Leadership sunday

No. 450

N300

21.09.14

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

nigeria's most influential newspaper

God Gave Us A Second Chance – Ebola Survivors

Oyedepo At 60: Why I Chose To Be A Player Not A Spectator

feature, PAGE 56

interview, PAGE 61

Leadership Newspapers

Chibok Diary DAY 160

@leadershipNGA

Day Military Dealt Blow On Insurgents In Konduga Cover story, PAGE 13

Day I60: #BringBackOurGirls Visits IDP Camps Today > Page 2

Taraba Assembly Moves Against Suntai 5

Sets up 5-man panel to investigate ailing gov’s health

Delayed PIB Passage

Nigeria Risks Economic Doom – Experts

By Friday Atufe, Samson Echenim, Chika Izuora Jonathan Nda- Isaiah and Taiwo Ogunmola-Omilani

L-R: Pastor, Synagogue Church of All Nations, TB Joshua; President Goodluck Jonathan; National Chairman of Peoples Democracy Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu; deputy governor of Lagos State, Orelope Adefulure and former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa during a visit to the Synagogue Church, Ikotun, Lagos, yesterday. photo by REMI AKUNLEYAN

Nigeria risks economic doom with the delayed passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), stakeholders, including experts in the oil industry

2015: Buhari Declares Bid After Sallah

➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

> Page 5

2

Sunday, September 21, 2014

chibok diary 160 DAY

ChIBOk quOTes #BringBackOurGirls

@ibrahim099 Chibok Girls?

Missing! Air force plane? Missing!

Crude Oil? Missing! $20Billion? Missing!

Let's ensure that Aso Rock is not missing @DaddyJayden Almost 6 months and yet, the #ChibokGirls have not been rescued.

What exactly will it cost that it's taking forever? #BringBackOurGirls @emaqul8 Like seriously, days keep passing by and still nothing about the chibok girls.

This is getting more serious by the day! @obyezeks On our #ChibokGirls it shall NOT BE OVER until it is POSITIVELY OVER. They can never be pushed under any rug & forgotten.

WON'T HAPPEN! @WingateRose Hope our social web site should keep on putting pressure on international community to #BringBackOurGirls safely & destroy BOKO @Maomaxilily GEJ couldn't deploy 50,000 soldiers for #BringBackOurGirls, but deployed 73,000 soldiers for a state election. Dia iz God. COMPILED BY MICHAEL OCHE

Members of #BringBackourGirls during a protest in abuja, recently. photo by oyedele omokagbo

Day I60: #BringBackOurGirls Visits IDP Camps Today

BY Chika Mefor and ejike ejike, Abuja

As part of its activities to commemorate the Day 160 of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect, the #Bring Back Our Girls group will today, visit camps of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, in Abuja.

The group which has humanity and empathy as its core value stated that apart from the issue of the Chibok girls, it would also empathise with those whose lives have been changed terribly due to the very situation that brought about the abduction of the schoolgirls.

Speaking during its daily sit-out yesterday, the group called on its members to rally round for food stuff, clothing and other materials which are needed by the displaced persons.

"They are living from hand to mouth. They need lot of things. Some are separated from their families and they are here in Abuja where they think they can earn a living but they are yet to find job here. Their stories are pathetic.

"We should start now to gather things so that before Friday, we must have gotten something reasonable. They will need materials like clothing, toiletries, clothes and food stuff. We should also inform our friends and neighbours.

Nothing is too small for our displaced brothers and sisters," it said.

Recall that the group has in every 10 days milestone of the girls abduction performed various activities like the street protest and engagement with motorists and passersby aimed at continuing the advocacy for the safe return of the 219 schoolgirls.

IDENTITY BREACHES ON THE RISE A DATA BREACH IS A SECURITY INCIDENT IN WHICH SENSITIVE, PROTECTED OR CONFIDENTIAL DATA IS COPIED, TRANSMITTED, VIEWED, STOLEN OR USED BY AN UNAUTHORIZED INDIVIDUAL

The total number of breaches in 2013 was

THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF BREACHES

62% greater than 2012.

Also larger than the

208 breaches in 2011

HACKED

Hacking continued to be one of the primary cause of data breaches

46% Lost or stolen computing device 42% Employee mistake or unintentional actions 42% Third party snafus 33% Criminal attack

31%Technical system’s glitch 14% Malicious insider 8% Intentional nonmalicious employee action INFOGRAPHICS BY Matthew Akhabue

3

our stand Sunday, September 21, 2014

Benjamin Adekunle (1936–Sept 13 2014):

A War Hero Bows Out

U

narguably the most enigmatic officer of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, fondly called “Black Scorpion” departed this world Saturday, September 13 2014. But when the shocking news was announced by his wife, Folake, the mystery of his “invincibility” was shattered. Hate him or love him, the man Adekunle cannot be denied a chapter in the history of the effort to keep the country together, for his outstanding role in the Nigeria/Biafra war.

The commander of the 35,000-strong Third Marine Commando was an effervescent soldier; some say an insubordinate, flamboyant, outspoken and temperamental personality. He will be remembered as one officer that rejected the Supreme Military Council’s efforts to delegate some of his duties. When Umuahia fell on April 22 1969, Gowon, who had gotten married just three days earlier returned to Lagos from his honeymoon in Kaduna, boasting that the fall of Owerri and Umuahia, the Biafran capital, was his wedding present.

While acquiring the status of hero on the federal side and in fact, outside the country, the impulsive soldier incurred the hatred and enmity of Biafrans. Many

would concede that without Adekunle, the federal side might not have conquered Biafra. But that is where it ended for him. The country neglected the Black Scorpion in the twilight of his existence.

Since the civil war ended and for more than four decades, Adekunle was side-lined from virtually all official functions, including military ceremonies, even under military regimes. It was towards the end and while in solitary confinement due to ill-health, that Adekunle publicly conceded that the Biafran agitation was legitimate, given the pervasive social injustice in the land.

Although the courage Adekunle displayed in recanting his role during the civil war may not heal the

Ag. Editor Auwal Sa’id Mu’azu Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards Aniebo Nwamu, Director ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

wounds that precipitated the civil war, it nonetheless reminds us of the fragility of the country’s unity and the lack of awareness of the sacrifices made during the civil war.

Doubtless, Adekunle was a great warrior. The war was won under his command, only for him to be unceremoniously removed a few months before he could collect the instrument of surrender.

Born in Kaduna in 1936, the Ogbomoso, Oyo State native had his secondary school education at the Government College, Okene and enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1958, shortly after completing his school certificate examinations.

Trained at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant on December 15, 1960. In 1964, he attended the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in India and on his return was briefly appointed adjutant general at the Army Headquarters in May 1965, before being posted back to the 1st Battalion in Enugu as a company commander. It was during the civil war (1967-70), however, that he made his mark.

The Black Scorpion will go down in history as a wily soldier, widely considered the most controversial, misunderstood yet celebrated figure of the civil war.

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Ademola Oladosu Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun Zipporah D. Tanko Joy Adekanye

Leadership Holdings

Managing Director Abraham Nda-Isaiah Executive Director Nnamdi Samuel New York Office Mohammed Bello Shehu London Office Dr Bello Salihu Johannesburg Office Abiodun Oguntuase

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital.

We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed.

We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being: For God and country!

4 news across the states

Sunday, September 21, 2014

2015: PDP Chieftain Wants Supreme Court To Determine Jonathan’s Eligibility

by OLUGBENGA SOYELE, Lagos

A former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Dr Umar Ardo has, once again, stressed the need for the supreme court to, once and for all, determine the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for another 4-year term in 2015.

The PDP chieftain, who stated this in an open letter addressed to

the chairman of the party, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, insisted that he is ready to go to the court of appeal on the issue.

Ardo said that is the only way to ensure smooth operation of Nigeria, avoid lawlessness, political crises, social anarchy, and guarantee the country’s democracy and wellbeing.

According to him if the president contests and wins the 2015 presidential elections, or at any

other time later, he will exceed the cumulative tenure of 8 years maximum period as interpreted by the supreme court.

Ardo cited four judgments of the supreme court: INEC Vs Boni Haruna, Peter Obi Vs Chris Ngige, Ladoja Vs INEC and INEC Vs 5 PDP Governors to support his argument.

He said, “This argument is premised on the fact that what constitutionally applies to the governor

on the issue of eligibility or otherwise to contest elections is ipso facto applicable to the president.

“In those judgments, the apex court had established the relationship between the governor and his deputy on the issue of succession (Boni Haruna); determined the holding of office in a term at four years (Peter Obi); affirmed that a governor can stay less but not more than four years in a term (Ladoja).

L-R: Gov Gabriel Suswam of Benue presenting sample drugs to Dr Terver Tule at the inauguration of ‘Suswam Free Medical Treatment Mission in Vandeikya, yesterday.

FCE Kano Attack: Shekarau Advocates Vigilance In Tertiary Schools The federal government’s delegation led by the minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau to the Federal College of Education, FCE Kano, where insurgents killed 13 students, a lecturer and an infant, has advocated the adoption of homeland security measures in institutions of learning to stop untimely death of innocent students.

This is just as Malam Shekarau, who was former Kano governor tactically shunned courtesy calls

on the incumbent governor of the state, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso but however, coincidently met the Emir of Kano, HRH, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the Murtala Muhammed Specialists Hospital who also came to sympathize with the injured victims.

“It is unfortunate that the trend we are experiencing is that the institutions of learning are targeted.

It is most unfortunate and I am sure all of us, federal, state, security agents and all concerned have to come on deck to ensure that max-

imum safety of live and property in our institutions must be given a highest priority”.

“We see this trend as another challenge to whoever is concerned to further go back to the drawing board to ensure additional strategies to detect and protect the lives and property of the young ones in our institutions”, Shekarau asserted.

Mallam Shekarau, who was speaking on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited the FCE, where suicide bomb-

ers killed students last Wednesday said ensuring adequate security of lives and property of the citizenry is not only the sole responsibility of the federal government but a collective and joint effort of everyone.

“We were here this morning as the delegation of the federal government and president Jonathan to extend our sympathy and condolence to the families , staffs and management of this institution for loosing numerous innocent students to the attack of insurgents”.

Boko Haram: Fintiri Lauds Jonathan’s Resolve To End Insurgency

By Mohammed ismail, Yola

Adamawa State acting governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s assurances of bringing an end to the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east part as soon as possible.

Fintiri said it was heartwarming that President Jonathan had promised that by next month the insurgents who embarked on an unrestrained killing spree in Mubi

A house wife in Port Harcourt and her four-man gang were arrested last Friday after police foiled an attempt by the gang to kidnap her three children in Rumuagholu, near the state capital.

The arrest took place at Phase D Close, Rumuagholu road in Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers State, following a tip from a taxi driver which the suspected kidnappers hired for the operation.

Sources from the area said the woman popularly known as Mama Princess, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, is married to a retired soldier and runs a supermarket in front of her husband’s compound, where the botched kidnap attempt took place.

The source further said the woman approached the kidnappers to abduct her daughter, Princess and her brothers and after paying them and giving them the description of her children she told the husband that she was travelling outside

By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

PHOTO BY NAN

By Abubakar Salihi, Kano

House Wife Arrested For Plotting Kids’ Abduction In Rivers

senatorial zone, leading to the displacement of thousands of people, would be rooted out.

Governor Fintiri was speaking while taking delivery of relief materials meant for thousands of internally displaced persons affected by the insurgency in Madagali, Gulak, Michika and Bazza.

Fintiri noted the president’s statement coupled with the concerted effort being made to cushion the effect on the displaced persons, is a proof of

the federal government’s firm commitment to put an end to insurgency once and for all.

He called on the people of the state to give the president the required support, while commending security agencies for their efforts at maintaining peace and order in the state.

Fintiri said President Jonathan’s patriotic zeal to develop the country motivated other governors and himself to endorse him.

Former presidential adviser

A.A. Gulak, who spoke on behalf of all former PDP aspirants pledged that since Fintiri had emerged as the flag-bearer of the party, they had all resolved to queue behind him and ensure the party’s victory in the October 11 governorship byelection.

A party elder and stakeholder, Prof Jibrin Aminu said only politicians, who were imcepetant and lacked ideas, would rely on primordial sentiments to win elections.

Telecom Subscribers: Airtel Loses No 2 Position To Globacom Globacom, has moved to the position of the second largest mobile service provider in the country beating Airtel to the third place. According to figures just published by industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on its website, Glo had 27,327,646 subscribers on its network as at the end of June, 2014.

The figure translates to 21 per cent share of the Nigerian telecoms market, and places Glo second to MTN which has 56,516,759.

Globacom which conceded the position to Airtel a few months ago achieved the feat by recording 2.8m new subscribers between February and June, this year, the largest by any operator in Nigeria within the period.

Airtel which occupied the second position briefly early this year falls to the third place with 25,302,160 subscribers and 20 per cent market share. Etisalat retains the fourth position with 19,390,285 customers which represents 15 per cent share of the market.

Instructively, while Glo and Etisalat made gains between the last time NCC released subscriber figures in February, and now, MTN and Airtel recorded losses.

By Chima Akwaja, Lagos

NEWS 5

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Taraba Assembly Moves LIVING TO BE 100 Against Suntai One health tip daily

By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo, Warri

Go Fish for the Omega If you’re not a vegetarian, you’ll want to make intelligent choices about the meat you eat. Of all animal products, fish is the healthiest, due to its high protein and low fat content. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish, along with other nutrients, protect blood vessels from plaque, reduce inflammation, prevent high blood pressure, and help you maintain good respiratory health.

Populations with a diet consisting mainly of fish, fresh fruits, and local vegetables experience virtually no cardiovascular disease and have a high percentage of healthy seniors.

Nigeria Risks Economic Doom – Experts

Suntai

Already there was news in town that the governor had arrived in Abuja last Saturday from his medical trip.

Some politicians, including top government functionaries led by the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, as well as other loyalists of Governor Suntai reportedly went to Abuja to receive the governor while those in the state, particularly the inhabitants of Jalingo were anxiously waiting for his return.

2015: Buhari Declares Bid After Sallah

➔ FROM COVER

have said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal last Tuesday gave the ad hoc committee on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), headed by Ishaka Bawa, a 21-day ultimatum to submit its report to the full house.

The speaker gave the directive at plenary session while declaring open the fourth legislative session of the 7th Assembly, as a PIB cash for passage allegation went around the National Assembly (NASS).

It had been alleged that the Ministry of Petroleum and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were being asked for cash for the passage of the bill, an allegation the House has denied.

Reacting to the ultimatum given by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Innocent Edemhanria, programme/policy officer, African Network for Environment & Economic Justice (ANEEJ), said the directive was indication that the House of Representatives was making an effort to consider and pass the PIB before the expiration of the 7th National Assembly.

Edemhanria noted that the current House would be winding up soon and elections were just around the corner and that the House may also receive the 2015 budget from the Executive soon, so it was time to do serious

The Taraba State House of Assembly appears to have pitched its tent against ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai, with the speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Josiah Sabo Kente, setting up a five-man medical panel to investigate his health status.

Governor Suntai was involved in an airplane crash on October 25, 2012 and was away in the United States of America for 10 months for medical treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Although people close to him have said he is not fit to resume duty as governor of the state, some parties appear bent on forcing him on the state.

The first episode of the drama in Taraba was when Governor Danbaba Suntai was reportedly flown back into the country by a certain ‘cabal’, in a bid to oust the acting governor. But the move was trailed by much criticism, before it was rested for a while.

The matter, however, again reared its head with the second return of Suntai into the country last Saturday, following an alleged plan by some politi-

cians in the state to bring him back into office ahead of the governorship primary election, in order to stand in the way of Acting Governor Umar Garba.

But in a bid to put the matter to rest, the speaker announced the constitution of a probe panel in Jalingo yesterday, saying the five-man medical panel was constituted based on the provisions of Section 189(1)(b) of the 1999 Consitution.

According to him, the resolution of the State House of Assembly to set up a five-man medical panel was based on the decision of the state executive council, mandating the House of Assembly to constitute a medical team to investigate the ailing governor’s health.

The committee set up to verify Suntai’s health has the following as members: Prof B.B Shehu - chairman, Dr. Inusa Ismaila - member, Prof Peter Alabi - member, Dr Shehu Sule - member and Dr Ahmed Kara - personal physician to Governor Suntai.

Governor Suntai had gone to the United Kingdom for more medical attention. In the first medical trip, the governor, reportedly went to Germany and the United States of America.

Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

Okonjo-Iweala

work on any pending bill, such as the PIB. “I am aware that a lot of work has been done already. The bill has passed through first and second reading and public hearing has also been concluded, even though there are issues with the way the exercise was conducted, especially the one done by the Senate.

“What is left now is for the Ishaka Bawa-led Ad hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill to tidy up their report and submit to the House for the third and final reading. So I consider the directive of the Hon Speaker as progressive and a step in the right direction,” Edemhanria said.

He said the House should be encouraged to finally pass the bill, in ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari would publicly declare his presidential ambition in Abuja shortly after the Sallah holiday, SUNDAY LEADERSHIP can authoritatively report.

Buhari have been contested in the Presidential race since 2003 when he ran under the platform of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), he also ran under the same platform in 2007 but defected the party and formed his own, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011.

He teamed with other chieftains of the leading opposition parties recently that gave birth to the APC and he is optimistic that he would emerge the presidential candidate.

But there are some formidable aspirants from the party especially former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankaso who are having hope of defeating him in the party’s presidential primaries.

Already there is a cold war over how the APC Presidential candidate would emerge; while the loyalists of Buhari are asking for the party to adopt him as the consensus candidate, Atiku has

been telling them to forget it because it is the presidential primaries that will decide the party’s flagbearer.

