The Nation May 24, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

FG moves to extradite Danjuma to Buruji Kashamu to US Buhari: Probe Jonathan govt Page 6

NDLEA agents lay Under house PDP Senator-Elect AGF Adoke: Nigeria day-long siege to arrest, to appear threatened suicide received formal extradition his Lagos home in court tomorrow to stave off arrest request from US Page 4

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.09, No. 3225

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

MAY 24, 2015

N200.00

BUHARI REJECTS ROLLS ROYCE IN LONDON Page 5 FUEL SCARCITY

Okonjo-Iweala vows not to pay marketers Calls N159bn subsidy payment claims fraudulent Page 4

•Senator George Akume embraces All Progressives Congress (APC) National leader, Asiwaji Bola Tinubu while Senator Ahmad Lawan looks on following the announcement of their partnership in Abuja yesterday.

•Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar middle, flanked by Senators Lawan and Akume when a group of APC senators-elect visited him to present a resolution adopting Lawan as consensus candidate for the Senate Presidency in Abuja yesterday.

Senate Presidency: Lawan, Akume join forces

Saraki kicks, claims backing of 35 APC senators Page 4

EKITI: POLICE, HUNTERS RESCUE 11 KIDNAP VICTIMS

Page 5

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

UN chief urges Nigeria to help Boko Haram victims

CAPTURED

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NITED Nations (UN) SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon wants Nigeria to step up medical and psychological aid to survivors of Boko Haram attacks and victims of rape.

Nigeria’s military, backed by its neighbors, has liberated a series of towns from Boko Haram control in an operation launched in February.

Women and girls have since come forward with testimony of horrific rape and sexual violence while residents have given accounts of children being used as suicide bombers.

Ban speaking on Friday said he was “appalled” by the victims’ accounts and called on “the government of Nigeria to scale up the provision of medical and psychosocial support to the survivors.”

International Committee of the Red Cross president Peter Maurer on Thursday described Boko Haram violence as “one of the most serious humanitarian crises in Africa” and called for additional funding to help victims.

“Whole communities have fled their villages and endured unimaginable suffering...They need support far beyond what the ICRC can provide, yet in many hard-hit places we find ourselves alone,” said Maurer after a visit to affected regions.

The United Nations has criticised Nigeria’s handling of the Boko Haram crisis, noting that the military had been slow to respond to the violence.

London calling President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to London on Friday was a surprise to many. He pulled another surprise by popping up at No. ? Street. ? ? Britain's ? ?Prime?Minister ? David ? Cameron ? ?(L) speaks ? with ? him?following ? their ? meeting ? ? London, ? yesterday. ? ?

10? Downing Here, in? central PHOTO: AFP / LEON NEAL

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S a student of Government Secondary School, Zaria City, Barometer had for four years watched as one house prefect after another delivered their valedictory speeches, usually in the form of dreadful mea culpas. At such humbling and often melodramatic moments, once highly venerated and unassailably powerful prefects climbed down from their high horses, ate crow, and in sombre, gentle voices proceeded to salve their tortured consciences with soothing, plaintive words.

Students, in those innocent days, could not judge the sincerity of the prefects: whether they were being true to their innermost feelings, or they were just going through the motions of what they themselves had come to accept as a subculture. As House Captain of Galadima House in the 1970s, Barometer found himself unavoidably organising one such valedictory, of course under a haze of the prefectural subculture afore-

sunday@thenationonlineng.net

Jonathan relives our college past said.

After acknowledging the cooperation of his assistant prefects and members of the dormitory, Barometer simply launched into other issues, staunchly refusing to apologise for any hurt done anyone.

He rebelled against the useless culture of mea culpas, believing genuinely that the prestige of prefectship, especially that of a House Captain, was too important, too weighty, and too honourable to be dragged through the mud of maudlin rituals. Whether house members thought him arrogant or just plain iconoclastic, Barometer was never able to find out.

But he had pleased himself mightily, and, well, got away with it. He was not stoned, nor was he derided as he left the school for the last time a day

later.

Until President Goodluck Jonathan last Sunday reminded us of the college culture of our youthful, unquestioning and sentimental past, we had nearly

forgotten about it completely.

While it is true no one is perfect, as the president put it boyishly during the farewell service held in his honour at the Aso Villa Chapel in Abuja last Sunday, and everyone capable of hindsight always knew one thing or the other he would have done differently, surely we remember that no Nigerian president, living or dead, gave such apologies save in memoirs many years after leaving office, and even then in muted and graceful regrets. Most of them, by the way, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, have after leaving office stuck dishonourably to their lies and failings, even attempting to rationalise them.

But hear President Jonathan: “Nothing is perfect; if you wait for perfection, you

cannot achieve anything. No system is perfect. Every human system has an element of imperfection. So, for the eight years that I have been here as Vice-President, acting President and President, I can say that no one is perfect. We have done certain things that probably we shouldn’t have done, but we didn’t do them deliberately. So, for those that we offended, it was not deliberate; it was as a result of the exigencies of the office.” How did this humble pie taste in the mouth of the president?

It’s all morally and sentimentally great to apologise, for after all, it is true no one is perfect, and we are often wise after the event. And for President Jonathan, given his considerable lack of administrative suavity and acumen, there

And Dame Patience embraces paradox

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HILE her husband romped in apologies, Dame Patience, at the same farewell service, chose instead to wax spiritual and philosophical in finding meaning and purpose to her life and politics.

Dispensing with history and policy in her own flashback, both of which are arcana to her, she simply talked religion and contextualised and interpreted her politics in the theology she was abundantly familiar with. To her, the most germane experience of her first ladyship was the dramatic recovery she experienced in her fight with illness

the moment her husband lost the election.

In case you did not understand, she spoke amply, not for the first time of course, about how former occupants of the Nigerian seat of power had assumed office a couple but left either a widower or a widow.

Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa died in office, so, too, did military Heads of State Aguiyi Ironsi, Murtala Mohammed and Sani Abacha, while Olusegun Obasanjo lost his wife. It seemed at a point she would also die from the fabled curse, she insinuated, especially after enduring 12 surgeries in one month.

But after her husband had lost

the election, and she packed out of the State House, the last major surgical intervention she was to have turned out a miracle. The ailment, or whatever it was that troubled her, had vanished, she gasped in excitement.

Two things were remarkable about Dame Patience’s testimonies, as impressive as she made them. One is that neither she nor her husband apparently knew the significance of the highest office in the land. The First Family told a distinct lie about the surgeries she had had two years ago, when she gave the impression she went abroad to rest.

The last surgery she was to have after her husband lost reelection

was also kept out of public view for reasons not too far removed from superstition. Secondly, but perhaps happily, she and her husband have reconciled themselves to their electoral loss, considering that she in particular miraculously gained her health back. Had her husband not lost, she hinted, who knows, maybe she would be battling more surgeries, or something far worse and terminal.

Dame Patience entertained Nigerians with grammar, personal irreverence, and quaint philosophy. And her husband regaled us with his gaffes and frequent talk of self-impor-

tance. If in the coming years we have shortage of mirth in our politics, we should rue our loss and rehabilitate the unusual Jonathans who gave us capital entertainment free of charge for more than five years.

are hundreds of things needing absolution. Though he prides himself a pacesetter, for example, as the first president to concede election defeat, it is doubtful whether his dramatic apologies pass for the kind of iconoclasm Nigerians hope would ennoble the highest office in the land. Had President Jonathan availed himself the biographies of his predecessors, which are admittedly not inspiring, or appreciated the highly nuanced and metaphysical accoutrements of power, he would have recognised its stately dignity, its imponderable gravitas, its sweepingly ramifying essence, bordering on the ethereal.

During the same farewell service last Sunday at the Villa Chapel, a young girl, Juliette Ishola, reading from 1 Timothy 6:6-7, insinuated grander nobility and motives into President Jonathan’s concession of election defeat. In a dramatic fashion, obviously a reflection of what she was tutored to do, Juliette, according to a newspaper report, turned to the president and remarked his understanding of the lesson in that provoking Bible passage. Her performance relieved not only the tedium of that all-important last service at the Villa Chapel, it was probably the highpoint of that great occasion. Whoever tutored Juliette doubtless recognised the meaning and temper of that last service far more than the president’s excursion into college subculture suggested. As prefects knew in those days, those hurt by their actions would not forgive them simply because they asked for forgiveness.

Surely, the president can’t feign ignorance.

By ADEKUNLE ADE-ADELEYE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

COLUMN

The autumn of the young patriarch B

Y this time next week, the Goodluck Jonathan presidency would have become history. And what a history this has been! As the whole country, in phenomenal darkness, wearily inches its way towards the excruciating finale, there is cause for sober reflection.

Never in the history of this country have things been this terrible. We have finally arrived at the bottom of the terrible pit of hell. It is a sad commentary on the greatest conglomeration of Black souls anywhere in the world.

There is good luck and there is good luck. As the good old Greeks would have put it, call no man lucky until he has carried his luck to his grave. Like a Shakespearean play, life is full of strange twists and even more remarkable turns. The very combination of lucky circumstances that has propelled the formerly shoeless boy from Otueke to the pinnacle of electoral fortunes in his country has also made him the first sitting Nigerian ruler to be electorally dismissed.

It doesn’t get more Delphic.

But the Jonathan story is still unfolding. As the youngest patriarch among the paleontology of underachieving paterfamilias, Jonathan may yet surprise us as a statesman where he has disappointed as a political practitioner. It may well be that Jonathan is more temperamentally suited to the elevated art of statesmanship than the dark science of political magic.

Nevertheless, we must return an interim verdict on the Jonathan years, and it is as damning in its dismal details as it is as disagreeable and even disgraceful in its essence. Never in the history of Nigeria has there been a more divisive and polarizing president. Never has such incompetence combined with cluelessness and such in your face impunity coupled with sheer vindictive malice.

Jonathan leaves behind a country that is so badly distorted politically, economically and spiritually that it will amount to a wry understatement to conclude that the country is in the grip of a deep systemic rot. It is much worse.

But however much we rail at him, however much we excoriate him in anger and deep disappointment, we are also railing at and excoriating ourselves. Jonathan is the ultimate product of a deeply disfigured polity and a luckless pawn at that. At any point in time, a ruler is the sum total of the strengths and weaknesses of the polity that throws him up and an accurate reflection of the forces at

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N the post-colonial coliseum, one ethnic group’s hero is another ethnic group’s villain.

Since the passing of the late Abia senator and fabled Biafran propagandist, snooper has received several calls and a few mischievous prodding to make his views known about the passing of the marximally bearded one. Up till this moment, columnist has declined citing rising tension of an ethnic nature. It is not the business of a responsible columnist to exacerbate or fan the embers of ethnic unease.

But now that the mortal remains of the man known as “Sikiru Meje” among Lagos market women during the June 12 crisis has been committed to mother earth, we are in a position to divulge one or two things. Snooper was an early but not a later fan of Uche Chukwumerije. There are certain indiscretions that can be understood and forgiven when placed in proper perspective but not com-

•Jonathan

play and the balance of power. A system which allows a few privileged military officers to annul the electoral will of a whole country and which permits some demented autocrats to impose their political choice on the nation is bound to throw up a Jonathan as the end product of political infamy.

So here we are at the very nadir of our political and economic fortunes. The good news is that hubris has finally met its match in a resurgence of national will and a reawakening of national consciousness. Perhaps we had to get to this gate of hell in order to come back to our senses.

Nothing concentrates the collective mind of a nation more than the thought of imminent extinction. The very idea of God’s own people or God’s own nation is one of the pious and energizing myths of national creation. Nations are not products of divine proclamations but products of human will and self-surpassing exertions.

By early 2012 and at the time of the petroleum subsidy hoax which has now returned in all its horrifying dimensions to see off Jonathan, it was clear to all discerning folks that Nigeria had a problem ruler on its laps. By that time, this column had

a full measure of its man, describing Jonathan as a boy-emperor handed a toy rigged with explosives. It is perhaps owing to this nation’s legendary luck and the close attention of the international community that Jonathan was prevented from detonating himself and the nation along.

Those who fought valiantly on the streets and in smoke-filled rooms of endless strategizing to rescue him and the nation from the clutches of an overreaching cabal became Jonathan’s sworn enemies. As he came under the spell and political sorcery of tribal hegemonists and clueless power neophytes, Jonathan began playing the ethnic and religious card in such a derisive and abysmal manner that the pan-Nigerian coalition on which he rode to power gave way completely, leaving him at the mercy of infantile thugs and some senile political delinquents.

From then on, it was one constitutional infraction after another; one act of daring impunity after another; one assault on the institutional integrity of the country’s judicial and legislative foundation after another.

At a point, it seems as if Jonathan derives a sadistic pleasure in cocking a snook at the country’s old

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu power establishment and the relish of the psychologically tormented in imposing disorder on fragile order.

Like a chap who killed his parents and asked the court to set him free on the grounds that he was an orphan, the chutzpah was quite breathtaking in its brazen audacity.

Yet it was all clear where it was leading. A rising power formation is one thing but a power bloc is another. Jonathan’s ethnic group might have been the ascendant power formation but it had not yet solidified and cohered into a durable power bloc. Power blocs are made of sterner stuff.

In a multi-ethnic post-colonial nation with multiplicities of countervailing and mutually cancelling power centres, it takes intricate networking, durable bridgebuilding and exemplary wheeling and dealing to cobble together a dominant power bloc. You cannot serially insult and humiliate a people publicly only to turn round when elections were approaching with bales of dollar to bribe their renegade leaders. Jonathan has been taught an elementary lesson in power politics.

Even after allowances might have been made for defects of character and personality, it is only the remarkable structural disfigurement of the country that can explain how Jonathan became president in the first instance and why he became such a horrendous presidential disaster with such damning disclaimers even from the normally diplomatic international community.

Standing logic and rationality on their head, Jonathan’s rabid partisans have been hollering that by conceding defeat at the time he did, he has snatched eternal victory from the jaws of bitter defeat. The question to ask is whether he had any real choice in the matter. The morphine of power addiction often wears off in the wake of imminent self-destruction. The eternal catch22 logic suggests that one’s concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers real and immediate is the process of a rational mind. Lucidity intervenes in the face of political morbidity.

In the nearest future, we will know what really happened. As a means of easing off hapless and heedless African rulers who are about to detonate their country, the international community normally

On the late Uche Chukwumerije pletely forgotten.

When words reached us in the US that Comrade Chukwumerije had become a senator of the Federal Republic, snooper had wondered aloud whether there would have been a senate to go if the market had shut down as he pronounced in the course of his virulent hatefilled campaign against the validation of the June 12 presidential mandate.

The pity of it all was that Uche’s metamorphosis from sterling Stalinist to a mesmerizing messenger of military mendacity caught everyone by surprise, particularly some of us his ardent fans. As a youthful youth corper serving in his village in 1975, snooper remembered kneeling down before the mighty statue of Chukwumerije the elder at Mbala, Isuochi and thanking god for blessing the nation with such an illustrious clan. From the size of the

compound and the statue, it was obvious that Uche was the scion of a prosperous lineage.

By 1993, snooper has crossed swords with Chukwumerije in the heat of the annulment of the presidential election. As the on the ground columnist of the underground newspaper, Tempo, yours sincerely came down on the comrade, dismissing him as “a psychological hooligan” for imposing what was recently described by Olatunji Dare as a “psychosis of fear” on the entire country in a NAZI-like psych-op.

In 1995, yours sincerely found himself in Mbala once again after a twenty year absence. This time it was attend the wedding of an old classmate and bosom friend, Patrick Ndukwe. His brilliant career cruelly terminated by early death, Ndukwe was easily one of the most accomplished scholars of Linguistics ever

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thrown up by this country. Although there was plenty of time and ample opportunity to do so, visiting the Chukwumerije homestead was the farthest thing on one’s mind. The pain and poison lingered.

Yet it was a tribute to elite integration in this country that outside of his immediate family, the two close friends who attended Pat’s wedding were myself and the inevitable L.Y Shalangwa as at then the Deputy Postmaster General of the federation.

These are the redemptive resources of elite consolidation and cohesion that we carelessly throw away in this country as a result of futile ethnic sabre-rattling and inordinate elite greed.

There are extenuating circumstances for Chukwumerije’s conduct during the June 12 palaver. First was a belief prevalent among the Nigerian left at that point in time that the entire Babangida Transition pro-

offers political sweeteners. In the heat of the battle for Monrovia, the illiterate and abject Samuel Doe was rumoured to have been promised a prestigious American fellowship.

Valentine Strasser, a former disc jockey in Freetown who became head of state through the instrumentality of military brigandage, was given a scholarship to study in one of Britain’s leading universities.

Strasser accepted while Doe demurred only to be brutally dispatched shortly thereafter. But at the last check, Strasser was living in a hovel outside Freetown with his mother. Sierra Leoneans do not even want to be reminded of the period, not to talk remembering or honouring him as a former head of state.

Statesmanship is not a title or honour to be bequeathed. It is earned. Exemplary leadership is not a function of an isolated instance of grace and common sense but the cumulative hulk of good and noble deeds accruing over a period. Judging by the havoc and mayhem he has wreaked on the country in the last six years, it is clear that Jonathan is neither a statesman nor an exemplary leader.

It is instructive that so soon after conceding defeat, Jonathan, like somebody recovering from a benign trance, simply reverted to his default mode of petty malice and vindictive witch hunting, deliberately loading the dice of destabilization against his successor and conqueror through questionable appointments and even more questionable confirmations while abandoning real governance. If General Buhari were to respond in kind, then Nigerians must brace themselves for a stormy session of outlandish revelations ahead.

But after all atonements have been made, let us be ready to forgive the man from Otuoke. A man cannot give what he doesn’t have.

He has been plucked from nowhere by the power protocol and thrown into a brutal coliseum that he could barely comprehend. We must now return to the original labours of our founding fathers who were not just politicians but theorists of the state.

Given the systemic rot, the promise of good governance emblematized

by Mohammadu Buhari may just not be enough. Nigeria needs a new architecture of the state. Let that old debate which was terminated in 1962 now resume in earnest. gramme and Abiola’s purported triumph was a classic instance of bourgeois chicanery with no bearing on the country’s real problems. It can be argued that the late comrade was only being true to some deeply held ideological conviction.

The second was what was widely perceived as the post-civil war isolation, alienation and failure to rehabilitate and restore to national parity of the most significant sections of the Igbo intellectual class.

Despite great strides, there are people who believe that the imbalance persists till date with the wounded and affronted roaming the wild in dark and paranoid fury.

Whether this was enough justification for what Chukwumerije did remains to be seen, and whether his subsequent starring performance as a senator in the same “bourgeois” parliament he had tried to abort in vitro can atone for his earlier infraction is left to history to judge .Let the comrade now depart to meet his maker.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

NEWS

HE federal government is spoiling for a fresh showdown with oil importers over subsidy payment.

This is coming as there is no end in sight yet for the current face off between the two sides that has grounded the nation for several days now.

Finance Minister Ngozi O k o n j o - I w e a l a yesterday accused them of submitting to government suspicious payment claims to the tune of N159billion in exchange rate differentials.

The payment claims, according to her, reeked of fraud.

She told reporters at a farewell meeting in Abuja that she would not approve payment of the claims unless verified by the relevant authorities.

“Marketers were asking for N159 billion for exchange rate differentials from the outstanding N200 billion. There has been so much fraud and scam so I have refused to sign for that money but have agreed that a committee be set up involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to verify marketers’ claims,” she said. ”Marketers just want to make Nigerians suffer,” she added.

The minister also slammed the marketers for allegedly blackmailing Nigerians and asked the people to resist.

Insisting that the current fuel scarcity has nothing to do with paying the marketers, she said: “They are making a lot of money from black market activities, people should rise up against the blackmail of oil marketers.

“I will not pay the N159 billion without verification, Nigerians should not allow

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HE race for the Presidency of the 8th Senate yesterday narrowed down to a straight fight between Alhaji Ahmed Lawan and Dr Bukola Saraki after Senator George Akume and his supporters teamed up with Lawan.

Akume is understood to have agreed to take the Deputy Senate President ticket after consultations with his fellow senators and party leaders.

But Saraki insisted yesterday that his bid remains on course, claiming to have the support of 35 of the 59 APC Senators.

Consequently, APC Senators-elect are now in two camps, one backing each of the

• Vehicles on queue in search of fuel at a filling station in Yaba, Lagos … yesterday

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

Okonjo-Iweala vows not to pay marketers •Calls N159bn subsidy payment claim fraudulent From: Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

themselves to be blackmailed.”

The minister said there was something curious about the supply of and payment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Her words: “I cannot say that the problem is due to not paying marketers, the process of paying marketers is always a rolling process and there has never been a time government reduced its financial obligation to marketers to zero.

“In a year where so much effort has been made to pay marketers including prioritizing their payment as subsidy claims in favour of other financial obligation like paying contractors, yet fuel scarcity still persists at this particular point in time suggests that something suspicious is happening.”

She responded to the claim

by Vice President-elect, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, that the Jonathan administration will be leaving a $60 billion debt burden for the in-coming government.

She said that Nigeria’s total debt indeed stands at $63.7 billion but it is the totality of all the debts incurred by successive governments since 1960.

“No $60 billion was accumulated under the Jonathan administration,” she said.

She added: “Current debt stock includes both federal and state governments debts made up of $9.7 billion external debt or 15 per cent of total debt stock and $54 billion or 85 per cent domestic debt stock.

“Nigeria is still repaying the multilateral loans it collected on concessionary terms with as long as 40 years maturity periods.”

The breakdown of the accumulated domestic stock is $18.575 billion outstanding by 2007, $17.3 billion accumulated between 2008 and 2011 and $18 billion accumulated between 2012 and 2015.

“This is so because of something that happened in 2010 because of the salary increment under Yar’Adua administration which increased

Senate Presidency: Lawan, Akume join forces •Saraki kicks, claims support of 35 APC Senators-elect

From: Onyedi Ojiabor,Sanni Onogu,Tony Akowe,Abuja

candidates.

One is the Senate Unity Forum rooting for the Lawan/ Akume joint ticket while the other - Like Mind Senators – is backing Saraki.

Emerging from the APC Senators-elect retreat in Abuja yesterday, spokesman for the Unity Forum, Chief Barnabas Gemade, said Lawan and Akume supporters agreed to work together in the “best interest of our party, APC and

our dear nation.”

“We, the Senate Unity Forum comprising Senators from various states and various zones of Nigeria have met, held extensive discussions and resolved to support Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Senator George Akume as the Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate.”

He did not say how many Senators are in the forum but said they are substantial.

Senator- elect Dino Melaye spoke for the Saraki group.

He said the Like Mind Senators would be picked from the Northeast from where Lawan hails.

Melaye did not say who would be presented by the group as deputy Senate President although sources said it would be either Alhaji Mohammed Ali Ndume or Alhaji Danjuma Goje.

Melaye displayed a letter which, according to him, would be delivered to the party leadership on their resolution to elect Saraki as Senate President.

Though the group claimed to have the support of 35 APC senators- elect in its fold, our correspondents counted only 25 at the briefing.

The Saraki group challenged those backing Lawan to display the signatures of Senators they claim to be supporting him.

Melaye said:”The issue of National Assembly leadership is about integrity, competence, discipline and leadership skills and not about fixing of candidates just for mere horse trading.

civil servants salaries by 53 per cent.

