of cybercrime and it is with mixed feelings and reactions. policy etc, because you can’t have an institution that does not People have tagged me the hope of the youth and all of that, have processes and procedures. We have also worked on Standard Operational Procedures, you know, back and forth with the and here, we are – the people in my constituency are the ones printers, before the end of the month, we will have it in place. That is very key, if you want to have a strong institution we need to involved in internet crime…It is something to be worried have these things in place. We have also embarked on several renovation activities. about. It’s something that we have observed, it’s something Contracts were awarded in order for us to have befitting offices in our zonal offices across the country. we are working on We have worked on our new ranking structure. We have it in THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 19 SUNDAY INTERVIEW t &'$$)"4$0/53*#65&%.03&505)&%&7&-01.&/50'-"8*//*(&3*"t place now to be at par with other security agencies in the country. We have been having problems in that regard. We are looking at the issue of promotion – it has brought a lot of problem. We hope to conclude on that aspect soon. We have engaged our strategic partners within and outside the country. We have renewed relationship with a lot of agencies trying to forge synergy. So, we have done quite a bit on that, and of course, you know, cases that we are working on. I don’t want to dwell much on that. We have done quite a lot. So, by and large, we are working quietly and the result and statistics are out there.

EFCC has been known for media trial of persons under investigation. Is there a deliberate strategy to move away from trial by media of suspects until you gather all your facts before you proceed to court for prosecution? You see, we are in a democracy. People have the right to say whatever they want to say, trials happen only in court and there are three parties to it. We, the prosecution, we present our case, the defence would present its case to the court and the court decides. Now, rightly or wrongly, you the media, once matters are in court, you have the right to go and get the facts – reporters, like you are always in court to report what has happened. So you have been accusing us wrongly of this. You did mention something that we do media trial, and then we rush to court. You see, there is no agency of government that has worked and contributed to the development of law in this country in the last 15 years than the EFCC. Nobody has challenged me on that. We go to court. We love going to court. We have 90 to 95% success rate in court on the cases that we have charged. So, it is not about stating the facts and losing cases. Assuming we have 70% success rate in court, is it not an A that you will give us but as you know, we have over 90% success rate in court. But then, of course, as you know, we have changed our strategy in that regard as well. And that is why maybe you are not seeing people under investigation being mentioned in the media. But there was never a deliberate attempt anyway to do that. We are just trying to do things by the book but maybe that is the change of strategy that you people have observed. We are working quietly and diligently ...We’re Not Talking About Tinubu’s Case to Avoid Media Trial Allegation on cases without necessarily drawing public attention. come, did they actually take your money?” Then we now write to It’s good you are making this clarification, because intel- What is your decision on policemen assigned to EFCC, the bank to make inquiries. No, no, no. ligence shows that most cases are filed at the whims of the are you going to retain their services or you want to build We start with him and then continue our investigation. Then chairman. If the chairman wants a case to go to court and your own team? there are instances or cases, where you are investigating for even if the lawyers recommend otherwise, that case will be Wait, let me let me remind you, I know that you are aware of example, an allegation that a commissioner for local government rushed to court irrespective. how the EFCC started operations. The National Assembly passed has diverted funds. You carry out a detailed investigation. You First and foremost, I doubt very much if that was the case before. an Act and the EFCC was established. A young Nigerian police- call the complainant, you write, you conduct surveillance, you do I was not Chairman then but I can tell you for certain, I did not man, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was appointed the all of these. You must have some semblance that that activity has have that experience. I doubt much if that was the case. chairman. A paper was given to him: “you are the Chairman” and happened before moving to arrest. Secondly, coming down to me as a person with all sense of he started. So the EFCC from inception had no staff of its own. Remember, even when we have charged somebody to court he modesty. I’m a practitioner. I’m currently in the witness box in one Then, the Chairman and the Commission Secretary and the is still presumed to be innocent, it’s just an allegation until the court matter that has been on for years. I have testified across the length board, they had to come from somewhere – seconded officers that says that you have committed that offence. But for us to be seen and breadth of this country in many cases. will come and do the job. Which better place than the Nigerian that we rush to arrest somebody, and then we take them to court, So, I know what it takes to be there, to give evidence based on Police to start from, because we are more or less doing that kind of and then we lose a case? If it had happened, maybe it’s one out of the case that you are prosecuting. If you don’t have facts, you don’t related thing? Some of the laws were being enforced by the police a million and officers that have carried it out are supposed to be have facts. If you have facts, you have facts, do you understand? before the coming of the EFCC. That is how we started. sanctioned. We have promised Nigerians that we are going to follow the But from the very beginning, even the founding fathers knew Again, this is very important, we have a different department provisions of the Constitution; the rule of law should be our guide. that a time will come when the EFCC has to start training its that investigates. We want to do this thing without fear or favour, without any staff and officials to do all the functions of the commission, and ill will, then why should you try to say that there is no evidence that is why by December 2004, they had recruited the first set of I was coming to that … to support a case and then you’re going to court, I doubt if it has officers and trained them. As at today, we have the Superintendent It is after they have completed their investigation, or during the happened. I doubt much if it has happened before. cadre up to Course 8 and then we have the Inspector cadre course of the investigation, as the case may be, they engage our and the Detective Assistant cadre, so it is something that will lawyers and the lawyers would be guiding them during the course You have said repeatedly that you will fight corruption and happen naturally. When the time comes, when we can take care of investigation through any issue that might arise. They will receive not fight corrupt people. What do you mean by that? of ourselves, all policemen and other seconded staff from other that file, they will vet it to see whether or not there is a prima facie We will fight corrupt people and we will also fight corruption. agencies will have to allow the Commission to be fully operational case against the person. But within that, we have realised that there is difference between on its own and it’s going to happen sooner than later. fighting corrupt people and fighting corruption. It’s all part of our Was this the practice before or its a new way of doing new effort towards preventive avenues, rather than laying more Let’s go back to the question that you make arrests before things? emphasis on enforcement, because studies have shown time and conducting watertight investigation. Sometime before you No. It has always been the practice and most often, three issues time again that it is far cheaper to prevent corruption or fraud than assumed office, Justice Auta hosted your predecessor and one normally come out of this. The lawyers will advise: Yes, there is a to fight it. of the complaints he made was that the Commission doesn’t, case. We are going to court. No, there is no case; the matter is civil Here is what we’re saying: we are saying we want to be proac- in some cases, investigate and have a watertight case, before or there is a case but please, you need to do ABC&D. So, they tive. It is about good governance, it is about looking at processes rushing to court only to lose such cases. It’s important to get will return it for further investigation. And once those items, the and procedures, identifying the red flags, advising the government more clarity on this. This is something that a judge saw and line items that they have identified have been dealt with, you will on how they can tighten the loose ends, vulnerabilities to fraud, complained about. return it to them, then, they will draft their charges. We don’t go corruption, as it has happened and those are the issues that we are Let me start by saying that you are the one quoting Justice to magistrate court, we file proof of evidence, points to prove that looking at in terms of trying to fight corruption. Auta, not me. Now let me answer that. There are different types of look, this offence of OBT that we are charging is there. So, that’s Even recently, I was telling a media outlet that look, we are offences or crimes that we are investigating, hence different types of why I said the issue of investigation, and lawyers doing their bit are embarking on a series of corruption risk assessment on MDAs in scenarios can unfold regarding how suspects are being brought in. thoroughly done. this country, to look at their vulnerabilities to fraud and corruption Some months back as a zonal head in Lagos, I received a letter and that is the systemic way of fighting corruption. from the Nigerian Customs Service that I should come and take We are also looking at avenues in which it will be very difficult over a suspect that they arrested at the airport with thousands of for people that are corrupt to launder their proceeds of crime. We ATM cards. I went there and they handed over the suspect to me. are working tirelessly on the Special Control Unit Against Money So, the first thing is that I have a complaint, I have an exhibit and Laundering, how they can be on top of their game to deal with I have a suspect. What do I do? I should now leave him and say, I did not say that banks will Designated Non-Financial Institutions (DNFIs), those are the things “Okay, go I will investigate this ATM card and later I will call you come and declare their assets that we talked about in terms of fighting corruption itself. for interview”? No. At least, presumably, I have to go with him When I came on board, we created a brand new Department of and take his statement. You understand? We receive intelligence to us. It is not within our Intelligence to be able to sift through, gather information for us so also on a daily basis that we work on. We carry out surveillance, that we would be intelligence-driven in our investigation. we carry out other intelligence processes before we go for arrest. powers to demand for that. Fighting corrupt people, who have already done it, it’s about By the time we enter a building to effect an arrest, for instance, investigating you and charging you to court and dealing with you. we are sure of our case. All these cybercrime suspects, sometimes, But it is within our powers Now, if we are concentrating on that alone, chances are that your we arrest over 50. There was a time we arrested 70 at a time successor in office will also have that opportunity of committing in one place. 70 young Nigerians and we brought them with to demand for information. what you have committed. So, we have been dealing with these us, with all their digital items etc. They were suspected to be You and associate(s) without issues without necessarily going back. involved in cybercrime and then you bring them in, you assess Okay, why did you commit this? What happened? What were them and then those that you have identified that are into it, you any hindrance or failure the opportunities that you had to commit this crime? Our aim is to continue investigations and you will see that they have obtained deny your successor that opportunity to commit the same crime somebody’s money by false pretences. Clearly, we are seeing the must give us information on like the man who was there before. We are looking to block the documentary evidence and we then say, “We don’t want to talk to vulnerabilities in that system. So, we are looking at all of that, then, you, just go, let somebody take you on bail. Okay, you, the victim, demand we will advise you accordingly on that. And, that is what I meant 20 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 SUNDAY INTERVIEW t 8&"3&%&5&3.*/&%50.",&/*(&3*"1306%t

who committed the crime? You have only one lead, which is the number plate. So, you take it. It was then I observed something that well, let me put it this way, over 90 per cent of haulage businesses are conducted by the people from the northern part of the country. Going to the south to bring these products and then bring in other products from the north, back to the south. So, what happens after? You write to the licencing authority in , may be the number plate, an Azare (a town in the State) number and that’s where the problem is. Three scenarios will emerge. One, they will write to us to say that the number is fake. So, where are you going to go? You can neither go forward nor backwards, because you are looking for a criminal and unlike a vessel that is a juristic person, you can’t charge only a truck to court. Then the second instance is that they will write us to say the vehicle belongs to Mr. X and that his address is, lets say, No 15 Awolowo Road, Azare, Bauchi. The telephone number is perfect. So, I will now call or write a letter to Mr. X, who would call and say, yes, I am the owner of this truck, but actually I gave it to my driver. My driver is Mr. Y and I have been looking for him. What I know of him is that he also stays in Azare, Bauchi. So, there is a provision in the EFCC Establishment Act, Section 25 Subsection 3 that says means of conveyance should be forfeited to the government. Sometimes the owner is not aware that his means of conveyance is being used to perpetrate any kind crime. So, Mr. X has come to say you know, yes, he gave the truck to the driver, but he as the owner of the truck was not privy to what use the truck was being put to. So, the onus is now on us to find that driver to come and answer for the offence, but we may not be able to find him. So, going by the provisions of the law, we secure the forfeiture of the trucks and then the management of the Commission gave approval for the auctioning and officers flew in from Abuja to conduct that exercise. Where the court ordered that some of the trucks should be returned to the owners, they were returned. When my appointment was announced, some people started ...It’s Impossible to Steal from Recovered Loot screaming. There was even a publication that I made 20 billion by that phrase fighting corruption, not corrupt people. naira, they said, “that boy sold everything”, that I was a billionaire Your predecessors have always battled image problems, you know, when I came on board! That is not the end of the Lets talk more on internet fraud. It is alarming looking at reputation issues. Immediately after the announcement of matter, they will come up with other things. It’s part of the plan to the number of suspects arrested in the last one year, more your appointment, stories started to emerge in the media distract and damage someone’s reputation. than 1000, are you not worried? Second, how are you that you did this, you did that. Tell us how this reputational working to enhance your relationship with the United States problem might have affected the credibility of the Agency. You requested for the asset declaration form a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)? A lot of people were truly worried, when they heard the governor of Lagos and strong man of Lagos politics, Bola Let me start with your last point. FBI is perhaps one of the allegation against you. Ahmed Tinubu, when you were head of Lagos Zonal office. biggest international partners that we have had from the very Yes. You see, the job is a very dangerous job. You are stepping What has become of that and what was the motivation? beginning and they have always been helpful to us in terms of on many toes, powerful toes. People that sit on resources, You asked me a question earlier about arresting people before capacity development, sharing of information and intelligence, unimaginable resources, have the capacity to engage the media, investigation and now you’re saying why didn’t we arrest Tinubu? training and retraining of our staff here in Nigeria and in America, going to even compromise some judges to come up with several Why didn’t you just say, “arrest him”. Investigation is ongoing. including sponsoring our officers to the FBI Academy in Qantico, issues. So, people are always out there to say things that they When you are investigating matters like this, they don’t end in a Virginia and all that for several years. So, we have maintained that themselves know to be false, but they say these things anyway as day. Thousands of investigations are going on, on a daily basis. relationship and will sustain it. Even when I came on board, we attacks. What even baffles me more is the fact that even with all You understand? You know, you are from the media. After you have had a series of meetings with them in that regard. So, it’s the allegations against my predecessors, nobody has come to say will say we are doing media trial. going to continue. If there’s one thing that I am worried about, it is that this house belongs them, this property belongs to them or this the issue of cybercrime and it is with mixed feelings and reactions. investment belongs to them or that investment belongs to them. There is a petition against Tinubu by the former Managing People have tagged me the hope of the youth and all of that, and Nobody has said that. The allegation has been that “oh, Director of Alpha Beta. He wrote a petition to the EFCC. You here, we are – the people in my constituency are the ones involved recovered funds are not seen, oh, this one, that one”, all just were the head of Lagos zone. in internet crime. making false claims. Somebody will just come up with newspaper He wrote to me? It is something to be worried about. It’s something that we articles from left, right, center. How on earth is it possible steal from have observed, it’s something we are working on and let me give recovered funds? It is practically impossible for any staff of the No, he submitted it in Abuja. Your predecessor failed to you the statistics. From January to the 11th of June 2021, we have commission or chairman to do that. investigate that petition. Instead, they turned the tables on arrested 1502 suspects across the length and breadth of this country. I have not touched a case file in the last one month. I only see the former MD of Alpha Beta, who alleged that over N100 It is something very huge and you know, we are dealing with very reports. It is practically impossible for any staff of the commission billion money laundering, corruption, tax evasion by that smart people here. to move a naira that is recovered. What for? How? Because it is company linked to Tinubu. Why is nothing being done about Honestly, I will not sit here to tell you the specifics of what on record the person that the money is recovered from knows it? And are you going to take it on, now that you are the we are doing but we’re doing a lot. As I said, we have created a before the recovery is made, statements are there clearly stating chairman of the EFCC? department and are looking into the future and strategising. We what was recovered not to talk of a building that has been Well, petitions are normally investigated based on their own are working with even the state governments, where some of these recovered. merit. Every petition that EFCC receives, we have what is called things evolve and all of that. And then, of course, you know, the Tell me, how is it going to be done? Okay, it is in the file. petition vetting committees in all zonal offices. So, of course, the media is working on very serious campaign strategy to contain the Property A has been recovered. Let’s say 23A Awolowo Road, zonal head and the chairman have the discretion, based on what is issues of cybercrime, corruption and fraud. Ikoyi has been recovered and then the file is here and the chair- their assessment of the petition. man will say, “Mr. X handover this property to Mr. Y because On these committees, we have lawyers, we have investigators You mean the media department of EFCC? the owner is my friend”? How? This issue that you raised, I that will sit down and review all petitions and advise. Some they Yes. So, we are working. We are working in that regard. remember, even in the Senate, Senator Mohammed reject, because they are civil in nature, you know, they communicate asked me the same question and I told them, I said, “Look, I never that to the petitioners or complainants and some they will advise You are the first core detective of the agency that has sold anything. The commission flew some officers from Abuja and come on board as chairman, having been at the commission they went, and they saw some of these products”. Okay, maybe from the very beginning to get into this topmost position. this is an opportunity for me to tell you what really happened This was a career that I Does this place on you a unique advantage to appreciate the I resumed office in Port Harcourt in January 2019. Before I got problems of the commission? there, from January to December 2018, that zonal office recorded hoped will last for 35 years Certainly. One, I have four predecessors, that by the grace 33 convictions. But from January to December 2019, that I was of God, are all still alive. I can easily go and say, “See what has heading that zone, we recorded 216 convictions. What happened, but here I am, after only happened, what is this”? We learn from what they have done. there was a huge problem of arrests of people, allegedly illegally There is an international study on the issue of institutional memory, dealing with petroleum products and more than 500 trucks were 17 years, I happen to have anybody that is seeking any employment and then to higher parked at 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and cases were neither position, those that are from inside can boast of institutional moving forward nor backwards and I will tell you why. So, we reached the zenith of my memory, that you cannot get from anywhere, you cannot go to the came and we saw the problem and we studied why the cases career and I can leave the job four walls of any university to get it. It’s an advantage to me and of were not moving. course, to the system itself. Okay, let me tell you what happened. Normally, in the case at any time. You know, it’s And nobody can come, for instance, to tell me something about of illegal bunkering, we don’t arrest, you understand, the army, the system. I am not saying I have the monopoly of knowledge of the navy arrest the offenders. So, an arrest is made of this truck something huge but we are things here. But at least, I have a clear idea of some of these things suspected to be carrying illegally refined products. The army will and you know what? We were able to achieve all that we have now call the EFCC, come and take over this case. Normally, the not deterred about it, we are been able to achieve within 100 days because we know what the drivers and the boys have run away. So, we have only two leads, problems are, we know what the challenges are. the number plate and the product itself. So we take sample of the not complaining about it, we In my interactions with colleagues over the years, we have been product and send it to the lab, the DPR, and NNPC, 99 percent are being challenged about discussing some of these problems and issues and that is why of the time, it will come back as adulterated AGO. So, with that we were able to set the ball rolling immediately. So, it is more of alone, you know, we can develop our case. The second phase it, and God willing, we are an advantage, and I think government realises that, and that is is, we have established a case, who committed the crime? With why my colleagues and I will not disappoint Nigerians and the that we can develop our case as per the provisions of the Miscel- going to make ourselves and government for the confidence that they have reposed in us to laneous Offences Act. carry the mantle of leadership going forward. But the second thing you have established is the crime, now the country proud THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 21 SUNDAY INTERVIEW t 8*5)5 *.& &'$$8*--'6/$5*0/8*5)06510-*$&.&/ 4&$0/%&%45"''t for investigation and thorough look at the allegations contained and those will be assigned for the appropriate action. Any petition that comes, based on his own merit, it would be treated.

The petition against Apha Beta is over two years, yet no action on it. I will confirm from the records.

It has taken two years, tell us, are you going to open investigation into it? Just the way that trial can take you 12 years, investigation, financial crime investigation, can take a bit of time, it can take you to the four corners of the world and back. We always set our target as the court. That is why we have to take our time to do investigation. So, it’s not an issue that you are feeling that an investigation has taken two years, has taken four years, five years… after all, the lawyers will say that time does not run out on criminal investigation. Somebody can be investigated on an action that he did 30 years ago, 40 years ago.

Why are you investigating the PDP finances? Is that within the mandate of the EFCC? One would have thought that it is INEC that should look into their finances or not EFCC. Look, we received a complaint and based on its own merit and according to the process, that I told you earlier, it was investigated and we saw that yes, there is an issue there. And it was assigned just like any other complaint. Is INEC investigating allegations of diversion? Does INEC have the power to investigate anything related to allegations of money laundering? That is not what INEC was set up to do, that is what the EFCC and other related agencies are set up to do and that is what we are doing in that regard. So, it is nothing new to us, it is just like any other complaint and that is why we did not set out, for instance, to go and arrest people that are alleged to have committed the offence. We wrote a letter to them, you know, come and explain to us and that was it. ....Institutional Knowledge Confers an Advantage on Me

Lagos State Government recently signed a law that of money laundering, where, maybe, somebody somewhere has DMDs should submit copies of their declaration of asset form. prevents the EFCC from investigating matters concerning laundered the proceeds of crime, let’s say somewhere in Sokoto and officials of the state and mandates the EFCC to transfer you are in or you have properties, a lot of things will Well, the bankers said they are not afraid to declare their cases it is currently handling to the state anti-corruption come up. Maybe he has properties in America, you need to carry assets commission. What is your take on this and what becomes out request, involving mutual legal assistance treaty between let’s Well, let’s see. of EFCC’s role in investigating state officials if Lagos State say, Nigeria and America, whether or not the American govern- or any other state has its own anti- corruption body. What’s ment will recognise that. So, a lot of things left, right and center There’s a speculation that the Attorney General and your reaction to this development? are at play regarding it. It is very, very expensive. Then the issue of Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was behind your You asked four questions in one. I will start by telling you that capacity. Yes, anybody can develop a capacity to do that. But let’s appointment and that in fact, you are related to him. Is that I am aware that Kano and Bayelsa have started their own anti- wait and see. true? corruption agencies. But those laws do not contain anything that Yes, it’s true that the Attorney General and myself are from the says that EFCC has nothing to do with investigating their states, Your predecessor once complained about terror sponsors same state. No, it is not true that we are related. Look, there is no they would rather be complementing what the EFCC is doing. using banks to launder money. He complained about one appointment that happens that somebody somewhere did not You see, there are a lot of Supreme Court decided cases on this NGO in the North-east having 50 bank accounts. He met recommend. But I think what matters most is whether or not the particular issue. From the briefing that I have received, those things with bankers in Maiduguri and urged them to work with person so appointed, has the capacity and the capability to do that are already there. your commission in that regard. Are you continuing that job. And the performance that comes out after that, that is what is The EFCC is a creation of the National Assembly, which of effort and what is progress so far? more important. course, supersedes when it comes to that. So, there’s already a We are continuing on that. We are working on it. Issues of Somebody, someone will do the job. As we have said, people federal legislation. We are yet to see how the EFCC is going to terrorism is not something that will come out in public. See, what always talk, people will always find something to say about hand over cases that they are interested in to any state government he said is true. We are working on building on it and working with somebody. What am I saying is, for instance, if you are a governor or see any correspondences to that effect. We are investigating our all the relevant law enforcement agencies. of a state, you are going to appoint some commissioners, you are matters. In that regard, we are making progress. In that regard, let going to appoint some people, that is, not even out of place, you me ask you, what do you think that that law is for? Sometime ago, you called on bank officials to declare their know, if somebody has the powers and is appointing somebody assets. Many thought that was outside your purview. But, that is even related to him, he may be his younger brother from Well, a lot of people see it as an effort to protect certain curiously, you are dealing with politicians already, and you that same state. officials of the state government have just 1,700 staff, do you think you have the capacity to Are we saying that the President doesn’t have enough informa- So, let’s, let’s go to the next question. deal with all that? tion to do the nomination? Even if somebody recommended Let me start by answering the five questions, you asked in one, someone, the President must approve, you understand? We have But it is directly related. Do you think states have the the five issues you raised. The first one is that we are well over 3000 to learn to respect our leaders in this country, we have to learn to capacity to investigate and prosecute the cases against state staff and not 1700. The second issue which you raised, if you look trust our leaders. Now the President has done that. And then I officials? I mean, tools, investigative skills? at the provisions of Section 7 in addition to the EFCC Establishment was before 109, distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of What I can say is that law enforcement is a very, very expensive Act itself, we are empowered to enforce certain provisions of the Nigeria, not senators of Kebbi State, but the Federal Republic of venture and requires a lot of training and retraining with trends of Money Laundering Provisions Act, Banks and Other Financial Nigeria! crime, you know, developing every day, every second, and you Institutions Act, Failed Banks Recovery of Debt Act Miscellaneous You saw what happened, you know, questions were asked, and need to catch up with people doing that. Take, for instance, issues Offences Act and Provisions of the penal code and criminal code in all modesty, we were able to answer them. You know, the follow- as it relates to economic and financial crimes as well as advanced up comments that some of them have made, regarding that and fraud and other related offences. that is why we are here, and its a sacrifice that I have made on a Subsequently, of course, you have the cybercrime Act, which we personal note. This was a career that I hoped will last for 35 years are empowered to enforce. You know, issues of advice that we are but here am I, after only 17 years, I happen to have reached the Yes, it’s true that the also assisting and FIRS and NCC and all of that now. That’s what zenith of my career and I can leave the job at any time. You know, we set out to do. it’s something huge but we are not deterred about it, we are not Attorney General and We have the capacity. We are embracing technology to deal with complaining about it, we are being challenged about it, and God issues as they come up. So, that is on this side, on the other side, I willing, we are going to make ourselves and the country proud. myself are from the same did not say that banks will come and declare their assets to us. It is not within our powers to demand for that. But it is within our In a nutshell, capture your vision of EFCC state. No, it is not true that powers to demand for information. You and associate/s without My vision of EFCC is to have an institution that can run on any hindrance or failure must give us information on demand. autopilot, curtailing the usage of discretion, and intelligence-driven we are related. Look, there If you are an individual or corporate entity or companies, it is an investigation to be the bedrock of it, usage of technology, and an offence not to comply. That is why we write to individuals, politi- agency with very sound staff and procedures and one that is a is no appointment that cians to submit to us so that we will compare, because if you are a respecter of the rule of law. happens that somebody suspect, before us, you are expected to even fill our own declara- Remember, our vision is to rid this country of economic and tion of assets form here. We write to CCB, for instance, to furnish financial crimes And as I said, I told senators that, “look, I envisage somewhere did not us what you declared, yes, we write them to give us information an EFCC where, as the chairman, I will say, ‘officer go and do this on what you declared so that we can make comparison. We have and he will look at me and say, sir, I understood what you said but recommend. But I think our reason for saying that come June 1st, we are going to demand I am not going to do it, because so and so Section of the Standard for the declaration of assets. That’s what I said. So, it doesn’t matter Operating Procedure says this and that’ and I will say, ‘thank you what matters most is whether you have not declared, it doesn’t matter whether you have for reminding me, let’s go ahead and do it that way’”. done anything, but what we said is that we are going to demand That is the EFCC that I am envisaging. Look, this is the only whether or not the person for it. country that we have. We must work hard to ensure we have a so appointed, has the You understand this? This law is in a 1986 law. It was passed better Nigeria going forward and God willing, we are on the right when I was just six years old. Yes, it’s an old law and they are track to achieving that. capacity and the capability expected to declare their assets annually. So, what we said is that Let me use this opportunity to thank you and to call on the we just need copies of those things, we have already demanded. media to be on our side to always have an objective, balanced and to do that job On June 1st, you know, we wrote to all the banks, the MDS and fair reportage of issues as they unfold. Thank you very much. 22 SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JUNE 20, 2021 23