But a Buhari’s political ally who does not want his name in print said, “Atiku is new in the party, he does not know how the party was formed, so, he cannot be speaking authoritatively about the APC. He was part of those who formed AC or later ACN but by the time we were forming the APC he had returned to his former party, PDP.” According to the source, General Buhari would have declared on 4 October but it was discovered the day coincided with the Sallah break hence the need to choose another day immediately after the celebration.

“Yes, it is true that General Buhari would declare for the Presidential race after Sallah and it would take place in Abuja. Our plan to hold it on 4 October was cancelled when someone called our attention to the date that it falls on Sallah period. We have not picked a new date, may be that would be done next week,” a chieftain of the party who is a political disciple to Buhari disclosed yesterday.

All efforts made to get some of those who corroborated our source to be quoted were futile as they were all saying only the offi-

Buhari

cial spokesman could do that.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY recalled that Atiku would make his own declaration on Wednesday, 24 September as disclosed by his media chief, Graba Shehu in a statement and which he has confirmed last week while playing a host to some journalists in Abuja.

He has appointed former Minister of Aviation under the Presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo the Director General of his campaign organization.

6 NEWS

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Bunkering: Navy Destroys 53 Illegal Refineries Seizes 53 metric tonnes of crude in Warri By nan

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Warri, said on Saturday that it has destroyed 53 illegal refineries in Ashafama forest in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.

The Commander of NNS Delta, Capt. Musa Gemu, told newsmen in Warri that 53 metric tonnes of crude was also burnt during anoperation against bunkering in

the area.

He, howver, said no suspect was apprehended during the exercise.

According to him, three make-shift tents of the criminals have also been destroyed.

Gemu said the command would continue to fight illegal oil bunkering until the illicit business was completely eradicated in the area.

He warned those engaging in illegal oil bunkering to desist from it or face the wrath of the law. ‘’Oil bunkering is gradually reducing in the area and I assure you that we will not re-

lent on our oars until it is completely eradicated. ‘’I have been given the mandate to apprehend bunkerers and destroy illegal crude oil; we will not relent. ‘’They have devised a means of going far into the creeks, but we too have intensifyied our surveillance to contain their illegal activities, ‘’ Gemu said. ‘’They understand the creeks more than we do, they go to areas we do not know but we will always get them.’’

Gemu appealed to the Chief of Naval Staff to dialogue with

the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to assist the command with smaller boats to navigate narrow creeks.

The naval boss said his command had on Sept. 18 impounded MV Maga vessel in Dodo River, Delta, with about 540 metric tonnes of illegally refined crude with 11 crews, who were Nigerians.

He said the vessel was still being held at Naval Command in Sapele, adding that the vessel and the suspects would soon be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

Diezani

Nigeria Risks Economic Doom – Experts ➔ FROM PAGE 5

spite of the previous failed effort.

“What we are interested in now is to see that the PIB is passed in the form that it will be of utmost benefit to the Nigerian economy and the people of Nigeria. Casting aspersion or discrediting any move by either the House of Reps or the Senate will not help the process at all.

“It seems to me like an indication that the bill will be passed and I think the National Assembly can achieve this before the end of their session in 2015, because as I said earlier, a lot of work has Tambuwal already been done. I don’t want to recall the fate suffered by the PIB tion from a cost centre to a profit when the bill could not be passed centre, Nigeria’s annual revenue by the Sixth Assembly, despite re- from oil and gas operations in the peated assurance from President country is expected to shoot up.

Goodluck Jonathan, the minister Oil producing communities are of petroleum resources and key expected to earn some huge remembers of the National Assem- sources from oil revenue as part bly, but we are encouraged now by of incentive to them. This has the the progress so far made on the potential to finally resolve the Nibill by the Seventh National As- ger Delta problem. sembly, even though it has taken “Even though it may be diffithem such a long time to reach cult to eradicate corruption from this stage. the petroleum section through “I urge the House of Represent- the PIB, we expect greater transatives and even the Senate to sus- parency and accountability in the tain this progress that has been workings of the industry,” Edemmade so far, by expediting actions hanria said. on the clause by clause consideraAlso reacting, oil industry antion of the bill when it gets to that alyst and managing partner, stage, preparatory to its final pas- Zenera Consulting, Mr Meka sage, so as to ensure that the bill is Olowola, said the directive was a passed before the end of the Sev- gimmick, as the Seventh Assementh Assembly. bly was about to wind up.

“When the bill is finally passed, He considers the move to be a I expect President Jonathan to smoke screen to give people the immediately assent to it, if con- impression that they were seritentious and selfish provisions are ous about it. not smuggled into the bill at the Making further comment, point of final consideration. The Olowola said he feared that the way the bill was designed, imple- bill may have been doctored, saymentation will take a long time, ing that as an industry observbut certain provisions could be er, the original bill had been implemented immediately. So tampered with and it would be we expect the relevant agencies difficult for operators to identify of government to move fast with which clauses had been changed. the issue.

“I think it is time for us to “We expect the PIB to deliver make the industry transparent. far reaching reforms to the Nige- The bill, as originally fashioned, rian petroleum industry. Apart would check the excesses of the from transforming the Nigeri- president and the minister of an National Petroleum Corpora- petroleum resources, because I

don’t see why much discretionary powers should be given to the minister,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Chidi Ahaotu, managing director and chief executive officer of Mandy Oil and Gas Limited said that the “Tom and Jerry” approach adopted by the NASS and the Executive had robbed the nation of the opportunity to harness the potential in the industry.

Ahaotu said the industry was overwhelmed by high level corruption in the sector and holistic legislation like the PIB was needed to address the situation.

“We will appreciate if the legislature will fast-track the passage, so that meaningful development will be recorded in the sector,” he said.

For Sir Sunny Nwosu, the national coordinator of the Independent Shareholders Association, the ultimatum was a response Nigerians’ condemnation of the delay in the passage of the bill, especially by indigenous operators in the sector.

According to him, foreigners would continue to take absolute control of the sector, if the status quo is maintained.

“The fact is that I am not against partnership with foreigners, but we need to take the plunge to understand a sector like the petroleum sector.

“If we continue to leave everything in the hands of the foreigners, it will be just like the capital market, where they buy heavily and dump heavily, thereby creating a lot of problems in the system,” Nwosu said, adding that but for the lackadaisical attitude and corruption, the bill would have been passed by now and its implementation commenced.

“When you take it from the angle of job creation vis-à-vis the population of youth that are unemployed in this country, as soon as the bill is passed, most of the indigenous companies and by extension the foreign companies will want to set up companies that they will have minority interest in, in order to take advan-

tage of the opportunities in that sector. As a capital market activist, I enjoin the House to pass the bill before the end of this administration,” Nwosu said.

Chairman of the Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NISA), Dr Isaac Jolapamo, said that among other ingredients involved in the concept of local content, which is the focus of the PIB, it should be seen that the PIB reiterates the relevance of indigenous shipping in the scheme of things in Nigeria’s oil sector, with a view to ensuring that the bill provides that foreign vessels stop taking the job of oil-lifting from Nigeria’s coastal areas.

“The bill should help strengthen the exclusiveness of cabotage trade to Nigerian vessels. I don’t know if the committee has a maritime stakeholder in it. And if it doesn’t, then it is very unfortunate, because most Nigerians do not really understand maritime.

“You would have observed that this whole issue of PIB would pass away with a new law in place, yet aspects of maritime, which is the mother business of oil and gas, will not be considered. This is why we are always getting it wrong,” he said.

Labour leaders have welcomed the directive by the speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tanbuwal on the PIB, as they said that the committee had been sweeping the matter under the carpet.

President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama said, “It is a good development and that means the committee has been sweeping the matter under the carpet. We know that there is a hidden agenda and we hope the Senate will do the same thing.”

Former president of TUC, Peter Esele, also welcomed the statement. “Let us hope it is not a political statement. But whether the Executive likes it or not, they must do the needful. They are just trying to sweep the issue under the carpet.”

We are taking our time to do

the right thing – Senator Marafa Contrary to claims that the Senate is not serious about passing the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill, (PIB), vice chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream and a member of the joint committee, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara) has said the Senate was taking its time to do the right thing.

It would be recalled that last week, Senate President David Mark promised that the Upper House would ensure the speedy passage of the bill, as the Seventh Senate was set to make history by doing so.

Senator Marafa also said that what was worth doing was worth doing well, saying the Senate wanted to take its time to pass a viable PIB, which would be in the best interest of everybody.

Reacting to the allegation by the civil society group, he said he did not know what informed their conclusion that the Seventh Senate was not serious about passing the PIB. He explained that the bill was taking so long to pass because of the importance of the bill and the petroleum industry, as the oil industry accounts for a large percentage of Nigeria’s earnings, adding that the budgetary system relies on the oil industry.

“There are a lot of weighty issues that need to be sorted out, knotty issues that need to be looked into. We have to be very careful. It’s an issue that affects the whole country. We are taking our time to do the right thing, because what is worth doing is worth doing well.”

He also said that unlike with the onshore and offshore which was passed some years ago, but later ran into some hitches, all the issues and controversy surrounding the PIB needed to be sorted out.

He also submitted that many parties were interested in the passage of the bill at the state, federal and even international community levels.

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Sunday, September 21, 2014

THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF SOKOTO STATE No 215, Modibbo Adama Road Tudun Wada, Sokoto th 14 September, 2014 The Secretary Sultanate Council, Sultan Palace, Sokoto

DEMAND FOR THE REMOVAL OF FORMER SOKOTO STATE GOVERNOR ALHAJI ATTAHIRU DALHATU BAFARAWA AS GARKUWAN SOKOTO

It is worth mentioning that Sokoto Caliphate remained the most influential, revered and strongest in Africa pre-colonial heritage. It is equally most enduring, dynamic and viable institution in the history of post colonial Africa.

It is in testimony of this fact that Thisday News Paper recognized the enviable position of the Caliphate leading to the award of its MAN OF THE MILLENIUM (YEAR 2000) to this all important and all time revered institution. Central to the success of the Caliphate is the exalted position and person of the Sultan. The Sultan of Sokoto being the Supreme Leader of the Muslims, commands a lot of respect even among non-Muslim adherents.

Equally, there is a great deal of bond and communication between the Sultan and its subjects, indeed this is the very essence and wisdom behind the success and stability of the Caliphate.

In the 70s late Sultan Abubakar III recognized the achievements and contributions of three worthy illustrious sons of the Caliphate, and conferred on them traditional titles, namely, Mallam Yahaya Gusau as Shattiman Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki as Baraden Sokoto and late Engineer Abdu Gusau as Garkuwan Sokoto. The trio, were well trained, experienced and served the country in various capacities with distinction. Late Engr. Abdu Gusau Garkuwan Sokoto as trained mechanical engineer, among other things was a Commissioner for Works and Transport and Chairman of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN). After his death the title of Garkuwan Sokoto remained vacant.

Ibrahim Dasuki as Baraden Sokoto became the Sultan in 1988 after the death of Sultan Abubakar III. He did not confer any of these titles on anyone during his reign. The day he was deposed in 1996, Attahiru Bafarawa was on board the jet that came to fly him out of Sokoto, he Bafarawa on that day told someone (now deceased) that he will seek for the Title of Garkuwan Sokoto people, the intent was to draw from Sultan Maccido's popularity and improve his poor political rating among Sokoto elites and beyond. Attahiru Bafarawa was turbaned Garkuwan Sokoto by Sultan Maccido at the instance of a top Presidential Aide in General Abacha's regime. He also used the same influence to get the Chairmanship of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, known as Sokoto Cement. It is the most significant economic entity in the North West. With the title of Garkuwan Sokoto and Chairmanship of Sokoto Cement, Bafarwa launched his bid for the Governorship of Sokoto State, chanting the slogan of “Garkuwan Daular Usmaniyya” in 1999. It is however, most unfortunate that the glory and the privileged position of the Sultan, is of recent subjected to series of attacks from one of its most important beneficiaries. As a Governor, Bafarawa was not only disrespectful to Late Sultan Maccido but also injurious to the Sultanate Council. He among other things reversed State Laws and transferred powers to Office of the Governor to appoint and deposed Ward Heads, which hitherto resided with the Sultanate Council. He created Wards and District Heads according to the dictates of his political interest. He deposed a senior councilor and district head of Durbawa Alhaji Umaru Galadiman Gari a son in-law of Sultan Maccido on tramp up charges. This was most humiliating to Sultan Maccido.

It was the singular act of Bafarawa that putting the writing on the wall but the Sultan and the Council had no powers. Galadiman Gari was replaced by a protégé of Bafarawa, Alhaji Isa Bajini a director in the State Civil Service then. It was known to everybody in the Palace that Sultan Maccido used to live in heat and darkness, because Bafarawa's government refused to fund the Palace to enable it run generators. Also, under Sultan Maccido, Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Ahmadu Danbaba, who enjoys the unique position of the only living grandson of the legendary Sardauna Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu was queried five times by Bafarawa's Governemt. All the queries were on flimsy and frivolous charges. Magajin gari survived Bafarawa's Government due to the numerous interventions of a top Presidential Aide in Obasanjo's Government.

On Sunday 31st, March, 2013, during the Closing Ceremony of Quranic Recitation competition held in Gusau, Zamfara State, Bafarwa had in public glare, refused to stand up in honour of Sultan Saad Abubakar after he delivered his speech. It was only Bafarawa in that gathering that was defiant in breach of this well established protocol. It was to the chagrin and consternation of those around him when he remarked and boasted that, his act was deliberate for the Sultan does not deserve his respect. It is the highest contradiction of the title holder (Garkuwa), the “Shield of the

Caliphate” to be the very one attacking the Revered Office and its symbol of authority. What a contradiction.

The Council should recall in the recent past during Hajj, the Sultan was performing Tawaf when Bafarawa had the guts to commit the unbelievable by pointing at the Sultan. This is heretical, unbelievable and unheard before. It is doubtful, if a true Muslim will engage in this act that is entirely un-Islamic.

The Quran, enjoins us to hold our temper, guard our utterances, malice, illwill towards one another during hajj. In June, this year, a day after the death of late Emire of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, Bafarawa landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in company of Senator Abubakar Umar Gada to pay condolence to the family and people of Kano. The Captain of the Plane told Bafarawa tha the Sultan of Sokoto has paid for the Aircraft to fly him back to Sokoto as well. So they wanted Bafarawa to allow them to fly the Sultan to Sokoto and return immediately before he returns to the airport. On hearing this Bafarawa said to the Captain no, I paid for four hours and you cannot fly anybody not even the Sultan, what is my business with the Sultan.

The Crew had to remain when he disembarked. He was old that Sultan was in the lounge waiting to be flown to Sokoto, Bafarawa turned deaf ears, he shun the Sultan and his entourage. He left the crew in dilemma because the Sultan had actually paid for the flight, but for Bafarawa, he could not fly.

Shortly, Governor Wamako arrived in a different flight, he was told of the Sultan's presence at the airport, and he went into the lounge and paid his respect. On hearing what happened, he released his aircraft to the Sultan, which flew him to Sokoto, while the one he paid for was still on the tarmac.

Also, there was an incidence involving another senior councilor of the Sultanate and elders statesman Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari, the first elected civilian President of Nigeria and one of the most illustrious sons of the Caliphate for the last fifty two years as Turakin Sokoto during the annual Thisday Award Ceremony, it was only the recalcitrant Bafarawa that refused to recognize the presence of Turakin Sokoto, amidst the gathering of WHO is WHO in the Country. Indeed it was the humble Turakin that in deference to protocol that reached out to Bafarawa teaching him how civilized people should behave socially.

It is also, worthy of note that, Bafarawa as Garkuwan Sokoto, does not attend functions and events related to the Sultanate in and out of the country.

He was never in the entourage of the Sultan or the Council. Hardly, could anyone, point at or mention anything or something that suggest for the Institution.

Your Eminence and respected Members of the Sultanate Council, the infractions of Bafarawa are not exhaustive. Public opinion and sentiment of our people is, if the offices of past Sultan's (Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, Sultan Maccido, and the incumbent Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar III), then that of the senior councilors, Turakin Sokoto, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Magajin Gari, Alhaji Hassan Ahmadu Danbaba, could be subjected to ridicule and disrepute, what remains of the power and authority of the entire Sultanate Council and all that it represents? The conducts of Bafarawa are not only unfair to his people and domain, but unjust. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.

Our position and prayer, here is, popular public outcry is no longer in support of his continued occupation of this exalted title of Garkuwan Sokoto. He should be stripped of this undeserved title. Our reason in that, in legal parlance, these are impeachable offences in constitutionally elected office.

The Sultanate Council has similar powers and provisions to invoke and save the Council and the Caliphate of this dangerous precedence. Bafarwa should be removed as Garkuwan Sokoto and declared persona non grata, in all the Traditional Institutions in the country.