“Those bonds have been rolled over and government had to weather the difficulties because resources to fund such increase were not there,” she said.

She described Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio as one of the lowest in the world.

On the domestic debt stock, she said 20 per cent is owed by state governments with Lagos state having an external debt burden of N1.169 trillion while the balance of 80 per cent belongs to the federal government.

Reviewing her tenure, Okonjo-Iweala said she has no regrets in serving the country and declared that anyone called upon to serve Nigeria should consider it a privilege.

“Some people criticise from afar but some came home in spite of challenges to serve,” she said.

She faulted suggestions that the economy was mismanaged, saying: “The economy is reacting to the forces of demand and supply but there is hope for the country. Only that people will have to make sacrifices.

“The out-going government, she said, achieved a lot but she lamented that “there are very serious attempts to rewrite history.”

Meanwhile, there is still no respite for motorists and commuters across the country as the fuel scarcity persisted yesterday.

Most filling stations remained shut and only a few managed to sell but at exorbitant prices.

On the other hand black markets continue to thrive with operators charging as much as N350 per litre in parts of Lagos.

“Leadership of the National Assembly is about the Senator that has the wherewithal to stabilise the legislative institution, working with the executive and judicial arm of government to be effective and perform to their optimal capacity.”

Saraki later took to the social media and tweeted:”I am grateful that 35 out of 59 APC Senator-elects “making majority” today endorsed my candidacy as Senate president.”

He also said in a separate tweet: “The rumour going around about consensus candidate for the position of Senate President and Deputy Senate President is false.”

FG moves to extradite Buruji Kashamu to US

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HE process for the extradition to the USA of the once influential Southwest leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buruji Kashamu, 56, got underway yesterday.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) placed him under house arrest at his Oladipo Omotoso Street, Lekki Phase 1 residence in Lagos preparatory to his extradition.

The agency said the Senatorelect for Ogun East will appear in court tomorrow to perfect the process.

A team of NDLEA operatives stormed Kashamu’s home as early as 5am to ensure that he did not escape.

His security guards were said to have first been disarmed by the NDLEA team.

Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, said in a terse statement through Michel Ofoyeju that “the Agency has commenced extradition procedures against Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu in line with the laws of country.

“He has been in contact with his attorneys and will appear in

From Yusuf Alli,Abuja/ Kelvin Osa Okunbo/Ernest Nwokolo,Abeokuta

court on Monday.”

Kashamu and his aides immediately contacted media houses about the development.

His media aide, Austin Oniyokor, said the NDLEA action ”is a confirmation of the alleged plot to illegally abduct him in spite of the pending suit against this illegality.

“As a matter of fact, the court has ordered parties in the matter including the NDLEA to maintain status quo until judgment is delivered on Wednesday 27th May 2015.

“We have confirmed that they do not have a warrant of arrest, just as the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has said that it did not give any order to carry out this illegality.

“We have confirmed that this illegality is being designed and executed by Chief Bode George whose wife is the Director General of the NDLEA, all in a bid to score cheap political points.

“We urge all well-meaning

Nigerians to prevail on NDLEA, Chief George and his wife to toe the path of the rule of law and follow due process.

“Nigeria is not a Banana republic! The United States being the bastion of democracy, the rule of law and due process should not lend itself to this kind of illegality.”

At about midday yesterday, the online publication, Sahara Reporters, said a distraught Kashamu in a telephone conversation threatened to kill himself rather than surrender to what he views as an unjust attempt to extradite him to the US. But the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, said the move against Kasumu was not extrajudicial.

He said a formal request had been made by the American government for his extradition and same had been passed to the appropriate legal body.

He stressed that due process would be pursued with respect to the extradition.

Buruji, who was acclaimed as a friend of the Presidency, was said to have contacted the seat of power

as soon as the NDLEA operatives swooped on his residence, to save him.

His Save My Soul message was reportedly turned down with officials insisting that the law must be allowed to take its course.

A presidency source said: “Government was not out to abduct Buruji and smuggle him to the United States. Rather, the NDLEA operatives went to effect his arrest in order to take him to court on Monday for the hearing of an extradition application against him.

“The application for the extradition cannot be heard by any court without a formal arraignment of the suspect in court.

“This procedure was adopted when a similar application was filed against a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Ehi Okoyomon, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“A formal request for the extradition of Buruji was sent by the US Government to the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General

of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). There was nothing the government can do than to ask the NDLEA to comply.”

A security source said Buruji was tracked down after threeweek surveillance.

He added: “The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan also wanted to demonstrate that it had not been shielding Buruji from extradition as being alleged.

“If you look at the case, Buruji has been on and off the court on this extradition by filing frivolous applications in court. And recently, he lost at a Federal High Court paving the way for the manhunt for him.

“Buruji is equally a difficult suspect whose movement is always shrouded in secrecy. But after three-week surveillance, we got intelligence report and decided to act faster before he slips away again.”

A third source said government decided to arrest Buruji because it does not want the administration of the President-elect, Muhammadu

Buhari to take the credit.

“Jonathan’s government had been slow on extradition process because Buruji used to be a financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West.

“This slowness has tainted the image of the government. So, Jonathan’s administration chose to act at the late hours to prove that it can arrest Buruji. It is a kind of face-saving move.

There was palpable anxiety in his Ijebu political base yesterday as news of his house arrest spread.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that while his supporters were worried that the arrest of their benefactor was bad for them politically and economically, others were not bothered.

Although, nobody was willing to have his name in print but those who spoke said a lot of people benefited from his large heart through his Omo Ilu Foundation.

Kashamu said he was not the one being wanted in the United state for criminal related matter, adding that a sitting court in the United Kingdom had equally acquitted him of any wrongdoing.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

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REEDOM came the way of 11 kidnapped persons in Ekiti State yesterday, some of them after three weeks in captivity.

Rescued were Dr. Femi Omisore, Associate Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; Dr (Mrs.) Folasade Alade and Dr. (Mrs.) Kikelomo Adegun, both of the Ekiti State University; Mrs. Margaret Aladenika, theatre nurse at Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti and Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Abiola.

The rest are: Mrs. W.A. Abiola , Mrs. Folake Adeniyi, Dr. Ibrahim and Alhaja Bili Abiola all from Ibadan, Mrs. Lydia Agnes and her daughter from Adewole Estate, Ilorin, Mrs. Ogunlola from Igede Ekiti and Mr. Jimi Johnson.

They were rescued by a combined team of hunters and armed policemen from a forest

NEWS

Hunters, police free 11 kidnap victims in Ekiti From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti located in Esure Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state The kidnap victims appeared weak and exhausted on their release.

They were immediately allowed to go home to rejoin their families.

The Elesure of Esure Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibola, throwing light on how freedom came for them said that hunters from the community located the kidnappers' den following a tipoff.

A female resident, according to him, had brought information that she saw armed men in the bush.

Oba Ajibola subsequently

alerted the police who stormed the forest along with hunters.

The monarch said: "A woman had come this morning (yesterday) crying that she saw some armed strange men in the bush and we immediately asked security operatives and local vigilance members to swing into action and start searching for the kidnappers in the bush.

"They have begun searching the Osi- Iropora road and I want to believe that we will still get them before 12 noon today.

"We found the kidnap victims in the thick bush of Esure - Ika- Irasa - Ado road.

We have started the rescue assignment since last week. We also reported our suspicion about the bush to the

government.

"The government said they were sending heavily armed security operatives to invade the bush, but I advised against that, saying that they should allow us to use my local vigilance first, who would first of all comb the bush and once they have a clue of anything, we would then ask the police to swing into action.

"So, I thank God that when our local vigilante team began searching the bush, they found a spot where they discovered that some people have smoked and drank hard liquor."

He said the police have launched a manhunt for one Olumide, a native of Esure Ekiti for allegedly serving as an accomplice of the kidnappers.

A relieved Governor Ayo

• Dr Omisore (middle) after his rescue with others yesterday ... in Ekiti

Rivers LG poll: APC leads in 22 out of 23 councils C

ANDIDATES of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were ahead yesterday in 22 of the 23 councils during the local government polls conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The exercise, though peaceful, was however marred by low turn-out caused by heavy early morning downpour.

The rain, which started around 6am, flooded the major streets of PortHarcourt.

Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the exercise, over 27 political parties participated in the polls, according to RSIEC's chairman, Prof. Augustine Ahiauzu.

The election, however, didn't hold in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni council where the tenure of the chairman and councillors will end next year.

Some voters, candidates and leaders of the parties praised the RSIEC for conducting a free, fair and transparent election in the state.

When the rain eventually subsided in the afternoon, officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the electorate were sighted at the

•Downpours cause low turnout From Precious Dikewoha and Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

various polling units.

The APC accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of misinforming the public that the council polls had been shelved.

The PDP had approached a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for an order to stop the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from releasing updated voters' register to RSIEC for the conduct of the May 23 local government council elections in Rivers State.

However, Justice Lambo Akanbi adjourned the matter after hearing from counsel to Rivers State government and RSIEC, Beluolisa Nwofor, who informed the court that he had filed an objection at the Court of Appeal.

"What that simply means is that PDP has started nothing until the Appeal Court determines whether the Lower Court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter in question or not.

"It also means that there is nothing restraining the INEC, RSIEC and other parties from proceeding on their course of action prior to PDP initiating any court action on the matter," Rivers APC spokesperson, Chris

Finebone, said.

The APC governorship candidate in Rivers state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, after casting his vote at his Ward 3, Unit 6 of his coastal Opobo hometown, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of the state, told reporters that the election was peaceful, while describing the turn-out as impressive.

He said: "The people of Opobo/Nkoro LGA are excited that for once, they have the opportunity of casting their votes and knowing that their votes will count.

"I am very confident that from the reports I am getting from other LGAs of Rivers State, the people are very enthusiastic to cast their votes. I am not surprised at all about that."

APC candidate in Omuma LGA, Chidi Oluo, told our correspondent that the process was transparent despite PDP’s claim that there was no election in the state.

APC chairmanship candidate in Ikwerre Local government area, Hon Bestman Amadi, also said the election in his area was credible, free and fair.

The lawmaker representing Etche Constituency at the Rivers State House of Assembly,

Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, commended the electoral umpire for conducting a credible election amidst tension and threats, saying the commission did not succumb to intimidation.

Fayose, expressed appreciation to God, the local hunters and security agencies who worked round the clock to achieve the breakthrough.

Describing kidnapping as very strange in Ekiti, Fayose charged security agencies not to rest on their oars until the kidnappers are arrested and brought to justice.

The governor warned politicians in the state against politicising kidnapping, adding that all hands must be on deck to tackle the menace and other violent crimes in the state.

Fayose commended the Police Commissioner, Mr. Etop James and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Duke Fubara for the breakthrough.

He said: "We have to thank God that the victims are back.

Some are very weak and some are sick, but whatever the story is, their release gladdens our hearts.

"Over 50% of them are not from Ekiti and we want them to reunite with their families.

"Kidnapping is very strange in Ekiti, but we are learning from all this to be able to map out how to provide security that would prevent a recurrence.

"We must not make this a political issue. We have to be careful not to fight crime with political minds, because this could be dangerous."

Speaking through the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, Police Commissioner James said the rescue operation was a collaboration of all security agencies and local hunters.

He said: "After the kidnap, we mapped out a strategy, which involved mapping out the whole of the forests in Ekiti.

"We worked with the armed squad of the Nigerian prisons, the local vigilance group, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, DSS and even soldiers to be able to achieve this.

"We have 300 personnel of combined forces for this operation. Where we first visited was Ilejemeje/Ido axis.

We combed the whole forest but no result.

"The next place we combed

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was Awo-Eyio-Esure forest up to Ekiti State University. In the process of doing this, we were blaring siren just for the kidnappers to know we were close by.

"That could account for why they ran away and left the victims before they could be rescued.

"We involved local hunters because they are familiar with the terrain. The next operation is to fish out the kidnappers and we are closing in on them".

Victims' relations: 'We paid ransom HOWEVER, a relation of one of the kidnap victims, Mrs. Nike Aina told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were released after their families paid ransom.

She said that they were dropped at a bush in Esure area of the state.

Also, a brother of one of the victims, Pastor Tokunbo Olofin, said that "my sister called me around 7am yesterday, telling me they had been released.

"She used one of the villagers' phones to call. We have seen them, we thank God for his faithfulness,'' Olofin said.

He said the victims had been taken to hospitals for treatment by their families after the Police had arrived at the scene.

Tension had risen in the state over the last few weeks following the wave of kidnapping prompting the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the state to embark on a protest.

It also threatened to call out its members to down tools if the victims were not found immediately.

The union expressed concern that the kidnappers had demanded N210 million as ransom for three out of five members kidnapped at different locations.

ASUU chairman at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof Olufayo Olu-Olu, during the protest said: "This is the same way Boko Haram started in the North.

"It started like a child's play, but today a visit to the North would show the level of damage the sect has done to the system."

The Ekiti State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also declared an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of its members, Dr. Patrick Adegun and Mrs. Margaret Aladeneka.

Buhari rejects Rolls Royce in London

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RESIDENT-elect Muhammadu Buhari, currently on a private visit to England, on Friday turned down the use of a Rolls Royce made available for him by the Nigerian High Commission in London.

Buhari shocked officials of the High Commission when, on landing at the Heathrow Airport, he declined to make use of the Rolls Royce and other facilities offered him.

The Nation gathered that after exchanging pleasantries with the embassy officials led by the High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, the president-elect politely told them that his visit was strictly private and he had made arrangement for all his needs while in the UK. He reportedly thanked them for the warm reception and quickly hopped into a less flamboyant car he had arranged for and drove out of the airport.

A source said: "It appeared he was uncomfortable with the number of exotic cars in the convoy.

•Meets PM Cameron

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor "Hard as the stunned diplomats present tried to convince him, he refused to bulge, insisting that since he did not inform the Commission of his visit because it was not an official trip, hence he was not entitled to such grandeur."

Buhari, yesterday, held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron at his 10, Downing Street official residence.

Top of their discussion was the continued threat to Nigeria's security by the terror group, Boko Haram.

The official website of the UK government said after the talks that "both leaders congratulated each other on their recent election victories and discussed the challenges facing Nigeria."

It added: "the Prime Minister stressed the UK's wish to work for a stable, prosperous and secure Nigeria.

"The leaders discussed

security in the region and the fight against terrorism, particularly the threat posed

by Boko Haram.

"They discussed the need for a regional approach and agreed to continue working together to build the capacity of the Nigerian Army, with the UK continuing to provide military training and intelligence support.

"On tackling corruption, they agreed this was a priority to ensure Nigeria's prosperity and success."

Mr. Cameron was said to have agreed to look at what technical assistance and support the UK could provide to the Nigerian government as it looks to undertake its reforms.

"They also discussed the need to tackle organised crime and the links between the UK and Nigeria.

"Finally, they talked about the challenges posed by migration from Africa to Europe and the president-elect said he would do all he could to secure Nigeria's borders," the statement said.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

NEWS

Sambisa raid: Troops rescue 20, lose one soldier, says DHQ

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• From left: Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, Dr. Dayo mobereola; Director, Rail Transport Service, Federal Ministry of Transport, Mr. Mohammed Babakobi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Mr. Kayode Opeifa; Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar; Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Mohammed Bashar; Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Seyi Sijuwade and others, after the signing of agreement on ceding of Lagos railway red line from the federal to state government in Abuja over the weekend.

Buhari administration requires N4.1t for a start, says Oyegun • Hints Senators may be asked to pass bills at short notice

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HE Muhammadu B u h a r i - l e d administration will require a minimum of N4.1 trillion to get the country going when it takes over power on Friday, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun, said yesterday.

The amount is for sundry expenses, including oil subsidy payment, arrears of salaries at federal and state levels and debt servicing.

Oyegun, speaking in Abuja at the opening of a retreat for APC Senators-elect, said the N4.1 trillion, was "against the background of the falling oil prices, the unprecedented $60billion-dollar debt which the outgoing government has left for the incoming one, the largely depleted Excess Crude Account (ECA), the 60 billion dollars that have been lost in the last four years to crude oil theft (and which are perhaps still being lost as we speak), the need to rapidly create jobs for our teeming army of unemployed youths, enhance the security of the citizenry and improve the economy."

He said the present economic situation in the country requires "unparalleled commitment, uncommon patriotism, unprecedented hard work and indeed a reservoir of the innermost strength," from the government and the governed.

He said the situation also means that the Senators-elect "may, in the course of their duty be required to pass important bills at short notice," during what he said would be one of the most challenging periods in the history of our nation.

His words:"Make no mistake about it. The days ahead will be tough, and this is not crying wolf. From the first day of this government, a total of 4.1 trillion Naira will be required for sundry expenses, including oil subsidy payment, arrears of salaries at federal and

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

state levels and debt servicing, just to mention a few.

"This is not a lamentation forum but still, we must tell ourselves the truth about the state of the nation and the expectations of our people. In fact, to a number of our compatriots, by May 30th, a day after the swearing in of our President-elect, all the streets in Nigeria will be air conditioned, while electricity will become stable and fuel scarcity will be a thing of the past.

"Yes, we will get there but it won't happen overnight. You, our Senators-elect, will be called upon to take extraordinary actions to address the extraordinary challenges that confront our nation.

"The incoming President, more than anyone else, needs the support and cooperation of the 8th National Assembly to fulfill his campaign promise to Nigerians.

"You may be required to pass important bills at very short notices. This will not be unprecedented, but will require a buy-in to the programmes of the President and the party and willingness to work with him and the party for the benefit of all Nigerians. The demands on you will be tasking but you are up to the task!"

He solicited the support of the senators-elect for the executive arm as "all eyes will be on our party - and by extension on all of you - to see if our government will walk its talk in terms of running a lean and effective government, one that eschews waste, corruption and indiscipline, and one that will harness the nation's human, material and natural resources for the well being of the people."

But he warned that "there is no magic wand to make our economy better overnight," adding: "against the realities on the ground, some of which I listed earlier, reviving our economy will be a long and

tortuous process.

"Bold decisions will need to be taken and this can only be possible if there is a synergy among our party, the National Assembly and the President.

We know you will not fail us, and you will not fail Nigerians."

Drawing a parallel between Nigeria's situation and the response of the Nobel Laureate for Physics, Dr. Albert Einstein, to a question posed to him in 1921, Odigie-Oyegun said: "He was asked: 'Dr. Einstein, why is it that when the mind of man has stretched so far as to discover the structure of the atom, we have been unable to devise the political means to keep the atom from destroying us?'

"His answer: 'That is simple, my friend. It is because politics is more difficult than physics.'

Now that you know the nobility of the calling in which you have found yourselves, I am sure you will not hesitate to show that politicians too can solve problems."

Also addressing the forum, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the real battle to change Nigeria, as canvassed by APC during the last electioneering campaigns, "is only about to begin."

"We have a lot of work to do and we must start immediately."

He gave three conditions required for the party to succeed.

These, according to him, are: "the Party, the Legislature and the Executive must work in concert rather than see one another as a competitor or rival.

"Lawmaking for the overall good of our country requires that the Legislature, including the Senate, has the autonomy to discharge its legislative and oversight functions "For these to happen and be sustained, internal party democracy and electoral reforms are necessary to ensure that the people's will always finds expression in

governance."

Another party leader, Chief Audu Ogbe, said that for 30 years, the nation sat back and watched as the system decayed.

But he was optimistic that the problems at hand are not beyond resolution.

He said: "Politically, we are making progress, our democracy is growing. A sitting government is being replaced by an opposition government in Africa where such changes are rarely tolerated. It is indeed a fact for which Nigeria deserves commendation and from which we should derive self satisfaction.

"After all, this year, 2015 was predicted to be our year of extinction.

For this achievement, we have God in heaven to thank and on earth, President Goodluck Jonathan.

"It took courage to do what he did. Having arrived on the scene, we must now examine the terrain and the climate of the transition.

"We can, without hesitation, say the climate is economically inclement and socially delicate.

This period is going to be one of the most delicate in recent history.

"Never have our people been more hopeful, more excited about good times to come, yet never has our economy been so fragile. Never have expectations been so high, yet reality so scary and cloudy.

"Oil revenue are low, our foreign reserves dwindling, power supply is nowhere near stable, despite unbelievable investment figures in the sector.

Gas pipelines keep getting blown so the repair contracts can keep flowing.

"We have new figures for our GDP placing us at the top of the league in Africa, but we are soon to become the greatest contributor to world poverty.

In another four years, especially in the north and by 2050, just 35 years from now, we will be the world's third most populous nation with a population of 450 million."

N additional 20 children and women trapped in Boko Haram's Sambisa Forest camps in Borno State have been rescued by soldiers in the latest onslaught on the terrorists' fortress.

The soldiers also destroyed an armoured tank, 10 vehicles, 70 motorcycles and 15 tricycles in the armed confrontation, the Defence Headquarters announced yesterday.

One soldier was killed and 10 others were wounded in the Friday attacks, according to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade.

Olukolade, in a statement in Abuja, said the soldiers' success was achieved despite "continuous encounter with a large number of land mines which still litter the Sambisa forest."

Scores of the terrorists were killed, he said, adding: "Some equipment were also damaged or affected by the detonation of land mines in several points in the forest."

The rescued children and women have all been airlifted out of the forest and the

FROM: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

wounded soldiers taken to the hospital for treatment.

He said: "Two major ammunition dumps maintained by the terrorists in the forest were also destroyed, along with the four additional terrorists' camps that were smashed in the operation of Friday.

"An armoured tank and over 10 vehicles of various types being used for their operations as well as 70 motorcycles and 15 tricycles of the terrorists also perished during the operation."

The DHQ said the combing of the Alafa part of the forest was still in progress at press time.

Meanwhile, cordon and search around has been intensified around Bitta following an incident during which two young boys were xxxpicking up a wounded after grenade from a refuse dump.

The DHQ said the weapon appeared to have been abandoned by the terrorists that fled the town which is not too far from Sambisa forest.

Danjuma to Buhari: Probe Jonathan's govt

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ORMER Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma yesterday asked the presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, to probe the outgoing government.

Danjuma said the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was very corrupt.

He spoke to reporters in Takum, Taraba State, while commissioning three newly built bridges along TakumKatsina Ala road.

The bridges were built by Danjuma at the cost of over N500million.

Danjuma, who expressed dismay that the country’sdebt was over $60 billion, said he is optimistic that Buhari on assumption of office would probe persons found guilty of

From: Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

corruption.

He pointed out the debt burden was necessitated by the financial recklessness of the outgoing government.

According to him:"What we are hearing is that the treasury of the country is empty at the federal level. A debt of $60 would be left behind for the incoming government.

"I'm calling on the new administration to investigate what happened to our monies as soon as Buhari takes over power on May 29. With that, some of the stolen funds would be recovered."

Danjuma also urged well meaning Nigerians, including security agencies to cooperate with the incoming government to succeed.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

NEWS

'The Military has what it takes to defend Nigeria'

I will restore glory of journalism, says Odusile

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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ORMER Chief of Training and Operations in the Defence Headquarters, Major General Joseph Shoboiki (Rtd), yesterday said the military has the capacity to defend the nation with the right leadership and equipment.

He spoke during the pulling-out service for 34 retired infantry Generals of the Nigerian Army at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.