Editor: Kunle Aderinokun BUSINESS 08033204315, 08111813084 Email:[email protected] 7KH&RVWRI,QÁDWLRQ $midst FXrrent inIlationar\ SressXres oFFasioned E\ rising SriFes oI goods and serviFes in the FoXntr\ the government mXst intensiI\ eIIorts toZards arresting the drivers oI inIlation SartiFXlarl\ inseFXrit\ and Iine-tXne its SoliFies to Eoost the eFonomiF Zell-Eeing oI Nigerians Zrites -DPHV(PHMR he World Bank has stated that LnÁatLonar\ SressXre Ln 1LJerLa has SXshed aEoXt seven million Nigerians EeloZ the Sovert\ line in 2020 alone. In its latest assessment oI the Nigerian eFonom\ SartiFXlarl\ the ZellEeing oI the Fommon man theT World Bank ma\ have last Zeek stirred XS Fontrovers\ Zhen it Flaimed that rising SriFes or goods and Fommodities had SXshed seven million Nigerians EeloZ the Sovert\ line. This Zas oEvioXsl\ at varianFe Zith 3resident 0XhammadX BXhari·s Flaim in his 'emoFraF\ 'a\ EroadFast that his administration had liIted 0. million Nigerians oXt oI Sovert\ in the Sast tZo \ears. In its Nigeria 'eveloSment 8Sdate N'8 reSort the mXltilateral institXtion also reiterated the need Ior the Iederal government to set SoliF\ IoXndations Ior a strong reFover\ as Zell as to tame inÁation. 6eSaratel\ the World Bank·s &oXntr\ 'ireF- tor Ior Nigeria 0r. 6hXEham &haXdhXri Zhile sSeaking on ¶The $rise ;Fhange· a Srogramme oI $5I6( N(W6 &hannel the EroadFast arm oI T+I6'$< NeZsSaSers added that laFk oI Ahmed Emefiele eFonomiF oSSortXnities Zas FontriEXting to the rising Frime Fases and inseFXrit\ in the FoXntr\. $mong other things the XSdate stressed the inÁation as market SriFes oI Iood and Fommodit\ sXstained reFover\.µ FonFentrate on national SroMeFts that are FaSaEle oI need Ior FritiFal reIorms E\ the government to SriFes have triSled in reFent times aͿeFting their It hoZever Fame as a relieI to Nigerians Zhen Freating MoE oSSortXnities and inFreasing aFFess redXFe inÁation and aFFelerate the reFover\. SXrFhasing SoZer as the real valXe oI the naira is the &onsXmer 3riFe Inde[ &3I ZhiFh measXres to soFial SroteFtion sFhemes. $FFording to the Bretton Woods also eroded. $nd this is SartiFXlarl\ distXrEing inÁation droSSed to . Ser Fent \ear-on- +e said the World Bank reSort imSlied that institXtionµWhile the government took measXres EeFaXse Zhenever SriFes go XS in the FoXntr\ \ear in 0a\ FomSared to .2 Ser Fent in the the ´Nigerian (FonomiF 6XstainaEilit\ 3lan is not to SroteFt the eFonom\ against a mXFh deeSer the\ hardl\ Fome doZn. SreFeding month. having the desired imSaFt Ior noZ. reFession it ZoXld Ee essential to set SoliF\ IoXnda- InÁation rate is one oI the FritiFal maFroeFonomiF $FFording to the National BXreaX oI 6tatistiFs ´The reFent reFord high rise in Nigerian inÁa- tions Ior a strong reFover\.µ indiFes Xsed to asFertain the health and Zell-Eeing NB6  the 0. Ser Fent deFline in the headline tion in 202 is a reÁeFtion oI the reFessive trend The N'8 titled ´5esilienFe throXgh 5eIormsµ oI an eFonom\ and is Fonsidered to Ee harmIXl inde[ makes it the seFond FonseFXtive month that oI Nigerian eFonom\ sinFe 2020 Zhose reFover\ Sointed oXt that in 2020 the Nigerian eFonom\ to an eFonom\ Zhen the rates are deemed to Ee the rate had sXstained its doZnZard traMeFtor\ time aSSears indeterminate. e[SerienFed a shalloZer FontraFtion oI -. Ser Fent signiÀFantl\ high. aIter  months oI inÁationar\ SressXres on the ´The \ear 2020 Fame Zith XnXsXal develoS- than the -.2 Ser Fent ZhiFh had Eeen SroMeFted $mong other things the &entral Bank oI Nigeria eFonom\. ments sXFh as &29I'- SandemiF a reFord level at the Eeginning oI the SandemiF. &BN has the mandate to ensXre monetar\ and $FFording to the &3I ÀgXres Iood inÁation rise in inseFXrit\ restriFted e[Sort and imSort It oEserved that althoXgh the eFonom\ started to SriFe staEilit\ and also Sromote a soXnd ÀnanFial droSSed to 22.2 Ser Fent Irom 22.2 Ser Fent in market regimes as evidenFed Irom a Srolonged groZ again SriFes are inFreasing raSidl\ severel\ s\stem among other IXnFtions E\ emSlo\ing the $Sril. Eorder FlosXre. imSaFting Nigerian hoXseholds. 0onetar\ 3oliF\ 5ate 035 to anFhor short-term 3riFe moderation Zas reForded in Eread Fereals ´To Zorsen these Soor harvests Irom Iarms ´$s oI $Sril 202 the inÁation rate Zas the interest rates and to rein-in inÁation e[SeFtations. milk Fheese eggs Àsh soIt drinks FoͿee tea and loZ SriFes oI oil erratiF maFroeFonomiF SoliFies highest in IoXr \ears. )ood SriFes aFFoXnted Ior $lthoXgh the &BN had set an inÁation target FoFoa IrXits meat oils and Iats and vegetaEles. and diminishing SrodXFtion FaSaFit\ Xtilisation over 0 Ser Fent oI the total inFrease in inÁation. oI EetZeen si[ to nine Ser Fent in its Àve-\ear 2n month-on-month Easis the Iood sXE-inde[ in the varioXs eFonomiF seFtors FomSoXnded the 5ising SriFes have SXshed an estimated seven SoliF\ thrXst 20 -202  the eFonom\ remained deFlined to .0 Ser Fent in 0a\ Irom 0. Ser Fent rate oI inÁation in Nigeria in 2020 ZhiFh FoXld million Nigerians EeloZ the Sovert\ line in 2020 Xnder signiÀFant inÁationar\ SressXres Ior oEvi- reForded in the SreFeding month. not aEate even E\ 0a\ 202µ. alone.µ oXs reasons. 2n the other hand Fore inÁation ZhiFh e[- 0anaging 'ireFtor&hieI ([eFXtive 'ignit\ The N'8 aFknoZledged notaEle government·s BXt the aSe[ Eank had Eeen aEsolved E\ e[Serts FlXdes the SriFes oI volatile agriFXltXral SrodXFe )inanFe and Investmemt /imited 'r. &hiMioke SoliF\ reIorms aimed at mitigating the imSaFt oI Zho Eelieved that the Eank had done enoXgh to rose to . Ser Fent Irom 2.2 Ser Fent in the (keFhXkZX oͿered TXiFk À[es that FoXld stimXlate the Frisis and sXSSorting reFover\ SartiFXlarl\ FXrtail the rise in the headline inde[ Sointing oXt revieZ Seriod. the eFonom\ again. steSs taken toZards redXFing Setrol sXEsidies that the IaFtors that FXrrentl\ IXel inÁation ZhiFh 2n month-on-month Easis the Fore sXE-inde[ +e said the FoXntr\·s inadeTXate revenXe and adMXsting eleFtriFit\ tariͿs toZards more stood at . Ser Fent in 0a\ Zere Ee\ond the inFreased E\ .2 Ser Fent the NB6 noted. Ease FoXSled Zith hXge droS in Ioreign direFt Fost-reÁeFtive levels Eoth aimed at e[Sanding Fontrol oI the &BN. The highest inFreases Zere reForded in SriFes investments )'I FonstitXte maMor setEaFks Ior the ÀsFal sSaFe Ior Sro-Soor sSending. II an\thing inÁation ZhiFh had strengthened oI SharmaFeXtiFal SrodXFts garments shoes the eFonom\ adding that inFreased revenXe Ease It hoZever advised Eoth the Iederal and state Ior  FonseFXtive months EeIore sloZing in $Sril and other IootZear hairdressing salons and Zill Ering doZn the e[Fhange rate. governments to FXt non-essential sSending and and 0a\ - had largel\ Eeen IXeled E\ rising Iood Sersonal grooming estaElishments. +e said inFreased in )'I as Zell as the aEilit\ re-direFted resoXrFes toZards the &29I'- SriFes FaXsed E\ inseFXrit\ as Iarmers are XnaEle 2thers are IXrnitXre and IXrnishing FarSet oI the government to taFkle inseFXrit\ Zill Ee a resSonse. to engage in Iarming aFtivities dXe to the aFtivities and other Áoor Fovering motor Fars hosSital game Fhanger Ior the eFonom\. $lso the World Bank admitted that SXEliF-seFtor oI armed Eandits and terrorists aFross the FoXntr\ serviFes IXels and lXEriFants Ior Sersonal trans- +e added that e[Fhange rate also FonstitXted a transSarenF\ had imSroved esSeFiall\ aroXnd as Zell as the FontinXing Iarmers-herders Flashes. Sort eTXiSment Fleaning reSair and hire oI maMor FaXse oI the high inÁation rate e[SerienFed the oSerations oI the oil and gas seFtor. +oZever in its reFommendations to the Iederal Flothing other serviFes in resSeFt oI Sersonal in the FoXntr\ as Zell as the hXge FXrrent trade The reSort hoZever noted that desSite the more government the World Bank SroSosed near-term transSort eTXiSment gas hoXsehold te[tile and deÀFit. IavoraEle e[ternal environment Zith reFovering oil SoliF\ oStion organised aroXnd three Sriorit\ non-dXraEle hoXsehold goods. (keFhXkZX said ´ InÁation Zill FontinXe to SriFes and groZth in advanFed eFonomies a IailXre oEMeFtives. &ommenting on the develoSment anal\sts redXFe TXalit\ oI liIe and standard oI living as to sXstain and deeSen reIorms ZoXld threaten These are to redXFe inÁation E\ imSlementing in seSarate intervieZs Zith T+I6'$< hoZever disSosaEle inFome oI Nigerians FontinXes to deSlete. Eoth maFroeFonomiF sXstainaEilit\ and SoliF\ SoliFies that sXSSort maFroeFonomiF staEilit\ SroͿered the Za\ IorZard Ior the eFonom\. ´9alXe oI loFal FXrrenF\ held in Eanks FontinXe to FrediEilit\ thereE\ limiting the government·s aEilit\ inFlXsive groZth and MoE Freation SroteFt Soor $n $ssoFiate 3roIessor oI $griFXltXral (Fonom- lose valXe. $ll these FontinXoXsl\ inFrease Sovert\ to address gaSs in hXman and Sh\siFal FaSital hoXseholds Irom the imSaFts oI inÁation IaFili- iFs at 8niversit\ oI 3ort +arFoXrt $nthon\ 2nega level of Nigerians. ZhiFh is needed to attraFt Srivate investment. tate aFFess to ÀnanFing Ior small and mediXm said the Za\ IorZard Zas to tighten monetar\ ´2ne maMor FaXse of inÁation is inseFXrit\ in the &ommenting on the reSort &haXdhXri said enterSrises in ke\ seFtors to mitigate the eͿeFts SoliFies and genXinel\ sXSSort the 0iFro 6mall and FoXntr\ XnfortXnatel\ it is onl\ Zithin the Fontrol ´Nigeria IaFes interlinked Fhallenges in relation to oI inÁation and aFFelerate the reFover\. 0ediXm 6Fale (nterSrises 060(s E\ Sroviding the federal government and therefore neither the inÁation limited MoE oSSortXnities and inseFXrit\. The World Bank /ead (Fonomist Ior Nigeria them Zith an enaEling environment. monetar\ nor ÀsFal SoliF\ Fan Fontrol inseFXrit\.µ µWhile the government has made eͿorts to and Fo-aXthor oI the reSort 0arFo +ernande] +e said the IoFXs shoXld also Ee on advanFing 2n his Sart 0anaging 'ireFtor&hief ([eFX- redXFe the eͿeFt oI these E\ advanFing long-dela\ed noted that ´*iven the XrgenF\ to redXFe inÁation Fredit Ior inIrastrXFtXre develoSment attraFtion tive &redent Investment 0anagers /imited 0r. SoliF\ reIorms it is Flear that these reIorms Zill amidst the SandemiF a SoliF\ FonsensXs and oI )oreign 'ireFt Investment )'I  restrXFtXring IErahim 6helleng said the onl\ solXtion to FXrrent have to Ee sXstained and deeSened Ior Nigeria e[Sedite reIorm imSlementation on e[Fhange- oI the health and edXFational seFtoras Zell as eFonomiF Fhallenges Zas for the FoXntr\ to resort to reali]e its develoSment Sotential.µ rate management monetar\ SoliF\ trade SoliF\ investment in &29I'- vaFFines and restriFtive to loFal SrodXFtion and e[Sort. TrXe to the oEservation oI the Eank Nigerians ÀsFal SoliF\ and soFial SroteFtion ZoXld helS save monetar\ SoliFies. See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com are Sresentl\ groaning Xnder the EXrden oI high lives SroteFt livelihoods and ensXre a Iaster and 2noMa also advised the Iederal government to 24 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JUNE 20, 2021 ENERGY Should Rising Oil Prices be a Problem for Nigeria? Recently, the GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, asked Nigeria not to rejoice at the rising prices of crude oil. As a person when the price of your product is rising and the buyers are present, willing and able, should you rejoice or cry? Among Kyari’s major worry is settling fuel subsidy receipts. IMF, in its characteristic manner has expressed its disdain for government’s continued fuel subsidy payment. Chris Paul reports

hen crude oil price (Q4 2020) and growth reached 0.5 per cent (year- rallied around $75 on-year) in Q1 2021, supported by agriculture per barrel on Friday, and services sectors. Nigeria were about Of great concern, however, to the Team, was singing the alleluia the declining employment level in the country chorus, when the which continues to deepen dramatically together Group Managing with other socio-economic indicators, remained Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum below pre-pandemic levels. CorporationW (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, “InÁation slightly decelerated in May but warned that rather than being a positive de- remained elevated at 17.93 per cent, owing to high velopment, the rising prices of crude oil in the food price inÁation. With the recovery in oil prices international market could cause major challenges and remittance Áows, the strong pressures on for resource-dependent nations like Nigeria. the balance of payments have somewhat abated, Speaking at the virtual Citizens Energy Con- although imports are rebounding faster than gress, tagged: “Securing a Sustainable Future exports and foreign investor appetite remains Energy System through Strategy, Collaboration subdued resulting in continued forex shortage. and Innovation,” on Thursday, 17, Kyari described “The incipient recovery in economic activity the rising price of crude oil as a “chicken and is projected to take root and broaden among egg” situation; adding that oil prices had started sectors, with GDP growth expected to reach leaving the comfort zone set by the NNPC, and 2.5 per cent in 2021,” it added. becoming a burden. It anticipated that inÁation in Nigeria would For Nigeria to have su΀cient comfort, Kyari remain elevated in 2021, but likely to decelerate puts the tolerable globally price at $58-$60, stress- in the second half of the year to reach about ing that anything above $70-$80 will create major 15.5 per cent, following the removal of border distortions in the projections of the corporation controls and the elimination of base eͿects from and add more problems for the NNPC. elevated food price levels. According to him Brent crude, Nigeria’s oil Downside risks to the near-term arise from benchmark, is currently selling beyond $74 further deterioration of security conditions, and and may increase further in the coming days the still uncertain course of the pandemic both as the NNPC continues to battle the dilemma of globally and in Nigeria, it added. shouldering the payment of petrol subsidy, which In the face of Nigeria’s prevailing condition has drained its purse to the point it was unable and the current contexts running the nation’s to contribute to the Federal Account Allocation aͿairs today, Kyari’s rising Oil prices alarm and Committee (FAAC) on two occasions. IMF’s fuel-subsidy fears may be misplaced. Expressing concern over price rise for the com- Concerning the rising Oil prices and the fear modity, Kyari feared buyers of Nigeria’s crude of losing Nigeria’s customers, all the NNPC may be compelled to accelerate their investment needs to do is to look inward. in renewable sources of energy, thereby leaving Even if the world decides to move into re- the industry in a quagmire. newables next month, for instance, the Nigerian “In a resource-dependent nation like Nigeria Slyva and African market with over $1 trillion GDP, when it gets too high, it creates a big problem be- is still a substantially large Àeld for the nation’s cause your consumers shut down their demand. Oil to play. Many oil companies are transiting to renewables oil and potentially pushing it by 20 to 30 years.” Besides, the growing renewable energy Com- Demand will go down and obviously even as in the future. And that means that emphasis The NNPC GMD made these concerns about the prices go up, you will have less volume to sell. munity came into being, largely to escape rising will be on gas and I see a very turbulent next the same time the International Monetary Fund Oil prices and of course exit the carbon pollutions “So, it’s a chicken and egg story and that’s why Àve years and potentially some stability in the (IMF) was worrying over the re-emergence of in the industry when people make estimates for that come with the usage of resource. So, at some next 10 years,” he said. fuel subsidy in Nigeria in the face of the country’s point, Nigeria is bound to lose Buyers who will the future, they always make it about $50 to $60. As the hitherto fossil fuels-driven world is low revenue mobilisation. Nobody puts it beyond $60,” he said. run to renewables to power their businesses etc. transiting to renewables is an ongoing reality, Although, IMF said the views expressed in The commonsensical thing for NNPC to The burden, however, for Nigeria, according Kyari’s concern is Àred by Nigeria’s infrastruc- the statement were those of the IMF staͿ and to the NNPC GMD, is that providing cheap do, therefore, is to use the proceeds to aggres- ture-deÀciency which requires resources from did not represent those of the IMF’s Executive sively pursue and power the federal govern- fuel also increases; which Kyari a΀rmed, “Is a oil to exit poverty. Board, the anti-fuel subsidy statement credited challenge for us but on a net basis, you know, ment non-Oil Export drive, while exerting an An eͿective transition for Nigeria entails going to its staͿ has been IMF’s sing-song since the equally eͿective energy on the campaign for the high prices, as long as it doesn’t exceed $70 for a low-carbon option and moving towards subsidy situation became Nigeria’s portion. to $80, it’s okay for us.” the development of renewables. more gas development than the liquids. Led by IMF’s Mission Chief for Nigeria, Ms. Meanwhile, the potentials for the domestic But he assured that Nigeria will have no He added that in the long run, the country Jesmin Rahman, in the virtual meetings with the problems supporting the restoration of about market of Crude Oil cannot be ignored. would need to wean herself oͿ oil dependence. Nigerian authorities, held from June 1st to June For an economy that is literally driven by 5.8 million barrels a day that the Organisation “Renewables are real and we are making 8th, 2021, the IMF team came to discuss recent of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) still fossil fuel, the NNPC will not lose much, in a eͿorts to go in that direction, but obviously, economic, Ànancial developments and outlook. worst case scenario, should Buyers be scared has o΁ine since the pandemic, consequent upon our Àrst step is to develop our gas resources. At the end of the visit, Rahman, in the state- curbs in production quota imposed by the oil away by rising Oil prices. “In this industry, you can’t do anything except ment, said the Nigerian economy had started Rising number of domestic ReÀneries creates cartel. you have the Ànancing and Ànancing is now to gradually recover from the negative eͿects For him, adding that number to demand is a ready in-country market for the nation’s Oil. clearly constrained both in terms of available of the COVID-19 global pandemic; saying, Following on that the output of petrochemical the Àx that will stabilise and probably bring oil resources and the decision of some of the share- “The mission expressed its concern with the prices down to about $60 level or a little below products by the Local ReÀners will generate holders of some of the lending institutions,” resurgence of fuel subsidies. It reiterated the another ready revenue source for the economy. $60; and that Kyari asserted is the comfort zone he said. importance of introducing market-based fuel every producing company or country desires The corporation’s recent purchase of 29% stake Kyari is disturbed by the disquieting silence pricing mechanism and the need to deploy in Dangote ReÀnery, as a sign of its new strategy to be in. on gas, as an alternative energy resource and the well-targeted social support to cushion any The NNPC GMD does not envisage any dif- to ensure fuel availability and aͿordability in the immense possibilities therein; saying, impact on the poor. country, demonstrated Kyari’s understanding Àculty, with Nigeria, agreeing to add additional “Everybody is saying that in the next 10 years, “The mission recommended stepping up ef- volume to cushion the eͿect of these high prices of the nation’s downstream debacle. we will get to peak oil. But nobody has said forts to strengthen tax administration to mobilise With a Dangote, for example, the national for this period. peak gas. And it’s very di΀cult to distinguish additional revenues and help address priority Although, in early 2020, the country actually oil company will be using one stone to kill the the two because as you get peak oil, in many spending pressures.” many birds of doom that have been eating the produced up to 2.4 million barrels of oil per day cases, you know, oil is produced alongside gas. It stated that tax revenue collections in Nigeria for both oil and condensates. Kyari revealed heart of Nigeria’s economy. “Yes, it’s possible, it can be in 10 years’ time were gradually recovering but with fuel subsidies Once the Dangote and other private ReÀneries that Nigeria is already producing well below but you also know that what we are doing today resurfacing, additional spending for COVID-19 its capacity, today. come on stream, fuel scarcity and importation in the industry is also curtailing investment and vaccines, added to address security challenges, will be a thing of the past. If the rising Oil price is not properly managed, meeting the transition target in 2050. the Àscal deÀcit of the consolidated government the NNPC chief believes, the next Àve years, the Central Bank of Nigerian Governor, Godwin “What that means is that in Àve years’ time, was expected to remain elevated at 5.5 per cent EmeÀele, will cease to sweat in his air-conditioned world may experience an energy crisis; due to you could be in a situation of shock and this of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). declining investments in the oil sector. o΀ce with worry over the scarce forex fuel shock will mean that people will have to put It added that following sharp output contrac- importation gulps almost on a daily basis. “But we know that a number of things are more money into producing the liquids and tions in the second and third quarters, GDP going on in the transition journey at renewables. that means that it will defer the date for liquid growth turned positive in the fourth quarter See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JUNE 20, 2021 25 DEVELOPMENT BoI-Purple Partnership, Game-Changer in Hospitality, Entertainment Despite the gloom that seems to becloud the country, the hospitality and entertainment needs of Nigerians remain and cannot be ignored. As it is well known, this all-important desire by citizens is being driven to fruition by the private sector, and leading this charge is Purple Group, which is set to realise the vision of its world-class mixed-use integrated entertainment centre, through the strategic support of The Bank of Industry (BoI) and Keystone Bank collaboration. Chris Paul reports

n May 2021, an agreement was signed between the Purple Group and its new partners in the public and private sectors, Bank of Industry and Keystone Bank, for the completion of PurpleLekki in the upscale Lekki area of Lagos state. Estimated to be delivered in the sec- ond quarter of 2022, Purple Lekki will be furnished withI state of the art exterior & interior pieces driven by cutting-edge technology. This will provide an infrastructural platform for entertainment, hospitality and retail. For instance, the Cinema embedded in the project, will bring a refreshing Áavour to family and community entertainment patronage and management in Nigeria. By the time the Purple Lekki goes up and becomes functional, it will quickly be the Mecca of Nollywood managers, producers, players and patrons as the site to shoot blockbuster movies and a place to watch them upon release to the cinemas. Beyond the entertainment value is the socio Pitan MD, Keystone-Bank, Olaniran Olayinka Agboola economic impact the development brings to the table. With over 2,500 estimated direct and indirect dignity of a space to be and feel free. Among the many attractions for the BoI’s interest been created, which will oͿer maximum customer jobs on site, the massive construction is already Revealing its inner life, Purple projects the in the Purple’s developments, the entertainment satisfaction and an unbeatable long-term return creating a pseudo community economy for the image of human activity and inhabitation to and hospitality components in the mixed-use on investment. part of Lekki hosting its presence. This fact must the surrounding neighborhoods. medium makes the Purple idea a game-changer “Purple Living, investors have the opportunity have jolted BOI/Keystone syndicated interest to The PurpleLekki stands out as a project, for the government funding institution. to make fortunes from their property investment. bankroll the project. combining class-A o΀ces with an industrial As a major backer of the Purple concept, Key- Essentially, discerning investors could generate Typifying the vision of a 21st century cutting- and modern design; retail and culture with an stone bank has established itself as a Ànancial huge returns from their investment in property as edge mixed-use property concept, PurpleLekki, array of restaurants, and boutiques; a cinema; institution with a keen eye for ideas and projects well as to create a portfolio of property investment an integrated entertainment, hospitality and retail and family entertainment for all ages. that push the envelope in advancing nation- build- with a view to building wealth,” Agboola stated. hub, presents all the enchanting features of the The adventurous synthesis of conventional and ing and community development, according to “Our initiative will eradicate all the challenges current vogue in global high-end architectural high-tech architecture creates a great space for prevailing global trends. of owning a house in diͿerent highbrow locations masterpieces. business and art; while the modern and friendly The Purple concept had obviously captured around Lagos and spread real estate opportunities ReÁecting the growing trend for urbanists and spaces are perfect for work and everyday activities. Keystone’s imagination of a Disney-styled mixed- to property lovers in a very subtle and convenient developers to incorporate a range of uses on city Purple Lekki could be considered as a ‘city use development to earn the bank’s inspired way,” he added. center sites, the mixed-use medium makes for within a city. These qualities must have convinced passion to be a major partner in the business. Purple, he pointed out, was focused on provid- more e΀cient use of scarce land, providing a more the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Keystone bank to With a resolute service promise to support, ing top facility management and services while varied and sustainable experience for occupiers back the Purple Group with signiÀcant investment. guide and grow businesses, Keystone has been developing more properties that Àt into future and visitors. The BoI-Purple marriage is one that deÀnes the providing the necessary Ànancial solutions for smart cities. Breathing new life into a previously under- true colour of public private partnership (PPP) as growth, while keeping in focus the business’ According to him, developments are to follow served neighbourhood, the Purple vision creates a veritable means of achieving an inclusive and need for proÀtability and e΀cient liquidity an urban village model, mixed-use assets where a completely connected community of co-living integrated development of a nation’s economy; management. residences are in close proximity to essential and and co-working professionals, leisure seekers and in this case, entertainment and hospitality. Its sector focus includes: general commerce entertainment facilities. short, long-stay guests. Led by its Managing Director, Olukayode Pitan, (trading), industrial and agro-allied chemicals, Agboola said Purple will help transform the Envisioned as a vibrant live-work-play hub BoI has been collaborating with various Industry telecommunications, manufacturing, downstream landscapes of urban communities and place that fosters emotional connections with its users subsector groups such as the All Africa Music oil and gas trading, hospitality and building and Nigeria at the forefront of development in Africa. through lively social and cultural activities, inviting Awards (AFRIMA) to improve structures in the construction, among others. Purple Living consists of three major projects. public places and energetic community vibes, nation’s creative and entertainment industries, Its support for the Purple development reso- Currently under development and set in the Purple mixed-use development comprises with a view to increasing the economic beneÀts nates with the bank’s service promise to support, Lekki Phase 1, PurpleLekki consist of the Nano a retail and department centre which serves as a that harnessing what these industries would bring guide and grow this new concept in mixed-use hotel-apartments situated right in the heart of the platform to inspire retail innovation; other blocks to Nigeria. development in the country. current mixed-use “Urban Village.” that meet the needs of a variety of businesses and The bank believes this would aid both the The entire concept of these space age mixed- This is the Àrst of the three projects. co-working spaces. industry and the country in general to take full use developments is deÀned in Purple Living, Attired in premium and modern-styled At the core of the Purple idea is community, advantage of the abundant talents resident in the which was launched by the Group’s CEO, Laide residences, the macro apartments are situated connectivity, comfort and convenience. country. The value the creative industry brings Agboola, as part of its contribution to property on the mainland and consist of one, two and three Catering to the new breed of consumers to the nation’s economy in terms of saving the development in Nigeria. bedroom apartments. whose desire for a collaborative environment nation’s huge foreign exchange spent on acquiring Also created to engender wealth creation, some Strictly residential and gated developments also and authentic experiences reÁect their passions structures and facilities including studios, is one of of Purple Living concepts are designed to help within the Lagos metropolis, the urban residences and tastes, the Purple mixed-use concept provides the major attraction for the bank. Notwithstand- address the estimated 18 million housing deÀcit will be a mix of fully detached duplexes, semi- exceptional visibility in the very heart of the part ing the little attention given to the entertainment in the country and create wealth. As part of the detached duplexes, pent apartments and 2, 3 and of urban Lagos it Ànds itself. sector, as it still contributed about 1.42 per cent plans, Purple promises to provide Nigerians 4 bedroom apartments. Resolutely contemporary and eco-friendly, this to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). with an opportunity to own premium, gated, Formerly known as Purple Capital and founded new, but evolving format forms an integral part In BoI’s paradigm shift, the bank has paid and aͿordable residences in the heart of Maryland in 2010, Purple Group is an investment Àrm creat- of an institutional and cultural compound that considerable attention to the creative industry and Lekki with Áexible payment plans. ing lifestyle experiences through investments in will be home to the core of the Lagos metropolitan because it is aware of its potential and contributions Homes are an essential good and the ongoing superior mixed-use facilities, real estate, Ànance taste for lifestyle and entertainment; with a view to the Nigerian economy COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated a reality where and entertainment across Nigeria, with the vision to facilitating cultural synergies and business Regarding the structures needed to support the more white-collar workers and entrepreneurs to shape the future by redeÀning the real estate alliances. industry, the nation’s premier development Ànance are spending more time at home. industry globally. By the time, the Purple mixed-use development institution is also driving the process to bring in This has brought about the need to invest in Without a doubt, the Purple housing idea completes its construction course, it will transform foreign and private investors to consider invest- new homes or secure their savings in real estate may deÀne and transform the Nigerian housing skylines and their striking silhouettes will stand ing in the creative and entertainment industries, investments over other Ànancial instruments. landscape from its formlessness to a heavenly as an emblem of Lagos city’s rising status as a stating that it would help create job opportunities Purple Living is working to create home owner- manifestation of the global best in mixed-use global metropolis. as well as support other value chains in the sector. ship and facilitate real estate investment while multi-purpose shelter. With a potential to invigorate its urban context, Although the bank acknowledges the abun- preserving the ultra-modern standard of living. Like a master artist, ensconced in the hue, the the ongoing PurpleLekki, for example, embod- dance of talents in Nigeria, the managers of the With the rising cost of rents in a cosmopolitan concept is already painting Lagos on the mixed-use ies a radical manifestation of the potential of the bank recognize that structure is what is lacking. city like Lagos, structured payments have also canvas in colour Purple. 26 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JUNE 20, 2021 ENERGY

Mele Kyari Simi Wabote Ernest Nwapa Local Content Act, 11 Years After April 2021 marked the 11th year since the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, otherwise known as the local content law was enacted. Emmanuel Addeh looks at the journey so far, distilling reviews by industry players on how beneÀcial the implementation of the law has been, attempts to extend it to other sectors as well as ways to further strengthen in-country oil and gas activities

onsidering the content of the ers, Haliburtons and Baker Hughes of this world. as much as $380 capital in Áight, with a paltry tions that would deepen indigenous capabilities correspondence that made In 2003, the Coastal and Inland Shipping 5 per cent Nigerian participation and loss of at in human capital development. the rounds across govern- (Cabotage) Act, was signed into law, which was least 2 million jobs. The board is further saddled with the respon- ment agencies, last week, it essentially an Act to restrict the use of foreign This manifestly led to less revenue accruing sibility of maintaining and operating the Joint was glaring that the nation vessels in domestic coastal trade to promote to the government; job losses; lack of skills/ QualiÀcation System (NOGICJQS) in conjunction was in trouble. the development of indigenous tonnage and technological know-how transfer; high cost of with industry stakeholders to monitor Nigerian It was one of the most to establish a cabotage vessel Ànancing fund products; long project cycle and over-dependency content compliance by operators and service dreaded days in the o΀ces and other related matters. on foreign countries, which also translated to providers as well as award certiÀcates of authori- of the managers of the nation’s economy; the But despite these eͿorts , the country was national security challenges. sation for projects that comply with Nigerian letterC contained the information stating that the literally still bleeding as foreigners still remained It is said that this conscious eͿort in the last 11 content provisions. NNPC would not be contributing to the FAAC in charge of critical segments of the oil and gas years has saved the country from unwarranted In addition, it has delved into conducting stud- for the months of April and May. industry until the enactment of the Nigerian embarrassment on several occasions when there ies, researching, investigating industry-related This is due to the shortfall of N111, 966,456,903.74, Oil and Gas Industry Content Development were emergencies. matters as well as conducting workshops and the national oil company recorded in February (NOGICD) Act, popularly called the local content For instance, there was no noticeable disrup- training aimed at advancing local content in the 2021. law in 2010. tions in the operations of the oil and gas industry country. This present predicament arose from the fact that Passed in April of that year, Part 1 of the law cat- during the coronavirus-induced lockdown last NNPC, the country’s apex fuel importer-supplier, egorically states that: “Notwithstanding anything year, which could have raised national security Eleven Years of Impact was recording a shortage of N56 for every liter to the contrary contained in the Petroleum Act issues, even with a large percentage of expatriates Although the NCDMB, which is the imple- of PMS being imported into Nigeria currently. or in any other enactment or law, the provisions having left Nigeria for their home countries. menting body of the local content act, took oͿ According to the memo, as the federal govern- of this Act shall apply to all matters pertaining on a slow note, with the usual teething issues ment and labour were still negotiating the pump to Nigerian content in respect of all operations The Birth of NCDMB in the early years, it appears to have since fully price of fuel, the shortfall came from the landing or transactions carried out in or connected with On April 22, 2010, then President Goodluck throttled, especially under the current manage- cost of fuel that skyrocketed by “ the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Jonathan signed the bill into law, giving birth to the ment led by Wabote, described as very focused It adds that: “All regulatory authorities, opera- Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring and a competent hand. In the Beginning tors, contractors, subcontractors, alliance partners Board (NCDMB), with Dr. Ernest Nwapa, a former From 5 per cent when the implementation In 1990, the then Minister of Petroleum Re- and other entities involved in any project, opera- employee of the Nigerian Content Division of of the NOGICD Act commenced, in 2017, the sources, Prof. , for the Àrst time in tion, activity or transaction in the Nigerian oil the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation number hit 28 per cent in 2017, and as at 2020 the country’s history, facilitated the award of oil and gas industry shall consider Nigerian content (NNPC) as its pioneer executive secretary. was put at 31 per cent. blocks to 11 Nigerian entrepreneurs, although as an important element of their overall project The signing of the Nigerian content act by Taking advantage of the local content act, on a discretionary basis. development and management philosophy for Jonathan eͿectively marked the beginning of in the upstream sub-sector, many Nigerian oil Convinced that Nigerians had garnered the project execution. the turnaround in the activities of indigenous and gas players have now bought over stakes in requisite experience and skills, having worked Furthermore, the NOGICD Act states that contractors in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. multinational oil companies, further deepening for several decades under oil multinationals, Nigerian independent operators shall be given Nwapa led the board from April 2010 to May the local content ecosystem. Aminu thought it was time to give the Nigerian Àrst consideration in the award of oil blocks, oil l, 2015 and was succeeded by Denzel Kentebe, For instance, a few years back, Shell Petroleum businessman the opportunity to try out what Àeld licences, oil-lifting licences and in all projects till September 2016, when the current Executive Development Company (SPDC) sold its inter- they had learnt over the years. for which contract is to be awarded in the Nigerian Secretary, Mr. Simbi Wabote, who’s now serving ests in four oil blocks to indigenous companies That decision of giving Nigerians the chance oil and gas industry subject to the fulÀlment of his second term, was appointed. including SEPLAT, Neconde Consortium led by to participate in the discretionary bid round gave such conditions as may be speciÀed. NCDMB was essentially created to map out a Nestoil Plc, Shoreline Natural Resources, and 45 birth to some indigenous companies, including “There shall be exclusive consideration to content plan, supervising, coordinating, monitor- per cent interest in OML 40 to Eland Oil & Gas Queens Petroleum, which operated OPL 135, Nigerian indigenous service companies which ing, and generally implementing the local content Ltd and Starcrest Nigeria Energy Ltd. Cavendish Petroleum (OPL 453); Summit Oil demonstrate ownership of equipment, Nigerian act which applies to all regulatory authorities, Today, AITEO, Oando, Seplat, Eroton, First International (OPLs 205 & 206); Atlas Petroleum personnel and capacity to execute such work...,” operators, contractors and sub-contractors in the E&P and a host of other indigenous companies (OPL 75), among others. it states. nation’s oil and gas industry. are major players in the oil and gas business in The relative success of the 1990 exercise In speciÀc terms, the NCDMB was set up to the country, with the full backing of the local prompted the President Implications promote the development and utilisation of in- content act implemented by the NCDMB. In administration to in 1999 award more marginal In essence, it is estimated that before attention country capacities for the industrialisation of the January this year, Heirs Holding, owned by Tony Àelds to industry players of Nigerian origin. shifted to the need to encourage in-country par- country through the eͿective implementation Elumelu, bought 45 per cent of OML 17 from With Nigerians now eͿectively taking part ticipation, the glaring lack of technical know-how of the Nigerian Content Act. Shell, Eni and Total. in the oil and gas sector, it was only a matter led to importation of expats who dominated the It reviews, assesses and approves Nigerian con- Similarly, indigenous companies are now taking of time before a deliberate policy to consolidate oil and gas landscape. tent plans developed by operators; set guidelines control of lucrative pipeline construction projects, the little gains that had been achieved would be And as expected, these foreigners are usually and minimum content levels for project-related stirring more competition in the industry. introduced, especially in the oil services sector remunerated in hard currency and it has been activities across the oil and gas value chain and Last year, the NCDMB commissioned a 17-sto- which was largely dominated by the Schlumberg- estimated that this could have led to the loss of engages in targeted capacity-building interven- rey building in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, arguably the THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JUNE 20, 2021 27 ENERGY