Signed:

Concerned Citizens of Sokoto State 1. Engr. Garba Durbawa (Dangaladima) 2. Dr. Abubakar Marafa 3. Shehu Dan Alkali Kofar Bai

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Sunday, September 21, 2014

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Sunday, September 21, 2014

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LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES LIMITED (A SUBSIDIARY OF LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS GROUP)

2014 ANNUAL

CONFERENCE & AWARDS CEREMONY Chairman MR. SAM AMUKA Publisher, Vanguard Media Limited Keynote Speaker MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN Executive Governor, Lagos State STAR AWARDS 2013

LEADERSHIP PERSON OF THE YEAR General Yakubu Gowon GCFR LEADERSHIP GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan

LEADERSHIP POLITICIANS OF THE YEAR The G-7 Governors Dr. Babangida Aliyu (Niger) Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) Alh. Sule Lamido (Jigawa) Alh. Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi (Rivers) Alh. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) LEADERSHIP BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Mr. Olatunde Ayeni

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2013 LEADERSHIP CEO OF THE YEAR Simdul Shagaya CEO, Konga.com LEADERSHIP COMPANY OF THE YEAR Chi Limited LEADERSHIP BANK OF THE YEAR Diamond Bank LEADERSHIP ICT COMPANY OF THE YEAR Jumia LEADERSHIP BANKER OF THE YEAR Mr. Philips Oduoza GMD, UBA LEADERSHIP GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF THE YEAR Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) LEADERSHIP AUTHOR OF THE YEAR Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai

LEADERSHIP PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Nagari Farm Yoghurt LEADERSHIP MICROFINANCE BANK OF THE YEAR LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited LEADERSHIP TELECOM COMPANY OF THE YEAR Swift Networks Limited LEADERSHIP PUBLIC OFFICER OF THE YEAR Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development LEADERSHIP BRAND OF THE YEAR SAMSUNG LEADERSHIP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR Ice Prince LEADERSHIP YOUNG PERSONS OF THE YEAR The Golden Eaglets LEADERSHIP SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR Stephen Okechukwu Keshi

Venue: ThisDay Dome, Abuja Time: 9:00am Date: October 14th, 2014

10 news across the states

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Ebola: Taraba NUT Directs Members Not To Resume

Following the inability of Taraba State government to provide necessary preventive equipment to schools to tackle the spread of Ebola in the state, the state chapter of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed its members not to resume schools on Monday September 22nd as directed by the federal government.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Jalingo, the state chairman of NUT, Alhaji Aliyu Mafindi said that if not until the state government provides training for teachers on how to handle the deadly Ebola virus, teachers in primary and secondary schools in the state will not resume.

He added that the twenty million naira budgeted to purchase equipments to tackle the dreaded disease in the state was not utilized.

He stressed that the state government had earlier approved twenty million Naira to train teachers for the control of the disease before schools resume.

He noted that the life of the pupils in the state and the country, at large, are more valuable than any thing since they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

According to him, teachers in the state would not resume work until necessary steps are taken by the state government to curtail the spread of the disease.

By Andrew Ojih, Jalingo.

Vision 2020: NOA Boss Identifies Youths As Key To Sucess The Delta State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Sir Isaac Ezechi has identified young people as significant factors as well as key components in the actualization of Nigeria’s vision 2020 including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Sir Ezechi while delivering a lecture yesterday in Asaba titled: “The Role of Youths in the Sustenance of Democracy”, identified youth as the time of life between childhood and maturity, urging them to see themselves in the light of the definition”.

According to him, “Not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, apathy of adventure over life of peace”. He further identified the current challenges facing the Nigerian youths as misery, noting that the prospect of a good future appears to be thwarted by the ills in the present day society.

He said, “As youths, you face challenges in different fields such as education, employment, management of direct and indirect consequences of insurgencies, national unity and reconciliation, the fight against hunger, aids, poverty, and environmental deterioration, stating that the role of youths in the sustenance of democracy and national development cannot be overemphasised”.

By Kola Eke-Ogiugo, Asaba

L-R: Chairman, Publicity Committee, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Barrister Mamman Alakayi; director general, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri; commissioner representating Sokoto, Com Nasir Shehu Zarummai and commissioner representing Ekiti, Com Bunmi Ojo exchanging pleasantries during a courtesy visit of Publicity Committee of Federal Character Commission to NOA Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

PHOTO: NOA.

Maina Calls For Speedy Passage of Social Devt Bill

By Ruth Choji, Abuja

The minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina has called for the speedy passage of the bill on professionalization of social works in Nigeria now before the National Assembly.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Federal School of Social Works in Emene, Enugu State at the weekend, Maina who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Habiba Lawal said, “The timely passage of the bill by the

legislature would also fast track the attainment of targets of the transformation policy of the present administration on social development sub-sector”.

The Minster who emphasized that government was committed to the strengthening and updating of the skills and competence of professional social workers in the country, said, “ It will enable them to render contemporary and quality social welfare services to children, women in distress, persons with disabilities, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians”.

Delighted that the academic programme of the school has now conformed to the requirements of the National Board for Technical Education, she also disclosed that the federal government was fast-tracking efforts at upgrading both the academic and infrastructural facilities of the institution to ensure the full accreditation of its programmes. “Accordingly, we have equipped the ICT Resource Centre, the Home Economics Laboratories, provided the rural engineering materials and constructed and equipped sports facilities to en-

Bayelsa Denies Outbreak Of Polio, Measles

By OSA Okhomina,Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Ministry of Health has denied the reported outbreak of cases of 18 cases of polio and measles in Yenagoa local government area.

According to the state health ministry, instead of the cases of polio and measles reported in the media, it said the state has recorded 18 cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) within the local government council between January to August of 2014.

LEADERSHIP Sunday checks showed that AFP is the most common sign of acute polio and used for surveillance during polio outbreak.

The Bayelsa Ministry of Health,through the Disease Surveil-

lance and Notification Unit (DSN) Officer of the Yenagoa local government council, Mr Oyaba Diemebonso, explained that the surveillance report showed that it identified 18 cases of AFP within the 15 wards of the council.

Mr Oyaba Diemebonso also said that nine suspected cases of measles and three Neonatal Tetanus (NNT) were reported in the council within the period.

“Yenagoa council has 15 wards and 16 functional WHO AFP surveillance facial sites. The surveillance sites are both in public and private hospital, clinics, and health centres in the communities.”

“In these communities, we visit and we gather information and capture data on disease weekly and

monthly basis, especially the epidemic prone diseases like cholera.

Lassa fever, measles among others.

“So far, we have been able to report 18 cases of AFP, nine cases of children with suspected measles and three NNT from January till date”.

But explaining further, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei and directors of public and primary health in the ministry took turns to expatiate on the difference between AFP and polio.

They said it is not correct to conclude that AFP is the same as polio adding that only a laboratory test will indicate whether a case of AFP is polio,”Right now we have no case of polio in Bayelsa State”.

PASAN Debunks Removal Of General Secretary

By OSA Okhomina,Yenagoa

The national leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of NigeriA (PASAN) has asked its members nationwide to ignore the purported removal of the National President and the Secretary General of the body by an illegal National Executive Council meeting of the body.

The Secretary General of the Association, Comrade Dirisu Suleman said in a press statement made available to journalists in Abuja

that the NEC meeting which took place in Minna was not called in accordance with the rules, pointing out that only the Secretary General, acting on the directive of the President can call such a meeting.

He accused the Leadership of the National Assembly chapter of sponsoring the meeting in contravention of the ruling of the National Industrial Court which directed that the association maintain the status quo ante.

The National Assembly chapter

had gone to the court asking for an order of exporter motion restraining the national leaders from dissolving it, but the court, I. Refusing to grant the order asked all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination off the suit before the court.

Suleiman said that the NEC meeting in Minna was sponsored by the National Assembly chapter who capitalized on the ignorance of some members of NEC of the case in court to call the meeting.

courage recreational activities among the school community. To ensure the welfare of students, I have directed the overhaul of the hostel accommodation that will soon be furnished to provide more comfortable and congenial living environment befitting an institution of this status,” she stated”.

She further urged the graduands to always adhere to their motto of “Service to Humanity”, and utilize the skills and knowledge they have acquired.

Group Canvassers Northern Women Participation In Politics A non-government organization (NGO) Northern Women Caucus Alliance Forum with its national headquarters in Abuja has urged women from the north to seek elective positions in 2015.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the interim president, Sa’adatu Abdullahi stated that they are worried about the perception people have about the northern woman.

“A northern Nigerian woman, weather Christian or Muslim is by nature shy, modest and humble and this is often misunderstood in some quarters as weakness and in the western world, we are considered as being oppressed which is not true”.

According to her, this is no longer the case as the northern women have achieved a lot and has all it takes to compete globally and, indeed, greatly to the development of Nigeria.

The politician, who stated that northern women have no intention of usurping the powers of the men but only desire to complement their efforts, also stated that, northern women have been able to break the glass ceiling in the academia, businesses, civil service, politics, judiciary, religion and journalism and are now ripe to take their place in politics.

By Ruth Choji, Abuja

interview 11

Sunday, September 21, 2014

We’ll Dislodge APC From South-West – Aina Chief Oluwole Oludiasi Aina is the chairman of the governing board of National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike. In this interview with JONATHAN NDA-ISAIAH, he gives reasons for his decision to contest the Osun State central senatorial seat, come 2015 and why his party, PDP, must dislodge the APC in the South west As you prepare to slug it out with other gladiators for the Osun central senatorial seat, what’s your selling point and what sets you apart from other contenders?

Nigerians should wait and see. But we know they rigged and the electorates know there was massive rigging and one by one PDP will capture back those states in the south west

My selling point, actually I did not intend, even though I have been a party member, a senior party member, a person who has been contributing financially, morally and physically for the development of the party, I have never imagined that I was going to be aspiring to an elective position but be that as it may, a lot of things has been happening and I didn’t know God was preparing me for a time like this, I have been doing quite a lot of things for my community.

I have an NGO, Oludiasi foundation, that we have been using to do quite a lot of wonderful things for my community, empowering people, students, widows. We are into community development, skills acquisition for our people. These we have been doing for more than 10 years now. We have trained quite a number of people, it will interest you to know I used to be in printing. I ran a printing and publishing firm here in Abuja and we introduced what we call a graduate apprenticeship scheme. The bulk of trainees came from my community and we have trained them in the art of printing. Today they are in their various vocations, doing printing. What has gone well for me and which I think the people see is my level of commitment and determination to help my people and above all the level of integrity that I have displayed over the years. I believe that was why they approached me to come and represent them and after a few days of consultation and prayers, I accepted the offer. Recently I was privileged to be the chairman of the governing board of National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike and by the support of President Jonathan who appointed me and in less than one year, I have been able to bring a substation of the research institute into my community and as a matter of fact, it was commissioned about a month back. The research station covers the whole of the South west and I brought it to my town. That’s one thing I have done and the people are so grateful, saying if some-

body in less than one year can do this, how much more if you have a bigger platform where you can work for us. My community presently have what we call a community based development college of technology, my shadow is very prominent there. We just received accreditation for four programmes to run OND programmes. I have done a lot, we give scholarship, we have employed a lot of people our sons and daughters into federal institutions. We have repaired roads, dug boreholes. Recently, I took it upon myself to sink Borehole for the Fulani community that live in our area.

Looking at the Osun set up, what’s your plan for the senatorial zone if elected?

By the time I am sworn in as a Senator representing Osun central, I already have a master plan of what I want to do for my people, I don’t have money to share to people, I’m not going to give them fish to eat but I want to teach them how to fish and one of the major things I want to do is to concentrate on our youths. The population of this country is more on the youths and the moment we lose our youths we are courting problem. When you go to my area, you see a lot of youths, able bodied men and when you ask them what they are doing, most of them will tell you they are politicians, politics is not a job, it’s a vocation, I can do politics because I have lived all my life, trained all my children. I have what to eat for the rest of my life now so am not looking for money to build a house or train children to school nor looking for money to buy a car. All that I’m looking for is an opportunity to serve. So what am saying is that I will give my people a direction so that they will be able to fend for themselves, where they will have independence of economic Empowerment and how do we go? I already have a foundation I have been working on for the past 10 years in which we give scholarship, fend for the widows, we empower them,we are setting up a scheme acquisition center that is going to be more of agricultural based and other skills, there we are going to be training all these youths in various profession, if you go to China today, it is

Aina

not those people who work in government that make China economy tick, neither is it in India, it is those little artisans that do one or two things that are independent, I train my children not to wait on government jobs, none of my children is employed by any government, they are self employed and that is the same programme I have and at the same time I have programme for the elders and for the benefit of the women. What I want to do for my people is to empower them economically not to give them fish to eat but to teach them how to fish.

Osun State is primarily an APC state, the governor and three of the serving senators are from APC, do you have what it takes to dislodge the incumbent Senator, Prof Adeyeye from his seat?

That is the beauty of democracy, in any democratic setting, there is no party that can say it has monopoly of power. Parties come and parties go and what the voters will look at is what is your contribution, who you are, not party ideology. People look at individuals, people who can perform and I am very confident I can dislodge any person contesting in my home state. In my senatorial district today, I will beat the incumbent ten times if we go for elections. I am very confident of it because I have what it takes, I have the reputation, I have the commitment for community development, I have done it, I have proved it over the years, our people have seen it. In the last election, I defeated APC, my local government was the only one they did not win and in that local government we have five strong APC stalwarts, we have their state secretary from my local government, the commissioner of education, youth development, INEC chairman, local government chairman with all of them, Oluomo defeated them and I think it’s not because of me but because the people believe in me Do you think the PDP can dislodge the APC in the south west?

Surely, the PDP can. I will tell you the history of party politics in Nigeria. Most of the mandate the APC

got in the south west were stolen mandates,they got it through the back door through what we call judicial irresponsibility. We know it and I will tell you, they will all go one by one because the truth of the matter is that APC is not a national party, that is clear and their governors what are they doing? Yes some of them are doing well but at what cost? How long will it take those children to pay those money they borrowed to do those developmental projects and at what cost?

The APC is fighting a central government, it’s not the best thing to do.

You don’t fight your father, so one of the things you will realise is even the citizens of the south west are fed up with the APC, the last election we had in Osun was massively rigged by the APC and it’s the APC that was making the most noise that PDP wants to rig the election.

Do you have facts to support this your argument?

My party has gone to court, those facts will be revealed in court, so I cannot reveal them but when you listen to the proceedings you will know, Nigerians should wait and see. But we know they rigged and the electorates know there was massive rigging and one by one PDP will capture back those states in the south west.

There are suggestions that the outcome of the just concluded National Conference should be subjected to a referendum, some say the National Assembly should have the final say?

This is the first time we have done a thorough job on the issue of the Nigerian state at the National conference and I want to commend the president for having the boldness to confront this matter. However by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly is charged with the responsibility of making laws. We can ratify this by referendum but I think there are decisions taken at the National Conference that needs a referendum to solve, there are some decisions that could be solved by the National Assembly or could be ratified by the National Assembly. So I think both of them could be managed by the National Assembly.

12 FOR THE RECORD

Sunday, September 21, 2014

The Cash, The Jet And Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor by femi fani-kayode

The fact that our intelligence agencies have said that they were the ones that sent the money and that they have told us what it was for, is good enough

Much ado has been made about recent events in South Africa concerning the Nigerian-owned jet that was found loaded with millions of dollars and that was in the process of procuring arms and a fighter helicopter for the Nigerian military and security agencies. As a former minister of Aviation, I wish to assure the general public that flying large sums of cash by security and intelligence agencies for the purchase of arms, in a time of war and conflict, is something that is quite normal and that happens quite often. As a matter of fact, it has happened under successive Nigerian governments, both military and civilian.

Obviously, in the case of the jet that flew to South Africa with 9.3 million USD, there must have been a breakdown of communication between the South African authorities and ours and a few lapses in procedure here and there, which is what has led to the seizure of the money and all the ensuing suspicion and confusion. However, the idea that there was anything untoward or sinister about the whole transaction has no basis in logic, sense or rationality. Perhaps, the only failing was the fact that the cash was not declared to South African customs as is required by law.

The fact that our intelligence agencies have said that they were the ones that sent the money and that they have told us what it was meant for is good enough for me. It appears to me that this was a lawful and legitimate exercise and that there is nothing for anyone to worry about. I am aware of the fact that the British, the French, the American, the Chinese, the Israeli, the Saudi Arabian and the Russian intelligence and security agencies, amongst many others, have indulged in such covert “cash for arms” transactions on numerous occasions in different parts of the world.

They either sell such arms at short notice and off the cuff or they procure them for themselves or for unknown third parties. Even the South Africans themselves have done so on numerous occasions in the past. These are legitimate transactions that are covert and secret in nature but they are, certainly, not illegal.

Such is the murky and dark world of intelligence and security worldwide.

There is plenty that we do not know about their day-to-day operations and they have their own unique way of doing things. We should not assume the worse or constantly denigrate them simply because we are not familiar or comfortable with their modus operandi. Suffice it to say that anyone that is in the process of getting arms to help our boys at the war front to fight Boko Haram and protect our citizens and our country ought to be regarded as heroes and not villains.

The attempt by certain elements in the opposition and the Nigerian media

to stigmatise all those involved in this transaction and make the whole things appear like something that is out of the ordinary or sordid and criminal in nature really does nauseate me. Those that know no better ought to appreciate the fact that this is how the real world operates and they should learn to live with it.

The Nigerian intelligence services operate in no different a way to their colleagues in the international community and they do so with as much patriotism, professionalism and commitment as their counterparts from other parts of the world. And yes, we do have our very own ‘’James Bonds’’ in our intelligence services even though, more often than not, they are not recognised, celebrated or appreciated. I counsel that we should cut these men and women that work in the shadows and in secrecy some slack and that we should not be too quick to label them as sleazy rogues who are attempting to indulge in all manner of criminal activities.

Since we are on this topic, I would like to take this opportunity to say one or two things about the way in which Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been villified, maligned and treated with the utmost disdain and contempt in this and other matters by elements within the leading opposition party in our country.

The truth is that contrary to what some of the leading lights in the opposition would have us believe, he is not an arms smuggler, a money launderer, a murderer or a Boko Haram sponsor. Going to a foreign land and telling the parliament of that country that the President of CAN in Nigeria is the head of Boko Haram, as one or two of them have just done, is not only a pernicious and vicious lie but it is also utterly shameful and disgraceful. Worst of all it is an affront to the Christian community in Nigeria and a reckless provocation.

On the South African matter, it is clear that Pastor Oritsejafor was not the owner of the 9.3 million USD and neither was he aware that the cash was being flown on the plane. Though he has confirmed that he was the owner of the plane, he has also pointed out the fact that he had leased it out to a company on a long term basis, who were themselves subleasing it out to other companies for regular trips.