Shoboiki, who was the reviewing officer at the parade pull-out, assured that the military can always count on them as the anti-terror war rages.

He said: "Let me also assure you that even though we are retiring home, you can always count on our support as you go through these trying times.

"We remain committed and ever willing to continue to contribute to the progress and development of our dear nation whenever it is required of us."

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, said it is regimental in the Army when officers attain the highest level and are retired to pull them out formally.

Represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Kenneth Osuji, the COAS urged the ex-service men to continue to support the military, which he said is their primary constituency.

Asked if the pulling out of the 34 Generals had created a vacuum in the military, Minimah said: Three is no vacuum left by the officers because they did not retire on the same day.

"Some of the officers we are pulling out retired years back and it's just that there is a backload of all the officers from 2005 to date.

"So, there is no vacuum left. We are still recruiting, we are still commissioning and we are still retiring."

Five Tunisian migrants die in shipwreck T least five Tunisian migrants died yesterday when their boat sailing to Italy capsized off the Tunisian coast, officials said.

"A migrant boat carrying dozens capsized yesterday off the coast of Monastir ... Naval forces rescued 49 Tunisian migrants and recovered five bodies of Tunisian migrants," a naval official told Reuters.

Boat smugglers make use of Tunisia's proximity to the Italian island of Lampedusa to ship migrants there, with Tunisian authorities rescuing dozens of people travelling in unsafe boats in the past few weeks.

Most boat smugglers prefer to operate out of Libya to exploit a security vacuum in the neighbouring country struggling with a power dispute between two governments.

A month after nearly 900 migrants drowned in the worst Mediterranean shipwreck in living memory, the flow of people desperate to reach a better life in Europe has accelerated as people smugglers take advantage of calmer seas.

Last week, the European Union agreed a naval mission to target gangs smuggling migrants from Libya.

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• L-R: Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Olivier Thiry; overall winner, Sunday Nation's Taiwo Alimi; Chairman, Panel of Judges, Ambassador Patrick Dele-Cole and Chairman Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, Keith Richard at the Quill awards ceremony in Lagos… at the weekend PHOTO: Biodun Adeyewa

The Nation sweeps 4 Promasidor awards

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INTAGE Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspapers, at the weekend swept four out of the eight prizes at the 2015 Promasidor Quill awards.

Sunday Nation's correspondent, Taiwo Alimi, emerged the overall winner with his entry Where the blind dare to dream.

The entry also won in the category for the best report on education.

Alimi staved off competition from Eniola Toluwani of The Punch Newspapers whose entry was titled, Man abandons children in boarding school for eight years.

The chairman of the Panel of Judges, Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole (OFR), said Alimi's entry stood out from the pack.

The Nation's Seun Akioye clinched the award for best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Industry report.

His entry was titled Anguish and death: Tale of Kaduna community, two years after controversial waste dump.

Gilbert Alasa of The Nation also emerged as the future writer of the year.

Two other correspondents of the paper, Chikodi

•Alimi is overall winner •Akioye, Alasa also win Okereocha and Sina Fadare, emerged as second runners-up in the nutrition and overall winner categories respectively.

The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell, Onga, Toptea and Loya Milk, Olivier Thiry, praised the winners for their painstaking entries.

He said apart from the highend laptop and the company's products, Alimi will be sent to London for an all-expense paid four-week multi-media journalism training course with Thomson Foundation.

Thiry added that the overall winner will also be placed on a week's job placement with a prominent British national news organisation.

"This person will be provided with return flight, accommodation in London, daily living allowance and tuition fees for the training," he explained.

In the best report on education category, Alimi defeated Attah Emeka of Daily Sun with his entry school graduation for sales and Titus Eleweke of The Union with arresting decline in teaching indigenous languages in

schools.

Both entries emerged as first and second runners-up.

Alimi, a sports writer, described the awards as "reward for 15 years of hardwork and persistence."

Visibly elated, he said: "This is the first time I would be writing a feature outside sports and see what it has fetched me."

He dedicated both awards to his friends at the Bethesda Home for the Blind, whose emotional story and plight he chronicled in the features.

He said it was a story he stumbled on when his friend, a former footballer and sports administrator, Ganiu Ejide, prevailed on him to escort him to visit some of his friends from where his journalistic instinct took over.

Other winners at the ceremony, which held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja Lagos, are Eniola Toluwani for the best report on children.

He defeated last year's overall winner, Kunle Falayi of Saturday Punch whose entry, Lagos residents at risk from contaminated water came second. Sina Fadare

of The Nation's Shina Fadare’s The teenage marijuana smoking epidemic was third.

Ajayi Joshua of Daily Independent won in the best photo story category.

Gbenga Salau of The Guardian won the brand advocate of the year and best report on nutrition.

He led the two other nominees, Olajide Fabamise of Newswatch Times and Raheem Akingbolu of This Day in the brand advocate category.

Salau's entry for the best report on nutrition category, Nutrition as tool to tackle maternal, child mortality, was also adjudged outstanding compared to Uche Akolisa's How you can get the best out of fruits (Hallmark) and Chikodi Okereocha's Anti-malnutrition campaign moves to Nollywood (The Nation).

Winners from all the categories with the exception of the winner of the best photo story of the year were given high-end laptops, The winner of the best photo story of the year was given a high-end camera.

Bayelsa 2016: Dickson draws battle line with PDP opponents B

AYELSA State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend took the battle for his second term to the enemies' camp in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor revoked all contracts he awarded to firms owned by Presidential aide on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, at the transparency briefing in Yenagoa.

He also terminated the job awarded to the Board Chairman, Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bekes Etifa.

Dickson said Dudafa and Etifa, who were given construction jobs at Kaiama, KolokumaOpokuma Local Government Area, had abandoned them.

The duo is known allies of the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, whose camp has been at the vanguard of campaigns to deny Dickson a second term.

Before terminating the contracts, the governor told his audience that persons fighting him within the PDP are main beneficiaries of his administration.

•Revokes Dudafa's contracts, others From: Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

"A number of them have big contracts, which they have abandoned," he said threatening to revoke more contracts awarded to his opponents.

The governor said the PDP and his government would no longer tolerate characters who were allowed to operate in the state because of their closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan.

With the exit of Jonathan, Dickson vowed to be more ruthless in dealing with the enemies of his administration.

"It is going to be eyeball to eyeball now," he said adding that a new order had come to the state.

"Our politics is for the development of the state. When next they come to you, please ask them what they have done for Bayelsa. When the time comes, we will know who is who".

Dickson added: "All the

kinds of characters I have been tolerating, those days are gone.

This is a new order. Most of the so-called people in Abuja from this state are major beneficiaries of our restoration government.

"If you have power, use it for the good for our state. A number of them have big contracts, which were given to them; which they have abandoned.

"I hereby announce the cancellation of the contract for the construction of a model hospital in Kaiama that our government awarded to the company nominated by Hon. Waripamowei Dudafa, which he has abandoned.

"The Commissioner for Health will re-award it to someone who will complete it. Also the contract awarded to Hon. Bekes Etifa is hereby terminated and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure should re-award it.

"It is only our own politi-

cians, who when they leave here for Abuja, don't know that they have an obligation to support the home government.

"They think that development is only a matter for the government to do. And even as a government, we are trying our best to change our state in a way they cannot ever imagine.

"What do they do? They stay afar and throw stones. They engage in blackmail and spread propaganda."

He appealed to the people of the state not to fall to the antics of persons who he said were seeking to call the shots once the incoming federal administration takes off.

"They are deceiving you people because if a new President comes, he will work with me. We have formal ways we interact with the President," he said.

"Please tell these people that we are ready for them. We are ready to spread the restoration story. Their own politics is for their families and wives.”

IGERIA Union of Journalists (NUJ), presidential aspirant, Waheed Odusile, had pledged to restore the glory of journalism, if elected.

Odusile, who addressed journalists at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar, Cross River State yesterday, in his ongoing nationwide campaign said: "if given the opportunity, you will not be disappointed."

He assured practicing journalists in government and private employment of a special media salary structure.

He said that journalists have been at the forefront of promoting democracy in the country and deserve better salary structure to complement their efforts. ``If you vote me into the office of the national president of NUJ, I can guarantee you of good salary structure. ``We are going to engage the government of the day in dialogue to make them see reasons why we need good pay for our members. ``This we can achieve if you give me your support to be your president,'' he said.

He also promised to fight quackery in the media profession and ensure that all practicing journalists meet the necessary requirements.

Keep hope alive, Otubu tasks Nigerians

T

HE General Evangelist of Motailatu Church Cherubim & Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Elder Prof. Joseph Otubu, has assured that the better years of the nation are still ahead.

He tasked Nigerians to remain optimistic and hopeful of a better tomorrow regardless of the current challenges.

Otubu, who spoke with reporters in Lagos at the weekend, said no matter how tough things become, Nigerians must never give up hope.

He said: "I believe with all my heart that we have not heard or seen the best of Nigeria. The best of this country lies ahead.

"We shall yet see a better, safer and richer Nigeria that will become the envy of all.

Nigeria shall yet rise again.

We shall still see better things in the years ahead."

Otubu, a renowned gynecologist, urged Nigerians to keep hope alive.

While acknowledging that the socio-economic situations are difficult, he said things would soon change if Nigerians dare to trust God. "We just have to keep our hope alive. I know the times are difficult and tough but hope will see us through.

"God will not fail us if we put our trust in Him. He will see us through and come true for us.

"He is a present help in times of need and will deliver this nation because we mean a lot to Him." The cleric appealed to the government to address the biting fuel scarcity, saying Nigerians are going through hard times with the situation.

8

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

NEWS

Jostling for NDDC board positions begins in Ondo

Oyo CP inaugurates anti-kidnapping squad office From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

T

HE Oyo State Police Command has inaugurated the antikidnapping squad office building in order to curb kidnapping incidence in the state.

The building comprises an ICT centre, conference hall, offices and interrogation room.

Inaugurating the building at the weekend, the State Commissioner for Police, Muhammad Katsina, said incessant kidnapping cases in the state and the country necessitated the construction of the centre.

While vowing to eliminate kidnapping in the state, he said, "Kidnapping is a serious crime and this outfit can counter and reduce it with my past experience in Kogi and Imo states where I managed to curb kidnapping incidences. Since I resumed in Oyo State, we have successfully countered one or two kidnap cases and in order to counter it effectively, this special squad will be able to do more."

In his speech, the initiator of the project, Usman Dimka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, expressed his gratitude to Katsina, whom he described as his mentor and role model.

He said, "The antikidnapping building would not have been built without the CP's support. I did not use my money to build this building; it was our stakeholders in this state that contributed to its success. I also received tremendous support from my colleagues."

Dimka expressed the readiness of the squad to eradicate kidnapping in the state.

Oshoala, others win community awards

T

HE annual Ikorodu C o m m u n i t y Development Awards (ICDA), an initiative of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo-led The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) held last week with Liverpool Females soccer star, Asisat Oshoola, and fuji music artiste, Sulaiman Adio (Atawewe) bagging awards.

The award gala night was chaired by Dr. Idowu Adeyemi, a Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on public health and member of the ICDA foundation.

Other award winners included Papa-Agura CDA, which emerged as the most outstanding CDA in Ikorodu division and ItaElewa Health Centre, which won in the public health category.

The late Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba S. A. Oyefusi, bagged a special recognition award for bringing u n p r e c e d e n t e d development to the town during his over 40 years reign.

I

NTENSE jostling has begun among prospective candidates of Ondo State origin lobbying for the position of the Managing Director in the incoming board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Ondo and Akwa Ibom states are said to be in contention for the NDDC number one job.

Sources said the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned the position of the Managing Director of the commission to Ondo State, but indications have emerged that the state may be pacified with the position of

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Executive Director, Projects (EDP), if it loses out in the battle for the MD's position.

Statistics have shown that Akwa-Ibom State has produced the chairman, four ED (P) and MD of the board in the last 10 years of its existence.

The incumbent MD of the commission, Dan Abia, is from Akwa Ibom State.

Concerned indigenes of Akwa Ibom State had, in a recent publication, pleaded that the incoming federal government should allow Abia to complete his term of office in two years time.

The current board of NDDC was constituted two

years ago by President Goodluck Jonathan and it is expected to be officially dissolved by the APC-led incoming administration.

The Nation gathered that no fewer than ten indigenes of the oil-producing area in Ondo State have expressed their interests in the MD, EDP positions and as state representative on the incoming board of the commission.

The former PDP governorship candidate in the state, Olusola Oke, Funso Esan and former Head of Service (HoS), Ajose Kudehinbu, are allegedly lobbying to become the next MD of the Commission, while Steve Fadaini has

been pencilled down by some oil-producing communities in the state for the position of EDP in the event that the state loses out in for the topmost job.

Sources revealed that some APC leaders in the state have also recommended former Chairman, Ondo State Oil producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Chief Adewale Omojuwa, Dr. Banji Ajaka, Yinka Orokoto, former Chairman of Ilaje local government, Anjorin Coker and Rawa Felix as nominees to represent the state on the incoming board of the Commission.

•Prof. Wole Soyinka, the first Chairman of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Board, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of FRSC and Hon. Daniel Adejobi, Commissioner for Housing representing the Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State at the Mega Rally in Abeokuta over the weekend.

A

SENIOR lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, College of Chemical Sciences in the Redeemer's University, Ede in Osun State, Prof. Olalere Gabriel Adeyemi, has charged the federal government to make research grants accessible to all tertiary institutions in the country.

He added that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) should extend the disbursement of the fund to private tertiary institutions in the country,

Make research grants accessible to all universities, Don charges FG From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

because, according to him, "majority of tax payers also send their children to private universities."

Delivering the Redeemer's University's inaugural lecture series two titled 'Organometallics: A Fruitful Amalgamation of

Metal and Ligand', Adeyemi lamented that many private universities are being discriminated against in accessing research funds.

The professor of Chemistry, who noted that the Redeemer's University trains Nigerians to be better and more qualified graduates at post basic

level, said the institution's research output both in quantity and quality, qualifies it for the TETfund grant.

The university don also advised that basic science, which, he said, is the backbone of all applied sciences must be sustained and well supported by Nigerian universities.

My successor will be close friend, says Lagos Speaker

S

PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, whose tenure expires on June 4, is optimistic that his successor will be his close pal.

He said his optimism is due to his closeness to all the contenders currently interested in the seat.

He disclosed this at the Quarterly Interaction and Long Service Award ceremony, which took place at the assembly complex over the weekend.

The struggle over who becomes the next Speaker of the State Assembly has

By Oziegbe Okoeki

generated controversy in recent weeks heightened by unconfirmed speculations that the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has allegedly anointed a particular candidate.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Speaker, Musibau Taiwo Kolawole, the Deputy Whip, Rotimi Abiru, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission

(LAHASCOM), Wale Mogaji, the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru and members of staff.

Ikuforiji, who has served as Speaker for 10 years, admitted that the APC leaders and the house leadership did not envisage the controversy that has trailed the emergence of his would-be successor.

He pointed out that all the aspirants for the position are his close ally, while expressing optimism that whoever among them that emerge as the next speaker would deliver.

He said, "The speaker that will succeed me should

be less egocentric, must be a team player and must have the interest of taking the house to a higher level."

He added that many of those contending for the seat are only thinking about the glamour associated with the office, saying, however, that the challenges attached to it are numerous.

While tendering his apology for whatever he might have done wrong inadvertently, the Speaker, however, advised his successor to leverage on the achievements of the 7th Assembly and take it to the next level.

Research centre grants OAU $1.12m for vegetable plantation From Sikiru Akinola, Ibadan

T

O boost its expertise in general research, most especially in agricultural products, particularly in food production, a Canada- based International Development Research Centre has granted the sum of $1.12 million dollars to the Obafemi Awolowo University to support the institution's project on the development of agronomic packages for the cultivation of indigenous vegetables.

The gesture was made through the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF).

In a release issued by the institution's spokesperson, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, OAU in partnership with four other universities namely Osun State University in Nigeria, University De Parakou in Benin Republic, Universities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba both in Canada, would work on the project in collaboration with the Institute of Agriculture Research and Training (IAR & T) in Ibadan and Bioresources Development Centre and some other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Shedding more light on the research, Olarenwaju said, "The second phase of the project was designed to advance indigenous vegetable production, enhance vegetable yields, promote consumption and value addition, propel marketing, preserve soil and water ecosystems."

The OAU team of researchers is led by Prof. Duro Oyedele.

The statement quoted the institution's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, as commending the academic sagacity of the lecturers involved, while pledging more support to the team.

Stakeholders meet for inter school competition

S

TAKEHOLDERS from Oshodi Isolo Education district met during the week in Lagos to fine tune arrangements for the first-ever inter and intra school competition, which recently flagged off in the area.

The initiative, which is the brainchild of Mr. Ikwuagwu Emeka George, the CEO of Holmes Viu Properties Ltd, is in collaboration with the local and state education district 6, representatives from public and private schools and other stakeholders.

The talent and skills hunt, according to Ikwuagwu, would reduce youth restiveness, as well as give the young ones a sense of belonging early in life.

He said: "This is our own way of giving back to the society as our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The inter school competition has three categories, which include education, sports and culture.

Under education we have debates and essays. Under sports we have football, high jump and table tennis, hundred meters dash and four by four hundred meters.�

9

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

N

EVER has Nigerians been so expectant. Across the length and breathe of the country, the people say, with so much conviction, that the in-coming government of Muhammadu Buhari has the magic wand to solve the multiple socioeconomic and political problems of the country.

Even Buhari, the President-Elect himself, aware of the high expectations, has expressed hope that he and his team will not disappoint the millions of the suffering masses who voted for him and his team in spite of all odds and have been waiting so passionately for his emergence as the president. He has as a result identified areas he intends to pay special and immediate attention as soon as he resumes as the substantive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In his response to several groups that have paid him visits and have presented issues they would want his government to tackle, Buhari identified three outstanding areas of top priority. They are insecurity, unemployment and corruption. As he puts it to one of the groups that visited him: "We have to get the issue of the economy right to make sure the jobs are made available and we should try and kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria."

Other concerned stakeholders, including world leaders, political and economic leaders in the country have also offered areas the in-coming

Buhari's top five challenges As Nigeria prepares for the May 29, 2015 handover of the federal government to the PresidentElect, General Muhammadu Buhari, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo and Sunday Oguntola spoke with some top professionals and politicians across the country on what should constitute the top five priorities of Buhari's government government should place top and immediate priority.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, for example, said Buhari administration should capitalise on the goodwill of his election in his first 100

days in office to take drastic decisions that will impact positively on the economy in the long run.

Blair, who was represented by Lord Mandelson at a two-day policy dialogue on the implementation of the

agenda for change organised by the Policy Research and Strategy Directorate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, said some of the decisions that require to be made immediately include to drastically overhaul the oil sector, reposition the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and eliminate the corruption in the sector.

Nigerian leaders that have so far offered their preferred priorities include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of Osun State and Africa's richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Obasanjo, who constituted his own think-tank to find solution to the problems of Nigeria, would want Buhari to consider education, power, economy, security and infrastructure as top priorities. The report of the committee he set up was recently submitted to Buhari by the committee's Vice Chairman and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu.

While Aregbesola listed insecurity, hunger, unemployment, decayed infrastructure and infrastructure as preferred top priorities, Dangote listed unemployment, increased power generation and corruption.

Other leaders and professionals who spoke with The Nation during the week also offered their preferred priorities. •Contd. on page 10

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

NEWS REVIEW

10

Power should be priority -Okorie Chekwas Okorie

C

HIEF Okorie identified power, corruption, security, unemployment/Job creation and electoral reforms as the preferred top five priorities.

Power Sector: "I think the power sector should be number one priority. This is because the sector is fundamental to the success of the economy. The hospitals need power. The industries need steady power supply. I think the government of General Muhammadu Buhari should pay special attention to this sector because in that sector, there has been so much dishonesty in the so-called privatization."

Corruption "As I told Mr. President-Elect when we paid him a visit, I think his government should do everything to recover all recoverable from corrupt elements. There are clear evidences of illegal and illegitimate enrichment by people in office. Such people must be made to account for their wealth. Banks and EFCC should assist the government in this task. The government should also work with international

'Power is a key factor to economic development'

K

OSOKO, former member of House of Representatives identified security, corruption, power, unemployment, infrastructure and education/health as areas demanding immediate attention.

Security: As the President-Elect, General

Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, spoke with Chief Chekwas Okorie, the UPP presidential candidate in the 2015 elections and Hon. Kosoko Dele, a former member of the House of Representatives and a state leader of All Progressives Congress in Lagos State. organization like NGOs established to track laundered funds. I have estimated that even if the government succeeds in recovering just 25 percent of stolen funds, it will get tangible funds to fund projects."

Security "Our security agencies need better equipments. Recent acquisition of better equipment has resulted in better success in the fight against Boko Haram. Besides equipping our security agencies better, the Buhari government should immediately consider the issue of state police and community policing. Some states have successfully managed vigilante. We should learn from their experience to improve our security.

Every Nigerian should learn to be part of policing and security.

Unemployment/Job creation This is very crucial. Unfortunately, Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari, has pointed out, this demands immediate attention. For the country's economic and social development, security must be taken care of.

Corruption This was one of the major campaign issues and given the reputation of the president-elect, I am sure he will pay proper attention to this issue.

Power: This is a key factor to the economic development of Nigeria and will be properly addressed.

Unemployment: It is very important that this problem be addressed. Social problems arising from the challenge of unemployment are many.

Education/Health These should also be given proper and immediate attention.

is not currently structured for economic development and job creation. Our structure, where states depend on hand outs from the centre encourages laziness. This government should do something about it. Nigeria needs a true federal structure. Federating units should be empowered to develop and utilize their resources and contribute to the centre.

Electoral Reform "The President-Elect has already acknowledged that the use of Card Reader and Permanent Voters Card (PVC) contributed immensely in his victory. So, the electoral reforms, which the late Yar'Adua began and which President Goodluck Jonathan brought this far helped the system very well. We expect that the Buhari government, which benefited from this reform, should take it further."

Foremost challenge is power, says Keyamo Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo, spoke with Festus Keyamu, and legal activist and Hon. James Faleke, a member of House of Representatives programmes that were promised by the incoming administration during the electioneering campaign.

If this problem is solved, the existing Small and Medium Enterprises would employ people in addition to jobs that would be created by new SMEs.

Keyamo:

F

ESTUS Keyamu listed power, corruption, insecurity, NNPC and Niger Delta as the top five priorities.

Power "The first and foremost challenge that President Muhammadu Buhari must confront headlong is power. This is because, without power, you cannot create jobs, which is also one of the cardinal

Corruption The second priority area should focus on tackling corruption in all facets of our national life. Without successfully fighting corruption, you cannot fix power or tackle insecurity in the country. It is all embracing. In fact, in my opinion, tackling corruption is as important as fixing the power sector.

Insecurity The primary duty of a government is the protection of lives and property, so the incoming administration must give this problem all the seriousness it deserves.

With effective security, no government can attract foreign investment into the country. Insecurity in one part of the country directly or indirectly affects the entire country and most importantly the perception of the international community of the country.

Nigeria National and Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

Corruption should top list -Faleke Corruption

C

orruption, in my view, is the first thing the Muhammadu Buhari-led government has to tackle if Nigeria must move forward.