Local Content Act, 11 Years After

tallest building in that region and mostly executed by indigenous contractors and local skills. In fabrication, the number of fabrication yards across the country, have increased, line pipes are now almost wholly produced in-country, pipe coating plants are springing up, which ultimately leads to capital retention, job creation and skill enhancement for Nigerians. In all, before the NOGICD Act, there were only 44 registered indigenous service companies in the country, but has now risen to over 93, rigs and marine vessels owned by Nigerians were less than 5 per cent owned by Nigerians. This has risen to 40 per cent. By 2027, the NCDMB intends to increase local content to 70 per cent, which will see the retention of as much as $14 billion within the country, annually. In 2017, the NCDMB launched the $200 million NCI Fund, which is funded from the Nigerian Content Development Fund established by the local content act, helping to fund asset acquisition and assisting in loan re-Ànancing. With NCDMB’s intervention, the Àrst onshore Leemon Ikpea Tony Elumelu Bank-Anthony Okoroafor Floating Production Storage O΁oading vessel (“FPSO”) integration facility in Africa, SHI MCI business environment, organisation capability ity building. People will receive training at our “SpeciÀcally, if we consider the pressure ves- yard, was completed in 2016 at the Lagos Deep and sectorial as well as regional market linkage. plant if this factory is not there, all that will not sel and process facilities market, all these were OͿshore Logistics Base (LADOL), Lagos, Nigeria. It has four enablers, namely funding, regulatory happen. The local content body is real help from conspicuously done outside of Nigeria, but the In 2018, a portion of the topside fabrication environment, collaboration and stakeholders’ the federal government to Nigerians,” he noted. advent of the local content act gave investors like and integration of the largest FPSO in the world, engagement and research and development. With close to 45 years in the industry, Ikpea us the impetus to commit funds for the growth of producing two hundred thousand (200,000) bar- The board has moved the Nigerian Oil and noted that giving the local content policy legal capacity and capability through value creation, rels per day, the EGINA FPSO, was successfully Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS) from mere plans backing was perhaps the biggest development because we are optimistic of opportunities for completed in Nigeria at the facility. on paper to actual construction in two pilot loca- he had witnessed in the industry. Nigerian companies. There’s also the Nigeria LNG Train 7 Project tions – Odukpani in Cross River and Emeyal 1 He stated that to strengthen the agency, it “Just recently, MG Vowgas assembled the where some of the local content opportunities in Ogbia Local Government of . should be allowed to drive itself, without political Àrst ballistic airboat in Nigeria. Without the available to the Nigerian shipping and oil services “Each of the parks will create employment for interference and ensuring stability of leadership. local content act, stakeholders won’t have the sectors include procurement, logistics, equipment 2,000 persons when they are fully operational Ikpea noted that Nigerians are now becom- conÀdence in what a local company can do,” leasing, catering, insurance, hotels, o΀ce supplies and will spur manufacturing of critical oil and ing players in the marginal oil Àelds business, he stated. and haulage. gas equipment, tools and spare parts close to oil explaining that by the time production starts in He commended the NCDMB for the Nigerian It has mediated in long-standing disputes Àelds,” said the executive secretary. some of the facilities being developed, locally Content Development Fund (NCDF), stressing between companies, launched an initiative tagged The 5,000barrels per day modular reÀnery, made equipment will be used in the oilÀelds. that because most projects are high budget, for “Project100” which aims to provide institutional a collaborative eͿort between the NCDMB Immediate past Chairman of Petroleum example, ship building yards, dry docking fa- and Ànancial support to 100 indigenous oil and and Waltersmith ReÀning & Petrochemical Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), cilities, assembling plants, and industrial parks gas service companies oͿering seismic, marine, Company Limited in Ibigwe, Imo State is now Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria wouldn’t be possible. engineering and drilling services. up and running, while the 12,000barrels per day (PETAN) an association of Nigerian indigenous “The volume of funds needed will limit in- But despite the many achievements, the Hydroskimming Modular reÀnery by Azikel technical oilÀeld service companies in the vestors from setting up the facilities to support Wabote-led board vows not to rest on its oars. Petroleum Limited at Obunagha, Gbarain, Bayelsa upstream and downstream sectors, Mr. Bank- the operations in the oil and gas industry,” he “We have grown Nigerian content remarkably State, is on course for completion this year. Anthony Okoroafor, speaking on the 10th an- maintained. with many landmark achievements. As a board About 300,000 litres of diesel daily in addition niversary of the NCDMB, said that today, there’s and, indeed, a country, we are not yet where we to various volumes of naphtha, kerosene, and no segment of the value chain where Nigerians Amending the Local Content Act want to be. fuel oil are expected from Waltersmith while are not involved. Because of the success of the local content act, “But we are clear where we want to be by Azikel will produce about 1.5million litres or 50 In the process, Okoroafor said, many Nigerians there’s already a bill before the national assembly 2027 based on our 10 year strategic road map. trucks of petrol daily, including 170,000 litres of have been employed, while a lot of skills have been seeking to amend it to incorporate other sectors Our target is to ramp up to 70 percent, from less diesel, and other products. honed, not to mention the indirect beneÀciaries of the economy. than 5 percent Nigerian content level, back in of the various projects throughout the country. Known as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry 2010,” says Wabote. Stakeholders Speak Managing Director of Shell, Nigeria, a major Content Development Act (Amendment) Bill To him, the target is not just to achieve quan- Stakeholders and beneÀciaries of the local contributor to the local content fund, Mr. Osagie 2020, it seeks to amend certain sections, while tum growth, but also to embed the practice in content act have also continued to speak on Okunbor, speaking on his assessment of the introducing six new sections. the Nigerian oil and gas industry and linkage the milestones the board has achieved and the implementation of the local content law so far, In essence, the new bill when passed into law sectors, which according to him, demands total ground-breaking impact the local content act described it as excellent. is expected to bring the provisions of the sections shift in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon development and has had in the country. “A lot of credit goes to the NCDMB and its to be amended into congruence with industry management strategy. Describing it as a “ fantastic policy”, Chief leadership, the executive secretary, members of best practices. “It requires a high sense of urgency. The mes- Executive O΀cer of Lee Engineering and Con- the board, the minister, who is the chair of the While the 2010 law sought to among others, sage is: produce, process, reÀne, manufacture, struction Company Limited, Chief Leemon Ikpea, board and the players in the industry. address the then abysmally low level of Nigerian add value, retain value, pay taxes and create lauded the federal government for conceptualising “I think all round, we have all embraced content in the oil and gas sector; create a regulatory jobs in country. and actualising that policy. this act and for many of us, certainly for Shell, mechanism to monitor and enforce compliance by “To depend on foreign inputs and supplies for He noted that even though in the early 1990s, we did not see it as a compliance issue but as a industry players and to domesticate substantial our oil and gas operation leaves our economy Nigerians who were subcontractors to the multi- way of doing business. So, to that extent, the part of oil and gas exploration and production vulnerable and subject to all kinds of global nationals were actually the ones getting the jobs, collaboration has been good, such that we have activities within Nigeria, the new amendments vicissitude, including tottering globalisation, the foreigners got the fat pay cheques. recorded great strides since the act was enacted. is seeking to further boost local content in the coronavirus pandemic and the threat of energy “With the establishment of the local content There‘s always room for improvement, and we country. transition hanging in the horizon. policy given teeth by law, operating as local are striving towards that. For instance section 11 captured in the new bill, “There’s no better time, therefore, to look more companies in the oil and gas industry is now a “My strong feeling is that we are on the night will see the review of the minimum target level inwards than now, as many countries are already diͿerent ball game. Local companies have been path. Going forward, l am pretty sure we will for Nigerian content set in the schedule where doing. These audacious economic programmes given a platform to excel. Our hands have been do even better than where we are today and the level is considered beyond the capacity of provide us fresh impetus to drive growth and strengthened,” he says. get the percentages to the right kind of levels” Nigerian companies by the board. embed Nigerian content in our energy landscape; He stressed that the crop of Nigerians working “You will recognise that in the last 10 years, we Similarly, section 33 of the act would streamline not just to boost the capacity and e΀ciency of at the agency have the core interest of Nigeria and have seen a lot more assets leaving the hands of and strengthen the process for obtaining expatriate our local supply chain but also to ensure sustain Nigerians at heart, ensuring that local players in internationals into local players. In that sense, we quota to close the gap for current leakages and ability,” he adds. the industry receive adequate training. are all growing capacity all round. On research manipulation by foreign companies. To achieve more domiciliation and domestica- With the support of the NCDMB, he added that and development, this is a strategic area of focus In the same vein, amendments to Sections 37, tion of oil and gas activities in Nigeria, in view of the fabrication plant being built by the company for NCDMB. 38, and 39 in the bill are to improve the provi- the importance of technology and innovation to had exceeded 85 per cent completion and set for “It is an area where we are fully aligned. You sions relating to research and development and sustainable local content practice, the NCDMB inauguration this year. will see that we sponsored quite a few research to ensure proper implementation, while section has identiÀed research and development as one “We are ready for the gas revolution. Gone will programmes, including research by some Nige- 76 is proposed to give the governing council of of the four key enablers in its strategic road map. be those days when gas cylinders are imported; rian universities, it is an area we have discussed the board the role of superintending over the For instance, it has developed centres of excel- we will manufacture the cylinders here. It is part extensively with NCDMB and why we want to conditions of service of employees of the board. lence in Àve universities across the country and of our plans. The agency has helped Nigerian pay a lot of attention to it,” he said. Section 81 was also introduced to empower launched two new platforms to promote digital companies tremendously. He stated that the company would like to see the senate to screen and approve the nomination tech solutions and innovation in Nigeria. “ The Nigerian government is saving businesses a lot more indigenous manufacturing that can of the executive secretary of the board before Similarly, the expected amendment to the extant billions of naira. The business is done locally and support big projects in the oil and gas industry conÀrmation. NOGICD Act 2010 as well as the bill seeking to by local contractors. What is more, the monies in the country. Other sectors the local content act amendment extend local content to other key sectors of the are domiciled in the country. Just imagine the Managing Director, MG Vowgas, an Engineer- will now extend to include manufacturing, economy, have scaled through public hearing multiplier eͿects. ing, Procurement, Construction (EPC) Àrm in information and communications technology, and are part of the deliberate and intentional steps “Once our factory in Warri, , is Port Harcourt, Mr. Godwin Izomor, stated that construction among others, which would further to embed local content in Nigeria’s economic completed and declared open, it will positively without the local content act and the NCDMB, enhance domestication and domiciliation. landscape. impact the economy. Think of the many suppliers the company wouldn’t have made the strides Indeed, the local content act has been a game- While not resting on its oars, the NCDMB is and vendors that will be involved. It will be a it has made in the last few years. changer for the oil and gas industry and with the focused on achieving its 10-year-roadmap which huge market that will attract diͿerent people “The act gave us the springboard to move up current stable and focused leadership, Nigeria may has Àve pillars namely: technical capability devel- from diͿerent parts of Africa to patronise us. and this has aͿorded us various opportunities just hit the projected 70 per cent local participation opment, compliance and enforcement, enabling “That is not all; we are going to engage in capac- in the oil and gas and manufacturing industries. in the sector in the next six years. 28 ͺ͸˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER 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 17- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Jun-2021, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date. DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Equity Fund 154.28 155.81 -4.12% Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.28% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Nigeria International Debt Fund 306.53 306.53 -22.78% Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.36 111.36 -0.66% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD [email protected] GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.investment-one.com; 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 6.61% AIICO CAPITAL LTD [email protected] Vantage Balanced Fund 2.84 2.90 23.63% 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 4.62% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 149.88 150.33 -3.56% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.21 3.37 -5.55% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.25 1.29 31.88% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 6.36% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] [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 100.00 100.00 3.29% Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.38 1.40 1.39% Anchoria Equity Fund 130.97 132.41 -1.53% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,146.62 1,146.62 3.79% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 -19.47% 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 19.06 19.63 5.09% Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.92 10.95 4.20% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 416.93 429.50 4.14% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.66% ARM Ethical Fund 37.61 38.74 11.56% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.08 1.09 -1.48% Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.90% PACAM Balanced Fund 1.62 1.64 7.35% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED [email protected] PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.45 11.50 -5.61% Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.94% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Equity Fund 1.62 1.63 2.14% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 104.68 104.68 2.92% PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.99 112.66 0.97% 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 1.00 1.00 9.15% SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.90 127.71 6.46% 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 1.96 1.96 -20.07% SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 3.39% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.03 2.07 -20.20% 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 3,167.81 3,193.31 -1.49% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 230.46 230.46 2.49% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.19 1.21 1.69% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 302.38 302.38 2.62% Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 219.64 222.26 0.49% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.62% Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.03% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,341.91 10,471.53 -1.53% Paramount Equity Fund 16.06 16.35 0.40% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 2.55% Women's Investment Fund 133.37 134.82 0.18% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 114.09 114.09 2.71% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 101.57 101.57 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 6.05% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 116.53 117.29 United Capital Balanced Fund 1.36 1.38 -0.31% Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund 1.95 1.95 3.03% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 106.84 106.84 United Capital Equity Fund 0.92 0.94 6.36% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT [email protected] United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.35% Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 United Capital Eurobond Fund 121.10 121.10 3.43% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.11 1.13 2.35% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.58% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.05 1.05 5.36% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.18 1.19 -1.71% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD [email protected] Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.36 1.36 -14.14% 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 12.67 12.78 6.74% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Ethical Fund 14.03 14.15 14.85% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 2.98% Zenith Income Fund 24.11 24.11 0.58% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.97% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.21% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,163.99 1,173.18 -2.74% 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 123.95 2.66% FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,377.48 1,377.48 10.14% Union Homes REIT 51.43 -1.85% FBN Balanced Fund 187.53 188.74 -0.08% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FBN Halal Fund 109.99 109.99 7.49% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.56% Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 12.91 13.01 -2.34%

SIAML Pension ETF 40 125.15 125.15 2.80% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 125.54 125.54 3.48% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 98.32 100.09 -1.09% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 154.46 156.57 2.17% MERGROWTH ETF 17.18 17.28 FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED [email protected] MERVALUE ETF 17.59 17.69 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 3.68% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Debt Fund 3.95 3.95 2.17% Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.73 3.77 -1.29% Legacy Equity Fund 1.56 1.60 2.71% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.64 5.72 -0.88% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.17 1.17 3.24% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD [email protected] Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.17 17.27 4.96% Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.79% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.41 19.61 -5.36% Coral Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.07 149.07 -32.17% 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 20.6.2021

To an extent, you raised the bar of filmmaking with ‘76 and showed that it is possible to collaborate with security agents in telling stories about them. With the current political climate in Nigeria, do you think such collaboration is still possible? ven though my team and I are proud of our work, we made that film in 2012, released it in 2016 and have only just recently signed a deal with Netflix to make it available to the world in August this year. So, if our 2012 Ewisdom got us compliments and interest till now, it means our 2021 wisdom has to take us even further. At least, I hope so. Just like any marriage, where both parties have to respect each other’s boundaries, filmmaking involves collaboration. This means that you have to be ready to subject yourself to limits. As responsible filmmakers, we see that as fair. We have boundaries too. Modern Nigeria is even more suspicious than it was in 2012, but I’m also a politician beyond making movies. So I understand the new terrain now, and I am sure we can navigate it. The security agencies know the value of a good film. What roles can Nollywood play in projecting the future Nigerians want politically? A big role. But unfortunately, I don’t feel that we project it enough, and I’m not sure Nollywood can. The politics is so toxic. However, the influence of Nollywood is not in doubt, even further than our shores. It’s one of the reasons I went into it. The image of Nigeria is important to me, and through films, you can say a lot for your country, for its politics. Even though this administration has TONYE PRINCEWILL appeared to be willing to help the entertainment industry, it is behind when it comes to the optics. From the executive to the legislature to the judiciary, they are all guilty of I’LL BE A SMALL DANGOTE not taking Nollywood seriously enough. If given a chance, the creative industry would be one of the largest, if not the largest, employers of labour in the country. Why it’s not IF I FORGET POLITICS is down to our politicians. While we have been failing in our politics, our Though he is still well-known in the business field, Tonye Princewill is not a stranger to entertainment, banking, and religious industries are doing their bit. All this, Nollywood. In 2016, Princewill made a historic production ‘76 about the botched 1976 with very little government support. coup, and for the first time, it involved the collaboration of the Nigerian army. The film, At least nowhere near the levels required. Just as the core economy directed by Izu Ojukwu, took seven years to make. Five years later, he is working on needs vital infrastructure to grow, the modern entertainment industry also another film that will challenge Nigerians and hopefully help them realise that home needs its own infrastructure: cinemas, is the best. The Kalabari Prince from Rivers sits with Vanessa Obioha and voices his concert halls, theatres, copyright laws, leadership, structure and an industry- concerns on the film industry and its power to change political narratives, friendly regulation. and to a large extent, the country’s image Entertainment is a business, and

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/[email protected] 54 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ COVER How I’m Using Films, Politics and Economy to Change Nigeria it needs to be treated as such. want to see. In this movie, we want to Then and only then will we see give them a reason to think again, just a a serious team of investors step little more. About Nigerians, about the in and take it to the next level victims, about the heroes, the villains where messaging will matter, and and the system. We want to give people projection will take the form you an insight into how we are seen from ask. Now filmmakers barely break afar, by the East and the West and even because there are not enough hope that by doing so, people cinemas to show their films, and will appreciate that despite the so they drift to the comedy genre, challenges, home is still best. which guarantees numbers in the short term but not mobility. Can you walk us through Nigerian humour is for us. And the Princewill Trust maybe Africans, but our spending Fund and why focus on power is limited if that is the scope photography? of your audience. It would be my pleasure. Most Nigerians are faced There’s been a lot of talk about with pleas from family, the creative economy. In your friends, strangers and estimation, what needs to be even enemies to help in done to achieve this? any way possible, and (We need) sincere leaders they get these requests who genuinely want to make a on a daily basis. It major difference and an organised doesn’t matter who industry ready to take advantage you are. The more of the opportunity. Both ends you have, the more are lacking, but a leader with problems you will conviction can fix it. solve. I’m naturally generous, so my A handful of thespians in the instinct is to give. creative industry went through Fortunately, I now the walls of the University of have the Princewill’s Port Harcourt. But the city does Trust to structure not shine as the entertainment my giving and hub in the country. So what is stretch what I have responsible for this, and how to touch many more can it be in the limelight? people. Because I It’s many things. Not just one. am blessed with a Some are obvious, like the point world-class team, it about the government I mentioned is also a platform that earlier. By not taking the industry encourages others seriously by actively supporting to help. Otherwise, creatives, the people naturally drift you can give away the to where they are taken even a clothes on your back, bit more seriously or where their and it still won’t satisfy efforts can flourish. Another factor some. So we give cash is that the creative ecosystem is grants, medical outreach, absent. We produce very good scholarships, mentorship talent, but we have no outlets to programmes, training, display the talent. That is passive educational trips, youth support. The government needs empowerment, talent shows to put things (like tax incentives, and conflict resolution. And competitive grants, counterpart we focus on several areas of funding and investor incentives) the arts, not just photography. in place and leave creative people to make things happen. If I were What do you find most governor, the creative ecosystem interesting about Gen Z? would change. Overnight. A Gen Z is the digital generation leader’s body language alone is a born into high-speed internet, and message. I have three children that qualify, so believe me when I say I understand Have you ever worked on them well. I feel them too. They are something and then thinking much more mature than their years, the timing (either social, calmer and happy to work for their political or cultural) was reward. They are the smaller versions Princewill wrong? of me. Take a look at ‘Nnenda’, ‘Kajola,’ It happens to me all the time, ‘76. Our films are for young audiences as especially when it comes to well as the old. I don’t want us to see the difference. is firmly at I’ll be playing whatever role politics. Anytime an election is young, especially Gen Z, as shallow or the front line of the environmental that my people ask me to. In 2019, I coming, it is bad for business immature. They are a lot more intelligent war with the triple impact of refused to contest any election. But in for me because nothing is more than we were at their age. Nobody rises both oil pollution, black soot and 2023, I will be more than available if important than politics, except to low expectations. So I expect a lot from gas flaring, putting its citizens the support is there. Business and film for family. However, once them. Likewise, I won’t encourage that in harm’s way on a daily basis. have their limits. The same for politics, politics calls, I’m there. Whether we dumb down our movies to appeal to Certainly, good quality movies yes, but its impact is far greater. My I am contesting or not. It affected airheads. That’s not our portion. When that can travel far and wide sole purpose in life is to make a positive business a lot in the early days, but you leave our movie, you should leave it will highlight the problem, but impact on others. So if they want me now I’m more of a team player. informed, as well as entertained. We are Nollywood is not an arm of to contest, they shall have me. I am not So if I’m not available, other not here to just give you a warm feeling. government. So it can not replace desperate. But I’m determined if the partners are there. It’s allowed me If that is what you want, go and have a what purposeful and focused support is there. to expand, but I would easily be a hot bath. leadership will do when it small Dangote if I forgot politics. understands the importance of the What lessons did you take away from So my problem remains what I World Earth Day was recently environment. The environment the pandemic? continue to repeat, ‘Politics is too celebrated, and Rivers is among is not a sexy topic either for film Several. The first is leadership matters. important to be left to politicians.’ states affected by environmental or politics, but it is vital to our The second is life is too short, and the hazards, mostly by activities of oil livelihoods. All our hands must be third is that I really love my wife, even What ideas are you trying to companies. So how does one start a on deck. more than I’d thought. We were project with your upcoming conversation about climate change locked down together, but it was like film on Boko Haram? through films or other creative forms You are known as a filmmaker, a a second honeymoon. As sad as I was The resilience of Nigerians and to address these hazards? businessman and a politician. Is for the magnitude of lives lost, those the challenges that armchair critics It’s possible. But you will need there any other aspiration that of us still here have to find and fulfil do not see. People see what they more than a series of films to make any you are working on? our purpos SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY 55 56 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JUNE 20, 2021 TRIBUTE T.B. Joshua: There Was A Man I Knew Femi Fani-Kayode

here was a man I knew who helped a former Head of State’s wife gain access to her husband whilst the latter was in detention and when his life was in danger, even though he had never met him. There was a man I knew who gave $100,000 USD to a leading traditional ruler who was in need and wanted to go on a trip to America with his delegation, even though The had never met him. There was a man I knew who bought a beautiful jeep for a former Nigerian/British football star who spent much of the time in his Church. There was a man I knew who stood by the family of a leading SAN when the latter was kidnapped even though they had never met. There was a man I knew who stood by the family of a former Minister of Aviation when the latter was in detention even though they had never met. There was a man I knew who fed more poor people and paid the school fees of more young people than all the other men of God in Nigeria put together. There was a man I knew who read about how the entire family of a young boy from Delta state was wiped out by assasins whilst the boy himself was left for dead with a cut throat but who took the boy into his Church, treated him in hospital, counselled him, sent him to school, took care of all his needs and raised him as his own son. There was a man I knew who gave shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked and spiritual and physical succour to the needy more than any other. There was a man I knew who counselled and led millions of people all over the world to give their lives to Christ and become born again. There was a man I knew who filled football stadiums in South America, the Far East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and indeed all over the world with his remarkable soul-winning and earth-shaking crusades. There was a man I knew who gave scholarships to thousands of young people to study all over the world and who took care of thousands of widows and orphans. There was a man I knew who footed the bills of many cancer patients and those that suffered from other terminal illnesses. There was a man I knew who hated injustice and persecution with a passion and who helped and sup- ported the vulnerable, the weak, the persecuted, the oppressed and the misrepresented and maligned more than any other. There was a man I knew who set up the most popular and powerful satellite television station on the African continent to propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and to display His glorious and remarkable healing and loving power. There was a man I knew who was a real patriot, who loved his country Nigeria, who loved his continent Africa and who loved the Church more than any other. There was a man I knew who flew more refugees from foreign lands back home to Nigeria and fed and gave them jobs more than any other. There was a man I kew who never responded to his detractors and critics and who preached nothing but love and forgiveness. There was a man I knew who was gifted in the prophetic, who worked many miracles in the name the Joshua Lord and who always gave God the glory. There was a man I knew whose Church attracted 6 duty of every follower of Christ. our respective lives. out of every 10 foreigners that come to Nigeria. There was a man I knew who never forgot his roots We shall meet again at the marriage feast of the Lamb There was a man I knew who was better known and and who took pleasure in telling others about his and until then we shall hold on to your words and more loved and respected than any other Nigerian humble beginnings. remember your counsel. living or dead in the nations of the world. There was a man I knew who never judged others, We shall be strong and bold in all things and at all There was a man I knew who prayed into power and who prayed for his enemies, who loved those that times and we shall keep our flag of compassion, cour- counselled many world leaders and Presidents than hated him and who helped as many Muslims, Jews, age, honor and faith flying. any other. Hindus and Buddhists as he did Christians. This is not the end but only the beginning of our There was a man I knew who was more comfortable There was a man I knew who was closer to being an journey into eternity. in the company of the poor than he was in the company angel than any other person that I have ever met before O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy of the rich. in my entire life. power? For even in the grave, Jesus is Lord! There was a man I knew who suffered more persecu- That man’s name was Temitope Balogun Joshua the I close with David’s famous words when he learnt tion and tragedy than any other man of God in Nigeria founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations. apart the passing of King Saul and his friend Jonathan. without ever complaining. He was a great Prophet of the Living God whose He said, There was a man I knew who derived more joy in remarkable ministry and extraordinary works shook “Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of giving than receiving and whose charitable works and the entire world and brought solace and hope to Ashkelon lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, humility was second to none. several generations. Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph... There was a man I knew who preferred to build He passed on a few days ago and we God glory for How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! prayer retreats with beautiful trees, beautiful animals his life. Until the end of time he shall be remembered O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am and beautiful flowers than private universities. and celebrated for being the kind-hearted, loving, distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant There was a man I knew who inspired more than any caring and generous soul that he was. hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, other, who always made time for those in despair, pain He was one of God’s ‘end-time’ Generals and his passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen and anguish, who always allayed the fears of those he fruits and works speak for him. and the weapons of war perished!”- 2 Samuel 1: 20, counselled and who offered the best advice that anyone Godspeed and fare thee well brother and please rest 25-27. could ever hope for. in peace. You ran your course, you fought a good fight, I weep at your passing my brother TB. There was a man I knew who believed that kindness you did us proud and you earned your crown. Adieu and shalom great Prophet of the Living God to even the cruel and loving even the unlovable was the We will never forget you and the impact you made in and great son of Nigeria. SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2021 • THISDAY 57 58 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ

with KAYODE ALFRED HighLife ͮͶͯͯʹ͵ͳͷͶͮ͵˜̋×ËÓÖ: ÕËãʮÏâ̶͓ãËÒÙÙ˛ÍÙ× ...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous The Return of Sweetheart for Life...Florence Ajimobi Plans Kemi Adeosun High-octane Remembrance for Late Husband Death, like time and love, is inevitable. was one of the casualties of After losing a loved one, the years at first drag the COVID-19 virus infection, breathing his on but later flash fleetingly by. It is already one last after many weeks of grappling with the year since the untimely death of former Oyo contagion. Upon hearing about his death, the governor and chieftain of the All Progressives entire Nigerian political corridor grew deathly Congress, Isiaka Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi. still. Every recollection of June 25, 2020, still Nevertheless, those that cherished him have unsettles many people. But life must go on, not forgotten him. and it has. It was only recently that Ajimobi’s After four decades together with Lady widow began to accept the reality of his Florence Ajimobi as a happy man and happier passing. wife, it cannot be said that the late Senator Abiola Recall that she recently attended an event Ajimobi lost out in the aspects of love and to celebrate the Supreme Court’s judgment marriage. So solid was their romance that public in favour of the Oyo ALGON members that displays of affection were not uncommon. Thus, had been sacked. Certain mischievous people Lady Florence was naturally the most affected by claimed that Mrs Florence’s attendance and Ajimobi’s passing, not to mention the one who consequent celebration at the event proved celebrated him the most. how quickly she got over her husband’s Adeosun And so, Florence Ajimobi is also the one who death. That was a false accusation. Now that has called for a proper remembrance ceremony she has called for a remembrance ceremony, for her late husband. According to reports, the one wonders how mischievous folks will guest list includes those who knew the late interpret her decision. Regardless, her love fter her early retirement Oyo governor best. These also happen to be for her late husband is deeper than the years the elites of the Nigerian society, movers and can extinguish and vaster than Death can from public life in shakers of the business and political scene. For corrupt. This much, at least, is obvious to all September of 2018, those who remember last year well, Senator and sundry. former finance minister Ajimobi Kemi Adeosun kept a low profile and reportedlyA relocated overseas. However, the brilliant chartered accountant made a spectacular Sweet Mother...Mike Adenuga return to the limelight with the launching of her foundation. The Nigerian social media space just woke up to the news of Kemi Remembers Late Mom Adeosun’s return. Based on the responses so far, Adeosun has Adenuga, and this has been the case for guiding and correcting him. To anyone who grown even more popular with three generations, starting with Chief (Mrs) knows the basics about Adenuga, it was the people since she turned in Oyindamola Juliana Adenuga. his mother that shaped his business sense her resignation letter in 2018, To most people, the seemingly and style. The legends told to this effect are all credits to the scandal of the supernatural genius of Globacom boss, Dr numerous: she forced him to hawk goat alleged falsification of her NYSC Mike Adenuga Jnr, is something that comes feed to get him accustomed to people; she once in every three generations. You don’t harassed him to no end over what to study, exemption certificate. cultivate it, emulate it, or even expect it. But what industry to work in, how to make For those who have forgotten, Chief (Mrs) Oyindamola Juliana Adenuga, the most impact and profit, what to wear Kemi Adeosun was accused the mother of the man known alternatively to functions (and why he should attend of having forged her NYSC as the Bull, broke common sense and trained them), what to eat, and many, many more. exemption letter and dragged it into her child. This, among other reasons, But no one can say the same about online for weeks as flouting the is why no year goes by without the good his impactful corporate presence and law. After many prods and kicks, mother getting an honourable mention from profit-making.) the celebrated chartered accountant Adenuga her son. So this is how Adenuga always submitted her resignation letter. This year also, Adenuga commemorated remembers his mother. It’s about (It was never confirmed whether The child of a deer is a deer, and the the memory of his late mother, inadvertently celebrating her influence and endeavours or not the alleged forgery took child of a lion is a lion. This is one of the challenging other mothers to be like his in his life, including those of his siblings place, only that Adeosun had many principles of nature that we see own (when she was alive). Although and children. The legacy of Chief (Mrs) legally applied for the exemption around us. Animals bear animals, humans Madam Juliana passed away in 2005, her Oyindamola Juliana Adenuga, accomplished bear humans, and business people bear son’s yearly remembrance makes it seem as if mother, Iya Alaje of Ijebu-Igbo and Yeye Oba certificate back then.) And business people. Of course, Adenuga bears then Adeosun up and left, she were still around, still pulling his strings, of Ijebuland, lives on in every one of them. disappearing from the limelight. But she is back now. According to reports to this effect, Kemi Adeosun recently Governorship Ambition Tears launched a foundation for helping orphans and other vulnerable children, Rotimi Akeredolu, Bunmi Ojo Apart disadvantaged youths, and victims of domestic violence. Ancient sages recognise love, power, his reservations regarding Tunji-Ojo’s Aptly named the DashMe and money to make bedfellows of alleged gubernatorial ambition. These are Foundation, Adeosun reportedly strangers and strangers of bedfellows. based on two thoughts: that succeeding intends to assist the less After allegedly falling out with each other him as governor is still far-flung into the privileged by raising funds for over who will be number one future, Tunji-Ojo is not the one for the job. their upkeep and education. citizen in the future, Governor Rotimi Why Arakunrin Akeredolu finds Tunji- Although the unveiling of Akeredolu and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Ojo lacking concerning taking over the DashMe Foundation came are still observing social and political Ondo State from him is still a thing as a surprise to many, her distancing. of speculation. Not even the fact that eventual return was expected. Politics is not for the faint of heart. they rode each other’s coattails in For one so talented, brilliant and Curiously, this is a fact that resonates too the past can get them to settle their Ojo accomplished, one setback or well with Governor Akeredolu. There differences over dinner. Thus, as two changes nothing. After all, might be no other Governor at present more and more reports are emerging it is one record that Adeosun who has buried many friendships as he regarding their collapsing friendship is so well trained for corporate continues to hold on to his gubernatorial and political alliance, folks are and administration finance that it seat. Thus, the rumours that he has added waiting to see where this new Ondo often appears that she was born his close ally, Tunji-Ojo, the House of Reps narrative will end up. for this. Consequently, folks are member for Akoko North-East/Akoko The best outcome, as analysts waiting to hear the good news that North-West Federal Constituency, to the have presented, is to have all she has found a better platform list is not altogether remarkable. If the misunderstandings resolved. But, on the upon which to serve the country, stories are to be believed, Tunji-Ojo has other hand, the worst outcome is to see contributing to the growth and his eyes on Akeredolu’s gubernatorial both parties going their separate ways—to development of Nigeria and chair and will be vying for it come thy tent, everybody. After all, Akeredolu settling the misgivings about her 2024/’25. But this is allegedly a possibility has his governorship, whereas Tunji-Ojo qualifications to do these. The days that Akeredolu is not interested in has his House of Reps Chairmanship to come are bound to be interesting, entertaining. of the Development very interesting indeed. According to reports, Akeredolu has Commission (NDDC). Akeredolu THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ 59 HIGHLIFE Otunba Segun Runsewe: Man With Midas Touch Otunba Segun Runsewe. Estate world, the guiding principle is location, Since becoming the Director-General of location and location. In Arts and Culture, it is the National Council for Arts and Culture all about packaging. Well, that is the case with (NCAC), an agency under the Federal everybody else—just not Runsewe. He has Ministry of Information and Culture, opted for truth and facts over everything else, Otunba Runsewe has worked to put things bringing Nigerian arts and crafts, cultures, in proper perspective for Nigerians. As he and historical consciousness to the noted during those earlier meetings in 2017, limelight. Talk about a pristine approach. his foremost objective is to wake Nigerians On this basis, such events as the from all walks of life and at various socio- National Festival of Arts and Culture economic levels to the wonders of local arts (NAFEST), International Arts and Crafts and culture. One might say that this dream is Expo (INAC), and many others are closer to completion now than when it was getting the accolades they deserve from Runsewe first imagined. Ghana around the corner and faraway In recent years, Nigerians have become The fact that Otunba Runsewe was Russia. It is on this basis youths are more aware and appreciative of the country’s reappointed to the NCAC DG position in getting gainful employment, the culture arts and crafts. This is most likely the first 2021 speaks volumes of his merits. Who else and arts industry is getting recognised, time since the late ’90s that folks are turning to has managed to marry the Nigerian Culture and the entire economy of Nigeria is growing Odeleye native artworks and seeing beauty and glory and Tourism industries together, creating a in leaps and bounds. But that is the work of a instead of second-rate imitation. This change in spicy amalgamation that foreigners cannot man with a Midas touch for you: impossible, perspective is one of the many contributions of refuse and natives cannot reduce? In the Real impressive, and impactful. Bukola Odeleye: New