He has also said that he had no idea about who they were subleasing it to, where they were flying it to or who or what they were carrying in it in any of their operations. The two companies that were involved, both the one that leased it from Oritsejafor and the one that subleased it from them for the journey to South Africa have since confirmed and corroborated what he has said. In my view, that ought to settle the matter. Yet some people, fuelled and egged on by a ravenous and des-

Fani-Kayode

perate opposition with a dark and sinister hidden agenda, have refused to let go of the matter and allow sleeping dogs to lie.

Those in our land that are trying to divide our ranks and denigrate us by alleging that Oritsejafor is involved in gun-running, money-laundering, Boko Haram or any other filthy and unsavory criminal activity are the lowest of the low. They are wicked and cruel and I have no doubt that such people are in desperate need of prayer.

They need deep intercession and deliverance from the demons that have taken control of them and that are using them. The truth is that it is a grave insult to the Christian community for anyone to suggest that the leader of the umbrella organisation of the over 80 million-strong Christian faithful in Nigeria is a sponsor of a vicious and barbaric Islamist sect that has killed and abducted more Christians and burnt more churches than any other terrorist organisation in the history of the African continent.

The same people, may as well, tell us that the leaders of the Christian community in Syria and Iraq are the ones behind ISIL and ISIS. They can also tell us that the Christian leaders in their respective countries are the ones behind Al Shabab, the Taliban, the Al Nusra Front, Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda, Daesh, Hamas, the Janjaweed, the Islamic Brotherhood and all the other terrorist organisations that have recently afflicted the world with their vile inhumanity, their sheer evil and their venal barbarism.

It is only in Nigeria that the leader-

ship of the Christian community would be accused, by a supposedly seriousminded opposition, of wanting to wipe out the Christian faith, wanting to kill all the Christians and moderate Muslims in the country and wanting to establish an Islamic fundamentalist state where 6th century sharia law applies, where little girls are subjected to serial rape and where women are enslaved.

Calling the President of CAN a money-launderer and arms-smuggler and accusing him of murder and sponsoring terror will not help to create religious harmony in our country. As a matter of fact it will completely destroy it. Those that are doing so and the Janjaweed political party, that is stirring up the hornet’s nest and encouraging them, ought to think very carefully about the implications of what they are doing.

We know that they have a religious agenda but they should not take this too far or push us to the wall. Our meekness and humility should not be taken for weakness or stupidity. It is in their own interest and in the interest of the unity of our nation for them to leave the president of CAN alone before matters get out of hand and before all hell breaks loose.

He deserves to be accorded the same level of respect from the Muslim community in our country as the Sultan of Sokoto, the leader of the Muslims in Nigeria, is accorded by the Christians.

What is good for the goose is surely good for the gander. A word is enough for the wise.

Femi Fani-Kayode is a former minister of Aviation

cover story

13

Sunday, September 21, 2014

One of the armoured tankers seized from Boko Haram insurgents during the Konduga offensive.

Day Military Dealt Blow On Insurgents In Konduga The atmosphere in Maiduguri, the troubled capital of Borno State, was electric as thousands of residents went into wild jubilation following the defeat of the Boko Haram gunmen by soldiers of the Nigerian army in Konduga town, some 35km away.

Abdulkareem Haruna reports

T Over 500 diehard soldiers of the Nigerian Army were deployed to Konduga with a special order to forestall all attempts of the insurgents to advance towards Maiduguri

hough the insurgents had up till Friday sustained attacks on Konduga, in their ultraconservative resilience to conquer the town, not less than 1,000 of their members were reportedly killed in the ongoing face-off, while the army continues to haul back to the barracks, caches of arms and ammunition recovered.

Before then, there had been palpable fears amongst residents who had been going to bed with both eyes opened, worrying that they could be attacked by the terrorists any moment soon.

After the fall of major towns like Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru-Ngala and Dhimankara in the past weeks, Maiduguri the capital city became the next possible target of the insurgents.

But before the terrorists would have their way into Maiduguri, they needed to capture one major town near it - Konduga. It is located on the southeast of the state capital on the road to Bama and Gwoza.

The Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau had in his last video

message boasted of controlling most of the seized town even as one of his lieutenants, Abu Zinnira, had weeks later, boasted that more major towns and villages would be conquered by his group until Maiduguri falls unto their hands.

Having suffered series of embarrassing outings when its troops had to flee their posts as the rampaging terrorists came attacking and seizing a number of towns as wells as sacking defenseless residents, the army had for once decided to put its acts together to forestall any possible attack on Maiduguri that would cause it to fall under the control of the Boko Haram.

“If Maiduguri should fall, that would be the end of the entire northeast,” said a military officer, whose name cannot be mentioned due to military rules that enforce ban on unassigned officers speaking to the media.

“Maiduguri, whether we like it or not is the heartbeat of the northeast, and we know the target of the terrorists was to capture it just like they did in Bama, Gwoza and the rest; and by doing so, many oth-

er surrounding towns and villages may have been weakened, because everyone would be on the run. That was why we decided to do all that is necessary to avert such dreadful occurrence,” said the officer.

While the soldiers continued to hold their forte in Konduga after they had been chased out of Bama, Boko Haram gunmen sustained their offensive campaigns that inched them closer up to Kawuri, a town about 10km south of Konduga.

“We understood their tactics now, so we refused to advance towards Bama because by doing that we would have fallen into their ambush-traps which they had been planning for us”, said the soldier who spoke earlier.

LEADERSHIP Sunday was reliably informed that over 500 diehard soldiers of the Nigerian Army were deployed to Konduga with a special order to forestall all attempts of the insurgents to advance towards Maiduguri.

It was gathered that the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim, had personally maintained a direct communication link with the troops in Konduga, which had kept the soldiers in “high morale and combat spirit”. The soldiers also employed the services of some of the courageous operatives of the Civilian- JTF who functioned as scouts while the soldiers waited patiently in ambush. For ef-

fective tackling of the situation in Konduga, the 7 Division deployed the troops there to be commanded by a ranked Colonel and three crack Lieutenant Colonels of the Nigeria Army, who also continued to ensure that the troops conquered all perceived fears of the Boko Haram.

Some of the operatives of the Civilian- JTF were armed with binoculars provided by the soldiers and were able to climb elevated structures and installations from where they were able to observe the movement of the terrorists and pass credible information to the soldiers.

With that established synergy between the civilian vigilante and the soldiers, every movement of the advancing Boko Haram terrorists were carefully taken into consideration until they eventually arrived inside Konduga.

“They had been converging at a village near Kawuri; and most of them arrived from north, west and east of Konduga, but the commander of the soldiers said everyone should patiently wait for them to begin advancing”, said a member of the Civilian- JTF who is conversant with such military operation.

LEADERSHIP Sunday was reliably informed that in order not to create a situation of panic, the Commanders of the troops in Konduga had gathered all residents of the village and informed them ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14 COVER STORY

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Day Military Dealt Blow On Insurgents In Konduga ➔ FROM PAGE 13 about the impending attacks, and why they should not panic.

“The commanders asked us to reach out to residents of Konduga, and then directed everyone to move to one side of the town, where they believed the battle would not get to immediately so that innocent civilians are not hurt,” Abbas said.

“Our saving grace was that we had intelligence report two days to the Friday attack indicating that the insurgents would be attack Konduga with the intention of seizing and using the town to launch a major offensive on Maiduguri. We waited patiently for the day and as God will have it, they came as expected”, said one of the soldiers that took part in the Konduga battle.

When they came, in their usual manner, they sent few of their gunmen, including a car suicide bomber to hit at one of the military posts in order to create some kind of diversion, but unknown to them, the troops already had the town encircled.

“As the advance team of the insurgents entered and were firing, our men engaged them; the larger batch of the troops who might have no idea of what was going on inside the town, waited some moments before they drove in a large convoy of trucks and armoured tanks right into our trap. And with them in the centre and ourselves surrounding them, what happened thereafter is now history.

“We counted over 200 of their dead bodies, including one of them that was strapped ready to carry out suicide bombing. We also shot dead their cameraman and recovered his stupid camera. It was a big victory for our soldiers who were disciplined and gallant all through the operation”.

“It was what we can call ‘operation totality’, because we didn’t record one single casualty on our side and we ensured that not a single one of them escaped,” said the top soldier, who wouldn’t want to be named in this report.

The officer, added that the Boko Haram kingpin, that led the Konduga operation was recognised as his features fit the description given by the escaped retired soldier that was abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists some time last month.

“The Amir was alive for some hours before he later died due to serious injuries he sustained, but he was heavily bearded, and huge, just like that escaped old soldier described to the security intelligence operatives while he was being debriefed. But the big news is that he is dead because we gathered he was one of the deadliest leaders in the sect,” the very reliable source gathered.

The all-time defeat that the Boko Haram suffered in Konduga, was a major setback for the insurgents who have stubbornly continued to carry out reprisal attacks on Kon-

Maiduguri residents jubilating with soldiers over the Konduga victory.

duga in a futile attempt to retake the town and perhaps reclaim their obviously waning ‘glory’.

After the Friday encounter, the terrorists remobilised for another onslaught on Konduga town, in spite of the heavy presence of the already charged army there.

On Tuesday night, the insurgents stormed Konduga again, but they were effectively engaged by the soldiers and this time around, killing well over 250 of them and retrieving some cache of arms mostly those seized earlier from the army in Monguno, Bama, Damboa and Gwoza areas.

“The Tuesday night attack was expected and the soldiers had really mobilised for another ambush attack on the Boko Haram members who divided themselves into three groups”, said Bashir.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that with the killing of the Amir in Konduga on Friday September 12, Boko Haram appeared to be confused as they continued to send for reinforcements from different camps to storm Konduga.

“On Wednesday morning, some of the reinforcements were mobilised from around Yobe axis with the intention of crossing over to Konduga but were intercepted by soldiers who acted on a tip off confronted them with yet another ambush attack that got about 150 of them killed in Ngamdu village,” the Civilian-JTF chieftain, Bashir

said.

At Ngamdu, the military also recovered one Shell Car Armoured tank, several Hilux vehicles mounted with Anti Aircraft and many other ammunitions from the Boko Haram sect. He added that such successful operations had been recorded in the last nine days. They caused the death of many of the insurgents.

Some of the residents of Konduga who managed to arrive Maiduguri were full of praises for the soldiers whom they said had in a rare show of gallantry, succeeded in dealing the Boko Haram a defeating blow.

A resident of the area said that, the insurgents again attempted to attack Konduga on two directions with over 500 fighters while the military fought and defended the town killing unconfirmed numbers of the insurgents.

Despite these defeats, the terrorists did not give up, as they still mobilised again to take yet another attack on Konduga on Wednesday night of which the military still effectively engaged them by killing 65 of them, while others had to abandon their arms and vehicles and fled with various degrees of injuries.

A top SSS official in Maiduguri who confirmed the Wednesday bout to LEADERSHIP Sunday said “more arms and ammunitions as well as vehicles were recovered, and the soldiers are still giving some of the fleeing terrorists a chase”.

Malam Abu’ar Yale, a local farmer said “during the second attack on Konduga, the terrorists came in large number of about 500 but they were successfully repelled by the troops of the Nigerian Army killing scores of them and recovered armoured tanker, vehicles, motorcycles among others.

A bus driver Mallam Isa Garba told journalists that on their way from Damaturu to Maiduguri the previous morning when they were stopped by the military and directed to make u-turn back to Damaturu because the road ahead was under attack.

“But when we were later allowed to proceed with our journey to Maiduguri, we saw several corpses up to about 100, lying on either sides of the road,” said the driver.

Though one would not say it is ‘uhuru’ yet for the soldiers, as the available capacity of the Boko Haram terrorists cannot be under rated, but the insurgents would certainly be leaking their wounds due to the huge losses they may have suffered in the last ten days.

Many Nigerians, especially the residents of Maiduguri have rekindled their respect and admiration for the Nigerian soldiers, even as some said this enviable feat would not have been possible had some of the foot soldiers not decried they alleged as “their being sent to Boko Haram slaughter with faulty weapons.”

More arms and ammunitions as well as vehicles were recovered, and the soldiers are still giving some of the fleeing terrorists a chase

15

sunday interview Sunday, September 21, 2014

Progressives Join APC But Cheats Go To Other Parties – Sen Muhammad

Sen Muhammad A. Muhammad represented Bauchi Central In the 6th session of the National Assembly. In this brief encounter with Ruth Choji, the former interim chairman of the APC in Bauchi state revealed some of the plans being considered by the All progressives Congress (APC) for their next coming convention The APC convention is around the corner. Can you tell Nigerians measures being put in place to make it a success.

The October convention is only for the nomination of the presidnetial candidature. In our last convention, we established a structure in the states and local level and the APC is now set to move forward.

There has been complain over the planned convention by some members particularly that you are starting from the presidential to state unlike the other way round. Why this change in pattern?

Whatever you have heard about the convention is not correct. The party will soon come up with the plan that will lead to the convention and the issues being discuss ed are whether you have a general sufferage for the convention, whether you will use all the card-carrying members to be involved in selecting or nominating the candidate or use the delegate system, whereby delegates from the ward and local government will do the elections. But I am sure whatever system is agreed upon by the party will be done well.

In APC, we pride ourselves for internal democracy. If you see the ups and downs that presented themselves before the last convention we had, you will think it will not be successful. But everybody was given a free hand and it was a successful convention.

We see people cross carpeting to the APC. They are progressives who come to the APC but people who cheat, rig elections go to their own side

Some observers are of the opinion that money bags are likely to hijack the convention. What is your take on this?

We are going to do a suffrage, so how will you follow everybody and give them money? May be if you do the delegate system, it might be subject to abuse, but that can only be at state level, but if a state is sure of where to go and who to vote for, I don’t think money will be a problem Would you say that PDP members cross-carpeting to the APC is a plus or minus?

It is a blessing because they are adding value to the party.

But it also brought about the defection of party chieftain like Shekarau, Modu Sherrif and the others.

People were even suggesting that Shekarau was used against the ANPP in the 2011 elections so one will not be surprised if he gets to the PDP. For Modu Sheriff, I understand some of the candidate he fielded were not successful, but I will like to agree with the APC chairman, that you know this movement means that, birds of a feather flock together. We see people cross carpeting to the APC. They are progressives who come to the APC but people who cheat, rig elections go to their own side.

Coming to the elections, with insecurity on ground, some are of the opinion that the elections is likely to be marred by violence or fear will stop people from coming out to vote. Do you also think so?

We don’t pray for violence. It can happen when the oppositions are in the minority, but where the generality of the people want a particular person to win, there won’t be violence. You can’t fight the majority; you can only create ways of stealing the vote, but the majority is the one that will always succeed. We are telling our supporters to come out enmass to vote; we are advising our supporters to register in the INEC register and this is an area that is very unfortunate. INEC is handling it very badly and it will be very unfortunate that any Nigerian that is eligible to vote is not given the chance to register. They should not disenfranchise anybody.

We are asking our people to register and INEC insisted that the registration is in their secretariat. What we did in our locality was to organize transportation for our people that brought them to the secretariat because if you insist that they pay their transports, most of them will not register.

There has been agitation for generational shift considering the age of General Buhari, what does this portend for the party?

I think age is an advantage. I don’t think the age of Buhari is a minus. I am older than him and I

do you see this affecting the election?

It is very unfortunate because it is effecting us from the northeast.

We pray that government and people will try and overcome this unfortunate situation. This is not the time for blaming, but for government to do the fighting What is the right thing?

Sen. Muhammad

am thinking of contesting for an election. Buhari is about 73 year or so. So age should not be a deterrent. I think sometimes you need the experience. What we need in the next dispensation is a mixture of the old and young and even the middle aged, so that you can have a strong administration.

You said you are not happy with the way INEC handled the registration, does it mean that you are doubting INEC’s ability to conduct the forth coming elections

I pray that they will, but the major issue now is that, we haven’t gotten the electoral law. All the amendments to the law is not in place. In 2011, the PDP, who were in the majority in the National Assembly brought amendment and when they saw that it did not favor them, they went and changed it. That was what they continued doing until the election time and that made INEC not to prepare in good time. That was what made them to cancel the National Assembly elections. I was in my village when it happened and I will never forgive the person that cancelled that elections. As we are talking now, the National Assembly has not come up with the amendment to the electoral law and the earlier, they do that, the better for our elections. Even the political parties, all these program they are organizing are dependent on the electoral laws and we have only few months to the elections. I hope the National Assembly and INEC will do the right thing that will make INEC conduct a free and fair elections in 2015.

Some parts of the North east are afraid to sleep with their two eyes closed because of insecurity. How

It is to equip the security personnel and to send them in large numbers, not a few number. Our security men are ready to face the insurgents but they lack the equipment and manpower to do so. Government must empower them so that these thing can be solved at once.

As a stakeholder in the North east, what will it take to restore peace to the zone?

There are number of factors.

Even if you win a war, you have to win the mind first of all. We need a marshal plan for the north east because the major thing that lead to this conflict is poverty. It is one of the poorest sections of the Nigerian nation. You need a marshal plan to tackle the education problem of the region and bring in the European nations to invest money and close the gap. Because even if the crises stops today, the bulk of the people of Yobe, Bornu and the rest that are into farming did not farm in their lands and so there is likely to be famine in those areas. They will need enough food. Villages, and houses destroyed must be re-built and then there will be need to build trust in the zone.

Going to Bauchi state, the Yuguda administration is gradually coming to an end, how will you assess his tenure so far?

It is a total failure because he is going to leave the state in heavy debt. He did one project after the other without completing them.

The resources was diverted in many places. I sympathize with anybody that will take over the administration in Bauchi state.

I think we are either number three in the debt burden. After Lagos, Kaduna, it is Bauchi. So, it is a complete failure and we don’t pray for such kind of administration in Bauchi state again.