Corruption is the root cause of the major challenges confronting the country.

Cracking this monster should be the first step taken by the incoming government; because once we achieve a breakthrough in the war against corruption, solving the other challenges facing the country would not be too much of a problem.

Economy It is no longer a secret that the nation's economy is in such a bad state right now and so all hands must be on deck to bring it back on track.

But for government to achieve this economic recovery, all leakages of the revenue accruing to the country must be plugged. What currently obtains is that Nigeria is losing hundreds of billions through leakages in the system.

Hon. James Faleke, a member of House of Representatives listed corruption, economy, power, unemployment and security as the top priorities but wants battle against corruption to top the list.

Power This is central to solving the many challenges the country is facing, such as unemployment, insecurity and so on. It is quite unfortunate that after billions of dollars have been expended by the outgoing PDP government, the country still cannot provide steady and reliable power to service our homes and the industrial sector.

Unemployment As repeatedly stated by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari during the campaigns, the scourge of unemployment is a ticking time bomb that if not urgently addressed, would explode on our faces very soon.

The largest percentage of the country's population is made up of the youth, who are mostly

unemployed. The unemployment rate in the country is currently put at almost close to 25 percent; this is unacceptable. The social implication of this cannot be over-emphasised. Having a large population of vibrant and able bodied youth without jobs is a recipe for disaster.

Insecurity Insecurity in form of armed robbery, kidnapping, insurgency and militancy must be vigorously tackled, as this would provide the enabling environment for people to conduct their lawful activities without fear and most importantly for businesses to thrive.

Through this also, there would be an increase in both local and foreign investments, which would in turn, provide millions of jobs for the unemployed.

•Contd. on page 11

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, spoke with Group Captain Salaudeen Adebola Latinwo (retd), military governor of Kwara State and a key player during Buhari/Idiagbon military administration between 1984 and 85. He was removed as governor and arrested along-side General Mamman Vatsa and others for alleged coup plot to overthrow the government of General Ibrahim Babangida. He spent some years in the prison and after investigations; he was exonerated from the allegation, but was sent on compulsory retirement.

"

Most importantly, the new government must tackle the issue of security, especially the Boko Haram menace in the North-East. A tactical approach is required to rid the country of these elements and as a retired military officer, the President-elect, knows what to do. Look, these people started like a group of vagabonds coming together but in the process of their coming together and carrying out some activities, they discovered that there is power in holding the gun. They

NEWS REVIEW

‘Security is paramount’

saw authority and influence in being armed.

Unfortunately for the system, nobody was doing anything about it all that while. That was how it got out of hand.

The man sit out there surrounded by youths with heavy ammunition. He makes pronouncements and nobody does anything about it. And he started feeling great and important. And who are you to say he wasn't?

Nobody gave it a thought until he took over a number of local government areas in Bornu State and kidnapped hundreds of girls. People thought it was a joke until it became a real issue. That is the situation. The military is trained in conventional warfare. In other words, I mean a situation where you have a war ongoing with another country.

That is a situation where you can calculate the strength and weaknesses of your enemy in order to plan how to attack or move. But it is not so in this type of war. This is not even guerrilla warfare. This is a suicide bombing situation. So, it is very difficult for the military to adjust to. The new government should take all required steps and I hope in the next few months, things will improve. Aside Boko Haram, all aspect of security must be looked into and addressed immediately because without security, no other thing can work."

"Secondly, Buhari must go back in time to 1985 and remember those who were unjustly treated when he was toppled as Head of State in 1985. The wounds inflicted on these people by those who never wanted the Buhari-

They must fight corruption like nothing else -Atilade

"I believe that God has raise President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for a time like this. They are competent men, well tested and proven. They are coming on board at a point that Nigerians are really anxious to see changes.

For me, I will say the first agenda should be to plug all the wastages and loopholes in our system.

You will realise there are too many outlets for waste in this country. They have to plug all those avenues to save more for the country.

The issue of power supply is also very crucial for us as Nigerians. It is sad that power is still

Idiagbon administration are yet to heal.

Many of them are suffering immensely from the effects of the ill-treatment they got back then. Many are yet to readjust to life 30 years after the unfortunate incident.

We were accused of planning to topple Babangida and re-instate Buhari.

But of a truth, there was no coup. There was nothing like that. I was not involved in any coup plot. It was between two and three months that General Babangida took over government and then, there was this rumour that another group of officers was planning to overthrow that government and re-install the ousted government of Buhari and Idiagbon. So, there was total confusion in the land and many people were of the view that if the story was true, those arrested would have been dealt with seriously and be made to face death penalty.

The officers arrested had not been investigated neither were they tried and found guilty. But the rumour was wide-spread.

Many officers in the military were killed and others summarily dismissed because they were perceived loyal to Buhari.

In my case, I was arrested led by the team to the officers' mess in Victoria Island, Lagos and kept in complete isolation in one of the rooms. I remained there until 6pm that day.

Another set of officers and men came into the room at 6.15pm and drove me in a car to somewhere at Ikoyi. It was later I learnt that I was in the detention camp of the military intelligence.

There are other issues that require immediate attention. There is the issue of corruption. This is a big problem and I am sure that Buhari, given his zero tolerance level for corruption, will do all within his power to rid the country of corruption at all levels. Another pressing matter is people not getting their salaries. The issue must be immediately looked into to avoid labour related distractions for the new government.

Finally, we must look into the problem of disunity because if we are united, half of the problems would be solved. The people need to be given the assurance that they have a stake in this country.

Most critical issue is insecurity - Rafsanjani

Archbishop Magnus Atilade -Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-West region identified, wastages, corruption, power supply, health and education epileptic and not available. We are tired of stories and explanations; all we want is power. If there is power, life will be a lot better. There will be more businesses and productivity. We don't care how government does it but they must give us power.

Then, they must fight corruption like nothing else. The system is too corrupt and porous. Some privileged Nigerians are feeding on the nation and holding us to ransom. The next government has to tighten things and make sure no one succeeds in enriching himself in a corruptive manner.

Thirdly, I believe the issue of health should be taken seriously. Government has to make sure that more Nigerians are healthy for more productivity. We believe too much in western healthcare here. We have to provide opportunity for alternative traditional medicine. Before orthodox medicine came, there was a way our people treated themselves and healed sicknesses.

We should encourage them and offer people options in medical treatment.

I believe vocational training is also crucial to Nigerians. The next government should encourage technical education. If someone learns tailoring and is doing well, it is likely he will be able to employ one or two other people. If that happens, unemployment will come down.

11

Sunday Oguntola spoke with Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Archbishop Magnus Atilade -Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-West region Rafsanjani Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) listed insecurity, job creation, corruption, re-activate public institution, and access to justice and equity.

"As far as I am concerned, the most important issue that the new administration must address is insecurity. If there is no security, there won't be investment and economic development. The level of terrorism, criminality and robbery across the nation is alarming; the government has to do something really drastic about it. It has to equip security operatives with equipment and train them to function well.

Then, there must be provision of jobs, especially for youths. You will realise most of them have nothing to do and are prone to manipulation from political and religious

bigots. We have to save them from these people by giving them jobs.

Then, the incoming administration has to plug all leakages of corruption and impunity.

Fourthly, they must reactivated public institutions. Most of them have been become politicized, corrupt and incapacitated.

Institutions likes the EFCC, Police, and Army should work again and be accountable to the public.

There must also be justice and equity.

Lack of access to justice has been a major bane for Nigeria. We must make sure the justice system works and the courts are accessible to the common men.

Finally, I believe infrastructure development should also be a focal point.

We need infrastructure that will make living better and more enjoyable across the lengths and breadth of the nation.

‘We need the right energy balance for productivity’

Dr. Tayo Dairo, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State listed energy and power, employment, security, education and health as preferred priorities.

Dairo The incoming administration, it is obvious, has so much to do. I will suggest that its focus should be on the basis of immediate-

"

solution, short-term solution and long-term solution. If they attempt to do everything at the same time, they might run into troubles. It is better to take things one after the other.

I believe there are critical areas that the administration must get right first. There are in the immediate- solution category. They cannot afford to wait because there must be instant results.

The first thing is to focus on energy and power.

This is very fundamental to the nation. You realise we don't generate enough power and energy. There must be a marriage of the two to move the nation

forward. We must generate enough power and get the right energy balance for productivity.

The second area to focus on is employment.

The mass unemployment in the land is a timebomb. It can consume the nation if not tackled head-on. So, the Buhari's government has to see how it can generate as many jobs as possible for people across the nation. The more jobs it produce, the better for all of us.

Then, security is also critical. The insurgency challenge has become a national embarrassment.

It has to be addressed as quickly as possible.

Nigerians must feel secured again, even in the remotest parts of the country. Nothing must allow terror, armed robbery and breakdown of laws and order again in the nation.

In the short-term and long term categories are issues like education, health and mass transportation. They don't appear immediate but we have to also get them right. In the next two years or so, they would be discontent if they do not deliver on them. So, those ones too deserve attention as soon as the critical ones are addressed.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

Ropo Sekoni

13

Page 14

Femi Orebe Page 16

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

PDP’s warped opposition tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

Lamido’s statement that Buhari should not give excuses even before taking power is nonsense

I

T is easy to dismiss the utterances and actions of some of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts since the party’s defeat in the last presidential election as products of post-election defeat hallucination. Or, better still, the ranting of some losers. For a political party that has never known the colour of defeat at that level (whether by rigging elections or by actually winning at the polls) since the country’s return to civil rule in 1999, the temptation to think along these lines is pardonable. But that would be oversimplifying the matter.

Although personally, I am not surprised at some of these developments, including the statement credited to Alhaji Sule Lamido, Jigawa State governor, to the effect that president-elect General Muhammadu Buhari should stop fishing for excuses and deliver his electoral promises to Nigerians, irrespective of the state of the economy.

Hear Lamido:”You must fulfill your promises, because there was no condition given on how to do it when you were campaigning for election. Whether the economy is favourable or not, do not give us any excuses. We will not tolerate any excuses. Whatever the APC is, they owe it all to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), because PDP, one way or the other, brought almost all of them into politics. It is about time for them to reflect, because Nigerians will definitely hold them accountable. They must fulfill all their promises.”

The question now is: does this lie in the mouth of people whose political party just ran the country aground? General Yakubu Gowon might have been quoted as saying money was not Nigeria’s problem but how to spend it (whatever the context), it is the Goodluck Jonathan administration that lived that expression. The government spent money and bribed as if both would go out of fashion anytime soon. We are in a dire economic situation today because the PDP has thoroughly mismanaged the country’s resources and its members and their cronies have stolen a substantial part of it.

That is why a major crude oil producer is now bedevilled by acute fuel scarcity. What a valedictory emblem! The impression one gets is that the PDP is populated by people who have no conscience or sense of shame. Apparently, they were in a hurry to come into the world and therefore did not wait for their share of these virtues when they were coming.. If our leaders had conscience or sense of shame, they would not feel comfortable in the comity of civilised and focused leaders. I wonder how Diezani Alison-Madueke, our petroleum minister, felt whenever she attended the meetings of oil producing nations and saw that Nigeria, her country, is the only major crude oil producer that imports fuel. Worse still, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) elected her as its president last November!

This was after she lost the bid to become secretary-general of the organisation in 2012. It is either the OPEC job was a way to humour Nigeria or we have infected the organisation with the bug of corruption that has led to an incestuous relationship between most of our fuel importers and the Nigerian government. This is the oily mess they are leaving behind for Buhari to clear.

On the general economic front, the re-

•Lamido

sult is as woeful, if not worse. Virtually every sector has been paralysed. Power supply continues to ebb in spite of billions, not of naira but dollars spent on it by the PDP in the last decade alone. Many of our hospitals remain the same ‘consulting clinics’ that Buhari met when he came on New Year’s Eve in 1983 in a coup d’état. Education is in a shambles. Unemployment has worsened since the Jonathan government took over.

So, just what is working in the country?

Virtually nothing. It is against this ugly scenario that Lamido wants Buhari to perform magic simply because he made electoral promises. As at the last count, the incoming government had claimed that the Jonathan administration is leaving a legacy of $60 debt for Buhari to inherit. Maybe it is because Lamido did not see this as an issue that he still wants miracles. I must confess too that I did not know this is all the country lost to the Jonathan government’s squandermania and corruption. Whereas when President Jonathan took over, the economy was rosier, the exchange rate was better (around N165 to a dollar now about N200 to one US dollar); oil had sold at relatively steady high price (over $100/ barrel) under the Jonathan administration for long; yet his government frittered the money away while his officials and their cronies stole the rest.

One wonders how many of the demands Lamido is making now of Buhari that is inheriting virtually an empty treasury he made from their government which enjoyed the best of times. When Lamido talked about holding the incoming government accountable, does accountability exist in the lexicon of their outgoing government? How many of the PDP’s campaign promises in 2011 had been fulfilled four years after? When Lamido said: “We will not tolerate excuses”, the question that comes into mind is: ‘who are these ‘we ‘? He just reminded one of the Elder Godsday Orubebe ‘show’ when the result of the presidential election result was being collated on March 31. “We will not take this, Nigerians will not take this”? He had said, and many people kept wondering which Ni-

One wonders how many of the demands Lamido is making now of Buhari that is inheriting virtually an empty treasury he made from their government which enjoyed the best of times. When Lamido talked about holding the incoming government accountable, does accountability exist in the lexicon of their outgoing government? How many of the PDP’s campaign promises in 2011 had been fulfilled four years after?

gerians Orubebe was talking about. He had since apologised, though.

Is Lamido feigning ignorance of the fact that we are having fuel crisis now because of the incestuous relationship between their government and a cabal that both enjoyed corruption together and are now afraid that the honeymoon is about to end?

I said it a few weeks back that the fuel crisis would last until Buhari is sworn in and beyond because there is no way the marketers who had enjoyed a lot of free money under the decadent system would want to let go easily.

They would want to prove that there is no corruption in the subsidy regime and the only way they can do that is resort to cheap blackmail to get the new government to pay them. Since when has the Jonathan government and fuel marketers ever quarrelled or disagreed over subsidy payments? So, why now?

The same principle underscores the darkness in the nation. Power firms that gave N5billion to PDP campaign, are crying of lack of funds to run their business.

It is not an accident that both the oil and gas and the power sectors are in this sorry state a few days to Buhari government’s inauguration.

So, the Buhari government has its job cut out for it. The shenanigans that thieves use to delay or escape justice here must be demolished to facilitate court trials. A situation where the fate of thieves and bribe takers who committed crimes in Nigeria is still at preliminary stages in the country’s courts long after their foreign accomplices tried abroad had commenced their jail terms can no longer continue. Indiscipline is sweet and corruption even sweeter. It is true that corruption is not a peculiar Nigerian problem; it is a global problem. But the difference is that those caught in other places get their comeuppance fast while their Nigerian accomplices wine and dine with the people in power even as their case files gather dust in court shelves.

We must have seen through the kind of opposition politics the PDP wants to play. The party wants Buhari to resolve the peculiar mess that it could not solve when there was economic boom in 15 years, even before Buhari takes over, irrespective of the state of the country’s economy. So, Lamido too knows that they have sufficiently messed up the economy that they met hale and hearty?

But it is not their fault; it is because this is Nigeria. In most other places, the ruling party’s stalwarts and their collaborators in government would be behind bars by now.

Those who are not would bury their heads in shame. Indeed, in a place like North Korea, as someone said online, they would not have dared what they did in Nigeria. It is because they know that here; there is no consequence for those who ‘get their stealing right’ that the country is at the mercy of thieves. That is the crux of the fuel crisis and the power conundrum that have come to represent the baptism of fire that Buhari would have.

CHIBOK GIRLS. STILL IN LIMBO. SINCE APRIL 15, 2014.

How to increase enrolment in Nigerian Universities

By Professor Olusegun Osinowo

O

NE of the seemingly intractable problems facing the education sector in Nigeria is the relatively small proportion of students offered university admission each year compared to those eligible.

Of the roughly 1.67 million candidates that sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination each year for 2013 and 2014, less than 20% was offered admission.

This is not acceptable for a country in a hurry to develop. Besides, it portends great danger for the socioeconomic well-being of the nation. Having served as a lecturer in the Nigerian University System for nearly four decades before retiring recently, I believe I have some knowledge of its workings to make a few suggestions towards solving this problem. In any case, more people should speak out as what is at stake here is the future of our youths which is intricately linked to the future prosperity of our dear country.

The benefits to be derived from a successful implementation of these proposals include qualitative and quantitative enhancement of national literacy level and the socio-economic enhancements resulting therefrom, reduction in social costs of idle youths, typified by armed robbery, drug abuse, prostitution, electronic fraud, teenage pregnancies, cultism and hooliganism, etc.

There is a need to delve deeper into some of the underlying factors responsible for the problem being discussed. First of all, the carrying capacity of the existing Nigerian Universities is obviously far below requirement.

Furthermore there is a serious shortfall in the number and quality of University Lecturers, with just about 50% having PhD degrees. Also worthy of note is the fact that the high fees being charged by Private Universities puts them beyond the reach of most students. The major strategy currently being employed by the Federal Government to tackle the problem under discussed is the establishment of more Universities. Nigeria currently has about 150 Federal, State and Private Universities.

However, due to the high cost and long gestation interval required to get a University properly established, it might take about ten years or more for the impact to be felt. Another strategy is the expanding activities of the National Open University of Nigeria.

This institution is beginning to make an impact but its general acceptability is being hampered by the discriminatory attitudes of some professional groups and employers towards its graduates.

This needs to be quickly addressed at the highest level. The National Universities Commission also needs to adopt a more liberal attitude towards parttime programmes, especially those being run by the older Universities.

A rather interesting but significant outcome of the country’s highly constricted university admission space is the increasingly large number of Nigerian Students studying abroad. Currently, it is estimated that about 71,000 Nigerian Students are studying in universities in Ghana, 30,000 in Great Britain and 7,000 in the US. This exercise of the democratic option open to Nigerian Students who can afford it could be consciously boosted by offering scholarships and bursaries, until the situation at home improves. Some further suggestions aimed at solving the problem of inadequate university admission spaces for Nigerian Students include: Operation of 24-hour Campuses (Night Study).

Virtually all Nigerian Universities at present operate for only eight to ten hours daily. The facilities remain idle for the rest of each day. The introduction of night study on these campuses has the potential of increasing enrollment by 50 to 100%, with minimal additional investment in solar panels or diesel generators, pending improvement in power supply through the national grid.

There should be a reduction in unnecessarily long Course Durations. For example, reducing the duration of a Bachelor of Agriculture Programme from five to four years would enable admission quota for Agriculture to be increased by 20%.

Also, there should be a conscious effort to promote On-line Study Programmes in affiliation with some National and International Universities. With smart phones and adequate bandwidth, many students are already availing themselves of this opportunity provided by some highly reputable foreign universities.

Finally, Private Universities should be given access to Tertiary Education Trust Fund, provided they would be willing to cap their tuition fees to provide greater access to students from lower income brackets. That way, they truly become partners in progress.

Professor Osinowo, is the CEO of Sophie Academic Services Ltd based, Abeokuta

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

COMMENT

Implications of change manifesto (6) The Buhari administration, and by extension, those of all the governors and local governments of his party, must be subjected to monitoring of implementation of policies at all times

T

HE focus of last Sunday’s column was on the President-elect. Suggestions were made for his consideration as he prepares to assume the mantle of change in a country that had experienced more failure than success in the last few decades. The column reminded the new president that sustaining the integrity of the manifesto of change, upon which majority of Nigerians voted for him and his party, requires conciliatory attitude to those who did not vote for him. It also calls for an ever-present readiness on his part to restore national security, justice, rule of law, development-oriented economy, and an unflagging enthusiasm to fight corruption, the mother of the failure of the Nigerian State in the last four or more decades. Today’s piece, the last in the series on implications of Buhari/ APC’s manifesto of change, is on the citizenry.

It is instructive that political pundits and average citizens have started to acknowledge that Buhari/APC’s change manifesto was even before the election in tandem with citizens’ hunger for change, a complementarity that madeBuhari/APC’s victory over Jonathan/ PDP seemingly predictable, once the APC primaries picked Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate. While INEC deserves to be commended for taking all risks to make the 2015 elections more free and fair than previous elections, it must be remembered that it is the decision of the people to exercise their sovereignty to choose the leader they prefer that, in the final analysis, gave Buhari and his party the electoral victory and the chance to change the culture of governance in the country in fundamental ways.

The old saying that “citizens get the government they deserve” does not end with the power of citizens as voters to put a candidate or party of their choice in power as and when they feel they need to do so. In other words, citizens’ sovereignty does not terminate with electing a new government; it also includes an abiding obligation on the part of citizens to hold their leaders accountable for their policies and their conduct in office. Resolving to

remain active in public life in the post-election era is the best way for citizens to assist the new government to fulfill its promise to bring political, social, and economic change to the polity and society. Any form of complacency on the part of the electorate or any attitude reminiscent of the feeling by voters that “we have done our part by voting them into power” can encourage bad behavior on the part of political leaders in power.

In specific terms, there is much that citizens can do to support the process of change and also to protect the new government as it makes new policies capable of producing change in the polity, economy, and society.General Buhari’s integrity and love of probity in public life has become common knowledge to the extent that citizens believe he is capable of bringing out a rabbit from his hat with respect to most of the problems facing the country. As honest and resolute as he may be, he still needs the patience of citizens as he embarks on his mission of change as from next week.

For change to be meaningful and effective, it is not only the way Nigeria has been governed that has to be changed; so must the sloppy attitude induced in citizens to public life over the years by public officers and civil servants who were deficit in terms of public spiritedness also requires change. Citizens in the workplace and in public space have also for decades been habituated to the culture of nonchalance,personalism, and patronage. Because of uncaring governments over the years, citizens have learnt how to feel unperturbed with conducting themselves as if they are local governments unto to themselves, such that many frown at paying their fair share of taxes on the basis that such revenue is more likely to be stolen by public officials and their bureaucrats. In the context of decline in revenue from petroleum, citizens need to perform enthusiastically their primary duty to government, prompt payment of tax.

However, they need to invoke the principle of he who pays the piper monitors the relevance of the tune by becoming enthusias-

tic about their other role: engaging public officials and political leaders on issues of national, state, or community interest. The Buhari administration, and by extension, those of all the governors and local governments of his party, must be subjected to monitoring of implementation of policies at all times. It is too risky to stay aloof and wait for another four years to invoke citizen power in a democracy. Individuals and groups should play the role of civil society (putting pressure on their leaders to do right), without necessarily imbibing the careerism and entrepreneurship of what has become in the global periphery professionalization of civil society organizations or what critics in many African countries refer to as NGOISM, belief in the possibility of making a career in and with nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that live off external funding.

Despite the absence of triumphalism on the part of General Buhari and some of his party leaders, it is common knowledge that the traditional and social media are overflowing with triumphalist pronouncements. It is, for example, puerile for any group or party leaders to engage in self-celebration about how they won the last election while emphasis should be on how to use the victory to advantage. It is common knowledge that political parties in democracies win elections because citizens vote for them. Party enthusiasts who have to beat their chests for winning should keep such self-celebration in-house. Ordinarily, it should be the losing party that needs to console themselves with stories of how they lost. What supporters need to learn now is how to maintain constant vigilance and support of their party men and women in power as from May 29 while always respecting rights of those with different political views and affiliations who have to play the role of official and informal opposition. The focus should be on change, not on distractions.