Kid on the Block What’s up with Senator Gbemi and Toyin Saraki? There is a hushed trend of Some things have been around since man competition among some of the against attending the event for reasons best most promising Nigerian youths. first emerged on the earth and have flourished known to her. Well, folks who claim to know until now. Sibling rivalry is one of these these reasons have declared that it is nothing The endgame is to see who things. In the Saraki family, this kind of feud is new, only the simmering feud between herself contributes the most to Nigeria’s reportedly taken to the extreme and eventually (Gbemi) and her brother (Bukola). To those in social and economic development includes other family members. the know, Bukola and Gbemi Saraki kept their without raking up accolades and This is the gist in brief: Mrs Toyin Ojora- distance from each other for years because they credits while doing so. These are Saraki, the wife of former Senate President adhered to different political values. This was the people who are quietly taking , recently bagged the title of Erelu, especially obvious when Gbemi wanted to be over public industries and private one of the highest titles for women in Iruland. It Kwara governor, but her brother had someone sectors. Bukola Odeleye is one of was a stunning celebration backed by the vast else in mind. That reportedly widened the gap funds and vaster influence of the Sarakis. The these talents. between them and eventually turned into a Saraki Bukola Odeleye (also known elites of the elites were all in attendance and full-fledged feud, with Bukola’s wife, Toyin, heaped accolade upon accolade upon the new unavoidably dragged into it. claim. Whatever the case, folks are beginning as Beedel) is a young man with a chief. Unfortunately, one of the best-known In recent times, the Saraki siblings to suspect that the Sarakis are not as chummy vision far beyond his years. He is Sarakis was conspicuously absent from the allegedly buried the hatchet, opting to let as they would have others think. Meanwhile, the CEO of BeedelConstruction, ceremony. bygones be bygones. However, Senator Senator Gbemi and Erelu Toyin would be the a company gaining national and Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, Gbemi’s absence at Erelu Toyin’s elevation best of friends in any other life. In this one, continental recognition barely a Minister of State for Transportation and to chiefdom spoke volumes about what she however, folks want to know: what is up with the two of them? decade after its establishment. younger sister Bukola Saraki allegedly chose thought of her sister-in-law. Or so reports The company profile is one thing; the personality of its CEO is another. But first, the company. Beedel Construction Who’s after Hakeem Muri-Okunola? is not a standalone company but a subsidiary of Beedel Governorship Ambition Rumour Gains Ground Strategic Investment, a civil engineering construction serve for one term so that the Christians can awesome job, but folks are determined to sow have their two terms, and then the Muslims company. Through the incredible discord into his cabinets. First, it was about get their two terms, and so forth. Femi work that Odeleye and his team Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the 9th Gbajabiamila was the first candidate touted are doing, their list of satisfied House of Representatives. The lenses have as nursing the ambition to ‘do the needful’ by clientele only continues to turned to Hakeem Muri-Okunola (HMO), replacing Sanwo-Olu. Gbajabiamila faced fire increase in quantity and quality. Lagos head of service. for that rumour. Now it is the turn of HMO, Their accomplishments in civil Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has spent and he will certainly face fire even though he engineering and construction, half of his four-year term, and folks are divided has nothing to do with the rumours. on whether or not he should vie for a second engineering and auxiliary HMO has been Lagos State Head of services, fabrication of all sorts, one. The bone of the matter is not that Sanwo- Service for two years and a half now. Olu is inadequate and unworthy of a second Celebrated for his non-partisan status and supply and importation term, but that some folks want someone else and consequent unbiasedness, this have endeared them to their Muri-Okunola because of some vague agreements regarding might be the first time HMO is being many customers. This is how the religion of the Lagos governor. cast in a villainy role. Considering that Odeleye is transforming Public office is a graveyard of ambitions. The gist, in brief, is as follows: Sanwo-Olu he has a solid relationship with Sanwo-Olu, Beedel Constructions from a The rise of one signals, more or less, the is a Christian. His predecessor, Akinwunmi it is obvious that some mischief is at hand. homegrown company into decline of another. How else to describe the Ambode, is also a Christian. Ambode was And that is what the rumours of HMO’s one of the fastest-growing fact that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of governor for one term. Therefore, based on governorship ambition come to—mischief in establishments in the Nigerian Lagos State is a celebrity today for doing an their shared religion, Sanwo-Olu is expected to high places. construction industry. The man behind it all, Bukola Odeleye, is himself as magical as any human could be. Humble Pie: As Odunmbaku Teaches Faleke Political Lessons Besides his intelligent and The fight for supremacy between two landslide, leaving Faleke’s candidate in the dust. charming personality, Odeleye prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) Of course, the victory also left Faleke’s prestige is known for how much of members, Honourable James Abiodun in the dust, considering that Faleke supposedly his time, efforts and funds Faleke and Cardinal Prophet James Omolaja held all the cards. go to his family and friends. Odunmbaku, has reached a spectacular As a two-term former chairman of the same A few weeks ago, he got his crescendo. As followers of both chieftains Ojodu/Ogba LCDA, foreman of the current wife, Tolani, a mint 2020 return home to lick their wounds and prepare chairman (who used to be his vice-chairman), Toyota Highlander SUV as an for the next chairmanship elections for Ojodu/ representative of Ikeja Federal Constituency, and Ogba LCDA, it is evident that Odunmbaku all-round influential figure, Faleke was expected anniversary gift. Around the has become James the Major and Faleke has to have won the ticket for his candidate without same time, Odeleye got his become James the Less. even trying. But Cardinal Odunmbaku has friend, Ooreoluwa Balogun, The contention for who will be the next proved himself the superior statesman. master paparazzi and CEO of Chairman of Ojodu/Ogba LCDA took Lagos Folks have begun to praise Cardinal Image Plus, the exotic 2018 by storm at the start. The battle line was Odunmbaku as the irreplaceable party leader, Honda . drawn between politician and cleric James giving Faleke the side-eye for evidently Those who know and work Odunmbaku and his erstwhile apostle James gulping more than he can bear. The gist on with him struggle to choose Faleke. Odunmbaku set forth his son, David social media space now is that the former has between his generous character Oluwasegun Odunmbaku, as the best option taught the latter a good lesson, but that is to for the Chairmanship seat, while Faleke be expected: Odunmbaku used to be Faleke’s and crazy work energy and set forth his friend, Alhaja Funmi Layeni. boss, so the latter is yet to catch up to the likes of focus. Given the opportunity, Most folks thought that Faleke’s side would Odunmbaku. In any case, both the Odunmbaku Odunmbaku establishments like Beedel will take the trophy home at the just-concluded and Faleke camp might have to consolidate revolutionise the entire African APC primary election. Nothing of the sort strength to win the Ojodu/Ogba Chairmanship Faleke’s camp will be the one reaching above construction sector, bringing happened. David Odunmbaku won by a seat for David Odunmbaku. But of course, its station in this regard. pride to Nigerians everywhere. 60 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ

LOUD WHISPERS with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791) President Buhari – Please, Which Dot? You know me, I thought it was tribe includes us that are in-laws – yes, Igbo person cook, you go run o. But one of these jokes that people keep I have an Igbo wife and Igbo pikin. it is this difference that makes us throwing up and down social media. I also have many Igbo girlfriends, unique as Nigerians. They are not a So, I ignored it and then saw a post past and present, so I am involved, as dot. They are over 30 million. They from a lady calling her ethnic grouping Ojukwu had said. are industrious, robust and very a dot, claiming that the dot was the But seriously, we cannot struggle hospitable. They have contributed fourth well-travelled in the world and and fight to keep Nigeria one, and our to this great country in so many the third wealthiest in Africa. Some oga will be carrying on like this na. I powerful and measurable ways. They very preposterous claims, though the still do not believe that this statement continue to be a powerful partner, ‘dot’ caught my attention, and I started was uttered by a man who fought in even though not totally happy - but digging. the civil war and a man who is our who happy? Mbok, they are not any They say our president referred to president. This is not fatherly, not dot o. My people no vex, rain no dey a whole proud ethnic grouping as a accommodating and if true, sends a fall forever. He go soon stop, and the dot during his interview. They even very wrong signal. Be like say, Baba sun shall rise again. So to all of you reported that in the alleged ‘talk’, don dey prepare for another push – Ifesinachi, Ngozi, Amaka, Nkechi he even claimed to have secured the hence the need to preempt and secure and all other light-skinned and support of South-South leaders not to alliances against the dot. voluptuous goddesses who come from give the ‘dot’ access to the sea. Daddy, please, if it is true that you the East, please remember that I have Una see why I no watch that said those words, kindly retract. It stood up to speak o, I am standing by interview. The advertised interview is condescending and feeds into the you o and will continue to stand by was clashing with the time I watch increasing feeling of neglect by these you o. So when I come, please consider XVideos, so I go the one wey give me very proud and industrious people. that as you look at my request. With better value. Dot? Dot? Did he actually We love the Igbo people, forget that the kind of beauties from the South say that? Did he actually use those they cannot cook Afang to save their East, how can they be a dot? God words? If he did, then the whole Igbo lives. Mbok if you eat Afang wey forbid! Buhari

LAI MOHAMMED – THINK LEGACY, first, pull back and engage all table’. How can someone who does my head with little tears streaming THINK POSTERITY concerned in a bid to seeking a not control even DPO in his state down my cheeks: N25 billion This is a very honest advice I can credible policy on this social media provide security and fight missile- was involved, pensions of former give someone I love. The way people monster. Nothing worthwhile would carrying bandits? Habib staff were involved, and an yab this oga I come dey pity am. be achieved in a hurry and with this I just tire. Even though I am a great inspiration dragged. So I decided to work with him by Lai’s style. It will just be a short- Nigerian, things like this can weak As a former staff of Habib Bank, I advising him on how to move in the term patch-patch thing to settle this person. I tell you. Governor Wike have more than a passing interest in last two years of this administration. administration, but which would be came out blistering and attacking this. The Habib Group was solemn The regulation of social media inimical to the nation’s long-term that statement and reminding the at this news, but one person was provides an opportunity for him to be interest. president of the oath he took. These effusive in his joy especially seeing strategic, calm down and think legacy So uncle Lai, calm down. Start things used to make me cry, I swear. that his savings in what we used as he pushes for this regulation. a nationwide consultation of all What kind of country is this, what to call the NPF are involved. I have Granted, the social media space is stakeholders, let everybody put kind of leaders are these? met Mr Atuche twice: once as MD filled with bile, seems to have been head together, even the social media You see, the job of the president in of PHB Bank and the other after the abused with thoughtless factual miscreants, let all of us put head my mind’s eye na PR. Your body music had died and he was trying inaccuracies that have the potential, together and put Nigeria’s interest language, positioning, and way you to reestablish himself. I met two and in fact, has thrown the country as the focal point as we slowly work say some things throw confidence different men at those times. At PHB, into flames of ethnic distrust and towards a resolution. Look, this is into the system and make the people he was on the throne. The confidence avarice. This notwithstanding, not that military government. Where proud and happy. But this one just was unmistakable. The brash, devil- in trying to curb these excesses, once you catch one editor or you tire me. Governor Wike’s style has may-care attitude that comes with we must be very careful to think carry battalion go lock up gate of been much more constructive than success was all over the room. I liked long term. Is it not because this newspaper house, or you hold the Fayose amala’s style, which distracted him, still do. The second time the administration is having a self- chairman of Guild of Editors (my people from what he was saying. confidence had gone, there was fear, induced hard time on social media Uncle Ray Ekpu suffer for them All the ‘God punish your mama’ and he tried to hide it, but I could that we now want to bring back hand, kai). Or, you send your people and Oshodi style greatly damaged smell. The words were gentler and decree 4 through the back door? That to Maryland, go and catch all the critical opposition. But Wike seems less in your face. Decree 4 time, I was a young boy in vendors. Everything will be OK. This to be garnering momentum with his As usual, the establishment was after secondary school, but I read and felt time na for breeze everything day o. logic, timing and true essence. Is he him, he was Igbo, and you know its impact on freedom of expression Can you catch breeze? Uncle Lai, can speaking for the rest of us? You can what that means in Nigeria – well, and its limiting effects on national you catch breeze? answer the question. I don’t know, and I told him – he cohesion and good governance. The will bounce back, he said. He will fluidity and borderless exchanges on NYESOM WIKE – THE PEOPLE’S FRANCIS ATUCHE – SUNSET AT DAWN regain it all, he continued. I listened social media make content regulation CRUSADER The sun seems to have finally set here. intently, believing him because I tedious. Or are you going to send Me, I think say na only me hear that This was brilliance. This was strength, liked him and still do. Today, it is DSS to Alaska to arrest Jide, who has part—the part where our oga said and this was a dream. But what went sunset, but it will rise again. I am just talked about Uncle Lai’s dangling state governors should go and handle wrong? I don’t know o. As I read sure lessons have been learnt, the balls? the security of their states. I shock, the judgment bringing the trial that punishment should be taken with I think we should just slow down my eba fall for my hand. Daddy has has lasted for years to an end, I bow a resolve to be better, and Nigeria not heard of ‘the buck stops at my should not be deprived of this

Lai Mohammed Melay Okotie Wike THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ 61 LOUD WHISPERS brilliance. You have my prayers, my croaky voice and the drunken dance wey sight am or see should please him. This brilliant brother of mine has brother. You have my prayers. Awo steps. He is on to something. Can’t immediately inform me. He is tall, been unusually quiet. The last time said it’s not how many times you fall wait. I like him. dark and good looking. He dresses I heard from him was when he was but how many times you stand. You KOLA ADESHINA – WHERE ARE YOU? well and is charming, and can easily preparing to make a presentation on will stand, but this time, you will I hereby issue a fatwa or wetin dem disarm you with a smile. Power, his forte. I cannot be staying stand differently. dey call am on the head of this my Approach with caution and do not for months without hearing from brother Kola Adeshina wey dey attempt to apprehend. Just place a call people like this o, help me find him o. PASTOR CHRIS OKOTIE – A for Sahara Group. Please anybody to me, and I will move in and catch DISAPPOINTING TURN CHARLES O’TUDOR – WHERE’S MY Ex-pop star takes the fight to the AFANG? grave. Sad, very sad. This baba will This one will be vexing that I cannot not forgive but rather still carry UDOM EMMANUEL – “AKPAN EKA TIE SUNG’ spell his surname. When you now whatever was the wahala between go and put apostrophe for the name him and his competitor to the grave. Please you will pardon me if I speak my and real estate guru. He is the company nko. Anyway, it is his 50th o, and I This was just a fight for market share language in this write-up. I am rarely secretary of Brains and Hammer. He said, effusive with praise but the milestone that Edgar, what are you guys doing in Akwa have been calling him egbon, ashey o. They all were fighting for a huge is not only Ibom Air but other strategic Ibom? I say Abubakar wetin happen, leave I even senior am sef. No be tall, and share of the mumu market. The positionings of this my governor in Akwa our women o and he say no be woman dreadlock be elder. He say, Duke it mumu market is those of us who will Ibom keep strengthening my position that matter. You know I no dey that matter, na is my birthday on Sunday. I say will be running up and down for miracles the problem is leadership and not all the the environment. We are working with there be afang and he say no, we dey instead of working. crap people have been bandying around. the state government on a huge real estate go church. I say thank you; I dey play Those of us paying tithe to people Every time, they will be fighting me when project, and before we even finished the football that time. When you come to be flying private jet when we will I say ineptitude, nepotistic leadership and plans, the whole thing has been subscribed. back from church, let me know so be jumping bus to their churches? I pure shallow outlook is the bane of our I hug the man, pull him beard-beard and that I buy Afang for you if you cannot cannot even remember what caused development as a nation-state. They will say, well done. He never finish o. My other do afang on your 50th. I just tire. their wahala, but I know that that be shouting, restructuring, separation and brother Garba -not real name doesn’t like all that crap. So, I ask them, if we separate, publicity – has the biggest rice mill in the Happy birthday anyway, my brother, time it was tough. Chris Okotie will won’t we still carry with us these kinds of whole southern region in Akwa Ibom. He great guy. be pouring big English all over the vampires who lead us now? They will just loves the place like mad. place. Pastor TB, wey no fit speak too be abusing me. Akwa Ibom is not perfect. You see, it is sweet for all of us to point JOSEPH EDGAR TAUNTS WITH much English will just be ignoring, In fact, very far from it, you will marvel to Buhari. Yes, Buhari is the reason we ‘ANONYMOUS NIPPLES’ but then the other Chris that can and rekindle your hope in Nigeria via all cannot impregnate our wives and That is how out of boredom, I speak will now counter. They were robust and vision-driven leadership when housemaids. In fact, it is Buhari that is decided to write a book on nipples. It just embarrassing themselves all you see what is happening there. making us lose our erections and become was during the lockdown o—nothing over the place, but that was a long Let me give you some stats on Ibom Air, impotent. The fact is that what exactly to do. So from watching film and time ago o. Me, I had thought that what I want to call the flagship policy of are we doing for ourselves? Why are the talking and eating Afang, I say let me with over 200 million people, there the state government. According to the other Governors not moving like Udom, information I gleaned from my sister Zulum, Makinde and my personal write a book on sex. So as I started was enough mumu to go around na. Aniekan Essienette’s write-up, with 708 favourite Sanwo-Olu? It is very convenient writing, I started liking the idea So they all settled in their different scheduled flights, only two cancelled, to dodge and point to Abuja and be more. It is a book that deals with sex, multi-billion empires, and there was giving it a 99.8 per cent schedule reliability. shouting marginalization, insecurity, relationships and communications peace in the land. According to her, of the 708 operated, 678 restructuring and the rest gibberish but but in a practical, down-to-earth But with the sad, unexpected passing departed on time, thus delivering 96 per failing to even work with the little given. language that will make your of TB Joshua, jerry curl sha had to cent - these results are in line with the very Let’s keep shouting and crying and not reverend father cringe. fire one last shot. I tried to read his best of airline performances globally. These redirect our focus on the childish and That is how I said I would not do this statement - the mixture of English, are verifiable o. Ask Osa, who swears by corrupt leadership at the state and local alone, so I got contributors, ten very Greek and Urhobo just confuse me, Ibom Air. government levels. Childish. Very childish. strong women, to write on some very so I leave am. My brother FFK jump Now, do you know why this is working? Chief Udom, mbok, I know I cannot take It’s simply because the governor ice to the Eskimos, but there is this afang at powerful topics. Regina Askia and in and attack Okotie, and rightly so. understands the role of the government the Monty Suite. When you are ready, just the great Alibaba were contributors, This was really disappointing, Pastor in creating an enabling environment for give me 24 hours. I fly in and fete you: you, and Ibi Sofekun and Femi Olude Chris, and if nobody tells you, I, the business, pushing noninterference and your beautiful first lady, Deputy Governor provided over 100 pictures of Duke of Shomolu, will tell you, come empowering resolute quality in manpower. Akan Udofia, Annie Essienette, Orman carefully depicted sexy women in and beat me. Poor judgment. Very This is why Akwa Ibom today is a veritable Esin and my brother, the information various stages of undress. The book poor. destination for business, making me proud commissioner. has been selling like wildfire as as a true born son. Sorry let me add, Uto my sister at MTN, people have been dodging to come – IRRITATING THEM Wait, while Hope Uzodima was busy Tony Ndah, who recently used afang to and buy. WITH SONGS running around, dodging bullets and mock me and my senior brother Udeme Others would say, ‘Edgar pls Whenever I listen to this bald-headed crawling in craters trying to cover his head Ufot, who will have to sign an undertaking from unknown gunmen who seem to not to go after my meat. Finally, Gabriel use newspaper wrap and put for egbon, two things come to mind – have sworn to make him miserable, Ibom Ukpe, my invincible brother. At about envelope, and address am ‘strictly white garment church and palm wine Air was celebrating the arrival of two new N4,000 per plate, I can handle it with a soft confidential’ come my office, call me drinkers’ club in universities. The planes- A220 -300 Airbus. The other day, on loan from my brothers in Access Bank. from downstairs, I go use remote songs are so melodic, the dancing my way back from Abuja, I met my brother We will do it. Well done Akpaneka. God control open my car booth, then lift engaging, making me very happy, Abubakar Sheidu, a powerful lawyer protects you. the spare tyre and put am inside there and joining him in the song and and walk away. I go transfer your dance routine. money. I will now ask how many You see, this is a form of civil copies. He would say send 10. I will resistance that works effectively. The shout. Mbok, be like say I go write South Africans, through the ANC, part two o. Lovely and powerful used it very effectively in turning book, if I may say so myself. Reach the world against the evil apartheid me for a copy. You will thank me, I regime. They sent Ipi tombi, swear. Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba worldwide, using songs to sell their ELVINA IBRU – A DELICATE FLOWER story. Me, it was the day I saw the I think this is one of the most big bums and breast of these South beautiful women in the land. If you African dancers that I turn into an have not seen her before, call me, anti-apartheid crusader. I remember and I will send you picture. She is going into the dressing room at so beautiful that I fear to look into Unilag after watching these South her eyes before she go and capture African damsels to give a speech on my soul and make me her slave. how I was ready to join the struggle Well, that is how I went to see her there and then. new Play - Flower. It was inspiring The speech gave me a hug from and beautiful. She is a gazelle and a about ten of the girls, and I was wonder to watch on stage. She took happy o. I put my head in soft places the role in anger and chewed it all and thanked Botha for giving me the up. I kept waiting for her to come on opportunity. I prayed in my mind stage so I could google. The storyline that Apartheid should continue so of the play? I no fit remember, no vex. that these girls would be coming back I was busy staring, so I no remember to Nigeria so I can be hugging and the storyline. Elvina is one of the pressing them o. sweetest people you will meet. Kind This is what Dino is doing with his and motherly, and I used to enjoy songs. He is taunting, laughing and hugging her. I can hug her? Small irritating his oppressors. He is getting thing I don hug. If she laughs, I hug. the needed attention as each release If she shouts, I hug. I have a passion comes with millions of clicks and for hugging Elvina, and I can write a likes. He is cleaning up his image and book on hugging her. better positioning himself. Forget the Emmanuel Well done, sister. Well done. 62 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ

Adebayo Adeoye   [email protected]; 08054680651

Ibidunni Ighodalo’s Memory Lives On In one of her enduring quotes, American event witnessed an inflow of people who came poet, Maya Angelou, said: “A great soul serves once again to honour the beautiful woman who everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. lived her life for humanity It brings us together again and again.” While alive, Ibidun, who ran Elizabeth R, an These words come to the fore when you upscale event planning company, was strikingly remember Ibidunni Ighodalo, the beautiful beautiful and blessed with graceful steps. Her and high-flying event planner who died last smile was also infectious. You would have year. For a good reason, Ibidun has continued thought she did not have any worries in life. But to live in the hearts of many and her husband, the former beauty queen and high-flying event Pastor Ituah, and other family members since planner chose to be happy despite what life had she passed on. The ex-beauty queen died thrust at her. She lived her life for humanity. in the early hours of June 14, 2020, in Port Indeed, she never wished to part, forever, with Harcourt while on assignment to set up a her loved ones when she died on Sunday, June 14, L-R: Demola Seriki, Razak, Sholape and Amani COVID-19 isolation centre for the Rivers State at the young age of 39. The former beauty queen government. had wanted to live longer to see her dreams She died one month before her 40th come true. And she had them aplenty, including Demola Seriki, birthday. Therefore, in celebration of her marking her 40th birthday. In fact, but for fate, the life and times, the family, at the instance late co-pastor of Trinity House Church in Lagos of her husband, last Monday, organised a and founder of Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation Wife, Sholape remembrance gathering in honour of the would have, in her wonted style, used the departed soul at the Holy Trinity Church, occasion of her 40th birthday to touch lives in her Ikoyi Lagos. Just like her burial last year, the humanly best possible way. Leap for Joy Ighodalo

hink of a lucky man, and Ambassador Demola Seriki’s name will come into the picture. He has been flying higher Princess Toyin Kolade’s on the wings of grace, having Tbeen a minister, chair of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Board and now Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain. Date with History Recently, he and his beautiful wife, Princess Sholape, celebrated the 10th Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on July 17, delivery of the 2021 model of Lexus LX 570 birthday of his look-alike son, Rasak 2021. The event is already generating some buzz worth N45m in preparation for the day. She Ademola-Seriki (Jr), amid pomp and among the Nigerian elite. is recognised as one of the champions of the circumstance. The 10-year-old is an Society Watch gathered that the best revitalization of Yoruba culture and tradition. avid fan of Arsenal Football Club. party planners had been contracted, while In particular, she has been enjoying the Little wonder, his colourful birthday beautiful Kolade has also engaged some support of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni was themed to reflect the wonders fashion designers. It was also gathered that of Ife, as the sole promoter of the annual Aje of the English club. Close family the high-flying businesswoman is not leaving Festival (Festival of Wealth) in Ile-Ife, the members and friends attended the any stone unturned to make the event the talk cradle of the Yoruba race. classy gig held in Lagos. of the town for many years; she is sparing no Ever since the coronation of The occasion also spotlighted costs to fete all invited guests that day. She is Oba Ogunwusi in 2015, the affable Sholape, either publicity-shy or known as someone who does not do her things businesswoman has shown unflinching merely prefers to live her life away in half measure. The ancient town is expected support and loyalty to him in all from the Klieg lights. Unknown Kolade to welcome top political officials, captains of ramifications. to many, the charming princess industries and socialites, who will move in ‘’She has written her name in history is a graduate of Business Law from At the moment, one of the thoughts their large numbers to celebrate with the stylish as one of the ‘warriors’ in Ile-Ife, for her the London Guildhall University and dominating the mind of a society lady, philanthropist. commitment. The highly coveted Yoruba a Master’s degree in Information Princess Toyin Kolade, is her coming A source disclosed that the boss of Fisolak title of ‘Iyaalaje” is like icing on the cake,” a Technology from the Middlesex installation as the Iyalaje Oodua by His Global Resource is exhaling whoops of joy and source said. University. Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba has been on a spending spree, as she has taken A respected international programme and IT project management consultant, her mastery of the Nigerian government bureaucratic and political processes and understanding key Senator Orji Uzoh Kalu Goes Homily stakeholders’ needs helped her facilitate Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzoh and businessman, who the vicissitudes of major project approvals. Kalu, is one of the few whose political life have floored, has picked up the pieces trajectories have always enjoyed robust of his life and moved on. discussions among political observers in the Only a few days ago, he again tugged country. at the heartstrings of his fans when he City Businessman Abisoye The senator representing Abia North ventilated his profound thoughts on his Senatorial District, without a doubt, has a social media handles, saying, “Whenever Fagade in Low Spirits bagful of experiences, both bitter and sweet, the 1967 – 1970 civil war is mentioned, since his active involvement in politics. it’s an emotive experience for any peace- For some days now, Abisoye He has suffered humiliation. He has been loving Nigerian not just an Igbo man. Fagade, a prominent businessman, betrayed, backstabbed and disappointed. “We should not either by words PR guru and politician, has been in In fact, that was an understatement as he or actions pursue a repetition of that low spirits, following the passing literally cried alone in the wilderness, and horrible genocide. We should come to of his mother, Deaconess Comfort there was no one to comfort him. He has understand that every war ends on a Omoladun Fagade, at 78 on Sunday, seen the other side of life. table. Instead of destruction before coming June 13, 2021. It will be recalled that the upper to the table, is it not wiser to come to the Fagade, the CEO of Sodium Group chamber member had suffered humiliation table and avoid destruction? We need and convener of Oyo Si Ma Dun, when he was jailed for alleged corruption infrastructure. We need investments. We OSMD Network Summit, took to charges. Indeed, it was a long and lonely don’t need hostilities. So we are pleading his social media handles to mourn journey to freedom! with you to stop and embrace peace” his mother. In an emotion-laden Typical of a fighter, he has taken all in Kalu Orji, a philanthropist, sits atop the SLOK message, Fagade wrote: “Goodnight, his strides, a situation that reminds one of in falling down, but there is pride in getting conglomerates with interest in the airline, Mummy. You were a mother, indeed, Lilly Singh’s saying that “There is no shame back up.” Today, the former Abia governor shipping and oil and gas, amongst others. an Abiyamo tooto. You were my teacher, my prayer champion and my intercessor. You were so beautiful in and out. Thank you for everything. the ground running with impeccable Adieu, Mummy mi.” Polaris Bank MD Innocent Ike’s Innovation ideas to make Polaris Bank compete A devout Christian and doting with other top banks with updated, mother, Deaconess Fagade trained as When it comes to the modern banking application of relevant technologies and innovative banking models to ease stress a teacher, distinguished herself as a industry in Nigeria and, by extension Africa, innovation. and cement a seamless bond between the professional with selfless focus and Innocent C Ike is neither a greenhorn nor a When the immediate past MD, Tokunbo bank and customers. At the point he took instinctive humanitarian mission. pushover. He knows the banking business Abiru, resigned to join politics, it didn’t take over, detractors sneered at him, patiently Upon retirement from teaching as a like the back of his hand. Fully armed with so long for Innocent to be the top choice for waiting for him to fail, but he proved them headmistress, the deceased mother a wide range of experience as the executive the bank’s decision-making body, who was wrong with dedication, steadfastness, of six devoted the rest of her life to director (Technology & Services) of the aware of his track record as a time-tested team spirit, prayers and will to succeed. the service of God, the church, family defunct SkyeBank Plc from July 2016 to banking whizzkid. On May 18, he and his team launched and humanity. A native of Ibadan, she the creation of Polaris Bank, he has been With his rich resume garnered through VULTe (a quick service digital banking lost her husband, Pa David Oladokun involved in developing and executing major sheer dint of hard work, he was able to land platform) to further shock naysayers Fagade, in August 2005. A family corporate transformation and turnaround the acting MD and CEO of Polaris. Upon his to deliver greater value and benefits to source said the burial ceremonies projects in the nation’s financial services appointment in September 2020, he didn’t existing and new customers of the Bank would hold on August 5 and 6, 2021, industry. He has leveraged a combination waste much time in the heat of the deadly that has seen analysts and customers in Ibadan. of in-depth industry knowledge and the COVID-19 pandemic. He immediately hit drooling on its seamless functionalities. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JUNE 24 2012 ARTS && REVIEWREVIEW A PUBLICATION 20.06.2021 FLOODS OF TRIBUTES FOR BENSON IDONIJE AT 85 From being the first manager to the legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti to being a music mentor to a Grammy-winning grandson, Burna Boy, the ace broadcaster and music critic, Benson Idonije, now 85, has become a music colossus on his own unobtrusive terms, writes Yinka Olatunbosun