Are you contesting the gubernatorial seat of Bauchi State?

Yes, but I have not made up my mine which position to seek

sunday politics

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Sunday, September 21, 2014

2015: APC’s Presidential Heavyweights And The Dark Horse Theory As the build up to 2015 elections gathers momentum, there are indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may witness a battle of political heavyweights such as former head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, among others.

The leading opposition party faces a litmus test that could make or mar its chances, if care is not taken on who emerges as its presidential flag bearer. A search for Dark Horse may not be a bad idea. BAYO OLADEJI writes The unity and peace within the All Progressives Congress (APC) is under threat over who becomes its presidential candidate for the February poll as, intrigues, and suspense have become tools in the hands of its top chieftains.

APC is still yet to recover from the aftermath of its maiden convention, with its attendant problems, which include the defection of some of its chieftains to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while some are at the moment suspected of planning to do same in the days ahead.

Among those who have jumped the boat either before or after the June convention include, but not limited to, Chief Tom Ikimi (who threw the towel last week), Buba Marwa, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Marcus Gundiri, Senator Alimodu Sheriff, and a few others.

If what Ikimi said is anything to go by, some forces are hell bent in snatching the soul of the party from John OdiegieOyegun-led National Executive Committee, who is accused of being loyal to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, because the former was reportedly the one that sponsored his election.

Ikimi, former chairman of the merger committee, in his statement announcing his withdrawal of membership, identified three groups: the Tinubu group, the governors group and presidential aspirants group from the North.

In his words, “Apart from

the Tinubu group and the governors group, there is a third group of known presidential aspirants comprising in the main, General Muhamadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who are both northerners. The inclination of the party had always been to zone the presidency to the north. Some governors are now thinking otherwise and given the decisive role that they seek to play in the affairs of the party as well as the tendency to ignore the principle of internal party democracy, a monumental disaster looms large in the selection of the party’s presidential and vice presidential flag bearers later in the year.

“The construction of the new National Executive Committee through horse-trading by the governors and Tinubu has established a tool structure that is not in the interest of transparency or democracy. To whom will the newly installed national chairman be finally loyal to?

Will it remain the NADECO/ SDP comradeship that will drive his loyalty to Tinubu or the current governors’ ongoing tactics of dressing up the national chairman that may become the game clincher? Time will surely tell! How these known presidential aspirants will make their ways in the contest that may feature some governors is better imagined. Can Tinubu dare to ditch Buhari? I deylaf!”, a source said.

According to an insider account, the party is polarized over the presidential primaries and the fear of some is what be-

Oyegun

APC is still yet to recover from the aftermath of its maiden convention...

Sokoto 2015: A Tough Requirement For Wamakko’s Successor > 20

comes the fate of the party after the presidential candidate emerges.

“What Ikimi said is true to some extent. Don’t forget that he played prominent roles in the emergence of APC, but I disagree with what he is doing against the party which we all laboured to build. Our fear is what happens after the convention when our candidate must have emerged. Because every interest group is working at a cross purposes and intrigues, backstabbing and manipulations are on-going. Those who told us they were not interested in the presidential race before the merger have gone back on their words”, a party chieftain disclosed.

The source further explained that the presidential ambition of General Buhari and Tinubu may tear the party apart if care is not taken. According to him, both chieftains of the party are nursing presidential ambitions ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

politics 17

Sunday, September 21, 2014

2015: APC’s Presidential Heavyweights And The Dark Horse Theory ➔ FROM PAGE 18

Both Buhari and Atiku camps are at each other’s throat over the presidential primaries.

and they are both looking for a running-mate from each other’s zone.

Corroborating him, a source close to former military head of state disclosed that his group is planning to sponsor Gen Buhari for the election and their hope is to pick his running mate from the Southwest preferably, the outgoing Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi.

“General Buhari would emerge the presidential candidate of our party. I don’t expect anybody to come out from the north to run against him.

How could Buhari come out and someone else would do the same and expect people to vote for him? If APC wants to win the next year election, Buhari who won 11 million votes in 2011 should be the candidate”, the source who is a member of the National Working Committee said.

On the speculated Muslim/ Muslim ticket, the source said, “I am not aware of the so-called Muslim/Muslim ticket or Christian/Muslim ticket or Christian/Christian ticket; what I know is that after General Buhari might have emerged, we would pick his running-mate from the Southwest and a refined politician like Kayode Fayemi would be preferred.”

Some are arguing that General Buhari is too old for the race, the source faulted the argument when he cited the age of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and that of President Goodluck Jonathan and said, “Although Obasanjo is older but he performed better than Jonathan).

He further explained that Tinubu group and the governors group too, are doing their own homeworks of how to beat the Buhari group but he said, “Buhari is unbeatable”. He, however, denied the allegation that Buhari has an alternative party in case he is not endorsed as the APC candidate.

Our source, however, identified former vice president, Atiku Abubakar as a big threat to Buhari’s ambition.

“Let me tell you, Governor Rabiu Kwankaso is not a threat to Buhari. His supporters have been telling us to persuade Buhari to step down for him but that would not happen. Buhari had sponsored some candidates as governors and senators before when we were in ANPP and CPC but they all betrayed him, This time around, he would not endorse anyone.

Our concern is Atiku and with the modified open ballot recommended by the NWC, no moneybags would be able to hijack the process.”

As stated by Ikimi, the permutation of many chieftains of the party is that the voting blocs of the Northwest and the Southwest would be used to snatch the victory from the PDP come 2015.

Both Buhari and Atiku camps are at each other’s throat over the presidential primaries.

While the former is asking for automatic ticket for Buhari, the latter has vowed never to let the presidential candidate of the party emerge except through primaries. Interestingly, the Tinubu camp is supporting primaries.

It is widely believed within the party that with presidential primaries, Buhari might not be able to emerge the winner, since he has no money to woo delegates. More so, he has never participated in such an internal election while in the ANPP and the CPC. Atiku says: “I think those canvassing for automatic ticket are scared of contest. There is nothing to be scared of in a contest in a democratic setting. How can you canvass for automatic ticket in a democratic process? There is thing like that.

These are people who are afraid of contest.”

The fear in some quarters now is what happens if either Buhari or Atiku lose out at the primaries. Could the party afford losing either again? According to a national officer of the party, “The fear becomes real when we hear that both leaders have alternative parties to run to if they lose out. I was told the PDM is the alternative platform for Atiku while Buba Galadima, a political lieutenant of Buhari has registered a party, which could be given to Buhari in case he could not get the APC mandate to run.”

This is why some chieftains of the party are working behind the scene on what one of them called PLAN B. According to him, “We don’t want the primaries to scatter the party because the February general election is closer. We need to begin shopping for the dark horse, who would be acceptable to all camps as our candidate.

We don’t want our efforts to be jeopadised hence the reason we are avoiding the media for undue publicity.

According to him, the party has some eminently qualified members who could successfully win not only the primaries but defeat President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll. Among those, he listed are the founder of LEADERSHIP Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Governor Kayode Fayemi, Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos, Ro-

Buhari

Atiku

chas Okorocha of Imo state, and a few others.

Fortunately for the group, the party has disclosed that it has no zoning in its constitution, which means its presidential candidate could come from any zone of the Federation.

It would be recalled that the defunct NPN settled for Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1978 primaries at the expense of bigwigs who wanted to run as well. Of

the votes cast, former President Shagari won 975, Maitama Sule 504, Adamu Ciroma 293, Dr Olusola Saraki 214, J.S Tarka 104 and Professor Iya Abubakar 92. With this result, Alhaji Shagari’score was 150 short of the 50 per cent of the vote required for outright nomination. So, there was a need for a re-run. But along the line Maitama Sule graciously stepped down for Shagari and he was declared the winner.

18 politics

Sunday, September 21, 2014

2015: Dissecting North’s Discordant Tunes Over Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan’s ambition for the 2015 presidential election has continued to generate controversies, particularly among northern elders and other interest groups. The different northern groups, under various auspices, hold divergent views on whether or not the incumbent president should contest the 2015 elections. While some are of the view that the president had done well and should continue beyond 2015, others said, he has failed and should take a bow. ISAIAH BENJAMN captures all the sides and critically analyses the political and moral justifications for and against their various positions It is no news that the north has the highest numerical strength to decide to a large extent who becomes the president of this country. It is also true that the region has produced more presidents and heads of state than any region. This, however, is possible with a united voice and intents, particularly from the elites and those at the helms of political activities. But this is not likely to be as the northern leadership, politically and otherwise is witnessing a split in their positions on President Jonathan’s political ambition to remain in power beyond 2015. Recently, the North west zone of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed the president at the end of its zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna. The meeting had in attendance the vice president, Namadi Sambo, Kaduna State governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and his Kebbi State counterpart, Usman Sa’idu Nasamu Dakingari, the PDP national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, foreign affairs minister, Ambassador Aminu Wali, the North-west PDP zonal chairman, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure among other notable northern political juggernauts. A communiqué issued at the end of that meeting in a nutshell said that the president had done well and deserves to be reelected in 2015. The communiqué also said that the PDP stakeholders from the zone who had gathered to take stock of President Jonathan’s achievement, were left with no option than to urge him to declare for re-election so as to continue with the good works he had started.

It continued: “Having carefully considered the steady and stable progress of our nation under the able leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, the stakeholders of the PDP in the North-west zone, having in mind the monumental strides attained by this administration, have resolved to urge President Goodluck Jonathan to declare for re-election in the forthcoming 2015 general elections so as to continue the good works he started in nation building.

“We respectfully call on the national chairman of our party to convey this resolution and unanimous declaration of the entire leadership and membership of the PDP in the North-west to the president to render himself for continued service to the nation.”

But just as the endorsement was settling down, some people that attended the meeting said the reso-

lution to urge the president to seek re-election was not their collective bargain.

This was supported when the day after the stakeholders’ meeting was held, Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, a well respected politician, who was not at the meeting albeit represented by his deputy, also kicked against the said endorsement. But this did not deter the North west caucus because in a swift reaction, the chairman of the communiqué drafting committee and minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali came up to say there was no going back on their decision to endorse President Jonathan for 2015.

Then the apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) suddenly came up and described the government under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan as a failure, particularly in the area of securing the nation, saying, his administration has woefully failed to protect Nigerians. If this statement is anything to go by, it is clear to say that a man who has been described as a failure does not deserve another opportunity to continue to remain in office. So, going by the body language of the forum, it could be said that President Jonathan should not expect any support from the forum except there is a change of mind.

In the same vein, the ACF averred that the northern region is presently under siege from all angles and from all fields. The ACF National Executive Council (NEC) chairman and former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomasie stated this when he addressed an emergency meeting of the forum with Northern based Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) leaders at their Kaduna headquarters.

According to the NEC chairman, “Since the advent of the Boko Haram uprising in 2009, the region has witnessed a speedy descent into anarchy. The insurgency and insecurity situation we are faced with in the north is such that we have never imagined would happen to Arewa that we all grew up to know, to love and to cherish.

“The Arewa that was bequeathed to us by our fore-fathers is no longer the same. Today, the entire northern region is under siege. The north is being attacked from all angles and from all fields.

“As we gather here today to discuss, let us not lose sight of the fact

Commasie

Yakasai

that there is a federal government whose responsibility it is to protect the lives and safeguard the property of every citizen of this country.

“What we are witnessing today is a complete reversal of that role.

The government of the day under the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has woefully failed to protect us.

“While the north is being battered, the people in government have not made serious effort to end it. For the first time in the history of this great nation, our president is being openly condemned for his ineptitude, immaturity and ineffectiveness.

“Now the general belief is that this government and its leadership do not like us, the current policies, and the government attitude towards the insurgency leave us with no better conclusion than to assume that there is a deliberate plan or attempt to emasculate the north economically, to reduce us numerically, disunite us religiously and to divide us politically.

“This is the grim situation we are faced with. As leaders of Arewa, it is incumbent upon us to rise up to the occasion. The entire citizenry of the north look up to us with so much hope. We must, at this point, bury our individual differences, come together and critically examine the situation before us.

We must come out and speak with one united voice. We cannot afford to be seen to be divided.”

Alhaji Coomassie said the emergency meeting must pose questions whose answers should appraise them with what is happening to the north and why Nigeria is drifting towards anarchy and shamelessness.

However, in a swift reaction to

the position of the ACF, another pro-Jonathan’s northern elder’s group known as the Northern Elders Council (NEC) under the chairmanship of an elders-statesman Tanko Yakassai, which has pledge its total support for the Jonathan/ Sambo’s ticket for 2015, described the ACF leadership as suffering from poverty of ideas. The chairman, as reported, also reacted this way to the claims of the ACF: “The Northern Elders Council regrets totally the way and manner the ACF addressed the president and commander in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to say that President Jonathan doesn’t like the north is outrageous and uncharitable, and to say that he has failed is untrue. The NEC averred and accused the ACF of not adhering to the tradition of the organization, which was originally conceived, as a non-partisan umbrella organization to harmonize and promote all shades of interest and opinions in the north.”

According to the NEC Chairman, “The statement credited to the ACF chairman has confirmed the allegations of partisanship and the claim that ACF is hobnobbing with opposition elements and unrepentant critics of the Jonathan administration.”

At the emergence of the elders splinter group, the NEC chairman, Alhaji Yakassai, said the council was established to protect the socio-economic and political interest of the north, the corporate existence and stability of the Nigerian project; this certainly disagrees with the position of the ACF and Northern Elders Forum (NEF), who are of the view that President Jonathan has failed the north.

But just as the endorsement was settling down, some people that attended the meeting said the resolution to urge the president to seek re-election was not their collective bargain

politics 19

Sunday, September 21, 2014

2015: In Lagos, It’s APC Vs PDP

Once again, the governorship polls in Lagos State is gradually turning into a two course race between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its perennial challenger, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). OLAOLU OLADIPO ,in this piece, looks at the chances of the two parties as well as the major aspirants who could possibly have victory in their favour and issues that might tilt the odds against any of the parties’ favourites

No sooner had the ceremony ended that speculation became rife that a possible renewal of hostilities between George and Obanikoro was in the offing as those in the know argue that the decision of George to back Agbaje for the ticket has pitched him against the minister

The venue was the, once bubbling but now comatose, National Arts Theatre in Iganmu area of Lagos and the occasion was the conferment of Nelson Mandela award on a former national deputy chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, by some members of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS).

Members of the PDP from virtually all the nooks and crannies of the South western part of the country had gathered to celebrate with their leader. One issue that dominated discourse during the almost three hour event was the issue of winning the state for the party.

Speakers after speakers had drummed up support for the party in their respective speeches including former members who promised to help the PDP to capture Lagos next year. Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko and former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel were also not left out of the ceremony.

The man of the moment, Chief George described his incarceration in Kirikiri Prison for alleged contract splitting as ‘political persecution’, saying: “We shall produce the next governor of Lagos State.” Mimiko, who is rumoured to have tacitly defected to the PDP from the LP, echoed the same sentiment when he prayed that he would be part of the victory dance of the party after the 2015 polls.

“I can see, I have the gift of clairvoyance that by 2015, we shall come to celebrate with Chief Bode George when he has produced the next governor of Lagos State. You better believe it. I am speaking under divine inspiration”.

On his own part, former Ogun State governor, Daniel said it was unfortunate that Lagos had never been ruled by the PDP before despite the fact that George is an indigene of the state. “In 2000, the Yoruba nation was in quandary and we had a president (Obasanjo) who had no political support in his home.

“So Chief Bode George led us to tour Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and everywhere and the PDP won everywhere in 2003 but in Bode George’s state, it was not so. It now behoves on all of us to understand the concept of one good turn deserves another and now that he is no longer as strong as before, we must stand by him to ensure that he can swear in the next governor of Lagos.”

The tone depicts the seriousness attached to the project of delivering Lagos to the kitty of the PDP. Virtually, all the serious aspirants in the party were present on the occasion. For the records, those present include a Lagos based pharmacist, Mr. Jimi

Agbaje, the candidate of the party at the last election, Dr Ade Dosunmu, Mr Kitoye Branco-Rhodes and Dominic Adegbola.

The Gladiators in PDP and APC Conspicuously absent on the occasion was the minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro, who many believe is staging a renewed bid for the office he lost eight years ago to the incumbent, Babatunde Raji Fashola. Also absent was a real estate consultant, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi.

No sooner had the ceremony ended that speculation became rife that a possible renewal of hostilities between George and Obanikoro was in the offing as those in the know argue that the decision of George to back Agbaje for the ticket has pitched him against the minister in a reenactment of the 2007 scenario when the minister picked the ticket in a very acrimonious manner.

Sources in the know told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the process of picking the ticket would eventually be a two way course scenario pitching Obanikoro and Agbaje against each other. In the battle of wits that would likely ensue, Agbaje has the advantage of hailing from the East Senatorial zone while Obanikoro is from the Central where the incumbent is from.

Both of them have their positive and negative baggage that their supporters are utilizing to outdo one another. Agbaje is being projected by his supporters as a fresh break from the norm as they have continued to state that by virtue of the fact that he has never held any political office and therefore stands him out as untainted.

To his traducers, this is construed as an impediment as they have continued to argue that Lagos is too sensitive to be handed over to a green horn. Those who hold this line of thought believe that, being a technocrat, it would be difficult for him to relate effectively with the grassroots and that in the end, most of the policies to be implemented by his government might not be masses oriented.

On the other hand, his major challenger is seen as a grass root politician who has succeeded largely owing to his connection to the grassroots. “Obanikoro is a better candidate for the members of our party, who have been at the sidelines for over 15 years. Agbaje is good, no doubt, considering his pedigree; one thing that is counting against him is his background as a technocrat”, says a chieftain in Lagos.