In the framework of separation of powers, it is not just the executive at every level of governance that citizens need to watch.

They also need to monitor the legislature and

the judiciary, to ensure they maintain the independence required of each branch of government. During the decades of military dictatorship, citizens had come to see government only in terms of those who perform executive functions. This mentality was carried into the post-military era to the extent that the legislature at all levels in the last sixteen years was virtually left on its own.

Otherwise, how could lawmakers have been able to get away with giving themselves higher salaries than their counterparts in richer and more advanced countries of the world? How could lawmakers at the federal level get away with adding executive functions to their role in the name of constituency projects that generally got monetized for them? Despite receiving generous constituency allowances, most legislators at the center did not have functioning offices in their constituencies and had no consultative sessions with their constituents. And despite the provision in the constitution for citizens to call their elected representatives in the National Assembly to order, this did not happen in sixteen years. Citizens have to hold their lawmakers accountable by engaging them or protesting against them, if they try to avoid such engagement. No state governor should be allowed to avoid conducting local government elections as and when due, just as no governor should be allowed to tamper with funds earmarked for local governments.

Finally, the absence of work ethics and general lack of discipline on the part of workers during regimes of self-interest need to worry every citizen as the country enters the moment of change. For too long, Nigeria had lived off easy money from petroleum to the point that the average citizen has come to believe in miracles, in the possibility that working hard and well is not a prerequisite for promotion and recognition in public service. Using having a job in government to ask for bribe before providing service to citizens will damage the reputation of the party of change. With the new regime, citizens must insist on restoration of the culture of honest delivery of public service, if they want the ideology of change to improve quality of life for all in our new country.

Concluded

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

COMMENT

15

NGF: the futility of impunity The governors should never allow wrong impulses to destroy a worthy organisation

T

HE several months of rigmarole that stagnated the affairs of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have given way to reason as the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) governors behind the pointless altercation have finally embraced peace. At its meeting attended by the sullen PDP governors, the forum, across political divide, belatedly adopted Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as its authentic chairman, duly elected from its May 24, 2013 election. An unnamed governor reportedly moved the motion that the forum should agree that Amaechi won the 2013 election and this was unanimously adopted.

At the election held in May 2013, 35 governors, with one absentee, voted to elect the first among equals. Amaechi scored 19 votes to defeat Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State who scored 16. But, in a condescending move in mockery of democratic values, the 16 PDP governors rejected the election result and subsequently formed a parallel PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF), with Jang becoming factional chairman. If indeed politics is a game of numbers, we reasonably concluded then in our editorial that arithmetically, 19 is more than 16 and that the PDP-16 were wrong in their dishonourable rejection of that free and fair NGF election.

Our position that justice shall prevail in the NGF wrangling, no matter how long, came to pass with the mixed attendance across party divides, of the warring factions. The small but impressive attendance at the meeting validated the decision for Amaechi’s adoption. Amaechi attended the meeting alongside Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Abdul-Aziz Yari of Zamfara State.

Other members of his group in attendance were: Kashim Shettima (Borno); Abiola Ajumobi (Oyo); Umar Ganduje, current deputy governor

E

XCEPT, perhaps, the President Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, there is no other Nigerian politician whose person has been cruelly maligned as the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

There is no other politician in the current dispensation that has been such an object of vicious and groundless attacks as Tinubu. Since his emergence as a major pillar of progressive politics, Tinubu has had to live with many callously cooked-up stories that are clearly meant to disparage his person. The recent damning documentary that was aired by the African Independent Television, AIT, in the run-up to the 2015 General Election is, possibly, the height of all lies and propaganda being peddled to tarnish his image.

Tinubu’s bashing has so much become a calling that many who never really know the man bear false tales about him; sometimes authoritatively claiming to have ‘evidences’ to back up their unfounded claims.

Some just hate him out of vicious envy and unashamed jealousy. They couldn’t just fathom how it is possible for a Nigerian politician to tenaciously and jealously hold on to his political beliefs and principles in a polity where politicians change parties like they change

and now governor-elect of Kano State, and the deputy governor of Nasarawa State who represented Governor Umaru Al-Makura.

The Jang group in attendance included Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and also chairman of the now defunct PDPGF. Others were Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Usman Dakingari (Kebbi); Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and the deputy governor of Kogi State who represented his governor.

It is gratifying that the NGF crisis is now finally over, even if in the twilight of this administration. However, such disgraceful conduct put up by the PDP governors, obviously with the mammoth support of President Goodluck Jonathan, really soiled the reputation of the factional PDPGF since they were perceived as democrats and believed to be democratically elected. It is good that new sense of reason has definitely put their contempt for representative values in context at the appropriate time.

Despite subsequent media denials by Jang of his not adopting Amaechi at the recent meeting, which we considered to be an afterthought because he reportedly sent in an apology for his inability to attend the meeting, the truth remains that the Jang group at the meet-

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Festus Eriye

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

•Deputy Editor Olayinka Oyegbile

•Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

•Associate Editor Sam Egburonu

•General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye

ing led by Akpabio actually did the needful, even though belatedly, meaning that they realised that what they did then was done out of malice and self-centredness, and not motivated by any principle.

The NGF crisis marked, a long time ago, the beginning of the end of the PDP government at the centre and in most of the states lost by the party in the just-concluded general elections. The outgoing ruling party also lost it a long while ago in the court of public opinion, with its members’ random impunity and haughty disposition in power.

If not for the warped federal structure that makes the component states in the country to rely on the central government for survival, the kind of unwarranted impunity in the NGF, a legitimate pressure group peopled by governors, would not have occurred. This is because President Jonathan recklessly deployed federal might to subvert NGF’s internal democracy and by extension, its general affairs. Now that the matter seems to have been resolved, we can only hope that such disruptive tendencies will not recur in the coming dispensation because it is not worthy of emulation. It is an object for the incoming regime if it truly intends to take the nation to the next level.

We are happy that mathematics in Nigerian politics, through this warring NGF PDP members’ recant, has now regained its integrity.

Jang should stop his delusion of grandeur that made him erroneously embark on spiritual hallucination when he went to church to do thanksgiving over an election that he lost but would not publicly admit. His group members’ capitulating presence at the meeting and their adoption of Amaechi as winner of that election shows the futility of impunity. What a lesson!

LETTER

Demonising Tinubu and the limit of lies

By Lateef Raji

clothes.

As far as his adversaries are concerned, there is nothing good about Tinubu. Unfortunately, they are dead wrong.

Today, many speak glowingly about how Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has been able to transform Lagos State. That Fashola has performed well in Lagos is an incontrovertible fact. However, one indisputable reality that some don’t just want to hear or speak about is that it was Tinubu that laid the foundation of the modern Lagos that has so much thrived under Fashola’s able leadership. No doubt, the eight years spent in office by Tinubu, Fashola’s predecessor and Governor Emeritus, set the pace for the birth of this modern Lagos.

The Tinubu administration laid a solid foundation for the new Lagos that has now become a model for good governance in Nigeria. It was Tinubu’s government that set up enduring institutions such as KAI, LASTMA, LASAA, LAMATA, to mention just a few. This is aside putting in place a creative and ingenious template that has institu-

tionalized governance in Lagos State. It was the Tinubu administration that began the systematic fixing of the State’s infrastructure. The complete regeneration of the Lagos Island Central Business District took place under Tinubu’s watch. Many roads across the State such as Kudirat Abiola Way, Lawanson-Itire road, IkotunIjegun road, Ikotun –Igando road, LASU-Iyana Iba road, to mention just a few, were rehabilitated and expanded by the Tinubu administration while a comprehensive program for resuscitation of public schools in the State was also put in place.

Perhaps, more importantly, the Tinubu administration put the State on the trail of economic independence as it shored up its revenue base.

Tinubu inherited a failed economy from the Marwa administration, by the time he was leaving office in May 2007, his administration has increased the State revenue base from a meager N600 million to over N8 billion. That the administration survived the Obasanjo’s onslaught was mainly due to its rich revenue

stand. BRF’s performance so far is a vindication of the precise political mast and sound aptitude for human judgment of Asiwaju Tinubu and the defunct Action Congress, AC, leadership that recommended him to Lagosians. It is partly because we have not been able to replicate same at the federal level that our nation has for long been at a critical crossroad. While Lagos remains politically and economically stable today, same cannot be said of the PDP led government at the centre.

Unfortunately, today, mischief makers and incurable Tinubu’s haters disparage this architect of the new Lagos, but mischievously celebrate the Lagos model of people-oriented governance put in place by the same man. Not acknowledging Tinubu’s contribution to the Lagos project is impish, stereotyping him with corruption is rather puckish. After they have failed to pull him down politically, it has now become the past time of professed Tinubu’s haters and bashers to stigmatize him with the unproven label of a corrupt politician. These days, every prime property in choice

locations in Lagos and other parts of the country is owned

by Tinubu. Indeed, according to the tale bearers, the whole of the Lagos economy is now under Tinubu’s control. He owns every new hotel and eatery in town. All shopping malls in Lagos belong to him. Tinubu has now become such a mysterious money bag that ‘owns’ what Dangote, the popularly acclaimed African Richest Man could not boast of.

Being a leading opposition figure, in the past sixteen years, if the man is actually as corrupt as he is being painted, he ought to have been behind bars by now. It is an open fact that Obasanjo and Tinubu were not the best of friends. So, if the Obasanjo government could not nail Tinubu on alleged corrupt tendencies, it goes to show that something is actually missing in the whole jig saw.

However, there is a fact we should not ignore. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is that proverbial man with the Midas touch. He is a national brand that every business wants to associate with to become an instant success both in govern-

ment and in the private sector.

The belief is that the name would sell their business anywhere in Lagos and beyond. A classic example is the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Central Business District; a public-private partnership arrangement

by Ibeju Lekki Local Government.

It is the same principle that has defined his political leaning. In 2003, when the Alliance for Democracy, AD, lost all its controlled states in the south west, except for Lagos, the only attractive option for Asiwaju Tinubu was to jump ship and move to the ruling PDP. He could have made instant gains.

That is the natural path in African politics because playing opposition politics in this clime is hazardous and unattractive.

However, such choice is for men with blatant opportunistic disposition, not Tinubu.

Those that are privileged to know Tinubu are conscious of his unquestionable patriotic zeal and uncommon commitment to the emancipation of the downtrodden. As for those who peddle unsubstantiated falsehoods against him, like it is often the case at weddings, the onus is on them to come up with the body of judicially acceptable proofs or shut up forever!

•Raji is Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, Lagos State.

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16

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

COMMENT

Buhari: Bold agenda for the next four years (A view from abroad) In this way, the government can increase available electricity to something around 6000 megawatts; that is, double what is currently available in the country

The columnist is currently on holidays in Houston, Texas, and yields the column this Sunday to Segun Badipe, a Nuclear Medical Scientist, and great Nigerian patriot, who has been tortured to no end by PDP’S indescribable 16 years of utter cluelessness.

Happy reading.

W

ITH the election now over, it is imperative that the president- elect should embark on a bold and persistent agenda. It has been sixteen years in the making since our people have been waiting to see true dividends of democracy. PDP’s sixteen years of colossal failure has shown that politics is not an end in itself. With this lesson in mind, the president- elect must move with all deliberate speed in implementing those political and economic programs that saw his party to victory in the just concluded elections. Because no one is certain which program would deliver the most in the shortest time, his agenda must be properly interrogated by the party. This article will attempt some pointers.

On the political front, he must go after all the treasury looters. This is sure to enjoy tremendous political support from Nigerians since they understand the connection between the excesses of the PDP and the political problems currently facing the country. It is unfortunate that the judiciary has been thoroughly bastardised. And here, one is easily reminded of the Ibori case. Here was a governor, exonerated by the courts in Nigeria only to be convicted and jailed by a London court. The interesting thing is that both courts were presented with the same facts. While in office, it became public knowledge that he was unfit to hold public office be-

cause of his past criminal record while living in London and the EFCC took him to court on various other corruption charges which case the Nigerian court dismissed in its entirety. The Nigerian judiciary thus allowed a felon to go scot free with catastrophic financial consequences for his Delta state people until a saner jurisdiction did justice to the people by jailing him for his merciless looting of the state treasury. I mention this to demonstrate the urgency of cleaning up the judiciary.

The President-elect must use covert operations to flush out corrupt judges as it would otherwise be difficult to get convictions against corrupt politicians and their associates.

On the economic front, there is a lot that can be done to give people hope. Nigeria is about the only country I know where politicians don’t feel any remorse for not delivering on their campaign promises. There are obviously no quick fixes for the power problem but I would suggest that the government proceeds rapidly with rehabilitation of moribund or uncompleted projects that can increase deliverables in the short run. In this way, the government can increase available electricity to something around 6000 megawatts; that is, double what is currently available in the country. With respect to the plants suffering from irregular supply of natural gas owing largely to sabotage, plants could be built closer to gas sources or they are abandoned rather than remain waste pipes. The president must, leveraging on our extant laws, vigorously go after the merchants of darkness. It needs no gainsaying that there is, today, a cabal in our country which profits from darkness and does everything to sabotage

improvements in both generation and distribution of power. Among them are some generator merchants, diesel companies and corrupt NEPA officials who all conspire to keep Nigeria in darkness. This cabal must be put out of business. If we learnt anything from the revolution in the telecommunications industry, it is that services are better delivered when excessive bureaucracy is bye-passed. Our experience with big bureaucracy has been rather ugly.

NITEL is now a relic of its past. No thanks to mobile telephony that has made it irrelevant. The Buhari administration should be able to bring the same revolutionary change into the power industry. The president elect can also embark on alternative energy sources to break the stranglehold of this cabal. Tax incentives could be offered to small and medium size businesses to purchase solar, wind or inverters for the purposes of operating their business. And for large manufacturing businesses, government could experiment with clusters of businesses in specific industrial zones and help lower their overhead costs with tax incentives and subsidies.

Without a doubt, one of the greatest problems facing the country today is that of insecurity as exemplified by the Boko Haram menace. I have no hesitation, whatever, in holding that solving the Boko Haram problem will help, to a great extent, lay the foundation for genuine progress in the country. If we do not get the Boko Haram problem under control, nothing else will matter because life is key. Some have myopically, and naively, suggested that government should negotiate with them. Terrorists, by their nature, do not play the give and take game; for them, it is all or nothing.

Therefore, no responsible government should ever negotiate with a terror-

ist group. Rather, we must move with all deliberate speed to put them out of circulation, whatever it will take, and if any Nigerian leader can do this , it is the President-elect, with a hands-on experience on such matters.

President Jonathan should have confronted Boko Haram with resolute determination but he dithered, for reelection purposes, and failed miserably. Unlike him, the President-elect must motivate our otherwise well trained fighting forces who were, unfortunately, rendered hors de combat by a listless President Jonathan who it took eighteen agonizing days to react to the seizure of over 200 of our prized girls. The army must be provided with all it requires to rout the Boko Haram menace. With enough men and resources our army will be able to deploy resources to gathering critical human intelligence, absence of which has hugely hampered the army’s ability to deal decisively with the terrorists that government had to bring in South African mercenaries.

Then, and finally, the monster of it all – corruption, for which the President-elect must device novel instruments to deal with. Using agencies like the EFCC or ICPC is no more than asking the ruling class to prosecute members of its own class and which is therefore guaranteed limited success, will never be enough answer to the corruption menace. The government must, therefore, necessarily have to think-out-of-the-box, and do something truly revolutionary. The new administration could come up with an amnesty program whereby those who willingly confess their acts of corruption could, after making full restitution, be allowed to keep some of the recovered loot strictly for purposes of basic sustenance. This low cost tech-

The tragedy of misgovernance Now, the reality is on ground, the country is borrowing to eat, and we cannot find a name for it, just suicide

D

EAR reader, we will take off this week with a really sad story I read sometime last week in a Nigerian newspaper. The story chronicled one of the effects of the unpaid salary saga going on in many states in the federation, particularly on one family in Osun State. According to the writer, a civil servant in the state had attempted to ‘end it all’ by imbibing poison in the form of Gramoxone, said to be an herbicide. Reason: he could no longer afford to feed his family after being owed salary for six months.

I really sympathise. I really, really do because he represents the tragedy of misgovernance. But I can’t help feeling that rather than solve his problem, as he thought to do, Mr. O. Owolabi (for that is his name) has undoubtedly added to it. Now, the family has to look for money to offset his hospital bills, and what he will eat in the hospital, and transportation for the family to and from the hospital, and...., not to mention the fact that he might have compromised his digestive system for life. In short, it’s a whole new set of problems he has unwittingly landed himself in. Strong argument against suicide, should you ever be minded to, don’t you think?

How this sad state of unpaid salaries came about is anyone’s guess.

Words of course have been traded and

sold and borrowed on the matter. The governors of those states affected have thrown the blame at Abuja, particularly at Okwonjo-Iweala, who people now call NOI. Wonderful the way people throw names and acronyms at others, isn’t it? I have since learnt that Jonathan is GEJ, Buhari is GMB, and I am … oh dear, just OM. I must look for a third initial soonest.

O yes, I do have, it’s… wouldn’t you just like to know it?! Anyway, Abuja has retaliated by throwing the blames back to the states. I guess this ping-pong would have gone on with our heads yo-yoing back and forth if Buhari had not waded into the matter and asked on whose table the last ball fell. Abuja decidedly made it clear that it was owing no man. Then the governors kept silent, while still owing everyman in their states.

Then that gave some of us an idea of what really might have been happening. Yep, people, we are living with the effects of the shortfall in the oil revenue accruing to the nation and, by extension, the states. If that were the only problem, I guess people would be less inclined to commit suicide. I think the bigger problem is that neither Abuja nor the governors is really telling us everything they have done with the nation’s money. Mr. Owolabi and the rest of us can see the governors, ministers,

special advisers, godfathers, contractors, etc., first dipping their hands into states’ allocations as they were wont, just as if there was no shortfall, to live lifestyles that just boggle the mind. Then, whatever remains of the allocation will now have to do for state business. And usually, that does not do at all for state business.

Sadly, Nigerians have developed and imbibed the culture of vanity which is so very expensive to run and leads into debt and does no good at the end. Just take the number of private jets in Nigeria.

Five out of six of those planes belong to state governors who had no two pennies to rub together before becoming governors. This means that while your back and my back were turned for a moment, these unconscionable individuals purchased the monsters for their comfort only. I remember reading and reporting here once that one of the world’s richest men, Buffett I think, said it clearly that anyone who claims he needs a jet to make his work easier and better is lying. Anyone who buys the monstrosity, he said, does so for his vanity; because even as a rich man, he flies public airlines.

Now, you and I have to pay for that vanity.

But there is more. For a while now, there have been appearing in the air some kind of disenchantment with the way the economy has been run. Well, the thing is, if there is no problem, even the worst system that works is good. But when there is a problem, even the best system will

be hung by the people’s jury. I don’t know if that is what is happening now, but I do know that when things go wrong, someone’s got to hang. And as they say, the one who stays too long on the excreta should not complain that flies are buzzing around his head.

Truth is NOI, as the finance minister is called now, has stayed so long on the job you don’t know whether she has hurt the economy or the economy has hurt her. One thing is sure. If she came in with a pristine record, she’s going out now with a sullied one. And it began when she paid out about six billion dollars of Nigeria’s money to the world economic purse. I hear even a world body has condemned that as ‘taking milk from a hungry baby’ and giving it to the grown adult. It was needless, uncalled for and begging too many questions and answers. For the life of me, I can never understand that move, explain it as you will; not because I am no economist but because it goes against my native logic. It just does not make sense.

Worse, over the years, the true state of the economy has tended to become an object to play the games of prevarication, doublespeak, and double entendre with all at once. We are broke: we need to prepare. No, we are not broke: we need not panic.

Two opposing things simultaneously emanated from the finance minister over the nation’s economy. Now, the reality is on ground, the country is borrowing to eat, and we cannot find a name for it, just suicide.

Personally, I have only one

nique of recovering public loot could be made available in the first 12 months of the new administration, after which it becomes unavailable. The next step should be a whistle blower program. It is also a low cost technique, the essence of which is for persons who are intimately familiar with details of some corrupt acts to squeal on the perpetrators with a fraction of the recovered loot going to them as compensation. All they need is a legal pathway of uncovering the corrupt act. The whistle blower must help law enforcement recover the proceeds while such fraudsters are made to reap the full weight of their malfeasance.

The whistle blower must have immunity from prosecution and be protected from any conceivable reprisals. All these can be accomplished through anonymous techniques. Corruption rarely happens with only one individual.

Rather, it is usually through a web of coconspirators. bank officials, contractors and corrupt civil servants who all collude to foster an atmosphere of shady deals and inflated contracts. Government only needs to offer incentives to that one disgruntled participant who is willing to flip and report all the co-conspirators.

It is time for this novel technique, and I am willing to offer my services to fatherland in this area. It is extremely sickening, watching generations of our kids growing up with little or nothing to hope for in life.

Finally, we all want the president elect to succeed and to do so, he must neither be timid nor reckless. He must be guided by the timeless values of justice, fairness and hard work. Now more than ever before, Nigeria needs a statesman who is willing to work across ethnic and geographical divides and bring the best ideas to the table in order to build a great country we can all be proud of.

grouch against her: I believe she has stayed on for so long at that post she is almost long in the tooth. -Going by the unpopularity of that payout, she ought not to have stayed in government beyond the Obasanjo years. One, she does not have the repository of national economic wisdom. Two, there are plenty more economists in the land. Three, there have been signs that her brand of economics was not working for Nigeria. She should have quit while she was a head; now she’s several heads. Unless. There have been sniggers that she probably was on errand in Nigeria: to do as much irreparable damage as she could. I don’t know about this but what I do know is that she had a name to protect, and she should have done more to do that, particularly during the years of the locusts.

I think the big task before the new government is not so much how to diversify the economy as how to remove the talons and claws of the federal government from nearly everything in this country and allow the private sector to grow by itself. The economy of a country is not grown by the government sitting tight over the breakfast and lunch and dinner of every citizen. That smacks too much of paranoia. The economy grows when there is an atmosphere where everyone has the freedom to pursue his goals as dictated by his talent and ability.

The job of the government is to provide the enabling atmosphere so that should anyone decide to build a new town, he can tap into existing resources and then return the resources in multiple folds for others to do likewise. For too long, the government has been doing what it should not have done and has left undone what it should have. Therein lies the tragedy of misgovernance.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

COMMENT

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How large will Buhari’s Federal Executive Council be and what will this portend?