he gathering was intentionally small; but there was access to more on the virtual space to join as family and friends gathered to celebrate the birthday of one of the most unassuming men to have ever influenced broadcast and music in Nigeria, Benson Idonije. Terra Kulture, Lagos was the venue. The visuals for the virtual audience was quite poor. And there’s no guessing who might turn up the heat in the room: Burna Boy- the beloved grandsonT whose popularity has understandably eclipsed his grand-father’s. In retrospect, Idonije had made a good name for himself long before Damini Ogulu (Burna Boy) was born. But many would remember him as a young boy who used to visit his grandfather while the latter worked at Guardian Newspapers. “I wouldn’t have changed that surname for the world but you know sometimes as women we have no choice,’’ Burna Boy’s mother and manager, Bose Ogulu gushed during her remarks at the 85th birthday celebration held at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. “Thank you for honouring my father. Thank you for shar- ing that documentary. I hope we make something bigger of it.’’ The name Benson Idonije echoes through history as the select family members, friends and associates read from the memoir titled ‘Dis Fela Sef’ by Idonije, revealing the layers of music generations that influenced the genre known as Afrobeat. First published in 2014, the book is an insider’s perspective of the disruptive musician’s sojourn into music and his global acclaim that resonates long after his passing in 1997. As many readers of this book would later discover, the book is not just about Fela but Burnaboy with his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Benson-Idonije about the music landscape at the period of his evolution in music. Fela left Nigeria for his study in the UK, he was playing highlife wanted Fela to pursue highlife instead of the jazz music which Call it a music journalist’s bible, the 282-paged memoir in small music, honing his skills with the likes of Victor Olaiya. But when was a hard sell. Koola Lobitos went on to perform at Surulere print is just one in the series of books to be published by Idonije on Fela returned to Nigeria as a jazz musician. Night Club, Kakadu and Caban Bamboo, Gondola Night Fela. Arguably one of the most comprehensive books ever written Eventually, Idonije and Fela met at the Nigerian Broadcasting Club, and others. During the civil war, it was perhaps the only on Fela and African music, ‘Dis Fela Sef’ was at the centre of the Corporation when Fela drove down to the station to meet the surviving civilian band as many musicians in the highlife had birthday celebrations which was punctuated by performances meet the presenter of NBC Jazz Club, Idonije in 1963. They had a been conscripted into the army. Despite the odds of selling jazz from the theatre director and choreographer, Segun Adefila and long talk on air while Idonije interviewed him and played every and the modified highlife, Idonije insisted that those years were the charming grandson to the celebrant. song on his new album which would go down in history as the peaceful as Fela focused solely on his artistry and the quest to Five years ago, when Idonije turned 80, Burna Boy defied the first ever jazz album to be recorded by a Nigerian artist. Their develop a unique sound. rain at Freedom Park, Lagos to perform at the Freedom Park friendship extended beyond radio. When Fela formed his band, Fela’s musical tour experience in the US would change his stage. Last weekend, he re-evoked the spirit of Fela when he Fela Ransome-Kuti Quintet, Idonije was his manager, sourcing music trajectory for a lifetime. He met his collaborator, Sandra performed the classic, ‘Lady.’ It’s quite ironic because the song for performance venues and recruiting musicians for the band. Izsadore who taught him about black identity, rights and ‘Lady’ is regarded by some as an anti-feminist song and Burna Through those years, Idonije was the bridge between Fela political consciousness. That culminated into the development Boy has been a very quiet feminist anyway- a large percentage and disgruntled his band members; Fela and the executives of of Afrobeat and he released his first mainstream hit record, ‘Jeun of his team being women. In an interview with ArisePlay, Burna Recording companies and bar owners where he had performed Koku.’ EMI had Fela’s permission to promote and distribute Boy once revealed that the strongest set of people he had ever his live music. Even when Fela was an impossible government the song but he didn’t sign a contract before the release of the encountered in his life are women. So, his performance of ‘Lady’ worker as a Music Producer at the Nigerian Broadcasting song. It was a defining moment of Fela’s career and Idonije saw that evening was a tribute to his life-long relationship between his Corporation, Ikoyi, Idonije was his backbone. In ‘Dis Fela Sef,’ firsthand how Fela’s distrust of recording companies impacted grandfather and Fela, not necessarily promoting that African view Idonije recalled how Fela received numerous queries for coming on his reputation as an artist. By the time that his music became of women. late to work which he never replied but his good friend, Idonije more politically-charged and was touring internationally, Idonije And that further thickens the story of many associates of Fela. wrote the replies to those multiple queries. According to the was no longer his manager. Still, they remained good friends. Like Idonije, many friends and associates of Fela respected his broadcaster, Fela’s interest in music superseded his desire for Today, it is hard to tell the story of Idonije without Fela and musicianship but went on to lead very different lives from Fela, civil service. now Burna Boy even after he had distinguished himself as a not entirely sharing his ideologies. Before Idonije met Fela in Since Jazz music was a hard sell at that time, Fela’s mother journalist. Idonije had been the director of music for his grand- person, he was first an Engineering Assistant at the Nigerian advised that he should return to highlife music. That move led son, offering critical pointers that Burna Boy had the liberty to Broadcasting Corporation before he became an on-air personality to the formation of another band, Koola Lobitos. accept or otherwise. The bond that music had nurtured between with programmes like The Big Beat and Stereo Jazz Club. Part of the readings of the book at the 85th birthday covered Idonije and his grand-son over the years had been widely He had also met Fela’s mother, Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Chapter five of the book subtitled ‘The Musical Odyssey.’ publicized, validated by those moments of hugs and holding who had given him some samples of his music to play. Before There, Idonije revealed how Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti hands-reflecting love and mutual respect. BOOK Ranti Akintobi Launches New Book, ‘The Royal Visit’ Yinka Olatunbosun by an Obabirin, a female king - Queen Lara. “I feel children of African descendants (all revealed that that was not her intention at all. The Royal Visit tells the story about the over the world) should have the option of seeing “I just thought having a female king like Queen royal visit of the sovereign Queen to Rugare mainstream animated characters that look like Elizabeth will make the series more interesting. &T Nubian Adventure recently Kingdom to see her brother and his family. them. It was also paramount to me that the story Especially with the fact that that was not the case launched the first book in its During her visit, she uses her magical powers be told by an African that Africans can connect in the history of Lafiya. I hope to publish a story to enable the princesses to communicate with with. My main aim is to ignite the African culture about that someday. I also I wanted to show that children adventure literature animals when they embark on an adventure to in children all over the world and bring the cul- series titled "The Royal Visit” all descendants of Lafiya royal family (whether the Royal zoo. The princesses are excited by the ture to them through stories,” she revealed in an male or female) are powerful and special. by Ranti Akintobi. What is experience of listening to an African tale told by electronic chat. There are no fewer than four more You will see that I described Queen Lara’s interesting about the book is its one of the animals. books in the series to be produced. The author brother as very handsome and strong like a African comic characterisations This is the first book by the author Ranti further explained that the human and animal tiger who is a great warrior known in other using a plot with the themes of Akintobi, a Finance Manager by based in the communication represented in the book is born kingdoms across Africa,” she remarked, royalty and family love. Netherlands. She was inspired to write this out of sheer fantasy and wild imagination just while refusing to be labelled as a feminist, TTargeted at children between the ages of 5 and book as a prerequisite to animation series that like any Disney or Hollywood animated series given the wrong connotations around the 11 years, the T&T Nubian Adventure stories are can be watched mainstream; bringing the would do. When asked if her depiction of female concept. centred on an African royal family living. Set in a African culture and pride to children all over the characters in the book was a deliberate attempt at fictitious African country called Lafiya, it is ruled world. challenging the negative female stereotypes, she Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ [email protected] 64 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 IMAGES mmediate former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori recently marked his 60th birthday at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Ihis four wives on hand to brighten the occasion. Governor Yahaya Bello led friends and family members to celebrate with him

L-R: Hajiya Ayo Sani-Omolori; Hajiya Atika Sani-Omolori; Alh Sani-Omolori; Hajiya Altine Sani- Omolori and Hajiya Hajara Sani-Omolori L-R: Celebrant, Alh Sani-Omolori and Governor of Kogi State, H E Yahaya Bello

L-R: Ada al Sufuan Abdulmack and Hon Auwala Ohindase L-R: Ado Shuaibu and Brg Gen A A Momoh (rtd)

L-R: Tijjani Abdulsalami and Abubakar Suleiman Governor Yahaya Bello and mother of the celebrant Hajiya Safiya Sani-Omolori

L-R: Son of the Celebrant Farouq Sani-Omolorin and wife Meimuna L-R: Son of the Celebrant AbdulkareemSani-Omolori and wife Fauziya THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 65 IMAGES

L-R: Dr. Nazie Ahmed and Ibrahim Abdulkaareem L-R: Mohammed Budamasu and Yunusa Omade

L-R: Prince Sola Akanmode and Alh Mohammed Sani-Omolori L-R: Tijani Ogueyi and Alh Hamza, Talba of Ebira Land

L-R: Yahaya Danzazia NASS and Alh Bukoye Lasisi L-R: Abdullahi (Dollaers) Chairman, APC Kogi State and Muritala Sani-Omolori

L-R: Hon Mohammed Kumalia and wife Hajiya Kaa ka L-R: Former Clerk, NASS, Alh Nasini Arab and Rtd Chief Judge of FCT , Justice Ishaq Bello 66 JUͺ͸˜ͺ͸ͺͯ˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER INTERNATIONAL Nigeria as a Problematic and PMB as Nigeria’s Problem: The Physiognomy of Possible Break-up

igeria’s problem is largely a resultant from the three countries (Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria as a problematic. Put differently, VIE Ethiopia, which replaced India) with the largest electricity deficits what makes Nigeria’s problem problematic? in the world. The World Bank also listed Nigeria as one of the Nigeria is a problem unto herself but why is INTERNATIONALE top twenty countries with the greatest number of people lacking Nigeria a problem unto herself? Even though, access to clean fuel and technologies for cooking (The Punch, June ordinarily speaking, a problem is considered 8, 2021, p. 19). a noun and problematic as an adjective, we  Fourth, Nigeria is a problematic from the perspective of her 1999 consider here as problematic the ingredients Constitution. The Constitution is believed to be skewed in favour of what constitute the problem of Nigeria. In this regard, President Bola A. Akinterinwa of, and imposed by, the military and the Fulani. For instance, the MuhammaduN Buhari is Nigeria’s main problem as at today, and 1999 Constitution provides for secularity but the same Constitu- by so doing, necessarily makes Nigeria a problematic by mania of Telephone : 0807-688-2846 tion only recognises Islam contrary to Sections 10 and 38. Some governance. e-mail: [email protected] observers have said that the words, ‘Muslim,’ ‘Sharia’, and Nigeria as a problematic is largely predicated on a tripod of ‘Sharia Courts’, etc, are mentioned several times while the words inordinate ambition of the Fulani, use of constitutionalism to Christian, Churches, etc, or other religions are never mentioned in achieve the inordinate ambition, and political chicanery by manu any part of the 1999 Constitution. militari. As such, this is why the governance of Nigeria has been Additionally, in the eyes of the Catholic Bishops Conference driven by dishonesty of purpose in design, conduct, management of Nigeria, ‘the framers of the 1999 Constitution created Sharia and orientation, and more significantly, why there is a wrong Courts for Muslims. This explains why a Christian cannot be ap- make-belief that there is a Nigerian nation State that is truly work- pointed as Kadi under the laws of the States or Grand Kadi of the ing towards becoming a true nation and that will be sovereign, Sharia Court of Appeal.’ In fact, the Catholic Bishops Conference strong, powerful, united, indissoluble and indivisible. has it that ‘while Muslims exclusively have a Court that regulates Without any jot of doubt, at the epicentre of Nigeria as a prob- their affairs and to which they can exclusively be appointed lematic is the question of whether Nigeria, as amalgamated in as judges, the same cannot be said for the Christians, or other 1914 or as united with the independence Constitution or the 1999 religions. This shows a constitutionally backed gap of inequality Constitution is indissoluble and indivisible. And true enough, and under-representation in the Nigerian judiciary’ (The Punch, if a Constitution provides for indissolubility and indivisibility of Friday, 11 June, 2021.p.7). the country and the people, as a required constituent of a modern Fifth, Nigeria is currently playing host to the highest number nation-state, complains that the Constitution that provides for of terrorist attacks. In between 2017 and 2019, according to the indissolubility or indivisibility is fraudulent, why should the ACLED Media Reports, MDM Intelligence, Nigeria had 4,382 Constitution not be set aside to pave way for a people-driven con- cases compared to Somalia’s 3,060 (2nd position), Libya’s 1,923 stitution? PMB says complainants should address their problems (3rd Position), and Sudan’s 821 (4th Position). through the National Assembly (NASS), which is considered by Sixth is the problematic of domineering of, or preferential the coplainantsas a resultant of a fraudulent military Constitution. treatment for, Nigerian politicians. Adetutu Balogun @Tutsky22 This is one reason why PMB is a problem and an obstacle to the has compared the healthcare budget of N46bn for 200 million making of a truly united and vibrant Nigeria, which is currently Nigerians and the education budget of N48bn to the budget of also a problem unto herself. N125bn for only 465 legislators. Why is the political world given better treatment? The implications of this imbalance for national Nigeria as a Problematic development cannot be far-fetched. The foundation of Nigeria as a problematic is not only the Buhari Seventh, there is the problematic of internally generated rev- vision and wishes of Sir Ahmadu Bello, as published in The Parrot enues. Let us, from the reports of NBS@statiSense, look at the year newspaper on 12 October, 1960, but also the misperception of tion, nepotism, corruption, injustice, insecurity and terrorism 2020 for an example: Northern Nigeria generated only N385.18bn Nigeria in his mind. In the words of Sir Bello, ‘the new nation, under President Buhari’s watch.’ (North Central region, N181.61bn; North west region, N146.73bn; called Nigeria, should be an estate of our great grandfather, Uth- And perhaps most notably, Dr. Okanlomo said ‘Yoruba and North East, N56.84bn) while Southern Nigeria generated man Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. independence is not negotiable. We cannot attain our full potential N920.89bn (South West, N561.01bn; South South, N263.17bn; and We use the minorities in the North as willing tools and the South within a contraption called Nigeria. As long as we remain in the South East, N96.71bn). In this regard, Southerners simply think as a conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and geographical boundary created by the British, we are not free that they are labouring unnecessarily for Northerners, hence the never allow them to have control over their future.’ people, but slaves. How can we accept Fulani domination as quiet animosity. In fact, it is also frequently submitted that alcoholic This statement is problematic because of its many operational an alternative to British colonisation? This is shameful, it must drinks are banned in the North, but those who ban the drinks are words of concern: ruthlessness of action to be taken in preventing be totally rejected by all and sundry at all cost’ (vide Daily Sun, quick to take a share of the generated taxes on alcoholic drinks others from ruling the North; the whole of Nigeria as an estate or Wednesday, June 16, 2021, p.28). This perspective is popular from the South. Nigeria, indeed, is a country of many self-imposed as a property; and southern Nigeria as a conquered territory or among Yoruba Diaspora and majority of Yoruba at home. contradictions. subservient people. The problematic questions are not far-fetched: Second, probably on the basis of the belief that Nigeria is an why should the North be considered as willing tools and the estate of Uthman Dan Fodio, the Fulani wrongly believe that there PMB as Nigeria’s Problem South as a conquered territory? This question is necessary because is terra nullius in Nigeria. For instance, the National President If you ask Dr. Reuben Abati, former media Presidential Adviser Nigeria has already been partitioned into two in the statement. of the Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Mr. Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, and Journalist about the personality of PMB, especially on the The division is intrinsic in the statement by the mere fact that strongly believes that ‘any forest in Nigeria is for every Nigerian, basis of the interview granted on 10 June, 2021 by PMB to Arise the North of willing minorities will be the tools, the South of that it does not belong to an individual or to a community.’ This News Channel and anchored by Prince Nduka Obaigbena, in conquered or enslaved people are to be political subjects. is a dangerous problematic that directly challenges the Land Use which Dr. Abati took an active part, he will say that PMB does More importantly, why the need to ensure the permanency of Decree No. 6 of 29th March, 1978, which was not only re-enacted not sound like a Jibrin from Sudan. As Dr. Abati further saw him Fulani rule? Is it not because of the need to maintain the status quo by the National Assembly of Nigeria into a subsisting Act under during the interview, ‘he was alert, alive, informed, confident, or to prevent a change of power that electoral fraud has remained Section 315(5)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, but also still vested the relaxed, witty and capable of disarming humour. He was not the a desideratum or that Fulani power is also considered indefinite right of land ownership and control on State Governors, who hold invalid or the senile old man that his critics say he is. He didn’t in terms of timing? Without gainsaying, this statement of Sir Bello it in trust on behalf of their people. It is this wrong belief by some sound weak either.’ has sent different signals to people in the southern part of Nigeria Northern leaders that land does not have any individual legal From the perspective of physiognomic analysis, Dr. Abati might and the signals have also compelled the perception of Northern- title, that largely explains the imbroglio between herdsmen and be correct, but only to an extent limitata. The interpretative variants ers, particularly the Fulani, of domineering slave masters who farmers. How do we explain PMB’s archaic suggestion of return considered by Dr. Abati in concluding that PMB is alert, alive, must now be resisted. The period from 1960 until now is seen as to the old grazing routes of the First Republic? Where is PMB’s informed, etc, are quite questionable, because PMB’s integrity is the period of tolerance, that has also reached its crescendo. In the modernity in this case? Where is his wittiness? not supported by the same variants identified by Dr. Abati, espe- words of Dr. Sina Okanlomo, the Secretary General of the Yoruba Third, the structure, in various ramifications, built on Sir cially when an empirical deductive methodology is applied. For One Voice (YOV) in Johannesburg, South Africa, ‘the clamour for Ahmadu Bello’s foundational statement, makes the problematic reasons of psychology of human differences, I accept the tenability a Yoruba Nation became imperative amid various imbalances in more complex. For examples, the World Bank has listed in its of Dr. Abati’s submission, but will, however, argue to the contrary the administrative structure and employment, the amalgamation report, entitled ‘Universal Access to Sustainable Energy will on the basis of PMB’s mania of political governance, which does treaty, continuous violation of human rights, nepotism, corrup- Remain Elusive Without Addressing Inequality,’ Nigeria as one of not allow one to agree in total with Dr. Abati’s evaluation of PMB’s integrity, not only in terms of his character but holistically in terms of what he stands for. First, and most unfortunately, civil servants, public officials What is crystal clear from Nigeria being a problematic and PMB being Nigeria’s problem is that, and those who are meant to secure Nigeria and defend national in the eyes of most Nigerians, especially Southerners, PMB might have done his best, but his best sovereignty cannot be said to be patriotic. Under the presidency of is not seen to be good. Political observers make a mockery of his administration in different ways. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the issue of lack of patriotism was raised when President Jonathan declared openly that there were Boko Senator says ‘whenever the bandits kill, we see the evidence of their dastardly and cruel Haram agents in his government, hence the failure of his govern- acts. Whenever you (PMB/Nigerian military) kill bandits, let’s see the evidence of your courageous ment’s anti-Boko Haram efforts. The problem of BokoHaramic and heroic acts (Daily Sun, 16 June, 2021, p.15). This observation simply doubts Government’s informants is accentuated under the PMB administration and claims. Thus, the issues of alertness, being alive, well informed, confident, relaxed, and witty, as many Nigerian notables have variously accused the Government observed by Dr. Abati raise more questions than answers. PMB might have shown Dr. Abati’s of PMB of aiding and abetting boko haramic insurgency. More disturbingly, General Theophilus Y. Danjuma also openly observed values purposely for the Arise News Channel interview. However, such attributes have accused the Nigerian military of also aiding and abetting the Boko not been clearly shown in his political governance of Nigeria. PMB has been variously accused of Haram and, by so doing, the enslavement of the people of Nigeria, nepotism, Fulanisation and Islamisation agenda, etc, but has not been able to respond to deny or particularly the people of the Middle Belt. As he put it in a televi- confirm the allegations. In fact, national insecurity, nepotism, agitation for self-determination, and sion programme, ‘the Armed Forces are not neutral, they collude heightened terrorism have remained the hallmark of PMB’s administration. This is why Nigeria’s with armed bandits that kill people, kill Nigerians. They facilitate their movement. They cover them. If you are depending on the corporate unity is now under serious threats pointing to possible disintegration of Nigeria for Armed Forces to stop the killings, you will all die one by one.’ which PMB must take responsibility Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 67

Editor:Olawale Olaleye CICERO mail:[email protected], SMS: 08116759819 IN THE ARENA The Rise of Ethnic Nationalism By continuing his peculiar symphony on the delicate keyboards of the Nigerian state, President Muhammadu Buhari is stoking disruptive ethnic nationalism, writes Louis Achi

he phenomenon of ethnic nationalism in Nigeria is certainly not new. But under the Muhammadu Buhari presidency, it has become significantly accentuated and widespread. Broadly, ethnicity becomes a form of nationalism, when it assumes a political (and often territorial) dimension that challenges the status quo, and in some cases, the legitimacy and stability of the state in questionT by becoming a catalyst for intra or inter-state conflict. The central political tenet of ethnic nationalism is that ethnic groups are entitled to self-determination. The outcome of this right to self-determination may vary, from calls for self-regulated administrative bodies within an already-established state or society, to an autonomous entity separate from that society, to a sovereign state removed from that society. Today, President Buhari’s quaint insistence on exter- nalising his seething inner vision of a new Nigerian state and seemingly acting as the arrowhead of ‘an ascendant’ ruling ethno-religious group are seeding new ethnic pushbacks and perhaps, incipient national breakup. Here’s why. According to Alade Rotimi-John, lawyer and political analyst, “The failure or reluctance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to keep its promise of a restructured Nigeria on assumption of office and the arrogant self-deception of the presidency are hinged on Igboho Kanu the patently false premise that Nigeria may continue to operate a rogue constitution as her grundnorm and yet, had disowned Ahmadu Bello’s One North vision. itself necessarily constitute a problem or an issue with remain as an indissoluble entity.” In the South, ethno-nationalistic impulses are scaling political consequences. More: “The internal contradictions of a promised up with significant differences in the sophistication of His words: “This situation alters in the process of policy position and the reality of a hegemonic disposi- their approaches. The Yoruba of Southwest and Igbo of social change or modernisation, when the interests of tion that is in oppositional relationship to vote-catching Southeast are leading the charge. Although separatist ethnic groups become elevated to the political realm.” drivels on the campaign dais has landed the APC proclamations are disowned by the governors and Restating the need to appreciate that Nigeria’s leadership in a quagmire regarding the requirement of ageing elite of both regions, they clearly run deep cultural and social diversity constitute an asset rather a clear position on the issue of restructuring. in the populations’ psyche. Should the Yoruba and than a liability, Babangida held that purposeful leader- “The party’s leadership from the Southwest has been Igbo overcome their differences and close rank, many ship could tackle the challenges, which multi-ethnic particularly compromised and cast in bad light as it pundits believe rightly or wrongly, it will quickly end nationalism poses for governance. had been the ardent promoters of that socio-political the historical core Northern domination game. “The task before leadership at all levels of gover- model. Today, it is awe-struck even as it has lost face But the wily core North is certainly not sleeping on nance is the use to which government apparatus and among its embarrased constituents.” its oars. That many of these Southern folks quietly public resources are ordered around public policy in Clearly, the linkages between the smug indiffer- see the Sunday Igbohos and Nnamdi Kanus in clearly order to reduce the destabilising dimensions of multi- ence of the ruling political leadership, a parochial empathetic lights speak to what the future could ethnic nationalities, and the forging of a wholesome governance template, uncontained bloody depredations hold for the troubled Nigerian state. Though leery of Nigerian state within the federation,” he held. without stern consequences, systematic, violent both the Yoruba and Igbo agenda, the many Southern Noting further that one must expect that in a invasion of the Middle Belt and Southern forests and minority tribes are weighing their options as they country like Nigeria with its diverse nature, there was farmlands have birthed grassroots separatist or seces- watch the unfolding events, even as Buhari seemingly bound to exist such tensions, he stated that, “Ethnicity, sionist characters like Sunday Igboho and the Nnamdi opts for military force to stamp out separatist activism. or ethnic nationalism has historically being part and Kanu. Worse, either stemming from incapability or parcel of the political process, economy and statecraft Today, the Fulani, navigating with ethno-religious unwillingness of the central government and national of Nigeria. homogeneity and calling the shots in Nigeria, is parliament to initiate fundamental, as opposed to “I recall this gave rise to the colonial investigatory seen as the number one and perhaps, most astute cosmetic constitutional changes to renew the national committee usually referred to as the Willink Com- ethno-nationalist group staking their claim. The Hausa, journey, the much trumpeted restructuring remains mission, which became the precursor of the multiple socio-culturally subsumed by the Fulani, appear to mere rhetoric. creations of sub-system state in the country between be waking up and putatively reasserting its shredded Commenting on the troubling incidence of ethnic 1963 and 1996.” identity. nationalism in Nigeria, a former military president, By holding that “purposeful leadership could tackle On their part, the Middle Belt tribes, under the sear- retired General Ibrahim Babangida, told THISDAY the challenges, which multi-ethnic nationalism poses ing heat of suffocating domination by the core North in a previous interview with this reporter, that the for governance,” Babangida has essentially written off are exhuming Joseph Tarka’s vision, which much earlier existence of multiple ethnic nationalities does not by Buhari’s governance template and temperament. POLITICAL NOTES A Reawakening of Buhari he man, perhaps, reawakened inside commendation with a tumultuous reception of President Muhammadu Buhari, extended to the president by the people of the soon after he granted an exclusive state, who obviously hadn’t seen him in some interview to the Arise News Televi- years. sion, penultimate week, raising dif- Many would have thought that with the ferent postulations about a man many current state of the nation, a Buhari wouldn’t had thought was unfit to put up such a get such a generous reception anywhere in the good effort during any interview at all. country. But to the shock of a lot of people, he TImmediately after the interview, which held in did. And this is to the credit of the Arise News Abuja, the president was in Lagos to commission interview, which not only shed light on many two major projects completed by the Transport of the issues that were hitherto shrouded in Ministry: the Ebute Metta Train Station and the suspicion, but exposed a better interaction and Deep Blue Project, a security initiative for the communication of the president, as well as his waterways. These, however, didn’t close the new body language and project delivery. engagements by the president. This is completely antithetical to the misin- Last week, the president visited the terrorism formation that had tarried in the public space. If Buhari ravaged Borno State, an effort that attracted only Buhari could sustain the tempo. 68 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 BRIEFINGNOTES

Buhari Arise-Interview Key Takeaways from Buhari’s Arise Interview On Thursday, June 11, President Muhammadu Buhari hosted and fielded questions from top officials of THISDAY/Arise Media Group, led by its chairman, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chair- man, Editorial Board of THISDAY, and Arise Television news anchors, Dr. Reuben Abati and Miss Tundun Abiola. Louis Achi presents some of the key takeaways from the special ‘Democracy Day’ encounter

t was President Muhammadu Buhari’s first interview asked for the gazette to make sure that those who encroached Youth Unemployment and FDI in two years since winning a second term. Despite a on these cattle routes and grazing areas will be dispossessed in In response to what he was doing to bring direct investments myriad of problems plaguing the nation, the conserva- law and try to bring some order back into the cattle grazing.” into the country and engage the youths, President Buhari tive ex-military General seemingly carefully kept recalled what he told the National Executive Council after the avenues for addressing national issues to the barest On ‘Parochial’ Appointments #EndSARS protests, while noting how the protests made the minimum. There was no form of extemporaneous When he was confronted with issue of lop-sided appoint- country insecure for investors. conversation or engagements with the people. ments, President Buhari defended his appointments, insisting More, he held no investor would invest in an insecure This was left to presidential spokespersons, who often they were strictly based on merit and in accordance with his environment, adding that those with good degrees would die miscommunicated or jumbled key public messages or ‘presi- administration’s zeal to serve Nigerians. of hunger if there were no jobs. dentialI reactions.’ The President, at last, stepped out and put all According to him, “Those who know the administration well Making reference to the BRT buses that were razed by that to rest, when he recently fielded questions from THISDAY/ know that we have appointed people from the Southeast into hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos, Buhari Arise Media Group. important position.” On the appointment of the new COAS, he said: “Look at the 200 buses bought by the former governor of While the 45-minute encounter soon fired up national said: “We considered all the factors as well as personal experi- Lagos, some of these boys went and burnt the vehicles. Who discourse, it also provided some insights into President Buhari’s ence and commitment before we arrived at this choice. If you will go and invest their money in an unstable environment? perspectives on relevant issues and his plans for his admin- want the soldiers to be effectively led, you must bring someone, Nobody will. istration’s remaining two years in office. Here are some key who has been in the system and went to the field. “You may have a good degree but you may die without takeaways… “We are fighting on different fronts. We need someone with even a job. Why? Because no one is going to invest in an ample experience, who has been in the field. We reshuffled insecure environment. So, I told them to tell the youths that if He Is Aware the country’s security apparatus to augment our performance they want jobs, they would behave themselves”. The cliché that perception is reality has been repeatedly used with regards to security. When they came in, the first thing they to almost convincingly sell the idea that President Buhari was did was to make a consultation. And they are now in charge. APC and Zoning not in full control of his administration. Perhaps, stemming We don’t want to publicise our gains, but we are recording President Buhari said nobody has the power to decide his from health issues that kept him in the United Kingdom for an success.” successor for the ruling APC, stressing that only members of the extended period during his first term, there’s been strong public have the power to decide the party’s fate, while perception that the President’s constitutional duties have been On IPOB reacting to a question on zoning during the interview. seized by a “cabal.” This scenario was unwittingly reinforced by President Buhari described the proscribed Indigenous People Clarifying that the acting leadership of the party was fast the First Lady on a few occasions. of Biafra (IPOB), as “a dot in a circle,” saying the group is working to reposition the party and make every member feel Though his responses during the interview wouldn’t win isolated in its call for secession – in response to a question on at home, he held that, “The hope of this administration is to see Oscars, for clarity, they revealed he was attentive to what’s been the separatist group. According to the President, he has been APC last beyond it. Therefore, we should allow the party to said or written in the media and regularly received reports assured by the elderly people and the youths from the South- decide. You cannot sit there in Lagos, for instance, and decide about events from sources that should regularly brief him. In south part of the country that the region has no plan to secede. on the fate of APC on zoning. effect, he is in-charge and fully aware, even if situations appear His words: “I was encouraged by what I heard. Two state- “The restructuring of the party has begun from the bottom to confusing at times. ments from the South-South: one by the elderly people, they the top with the membership card registration. Every member said this time around there would be no (secession). And again of the party must be involved. Open Grazing the youth made the same statement; such encouragement. “We will soon conduct our convention. No single member When one of the most crisis-ridden and controversial “So IPOB is just like a dot in a circle. Even if they want to of the party will be allowed to go against the wish of the party. national issues was raised with the President, his response exit, they’ll have no access to anywhere. And the way they are The political party has to know how many members it has left many scratching their head in sheer puzzlement. He spread all over the country, having businesses and properties. I state by state. This is the right step to go about.” said he had asked the Attorney-General of the Federation, don’t think IPOB knows what they are talking about. Abubakar Malami, to begin the process of recovering land “In any case, we say we’ll talk to them in the language that The Anti-Corruption War from persons,who have converted cattle grazing routes for their they understand. We’ll organise the police and the military President Buhari said it was difficult to fight corruption under personal use. to pursue them,” Buhari said. This position has triggered a a democratic setting as currently existing in the country. He The President’s words: “What I did was ask him (AGF) to tsunami of reactions from different stakeholders. noted it was easy for him to fight corruption, when he was a go and dig the gazette of the 1st Republic when people were military Head of State in the early 80s “when a lot of people obeying laws. There were cattle routes and grazing areas. Cattle Building Infrastructure to Niger Republic were sent to prison before I was also booted out.” routes were for when they (herdsmen) are moving upcountry, President Buhari justified the continued building of roads, He held that despite the challenges, his administration has North to South or East to West, they had to go through there. railways and other infrastructure projects to connect the country succeeded in easing out corrupt public officials without making “If you allow your cattle to stray into any farm, you are to Niger Republic, insisting that Niger Republic and other noise about it. arrested. The farmer is invited to submit his claims. The khadi neighbouring countries were crucial to the country’s fight or the judge will say pay this amount and if you can’t the cattle against terrorism and insurgency. On Boko Haram are sold. And if there is any benefit you are given and people He said there was the need for an access road between Maintaining that the Boko Haram insurgency in the were behaving themselves in the grazing areas, they built dams Nigeria and Niger, especially, now that country had discovered northeastern part of the country was largely fuelled by youth and put windmills. In some places, there were even veterinary crude oil, stressing the move had also become necessary so that unemployment and poverty, Buhari also stated that the departments so that the herders are limited. Their route is the country could serve as a transit route for the products rather majority of the Boko Haram members were Nigerians and that known, their grazing area is known. than Niger using other neighbouring countries’ routes. his government had done a lot to fight the terrorists but the “But I am telling you, this rushing to the centre (sic) so I problem in the “North East is very difficult.” THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 69 CICERO/REPORT Kaduna: Confronting Education Sector Challenges Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s effort in the education sector is a model for other states, writes Louis Achi