While Agbaje has started his campaign through visitations to the various wards that make up the state,

Obanikoro

Fashola

Obanikoro on the other hand, is said to be bidding his time before taking the final plunge into the race.

In-between the two are other gladiators who are waiting in the wings to benefit from whatever stalemate that would ensue from the impending political battle of wits in the state.

The same scenario is said to be playing out in the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the state chapter of APC, the two leading camps, belonging to the immediate past governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is rooting for the candidature of a former accountant general of the state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and those belonging to the Fashola, who is believed to be backing the commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat. Just as it is the PDP, other candidates are waiting in the wings for profit from the scenario to snatch the ticket from either of the two. A member of the state executive council, who pleaded not to be mentioned owing to his position, however, downplayed a likely spin over of the battle, saying, “When the push comes to shove, we know how to resolve our differences.”

nity with those canvassing the views arguing that well over 50 per cent of commercial transactions being carried out in the state is done by their members.

How well either of the two parties manage the situation will go a long way to determining which party takes the day in the 2015 election Geo-political balancing Since the advent of the current democratic era, only the East Senatorial district has not produced a chief executive for the state. Tinubu hailed from West while Fashola is from the Central. If this principle of rotation is applied, Obanikoro and Hamzat may well kiss the race good bye. While Koro (as the minister is called by his supporters) hails from the Central, Hamzat on the other hand is from the West.

Religious, ethnic factor It is instructive to note that the major contenders in the two parties belong to the two dominant faiths in the country, Christianity and Islam.

In the last few months, the Christian community has been clamouring for one of their own to mount the saddle in the state.

Whether that clamours would determine where the pendulum would swing in the efforts by the parties to pick their candidates for the polls, only time would tell, but what is certain is that both parties would not discountenance it as an act to reckon with in the build up to the polls.

Added to the above is the clamour by the non-indigene, particularly the non-Yoruba speaking people of the state for greater involvement in the management of the state considering the sizeable vote they post in the the state.

Recently, the community has canvassed that the deputy governorship slot be conceded to the Igbo commu-

Race between well entrenched and populist agitation By virtues of an almost dominant hold of power for the last 15 years, the APC is seen as a platform that has entrenched itself in the state’s power loop. That facts makes it difficult for the PDP to dislodge it from power when its candidate has emerged from the primaries.

“A united APC is a formidable platform that can never be beaten by the PDP. The only thing that we need to do is to manage the aftermath of impending primaries very well.” A chieftain, Tajudeen Ayoola said.

Flowing from some of the policies of the current government, it is not out of place for some segments to seek a change in the ruling platform as those making the agitation are said to be capitalizing on some of the policies of the current government to up turn the apple cart.

For the PDP, its ability to galvanise perceived growing discontent with the ruling party, coupled with its ability to manage the outcome of its party primaries would largely impact negatively or otherwise on the fortune of the party in the polls.

With the governorship polls fast approaching, the next few months will determine the fortune or misfortune of the parties. The first litmus test is the primaries of the party and the raging issues in the polity.

20 politics feature

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Sokoto 2015: A Tough Requirement For Wamakko’s Successor Sokoto State parades an array of political breeds who can take over from Aliyu Wamakko.

ANKELI EMMANUEL writes on their credentials especially from the perspectives of the people who insist a replacement for Wamakko must be someone with the pedigree of an achiever

The people of the state are, therefore, engrossed with the thought of scrutinizing a possible successor among Governor Wamakko’s closest allies

As the permutation over who gets what and who takes over from the incumbent Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, continues to gain more momentum with intense nocturnal consultations, the youths are beginning to logically scrutinize individuals that are most likely to take over from him under the platform of the All progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

Although, the governor, in his principle of fair play and trust in the supreme doctrine of ‘only God gives power’, had consistently maintained that he has no anointed candidate. However, pundits are of the view that the governor might likely settle down for one among his perceived adherents.

After all, it’s a known fact that, the Nigerian political landscape had, and remained a knitted wave of incumbents throwing their weights behind who succeeds them for reasons best known to them, it is however, hinged on the ground of continuity of their political philosophies.

This political philosophy, according to a good number of locals in the Seat of Caliphate, who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday, would greatly determine who gets their overwhelming support hence, Governor Wamakko has set a precedent that will not only be difficult for most Nigerian politicians to emulate, but sustain.

Among such precedents include, but not limited to, an allinclusive, accommodative and unparalleled care for groups, individual, as well as communal concerns of the led vis-à-vis his grassroots mobilization prowess as testified to by the ease at which the people of the state has access to meeting him both at his personal residence and in the office without cumbersome protocols.

Bearing these and many more other factors in mind, the people of the state are, therefore, engrossed with the thought of scrutinizing a possible successor among Governor Wamakko’s closest allies.

According to political observers in the state, those that presumably fall within this line of possible successor include, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Faruk Malami Yabo, the present Permanent Secretary, Min-

istry of Education, Alhaji Bello Abubakar Guiwa, the Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Zayyana and the Speaker House of Representative, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Although, there are indications that other persons such as Senator Abubakar Tambuwal and a host of others are equally nursing and sparsely indicating interest at succeeding Governor Wamakko.

Nevertheless, individual assessment of the personality and likely leadership qualities of the abovementioned persons, according to political analysts, might not be any different from each other, ex- Wamakko cept for Alhaji Bello Guiwa, whom some sections of the youths de- political watchers.

Another likely successor of scribed as possessing the grassGovernor Wamakko, according root political orientation as the to other political analysts in the current governor better than the state, is the Commissioner for other aspirants.

Local Government and CommuBello Guiwa, as he is fondly called, according to one of the nity Development, Faruk Malami groups among the several others Yabo, whose personality, accordcalling on him to resign and join ing to admirers, is an agglutinatthe gubernatorial race, is a mas- ing fragrance that commands reter of aesthetics and an appren- spect across the state.

Faruku Yabo, is simply an emtice of quality. bodiment of humility and a sucA leader of a social-political cessful businessman, a passiongroup, Sokoto Success Forum (SSF) who is among the numer- ate administrator, resourceful ous others championing the call manager and a soft spoken liberfor his resignation to join the race, al minded politician, who has unAlhaji Shehu Buda insisted that common knack for improved welltheir action was triggered by the being of humanity, especially the quintessential pattern, humility, people of the state.

Still a serving commissioner and accommodative traits he (Beland described by others as one lo) had exhibited before now as a among the quintessential five sucivil servant.

Corroborating the call for Bel- per civil servants for their vibranlo Guiwa’s resignation to join the cy and glowing roles in the Warace included another group, So- makko’s administration, pundits koto Youths Forum (SYF) chaired hold that Faruk might have the

by Ahaji Abubakar Chasis, Soko- governor’s backing when all the to Women For Continuity Agen- chips are down.

For the Speaker, House of Repda (SWCA), just to mention a few.

Consequent upon these calls, resentative, Aminu Waziri Tamindications were rife that the per- buwal, many observers still exmanent secretary, who hails from press concern that he is trying to the same senatorial district with euphorically embark on a white elincumbent Governor Wamak- ephant political mission should he ko, might be tendering his resig- continue with his alleged consulnation soon as to enable him an- tation for the nation’s presidency.

Such analysts further insisted swer the clarion call of his people.

Be that as it may, should Bel- that the desire for the number one lo Guiwa consent to the call of seat of the federation, if not carehis people and throw his hat into fully planned, could potend politthe ring, analysts believe that his ical suicide for the young, vibrant grassroot political shrewdness number four citizen.

They further revealed that, demight be of great advantage to spite the serial formation of polithis personality. And if that works ical support groups that are callout, then, Alhaji Bello Guiwa, otherwise known as aesthetic mayor, ing on Tambuwal to contest for would be on his way to succeeding the state governorship election Wamakko in 2015 as observed by under the platform of the APC in

2015, the certainty of his defection from his present party (PDP) still remains doubtful.

Reasons for this assertion, according to pundits is based on the fact that nearly all the elected representatives both at national and state levels with the exception of very few, defected and joined Wamakko in his new party (APC).

More so that, the speaker seems to be sitting on the fence without joining the governor in the APC in spite of the fact that analysts kept saying that Tambuwal is half PDP and half APC and therefore neither here nor there.

All things being equal, other political historians of the state hinted that, Alhaji Faruku, as he is fondly called, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as well as Senator Abubakar Tambuwal hail from Sokoto South Senatorial district that has not governed the state since the return to democracy.

The first democratically elected governor of the state, Alhaji Attihuru Dalhatu Bafarawa came from Sokoto East Senatorial district and he governed the state for two term. The current governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko from Sokoto North Senatorial district is equally ending his two terms by 2015.

Going by this political calculation therefore, a pendulum shift of power to the Sokoto south is already entrenched in the minds of many. However, others felt that governing the state should be premised on merit rather than zonal consideration, and should this assertion come to play, then, those analysts that see Bello Guiwa as the beautiful bride of the electorates might be right afterall.

politics feature 21

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Fintiri, Jibrilla: Beyond Securing Party Tickets The developments leading to the just concluded Adamawa State gubernatorial primaries have come and gone, but the reveberations are yet to settle down. MOHAMMED ISMAIL takes a look at the chances of each aspirant as October 11 draws nearer.

The contest that saw acting governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his rival in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla picking their party tickets promises to be interesting as the days ahead will be full of intrigues, political brinkmanship and foxy political maneuverings.

The contest that saw acting governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his rival in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla picking their party tickets promises to be interesting as the days ahead will be full of intrigues, political brinkmanship and foxy political maneuverings.

Sequel to the PDP party primary which took place on September 6, 2014, fourteen aspirants had declared interest to aspire for the party’s gubernatorial ticket to fly the flag of the party in the October 11 2014 election as they variously troop into Adamawa to tell the people of their resolve to be part of the epic battle having picked the party’s ticket from Abuja.

But two developments have caused serious anxiety within the ranks of the aspirants following the impromptu defection of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), MallamNuhu Ribadu, who was given a waiver by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to contest on the party’s ticket and the expression of intrest by the acting governor to contest the party primary.

The defection of Ribadu caused tension among the aspirants as speculations that the presidency was directly involved in his gubernatorial ambition shook other aspirants to their marrows. For this, ten of them formed a coalition to stop what they termed an attempt to impose a candidate on them, adding that in the event where such imposition occurred, the party will be the looser.

The aspiration of the acting governor has similarly drawn bad blood within the party as various contenders for the party ticket said it was morally and constitutionally wrong for him to aspire to contest the election as his role is only to conduct free and fair party primaries.

One aspirant that came heavily on the aspiration of the acting governor, was the former adviser on Political Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Ali Gulak, who said for the acting governor to be part of the race, he has to resign his position as the speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly on whose crest he rode to become the acting governor,

Fintiri

following the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako and the controversial resignation of his deputy Bala James Ngillari. He added that doing that will also make him to lose the position of the acting governor because it was by virtue of being the speaker that he became the acting governor.

But it became apparent that the acting governor was not perturbed with such vociferous accusations against his aspiration when he picked the party’s ticket at the commencement of sale of the party’s ticket.

The aspiration of the acting governor got its major litmus test when the Senator Mantuled screening committee disqualified him from the contest citing section 191 of the constitution, a situation that shattered his morale to the extent that he shunned journalists waiting to interview him when he furiously, came out from screening venue at Wadata Plaza.

Be that as it may, the acting governor appealed against his disqualification to the appeal committee and was later giv-

Jibrilla

en clearance to contest the party primaries, which he clinched on September 6, 2014. The rest, they say, is now history.

Similarly, the September 7, 2014 of the All Progressives Congress Party primaries in the state will linger in the minds of the people as seeming “protest votes” led to the crushing defeat of Ibrahim Mijinyawa, who was touted to be the favoured candidate of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar in the race.

The primary, which was keenly contested between Senator Muhammadu Umar Jibrilla and Ibrahim Mijinyawa, nearly degenerated into chaos as the supporters of Jibrilla went on rampage few moments before the results were released. They suspected that the outcome may be doctored to produce Mijinyawa as the party’s flag bearer.

The irked supporters started singing slogans in support of Jibrilla vowing to resist imposition of favoured candidates as some of them attempted to force their ways into the hall where results were being collated. Report says this made the state commissioner of po-

lice, who was in the hall to calm the agitated supporters promising them that the right thing would be done.

The grouse of Jibrilla’s supporters centred on the result sheet of the home town of Jibrilla in Mubi North local government, where he swept all the votes cast as a result of which supporters of Mijinyawa lodged a complaint against the result thereby urging the electoral committee to suspend the announcement of the overall result until the issues surrounding it were cleared.

Sensing that danger was lurking around the corner, the chairman of the election committee, Dr Garba Abari, summoned his team for a closed door meeting after which they accepted the result from Mubi North LGA which was the bane of contention.

Before the party primaries was conducted, it was highly speculated that Ibrahim Mijinyawa was singlehandedly conscripted and sponsored to stand in the race by the former vice president in order to have a pliant and ultimately exercise

22

22 politics feature

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Fintiri, Jibrilla: Beyond Securing Party Tickets 22

significant control over the affairs of the state.

A source in the party, who craved anonymity said the former VP singlehandedly picked Mijinyawa against other mature and experienced aspirants and supported him, a development which led to a wide discontent in the party leading to the protest vote.

It was alleged that following the pressure mounted by Atiku, who made it clear that he will only support Mijinyawa, one of the leading aspirants and former director general of the National Boundary Commission, stepped down from the race saying that his action followed signs that internal democracy will not be allowed to prevail during the party primaries.

But unperturbed by the withdrawal, other aspirants vowed to see to the end of the race as they pledged never to allow any money bag to intimidate them. For them, election is a repository of the masses and only the masses can decide the fate of anyone in a contest.

Between Fintri and Jibrilla, who will carry the day?

Going by the events that transpired before the emergence of the candidates of the two foremost political parties, it will not be surprising if any of the two contenders, finally emerges as the governor of the state.

On the one hand, Fintiri enjoys the power of incumbency which, in Nigeria, is a big asset as it confers the occupier of a political office, the power to use the huge resources of the state and even security apparatus at his disposal to get leverage over other contenders. Should the acting governor decides to use the powers and resources of his office during the coming general election, it will give him an advantage over Jibrilla in the general polls.

Similarly, in the wake of the agreement reached between all the aspirants during the stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, it was agreed that anyone, who emerges as the standard bearer will be supported by all other aspirants. This means the candidature of fintiri is a summation of all the PDP aspirants put together and going by the individuals and the collective strengths of the 14 aspirants, who jostle for the party’s ticket, the victory of Fintiri has become a settled issue.

The chances of Fintiri may further be strengthened as most of the aspirants, who dropped their ambitions in the race announced their supports for the ambition of the acting governor. This automatically translated into his overwhelming victory during the primaries where he polled 624 votes against the 197 votes scored by his arch rival in the race, Ahmad Muhammad Modibbo.

The ambition of Fintiri further got a boost as some of the aspirants who slugged it out with him in the race like General Buba Marwa (rtd), Dr Umar Ardo, Professor Andrawus Sawa all congratulated him and reiterated their commitments towards his victory on October 11, 2014.

The above scenario marked the first time in the annals of PDP history in the state where the party primaries was concluded without petitions as even Dr Umar Ardo, who raised questions over the conduct of the primaries said he will not challenged it. He has since congratulated Fintiri.

Another area where Fintiri made substantial inroad is the civil service when he settled one month salary arrears the state government owed civil servants thereby warming his way into their hearts. These are teeming workers in the state, who in turn pledged to reciprocate the gesture.

Fintiri Sources privy to some of the PDP aspirants revealed that there were more to the white wash portrayed by many of the aspirants, who came and embraced his candidature as they claimed that he had betrayed them by contesting the party primaries.

According to them, it was allegedly agreed before Nyako was impeached that Fintiri will only remain for three months to contest another round of election that will usher another government in the state.

The aspirants have allegedly vowed to teach him the political lessons of his life , and as such, most of them, according to sources, have not shown any antagonism to his nomination so that he will not know their mindset but will strike at him when it will be too late for him to make amends.

Another source in the party told LEADERSHIP Sunday that many of the party stalwarts in the party, who dropped their ambitions did not do it necessarily in order to support Fintiri but it was a political expediency because of the agreements reached that if he wins, he will never contest the governorship ticket on the platform of the party based the zoning arrangement of the governorship office to Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone.

The role Fintiri played in the impeachment saga of former Governor Murtala Nyako was another glaring baggage he was carrying as many Nyako’s supporters and sympathizers vowed to do everything within their powers to frustrate him on October 11, 2014.

On the other hand, Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla came into the race on the crest of popularity and the goodwill of the people especially the people of his senatorial zone who believed that if given the chance, he will reflect the good work he did to them as a senator.

Being a very close political associate of impeached Governor Murtala Nyako, many believed that Nyako’s friends and sympathizers will embrace his candidature and give it all necessary support to retaliate the ill treatment he meted to their political patriarch.

Also, if the acceptance of Jibrilla’s victory by former vice president is anything to go by, the ambition of Jibrilla will get a major boost as Turaki has both the financial and political base to take Jibrilla to the Dougirei

Mu’azu

Oyegun

Government House in Yola.

Jibrilla will also translate the goodwill left by his late philanthropic father, Umaru Jibrilla, who was a successful businessman, to consolidate his winning streak following the exploits his father has made in the state through his philanthropic disposition that touched many lives in and outside the state.

Jibrilla Going by insinuations to the effect that Jibrilla contested the party primaries against the aspirant favoured

by Atiku, may be a big problem espe-

cially if Atiku refuses to be pacified by the effrontery of Jibrilla to contest against his favorite candidate, a situation that led to the ignoble defeat Mijinyawa suffered in the hands of Jibrilla, and which by extension, unraveled the underbelly of Atiku’s political strength.