Morning shows the day Traditional aphorism common to all cultures

W

ITH 31 Ministries and 39 Ministers and/or Ministers of State in the outgoing Jonathan Federal Executive Council (FEC), Nigeria has one of the largest Councils of Ministers in the world. Consider the following comparative figures: China, with a population of 1.4 billion, about 20 Ministries; United States, population 320 million, 17 Ministries; Russia, population 142 million, about 22 Ministries; Brazil, population 200 million, 24 Ministries; United Kingdom, population 64 million, about 23 Ministries. Meanwhile, please note that without exception, all of these countries have GDP’s and per capita incomes that dwarf Nigeria’s figures, even with all of our oil wealth. Also, with the exception of only the United Kingdom and Russia, all of these countries have populations that are larger than our own 170 million. Moreover, please note that with every Minister or Minister of State in our country, there is a phalanx of auxiliary staff ranging from highly paid PA’s to low-wage personnel, all maintained at public expense. With all these figures and facts in mind, it becomes pertinent to ask whether a bloated Federal Executive Council has come to stay for good in our governmental system such that when the incoming President after May 29 announces the members of his cabinet we will not be surprised at all if they are as large or even larger than Jonathan’s FEC. There is a particular historical and ideological dimension to this profile of our bloated and costly federal ministerial system that is worthy of note. Simply put, this is the fact that we have not always had a bloated FEC; more precisely, we have not always felt that we needed a bloated FEC. Anyone over 50 will remember a time in our country when Federal Ministers were less than a dozen. Some might of course argue that 50 years ago, we were far less than 170 million people and did not have as much of the oil wealth that we now have. But that argument does hold up to standards of rigour at all since increase in population and wealth are not the main reasons usually given for the expansion of the FEC in Nigeria.

That reason, that logic is, simply, that we must have an FEC that reflects the “federal character” of our country and its government, thus making it mandatory to have at least one representative from each of the 36 states of the federation.

Now, I don’t think that this has the status of a constitutional mandate, but this has not stopped it from being the ultimate weapon against calls for scaling down the size of the FEC. In other words, “a Minister or a Minister of State from every state in the federation”: that is the rationale, the logic of the literalminded and spurious “federalism” that undergirds Nigeria’s bloated

•Jonathan and his FEC; does Buhari and his FEC have to be cut from the same cloth?

federal ministerial order. Who does not know that even as this piece is being read upon its first publication on Sunday, May 24, 2015, delegations have been going from all corners of the country to Buhari and his Transition Committee to lobby for the appointment of their “sons” or “daughters” to positions in the FEC and other plum federal parastatals?

The big question is this: will Buhari continue this false and wasteful “federalism” of a Minister or Minister of State from every state in the nation? Will his FEC be as big or be even bigger than Jonathan’s? And behind that question is this more revealing question: what does the size of the FEC – whether expanded or reduced – portend for what we may expect from our new ruling party, the APC? Since this will be one of the earliest consequential actions of Buhari as the new President and the APC as the new ruling party, what portents can we discern one way or another if the FEC after May 29 is significantly smaller or bigger than Jonathan’s outgoing FEC of 39 members?

Since our present presidential system of government was very deliberately patterned on the American system, it might be helpful to reflect on the vast disparity between the Americans’ 17 Ministries or Portfolios and our own 31 under Jonathan. [By the way, 31 is not the absolute upper limit for our FEC; that number was exceeded many times during the reign of the PDP from 1999 to 2015] With a landmass much bigger than ours (3.8 million square miles to 356,700 square miles) and a population figure much higher than ours (320 million to 170 million), the Americans make do with only 17 ministerial portfolios.

A simple answer to this disparity

might be a suggestion that the Americans have a nation whose long historical evolution has placed way beyond the need to reflect its federal character in the number and representativeness of its Federal Ministers or, as they are called, “Secretaries”. But this argument is false and unsatisfactory.

Like us, the Americans also have great expectations that their country’s public institutions should reflect the multiplicity and diversity, the “federal character” if you wish, of their country’s peoples and communities. But they don’t use this need, this compulsion as a means to sacrifice efficiency, public good and perhaps above all else, the creation and accumulation of wealth. Let us be very, very plain speaking about this: in America, any “Secretary” in the Federal Administration who, in one way or another, places wealth creation in jeopardy would not last long in his or her position.

The greatest indictment against the bloated size of the FEC under the reign of the PDP is that its size was inversely related to the negligible quantum of wealth and public good that it produced. All over the world, the mark of the worth of every national executive or ministerial council is the effective delivery of services and the enhancement of public good. Other than rigorously reflecting the “federal character” of the country, Obasanjo’s, Yar’ Adua’s and Jonathan’s FEC’s, with few exceptions, were all remarkable in under-achievement and mediocrity.

Wealth was not only not created by them, it was dissipated on a colossal basis. We recall here the portentous words of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, arguably the brightest and most technocratic of the PDP FEC’s, that corruption and

mismanagement were so endemic in the government of which she was a member that she would be quite satisfied if by the end of her term in office she had managed to reduce the scope of the waste by a mere 4%. In the years of PDP’s reign, the performance of secondary school leavers at NECO and WAEC exams were abysmal in failure rates; and yet not a single Federal Minister of Education raised an alarm at the precipitous crisis, not to talk of resigning as an honourable act of acceptance of responsibility.

Apart from the received or perceived need to reflect the federal character of the country, in forming his FEC Buhari will be labouring under the immense weight and pressure of rewarding Party faithfuls and benefactors. Hopefully, he will also be looking across the length and breadth of the land for the best brains, the most requisite incarnations of expertise and the most dedicated patriots. The driving logic of this essay is the thought, the wish that Buhari ought to know that he has no obligation whatsoever to have a bloated FEC. As I showed in the beginning section of this piece, there are many nations on this planet with much larger landmasses and much higher populations that do quite well with ministerial councils half the number or size of our own FEC. This is not asking us to do away with the need to reflect the federal character of our country. Rather, it is an argument that there are much better and more productive ways of expressing and consolidating our constitutive federalism. One of these is the equitable distribution of development projects and enterprise zones to all parts of the country.

Against the logic of such projects, having an FEC of 39 members or more is a myopic and backward

form of “federalism”.

In bringing this piece to a conclusion, I would like to draw the reader’s attention to perhaps the most expressive and visual justification of our seeming need to have bloated FEC’s as a confirmation of the “federal character” of our government. I am sure that everyone reading this essay has seen it many times, perhaps without reflecting too much on it. This is nothing other than the glitzy photo-ops that every meeting of the FEC provides for the gratification of its members and the edification of the whole country and perhaps the world. In these photographs, the sartorial elegance, brilliance and diversity of the country is on display. Flowing, billowing babarigas and agbadas in dark shades of blue and black stage a dalliance with bright, flaming tones of red, yellow and green smocks interlaced with golden or silvery embroideries. We are indeed a people whose cultures of dressing and sartorial display bespeak self-respect, dignity and power. Nothing captures this better than the photo-ops provided by the opening meetings of the FEC. But behind the scenes of splendor are of course the sordid realities of our FEC’s stultifying mediocrity. Buhari has a reputation for simplicity and self-restraint, but I do not know whether he will extend this to a parting of ways with the specular extravagance of the PDP’s FEC meetings. We shall see!

So compatriots, watch out: if Buhari puts in place an FEC swarming with new portfolios and higher numbers, know that this will in no way constitute a definitive and irreversible commentary on his administration; but it will be a portent, an eloquent one at that.

Biodun Jeyifo bjeyifo@fas.harvard.edu

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

COMMENT

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Fuel scarcity and the agony of Nigerians I

T started like a trivial development that would soon fizzle out with time.

Most government officials that spoke about it gave glimpse of hope that all will soon be well.

We were told that within a couple of days the market would be flooded with petroleum products and that the pains of Nigerians would soon be over.

But quite surprisingly, the fuel scarcity being experienced across the country lingers on.

After almost about two weeks of waiting in vain to get this all important product Nigerians are becoming agitated because of the ensuing agonies and frustrations associated with the scarcity of petroleum product.

Most filling stations in major cities across the country have become a beehive of activities with multitudes of people waiting endlessly for the scarce commodity. In the few places where the product is available, it is being sold in very exorbitant prices which make it to be beyond the reach of the ordinary folks.

In Lagos, motorists and commuters are groaning under the heavy yoke of fuel scarcity.

From all indications, this particular occurrence might take a bit longer before it subsides. Feelers from experts in the sector have revealed that this current shortage might last for sometime bearing in mind the fact that fuel marketers are

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

not really sure about the likely attitude of the incoming Buhari administration towards fuel subsidy and other related matters. According to experts, the major marketers might want to be very careful with regards to fuel importation until they are certain about Buhari’s policy direction for the industry.

A major by product of crude oil, the availability of petroleum is crucial to the continuous survival of the country’s economy. Factories, companies, industries and, indeed, homes hugely rely on accessibility to this product, on a daily basis, for optimal performance. In essence, its non availability could disrupt economic activities considering the un- reliable state of public electricity. For some time now, Fuel scarcity is one plague, like corruption, that we are yet to find a lasting solution to in the country.

Successive governments in the country have had to contend with this problem without achieving much success. At some point, especially when the fuel refineries in the country were no longer functioning at best possible capacity, the crisis became so alarming that Nigerians were spending days at filling stations just to get access to this all important product.

Characteristically, the few filling stations and ‘black market’ operatives that are selling the product are ripping off Nigerians by selling at cutthroat prices in spite of the stress that people have to pass through to obtain the product.

Consequently, civil servants, lecturers, students, health workers among others, are presently battling with the adverse effects of the lingering scarcity. As it is customary, transport fares to various locations in the metropolis have sharply increased, with commercial bus drivers readily fingering inability to access the product as justification for the increase. Similarly, security at various homes, in the state, is being threatened as most people could no longer get the fuel to ‘power’ their generating sets. The implication is that Nigerians could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.

It is sad that Nigerians have to suffer so much to get a product that nature has endowed the land with. Those that actually benefit from the oil wealth of the country are the few political and economic elites who get engrossed in many dubious oily deals. What the masses often get is incessant increase in the pump price of the product. Of course, Nigerians are not new to such as succeeding administrations in the country have had to increase fuel prices on various

occasions. A chronicle of increase in the prices of petroleum products in Nigeria reveal that every regime since Gowon has, at one time or the other, tampered with fuel prices for one reason or the other.

The Gowon regime that administered the oil boom era in the country increased fuel price from six kobo to nine and a half kobo. Obasanjo, in his first coming as a military leader, jerked the price from nine and a half kobo to fifteen kobo while the General Ibrahim Babangida led military junta moved it up from15 to 70k . the interim government of Chief Earnest Shonekan also increased fuel price from 70k to N5. The Sani Abacha led military regime moved it from N5 to N11 while the General Abdusalam administration took it up to N20. Obasanjo, in his second advent, increased it to N70 while the administration of late President Yaradua reduced it to N65. His successor, President Goodluck Jonathan, moved it to N141 before slashing it to N97 having met with stiff opposition from Nigerians.

In recent time, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has come under heavy criticisms in view of its gross ineptitude and lack of accountability and transparency. It is rather

shameful for a country reputed as the sixth oil exporting nation, in the world, to continually subject its citizens to the annual agony of fuel scarcity.

The question, of course, is for how long Nigerians would continue to bear the burden of the incompetency of those who rule us? It is bad enough that our lives are being endangered as a result of security challenges. It is bad enough that public electricity supply has remained epileptic, in spite of several reforms and fund committed into the sector. It is, however, undesirable that Nigerians should continue to suffer before they could get access to fuel, a product that providence has blessed the country with.

It is hoped that the incoming Buhari administration would look into the various allegations of incompetence, lack of transparency and accountability being levied against NNPC. Let the change that Buhari and his party clamoured for begin with the country’s oil sector. This is the time to sanitise the sector to ensure that probity and transparency become the order of the day. Nigerians do not deserve this continuous suffering in the midst of plenty.

Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Are we going to dissapoint him?

W

E live in unusual times.

One is surrounded by

a huge army of unemployed graduates, ailing pensioners, forlorn widows, heart-broken spinsters, disillusioned bachelors and aggressive single parents.

Headlines of newspapers hardly scream delightful news. On a typical day you get fed with joyless outbursts. ‘’Buhari faces high cost of governance challenge!’’ ‘’Sec board defies due process’’ ‘’PWC’s NNPC audit left gas sales record untouched…’’

No cheers, nothing to make you smile or give a lift to your spirit. According to the 2015 Budget expose, GMB will inherit a wage bill of N1.8trillion for government ministries, departments and agencies. He needs another N120 billion to fund the national assembly.

Against this bleak background are the holes in Government revenues. NNPC, according to the recent forensic audit by price water house owes the government a whopping $1.48 billion. The Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) audit of the petroleum Industry 2009-2011 claimed that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas failed to pay $4.84 billion to the Federation account.

These are just two samples of gaps or leakages in the Federation account.

From Bola Ogunrinade

Nonetheless, Nigerians are waiting for the incoming President to perform a miracle.

Knowing how impatient we are as a people, we expect GMB to ‘turn water into wine’, within his first 100 days in office! Where, for God’s sake, Is he going to find the funds to run the Government? The Nation of 6th May 2015 reeled out debts owed

by APC states. Most states owe their workers’ salaries. The debts range from two to six months’ pay. (I don’t envy GMB) The other day, I sat at the Murtala Mohammed Airport lounge waiting to board the flight to Port Harcourt. It was the first flight of the day, leaving Lagos at 7.00a.m. So, I had to log myself out of bed as early as 4.00am and head for the Airport.

As early as 4.30 a.m., Lagosians were already awake and plying their trade! One guy who looked more like a tramp than a petrol attendant held out a fourlitre can of petrol and asked if I wanted to buy it for a thousand naira. Can you do the calculations? He was selling at N250 per litre, against Jonathan’s N87? But then, you and I know that the petrol subsidy was removed immediately GEJ lost the Presidential elections. If you were in his shoes, would you still think we deserve any reprieve

from our woes after that huge betrayal?

Good for us, we are serving due punishment, being meted out following the tenets of due process! And the smart Alecs are turning our grief to cash. Now we wait on long queues at the NNPC stations. Sometimes, out of frustration, we exchange words and deal each other blows like Muhammad Ali in his hey days.

But I digress. The real issue on my mind is our expectations of our leaders. I once taught an MBA class the subject of leadership. When I asked what the qualities of an effective leader was, my students reeled out a long list: ‘He must be articulate, competent, versatile, (possessing knowledge of all aspect of management), honest, diligent, courageous, sincere, patriotic, God-fearing, prudent, have a zero-tolerance for corruption……….’’

Boy, Nigerians are searching for an angel as their President.

Back to the Airport encounter. I heard two young men also waiting to board argue about the qualities they hope the next President of Nigeria has. I listened attentively and almost clapped when I heard them mention that he must have an uncanny ability to put together a high performing team.

They even went as far as

saying candidates for Ministerial positions must give a 20 minutes’ presentation of what they would do to make a difference if appointed! I could not help but join their discourse. I asked them why they thought the issue of team selection was crucial. One of them, obviously a lecturer carefully explained that the President alone cannot do all the work. ‘’Every successful leader is backed by a team of committed followers who have the wherewithal to buy into his vision and assist him to actualize it’’ He went further to stress the need for a leader to have credible followers. As he remarked! ‘’If the leader is a saint surrounded by devils, they will drag him to the pit of hell.

My own take on all of these comments is that it is not going to be so easy to put the team together. Remember that Nigeria has millions of professionals-men and women brandishing degrees and certificates from first class institutions all over the world.

Their CVs, I am told, are already doing the rounds and seeking for ways to end up on Buhari’s table! Did you hear that there is also great battle going on over who will be the next Senate President and who is the seasoned orator to hold office of Speaker, House of Representatives?

That is just a sample of the ‘Battle royal’ GMB will face in choosing competent men and women to assist him in the onerous task of building a new Nigeria. Whilst we demand from our President saintly qualities, we must charge ourselves with the same. In every sphere of human endeavor, there can be no breakthroughs without diligence, honesty and tenacity of purpose. If we keep ‘’cutting corners’’, the whole street will soon be gone!

And lest I forget, I must not end this piece without commending President Jonathan for that historical phone call to Buhari and his often equipped words. ’’My personal ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian’’ Now the announcement is on for boarding: ‘’Aero flight NG 311 going to Port Harcourt is now boarding…’’

As we moved towards the boarding gate, I kept turning over our discussion in my mind. GMB, in the last few days of hosting Governors, National Assembly men and community leaders has kept on assuring Nigerians that he will not disappoint us. Flip over the coin and ask: Are we, Nigerians, going to disappoint him?

Ogunrinade, sent this piece from Lagos

19

LIFE

SUNDAY

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

When doctors’ errors become fatal In saner climes, the natural thing to do when a patient dies or suffers greater bodily harm due to a doctor's negligence is to seek redress in a court of Law. But the compassionate and sometimes passive attitude of Nigerian families to always resign to fate and leave everything in God's hands, have ensured that this ugly situation persists. Medinat Kanabe, who spoke to victims and families of such unfortunate neglect and misconduct, explores the situation.

•Continued on page 20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

20 SUNDAY LIFE

When doctors’ errors •Continued from 19

•A patient being stretchered into an emergency unit

•Dr Adedugbe

•Agbaje-Fred

•Continued on page 21

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

SUNDAY LIFE 21

become fatal

•An hospital ward

“A nurse injected them on the instruction of the doctor, who knew very well that the nurse was new and still learning. She injected the three boys wrongly, and it affected them negatively. Yomi could not walk well for more than 3 weeks, but fortunately for him, he recovered. But for Dega and Folarin, theirs are sorry cases.”

22 SUNDAY LIFE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

TRAVELOGUE

Suzhour: A city of classical charms

As one of the cleanest and most developed cities in China, Suzhou with its glittering skyscrapers, has managed to retain a beautiful connection with its past. Reputed as a city of gardens with symmetric combinations of rocks, body of waters, avenue of trees and pavilions that reflects the Chinese sense of balance and harmony, Olalekan Okusan who visited Suzhou recently, chronicles some of the attractions that endear a first time visitor to the emerging modern city.

A

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

SUNDAY LIFE

‘I used to be Sunny Ade’s escort rider’– Obajoko of Ila-Orogun Chief Olusegun Idowu Oladosu is today the Obajoko of Ila Orangun, one of the highest chieftaincy titles in Ila Orangun (Osun State) and an evangelist. But it has not always been rosy, as he tells Taiwo Abiodun in this interview how he once worked as an escort rider for Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade in his hay days, his (KSA) impact on his life, plus his religious faith, marriage belief, amongst others.

•Oladosu •Sunny Ade

23

24 SUNDAY LIFE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Our mission is to put smile on faces of widows Medinat Kanabe reports on the activities of See Joy Foundation, an organisation committed to improving the lives and wellbeing of widows

•Some widows at the event

Aboru Community, Ikeja Disco square up over incessant power cuts

•Some of the residents during the protest

TRACY AND TREASURE DANIELS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY,

29

MAY 24, 2015

Glorious day for a Father

• Bride’s Parent, Oyeyemi Ajayi Adeniyi and wife, Monsurat

• Officiating Minister with Couple

• Couple, Oluwabusayo and Adeniji

• Couple, Oluwabusayo and Adeniji with Choir

• Groom’s Parent, Mr. Titus Olusola Olaniyi and wife, Funmilayo

• Couple and Bride’s Parent with The Nation’s staff

•L-R: Fatai Ogundiran, Ayorinde Ajibola, T. Sekumade, Waheed Omotosho, Johnson Jegbefunme and Shola Fadeyi

Desperate Housewives Africa premieres

L-R: Mo Abudu, Nico and Clementine Vervelde

L-R: Sola Coker, Nike Animashaun, Pat Faniran, Alero Adolor

L-R: Mrs Nwoga, Jason Nwoga, Mrs Dozie

L-R: Yinka Akinola, Ayotola Ayodeji

L-R: Tari Ekiyo (Writer on Desperate Housewives Africa) and Tosin Otudeko (Writer on Desperate Housewives Africa)

30

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

ETCETERA

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi

POLITICKLE

deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

The fix

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

From last week: Graduating from a life of mercantile unionism and examinations without sweat to national youth service, the young man encountered similar odds.

To avoid a north ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency, he had his hapless parents ‘sort’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officials for a posting to the country’s commercial capital where, with further sorting, he hoped that decades-long efforts would culminate in a lucrative bank position. He found himself in a merciless job market instead.

A WAY soon opens for the relentless wayfarer. And the young man considered himself up to the task, but not before paying his dues on the pock-marked streets of the former national capital. Assisted by crooked errand boys on a notorious Lagos Island address after roving the city’s road network in futility, he forged enough documents to beat the requisite ‘10 years of cognate experience’ and sundry employment booby-traps.

No stranger to office politics, the youth cultivated the influence of a godfather and shot through the administrative ranks at work. To the envy of the gullible and consternation of the perceptive, he seemed to magnetise all the ‘hot deals’ and ‘projects’ going at work. But the benefits barely assuaged a growing appetite for the fast life. Not satisfied with running drugs rings whenever and wherever he could, he longed to expand operations or, better still, diversify.

A series of company-sponsored trips to the Niger Delta provided the answer.

He had heard so much about the sleazy world of piracy and bunkering. He had always wanted to play with the big boys, and here, at last, was his chance. He started to fish for links to ex-militant ‘generals’, drug lords, oil subsidy barons and corrupt government officials. After a few tips and some favours, he succeeded in breaking into the crooked circle and discovered there would be no opting out.

He didn’t mind, considering the fantastic bounty on offer. Propelled by contacts and slush funds, he sought admission to the biggest game of all – politics by the party in power. At grassroots or national level, a common thread appeared to run through the art and process of governance as far as he could see.

More often than not, you swear an oath of allegiance to your godfather(s) at some shrine and enter the world of do-or-die campaigns, contrived constituency projects and bogus travel claims.

As many know, politics in Nigeria is essentially a ‘come-and-chop’ affair, even if an ex-head of state-turned-former president-turned-puppeteer transited from come-and-chop to chop-most and almost chop-forever until his pawn seized the act mid-performance.

But the show would end sometime. While he planned a path from local government chairmanship to the National Assembly and governorship or the presidency with immense good luck comparable to a certain leader’s, the advent of progressivism burst the young man’s bubble. Enter the period of probity and accountability; enter the plea for mercy with justice; and enter the day of reckoning.

Long anticipated, the rule of law arrived with the most incorruptible one the country yet found.

But who or what could have saved the man from his predicament? Where were his peers, parents, teachers and counselors when the boy needed a shoulder to lean on? What will they say when the man emerges from the rundown prison facility ‘reformed’ as a gun-totting menace to society?

This is where the system matters. The leader and the led share relevance, and in their every whim, belief and practice national values reflect. The misdemeanour of today’s leaders and inclination of tomorrow’s replacements should, therefore, cause little surprise.

Still, what could anyone have done to halt the man’s slide? The answer was always obvious: fix the boy, and you fix the man. After all, the child is father of the man.

Reader’s Response A modern dictionary You ‘forgot’ to insert under ‘S’ in today’s edition of the ‘Dictionary’, ‘Statesman’.

With your complicit permission, it is: “A term much in use and very much misused/abused to refer to anyone from party thug to party potentate least qualified intellectually/morally to hold even a minor national political post.

Olu Oyawale. +2348062508***

QUOTE

We must try not to sink beneath our anguish ... but battle on.

—J.K. Rowling

Jokes Humour

The mugging A TORTOISE walking down the street was mugged by a gang of snails. A police detective came to investigate and asked the tortoise what happened.

The tortoise looked at the detective with a confused look on his face and said, “I don’t know, it all happened so fast.”

New Bull THREE bulls heard that the farmer was bringing another bull onto the ranch. The first bull said: “I’ve been here five years. I’m not giving this new bull any of my 100 cows.”

“I’ve been here three years and have earned my right to 50 cows. I’m keeping all my cows,” said the second bull.