he audacious Emirates Mars Mission is a UAE Space Agency un-crewed space exploration trip to Mars. It’s actually the Arab-Islamic world’s first interplanetary mission. The mission’s planet orbiter named Hope was launched on July 19, 2020 and reached Mars on February 9, 2021. It has started its study of the Martian atmosphere and sending back images. The mission design, Tdevelopment, and operations were led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. It may be legitimately asked: what’s the connection between Mars exploration, UAE and the subject matter of education, Kaduna State – and Nigeria for that matter? The UAE has been ranked the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and 45thworldwide in a global school rankings list compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The list, which is based on test scores in math and the sciences among 15-year-olds in 76 countries, highlights the link between education and economic growth. Andreas Schleicher, OECD’s education director said: “This is the first time we have a truly global scale of the quality of education. The idea is to give more countries – rich and poor – access to comparing themselves against the world’s education leaders, to discover their relative strengths and weaknesses, and to see what the long-term economic gains from improved quality in schooling could be for them.” Globally, Singapore topped the rankings, followed by Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Western nations such as the UK and the US ranked 20 and 28 respectively. Ghana, South Africa, Honduras, Morocco and Oman rounded off the last five on the list. Nigeria was not even listed. It could be clearly seen from the foregoing that reform is imperative in every sector of human life and society, especially, when considerable regression has set in. Currently, it is indisputable that critical systems have failed or become El-Rufai obsolete in Nigeria’s education sector. Therefore, the issue of reform in Kaduna State or Nigeria’s infrastructure and tools, while attracting the best people in Teachers (NUT) and representatives of the Teachers Registra- education system is not unusual. More advanced nations character and learning to the teaching profession.” tion Council of Nigeria (TRCN) as members. like Finland, Singapore, and the United States continually The foregoing fundamentally captures the big picture But the results were disappointing! Only 11,591 teachers reform their education systems. Developing countries like game plan of Governor El-Rufai as he frontally confronted (33.9%) scored at least 75% in the test. Others fell within the India, Qatar and several others similarly had times of reform his state’s dilapidated education sector. following categories: A. 70 and 74%: 5,766 (16.9%) B. 60-69%: in their educational systems. On assuming power in 2015, the problems El-Rufai was 8,759 (26.1%) and C. 0-59%: 8,047 (23.58%) Typically, a reform starts with the identification of a complaining about in opposition, became his responsibility His administration then made a painful, but necessary, problem, which is further studied, analysed, and evaluated. to fix, especially, in the critical education sector. In 2015, decision to disengage teachers that scored less than 75%. This Thus, incepting any sustainable and worthwhile reform he declared a State of Emergency in Education, enabling was done in accordance with the terms of their employment. is long. In other to identify the problem, there may be the his administration to accelerate procurement and payment Government records indicated that concerns about the need for surveying and conducting series of tests: Aptitude, procedures for education projects, and began a programme problem of teacher quality led the government of late Sir Achievement, and Competency test as the case may of renovation and rehabilitation of primary schools. Patrick Yakowa in 2012 to dismiss about 4000 teachers found demand. This included providing roofs, doors, and windows, to have fake qualifications. As it were, Governor El Rufai of Kaduna State has boreholes and toilets. Where urgently needed, he built new That same year, the Yakowa government also gave a demonstrated within his six years on the saddle that a classrooms. In addition, his administration began placing five-year window within which all unqualified teachers were powerful vision pulls in ideas, people and other resources, orders for school furniture, because in some places up to to acquire the NCE, the minimum teaching qualification. This despite the tough challenges. It creates the energy and will 90% of pupils (not the 50% the former government claimed) five-year window closed in 2017, and this was the reason for to make change happen. It inspires individuals, diverse had no desks or chairs. the timing of the Teacher Competency Test. stakeholders, partnering organisations and institutions to After spending billions fixing about ten percent of the Despite the threats of organised labour, and the strike commit, to persist and to give their best. primary schools then, he did an evaluation that concluded actions that followed, he launched a programme to recruit Cut to the bone, this is the game-changing story of the that he needed to move towards rebuilding schools, not just 25,000 new teachers. More than 43,000 applied for teaching focused, challenging reform of the Kaduna State education renovating them. With a growing population, Kaduna State positions. After examinations, SUBEB arrived at a shortlist of sector – a scenario that could hobble the vision that any primary schools needed to have more classrooms and offices 15,897, which was subjected to further face-to-face scrutiny unfocussed leader enunciates. It could be recalled that the for teachers. He therefore opted to begin to build schools and screening. The first batch of 11,385 new teachers have dinosaurs died out, because they could not adapt quickly on two or three floors, depending on the projected demand completed their induction training and have now reported in enough to environmental changes that swept their milieu. and availability of land. The conclusion was that he would the schools to which they were posted. According to El-Rufai, “Education is a lever for social require faster, system building technologies and significant In his words: “We intend to continue to recruit teachers mobility, enabling people to rise above the circumstances of sources of funding to rebuild the schools in the needed until we meet the target of 25,000 new teachers to replace the their birth and providing a basis for building a meritocratic timeline. 21,780 unqualified teachers that were disengaged.” society. We have begun implementing ambitious education His administration had to open up to the federal govern- But a key problem confronting Governor El-Rufai’s ad- reforms in Kaduna State and, as you all know, these reforms ment and their development partners about the scale of the ministration is still education sector funding and charging of have very often been met with resistance or in some cases, challenges they faced on the education front. He compiled appropriate tuition fees for its tertiary education institutions, misrepresentation and mischief.” an album showing the sorry state of the state’s schools, with especially, the Kaduna State University (KASU). KASU was He spoke as the 4th Distinguished Guest Lecturer of the statistics on teacher quality and pupil-teacher ratios. established under the Kaduna State Law No 3, promulgated University of Medical Science, Ondo State, on Monday, 30th According to Governor El Rufai, “I shared the album on May 21, 2004. April 2018. “We recognise education as a fundamental com- with the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and then, What really are the options for funding tertiary education ponent of human development. Education is an aspirational our development partners, including the Abuja Office of in Nigeria? The issues are not limited to Kaduna State. In- asset, a tool that sparks the curiosity to seek solutions. the World Bank. This is what led to the discussions that terestingly, Kaduna State is leading the charge on the crucial “This curiosity and its resultant solutions are integral to culminated in the World Bank approving a concessionary issue, not unlike as it did with the teachers’ competency test. providing the kind of answers we need for modern devel- “performance-for-results” facility of $350 million for Kaduna The federal government has the education tax fund; clearly opment. Perhaps, the most important of its many benefits is State on 20th June 2017. with the dwindling resources available to state governments, the opportunity for social mobility; how quality education “This facility would have enabled us to take care of the can the Kaduna State University continue to charge N26,000 enables the poor to move out of poverty by the sheer force physical infrastructure component of the Primary Education for medical science? Can it attract the best lecturers? Certainly of determination, application of knowledge and hard work”. challenge, in addition to other investments that will trans- not! Further, according to him, “The rest of Nigeria is watching form the economy of Kaduna State. Alas, the enemies of the Inevitably, a review of fees which the state government had closely how Kaduna State is pursuing the reforms in educa- talakawa of Kaduna State in the Nigerian Senate continue to done can hardly be avoided though this will pressure parents tion, and how we are overcoming the resistance of those, be a stumbling block to accessing this facility.” more. The upwards review of fees for KASU from N26,000 to who think that their privileges, perquisites and entitlements Beyond the physical infrastructure, he remained keen N150,000 is expectedly generating ripples. should come before the need to equip the next generation about addressing the personnel side too. Without competent A comparison of the Kaduna State University in tuition with the ability to compete in a world that is changing faster teachers, even the most glittering school is lifeless. payment with 24 other state owned universities in Nigeria than we can comprehend. On June 3, 2017, the Kaduna State Government conducted shows that the Kaduna State varsity is the cheapest at “Our educational policies and programmes are aimed at a competency test for primary school teachers. The test was N26,000. This of course has implications for sustainable run- eradicating illiteracy in Kaduna State, ensuring every child organised and supervised by a committee, which included ning of the varsity and retention of top class academic staff. gets at least nine years of free basic education, improving the state chairman and secretary of the Nigerian Union of None can dispute that quality education comes at a cost. 70 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20, 2021 CICERO/TRIBUTE

Kenneth Kaunda the former president of Zambia Kaunda: Last of the Independence Fighters Kenneth Kaunda, founding president of Zambia would be remembered as the man, who fought for his country’s independence and also helped others break free from colonialists, writes Tobi Soniyi

t the age of 97, Kenneth Kaunda, the found- former schoolteacher, who quoted Lincoln and Gandhi; and pressure in 1990 and agreed to multiparty elections, which he ing president of Zambia, who died on a physically striking man, who brushed his hair to stand at lost. June 17, 2021 was lucky enough to outlive attention so that it added inches to his six-foot-tall stature.” Kaunda would also be remembered for his role in the fight many of his contemporaries and foes. He, During his reign as president, Kaunda rapidly expanded against HIV/AIDS. along other independence partirachs, rose Zambia’s education system, establishing primary schools in He shared a loss experienced by countless families in Africa, against white minority rule cycling from urban and rural areas and providing all students with books when his son Masuzyo died of AIDS in 1986, and he began a villages to villages preaching independence. and meals. He also established a university and medical personal crusade against the disease. He came to prominence as a leader of the school. He expanded Zambia’s health systen to cater for the “This is the biggest challenge for Africa. We must fight campaign to end colonial rule of his country, then known as needs of his people. AIDS and we must do so now,” he told Reuters in 2002, ANorthern Rhodesia. He was imprisoned briefly in 1955 and However, like many of his colleagues, and those, who adding: “We fought colonialism. We must now use the same again in 1959, and upon his release became president of the came after him, he refused to bow out, when the ovation was zeal to fight AIDS, which threatens to wipe out Africa.” newly formed United National Independence Party. loudest. Clinging to power for 27 years, he had to endure an In 1996, he tried to make a political comeback, but he was Kenneth David Kaunda, born on April 28, 1924, was the electoral defeat to let go. blocked, when Chiluba, his bitter enemy, forced through youngest of eight children of a Church of Scotland minister at He mposed a one-party state in 1973, gradually developed constitutional amendments, which declared the former “Father Lubwa mission in the remote north of the country. a personality cult and clamped down on opposition. He of the Nation” a foreigner, because his parents came from Known also by his African name of “Buchizya” – the claimed that the one-party state was the only option for Malawi. unexpected one – he did menial jobs to earn school fees Zambia as it faced attacks and subterfuge from white-led He was arrested in December 1997 and charged with treason after his father’s death. He also worked as a teacher and a South Africa and Rhodesia. following a coup attempt by junior army officers two months mine welfare officer and joined politics in 1949 as a founder He ruled at the height of the Cold War, and like many of earlier. He was detained in a maximum security prison but member of the Northern Rhodesian African National his colleagues on the continent, he was a leading member of later placed under house arrest until the state dropped the Congress. the Non-Aligned Movement. charges. He became president in 1964 and kept his grip on power However, his popularity waned following the collapse of Kaunda was shot and wounded by government forces for 27 years until he was defeated in 1991 by Frederick the once thriving Zambian economy as the price of copper, its during a demonstration in 1997 and in 1999 escaped an assas- Chiluba, the trade unionist. main export, fell in the 1970s. Although he eventually became sination attempt. He blamed Chiluba’s allies for the November As leader of the first country in the southern region to authoritarian, Kaunda conceded defeat and agreed to return 1999 killing of his son and heir-apparent, Wezi. That same year, break with its European colonisers, Kaunda worked hard to Zambia to multi-party politics and peacefully stepped down Kaunda announced his withdrawal from domestic politics to help other former colonies break with their white colonialists from power, when he lost elections in 1991. concentrate on halting the spread of AIDS through his Kenneth and achieve independence. According to the Washington Post, “Corruption, misman- Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation. He would be remembered as an African nationalist, who agement and the nationalisation of foreign-owned companies Prior to his death, Kaunda had abstained from making spearheaded the fights to end white minority rule across and mines also contributed to the economic decline. Unem- public pronouncement. However, in a rare public appearance southern Africa. ployment soared and the standard of living sank during the in September 2019, at the age of 95, he spoke out strongly During his 27-year rule, he gave critical support to 1980s, making Zambia one of the world’s poorest countries.” against a wave of attacks in South Africa against foreigners armed African nationalist groups that won independence Following the advice of the International Monetary Fund from other African countries. for neighboring countries including Angola, Mozambique, and Western creditors, Kaunda imposed austerity measures, “Our brothers and sisters in South Africa should remember Namibia and Zimbabwe. which led to riots over price hikes and shortages in basic that these same people they are treating with cruelty are the The New York Times described him as “an impassioned commodities such as maize meal. This led to his downfall. He same people, who were comrades in arms in fighting the orator, who could bring an audience to its feet and to tears; a eventually gave way to domestic protests and international brutal apartheid regime,” Kaunda said. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20, 2021 71 TRIBUTE Akinwunmi Ambode: The Teacher’s Son Turns 58 Louis Achi

n June 14, 1964, at the Epe General Hospital, Lagos, the cry of a new life pierced the anxious maternity ward. It was that of a boy child. A deeply grateful and pious father, Pa Festus Akinwale Ambode and mother Chris- tianah Oluleye Ambode, welcomed a new bawling clan member. Today, at a vigorous 58 years of age, Chief Akinwunmi Ambode,O former governor of Lagos State is no less a child of providence. He wielded power and is still deploying his influence with alluring humility and exemplary focus. With his life’s trajectory, he has demonstrated that faith, public finance management, administration and politics fundamentally address transformation of the human condition for good. He still unabashedly maintains this unique philosophy and footing. Little wonder, the famous American poet and essayist Maya Angelou observed that, “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” Angelou’s captivating insight into the existential challenges that confront great men in-the-making fundamentally captures the life story of Akinwunmi Ambode, who notched 58, on June 14. The enthralling odyssey of ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode further goes to validate the enduring wisdom that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. An unwavering sense of loyalty and duty, rigorous profession- alism, stern discipline, demonstrable integrity and almost a child-like faith in his beloved God had activated and enlisted those mysterious principles that guide progress. In the academia, professions, faith arena, politics and even romance, these deep traits have meshed to win over the needed fundamental forces, which interfaced to leverage Ambode’s life journey. Ambode has demonstrated that he is a personality and leader not swayed by extraneous emotionalism and parochial cant. This footing may have put him on a collision course with the political godfather of his realm. But he remains driven by principle. It could be recalled that after dispatching the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s mettlesome Chief Jimi Agbaje in the keenly contested April 12, 2015 governorship election, Ambode hit the ground running. As governor of Nigeria’s commercial and industrial capital faced with the challenge of satisfying the yearnings of the over 15 million residents of Lagos, it couldn’t have been otherwise. Drawing from his rich professional background as an Ambode accountant, administrator and public finance management expert and leaning on a vision to make Lagos a clean, Nigeria is in recession, somehow Lagos has been able to INSEAD, Singapore. He also, he attended the John F. secure, more prosperous state with a robust economy built do it and it is because people are paying their taxes.” The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, on service, equity and justice, the Epe-born dynamite left governor also dealt expeditiously with backlog payment of Cambridge, USA. few in doubt that he is indeed the man the city needed. N11billion as arrears to retirees of Lagos State Government His civil service career was remarkable. From 1988-91, One of the major achievements of Governor Akinwunmi and much more. he was the Assistant Treasurer, Badagry local govern- Ambode was the massive inner roads (re)construction Lagosians certainly will not forget in a hurry the ment, Lagos State, Nigeria. In 1991, he was posted to his government embarked upon at the outset. In his ‘114 transformative leadership he brought in his phenomenal Somolu Local Government, Lagos State, as an auditor. Roads’ project, each of the 57 local councils in the state four-year tenure. During this challenging period, he never He has also held the position of Council Treasurer in got two good roads completed. The accounting guru’s borrowed money to fund development. He rather worked Shomolu Local Government in later years. philosophy that a well-lit Lagos will reduce crime also saw hard to generate revenue. He also previously served as Council Treasurer at him light up over 360 streets across the state. Against unproven allegations of being impetuous and Alimosho Local Government, Lagos State. In 2001, he Some key projects executed under the single term adversarial, the emergence of Chief Ambode as Lagos became acting Auditor General for Local Government, tenure of ex-Governor Ambode include the Ikeja Bus State chief executive evokes memories of other progressive Lagos State, Nigeria. This position was confirmed by the Terminal; Oshodi Transport Interchange; Oshodi-Airport eras of the state. Clearly, Ambode is not a saint and has State House of Assembly. In January 2005, Ambode was Road Expansion; Ojodu Berger Bus Terminal; Institute of never been heard to claim that arcane status. But the appointed the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Maternal and Child Health (Ayinke House); Abule Egba parameters for electing the governor of a Nigerian state do Ministry of Finance. Jubilee Flyover; Ajah Jubilee Flyover; Aba-Oru Flyover; not specify sainthood as a key requirement. From 2006-2012, he was the Accountant General for Yaba Bus Terminal and Oyingbo Bus Terminal. His choice, simply acknowledged the capacity of focused Lagos State, in charge of all the financial activities of the Others include - Freedom Road, Lekki; Bus Reform individuals to change their society for the better. For state and directly responsible for over 1400 accountants Initiatives (820 buses purchased out of 5,000 originally decades, both as an accountant, administrator and public in the state service. Under his watch, the State Treasury planned); Four Lagos Theatres – located in Alimosho, finance management expert, he has provided clear, Office (STO) revolutionized the way Lagos State finances Badagry, Epe and Ikeja) and Construction of 21 roads in pragmatic leadership. were raised, budgeted, managed and planned. In his six Alimosho amongst others. Even after, the untidy truncation of his governorship years as the Lagos State accountant general, the state’s On the security, artisanal and entrepreneurial em- trajectory, like the true gentleman he is, he unstintingly financial performance improved visibly with the budget powerment, agricultural, tax generation fronts and more, supported his party and political successor. He has performing at an average of 85% annually. Ambode indisputably made remarkable progress in Lagos since then remarkably carried himself with exemplary After 27 years in the civil service, he voluntarily State. dignity, an unusual footing for contemporary politicians. retired in August 2012. He subsequently founded Not many would have forgotten that early in his tenure, Perhaps these consistent qualities have kept him on Brandsmiths Consulting Limited to provide Public Ambode launched the game-changing Lagos-Kebbi (LAKE the radar of the ruling party’s top hierarchs. Just three Finance and Management Consulting services to Rice) project. Thousands of residents trooped out to vari- months ago, Ambode was appointed by APC into its government at all levels, its parastatals and agencies. In ous centres across the three senatorial districts in the state Contact/Strategy Committee. 2013, he founded the non-profit La Roche Leadership to buy the commodity which sold for N12,000 (50kg bag); Chief Ambode attended St. Jude’s Primary School, Foundation. Its recent goal is to install Nigerian and N6,000 (25kg); and N2,500 (10kg). It was a much needed Ebute Metta, Lagos State, from 1969-1974, where he sat Lagos State flags in all government owned schools in respite for a population that had been reeling under the for the National Common Entrance Examinations. From Lagos State. impact of economic recession. 1974-1981, he attended Federal Government College, He is an active member of the Federal Government The recession then in 2016 notwithstanding, Lagos State Warri, Delta State and from 1981-1984, attended Univer- College Lagos, Warri Old Students Association (FEGO- under his watch generated a figure which ranked among sity of Lagos, where he studied Accounting, graduating COWOSA) and is credited with revitalizing the Lagos its highest ever internal revenue. As at the preceding at the age of 21. He also has a Master’s degree in branch of the Association. He was a two-time Chairman December, the state had raked in N287 billion in IGR, a Accounting from the and is also of the Lagos State Branch, and, until recently, was the whopping N19 billion more than was generated the year qualified as a chartered accountant. National President of the Association, a position he held before. Except in 2013 when the state generated N384 Ambode was awarded the Fulbright Program scholar- for three years. billion, the year was the highest the state had made ship for the Hubert Humphries Fellowship Programme In 1991, Ambode married the love of his life - Bolanle since its creation. A rejig of the state’s revenue generation in Boston, Massachusetts. He also attended the Wharton Patience Odukomaiya. They are blessed with lovely agency played a major role in this feat. But Ambode also School of the University of Pennsylvania for Advanced twin children. acknowledged faithful tax-paying citizens in the state for Management Programme. Other institutions he attended In all his life’s challenges, a calm philosophical the revenue landmark. for courses and programmes include - Cranfield School Ambode has taken things in his stride as he focuses His words: “The tax payers are the ones giving us the of Management, Cranfield, England, the Institute of on the next phase of his life. Such is the measure of the little energy that we have and even though when they say Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland, teacher’s son as he notched 58. Happy birthday Chief. 72 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021

CICERO/INTERVIEW Abdulahi Ganduje

Ganduje speaking green Judiciary Is Already Independent, Else We Won’t Agree When They Cancel Elections In an interactive session with journalists, commemorating the second anniversary of June 12 as Democracy Day, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of , spoke on sundry local and national issues. Ibrahim Shuaibu presents the excepts:

hat is the state of infrastructure issues of judicial and local government autonomy? that. Kano State, being a commercial nerve centre of the northern development at the Yusuf Maitama The independence of judiciary and the independence of local part of this country and commercial nerve centre of some West University? governments, you even forgot one, the independence of the African countries, we have children from all over the northern part The Yusuf Maitama Sule University legislature, if I can add it for you. Let’s start with the judiciary. We of this country and from Niger and from Tchad. issue, we inherited a number of mega have no problem with the independence of the Judiciary, in fact, We established three mega schools for the Almajiris. We have capital projects. In fact, just last week, I was the Judiciary is independent. You can even win an election and completed the admission, but the children that we decide to take W able to complete the latest, that is, Yahaya they will cancel it. If they are not independent, how can we agree back to their respective states, sometimes they come back even Gusau work. Yes, we completed it. Others if they cancel our election? before our officials come back, because the corresponding states were completed a long time ago. The ones initiated and executed As a governor, you are serving, you don’t know what will have not taken the issue as seriously as we have done. by Malam Shekarau, abandoned for over ten years. happen tomorrow. You sleep well and wake up in the morning So, it is an issue that we have to go back to the drawing board. When the previous administration came, it did not even look and you find out that you are no longer a governor. Is there any To be frank with you, with the amount of insecurity all over, we at it for four years. So, only lizards and rats were there. That one independence that supersedes that one? Their only issue is that of are handling the issue with care but our enrollment is on and it too, I am the person that put it to use in the last two years. Hydro financial independence. will be open. electricity,which we inherited, work is still going on at Tiga and Here in Kano State, we have no problem with that. We have We have over three thousand Almajiris. Some, we have taken Chalawa dams. The Tiga dam is about 95% completed while been paying the judiciary what they are supposed to be paid. back to their neighbourhood schools, the indigines of Kano. So, the Challawa is just 20% due to some technical issues here and there. They have also acknowledged that we have been paying what only problem we have is the Almajiris coming from other states, Meanwhile, as I lay this foundation, it is to show you that we we are expected to pay. So, we have no problem with that. whom we embarked on returning back to their states but it’s an inherited many capital projects; some have been completed, some The local governments too are independent. We conducted issue we cannot say we have succeeded. But since we have the are ongoing, some are still on going at a slow rate due to financial free and fair elections at local governments. We always give them political will, we’ll match on. problems. But I assure you we will complete them during this what is due to them at the local governments but sometimes we tenure. have joint projects. So, they too are independent. We believe in the Your government recently announced converting 5000 Those two faculties of the university at the permanent site that independence of these bodies. civil servants in the state with education qualification, what are still lagging behind are not due to lack of interest. We intro- is so far the outcome? duced free and compulsory education, which is heavily loaded A lot has been said about the Almajiri integration in the We have appointed an Implementation Committee and it is including financial commitment, because of increase in enrolment state, yet, the first set of pupils is yet to graduate. What is working on that. I think your answer is short, because you are on and other infrastructure improvement. So, that has affected tertiary happening? it asking about the genesis. education. In fact, lower education has affected higher education Almajiri issue is a real problem. It’s a big problem. What we as a result of financial commitment. I think that is the reason anticipated was a decision by the northern states government to Recently, the issue of secession has become a national have the same legislation preventing the movement of school age issue, what do you advise to keep Nigeria as one indivisible What is your stance on the current discussion on the children from one state to another. But we have not succeeded in entity? THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20,2021 73 CICERO/INTERVIEW t +6%*$*"3:*4"-3&"%:*/%&1&/%&/5 &-4&8&80/5"(3&&8)&/5 )&:$"/$&-&-&$5*0/4t People, who are urging for splitting the country, calling for seces- sion, of course it’s a democracy, but I’m confident that Nigeria will continue to be one indivisible country. I don’t want to comment on those, who are calling for the split, because they are young people, who did not experience the civil war and I am happy their elders are also making the same comments. So, Nigeria will continue to be one and there is confidence, because just last week, Ohanaeza Indigbo revealed a resolution that they are not behind the Biafra project, they are behind the unity of Nigeria. That is very encouraging and we are hearing it from an important regional association. Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum, of course is behind one Nigeria and has not been advocating for the fragmentation of Nigeria. Afenifere also made a resolution that they are behind one Nigeria, they are not behind those who are calling for the split of the country. The same thing with the National Coalition of the Middle Belt People, they too say they believe in one Nigeria. So, who else will succeed in splitting the country? In fact, I made a call to these regional associations, since they all believe in one Nigeria, let them come together and fashion out our diversity, identify our differences, identify our similarities and ensure that our diversity, which is our source of problem and a challenge; they should convert the challenge into an opportunity. It is possible. So, these regional bodies should meet and find out how they can convert our differences into opportunities for the unity of this country. Some of us believe our diversity is a blessing. Individual ethnic nationalities have some inherent trends that if properly harnessed will take Nigeria forward. All that we require is that we should respect our differences and convert our challenges into opportunities.

Your administration has initiated some projects in the state like Daula Hotel, Cancer Treatment Center and the Economic City. How can these projects be completed during your tenure judging by the crisis of continuity? You said we started mega projects. I think maybe you don’t seem to understand the history of some of the projects. Some of them that you have mentioned are under PPP. So, it is not solely a state government project. But when you are talking of the Cancer Treatment Centre, 95% of the equipment is on the ground, multi is tired or not tired. But you want me to tell you whether I will House of Representatives. We tried by trying to convince the men billion naira equipment. retire as well. Well, I’m not tired anyway. But whether I will resign to allow them to contest. They were not able to get the tickets. But some of the work only stopped for two weeks during the or not, time will tell. But I can tell you that I have been in politics So, I decided to engage them actively and they are working very Covid-19. If you care to go and check,there is always work going since 1978. So, even if I retire, I think my ears are on what is hard and probably will go back to the ring. But we appreciated on there. We believe by December or the first quarter of 2022, the happening. their efforts and that was why we rewarded them with good Centre will be commissioned, because 95% of the equipment is on appointments. ground and the construction work is on. What qualities are you expecting from the person that is Daula is under PPP, the contractors are also going at high speed. going to succeed you? What measures will you put in place to give access to You know at the foundation level, that is where you spend a lot of You asked which type of quality I will look for in my successor. journalist, when they seek data or information from the time, because of the nature of soil and so on. But if you go there, I When you finished your question I said in Hausa “No za ka yiwa state? think you will see how work is going on. wayo?” (You think you can deceive me?). After praising me for On the issue of data sourcing from the commissioners, I think We have a five star hotel there replacing the Daula Hotel. We not showing priority, you are coming from the backdoor so that this is for the Information, when you are looking for information have a shopping mall there and other sites and services, which are if I mention the qualities you will compute the qualities with the and data from the commissioners and the advisers, I think this all handled by private individuals and the Kano State government individuals, so, it will be the delegates that will do that. should not be a problem. If you are looking for information, has its own share of the hotel. Then if you go to the Triumph, the contact your colleague the commissioner for information. Any site for Triumph, the building has been demolished. On the issue of pensioners in the state, the situation in information you need, any data you need, any commissioner you The structures that are coming up are for a modern bureau de the pension house is pathetic. Former governor Malam want to access, I think there will be a way for you to do that. If change market. said he left N9 billion, when he was leav- there is any difficulty about that, the commissioner should bring it If you go there, you will see some work going on. Also at the ing office. But today pensioners don’t have the confidence to the Executive Council. Shahuji, where we demolished one building, which was about to that they will get their gratuities in the next three years collapse and we were advised by engineers. It was built by the after retiring. What plans do you have for pensioners in the What is the current stage on the issue of Light Rail previous administration but it was poorly constructed, so we had state before the expiration of your tenure? introduced by your administration? to demolish it. The N9 billion left by the Malam Shekarau administration, We have signed an agreement contract with EEC for the With the PPP project, if you go there you will see a number of the Ganduje administration did not meet that. The Ganduje construction of light rail in Kano State. We have applied to the projects, a complex, commercial market is already there and we administration met some N4 billion of pension but as loan with federal government. The Chinese Bank has approved the loan started to do a flyover and even a tunnel. So, that one too will be the housing scheme. They were given the houses. The pensioners for the project. The federal government is working with Chinese completed by the Private Sector. That one is not a project that is were given the houses, and the houses are costly. Up till now, they government on an agreement that will be signed between the purely a government project. So, we assure you, those which are have not been sold. Before he left, he even gave out some of the federal government and the Chinese government. The issue will purely government projects we will be able to complete them. In houses to some institutions, some to individuals. So we didn’t soon be tabled to the Federal Executive Council after which it will fact, we have not even started a mega project, the Muhammadu meet any money for the pensioners. So, that is one issue you go to the Senate. I believe by the end of this year, everything will Buhari Rotary Interchange, which our engineers went round to should understand. be on the ground for the start of the light rail project in Kano. find out how they manage traffic and how they will come up The second issue is that we don’t have enough income like Kano is a mega city. We are trying to introduce a mass transit with modern designs to manage traffic jams. They came up with Malam Ibrahim Shekarau had or Kwankwaso had. Some states system in cooperation with the light rail. Just at the last executive a beautiful design. We have already awarded the contract. The are even finding it difficult to pay salaries. Some are owing the council meeting, we approved N2.5 billion for the purchase of vice-president is coming and we will lay the foundation. We are government’s salaries. So, it’s due to financial problems that we are buses through PPP. Then we identified some routs, which will finishing that project within fifteen months once it is started. having. But I am assuring you that it is due to financial problems. be designated for the mass transit. So, the light rail is on course We are seriously calculating and it will be finished in this tenure. Sometimes we had to revert to the former salary scale used and it’s one of our big dreams that we want to actualise. But So, we assure you that we will finish most of our projects. For before the improvement of the salary scale. You can see the you know it cannot be completed within one tenure. It’s a long the ones that will not be completed, governance is continuous, problem that we are facing. But you know we cannot borrow process. All what we require is to lay the foundation, start the we inherited some, some people will also inherit from us. But I money from banks and pay pensioners or pay salaries. We project and coming government will complete it. believe it will be few but it is not our fault anyway to leave an borrow money from banks for capital projects, because some will uncompleted project, because governance is continuous. be revenue generating while some will be of benefit to everybody. On sports, how do you plan to enhance and strengthen So, that is the situation. We are praying and we are committed the Kano Pillars and second, is it true that you are a fan of What is your take on rotational presidency? to improving our revenue generation. But even this is very Manchester United? You mentioned presidential candidates and zoning, the difficult, because of the general economy of the nation. So, we will Kano Pillars have ten marches. We have been on top and we candidates will be determined by the delegates when the time try and see how we can assist. Those who can sell their houses, are going to maintain our position. There are certain things that I comes. the pension is an agency, they have enough houses, which they cannot tell you and there are certain things that I can tell you. That can sell but I assure you, even if they sell the houses, the houses is the secret of, even in elections, if you asked how you win the With the complexity of Kano’s politics, how do you intend will be consumed by the liabilities. elections not everyone can tell you. to resolve the succession battle? First of all, we have been donating buses. The Kano Pillars have On the issue of politics in Kano, there are so many governorship What plans do you have for female inclusion in politics three luxurious buses. Two were by individuals and one was by aspirants in the state and for the House of Representatives and come 2023? the state government. That is a kind of encouragement and also, also Senators. So, complex in Kano, how do I tackle the problem? Gender in politics. We will introduce some measures. First of all other logistics. We want to double our efforts with our logistics Well, looking at the antecedents of the governor, his political all, we will make sure that the application forms will be free for so that they can maintain the lead. dexterity, he too is complicated, complex in politics, so time will tell women. Also, we will have dialogue with some stakeholders Yesterday, as we were handing over one bus to the Kano Pillars, and the issue will be solved democratically. to allow women to participate actively and be allowed to win they scored one goal in Kaduna but it was cancelled. Then finally elections. We tried during the local government elections, but you it was a draw 0-0. But we maintained that position, which allows Recently, your counterpart from Katsina, Governor know local government elections are local. We tried but chairman; us to be on top. So, I assure you that we are conscious of the Aminu Masari said, he would retire from active politics in I don’t know whether we even have a councillor. progress of the Kano Pillars. We will do all that it takes to ensure 2023, are you going along the same path? So, we decided to appoint women in our councils since they that they succeed. We will come on top. You said the governor of Katsina Aminu Masari said he will couldn’t break through the elections. And even during the 2019 You asked me about my team, whether I belong to Manchester retire from active politics in 2023, but I don’t know whether he election, there were some young women, who contested for the United or Kano Pillars. Mind you,Ganduje Babes are also on line. 74 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ NE 20,2021 

Losing Weight, Reaching Fitness Goals Easier Than You Think

f part of your resolutions for 2021 was to lose some weight, this is about the time of the year when they start to fall apart and you start to give up. Second-left Anire Kanyi, Chairman TMCL and friends during the Lagos Tennis Cup final You’ve probably jumped on one too many fad diets, lost some weight only to gain it all back I(yes, this was me), or you’re new to this and it’s all a bit TMCL Plans Abuja Tennis Cup after maiden overwhelming. These tips will help you get started and improve your chances of success: Lagos Tennis Cup Success Set a Realistic Goal ennis players and fans in Nigeria can expect the next 20 years,” TMCL chairman Anire Kanyi told This Day. Setting goals that you can visualize yourself achieving more good times as Lekki-based Tennis “It has taken us years to get to this stage, but we are happy the will make you more committed but that doesn’t mean Management Company Limited plans to build show is finally on the road. We had the best players in Nigeria your goals shouldn’t challenge you. To set a goal that is on the recent success of its maiden Lagos Tennis slog it out here for five days and you can expect even better tailored to your schedule, fitness level and lifestyle ask Cup by hosting another major tournament in when they clash again in the Abuja Tennis Cup at the end of the yourself: Abuja later in the year. year.” How many days in a week can I workout? The Lagos Tennis Cup, which took place from Although TMCL plans to have four major tournaments every How long can each session last? June 09-13 at the preeminent tennis facility in year, the company says it will start with just the Lagos and Abuja What time of the day works for me? Nigeria, the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in Onikan, involved 16 of tournaments in the first few years. The Abuja tournament billed How much weight do I want to lose? theT best professional tennis players in the country. All partici- for the impressive tennis arena at the National Stadium will And start with that. A safe amount will be 0.5kg – 1kg pants qualified for the event after reaching the quarter-finals of feature the top ranked 8 players in both the men and women’s per week. This number will be higher the farther away the 2021 CBN Open tournament. categories. you are from a healthy BMI and it’ll reduce as you get No.3 seeds Uche Oparaoji and Marylove Edward triumphed “Our goal is to have a miniature of the global tennis Grand closer to your goal weight. That means that the more in the men and women’s categories respectively, carting home Slams in Nigeria, so we’re looking at four major tournaments weight you lose, the harder it’ll be to lose weight. half a million naira each in prize money. annually that we’ll call the Nigerian Tennis Majors. We want The tournament was the first installment of a brand new to build carefully. We will start with only the Lagos and Abuja Start Small addition to the annual national tennis calendar by TMCL. To be tournaments this year and in 2022, and subsequently we’ll You don’t have to start by cutting whole food groups known as the Nigerian Tennis Majors, the initiative will ensure explore tournaments in other cities keen to invest in what we are out of your diet or running 10 miles a day. top Nigerian players get four high stakes tournaments every doing.” Kanyi explained. Introduce more vegetables into your diet, consciously year to serve both as inspiration for local talents to relentlessly “In time we will open a couple of the tournaments to inter- reduce your portions, cut down on the snacking, start develop their craft, and a measurement of their progress for national players, but for the first five years at least our focus will with forms of exercise that you’re comfortable with like everyone to see. be solely on developing Nigerian talents. Tennis cannot sustain walking, swimming or dancing (yes! there’s tons of dance “Our vision is to create a platform that can assist in taking a huge local following unless Nigerians see our boys playing workout videos on YouTube). Nigerian tennis to the upper reaches of the global game over regularly internationally” the TMCL boss added. Understand that this is a long term commitment and pick a form of exercise that you can be consistent with.