Also his association with Nyako whose administration is facing corrupt charges may be a minus to his candidature, especially as disturbing revelations of the financial sleaze of the former administration was on a daily basis been bandied by the probe panel.

politics feature 23

Sunday, September 21, 2014

2015: Is The North Grandstanding?

Few months to the 2015 general elections, the North doesn’t seems to have a common front regarding power shift back to the region given its numerous platforms for different agitations. BODE GBADEBO writes on this worrisome development.

T

he north is, at the moment, currently and earnestly desiring the political pendulum of presidential slot to shift towards it just like the south did in the twilight of the military era in 1998. The north was severely bruised by the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 when he had not even completed a single term out of the anticipated two-tenure of eight years. His regime was expected to terminate in 2015 when power would have moved back to the south.

It is on record that the same spirit of give and take informed the power rotation agreement within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the wake of the cancellation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The arrangement was also embraced by other political parties then in order to produce a president from the South.

Unfortunately, death dealt a great blow to that political arrangement that was started during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In the present political dispensation, the body language of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the biggest beneficiary of Yar’Adua’s death, is clear to his political opponents that he is not ready to quit office now except he completes the constitutionally-allowed two terms in office, a development that has pitched him against some northern leaders, who are bent on power shift to the north in 2015.

A disdain for Jonathan presidency in the north is worsened by the ravaging insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country in the last five years, and a seemingly helpless situation the government found itself under Jonathan in the last four years.

While the legitimate aspirations of the north for power shift in 2015 is natural, the strategies and discordant tunes among its leaders are bizarre and inconsistent with its cause.

A highly placed source within the pan-northern group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), told Leadership Sunday that there was no going back on power shift struggle to the north in 2015. When asked whether they will support Jonathan in 2015 if he enlist-

ed their support, the source became furious and that was the end of the conversation.

While the ACF has been mild about its approach, the North Elders Forum (NEF) has been critical of President Jonathan’s government particularly its shortcomings as reasons for its ineligibility for the 2015 race.

To counter these anti-Jonathan groups, another group, Northern Elders Council (NEC), which is parallel to NEF, sprang up to drum support for the president in the north.

The emergence of NEC comprising prominent northern politicians like Tanko Yakasai, Gambo Jimeta, Halliru Bello, Ibrahim Idris and several others, is seen as an after-thought by the government to put the North in disarray and nib its agitation for power shift in the bud.

Not a few believe that the northern groups, who are now bickering over Jonathan instead of forging a common front to produce an acceptable and competent candidate for the North’s dream in 2015, might end up grandstanding.

Despite the fact that Jonathan has not openly declared his intention to contest, although he has, on a platter of gold, secured endorsement as the sole candidate of the PDP for the 2015 race, a group, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has, in the last few months, committed millions of naira to prime time advertisements and sponsored discussions on broadcast media and newspapers canvassing for the president to contest the 2015 election.

TAN had also hosted mega rallies in almost all the regions of the country like the Southeast, South-south, South-west geopolitical zones with that of the North-central held in Minna just recently.

A southerner and the incumbent governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has also been enjoying media blitz by his National Rescue Group recently in a disguised call on him to throw his hat in the ring.

For now, the PDP has only one presidential aspirant and that is President Goodluck Jonathan, except he does otherwise but from every indication, it is unthinkable in Nigeria.

Coomassie

Just recently, Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu called on his Jigawa State counterpart, Sule Lamido when he told him to aspire for higher office, it was interpreted to mean backing Lamido for the 2015 presidency, Aliyu, however, did not waste time in denying the insinuation. According to him, he can’t commit such blunder in the face of another incumbent president.

Visible aspirants in the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) are predominantly northerners but the party has not come out to zone its ticket to any geopolitical zone for now. But if the recent national convention of the party, which produced a national chairman from the south is anything to go by, it is only a matter of time for the APC to produce a presidential candidate from the North.

A million dollar question on the lips of many now is whether another consensus arrangement for the north will work again, given the past experience of 2011. In the build-up to the 2011 presidential election, it was felt that the north will be short-changed if Jona-

than was allowed to return to power having completed the tenure of his late boss.

Therefore, a self-appointed consensus committee chaired

by Adamu Ciroma picked former president Atiku Abubakar as the north’s consensus candidate to contest against Jonathan in the PDP primaries in 2011 but it later turned out that even delegates from Atiku’s native Adamawa State to that convention did not even vote for him.

The glaring truth that the northern leaders have not reckoned with is the fact that the region is no longer monolithic as it used to be hence their sphere of influence to influence the electorates to vote for a particular candidate has reduced.

With this development coupled with the attendant disunity among the elites over political leaning, lack of political ideology by the masses and socioeconomic bondage particularly the current state of insecurity in the north, the road to consensus is long and arduous and capable of portraying the current struggle as mere grandstanding at the end of the day.

Not a few believe that the northern groups, who are now bickering over Jonathan instead of forging a common front to produce an acceptable and competent candidate for the North’s dream in 2015, might end up grandstanding

24 FEATURE

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Kayauki: Inside Katsina’s Kilishi ‘Factory’ Situated a few kilometres away from Katsina city, the capital of Katsina State, Kayauki is a village along the Katsina-Daura road and has become famous for producing Kilishi (spiced dry meat). In this piece, MUAZU ELAZEH writes on the village and the booming business of Kilishi

Kilishi is a meat product of the tropics, prepared from sundried lean beef infused with spices and defatted groundnut paste

The village and its people Though a sleepy community, Kayauki has earned prominence and perhaps international recognition because of the mass production of Kilishi (spiced dry meat) for which it arguably, is the leading light in the entire state.

Inhabitants of Kayauki who are predominantly farmers and butchers, are said to have migrated from a settlement that is known today as Tsohon Gari (Hausa name for old settlement). Then it comprised more of hamlets.

Currently, Kayauki is not only one of the most boisterous villages in Batagarawa local government area of Katsina State but has become famous for its hospitality, as exemplified by the massive production and indeed, supply of Kilishi, a product for which the name of the community is increasingly becoming synonymous with.

“The present location came into being a little over 60 years ago, after the people left the tsohon gari. Originally, the village is known as Kurmi Magangama” so said Badamasi Sabo Magangama, a resident of the village.

“In Tsohon gari, of course we were living in hamlets, comprising pockets of households, scattered in different direction. But then the government of the day deemed it fit to merge us together into a village hence our coming to the present location” Magangama added.

With a little above two hundred houses and still counting as new houses are springing up almost on a daily basis, the Kayauki community is said to be among the fastest growing settlements not only in Batagarawa council area, but the entire Katsina State.

The Kayauki settlement is bisected by the Katsina-Daura road which passes through it with a large part of the settlement located northward. Indeed, it is being headed by a village head that holds the traditional title of Kayauki obviously derived from the name of the community.

Our correspondent observed that like most Katsina communities, farming and rearing

A Kilishi processing spot in Kayauki

Eldest surviving Kilishi maker, Alhaji Rabe Kayauki

Chairman of Kilishi Sellers Association, Alhaji Abdulrahman

of animals is the major preoccupation of the people of Kayauki with a pocket of them engaging in abattoir business (butchering) as a source of livelihood.

Indeed, it was these earlier butchers that became the precursors of the trade of producing Kilishi.

Of course the trend of modernity has also caught up with the village too as it currently has its citizens engaged in different modern trades ranging from electricians, plumbers, brick makers, and a host of others.

months at room temperature without going bad. Indeed, this has made it a house-hold name.

Kilishi is obtained from sliced lean muscles of beef, goat meat or lamb and is made on a large scale under the hot and dry weather conditions.

Traditionally, the slices of meat are spread on papyrus mats on elevated platforms or tables in the sun to dry. The Drying is done in two stages. In stage one, the pieces of sliced meat are sundried for seven hours.

The meat slices are turned over every hour to allow for even drying and to prevent them from getting stuck to the drying surface. After drying, the slices are finally roasted over a glowing fire for about few minutes. Kilishi can be eaten as snack and the delicacy knows no bound.

Our correspondent observes that the basic raw material for the production of Kilishi is meat which of course has to pass through different processes including washing, slicing and shaping, mixing with required ingredients, drying before the final roasting.

Traditionally, the spice ingredients said to be used in making Kilishi comprised mainly of pepper, ginger, groundnut cake and small quantity of salt to taste but perhaps with coming of modernity, ingredients like curry power, thyme and other spices are being added.

It is gathered that the ingredients are mixed together in a container with a little quantity of water, depending on the size of the meat, added. This mixed ingredient will then be applied on the dried meat and kept under a scotching

A Community deep in production of kilishi Arguably, another name of Kayauki village is Kilishi for which it has earned international recognition for being second to no other community in its production. In this sleepy community, most men are kilishi makers.

Kilishi is a delicious dry meat prepared by butchers as a snacks-gift to be taken along by travellers. Apart from its lusciousness, it is also best for preservation, as it could be kept for several years without decaying.

This long shelf life may not be unconnected with processes of making it. It was observed that any at must be removed from meat set aside for Kilishi must be stripped of any fat.

Production of kilishi Kilishi is a meat product of the tropics, prepared from sun-dried lean beef infused with spices and defatted groundnut paste.

Indeed, one thing that stands Kilishi out is its ability to keep for several

sun to dry before it is finally roasted.

In Kayauki, everybody is into the business of making Kilishi with the product being the major source of sustenance for the villagers.

Alhaji Abdurrahman Alheri is the chairman of Kilishi Sellers Association.

He told our correspondent that the community has been receiving different visitors who troop in on a daily basis to buy Kilishi.

He said the community supplies the Kilishi needs of traditional rulers, civil servants and indeed, scores of visitors and travellers who often stop over to purchase the commodity for distribution as gift.

“This Kilishi can be stored for over a year without it spoiling so long as water does not touches it” he said.

Abdurrahman, however, decried the decline in the market of the commodity insisting that sellers make less returns now than they did some years back, stressing, “this insecurity is affecting everything as people rarely travel now.

Of course it is taking a toll on the Kilishi business too.”

He insisted that the community, has through the selling of Kilishi, been contributing to the coffers of both the local government and the state government as according to him, sellers pay annual rent of over three thousand naira.

Asked where they get the raw materials for the production of Kilishi, Abdurrahman said “of course our raw materials are goat or cows, and, then the ingredients which we use. For the animals, we normally buy them from either Maiadua or Charanchi international cattle markets. We buy from other local markets too”.

Although he declined to disclose their turn over insisting it is a trade secret, Abdurrahman said except for the recent decline in business, which he was quick to attribute to current insurgency rocking some parts of the country, sellers of Kilishi in the community have been making some brisk businesses especially during major occasions that attract personalities from within and outside the state.

Alhaji Rabe Kayauki, 80, is among the early makers of Kilishi and one of the surviving elders of the community. He said he learnt the art of preparing Kilishi in Kurabau village near Tsagero in Rimi local government area.

Octogenarian Rabe said for the number of years he spent making Kilishi, he received loan once from the then Emir of Katsina, Kabir Usman, who as Magajin Gari, approved the loan of one pound to him. He insisted that the state government has not assisted those engaged in business of Kilishi in any way.

Current challenges of the community Beyond being the hot spot for the production of spiced dried meat, Kayauki, is also the home to one of the worst environmental hazards in the state as it is battling with the scourge of erosion.

ceoConfidential #130, September 21, 2014

EW! N SecretS they

Won’t teach you at BuSineSS School

>31

in brief

timeless truths >26

>30 SITUATION REPORTS

brand beginnings eginnings >31 HOUSEKEEPING

secrets they wOn’t wO teach yOu at business schOOl >47 UPdatES

africa is gr grOwing but lOcals remain hungry

• Oluwaseun Osagbemi CEO, Winse Décor

Osagbemi’s fervOur fOr success

26 CEOConfidential

Sunday, September 21, 2014

in brief ESSENTIALS

10 Questions for...

FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Momoh Luqman CEO, Sibril Global Investment Ltd

De-risk the proposition “Security is mostly a superstition.

It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” Helen Keller, 1880-1968 American author and campaigner for women’s suffrage and workers’ rights, the first deaf-blind person to graduate from college with a Bachelor of Arts degree and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the US’s highest civilian honours.

Limit the risk you ask people to take when investing time and money in you and your products.

Are your goals achievable? Once you have motivated yourself to think they are, then you’re prepared to de-risk your ideas for your family, bank, suppliers and customers.

The risk may not only revolve around cost. It could concern confidence in the longevity of the product, consistency of supply or market conditions. Find out exactly what the obstacles are and overcome them so you can move ahead and gain stakeholder involvement.

People don’t like to take risks. It’s your task to convince them that your proposition has managed and acceptable levels of risk.

Be accountable for your goodwill “Goodwill is the one and only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy” Ludwig Borne, 1786-1837 German satirist and political writer, editor of various liberal newspapers. .

Goodwill is a financial term used to describe the intrinsic value of a company that is in addition to its assets - its reputation, if you like.

The goodwill of a business represents the loyalty of both its customers and its suppliers. When investors buy or sell a business, they are not just buying or selling a single piece of land, or a building or the stock, they are also buying goodwill in the form of future order books, repeat purchases, client lists and supplier orders.

Do everything to maintain and grow goodwill between you and your stakeholders.

IF YOU’LL BE...

Len Blavatnik President, Access Industries Seek greener pastures He was born to a Russian-speaking Jewish family but had to move to the United States of America when he was denied admission into Moscow State University. In 1986, he founded Access Industries, an international conglomerate company located in New York.

Seize opportunities. Sneak around Blavatnik wanted to distance himself from Russia, but there were irresistible opportunities there, as it began to move its assets—including its vast natural resources—from state control to private ownership. With persistence, he rallied his fellow Jews in the States to raise money and began buying stock vouchers that had been distributed to employees, and eventually got control of the company- Vladimir Tractor Works.

Spread your wealth. Recognise excellence Blavatnik, the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Access companies have supported many cultural and philanthropic institutions over the past 15 years, including serving as the primary benefactors for numerous, major art and cultural exhibitions.

– By Olujide Olusola

TIMELESS TRUTHS Becoming a design leader “Once primarily known for its low prices, Target has become a design leader. Teaming up with famed architect Michael Graves, Target introduced a whimsical housewares line. The wildly successful Graves Collection proved contagious and eventually included some two hundred items in various product categories such as garden furniture and timepiece. More than just introducing design for the masses, Target was determined to break out of its decades-old idea of a discount store.”

Tom Kelly, managing director, IDEO, and author, The Art of Innovation

7. What have you learnt about yourself as you serve in that organisation?

I have learnt that being prudent pays!

8. What have you sacrificed for success?

Leisure, pleasure and comfort.

9. What do you consider your favourite achievement?

Having the tenacity to grow my business from the scratch to where it is today.

10. What is your motto?

No man is an island.

Interview by Daniel Udechukwu

group

ceoConfidential ASST. EDITOR Daniel Udechukwu CORRESPONDENT Salome Anyasodo REPORTER Olusola Olujide GRAPHICS Matthew Akhabue

1. What business do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

Transport business; because most transport companies in Nigeria have not lived up to expectations. More so in the area of effective service delivery.

2. Which TV or movie character would you like to go into business with?

Cyril Stober of the Nigerian Television Authority.

He is a core professional 3. If you were to start your own political party, what would be the platform?

It would be a highly conservative political party like the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa that strongly supports capitalism.

4. Whom would you trade places with?

The vice president of Nigeria, Architect Namandi Sambo. An honest and intelligent man with integrity.

5.It’s 8 p.m. and you are travelling alone on business. What do you do all night?

Relax a lot so as to conserve some energy that will carry me throughout tomorrow, then carefully map out my itinerary for the day.

6. If you could time-travel, where would you be.

I would still be in my beloved country Nigeria but doing things differently.

ACTING EDITOR Auwal Sa'id Mu'azu

FOUNDER Sam Nda-Isaiah CHAIRMAN Hajiya Ireti Kingibe GRP MANAGING DIRECTOR Azubuike Ishiekwene GRP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Michael Okpere, Dr. Kazeem Durodoye

A number of the articles here are sourced from diverse sources.

Feedback & enquiries ceoconfidential@leadership.ng

CEOConfidential

Sunday, September 21, 2014

27

popular with CEOs Compiled by Salome Anyasodo

The Recommender What are the business quotes for this week that make sense or are just humourous?

A Brief Guide Don’t know what you want to see, hear, smell taste and feel?

Don’t worry we did it for you.

SEE The HundredFoot Journey

A refugee camp in Kenya

Some refugees queuing for food

Coping with refugees in Africa With various diseases fighting the survival of Africa, along with so much insecurity and insurgence, statistics have shown that a huge number of members of the African continent have become refugees in their own land. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, (UNHCR) 45.2million people were forcibly displaced by the end of last year.

In many parts of Africa, access to people of concern is limited by insecurity, lack of rule of law, a dearth of even the most basic infrastructure, such as passable roads, and environmental challenges, including heavy and erratic rainfall. Sometimes, the access challenges can be overcome by airlifting supplies and staff, as for example in South Sudan and Chad, however, this makes operations very costly. In other instances, as for example in the Central African Republic, Sudan and Somalia, access to parts of the

Andrews

BIZ Lingo

country remains limited, with UNHCR and its various partners taking advantage of every small window of opportunity to bring humanitarian assistance to people of concern.

However, UNHCR’s financial requirements in Africa have continued to grow over the last few years, rising from $1.2 bn in 2010 to a revised 2013 budget of $1.9 bn. Yet funding has not kept pace with needs, which have grown due both to the many new emergencies and to accrued efforts to find durable solutions for refugees in protracted situations.

Conflict, violence and human rights abuses continue to create new displacement emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa. UNHCR foresees providing protection and assistance for nearly 3.4 million of refugees and asylumseekers in 2014, compared to some 3.1 million in 2012. Some 5.4 million internally displaced people (IDPs), mainly in the Democratic Republic of the

Barry Andrews GOAL CEO “The world’s reaction to humanitarian crises has gradually got worse, rather than better, since Rwanda. And frankly, this is shameful.”