The third Bull said: “I’ve only been here a year, and so far, you guys have only let me have 10 cows. I may not be as big as you fellows, but I’m keeping all 10 of my cows.”

Just then a huge truck pulls up bearing the biggest bull they had ever seen. At over 2, 000 kilogrammes, each step he took shook the trailer.

First Bull: “I think I can spare a few cows for our new friend.”

Second Bull: “I actually have too many cows

to take care of. I can spare a few. I’m certainly not looking for an argument.”

They look over at the third bull and find him pawing the dirt, shaking his horns and snorting before making a charge.

First Bull: “Son, don’t be foolish. Let him have some of your cows and live to tell the story.”

Third Bull: “Look, he can have all my cows. I’m just making sure he knows I’m a bull!”

Drunk Judgment ADULTS sometimes appear to follow comic books as much as children, but you never know much until one city night.

A guy got really drunk in a bar. When the bar closed, he got up to go home. As he stumbled out the door, he saw a woman with a shawl over her head walking on the other side of the street.

He stumbled over to her and punched her in the face. Totally surprised, the woman struggled to defend herself as he punched her again.

She fell down. He stumbled over and kicked her. Then he picked her up and threw her into a wall.

Weakened, the woman barely moved. The drunk leaned over her, put his face right next to hers and said, “Not so strong tonight, are you Batman?”

•Adapted from the Internet

Writer ’s Fountain OW to hook the reader: Just as TV mystery or crime series A writer’s skillful use of language may as well put you right at the crime scene during the first invite the reader for more than a passing interest few minutes and you are hooked, want to be in your story.

The use of beautiful expression as well as hooked, and expect to be hooked, you cannot stop reading a book filled with suspense to the skilful arrangement of words and thought patterns works like music. It bears promise of end.

As a technique, you may use a bit of flash more to come and the reader stays to find out if forward or backward at the beginning of a long he is right.

It is all about enchantment. Whether it’s about narrative. You may use it as a prologue to draw skydiving, murder or love, first impressions do the reader into the book. He will want to find the trick. Remember that people remember what out “what happened next.”

The opening hook doesn’t have to involve they hear first. So hit the high point in your violence or intrigue. It could involve aesthetics. opening statement and closing argument as well as the first sentence and paragraph.

Cold hard facts: For example, what do you remember of this •Latin is a dead language. statement: “He was a dirty, low down thief, but •Antarctica has no native population. It is the he did many charitable works – helping the poor, only continent that does not have land areas particularly children”? He did many charitable below sea level. works – helping the poor, particularly children.

•Killer whales (orcas) kill sharks by But he was a dirty, low down thief. torpedoing up into the shark’s stomach from It’s the first statement you remember, not the underneath, causing the shark to explode. afterthought.

•The only fresh-water sharks in the world The bottom line is to start off with a bang! can be found in Lake Nicaragua.

See how writers in your chosen genre do it. Then •Large doses of coffee can be lethal. Ten attempt a violent shock or the mesmerising turn grammes, or 100 cups over 4 hours, can kill of phrase common with more practiced writers. the average human.

For effect, do it at the beginning and at the end.

H

MAY 24, 2015

PAGE 31

• Jonathan

PDP: Jonathan battles for relevance Pages 33

32

As the race for the next Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly gathers momentum, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on the blocs that may ultimately influence the choice

I

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

ndications have emerged on how newly elected members of the Lagos State House of Assembly may be the deciding factor in deciding who emerges as the next Speaker of the parliament. The Nation learnt that the 20-member strong bloc of new legislators constitute the new bride of all aspirants for the principal offices in the Assembly.

And obviously conscious of their influence as the majority bloc in the next Assembly, the members-elect, comprising of 12 All Progressives Congress (APC) and 8 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, are already sending signals of how they intend to influence the emergence of the Speaker of their choice.

"Although we are new comers to the legislature and we are from different political parties, it is incumbent on all of us to produce for ourselves leaders that have strategic problem solving and consensusbuilding abilities. If we fail to do this, we will be the greatest victims as fresh men needing to be guided and tutored in parliamentary procedures," a PDP memberelect from Lagos West told our correspondent after a meeting of new legislators held on the premises of the Assembly.

Speaking further, the lawmaker-elect said the decision of the leadership of the majority party, the APC, to allow memberselect for themselves a worthy leadership is commendable. "Politics apart, I'm impressed with the ongoing process where the party has provided level playing ground for legislators seeking to become Speaker.

"We hear that the issue of zoning will not be strictly enforced. I also heard the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, saying legislators are free to decide who leads them. These are commendable decisions and we as new legislators intend to make the best use of the opportunity given to us," he added.

The blocs The Nation learnt that following signs that the party leadership may no longer be keen on enforcing the zoning formula in the election of the next Speaker, aspirants have gone all out to woo the various caucuses and blocs in the emerging 8th session with the group of new memberselect receiving the highest attention.

All the lawmakers jostling for positions in the next session of the House of Assembly are returning members, hence the need to court the support of the new members, particularly the eight coming from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reports of several meetings and dinners hosted by the leading speakership candidates to discuss with and seek the support of members are rife. According to a lawmaker from Somolu Local Government, there is nothing wrong with such meetings and dinners.

"It is all part of the process that will lead to the emergence of a formidable and reliable Assembly in the interest of Lagos State. Politics is a game of numbers and it is good if the next leadership is popular with the members. It will ensure stability of the House and commitment of the members," he said.

Aside from the new members, another group receiving attention from the aspirants is the second termers caucus. There are eleven members in this group of lawmakers who are returning to the House for the second time having been re-elected by their various constituents during the April 11 State Assembly Elections.

In the 8th Assembly, while 20 out of the 40 members are new members, the remaining 20 are returning. The 11 second termers form a large majority amongst the group of returning lawmakers, hence the importance attached to their formidable caucus by the aspirants.

And considering the fact that members of this clique are also eminently qualified to vie for principal positions alongside the other returning members, a lot of efforts are being put into currying the support of this group by the leading contenders who are mainly fourth and third term lawmakers.

How next Lagos Speaker may emerge

• Ikuforiji A member of the second termers' group told The Nation that as loyal party men, they are committed to protecting the interest of the ruling party in their choice of who becomes the next Speaker.

"There is no way the party will not play any role in determining who heads the House.

I'm not talking about zoning. I'm talking about other means through which the party can guide the process. And in doing this, the party will rely on the information given to it by those of us in the House.

"So when people talk about imposition and the likes, it is because they don't understand how these things work. Yes, a lot of the aspirants are meeting with us to sell their candidacies. We are listening to all of them and when called upon, we will inform our

leaders accordingly. It is not enough to say you are the best for the Speaker, what other members and the party think of you is also of great importance. So, it is in order for these aspirants to go round and talk to people within and outside the party," he said.

The other blocs in the House are the third term lawmakers who are six in number. Nearly all the six are jostling for principal position and as such, they are seen as a group of lawmakers whose support or otherwise would be determined by how their aspirations are treated.

There is also the group of fourth termers.

One of their own is in the race for Speakership.

This, coupled with the fact that they are just three number reduced the pressure on them by the aspirants. But observers say as high ranking

A

By Oziegbe Okoeki He is somebody who has displayed so much passion for the job of lawmaking and other legislative duties, and is recorded as the lawmaker who has moved the highest number of motions in his eight years in the Assembly.

Agunbiade is a versatile lawmaker and has earned the respect of his colleagues in the Assembly; he is generally acclaimed as the best performing lawmaker at plenary.

As a student's union president at the university, Agunbiade proved to be a very good crisis manager. Speaking on what Lagosians should expect from the 8th Assembly if he emerges as the Speaker, Agunbiade said, "a leadership that would be able to convince Lagos residents that the 8th Assembly is an improvement over the 7th Assembly in the quality of the laws we make, in the human capital development in terms of training, transformation of the institution to a point of reckoning in the state; The leadership of the House that would be passionate about the manifestoes of the party and give democratic dividends to the people of Lagos State.

"I look forward to a leadership that would bring about the enabling environment to the

Agunbiade joins the race

S the race for who becomes the Speaker of the 8th Assembly of Lagos State gathers steam, the representative of Ikorodu 1 Constituency at the Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, has signified interest in the coveted seat. The lawmaker who is a lawyer by profession is a ranking officer who will be coming in for a third term in the next Assembly.

He is without doubt the major star of the 6th and 7th Assembly. Agunbiade made a mark right from his first term as a member in the 6th Assembly and has continued to maintain that mark in the out-going dispensation.

Before now, a group of legal practitioners under the auspices of Lagos Lawyers for Good Governance (LLGG) called on the lawmaker to vie for the seat saying he is a tested and trusted lawmaker.

A lawmaker in the Assembly said "he is calm, cool headed, composed and organised, and is not temperamental; he is also a very friendly lawmaker and relates with all and sundry. He has demonstrated a kind of maturity and understanding of issues that has earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues."

lawmakers, they may play vital roles when the chips are down.

"These are the lawmakers relied upon by the party. These are party leaders in their own rights considering how long they've been around in the House and in the party.

They are not to be ignored or underestimated by any serious aspirant for any principal office in the next Assembly," a party source said.

Issues Meanwhile, The Nation learnt that some salient issues will play prominent roles in determining how the lawmakers will vote.

One of such is the role of money in the ongoing Speakership bid.

"As new lawmakers, we are amazed by the extent to wish some of the aspirants would go to secure our votes ahead of the election of the Speaker. It is frightening the way money is being offered and received in the name of bidding for the leadership of the House.

One is left to wonder what type of leader would willingly bribe his or her way into office with such reckless abandon. At many of the meetings and dinners we have been invited to, money, even in foreign currency, were given freely. But I am sure none of us want to vote because of money," a new member-elect said.

It was learnt that two of the aspirants from the Lagos Central Senatorial District have met with the new members and distributed dollars among them. Another aspirant from the West also met with and shared money to the new legislators.

"When I asked one of them why it is necessary to induce members financially, the response was that it is because other aspirants are doing the same. But I can tell you that it is not all aspirants that are giving out money.

I know of one who only promised to carry our group along if elected. He gave no money.

The highest he said was that we will get good committees in return for our support. I think those sharing money should be viewed critically. The questions are 'where is the money coming from? How are they going to recoup such money? Legislators should beware," our source said.

Another issue is the aspiration of two second termers for the speakership. While The Nation learnt that the two lawmakers may have been told by their fellow twotermers to shelve their ambition in deference to hierarchy and experience, it was gathered that both of them are still very much in the race for speakership.

"It is not true that we found some things against the two of them. They are our colleagues; two termers like us. What really happened was that we urged them to allow for experience in the leadership of the next House. It was an appeal and I am sure they will heed our call on them," a lawmaker told The Nation.

Speaking further, the lawmaker from the Central Senatorial District said one of them was in the House in 2003. "For someone like this, it is improper for him to seek to lead an Assembly he left 12 years ago. Parliamentary business is ever evolving. It will be like appointing a toddler to lead adults and new born babies. We will examine all these issues critically in deciding who leads us," he said

• Agunbiade governor that would be taking over in the state."

Agunbiade, who is from the two ruling families in Ikorodu, that is, the Rademo and Lasunwon ruling families, is one lawmaker who has demonstrated an unusual passion for his constituents and constituency, always presenting issues and moving motions targeted to the well-being and welfare of his constituents at plenary.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

• Jonathan

POLITICS

• Muazu

33

• Anenih

PDP: Jonathan battles for relevance agree, is in urgent need of reforms and drastic overhaul.

The fear of being sidelined or completely losing out in the affairs of the ruling party if Muazu remains in charge, sources added, compelled the President to exert his influence to force Muazu's and Anenih's exit.

Despite Muazu's exit, trusted aides and associates of the president are however not fully satisfied. They are alleged to have commenced moves to also force some members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), whose loyalty are in doubt, to throw in the towel.

A source said: "The next agenda is to force some NWC members out. The President is determined to take control of the party and carve it in his own image."

National Chairman. They are the outgoing Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed; Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil and Minister of Transport, Idris Umar.

While Umar was believed to be the President's first choice as a replacement for Alhaji Bamaga Tukur who stepped down as the National Chairman in January last year, his name is however not in the picture this time around.

For Mohammed, his alleged choice is not unconnected to his loyalty to the outgoing President, who needs someone that would do his bidding in the running of the party.

But sources say he may face opposition in his home state of Bauchi as a result of his alleged rift with the outgoing state governor, Isa Yuguda.

Yuguda, it was, who brought Mohammed to public limelight, first as his Special Assistant when the former served as the Minister of Aviation in the Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration.

The governor was also credited to have nominated Mohammed as a minister, who was elected as senator after defeating Adamu Muazu in the 2007 general elections. He fell out with the governor over claims that he was setting up political structures in his alleged bid to succeed Yuguda as governor.

Likely candidates to succeed Muazu Though Mr. Uche Secondus, the erstwhile Deputy National Chairman has stepped into Muazu's shoes, The Nation gathered that he has little or no chance of assuming the position in a substantive capacity.

With Jonathan expected to succeed Anenih as the BoT chairman, sources added that having the National Chairman also from the South-South could obliterate the little support the party boasts of in the North and further reduce its chances of bouncing back in the 2019 general elections.

Against this backdrop, three names are currently being bandied as the next

While the President may have settled for any of these three men, he appears not to be on the same page with some outgoing northern governors, who are allegedly scheming to have one of them as the next PDP National Chairman

The resignation of Alhaji Adamu Muazu and Chief Anthony Anenih as the National Chairman and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) respectively of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) signposts the battle for political relevance by President Goodluck Jonathan as he steps down this week, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo OR Alhaji Adamu Muazu, his stewardship as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which kicked off on a high note ended rather unceremoniously last week.

After weeks of staving off pressure from concerned stakeholders in the party, asking him to quit in the aftermath of the party's loss in the last general elections, Muazu finally called time on his 17-months tenure at the Wadata Plaza.

And in what appears as a well scripted agenda by the Presidency, Chief Anthony Anenih, the Chairman of the party's Board of Trustees (BoT) also stepped down from his position.

The two high profile resignations were the culmination of the blame game and buck passing by members of the party following its loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential, governorship and National Assembly elections held on March 28 and April 11 respectively.

With Muazu and Anenih out of the way, sources revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan is now poised to take full charge of the party once he hands over to APC's Muhammadu Buhari on May 28.

The President, it was gathered, may have also jettisoned his plan to travel out of the country to rest for at least one year as he seems poised to stay back to reorganise the PDP, which stakeholders

F

Those canvassing for Wakil are said to be impressed with his relative youthfulness, cerebral disposition and non-controversial posture as attributes required to properly reposition the PDP for the tasks ahead.

Between outgoing and incoming governors While the President may have settled for any of these three men, he appears not to be on the same page with some outgoing northern governors, who are allegedly scheming to have one of them as the next PDP National Chairman.

Outgoing governors being positioned for the job include Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and his Katsina State counterpart, Ibrahim Shema, sources have disclosed.

Lamido's choice is hinged on his loyalty and sacrifices for the party, particularly in the heat of the crisis that trailed his membership of the defunct G7 Governors, while those in support of Shema say his emergence as PDP boss may serve as a counter check to the influence of Buhari, who also hails from Katsina.

The success story of Shema as governor in the last eight years without much controversy has also made his choice more appealing to many PDP stakeholders.

The position of the incoming PDP governors, sources say, would not be different from Jonathan's. With the exception of Taraba and Gombe, all the other incoming PDP governors are in the South-West, South-East and SouthSouth where Jonathan's influence is not in doubt.

As the PDP prepares for its new role as the main opposition party, a few questions would suffice. First, will President Jonathan retain his hold on the party? Second, will his support base swell or shrink as the battle for the next general elections begin within the next two years? Time would surely tell.

34

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

Senate Presidency: APC, PDP in game of wits

• Saraki

• Akume

Following the intrigues surrounding the race for the Senate President, both Peoples Democratic Party (APC) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are treading cautiously, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

A

S the battle for the position of the President of the next Senate rages on, indications emerged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be engaged in an intriguing game of wits regarding how the position would be filled.

The Nation learnt that in spite of APC's clear majority in the 8th Assembly, the PDP, which lost its right to the leadership of the Senate following its unimpressive performance in the March 28 National Assembly elections, is bent on having a say in who would direct the affairs of the hallowed chamber.

Sources within the embattled party say the PDP is determined to slug it out with the majority APC in the struggle for the control of the senate by supporting a candidate other than the one favoured by the leadership of the APC. The APC got about 61 elected senators in the March 28 National Assembly elections, while the PDP only had 49 senators elected in the election.

Consequently, PDP senators are shut out of the race for the coveted position as the rule clearly states that the Senate President must be produced by the majority party.

But, determined to get even with the APC for influencing the emergence of Hon Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the lower House against the directive of the leadership of the then majority party, in the outgoing dispensation, the PDP it was learnt, has finalised plans to throw its weight against the choice of the APC, should the majority party adopt one of the aspirants.

"While we are not trying to produce a PDP Senator as Senate President, as we are very much conversant with the rules, what we are trying to do is to have a say in who becomes the Senate President. We have 49 Senators and that is a huge number should the APC field more than one candidate for the position.

Just like they used their bloc minority votes to upstage the PDP's choice and enthrone Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011, we intend to use our minority bloc votes to upturn whatever zoning or any other arrangement the majority party may adopt

in deciding who emerges as Senate President.

Our plan is being helped by the multiple aspirants eying the position within the APC. What we are just waiting for is to know where the APC is heading. Once we know what they want to do, we will simply oppose it and support another aspirant. With our bloc votes, we are sure of upturning the directive of the APC leadership, whatever it is,' a PDP Senator from Ekiti State told The Nation.

Although the majority party never for once announced a zoning arrangement, following reports that the position may have been conceded to the North-Central, Senators Bukola Saraki from Kwara State, George Akume from Benue State and Adamu Abdullahi entered the race for the Senate Presidency and have been going round the country soliciting for support.

But initial permutations that the race is a direct battle between Senators Bukola Saraki and George Akume was later eclipsed with the entry of Senator Ahmad Lawan from Yobe State. Lawan, a ranking Senator from the North-East state, pundits say, may have entered the race on the strength of his ability to garner votes across the two parties.

And while the aspirants from the NorthCentral and their supporters continually urge the party to adopt the zoning principle and cede the Senate Presidency solely to the zone, Lawan and the people of the NorthEast are asking the party to consider the pitiable plight of the zone in recent years in deciding who gets what in the next dispensation.

Recently, senators from the North-East insisted that for the sake of justice and fair play, the APC leadership should zone the Senate Presidency to the embattled zone which delivered the second highest number of votes to the party after the North-West.

• Lawan

One of the senators who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, argued that because the North -East region had been devastated as a result of the insurgency and has been the most marginalised in terms of infrastructural development, restricting the Senate seat to the North-Central when the North -East has a qualified candidate would be some sort of victimization to them.

He explained further that the zone has never been given the opportunity to occupy the exalted seat since the Second Republic, adding that the North-Central has always been occupying the position.

With these argument and counter arguments amongst APC Senators, the scenario, according to analysts, appear suitable for the political coup being planned by the defeated PDP and its senators.

"The calculation of the PDP is that with several candidates emerging from the APC, the votes from the APC senators will be divided according to candidates they support, thereby reducing the number of votes for each candidate, while the candidate favoured by the PDP will clinch the votes of all its members in addition to some from the APC to emerge as the Senate President.

Beyond settling scores with the APC over the emergence of Tambuwal in 2011, the plot is also expected to give the PDP a strong voice and presence in the Senate in the next dispensation. There are allegations that huge financial war-chest has already been deployed to facilitate this move and we are sure it will pay off.

We are just waiting for APC to make the mistake of imposing a candidate on its senators. Then we will move in and alter the game. Should we succeed in influencing the Senate presidency contest, then it will be a good springboard for the party to bounce back to reckoning early. It will also sow the seed of disunity within the APC which as a new party may not be able to handle the effects of such development," our source added.

But the APC, perhaps aware of the plot by the PDP, seems to be approaching the contest for the Senate presidency cautiously.

Its careful moves, pundits say, may be unsettling the PDP in its plot to influence

What General Muhammadu Buhari said does not contradict our position on the zoning of the offices. What is certain is that members of the Senate and the House of Representations are the only ones who can choose their leaders

the emergence of the next helmsman of the National Assembly.

In a surprise move, the APC said it will not impose any candidate on its senators as Senate President. The National Chairman of the party, John Oyegun, stated this while clarifying the position of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on the choice of the presiding officers of both chambers of the National Assembly.

Oyegun said the party would merely guide the senators and the House of Representatives on where to choose their leaders from, but would not be involved in the process of deciding who becomes what. Buhari had earlier said he was ready to work with anybody who emerges as the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"What General Muhammadu Buhari said does not contradict our position on the zoning of the offices. What is certain is that members of the Senate and the House of Representations are the only ones who can choose their leaders.

We are going to advise them on where they will choose their leaders for obvious reasons. Then, it is for them to choose their leaders. The party cannot name people for them, but for the sake of balancing, we will advise them on where they should choose their leaders," Oyegun explained.

Speaking on the PDP plot recently, former Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said the APC will throw open with the most popular candidates likely to emerge. He made this known in Lagos while speaking with newsmen, stressing that APC will not allow zoning to guide contest for elective offices in the National Assembly, specifically to avoid the opposition party, PDP taking undue advantage.

Akande affirmed that the APC has not zoned the Senate presidency to any geopolitical zone, urging senators-elect and other stakeholders to beware of speculations to that effect. He said rather, the APC will recourse to an in-house measure to resolve the issues about contest for National Assembly offices without creating room for animosity, which according to him, the PDP could eventually exploit.

"We don't want those who will trade off the principal offices to the opposition.

The principal officers could be sold out unwittingly to the opposition. So, we want to be very careful and we want to manage those who are interested. So, we don't talk about zoning in our party. It was raised, but people rejected it," Akande said.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

35

We are ready for the task ahead, says Lalong The Plateau State Governor-elect, Simon Lalong, is not new to politics of the state. After being Speaker of the House of Assembly for six years, he went into a sort of 'retirement' from partisan politics. In the April gubernatorial elections he ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and won. He speaks with Olayinka Oyegbile, Deputy Editor, on his mission to redirect the politics of the state from its divisiveness and crisis.

H

ow prepared are you for the tasks ahead?

When we came into the campaign, we had a manifesto and a blueprint for the people of the state. This is not my first time in government; I've been a Speaker of the House for six years and as Speaker I have knowledge of the problems of the state.

Although in the last eight years it hasn't been easy for the people of the state because of the kind of governance we had, a divisive one. And so, when we were campaigning, we are also aware of the problems ahead.

As politicians, when you come and you have good ideas, you can change the game and implement your ideas. We are not afraid; we are prepared to implement our ideas.

How would you rate the election that brought you in?

It was very free and fair, in some places, I'll like to emphasize. In some places where they refused the use of card readers, it was glaring. During the first election (Presidential); as we were voting, directives came that they should use the manual methods. Some people took advantage of this, those who had protested and went to court that they would not use card readers took advantage of this and went ahead thumb printing voting cards and discarded the card readers. That's why we lost in some places. The senatorial election is a good example in the northern zone where we lost; they didn't use the card readers nor followed the rules. When we came to the gubernatorial, it was very clear we were going to use the card readers. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, made it clear that this time everybody must use card readers. Still this was flouted in some places where the PDP won and all this are going to be made clear at the tribunal because we have records of those things.