Be Aware of How Much You’re Eating As Abu Inu-Umoru Validates his Self-effacing Persona Food has units of energy called calories and when you eat more calories than your body needs, the excess is Sufuyan Ojeifo stored as fat. If you’re trying to lose weight, you should eat a little less calories than your body needs (an average wo events in the month of May 2021, separated of 1500 for women and 2000 for men) but most of us don’t by about three weeks, significantly coalesced even understand that it’s possible to be eating healthy to validate the essential persona of Chief Abu food or smaller quantities and still consume more calories Inu-Umoru, on which I adumbrated when I because some foods are more calorie dense than others. penned an opinion piece in 2019 entitled: “This is Although tracking calories is not something I think about Inu-Umorus, not Khalaf”. In that piece, I had you should do everyday, it’s important to educate attempted a deconstruction of the philosophy of yourself so you know what types of food to take in what life and the individuality of Chief Abu Inu-Umoru, quantities for your goals fondly referred to in many circles of personal friends, business associatesT and social acquaintances as Chairman, in the context of Give That Scale a Rest! what seemed the family’s battle with Khalaf, the Lebanese partner Most people think that when you start a new diet/ fit- of his late father, whose precipitate scheme at that intersection was ness routine, the numbers on the scale declines gradually to supplant the Inu-Umorus in the ownership and control of the in a linear manner. But it really just fluctuates and you burgeoning indigenous Setraco Construction Company. end up at a lower number over time, so don’t discourage As an aside, because this is about Abu Inu-Umoru and not yourself by stepping on the scale everyday because Setraco, I will sidestep issues that centre on Setraco, a company sometimes the number on the scale isn’t reducing but that had cut a niche for itself, and is consistently maintaining a firm you’re losing inches. hold on its share of the construction market as typified by Nigeria’s Try taking progress photos once every week and terrain of road infrastructure construction business. He is also the you’re going to see changes that you probably wouldn’t Chairman of Hartland Civil Construction Company, which had Inu-Umoru notice checking the scale or looking at the mirror every- been very successful even while the father was alive, running side- day. by-side (competitively?) with Setraco, the family business. This to borrow the phrase of Oliver Cromwell to his portrait painter, To track your progress accurately, use the scale once a piece is not also about Hartland. Abu Inu-Umoru is, by deliberate Peter Lely. week in the morning before you’ve had anything to eat or choice, the central thematic focus of this narrative. To be sure, Cromwell’s “warts and all” means including fea- drink. The moniker of Chairman, by which he is widely addressed, fits tures or qualities that are not appealing or attractive. That simply perfectly, for all times and purposes, into who he is. It somewhat means that no man is perfect after all. Therefore, in painting Abu Be Prepared for Failure defines and thereafter expresses, as it were, the weight of his Inu-Umoru’s portrait, especially the components of his corporeal It’s okay to mess up once in a while, you’ll fall for charisma, which is accentuated by the cadence of his speech. configuration that harbours his humanitarian essence, I am temptations and overeat sometimes or miss workout Although, he is taciturn, yet when he speaks, he carefully chooses consensus ad idem with a friend who knows Chairman very sessions. But rather than feel guilty and give up all his words, perhaps not wanting to hurt anyone. In a much more well that he (Chairman) is a special handiwork of God’s creation. together, get back to your routine and keep showing up profound way, which he is perhaps not even acquainted with, he His kinds are very few on this terra firma. Having done so much for yourself. There’s room for bad days as long as they’re gives expression and explication to the Yoruba proverb, which is to positively affect humanity, he continues to remain humble few and far between. transliterated: “Good words bring out kola nut from the pocket about it. Whereas, he has all it takes to court the media, hug the while bad words bring out sword from the sheath.” Indeed, on limelight and etch his image in the consciousness of the people, Don’t Compare Your Results both scores of being taciturn and carefully choosing his words, his he has chosen the ennobling path of quietude, almost verging It’s great to have people as your body goals and be gravitas in a world in which his being has found vast expressions, on solitude. But, make no mistake about it, Abu Inu-Umoru is inspired but don’t let somebody’s success completely despite his humble background and largely inexplicable humility, on top of his game in the intercourse between business exertions determine your expectations for yourself. Not everybody is made even more instructive by his diffident disposition. Unlike and social life. He knows how to conduct and strengthen his responds the same way because we have different body many wealthy people, who flaunt what they have in the faces of businesses through utilitarian networking without adverting types. others by their signature and archetypical styles, Abu Inu-Umoru’s to himself unnecessary attention and/or generating needless Some people will lose weight faster than others self-effacing, affable character is such that it is difficult to know him hoopla around himself or his business concerns. That explains because of factors we can’t control. Fitness is not a one by his gait. his gentleman’s approach in responding to the shenanigans by size fits all. In fact, his self-restraint is unmistakable. Therefore, referring his late father’s business partner, the grand old man, Said Khalaf to him as Chairman in all situations and circumstances is in pari when he (Khalaf) was up to his mischief. Again, this piece is not *Odunuga is a certified fitness trainer and is the materia with the content of his character. No wrong characteriza- about Khalaf. founder of Easyfit, a brand that aims to simplify tion is contemplated here in this deliberate enterprise of penning –––Mr Ojeifo contributed this piece via ojwonderngr@ the obscurity that people have about fitness. You a writ-large assessment of his individuality or alternatively in the yahoo.com can follow @Easyfitng on instagram for fitness tips, task of constructing his portraiture, remarking the “warts and all” Read full article on www.thisdaylive.com motivation and healthy recipes. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 20, 2021 75 with Chidi Amuta ENGAGEMENTS e-mail: [email protected] Dividends of Buhari’s Summer Revelations resident Buhari has just rendered invaluable timonial disclosures and confessions all add up to a huge dividend. service to an uneasy nation. He used this year’s First, it is pleasing to know that Mr. Buhari is real. He is himself and political anniversary season to grant two revealing not some Sudanese double or look alike clone conjured to rule over interviews and deliver a beneficial Democracy us. His health does not appear compromised in any substantial Day address. With these pronouncements, he way. He is reasonably sane, alert and aware of his political environ- has lifted the veil from his troubling trademark ment. He is neither demented nor mentally challenged as many silence. The television interviews, one with Arise street side chroniclers had stubbornly insisted. He is informed of Television and the other with Nigerian Television current developments around the nation. The derelictions appear Authority (NTA) followed closely by a national broadcast, contain willful while the tardiness in the management of the affairs of state Pfar reaching revelations and disclosures about the mindset of may just be Buhari at his best. Nigeria’s problematic helmsman. The incoherence and incompetence are not quite accidental. The The man broke from himself at a time of national distress. limitation in knowledge and exposure are real and not inflicted by Many had begun to doubt whether the affairs of state were in the his enemies. A good deal of the wrong headed communications hands of anyone in particular. Some well informed people had that issue from Aso Rock are not being mechanically ascribed to an even asserted definitively that Buhari was no longer in charge of ‘absent’ president. It is not quite his spokesmen who sit in the shad- Nigeria. The mere fact of these pronouncements has therefore ows of power to concoct that avalanche of bewildering releases resolved many lingering misperceptions about the real present and outrageous pronouncements. The words may be theirs but the circumstances of the president. His prolonged habitual silence on spirit in the words is their master’s voice. These court messengers nearly every occasion and subject had led to an array of specula- can now sleep better, finally spared the barbs and bullets of public tions and conspiracy theories about his mental and physical shape anger. Buhari, it turns out, is actually the man behind the mask, the and material presence in Aso Villa. The contents of the interviews author of his serial infamy and the architect of his own misjudg- apart, they provide live evidence in a public square ruled by wild ments and reflexive presidential blunders. Yet, for the courage to hearsay and enlightened gossip. In this summer of troubles, Buhari break through the mask and remind the public of who they really has said so many things that mean so many different things to a voted for, the president deserves more medals than he already has divided Nigeria. dangling from his tattered military uniform. A significant majority of Nigerians see enough toxin in aspects Easily the most consequential dividend of these pronounce- of these pronouncements. Naturally, some sections of the nation ments has to do with the insight they provide on how to navigate see nothing wrong with even the most contentious issues. The the country out of the present dangerous pass. The current immediate troubling indicator of Buhari’s emerging political Buhari widespread insecurity and political discord have put a question legacy is the north-south divide in responses to the interviews and today thoroughly embarrassed by Buhari’s lopsided appointments mark of uncertainty on the future of the nation. In response to ques- broadcast. While the governors and publics of the Southern states and undisguised nepotism. Worse still, all the highly accomplished tions about restructuring and amendments to the1999 constitution, may be angry with the president’s stance on open grazing, Miyetti and decent northerners that I know are even more scandalized by Buhari offered the ultimate conundrum. He insists that he is Allah, most of the governors and general public in the northern the fact that Mr. Buhari has carefully chosen to foist a hegemony of running a constitutional democracy. Therefore, only the National states are hailing the president. Yet, on the matter of open cattle mostly incompetent northerners on the nation. The northern elite Assembly can effect either an amendment of the 1999 constitution grazing, it ought to concern us all that we have in 2021 a Nigerian understand the current virtual collapse of the Nigerian state is the or the restructuring and reform of the country. president who is drawing policy inspiration from a regional result of the epic incompetence of Mr. Buhari’s peculiar personnel Clearly, Buhari has drawn the red line on the possible outcome gazette from the first republic. It turns out that the said gazette choices . and limits of the spate of separatist agitations and other reform applies only to the northern states. It also ought to worry us that Similarly, the president has failed to understand that the IPOB movements currently plaguing the country. They can only go as our president is comfortable with a culture of wandering pastoral support base consists mostly of a negligible minority of young far as the constitution and institutions of the existing constitutional cattle herding in this age of mechanical production of nearly every Igbos and people of the South South region who are dissatisfied order allow. On the surface, the president is right. You cannot use good. It is of course fair and laudable that the president should be with what Nigeria under Mr. Buhari has degenerated into. The disorder to unseat order no matter how imperfect that order may proud of his chosen herdsman occupation, a choice to which he is majority of Igbos who experienced the civil war and all others who seem. But the lingering questions are still nagging and many: can perfectly entitled as a free citizen. have voted for a united Nigeria through their pan Nigerian habita- an existing constitutional order rule itself out of existence? Can It is gladdening however that the President fully understands tion, investments, business operations, marriages and fellowships those sustained by the existing regime of benefits and group interest the extent and seriousness of the insecurity in the nation. Interest- have no business with the IPOB rascality. compromise the system to allow for an overturn of the system? ingly, he seems to have come to accept threats like Boko Haram This does not of course mean that the memory of Biafra does not But the forces at work in the present uncertainty derive from and widespread banditry as ‘normal’ features of the national resonate with all Igbos across generations. Biafra is a deep wound outside the existing system of order. The ethnic agitators, seces- architecture of ruin over which he presides. He is more troubled by in the collective psyche of the Igbo nation. And they are not the only sionist activists, and restructuring pundits and supporting sundry the pressures of separatism, political dissent and popular protest. people in history who habour a collective injury inflicted by a nasty gunmen are operating outside the parameters of the existing For him, the ENDSARS protests had only one aim: to remove him national history. Armenians, the Tutsis, the Hereros, the Jews, the constitutional state. They are not even necessarily supportive of the from office, and that, for him, means everything. People may now native Americans, the Aborigines have all been there. existing partisan architecture. The agents of widespread insecurity understand why he was so angry with the youth drivers of the But there seems to be a troubling subliminal impulse in this which are poised to unsettle and unravel the nation are operating ENDSARS protest that he was most reluctant to address the nation president that is allergic to the identity of sections of the Nigerian outside the parameters of the state. From Boko Haram to armed while the mayhem raged. He sees the separatists and dissenters diversity. Yet the president’s job description requires that he should bandits, IPOB and other sectional militants are all non state actors. more as direct political opponents mostly intent on discrediting live with and manage our national diversity without the slightest The mob leaders and their supporting cast of thugs are emissaries of his administration. He ca hardly see the credible threats to national suggestion of discrimination against any segment of the national a clear and present anarchy. Therefore any calls for national resolu- coherence and unity beyond the specific regime survival of his family. This is a minimum democratic prescription and require- tion predicated on the existing state institutions like the National presidency. ment. But the burden of such divisive hegemony is usually not that Assembly will not wash with these forces. Even then, he carefully distinguishes among the separatists. For of those discriminated against. It is rather squarely that of a leader Yet, the political agitators and non- state militant actors are all some reason, Mr. Buhari did not in his interviews for once men- who chooses to brand himself so poorly in the world and for all Nigeerians. They are all powered by a hunger for a better Nigeria tion the well orchestrated and highly organized popular Yoruba time. and, failing which, places of their own to call home. We cannot Nation movement with its overwhelming popular support and On the vexed issue of his copiously lopsided high profile federal expect to achieve an amicable resolution of the current crises if we very coherent and unmistakable message. But, the president was appointments, Mr. Buhari was literally off the hook. He indicated do not include them all in any dispute resolution mechanism we all bile and open animosity when it came to the pro Biafra IPOB that those he has kept appointing or promoting over and above may choose. Therefore, effective statesmanship now demands that movement. Instructively, he makes no distinction whatsoever their other Nigerian compatriots were people who have been in the president looks beyond the confines of the institutions of the between ’s secessionist IPOB club and the Igbos as the services for 10-18 years as the case maybe. In his view, you do democratic state. Buhari can only resolve the present crisis unless a strategic Nigerian nationality. For him, the IPOB secessionist bid not expect him to bypass those with long service records to appoint he assumes leadership of the nation as an inclusive totality. The is an all Igbo movement to move out of Nigeria. He then threatens more junior people just to fulfill a constitutional requirement! The hard work is in walking the tightrope between democratic institu- the Igbos in general with fire and brimstone by openly ordering explanation was not only devoid of logic but also stood merit on tions and the other forces at play in the context of national unity. the police and the army to hound them all over the country. He of its head with neither a redeeming logic nor statistics. Asked about The value of the president’s recent utterances is in their sub- course reminds his audience that a nationality who has committed the absence of people of the South East at the apex of the federal versive contributions to our democracy. We now have an idea of the crime of embracing Nigeria’s diversity and having investments establishment, Mr. Buhari casually admitted that he sees some Igbo the type of president that we must never again allow to assume and property all over the federation are not more than ‘a dot in a names in the federal service list! the mantle of national leadership. The dividends of the Buhari circle’. Blatant lopsidedness in key appointments is not nearly as atro- exposes do not belong now. They ought to accrue to the future of The carefully chosen metaphor of vicious encirclement has cious as using Nigerian tax payers’ money and extortionist foreign Nigeria. Buhari has demonstrated to the full the worst aspects of his resonated across the entire globe as a sigal of genocidal intent. In loans to build a railroad to Niger Republic simply because some of character and the 1999 constitution in the hands of a fake democrat. an outdated British ‘divide and rule’ idiom, Buhari cites fictitious the President’s blood line belong there. But Mr. Buhari defends this In a sense then, Mr. Buhari has laid the groundwork for the South South sources to boast that an Igbo repeat secessionist move- outrageous project with the casualness of donating a few bags of qualifications of the next president, having clearly exposed his per- ment would be futile without access to the sea. Pitifully however, maize to a hungry neighbor at the expense of one’s starving family. sonal inadequacies for the exalted position. And that make the job the president does not even know that even if these was a Biafra There are other atrocities in the interviews and the broadcast. In of the next president much easier. The recipe for success is simple: repeat, lack of access to the sea has ceased to be an impediment to the Democracy Day broadcast, Mr. Buhari claims that his adminis- Nigerisa’s next president has to be the opposite of everything that national greatness. To insist otherwise is almost illiterate in today’s tration migrated a whopping 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty Buhari is. Joe Biden will end up one of the best modern presidents world. We only need to scan the list of some land locked countries in the last two years. This wild claim, which was backed by neither of the United States simply by being the opposite of Donald Trump to decide how they have fared: Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, statistics nor scientific evidence, has since come under diverse with a little topping! Czech Republic, Jordan, Uganda, Botswana and Rwanda. There disputation. The feat was achieved at a time when the world is At the general level of political theory, Buhari nonetheless raises are more. reeling under the devastation of the covid emergency and in spite important questions for democracy: Can a democracy punish a There remains a worrisome intellectual laziness and sickening of abysmal oil prices. But barely four days after the chest thumping bad leader in office or on his way out when its very institutions are bigotry in a presidential mindset that equates a whole nationality broadcast, the World Bank has come out to say that a combination compromised? Ordinarily under the presidential system, the tool of with IPOB. Most sensible Nigerians see IPOB for what it is, a of higher prices and desperate economic conditions has led to a de- impeachment ought to enable the system to subtract a bad leader. minority separatist association of misguided but frustrated youth scent of 7 million more Nigerians into the abyss of abject poverty in But Buhari’s party controls the majority in parliament? Buhari’s led by an unelected demagogue of doubtful intent. Seeing all Igbos the last two years. Other sensible economists have sent out similar impeachment would be pointless and unnecessarily disruptive. as synonymous with IPOB would be equivalent to insisting that negative indications and warnings. This claim would seem to be an Let the lame duck sit out his tenure to deliver his fullest subversive every citizen from the northern states is either a Boko Haram terror- offshoot of the president’s earlier sweeping promise to migrate 100 benefits to the nation either for good or for ill. ist or a fanatical jihadist zealot. Worse still, it may be equivalent to million Nigerians out of poverty over a ten year period! Of all the In sum, then, the Buhari summer disclosures have an abiding assuming that every Nigerian from the north is necessarily in sup- subjects for political football, poverty is the most risky because it is dividend. If indeed the electorate has a collective mind and rational- port of Mr. Buhari’s divisive and clannish notion of Nigeria. The hard to conceal and has a way of fighting back. ity, Buhari has outlined the type of president that Nigeria now truth of course is that the vast majority of decent northerners are In spite of their heavy negatives, Buhari’s latest avalanche of tes- needs to heal its wounds after the years of the Buhari locust. 76 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi NEWS E-mail: ÑÌÙãÏÑ˲ËÕÓØÝËØ×Ó̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט͸΀͹ͽͺͻͽ΁ͺͽͻ Experts Recommend How Nigeria Can Attract $80bn G-7 Investment Funds ‡ Teriba urges FG to approach global equity markets ‡Yusuf, Oyedele canvass extensive policy reforms Gboyega Akinsanmi Institutions (DFIs), including Teriba noted that Nigeria had Since the focus is on the opportunities and investment reforms and institutional reforms, the UK’s CDC Group, support more idle local assets spread private sector, LCCI’s director- climate that would benefit the among others,” Yusuf suggested. Experts have emphasised sustainable economic recovery across thousands of cities that general pointed out that project most. The director-general, similarly, the need to improve Nigeria’s and growth in Africa. could be funded with global bankability and sustainability He, thus, said the ability of emphasised the need “to ac- regulatory environment and end Responding to the G-7 invest- equity than any of them. “are critical to accessing the Nigeria “to access this funding celerate the ongoing foreign security challenges as strategies ment plan, Teriba said Nigeria Unlike Teriba, LCCI’s director- funds. window will depend on how exchange reforms; we need to to attract part of $80 billion had no chance of benefiting from general, described the decision “This underscores the well we position ourselves. undertake trade policy reforms investment funds proposed the fund, saying the funds would by the G7 countries to invest imperative of the creation of The critical question will be to liberalise trade in sectors of by the G-7 governments and be released to the countries over $80 billion in Africa’s private an enabling environment for around expected returns on weak comparative advantage. partners to boost economic where the G-7 governments sector over the next five years African countries to attract G7 investment. “We need regulatory reforms growth in Africa in the next and partners already had their as a welcome development. investment funding offers,” he “Over all, it is the quality to make regulations more invest- five years. footprints. He said if finally deployed, observed. of the investment climate that ment friendly. We need to create While the Chief Executive He listed the countries and the funds would surely boost He explained that coming will make the difference. We new opportunities in the public Officer, Economic Associates regional economic blocs to economic growth and acceler- at the inception of the ACFTA need to accelerate necessary private partnership space, mainly (EA), Dr. Ayo Teriba said Nigeria include East Africa, Kenya, ate the pace of investment for “makes the development very reforms to make Nigeria a much in infrastructure. We need to should not queue for $80 billion Cairo to Cape Town are some countries that are able to access timely. But it is the economies better investment destination. We see more privatisation of public G-7 funds; the Director-General, of the places where the bulk this facility. that offer the best investment need policy reforms, regulatory enterprises.” Lagos Chambers of Commerce of their previous funding have & Industry (LCCI), Dr. Muda been sunk. Yusuf and Fiscal Policy Partner, “When they say Africa, PwC Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele they do not necessarily have emphasized the quality of the Nigeria in mind. Nigeria should investment climate. not expect much from donor The experts made divergent assistance,” Teriba observed. recommendations during sepa- Rather than waiting for the rate interviews with THISDAY at G-7 funds, EA’s chief executive the weekend, expressing grave urged the federal government concern about the country’s or corporate interest to approach worsening security conditions. global equity markets to use our G-7 countries, along with wealth of assets to raise ‘our multilateral partners, had own money’. announced an $80 billion Teriba, therefore, observed that commitment to invest in the Nigeria should not be queuing private sector across Africa. up for a share of US$80 billion The group had claimed that spread over 64 African countries the investments would support in five years, and an average the long-term development of US$16 billion to be spread objectives of African economies, across 54 countries per year. including those, which had been He noted that there was no negatively hit by the COVID-19 reason “to wait for G-7’s $80 pandemic. billion investment funds when According to the G-7, this Brazil gets US$70 billion a year WHAT WENT WRONG . . . ? investment, set to roll out from FDI. India gets nearly as L-R: Director General, Lagos State Emergency Agency, Dr. Femi Osanyintolu; Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Managing Director, over the next 5 years, will see much, and China gets twice as Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation, Arc.Abiodun Fari-Arole during an on the spot assessment of the OPIC Plaza gas explosion at the G7 Development Finance much in annual FDI inflows.” Ikeja, Lagos... Friday LASEMA Releases Preliminary Report on Ikeja Gas Explosion Tobi Soniyi gas explosion that took place at the scene of the incident, it of the New Chinese restaurant which casualties, it said were attended It said that two other victims along Mobolaji Bank Anthony was discovered that a gas tanker followed the trail of the LPG gas to by the Pre-hospital care unit died later while under medical The Lagos State Emer- Way, Ikeja that happened on 13.4 tons LPG truck in motion resulting in combustion of the gas and were later taken to the Lagos treatment bringing the number gency Management Agency June 17 released yesterday, was leaking its content and as a tanker outside the compound. The State University and Teaching of fatalities to five as at the time (LASEMA) has warned all the agency gave a graphic result of wind action, the whole inferno of explosion resulted in Hospital and Gbagada Teaching of writing the report. tankers conveying volatile gases detail of what actually led to area of OPIC structure was engulfed several damages to the OPIC Hospital for further treatment. The agency recommended that to ensure their tricks are road the explosion which left five with fire. Plaza building structure.” LASEMA said the remains of all commercial buildings must worthy before embarking on people dead and a dozen others “Close investigation further The agency said 13 casualties three adult males found dead develop an emergency response a journey. with varying degrees of burns. revealed that the LPG gas was ignited with various degrees of burns at the incident the next days plan and fire preventive plan In a preliminary report on the LASEMA said: “On arrival by the exposed fire from the kitchen were recorded at the scene. The were taken to the morgue. in case of an emergency. Coalition Petitions Senate, Says Onochie’s Nomination Unconstitutional Chuks Okocha in Abuja Peering Advocacy and Advance- before appointing an individual the Federal Republic of Nigeria also notorious for her partisan, process. ment Centre in Africa (PAACA), as INEC national commissioner clearly prohibits the appoint- biased and in some instances “By the combined effect A coalition of civil society International Press Centre (IPC), must consult the Council of ment of any person, who is a inflammatory comments on of Section 156 (1)(a) and groups has petitioned the Senate Premium Times Centre for State before forwarding the member of a political party as national issues targeted at Third Schedule, Part 1, Item opposing the appointment of a Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ,), nomination to the Senate for a member of INEC.” perceived or imagined enemies F, paragraph 14 (1), Onochie Special Assistant to the President Centre for Democracy and confirmation. According to the coali- of the Buhari government.” is constitutionally prohibited Muhammadu Buhari on Social Development (CDD), CLEEN “The fundamental question is tion, to further ensure the Given her antecedents, from any appointment as a Media, Lauretta Onochie as a Foundation and Centre for whether the President consulted neutrality of the members however, the coalition member of the electoral umpire. National Commissioner for the Citizens with Disability (CCD). with the Council of State before of INEC, “the Constitution noted that it was highly It is against the sacred spirit Independent National Electoral it noted that the nomination submitting to the Senate a letter clearly mandates in the unlikely that she would of our Constitution to accept Commission (INEC). of a Nigerian as a National nominating Onochie as INEC’s Third Schedule, Part 1, Item remain neutral and objec- her nomination.” In the petition dated June 16 Commissioner to the Inde- National Commissioner? A F, paragraph 14 (1) that a tive if successfully screened The coalition said requirement and addressed to the Senate pendent National Electoral confirmation by the Senate National Commissioner shall as one of INEC’s National was that a person nominated President, Commission “is governed by without the input of the State be non-partisan and a person Commissioners. as INEC’s National Commis- and Chairman of the Senate Section 154(3), 156(1a), Third Council is unconstitutional.” of unquestionable integrity. It said: “We contend that sioner should be “a person Committee on INEC, Kabiru Schedule, Item F Paragraph The coalition, also, said “Onochie is not only a her appointment will greatly of unquestionable integrity. Gaya, the coalition listed several 14(2a) and 14(3b) of the 1999 constitution mandated that a card-carrying member of undermine the neutrality and Unfortunately, Onochie lacks grounds against Onochie’s Constitution (As Amended). person nominated “as an INEC the ruling All Progressive impartiality of the Independent the integrity to serve as INEC’s nomination. “A combined reading of the National Commissioner should Congress (APC), and a National Electoral Commission National Commissioner due to Among others, the petition stated constitutional provisions be non-partisan. Section 156(1) Special Assistant to President and it will increase mistrust in her previous antics on social was signed by Yiaga Africa, demands that, first, the President (a) of the 1999 Constitution of Buhari on social media, she is the INEC and Nigeria’s electoral media. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸˜ͰͮͰͯ 77 NEWSXTRA El-Rufai to Set up Committee to Investigate NLC Strike ‡ Promises to charge those found guilty ‡ Says FG failed to prosecute law-breakers John Shiklam in Kaduna reasons given by the NLC for switched off electricity in Nigeria responsible people “to cause law that says you should stop citizens. the strike were false, insisting until they came and did it in hardship to our people. I swear somebody who wants to go to “Let them come back. We Kaduna State Governor, Mal- that his administration did not Kaduna. we will pursue them because they work. are prepared for them. We will lam Nasir El- Rufai has said that sack workers. He said: “This is a violation violated the laws of the land, if “I swear, let them come back! investigate, those who helped he will set up a commission of “The NLC said the workers of the law. Those who did it Abuja will not prosecute them, Let them come back and see. Since them in carrying out the protest inquiry to investigate the recent were protesting against the sack- were supposed to be arrested Kaduna State will prosecute them. it is the police that is providing and subjected our people to warning strike by the Nigerian ing of workers, but we didn’t and prosecuted, but the federal “We have traders who suffered cover for them to go and lock hardship, they will be prosecuted. Labour Congress (NLC) in the sack them. All the reasons they government kept silent. losses. We have asked them to people’s places of work and “Whether they are Kaduna state. gave for their strike were false. “After the NLC and federal enumerate their loss and bring break the law. State civil servants or federal He has also vowed to disci- “Some of them said we sacked government realised that Kaduna them, we will go to court and “We will not allow the people civil servants, they will face pline all those found guilty by 4000 workers, some even said people will deal with the NLC, ensure justice to all of them. of Kaduna to be subjected to that wrath of Kaduna state laws. We the commission and insisting we sacked 70,000. Our total they now said we should come to “Very soon, the Kaduna State again, we can protect ourselves. will prosecute them. When the that the strike was illegal and it workforce is 32,000. There are Abuja for dialogue,” the governor Government will set up a com- If people that are being paid to commission of inquiry finishes its subjected the people to hardship 38,000 schoolteachers and they claimed. mission of inquiry to investigate protect the people of Kaduna assignment and we get the names and losses. are not our staff, they are local He explained the federal the role played by everybody failed, I swear the Kaduna state of all those involved and their He disclosed this plan while government staff. government allowed some ir- during the protest. There is no government will protect its roles, we will prosecute them. fielding questions simultaneously “The NLC came with lies. on nine Hausa radio stations on The NLC came to Kaduna for Thursday, accusing the police of politics. They paid them. They providing cover for the NLC to collected the money and spent break the law. it. They broke our laws, they The NLC and its affiliate broke the laws guiding protest. unions in Kaduna State had “If there is a problem between embarked on a five-day employees and employers, there warning strike over the recent are procedures prescribed by law disengagement of civil servants to be followed before embarking by the state government. on strike. Strike is the last resort But the congress suspended after following laid down rules.” the warning strike on May 19, He said there was a law in following the intervention of Nigeria, which prohibited switch- the federal government, which ing off electricity or water, which summoned the NLC, and the would cause hardship to people. Kaduna State Government to According to him, some Abuja for dialogue. people who switched off electric- Speaking during the radio ity supply during the military programme, el-Rufai lamented administration of Gen. Ibrahim that the federal government also Babangida (rtd), were jailed for failed to prosecute who broke about 20 years. the law. Since that time, the governor The governor said all the claimed that nobody had IN THE SPIRIT OF JUNE 12. . . NEDC Adopts Measures to L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr ; Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Hon Olawale Osun; Special Adviser on Political Matters, Mr. David Olusoga; during a colloquium commemorating the June 12, 1993 election in Ado Ekiti… Friday. Avert Food Crisis, Malnutrition Michael Olugbode in Abuja humanitarian partners in the Fayemi: Ethnic Bigotry Fueling Insecurity, Secessionist Agitation region. Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Chairperson, Ado Local Govern- to compound the current crises. Muhammadu Buhari for institut- The North East Development Alkali said: “Over 2.6 million ment, Mrs. Motunde Fajuyi. “We celebrate June 12 because it ing and recognising June 12 as Commission (NEDC) has moved people risk facing food crises in Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Speaking at the colloquium, represents the possibility of a new Democracy Day. to avert food insecurity and Borno state alone. The commis- Kayode Fayemi has blamed Fayemi said one of the beautiful Nigeria where, our fault lines will He said: today’s event “offers a malnutrition in the troubled sion has already taken action security challenges nationwide precedents and truths that June become our best lines, and our unique opportunity to reminisce North East, a geo-political zone to respond to threats of food on the growing embers of ethnic 12 established about Nigeria “is diversity becomes our strength. on the milestone that the June that has been at the centre of insecurity and malnutrition.” and religious bigotry that has that diversity does not mean “As we observe the 2021 12 election represents and Boko Haram insurgency. The managing director revealed become prevalent in the country. irreconcilable differences.” Democracy Day, we all start reconfigures our national psyche The Managing Director of that the commission is mobilizing He made these remarks during He explained that the way a new conversation around a to embrace the possibility of a the commission, Senator Mo- resources to stockpile food items a colloquium commemorating ethno-religious differences did democracy that instils confidence nation where primordial senti- hammed Alkali revealed this and avert looming famine and the June 12 1993 election in not dictate the voting pattern and in the citizenry and holds a ments and divisive tendencies plan at a stakeholders meeting malnutrition among children in Ado Ekiti on Friday, blaming electoral outcome of the June 12 promise of a better life for all,” no longer dominate national in Maiduguri, the Borno State the region. insecurity and separatist agitation election revealed that if the elites Fayemi said with assurance for discourse. capital yesterday. He said: “With the Cadre on ethno-religious bigotry. united on the way forward, the a national rebirth. “It is another opportunity At the meeting, Alkali said Harmonize report and what is Among others, National whole country would follow. He said that even as the to review the chain of events measures had been put in place being discussed with stakeholders, Chairman, Afenifere Renewal He said: “Together, we can country fought to end criminality, around the epoch and take a to avert food insecurity and we’ll identify where the gaps are. Group (ARG), Hon Olawale achieve the country of our dreams. Nigerians must unite to end all few lessons therefrom. This day malnutrition in the Northeast, What kind of food to stockpile? Osun; Coordinator, Ekiti ARG, On the contrary, if the focus is to forms of bigotry, which inspires should always remind us about disclosing that the measures We can do so, so that when the Elder Bunmi Awotiku, Chairman keep digging out and amplifying violent reactions. the collective sacrifices made to were adopted at a stakehold- incident happens, we pray that & Editor-in-Chief, Gaskia Media what offends one segment against Fayemi said that posterity elect a democratic government – it ers’ roundtable meeting with it shouldn’t occur.” Limited, Mr. Dare Babarinsa and the other, we would continue would be kind to President should remind us that Nigerians Glo Marks International Fathers’ Day Nollywood Producer, Four Others Nigeria’s leading telecom- They work tirelessly to forge Sterling Bank Seeks Monetisation munications multinational, a solid future for their families Globacom has felicitated fathers through education, discipline of Intellectual Property in Police Net over Arms Deal in Nigeria and the world at and provision of basic needs. large as they mark the 2021 “The children grow up Sterling Bank Plc is dimen- the sector to see how we can Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Tuesday. International Fathers’ Day. to become leaders who will sioning the creative sector of upscale it and to see how we can He added that the offensive The Delta State Police Com- weapons were found in the In a statement by its Cor- in turn carry that culture of the Nigerian economy in a bid monetise intellectual property by to upscale and monetise the partnering with artists to create mand yesterday disclosed that suspect’s vehicle though the porate Communications Office care, concern and sacrifice its Special Response Squad had suspect claimed to have taken yesterday, Globacom said fathers on to future generations,” the intellectual property of creators long-term value through their in the industry. works,” he said. arrested a Nollywood producer, the arms and two toy guns on “are super heroes of the family, statement said. The bank’s Head of Creative & Olalusi affirmed the need to put Mike Omoruyi and four other hire from another man with the which is the bedrock of society For these and other acts Entertainment Business Financing, together the existing catalogues persons for illegal possession of aim of using the same for film and the basic building block of selflessness that keep the Mr Lanre Olalusi, disclosed this created by industry legends and firearms. production. of any nation.” society going, according to the while addressing participants at assign value to them such that This was revealed in a state- He said: “When search was car- The statement said since telecom giant, fathers deserve the 2021 edition of Legends of royalties received from these ment by the spokesman of the ried out, the operatives recovered fathers “are joint custodians of to be celebrated every day of Nollywood Awards held in Lagos works can become revenue for command, Mr. Bright Edafe, one LAR rifle without magazine, the family whose strength helps the year”. recently. the creators in the later parts of saying investigation showed one fabricated AK 47 rifle, one fuse the home together, they It said further that the Inter- Olalusi said: “We have realised their careers. that the suspects hired the gun Air rifle, one pump action, one deserve to be acknowledged, national Fathers’ Day should that this sector is crucial to the He remarked that instead of for film-making. English double barrel gun and celebrated and honoured for not be a day to be marked Nigerian economy because of its artists seeking grants to finance Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent two toy guns from him. their phenomenal roles in their with mere rhetoric but a day significant contribution to the their operations, they should seek of Police (DSP), said the special “Investigation later revealed families and in society.” of appreciation of invaluable Gross Domestic Product (GDP) valuation of their current bodies response squad intercepted that the suspect happens to be a It added that fathers’ roles in contributions of fathers to the and provision of employment of work and use them as collateral Omoruyi, 38 and a resident of Nollywood producer who hired the homes and larger society growth, development and peace for many Nigerians. to get financing for their current Obiaruku, while on patrol along the above-mentioned guns for “cannot be over-emphasised. of the society. “So, we are looking into projects. Obiaruku-Umuebu Road on film production. 78 THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ͰͮͰͯ NEWSXTRA Dongban-Mensem: I’ll Continue to Dispense Justice with Fear of God ‡ Buhari, Fayemi, Lalong, Makinde, Wike honour her ‡ Huge turnout shows we can live together, says bishop