Guterres

Congo (DRC), Mali, Somalia and Sudan, will also be in need of protection and assistance. In sum, it is expected that a total of some 11 million people will be of concern to UNHCR in Africa in 2014, including stateless people and returnees.

There are opportunities to realise durable solutions for refugees in different parts of Africa. Building on progress over the last three years in implementing comprehensive solutions for Angolan, Liberian and Rwandan refugees.

UNHCR should build a more favourable protection environment by ensuring that people of concern can avail themselves of fair protection processes and receive documentation. In recent emergencies, many States have generously provided refugee protection on a prima facie basis to large numbers of people fleeing the violence in their home states to safer terrains.

Antonio Guterres, The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, “The problem of protracted refugee situations has reached enormous proportions, the vast majority of them are in African and Asian countries which are struggling to meet the needs of their own citizens.”

Of course, there’s a different law for the rich and the poor: otherwise, who would go into business?

E.Ralph Stewart, Educationist Price is what you pay, value is what you get. ben graham,

Investor

the jargon of peacekeeping and law enforcement, where it originates, the verb deconflict can give rise to puzzlement, and some still argue that it isn’t a real word at all (“a made-up term used by idiotic managers” is Urban Dictionary.com’s definition). It means to allocate resources or reroute in order to prevent systems or vehicles from interfering

or actually colliding with each other. After taking a decade to make the transition from the technical sphere, used first in specialist processes like automated trading and gaming, then by therapists and, oddly, by theological theorists, it has now reached the office environment, where hapless functionaries compete to deploy it, either baffling or embarrassing their colleagues.

hear Olusegun Aganga, minister of industry, trade and investments, at the Made-in-Nigeria Summit, Exhibition and Awards

The event organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments in partneship with Nigerian Export Promotion Council; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria will provide lots of opportunities for participants.

The summit takes place at Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton , Abuja on October 9t-10t, 2014.

taste The strike is the weapon of the oppressed, of men capable of appreciating justice and having the courage to resist wrong and contend for principle. eugene debs ,

Founder of American Railroad Union

De-conflict

Corporate types like to think that they operate with military precision even when they are really just diarising or improvising an IT fix, hence: “Failure to de-conflict the interoperability of multiplatform software could cost us millions!” or “There’s a problem with the conference attendance schedule, we need a de-confliction strategy urgently!” Even in

The 122 minutes action/adventure motive is about Hassan Kadam, a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. When Hassan and his family, led by Papa, move to a quaint village in the South of France with the grand plan of opening an Indian restaurant in the picturesque countryside, they are undeterred by the fact that only 100 feet opposite stands.

Mallorcan ensaïmades, dusted with icing

The light pastry spirals dusted with icing sugar that flake perfectly. A sweet pumpkin paste, also sometimes chocolate, apricot, cream and marzipan versions are also sprinkled.

FEEL Tour de Eiffel

A high-speed Channel Tunnel train takes one to the sights in Paris. Overlooking the avenues from the Arc de Triomphe, seeing the Louvre or Versailles and a beautiful church or two is the least one can do.

SMELL

An unemployed existence is a worse negation of life than death itself jose ortega gasset,

Philosopher

Baiser Vole Cartier for women

With the first drop of fragrance, one encounters the scented pistils of the lily, the heart beats with refined and elegant lily petals, while the base notes offer green leaves of lily. The fragrance is available in an elegant glass bottle with golden stopper.

28

CEOConfidential

Sunday, September 21, 2014

The ceoConfidential interview Osagbemi’s fervour for success The enthusiastic and multi-talented young entrepreneur shares her principles of success. inTeRVieW saLOme anYasODO

OSAGBEMI IN SHORT

Oluwaseun Osagbemi is the CEO of Winse Décor.

Osagbemi has a B.Sc. in Political Science, and bagged her M.Sc. in Business Management, both from the University Of Lagos. She further acquired a Diploma in Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute in San Francisco.

Her other experiences culminates from Cotecna Destination Inspection, Lagos, where she served as Verification Order Officer amongst others.

She is a member of the San Francisco Institute of Interior Designers; member of Association of Interior Designer Nigeria, and student member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).

Osagbemi is married.

I start each day with morning devotion...

I am not a routine person; every day is unique. I start each day with morning devotion. No matter how early my day starts, I try to commune with my God because without Him, I cannot boast of a great day.

My typical day usually have activities such as visiting work locations, source for design materials, prepare proposals, check e-mails and other correspondences. Lately, I have been very busy with setting up my showroom.

Most weeks, I try to take a day off – either Monday or Friday – because of the peculiarity of the industry.

And sometimes I work during the weekend.

God and my family are involved with my work and that puts us all on the same page...

It is very important to remember that all these are closely knitted. First of all, without God nothing is possible. Also, you need

the affirmation of your family to excel. It is the belief they have in your dream that creates the space they give you to work.

I recognise these different elements of life; resolving the dependencies help me balance them. God and my family are involved with my work and that puts us all on the same page.

When I am not working, I am in front of the Television relaxing.

Winse Décor…

The company is an interior design and decoration organisation. We pride ourselves in delivering world-class spaces at the most reasonable budget. With a team of experienced and certified design and decoration experts, we have delivered quality and beautiful habitations for over two years now. Our values as recognised by our clients are creativity in thought, approach, solutions and finished products. Also, we pay attention to details and deliver service quickly.

CEOConfidential

Sunday, September 21, 2014

45

Osagbemi On CHaLLenges

Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful

Our goal is to be the best and most affordable interior design firm in Africa. Also, we want to foster a long-term relationship based on performance and trust.

We have our eyes on other climes.

Challenges only test your strength…

Every project comes with its own challenges.

However, challenges only test your strength.

Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

The main challenge we’ve had is with staff commitment to timely project completion.

Sometimes, we have multiple projects with same time-frame for execution. We have engaged in massive staff re-orientation and this is achieving good result.

Sometimes we have had to use temporary workers to augment. Challenges help to know how flexible you are.

The constant thing in life is change...

I love learning new things and I get so passionate about it. I am an enthusiastic and multi-passionate young entrepreneur, who believes in hard work, and I do not believe in the word ‘impossible’. That is why I love creativity and innovation. The constant thing in life is change.

I believe a woman should work. I believe there are lots to be done. A lot of people have great ideas

but are always scared to start. No matter how hard it may look, someone has done it and has excelled in it. So for me, failure is not a threat at all.

My corporate social responsibility to the society is to take in a free student every year…

With the new interior school and plans to empower young people, I want to make the younger generation believe in themselves. I want them to see the much they can achieve with little.

Therefore, our corporate social responsibility to the society is to take in a free student every year and empower him or her.

Always believe in yourself…

For anyone who is thinking on how to start that line of business, my advice and encouragement is that all you need to do is start.

Even from your sitting room, make a change around. Throw some colours into that boring space and you will see comments springing forth from families and friends. Other things will fall into place and the sky will be your limit. Always believe in yourself. This is very important. Set your goals right and work effortlessly without distraction towards achieving them. Moreso, do not be scared of anything, especially failing. These principles, brought me this far and has kept me going.

CEOConfidential

Sunday, September 21, 2014

initiatives

29

Lere Baale, lerebaale@gmail.com

Leadership Inspiration Series for Excellence (LIFE Series)

Leadership competency as the greatest driver of Africa’s development (I) “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.”

– Aristotle Africa has traditionally been the cradle of great leadership. Many African leaders are well known around the world – including Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, etc to name a few.

Africa’s contribution to leadership philosophy has also been remarkable. Two examples: Africa was the birth- place of Ubuntu – the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. It also gave rise to Satyagraha and the notion of passive resistance, which Gandhi developed while living in Africa. Both are known around the world.

Today, though, the demand for effective leadership and systematic leadership development in Africa is growing more rapidly than ever before. A critical shortage of upcoming leaders is responsible for the underdevelopment of nations and organisations

OTHER BIZ

Bridges

in many African countries (Ugwuegbu, 2001). They are under- performing compared to their potential and could improve their performance by strengthening their leadership.

“While business leaders in Africa today are excited by the many opportunities we see on our continent, tapping into these opportunities requires significant skill.

As international companies rush to conquer this new frontier, being internationally competitive and world-class is an absolute requirement.

Developing appropri- ate offerings, mobilising staff and aligning business partners in different countries adds complexity at all levels of leadership.

Preparing the organisation for the leadership challenges of tomorrow is the chief concern of CEOs in ambitious organisations.”

However, the growing frustrations of some of African’s generations can be aptly described in the words of Sebastian Dick Kobla Nukpui, the CEO of Gavor Consults

‘While business leaders in Africa today are excited by the many opportunities we see on our continent, tapping into these opportunities requires significant skill’ International in September 2011.

“The greatest challenge facing my nation today is very simply a lack of dynamic, proactive and visionary leadership. I am 57 going on to 58 and I can say without a shadow of doubt that my generation and the generation before me has failed dismally.

Leadership in my country (and I suspect for the rest of my continent) is fatally flawed, remarkably mediocre, visionless, directionless and clueless.

The comparisons that we make are always to those below us and never to those above us to whom we should aspire to emulate.

No wonder we end up patting ourselves on the back for achievement and award ourselves badges of excellence and honour. It is clearly a case of “In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king”.

Meanwhile, all around us

is deprivation and squalor, poverty and disease, ignorance and failure”.

One of the books that made such a great impact on me as an undergraduate in the 70s is Walter Rodney’s book “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”. I quickly joined various groups seeking for the emancipation of Africa.

Our slogans ranged from “Aluta continua, victoria a certa”…to “For the masses”. Major outspoken individuals wrote or spoke on how we could help free Africa from bondage of the Colonialists from the Western world. We had the likes of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen Garba, Aminu Kano, Balarabe Musa, Partrick Wilmot, Ayodele Awojobi, David Tam West, Chike Obi, Tai Solarin, Pan Africanist Fela Anikulapo Kuti etc, helping to shape our

understanding as youths, that the colonialists were responsible for the underdevelopment of Africa.

Of recent, another write up on “How Africans under-develop Africa” by S. S. Wakdok, convinced me that African Leaders are responsible for today’s African economic and socio cultural challenges, after three decades of being brainwashed that the Colonialist were responsible for all African problems.

Of course the West has exploited and still exploits Africa; her land, resources and people, but have they always done this alone? Has the West whether as explorers or colonialists, as investors or neo-colonialists, as Aid providers or Creditors succeeded in exploiting Africa without the active collaboration of Africans? to be CoNtiNued Next week

This 12-year-old CEO runs a $150,000 business We could all learn a lot about business and life from Moziah Bridges. In the past three years, while his classmates were doing homework and playing sports, Moziah Bridges built himself a $150,000 business.

That is right--he started his business when he was 9 years old. Not yet a teenager, Bridges now has five staff members and has received a ton of media attention, from an appearance on the TV show Shark Tank to features in O magazine and Vogue.

“I like to wear bow ties, because

they make me look good and feel good,” Bridges writes on his website.

“Designing a colourful bow tie is just part of my vision to make the world a fun and happier place.”

Ever the fashionista, he’s revelled in style from a young age. At four years old, Bridges wore a suit and tie whenever possible and insisted on dressing himself.

His business, Mo’s Bows, was born of his love for bow ties and his dissatisfaction with the selection available for kids his age. Even worse than the poor colour

selection, they were all clip-ons--Bridges believed real men should tie their own ties. His grandmother taught him to sew by hand and to use a sewing machine, using scraps to create his favourite neckwear.

Within a few months, he had created his own collection of more than two dozen bow ties. Friends and family fell in love with his creations. Bridges upped his production, fashioning tidy bow ties from his grandmother’s vintage fabrics in an array of floral and African prints, and even scraps of old taffeta dresses.

30 CEOConfidential

Sunday, September 21, 2014

situation reports Compiled by Olujide Olusola

Brand Beginnings The L’Oréal Group: The body shop

T

he L’Oréal Group is a French cosmetics and beauty company, with headquarter in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine. It is the world’s largest cosmetics company, and has a registered office in Paris. It has developed activities in the field of cosmetics, concentrating on hair colour, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfumes and hair care, the company is active in the dermatological, tissue engineering and pharmaceutical fields and is the top nanotechnology patent-holder in the United States.

Who they are L’Oréal SA engages in the manufacture and sale of beauty and hair products. It operates through the following segments: Professional Products, Consumer Products, L’Oréal Luxury, and Active Cosmetics. The Professional Products segment manufactures products which are used and sold in hair salons. The Consumer Products segment offers beauty and care products for men and women which are sold in mass market retail channels. The L’Oréal Luxury segment markets high-end skin care and beauty products in selective retail outlets such as department stores, perfumeries, and travel retail. The Active Cosmetics segment offers dermocosmetic skincare products which are sold in pharmacies and specialist sections of drugstores. The company was founded by Eugéne Schueller in 1909 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Corporate Social Responsibility In 2009, L’Oréal declared their intention to cut greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and waste by 50 per cent over the period 20052015 – a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that is to be in part achieved by the use of solar panels, biogas and electricity and hot water produced from the combustion of methane gas recovered from agricultural waste. In 2012, the company announced a 37.1 per cent reduction

Management IDEAS Entrepreneurs fizz with ideas. They take chances.

They’re driven, energetic, nimble and inspiring.

Big business is- well, it’s big. Its first instinct is to protect itself, so it’s careful and conservative. Its slow to respond and quick to squelch daring ideas. How

in C02 Emissions, a 24 per cent reduction in water consumption and a 22% reduction in transportable waste, and was named a sector leader by Climate Counts for its practices and achievements in the management of carbon emissions. In 2014, L’Oréal made the commitment to ensure that none of its products are linked to deforestation and to source 100 per cent renewable raw materials by 2020. The group was included in the Corporate Knights “Global 100” list of the 100 most sustainable companies Social marketing L’Oréal has a staff of 400 people who post content on Facebook every day, according to Marc Menesguen, the company’s chief marketing officer.

Litigation On 11 August 2005, the Supreme Court of California ruled that former L’Oréal sales manager Elyse Yanowitz had adequately pleaded a cause of action for retaliatory termination under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and remanded the case for trial. The case arose out of a 1997 incident in which Jack Wiswall, then the general manager for designer fragrances, allegedly told Yanowitz to fire a dark-skinned sales associate despite the associate’s good performance. When Yanowitz refused, Wiswall pointed to a “sexy” blonde-haired woman and said “God damn it, get me one that looks like that.” Wiswall retired as president of the luxury products division of L’Oréal USA at the end of 2006.

The company has recently faced discrimination lawsuits in France related to the hiring of spokesmodels and institutional racism. In July 2007, the Garnier division and an external employment agency were fined €30,000 for recruitment practices that intentionally excluded non-white women from promoting its shampoo, “Fructis Style”. L’Oréal is reported as saying the decision was “incomprehensible”, and would challenge the measure in court.

Entrepreneurship do you ignite the spirit of the entrepreneur inside something like that? It’s not easy, but there is an answer: ‘corporate entrepreneurship’.

The most compelling reason for large companies to become more entrepreneurial is to spot opportunities in their own market before

anyone else does. Larger companies are often present in multiple markets, which mean they must keep many eyes peeled. Somewhere out there will be a more focused potential competitor who, even now may be preparing to make your current customer solution obsolete.

LEADERSHIP TRAITS

The one leadership trait many businesses are missing How could a decorated war surgeon and leader of the best cardiac care clinic in the country possibly have more to learn about leadership?

Ten years ago, right before he became CEO of the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, 65-year-old Dr. Toby Cosgrove had good reason to believe he’d already acquired all the knowledge and wisdom he needed to excel in his new role.

The man, who recently was President Obama’s first choice to take over the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs following the resignation of General Erik Shinseki, could not have been more qualified for the position. And few people in his field, moreover on the planet, had amassed a more stunning list of career achievements.

Dr. Cosgrove had earned a Bronze Star as a Vietnam surgeon. He’d performed 22,000 surgeries, patented 30 different medical inventions, created a highly profitable venture capital group, written 450 journal articles, and led the clinic’s cardiac care team that U.S. News & World News Report named best in the nation for 20 consecutive years.

But as Dr. Cosgrove shared with me recently, soon after he took on the job he painfully discovered there was one essential leadership lesson he’d yet to learn. And it was largely a result of this late-in-life epiphany that he was able to transform the Cleveland Clinic into one of the most admired, engaged, and profitable health care organisations in the world.

Lessons in empathy The Harvard Business School was so impressed with the decades-long success of the Clinic’s heart care program that they invited Dr. Cosgrove to participate in a case study at its Cambridge campus.

While standing on a stage in an auditorium filled with students and faculty,

Dr Toby Cosgrove

fielding questions in what should have been an entirely celebratory experience, he called on a woman who’d raised her hand.

“My father is a doctor too,” she said, “and he has mitral valve disease. After doing research, we know you’ve done more of this kind of surgery than anybody else in the country. But we finally decided not to come to you because we heard you didn’t have any empathy.

Dr. Cosgrove, do you teach empathy at the Cleveland Clinic?”

The student’s question left him shocked and momentarily speechless. But it was 10 days later, at the inauguration of the clinic’s new facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where yet another striking experience forced him to fully confront the question.

“The president of our new hospital went to the podium to make some remarks,” Dr. Cosgrove told me, “and he told everyone in the audience, ‘This new clinic is dedicated to the body, and the soul, and the spirit of its patients.’”

When Dr. Cosgrove looked over at the hospital’s sponsors, he saw that both the Saudi King and Crown Prince were weeping. “What I understood in that very moment was that those tears were expressions of sheer gratitude--for the fact that we intended to care for much more than a patient’s physical body,” he said.

CONTINUES NEXT WEEK