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos At the church programme, She added that she would the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mrs. Pauline Tallen, described her God for lifting her from humble Dongban-Mensem said she was discharge her responsibilities, Mustapha, who was a classmate as a justice of good character beginning to the peak of her career. The President of the Court of overwhelmed by the show of recognising that God is the judge of Dongban-Mensem at the and dexterity who emerged as He said the state was very Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban- love from the Church, people of all where she would also give Nigerian Law School, urged her the head of the second highest proud of her achievements and Mensem yesterday declared that and government of Plateau account of her stewardship. to serve Nigeria in fear of God. court in Nigeria by merit. has decided to celebrate her and she would continue to dispense State, the executive, legislature President Muhammadu Buhari, Among others, Rivers State He added that Dongban- showcase her as an example to the justice in fear of God and accord- and judiciary, and Nigerians Chairman of Nigerian Governors Governor, Mr. Nyelson Wike; Mensem had demonstrated world because of her diligence, ing to the laws of the federation. from all walks of life that have Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi his Oyo State counterpart, Mr. diligence in handling the affairs of hard work and the grace of God. She made these remarks come out to celebrate her. and Chairman of Northern State Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the appellate court and strengthen- In his sermon, Catholic Bishop at a thanksgiving mass held She, therefore, said she would Governors Forum, Senator Simon Deputy Governor, ing reforms towards the speedy of Bauchi Diocese, Dr. Hillary to commemorate her first an- remain firm in her resolve to do Lalong described her as a justice Dr Emmanuel Akabe were present and honest delivery of justice to Dachelem said the turnout of niversary in office at St. Monica’s justice to all people according of good character and dexterity. at the thanksgiving mass. Nigerians of all backgrounds. people from all walks of life Catholic Church, Jos, to the laws of the land and the In his goodwill message, Buhari, who was represented Buhari charged her to put in and various backgrounds to yesterday. oath of office she took. Secretary to the Government of by the Minister of Women Affairs, her best and raise the bar in the celebrate Justice Monica was an dispensation of justice by assisting indication that Nigerians could the government in fighting cor- live in peace and collaborate to ruption, crime and acts inimical build a greater Nigeria. to national development. Dachelem called for constructive Also at the thanksgiving, Fayemi and sincere criticism of Nigerians said Dongban-Mensem “is a woman leaders to enable them to discharge of substance who has a rich pedigree their duties diligently. in the Bench and is known to He said peaceful coexistence be fearless, uncompromising and was critical to the progress of the intolerant of inducement in the country adding that everyone “is course of discharging her duties.” supposed to be in the vanguard He added that the success of for peace, dialogue and good women like her creates more room governance.’’ for Nigerian women to occupy He congratulated Dongban- other sensitive offices and perform Mensem for her successful one creditably. year in office, saying it was im- Also speaking yesterday, Lalong portant to appreciate God for His said the thanksgiving mass and faithfulness, urging government grand reception was organised officials to be truthful, faithful and to honour her and give glory to fair in all they did. Third Force Emerges in Kwara APC Hammed Shittu in Ilorin rahman, said, “It is impossible to achieve the developmental goals A new political group, which we are aiming for Kwarans in the NEW HEIGHT . . . many have described as a third midst of chaotic situation we found L-R: Director, Agency for Mass Education, Oluwakemi Kalesanwo; the best graduating trainee in fashion design, Eno Umana; Permanent force in the political equation of ourselves in Kwara APC”. Secretary, Office of the Special Adviser on Education, Adeniran Kasali; another best graudusting trainee in fashion design, Quadri Ashabi and , Saturday, emerged Abdulrahman, who accused Coordinator, Sabo Vocational Training Centre, Gbemisola Babatunde, during graduation of trainees in Surulere, Lagos recently ETOP UKUTT from the ruling All Progressives the current leadership of APC of Congress (APC) in the state due disenfranchising many of them, to the unresolved crisis rocking added that their new party would the party. be unveiled in due course. Ekiti Police Arrest 16-Year-Old Girl for Staging Fake Abduction The development has, however, The defectors, who tore their led hundreds of members and APC membership cards and burnt Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Caleb (23) and Adisa Damilola. be released until a ransom of N500, alongside one other accomplice, supporters of APC in the 16 local the party symbol of brooms, said He said at about 11:40 a.m. on 000 was paid to a particular Union Adefolaju Caleb, 23, were lodging government areas of the state to the plot to allegedly marginalise The Ekiti State Police Command Thursday, one Bolaji Femi came Bank Account belonging to one and were arrested,” the spokesman leave the ruling party, even when them was all about 2023 political yesterday said it had arrested a to New Iyin Divisional Police Sta- Adisa Damilola. said in a statement. the new party is yet to be unveiled. permutations. 16-year old girl, Suluka Abimbola, tion and reported that her sister, Abutu said: “The case was During interrogation, the spokes- Among members of the ag- “As you are all aware, Kwara her boyfriend, Oluwaseun Olajide Abimbola left home for School in immediately transferred to the man revealed that the suspects grieved APC members that formed APC has been enmeshed in one and two others for alleged fake Christ School, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday Anti-kidnapping Unit of the State confessed to the commission of the third force are senatorial crisis or the other almost imme- abduction and conspiracy to obtain and didn’t return home. Criminal Investigation Department, the crime. chairman, ward chairmen, local diately after the party’s primary, money under false pretence. Abutu said the complainant where the owner of the account, He added: “Abimbola confessed government chairmen, women stretching into the campaign period The spokesman of the command, further narrated that when one Adisa Damilola, who is also a that she decided to conspire with leaders, youth leaders as well as and lingering up to date. Mr. Sunday Abutu disclosed this Abimbola’s phone number was friend to Oluwaseun Olajide, was the other suspects to do that in APC party stalwarts across all the “The crisis has gotten to its peak in a statement disclosing that the called, an unknown person picked tracked and arrested. order for her to raise money from 16 local government areas. with the recently concluded APC suspects were arrested on June 17 and confirmed that her sister was “Damilola led the Operatives of her family members to enable her Speaking on behalf of the membership revalidation and in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. in their custody. the Anti-kidnapping Unit to Alex to relocate from Ekiti State since defectors at the Arca Center registration exercise in the state Abutu identified the suspects as The complainant, according to Grace Hotel, along Housing, Ado- her mother insisted that she goes Event Hall, Ilorin, spokesman that was flawed with deliberate Suluka Abimbola (16), her boyfriend, Abutu, added that the fake abductor Ekiti, where Suluka Abimbola and through the medical field as against of the group,who is also a former policies and grand orchestration Oluwaseun Olajide (25), Adefolaju threatened that the ‘abductee’ won’t her boyfriend, Oluwaseun Olajide, her dream of becoming an actress”. APC senatorial chairman for Kwara to deregister and disenfranchise central, Mallam Abdulfatai Abdul- selected members of the party. FUOYE Students Absolve VC of Fraud Allegations FEC Decision on Land Swap, a CODA Urges Nigeria, Others Not to Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti yesterday by FUOYE SUG President, Revolutionary Step, Says Investor Johnson Alabi, the students said: Depend on Europe for Healthcare The Students Union Government “We want to say that our VC has Michael Olugbode in Abuja congratulate all Nigerians for this”. of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti been prudent, painstaking and fol- Explaining the benefits of the Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City She said the unveiling was to (FUOYE), yesterday absolved the lowed due diligence and procedures Chief Executive Officer, Hongye decision, Ayom said he was on ensure that measures were designed Vice Chancellor of the institution, in financial administration of our International Limited, Chief Moses the first Presidential trade mission Coalition for Dialogue on Africa to prepare Africa to face any global Prof. Abayomi Fashina of fraud institution. Ayom has described the decision of to China in 2016 alongside Africa’s (CODA) has asked African govern- health challenge that might break out allegations levelled against him by “The students’ welfare has the Federal Executive Council to lift richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. ments to seek ways of improving in the future instead of relying on a students’ group. been the number one priority the FCT Land Swap Programme He said: “With the opening of new their health care systems rather than foreign medical solutions just like it The students, also, described since Fasina assumed office and as a revolutionary step towards districts, cases of traffic congestion, relying on Europe, America and other is experiencing in the distribution of reforms undertaken by the VC as FUOYE students have been able bridging the infrastructure deficit housing deficits, infrastructural decay continents as witnessed during the vaccines for the COVID-19. a pragmatic approach to reposition to enjoy a lot of benefits due to in the nation’s capital. and environmental hazards will period of COVID-19. She explained that the develop- the university, saying the recent prudent management of our little Ayom, a promoter of Ketti District become things of the past. Alhaji CODA’s Executive Secretary, Souad ment of vaccines and the improve- allegations coming from crit- resources, so the public should under the FCDA land swap pro- Aliko Dangote is also a beneficiary Aden-Osman gave this charge during ment of the healthcare system would ics were meant to distract the discountenance these baseless gramme, has noted that the decision of the Land swap project (Sheretti a news conference she addressed be private sector-driven with the management and derail its focus. allegations.” attested to President Muhammadu district). in Benin City, the Edo State capital governments in African states coming The Senate President of Besides, the institution’s Senate Buhari’s endless commitment to fast- “With this decision, his dream of yesterday together to create an enabling environment. the National Association of passed a vote of confidence in track Nigeria’s quest to overcome establishing Africa’s largest Green Aden-Osman said an independent “We must make sure the private University Students (NAUS), Fasina’s leadership, describing her infrastructure, housing and Smart City in Ketti will now be task team on the development of sector comes in forcefully. We need Muhammad Lawal had asked him as a thoroughbred academic employment challenges. a reality, while further revealing vaccines and equitable universal access to believe in ourselves. The same for Fashina’s sack on account of and proven administrator, who was In a statement at the weekend, the that Nigerians will soon begin to to vaccines and vaccination in Africa energy used to chase out colonial alleged financial fraud and abuse resolute to make FUOYE a highly investor said this “is a new dawn for witness urbanization programmes would be unveiled at a workshop masters should be used to battle of office. competitive institution nationally Nigeria. A major stumbling block for similar to cities like Dubai, Qatar, slated for the Igbinedion University, the pandemic and any future But in a statement in Ado Ekiti and globally. investor confidence has been lifted. I Schenzen and Milton Keynes.” Okada tomorrow. health challenge. THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ‡JUNE 20, 2021 79

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe SUNDAY SPORTS email:[email protected] Euro 2020: Germany Win Six-goal Thriller with Portugal Germany got off the mark in style at Euro 2020 as they tore Portugal apart with an impressive attacking 4-2 performance in Munich to throw Group F wide open

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report ermany’s win means both these sides now sit on three points, one behind group leaders France on four points, heading into a pivotal ÀnalG round of Àxtures on Wednesday. Atalanta wing-back Robin Gosens was the architect with a goal and an assist, earning an ovation from the Al- lianz Arena crowd as he was replaced just after the hour mark. Cristiano Ronaldo had put the visitors ahead, continuing his record- breaking campaign with his third goal of the tournament and 12th European Championship strike of all time. But two own goals in the space of Àve Àrst-half minutes Áipped an entertaining encounter in Germany’s favour, as Àrst Ruben Dias and then Raphael Guerreiro turned into their own net. The inÁuential Gosens laid on a third immediately after the break with an inviting ball that allowed Kai Havertz to tap in from close range, before heading in Germany’s fourth himself. Diogo Jota poked in from Ronaldo’s cutback but the defending champions were unable to mount a comeback. Germany players celebrating their 4-2 defeat of Portugal in one of the Group matches of Euro 2020 Germany host Hungary, who earlier on Saturday held France to a disallowed for oͿside as Low’s outÀt of the group, and two goals before There have been question marks in another swift attack and then got draw, while Portugal face the world took control before they were stunned half-time made sure that would not over the deployment of Kimmich on the end of a Kimmich cross to cap champions in the Ànal game with all by a ruthless Portugal counter attack happen 21 years on. in that role, rather than in central a superb performance. four nations still able to progress. from their own corner. First Portugal centre-back Dias midÀeld, but Low stuck with the This tournament will be the last Germany boss Joachim Low told his Die Mannschaft have not lost suc- turned Gosens’ Àzzed cross into his team beaten by France and it was of Low’s 15-year reign in charge, side to be “more vigorous” in attack cessive games in the group stage of own net and moments later Guerreiro from wide that the Bayern Munich with Germany keeping faith in the after their opening 1-0 defeat by France a major tournament since defeats did the same as opposite wing-back man and Gosens on the opposite Áank 61-year-old after his side failed to reach and saw that call answered as his side by England and Portugal at Euro Joshua Kimmich cut the ball back into caused problems. the knockout stage at the World Cup clicked into gear on home soil. 2000, when they Ànished bottom a dangerous area. Gosens set up Havertz for the third in 2018. Gosens had already seen an eͿort Bendel Insurance FC Reject Ruling on Remo Stars Nesiama Returns The management of Bendel Insur- is therefore unacceptable,” observed encroachment and assault on our play- enthusiasm of football supporters in to AFN Board as ance FC have rejected the judgement of the statement released by the club ers and o΀cials would have been the the country.” the Nigeria National Football League yesterday. Àrst action taken against Remo Stars. The Bendel Insurance spokesman Coaches’ Rep (NNL) According to the the Media O΀cer “ The failure of the disciplinary stressed that “considering similar Disciplinary Committee on the case of Bendel Insurance FC, Kehinde Osa- committee to mention that in their cases ( though with lesser oͿences and Retired Navy Commodore Omat- of assault, security breaches and Àeld giede, the only substance derivable list of sanctions amounts to suͿoca- injuries) involving Holly Arrows in seye Nesiama has been voted as the encroachment established against from the judgment is the untouchable tion of justice. This is so because no which the judgment banished Holly representative of the technical body Remo Stars with dismay, disbelief and status vested on Remo Stars by NNL. other oͿender(s) in similar cases were Arrows to Enugu; and that of Kano on the board of the new executive total loss of conÀdence in the country’s “ Directing Remo Stars to pay warned or asked to sign any undertak- Pillars in which the NPFL team was board of the Athletics Federation of football regulatory body. N400,000 to Bendel Insurance FC as ing in the recent past. Àned N8. 5million, it is easy to arrive Nigeria,AFN. “We see the judgement as biased damages is a big insult to us and the “ Without any apology, the judg- at the conclusion that the judgement At the election held at the sidelines and nothing but an instrument for people of Edo State. ment is unbelievably irresponsible by the NNL disciplinary committee of the AFN Olympic trials at the Yaba encouraging further violence in Ni- “Banishment of Remo Stars with and capable of promoting violence on Remo Stars v Bendel Insurance FC College of Technology in Lagos and gerian football, a call to anarchy, and no option from their stadium over the among football lovers and killing the is bought by Remo Stars. organised by the coaches and technical o΀cials, Nesiama polled a total of 40 votes to beat his only Challenger, Policeman and coach, Solomon Aliyu who polled 33 votes. Meanwhile, Curtain Falls on Tokyo Olympics Trials in Lagos the technical arm of the AFN has The four-day Tokyo Olympic Games the stands having watched Okagbare crowd to the appearance of athletes It was a wide gap between the two congratulated chief Tonobok Okowa track and Àeld trials taking place at Yaba almost smashing the African record like Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan, US-based hammer thrower and the on his election as the federation’s College of Technology Sports complex with her wind aided 10:63secs on Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Grace other athletes competing in the event as president. in Lagos is scheduled to end today. Thursday evening. Nkwocha etc. they came up with the gold and silver In a message jointly signed by the The highlight of today’s grand Ànale The new board members of the Meanwhile, as expected, the third day medal. o΀ciating o΀cials and coaches, the is the invitational relay events involving Athletic Federation of Nigeria were of the championships was dominated Echikunwoke, the current World two bodies that make up the techni- Àve other countries. really not sure what the spectators by the throwers with two National No.6 in the event, emerged winner cal arm of the AFN and signed by Nigeria’s 4x400m men and women’s were watching until the jumps started Record Holders, Chukwuebuka En- after throwing a distance of 72.07m Godwin Ogogo (for coaches) and team are looking for war to consolida- yesterday. ekwechi and Annette Echikunwoke as Oyesade Olatoye Ànished second Professor Lucas Ogunjimi ( for tion on their qualiÀcations for the Tokyo The way the crowd roared after each entertaining the crowd in men’s Shot with a distance of 67.42m. o΀ciating o΀cials), the body says Games. successful jump by jumpers.at Yaba Put and women’s Hammer respectively. Third position went to Eucharia the transparent manner in which the Blessing Okagbare who ran a blis- College of technology was a delight. Enekwechi, already through to Ogbukwu in a distance of 37.80m election that brought in Okowa as the tering wind added 10.63secs to win “For some time now we have not the Olympics, won the shot put with The Ànal day of the trials will see new AFN president was organised the women’s 100m on Thursday told had such an appreciative crowd. It’s a throw of 21.47m with Dotun Ogundeji athletes competing in the Masters shows it is a new dawn for athletics . THISDAY she is looking forward to good for athletics and would enhance taking the silver with a throw of 19.68m. Relay, Long Jump (women), 4x400m ‘The coaches and o΀ciating o΀cials lowering the 4x100m national relay athletes conÀdence,” said a board The third position went to Eke Kalu (women and men), 4x100m (women rejoice with you on your election as record. Day two of the competition member, Victor Okorie. of the Nigeria Custom, throwing the and men), 4x400m mixed relay and the president of Athletics Federation was fantastic as crowd took over all He attributed the presence of the distance of 17.16m. the men’s javelin Ànal. of Nigeria.

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Falana to FG COVID-19 Tests & Vaccinations “The federal government may realise rather too late that no amount TEXT‘COVID’ TO58123 of brute force can silence the separatist groups. If the government 26years defeats them militarily, they may go underground and embark on guerilla warfare” – Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, (SAN) calling on This service is provided in association with accredited service providers the federal government to negotiate with separatists. SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE! [email protected], sms: 0805 500 1961 And Four The Many Complications of Biafra Other Things… would say the campaign for Biafra has Kanu — two Igbo military offi cers who fought never been this intense since the end of for Biafra — had been appointed governors of PRESS CENSORSHIP the Nigerian Civil War in 1970. Although Lagos state, then the capital of Nigeria; Dr Alex The att empt to bring online media, including the Movement for the Actualisation of the Ekwueme had become the vice-president (No virtual and digital newspapers, under the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), founded 2); and Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke had become purview of the National Broadcasting in 1999 by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, gave the speaker (No 4). Igbo aligned with the north Commission (NBC) is going to be President Olusegun Obasanjo quite some in the fi rst and second republics. In fact, Alhaji problematic. All newspapers have online headache ahead of the 2003 elections, the Mazi Bashir Tofa’s VP pick in 1993 was Dr Sylvester arms and the Nigerian government is now INnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra Ugoh, an Igbo. trying to subject them to NBC control. NBC (IPOB) appears to be more formidable fi nancially Actually, Yoruba used to tease Igbo as playing and militarily. What IPOB started as a series of “second fi ddle” to Hausa/Fulani. Dr Chuba Okadigbo is for broadcasting, no matt er how we try street protests in Port Harcourt in 2015 has grown once replied: “Second fi ddle is better than no fi ddle.” to twist its functions. More so, broadcast into what may now be classifi ed by crisis experts So, what went wrong between Nd’Igbo and the frequencies belong to the government and as a full-blown insurgency. IPOB wants to force north? My theory, among others, is that the emergence are auctioned directly to stations by the the exit of Nd’Igbo from the Nigerian federation. of the Niger Delta as a frontline political force government. Newspapers have never been Did I just say “exit of Nd’Igbo”? That is one signifi cantly disadvantaged the south-east in the regulated by the broadcasting commission, complication with the separatist campaign. Not all power equilibrium. By the “tripod” convention, an not even under the military. It won’t work. Igbo are pro-Biafra, even if they are not bold enough Igbo would naturally have been VP to President This spineless parliament may pass the bill to say so openly possibly because they could be Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, a Fulani, in 2007 after Chief but another parliament will repeal it. Quote attacked on the streets. The anti-Biafra Igbo would Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yoruba, had been president me. Waste. rather be part of Nigeria despite their misgivings for eight years. And that means an Igbo, not an and reservations. Some want a restructured, not Ijaw, would have automatically become president a balkanised, country. I admit that there has been upon Yar’Adua’s death in 2010. SCHOOL SECURITY a growing pro-Biafra sentiment since President Kanu As things stand today, I have a feeling that if Another week, another school abductions. On Muhammadu Buhari came to power, unlike under the Nigerian government is sure only Nd’Igbo Thursday, gunmen kidnapped students at the President Goodluck Jonathan who gave key positions a forced exodus to the east when war was about will secede, there would be no serious attempt Federal Government College, Birnin-Yauri, to Igbo appointees. But despite the disenchantment to break out in 1967. If over 20 million Igbo (my to hold them back. But if the federal government Kebbi state. One of the students was killed as with Buhari, there is yet no clear-cut consensus estimate) would stay back in the “new” Nigeria shows any sign of allowing Nd’Igbo to exit, there the military tried to rescue them. The bandits among Igbo on the way forward. after the actualisation of Biafra, would that not is every likelihood that other regions will see that know what they are doing: by targeting the There is also no consensus on what constitutes defeat the purpose? Would Igbo feel “at home” as an opportunity to go. That would be the end of young people in schools, they surely hope to Biafra, which is a complication as well. The Biafra in the “new” Nigeria? Or would they be better Nigeria as we know it. This, to me, is the biggest get maximum publicity and extract maximum declared by Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu in 1967 off going to live in Biafra? complication for Biafra. It is not only Nd’Igbo that ransom. They have raised the stakes by It gets more complicated considering the was the Eastern region, made of today’s Igbo states of will leave; Yoruba, led by Sunday Igboho, as well as targeting higher institutions of learning. I will Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, plus what investments Igbo people have made all over Nigeria. the south-south may seize the opportunity to secede. we now have as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River Is it in Lagos, where they co-dominate commerce No president would watch Nigeria disintegrate keep appreciating the eff ort of the security and Rivers states in the south-south. The original and are founders or MDs of big companies, or without putting up a fi ght. For this reason alone, agencies in this overwhelming situation, but Biafra, therefore, was not just for Igbo, even if it in Abuja, where they have the largest footprints Buhari would do anything to stop Biafra. we need to double our eff orts and speed up didn’t catch on. Biafra, by the way, was the name on real estate? One of the sad highlights of the Personally, I do not want Nd’Igbo to leave the whatever we are doing to secure schools (and of the bight (bend) off the coast of Calabar, Cross Civil War was the issue of abandoned property. union. I believe in one Nigeria. I love diversity. It the country at large). Nigerians just have to River, in the Gulf of Guinea. (Fun fact: Biafra, also Igbo people returned to their former abodes to can be a source of strength and a stepping stone stop living in fear. Paralysing. called Mafra, and Lagos are names of Portuguese discover that their assets had been expropriated. to greatness. But my opinion is of no relevance towns. Portugal had a great infl uence on West Although their savings in Nigerian banks were in the scheme of things. My Igbo friends have COVID WARNING African coastlines in slave trade days.) intact, they were unhappy that the government consistently argued that they feel unwanted in Anybody playing close att ention to the The Bight of Biafra is now called the Bight of only offered them a fl at twenty Nigerian pounds Nigeria; that federal character and quota system COVID-19 pandemic will agree that we Bonny, but the political Biafra has survived the as compensation for the bundles of the Biafran were designed to cheat them; that because they are not yet out of the woods, even though name change. The map of Biafra drawn by IPOB pounds they returned with. It is a major topic of do not have the same number of states and LGAs encompasses all the south-east and south-south discussion till this day. as other ethnic groups, they are systematically Nigerians appear to think otherwise. Not states. I see this as a complication because I do If Biafra eventually succeeds, it will, at best, be marginalised by the confi guration; and that they only have we largely ignored the vaccine (no not get the sense that there is unanimity among a novel political experiment. This is yet another have been schemed out of presidency. In sum, thanks to the fake news-peddling pastors the south-south to be part of Biafra. This was also complication, a big one at that. Nd’Igbo were never Nd’Igbo are unhappy. Whether or not they are and conspiracy theorists), we are not even so a thorny issue when Biafra was declared in 1967: under one political system or central authority before pro- or anti-Biafra, these are perennial issues that keen on observing the basic safety measures the eastern minorities were not fully on board. colonial rule. National integration, which Nigeria cannot be wished away. such as using face mask and physical The south-south minorities in today’s Akwa Ibom, has been struggling with since 1914, may turn out I have always secretly desired a political solution: distancing. It’s either we think COVID is Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states had always to be one of the biggest challenges for Biafra as a power rotation arrangement in which the rest not an African problem or we have become politically aligned with the core north since 1960. well. As with other ethnic groups in Nigeria, there of Nigeria will freely work together to deliver a fatalistic. But let it be known to all that there They only broke ranks in 2015 apparently because are internal divisions among Nd’Igbo that require president of Igbo blood. I was dreaming that the is no natural immunity for Africans. Congo President Goodluck Jonathan, from Bayelsa, was deft political management. Otherwise, they would PDP and APC would, by consensus, zone presidency become a distraction to the building of Biafra. In is now overwhelmed. You don’t have to take on the ballot. to the south-east. That means head or tail, Nd’Igbo the jab, but you need to think about the As far as I know, the common campaign in the almost all Igbo states, one zone or the other is would win. This, in my thinking, would at least south-south, specifi cally since 1998, has been for complaining of marginalisation in the sharing of address a long-standing emotive issue. As I often vulnerable people. Keep safe to keep others resource control, not Biafra or another break-away political offi ces and projects. It is human nature. argue privately, an Igbo would do no worse than safe. Please. country. The region is rich in oil, the oxygen that For instance, Enugu North wants to keep the a Yoruba or Fulani as president. The world will has kept Nigeria breathing for decades. Everybody governorship in 2023 after Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi not end because an Igbo is president of Nigeria. VP ON THE SPOT knows how strategic the region is to the survival of must have done eight straight years. Some insist it But I must admit that the activities and rhetoric of Have you seen the memes making the round, Nigeria — in the absence of any bigger source of is the turn of Enugu East. The Igbo Nsukka United IPOB and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) have seeking to portray Vice-President Yemi public revenue and forex. Biafra needs the south- Forum (INUF) recently issued a statement saying made things very, very complicated politically. Osinbajo as “speechless” amidst all the drama south not just for the oil but also to avoid being Nsukka has 60 per cent of the state population (this Clearly, we are in an awkward situation. On going on in government? I guess some people landlocked: not having direct access to the sea is population factor again!) but that its part of Enugu the one hand, there may be no Biafra without are trying to push him into confrontation with a massive disadvantage for any economy. It will North has been marginalised by successive governors. another civil war, and I think we have seen enough President Buhari and I hope he is wise enough So, Enugu North should keep the governorship, be complicated for IPOB to draw a Biafra map bloodshed in Nigeria to last us a lifetime. We not to take the bait. Those who encouraged without the south-south, yet there is no strong but this time it will be for the Nsukka part. In don’t need another war. African wars are bestial. indication that the minorities want to be on the Imo state, zone says it is marginalised If you doubt me, read about the wars in Liberia, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to take on Biafra train. by Okigwe and Orlu zones. In the end, Biafra Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Somalia. On the other President Olusegun Obasanjo ahead of the Another complication is what I would call the may have to adopt a form of “federal character” hand, how long can we continue to keep an ethnic 2003 election have not been able to help “burden of relocation”. Igbo people are spread in order to address glaring internal inequalities. group in a union against their will? We cannot him salvage his political fortune till today. If over the country. It is estimated that there are Nevertheless, the pro-Biafra Igbo feel they would dismiss or downplay the misgivings of Nd’Igbo. Osinbajo disagrees with Buhari’s actions, he over 11 million Igbo in northern Nigeria alone. be better off leaving Nigeria. They say Nd’Igbo That would be most unhelpful. While actualising will be wise enough to whisper his opinion Add that to the fi gures in the south-west and have been systematically marginalised since the Biafra may have its complications, keeping an into his ears rather than go and shout on the south-south. Would they remain in Nigeria if Biafra war ended in 1970. Ironically, Nigeria used to be a unhappy people in the union is also going to mountain as some people want him to do. is actualised? From the experience of the Civil shining example of accelerated reintegration after be challenging. Is there no middle-road solution Discretion. War, the answer would be negative. There was a civil war. By 1979, Ebitu Ukiwe and Ndubuisi somewhere? Crossroads. 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. 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