You know the election was a miracle of God and due to the collective will and decision of the people. For the first time people came together and damned the consequences, insisting that they needed a change. Civil servants, who were threatened, damned the consequences and said they needed a change and they voted for change. They saw lists of problems and they decided to effect a change. But there is a deliberate attempt by the outgoing government to cover their tracks. We said the state is indebted and they said no. We said we are going to inherit debts, they denied it but what do we have today? They went ahead and took a bond; but a bond is also a debt. You took a bond of N28 billion to clear a debt; is it not still a debt? But our committees are working and we'll come out with our result. They have started employing people; trying to create a booby trap for us from about 8000 workers they have increased the workforce to 9000 in the last two weeks.

So, what is going to happen to some ongoing projects that would not be completed by the outgoing government? Are you going to complete or abandon them?

I won't say I'll complete all projects. No. We are going to prioritise and pay salaries.

Salaries of civil servants are very important.

They have to be motivated to work and deliver results. We have to look for money to pay them and after that we look at ongoing projects and then decide what to do with some of them. The projects are for the people of Plateau State and some of

them, he (the outgoing governor) believes are good but we'll take a look at them and decide and we'll also need to initiate some of our own projects that are in line with our manifestos. We are also not in support of concentrating projects on one side, so we may pick some of them depending on the advice we get from our committee. Some of those projects are what he believes are good for him, but we don't think so. And as a government of the people we would spread the projects across the state because as they are now they are in favour of only a section of the state. When our committees finish with their works, they'll make recommendations and we'll look into it and proceed from there. We have to spread the projects and give our people a sense of belonging. It is their government.

Considering the importance of Plateau State, how are you going to assure the world and the citizens of security?

We as a people know where these insecurities are coming from and we intend to address it. The last administration survived on it because they enjoyed it; it is a system of divide and rule. There were divisions among ethnic groups and the government enjoyed it and we intend to change that. There are about 63 ethnic groups in the state and we intend to unite them and make them work for unity. In our campaigns, we stressed that we will get our people united. The outgoing governor was comfortable with the crises and we are going to change that. We are a government of the people and we intend to embark on ethnic reconciliation. You can already see that with our winning some level of confidence is already returning to the people and they are going to places they hitherto don't go to before. We have started changing the psyche of our people. Crisis benefits no one; it doesn't encourage investors nor foster peace.

In terms of security, I've already made an appeal to the President-elect, governors are chief security officers in their states and they report to the President; we need cooperation and we are going to do that together. With the change, people are already changing and after inauguration we'll need to build on this and make sure people embrace our peace plan.

We are up to it.

• Lalong

• Okonjo-Iweala

Looming bankruptcy in states: A disaster foretold?

As the country prepares for the May 29 change of government, Assistant Editor, Onyedi Ojiabor, reports on the dwindling financial status of states and how the out-going federal government missed the opportunity of reverting the trend

W

HEN in 2012 the Senate raised the alarm about looming bankruptcy in several states, some of the nowaffected states loudly dismissed the warning as baseless and unfounded.

Some other states saw the scary picture released by the Senate about the financial status of their states as an unwarranted and unprovoked attack on their state governors.

They quickly demanded for unreserved apology including retraction of the 'offensive material' and threatened to drag the upper chamber to court for defamation of character if their demands were not met.

Three years after, the Senate had sounded the warning bell, most states across the federation are today literally begging for life line to remain afloat.

The inability of most states to pay the monthly salaries of their workers is seen in many quarters as a major negative development in the life of the country.

Though the alarm was raised, like every other foreseen disaster in Nigeria, the country was unable to address the threatening danger and now, it has become a protracted crisis. The effects on thousands of workers' families are beyond description.

Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, who represents Ekiti North Senatorial District, was the whistle blower. Some called him names, depicting him as a prophet of doom.

Adetunmbi's timely warning for action to save the states was however largely ignored by the federal and state governments.

The political fate of Adetunmbi, an erudite senator whose intellectual contributions often enthralls listeners, gives an insight into the unfathomable trends in the Nigerian polity.

He lost in his bid to return to the senate to 'stomach infrastructure' in Ekiti State.

Back then, in 2012, when Adetunmbi reeled out his statistic, which he said was obtained from reliable sources, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Account and Allocation Committee, Nigeria Governors' Forum and Labour Policy Report, there was pin drop silence in the Senate chamber.

For Senators in the chamber, Adetunmbi's account of the financial stress in the states was an eye opener.

The unfolding insolvency in states which is bound to engender catastrophic consequences could still be stemmed if only states mostly affected could wake up from their slumber and do the needful, observers said.

Today the states know better, the dwindling federal allocations may have opened the eyes of some of them. The federal, states and local governments in the country for the first time shared N388.3 billion as allocation for the month of April, 2015.

Keen observers described the amount as the least ever shared by the three tiers of government since the return to democracy in the country.

Adetunmbi's motion entitled "Looming danger of bankruptcy in states: The need for fiscal evaluation" was all the Senate needed then to hit the ground running.

The upper chamber in line with Adeunmbi's prayers directed its committees

on Finance and Appropriation to study the situation and suggest remedial measures to avoid a total collapse of affected states.

It also asked the Federal Ministry of Finance to consider the establishment of a State Economy Stabilization Fund (SESF) in line with the provision of Section 164(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The Section states: "The Federation may make grants to a state to supplement the revenue of that state in such sum and subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the National Assembly."

The Senate also implored the Ministry of Trade and Investment to work with states to develop and implement policies and programmes on how to promote and generate economic growth and employment in affected states.

It advised the Federal Government to expeditiously review the Revenue Formula in favour of states and local government areas in the spirit of a true federalism.

Adetunmbi had in his characteristic manner of robust and thorough presentation noted "with great concern the great fiscal challenge and looming danger of insolvency and bankruptcy facing the states as a result of growing wage bill associated with the implementation of the minimum wage and other recurrent responsibilities of the states."

He told the Senate that a recent research by the Nigeria Governors' Forum revealed that 20 states faced the prospect of unstable and unfavourable financial standing, given the high percentage of their wage bill to the total revenue accruable to them.

For him, most states have become social employers of labour with unsustainably high work force that does not reflect in improved service delivery to the people.

He was alarmed that in "in most states, the private sector is weak and unable to generate economic growth and jobs that are required, thereby making the states and local government areas the largest employer of labour with attendant fiscal imbalance."

Of utmost concern to him was that the bulk of the revenue of the states is currently financing pay roll of the civil service which constituted less than four percent of the total population in all states.

Under the development, he said that six states were already approaching distress point.

He listed Kano 127%, Sokoto 62%, Niger 56%, Zamfara 54%, Katsina 50%, Osun 50% as states that will spend their gross annual revenue on civil service personnel cost.

Apart from the six states, he said that 14 other states will deploy 30-49% of their total revenue on personnel cost while six states will deploy 20-29% of their total revenue on personnel cost.

Five other states, he said, will deploy 15-19% of their total revenue on personnel cost.

•Contd. on page 38

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

Asiwaju and I had a model th •"Some people genuinely thought I should never be governor" In what appears like a valedictory interview, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, out-going governor of Lagos State took on some senior journalist in his office last week in a long session. Every question could have been asked and he answered them all - well, almost all. Sometimes convivial and sometimes combative, it could have been a talking database fielding questions. He spoke seamlessly about eight years of government that is at once exemplary and robust in results and also intriguing. In the beginning, he said, "Some people thought my coming was a huge joke" destined to unravel sooner. Steve Osuji, Member of Editorial Board, was present. Excerpts:

W

hat are the things you would miss most when you leave Government House?

I cannot think of missing anything, this is a public trust; it has a beginning and an end and it finishes when it is finished. My life did not change when I took the job. Not in any way that I know. My food has not changed, my clothing has not changed. Perhaps the only thing that I had to do more was travelling.

Now, I have to travel less. But this is not something to miss, this is something to say you have done your bit, get off the stage and let the next manager take over.

What would you consider the biggest problem you are leaving behind for your successor?

Well, I didn't govern to leave problems for my successor. And let me say, first of all, government loses its relevance when there are no more challenges. The only reason government exists is to solve problems. I inherited my own challenges; my predecessor inherited his.

But I can say that what we expect to see is that the job gets easier as we move on, and so all we have done here is to improve the quality of what we met in order to make it easier for the next person. We built stronger institutions, we have strengthened ministries; we have increased revenues in order to meet increasing demands.

We have strengthened government's capacity to provide services. We have just set up a citizens' relation management platform on the internet so that government is able

• Fashola

to more efficiently respond to issues for people using the current communication method of internet and telephone. But every problem that we solved creates new problems; that's life.

From hindsight, are there some things you think you could have done differently?

As for things that I could have done differently, hindsight is 20/20. As I said recently at an event, our job is like actors on the public stage, but the stage is life; we are making videos, cinemas, live productions, unending productions.

So, unlike the great movies that you see that there's is room for edit or retake, we don't have retakes. It's done, it's done. And so in that sense, for two thousand, nine hundred and something days, every minute of the day you are called to act either in the file or on the phone or in the meeting. So you do that from morning till night, almost 16 or 17 hours every day.

I have taken hundreds of thousands of decisions, could I have gotten all of them right? Certainly not! But I acted in the circumstance of what I understood the problem to be; I acted in the circumstance of what time of the day it was, I acted in the circumstance of how tired I was. I would rather make a decision than postpone a decision; I would rather be guilty of making a wrong decision than be found not to have decided anything.

So, in that sense, I can't

get everything right. That's why I would never know how many people were adversely affected by my decisions. But it is always important to let people understand that this is a public trust, it's not personal.

What has been the relationship of Lagos State and the federal government under President Jonathan, knowing this state is the commercial capital of the country and it has always been ruled by the opposition party?

Let me just quickly share some information.

Most of what we have done here; housing, waste management, LASTMA, tax collection, public works management, we have compiled into short notes. We will be unveiling it and presenting it to the public soon. The whole idea is that any state that wants to see what we have done, the methodology we have applied, how we were able to identify problems, solutions we deployed, who worked on what, the results achieved and the impact we have seen.

In terms of relationship, I don't know what kind of relationship you mean, but first of all President Jonathan was the President of Nigeria.

As a governor, we had reasons to work together because Lagos State is one of the states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria and if Lagos works well he has one less problem to worry about.

Officially, I think we had a decent working relationship, but there were things we wanted done that we couldn't get done and whatever the reasons were, were not communicated officially.

We have been unable to reclaim N51 billion we spent on federal government roads here - that's income the in-coming government should, hopefully, get. We thought the nation should have a forensic laboratory following the serious security issues we were dealing with. I wrote to the president, I wrote to the National Assembly; we did the preliminary work, we spent our money doing the consultancy. We were advised (by the consultants) to locate it towards Badagry so that the West African sub region could benefit from it. Recalled the Synagogue collapse where we had to take samples out to South Africa and to US to do DNA testing, when we could build capacity here; and we are complaining about unemployment. We told them the land was available and the initial work was done. It's going to cost N80 billion, but you don't have to spend that at once; in fact, if you spent N40 billion you would have a functional forensic lab. I told them they didn't have to do everything at once, that with N10 to N15 billion we could have started and we could have had a lab in place. But I didn't get an official response.

There were things like coastal erosion challenges in a village towards Ibeju Lekki. The President came and we showed him; we set the cost and asked for help but we didn't get any. We had to collapse our budget for that year because it was going to cost about thirty-something billion naira to solve the problem. I don't want to be understood as recriminating, but I know things could have been better.

There must be some meeting points, some areas the FG cooperated with the state during your time?

Yes, when we had the flood in Ajegunle towards Ikorodu, he (President Jonathan) gave us N700 million. I know the money was p a i d because w e have a n

ecological fund account. Because I have heard all sorts of things about ecological funds, I kept the money in a dedicated account and we were using the money to construct a resettlement camp, housing estate for people affected by that flooding.

The money is still not fully utilised because many of the buildings are in the roofing stage, fitting stage. We've gotten support for our Free Trade Zone from the Ministry of Trade, not cash, but a good word that government is supporting something gives you confidence.

At a time you were being touted as the Vice Presidential candidate, how do you feel losing out....

I don't like being touted and you cannot be said to have lost if you are touted, you can only lose if you contest. As I have told everybody who cared to listen, you don't contest for vicepresident, you don't contest for deputy governor; it is the mandate holder, the flag bearer who picks his running mate. So, I don't feel any how because I didn't even know if I was being considered or not and I still had a job to do here.

And don't forget I have been in government for 12 years, not eight years. So, I need a break now, or don't you think I need a break?

Security is one of the greatest strength of your administration... given fillip by the recent arrest of the Lekki robbers...what does it say about the security architecture of the state?

What we would like to see is a crime-free state, but in reality no such thing exists. And every city, every town, every nation deals with some form of crime. But what government must do is to out-think, out-maneouvre, out-spend the criminal because the criminal is in business and we must see them as our competitors for safety and we must defeat the competitor. And I think we have done that largely.

Every government as far as security is concerned must be right all the time; the criminal must be right only once. So, those are the odds; we have no margin for errors. In that sense, what government then does is to demonstrate not only that it can prevent crime but it can also apprehend criminals and that's what we have done consistently.

And the Lekki robbery as unfortunate as it was with the loss of lives that we suffered on that day and the brazen conduct of the criminals, our security architecture has shown that it can respond. We have found and apprehended some of the members of the gang and we are still on their trail. It's a good reputation to have because I remember one criminal the police have been looking for across Nigeria; it was here that we apprehended him. And I remember during interview with him, he said the police in Lagos don't forget. That's a good reputation to have; so people who test our will must know that we do not forget and we will come after them and we will bring them to justice. But the important thing to do is anticipate their capacities and prevent them from being successful in harming our people.

It seems the neighbourhood gangs may have stumped you as they have relentlessly been a menace to Lagosians?

You cannot isolate a very large youthful population with the challenges of unemployment from restive youth gangs. And that is why we have spent a lot of time and a lot of resources in developing grassroots sports. And we have created a calendar of sporting activities that runs for nine months every year, from one classic event to the other; from chess classes, to lawn tennis classes to swimming classes to table tennis classes to boxing classes.

But the classes are at the top end of the competition. What we have done also is to go right from secondary school to their environment and get them involved in one game or the other. And we have all sorts of competitions, grassroots competition... trying to keep them busy.

We have also built sport centres across Agege, Campos Square, Ifako Ijaiye, Epe and so on.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

el that worked - Fashola And as I said, from time to time we will have young people doing the wrong things. If it continues for a day or two, we step in and bring it under control. And we must also deal with problem of drug abuse and all of these things do not start and end on the desk of government.

They start largely with the families and we must take parenting very seriously and resist the temptation to abdicate our parental responsibilities, because the first government starts from the home.

Are you concerned about the degree of expectations from the Buhari presidency?

Expectations come with the moment. There's a lot of hope in the country and that's the most I would like to say, except to remind all of us that the mandate holder himself has continuously made statements seeking to manage the expectations. And you also have heard from the vice president-elect that these expectations will be managed. I'm going to resist the temptation to be quoted as speaking for them, it's inappropriate to do so. I have also, in that sense, found myself not agreeing with some of the reports I read in the papers, people saying they are setting agenda for them. I think it's wrong because you voted on the basis of an agenda, so what new agenda are you setting, unless you didn't understand the meaning of social contract?

They made a promise: security, corruption and the economy.

Those were the three platforms upon which they campaigned. So, you can't set an agenda after the vote. Because I assume that was what you were voting for. The British people are not setting an agenda for David Cameron, they knew what he was offering; that was what they voted for. So, we must help to enrich the understanding of the nature of democracy; the things you can fairly hold them to account for. That doesn't mean they will leave others, I'm not speaking for them but I don't expect that they will ignore other sectors. But that's what they campaigned on and that's what they won on. What I can share with you now is: that was what the poll results were saying, because they did a poll across Nigeria and those were what were highest on the list of what people wanted: security was number one, corruption was number two, the economy came third.

People have said that it is as if Fashola went to sleep in his second term, though he did a few things... some have also said he did more in the elite, highbrow neighbourhoods like V.I and Lekki than he did downtown Ejigbo and Alimosho?

Let me say first that in the first term, I was largely unknown. Some people even genuinely thought that I should not be governor. Some people genuinely thought that perhaps we were going to be a joke. So, perhaps, in that sense, we now had people saying, "wait a minute, something serious is happening here." And, of course, as I said earlier, once you solve a problem, you create a new problem. Now on the debate about first term and second term: I can tell you today that my second term was harder than my first term. As many governors will tell you, I think those of us who have compared notes have found the second term harder than the first. And in the fullness of time, those who are starting their second term will tell you the realities of their experience.

And you also see even at the international level; look at a second term Barak Obama and begin to make your comparisons. Look at his ratings in his first term and look at his ratings in his second term; that's the reality of life. We have a continuing debate in our executive council that we had two teams - the 2007-2011 team and 20112015 team - and we also challenged ourselves which team would beat the other. I was the captain of the first team and the captain of the second team as well. It was a mind game that we always played in order to keep ourselves on our toes.

And even I can't decide now as the leader of the two teams who won because, again, the circumstances were different. The first team came in at a time when there were relatively smaller resources, with an IGR of seven billion. But there were relatively higher oil revenues. But the second team came in, built the revenue from N16/N17 billion to 20-22 billion, but oil revenues have now headed south. Now over the last four years, and four years before the realities of Nigeria have also changed. And you cannot be immune from the realities of a larger society of which you are a subset.

That's why Alimosho and Ejigbo concern you raised must be put in context. You must

• Fashola understand also that societies don't evolve overnight. The Lekki you are pointing fingers to, in 1999 Lekki had no electricity. Those who were living in Lekki were running on two generators; one for the day and one at night. It was the Lagos State Government then that did the electrification of Lekki Phase 1. That upped the demand for real estate there and they started doing the roads.

But as far as Alimosho is concerned, if I show you the numbers; we have spent more money in Alimosho on roads than on any other local government - Alimosho and Ifako Ijaiye. And the reason is simple; the shortest road we have dealt with in Alimosho is two kilometres. Most of the roads in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, 500 metres, 1.1 kilometres. LASU-Iba road in Alimosho liking Ikotun to Iba is 17 kilometres, dual carriageways with about seven bridges. Do the maths. IgboElerin to Badagry is about six kilometres of dual carriageway with street lights and drainage. Sandfilling alone to get the level of the Igbo-Elerin road, you don't want to know how many trips of sand went there.

Now Ejigbo: a part of it is federal. That's where the tankers pass everyday and if I don't get my N51 billion - some people are asking: why are you spending money on federal roads?

Now let's go to Isheri-Ijegun bridge, do you know how much went into that? Over a thousand piles went into that bridge. The shortest of those is about 35 metres deep which is the equivalent of about 12-storey building. Okota also links to that road through another route. At that time, the only way to come through Ejigbo-Isolo was to go first to Mushin; we have provided an alternative. Which road carries the heaviest traffic forms our consideration for picking which to do first. And remember that every year we are limited by a budget, by what we can do for that year.

In now choosing where to go, the greatest good for the greatest number, that's the decisionmaking litmus test, not the greatest good for everybody. Nobody has ever achieved it. So, we look in that year and say, where can we do the greatest good this year? Which road out of all these competing roads carries the heaviest traffic so that you can get on it? You see the way we are coming from Agege Motor Road, Iyana Ipaja we are coming gradually creating a connectivity because you will see a bus route that was not there before.

There's a question that I ask every governor I meet and it concerns the state of our local governments. If local governments are working in Lagos for instance, most of the inner roads would have been repaired. And this applies to every part of the country. Does it not worry you that local governments are not working in this country?

It's a long story. When I read some of the comments that have been passed about local government, I only wish I could read more informed comments. And I say this with every sense of respect. Has somebody taken a local

government as a case study? What is the staff strength? What are the responsibilities that are thrust upon it by the Constitution? Not the responsibilities that it assumes by itself. What are the resources that it gets? The local government is so relevant to our lives that all of us want to walk away from it by refusing to participate when it comes to local government elections.

I have suggested that we should probably change the name as everybody wants to be a senator or governor. I don't like people criticising, if you must, come and feel the effect. Before you can say somebody is not doing a good job of something, what resources does that person have to the job? It's easy to say that a bad workman complains of his tool but tools help. We shouldn't generalise local governments because some local governments in all of these have made efforts.

Just as the state governor can't reach everybody, so is the local government not able to reach everybody. And all of these things are relative and contextual.

Even the most brilliant person, the most skilful person, if you come there without resources, can you make water out of stone? It's hard. And what kind of local government? We voted for autonomous local government. The Constitution says the local government chairman must be voted for, where does the autonomy come from? It's the people that have elected you.

They say governors seize their money and they make all sorts of generalisations and I say I don't sit in their meeting. The Constitution created a format for remitting their money: State/local government joint account. We can show that the money came through us and got to the local council. I don't know about other states, but in Lagos local councils receive their allocation.

A lot of your admirers are of the opinion that though you have succeeded as a governor, you have not done well as politician because you don't have a political structure of your own...and in addition, would you recommend what I consider the Lagos template of separating political affairs from governance?

There are what I call a lot of uninformed commentaries that have almost matured into verdicts. In life you must understand what skill set you have and you must understand in what ways you can best use the opportunities that come your way. And even in journalism, some people are very good as on-the-spot reporters, some people are masters of editorials, some people are very good copywriters, and so if you get involved and choose to pitch your tent in an area where you just diffuse yourself that's okay for you. What I did here was to be honest with myself and asked, what was the purpose of governance? To impact lives through development, that appealed to me.

Now, how was I going to get the best out of my time? Can I sit here from 8am to 10pm every day at work, and then from 10pm to 5am every day holding meetings for political purposes? Is there

37

a separate 24 hours meant for politics and another 24 hours meant for governance? It's how well you choose to use the time. I now said I have a predecessor who is living in very good health, he still has energy, he's more of a politician than me. I met him in politics, he has experience; so we found a model that works for us. For me, I always find a way to solve a problem. People can choose the hard way, that's their choice.

It is believed that you have no political structure... ...That's what I'm saying to you that such commentators are uninformed. What is this so-called structure about? Where are governors who had all the structures, today?

If I have no structure, I'm happy. Some people who controlled their houses of assembly eventually found out that they couldn't pass a budget. Governors who believed they controlled their houses have been impeached.

Honestly, I think we are getting all of these things wrong. We should be more definitive instead of being peripheral and understand how these things work.

It is believed that that is why your candidate lost in the Lagos primary...?

Again, all of you are coming to second hand conclusions. Yes, all of you made money in the newspapers, right? Excuse me, our party is taking credit for an open and transparent primaries. I was not the one running. So, why should the fact that somebody's running create a problem for me? I am a process person; we (our party) have a process. You want to run, go to the party secretariat, nobody was prevented from running.

Many believe you are a technocrat and not a politician?

Again, I have said I will not lend myself to all of these beliefs and stereotypes; that somebody is a politician, somebody is not a politician. It's like when people say Yemi Osinbajo is a technocrat. Somebody who is married to the Awolowo family and was eight years as Attorney General here to a governor that exuded political public presence and you say he's a technocrat. Maybe you should ask yourself whether you are the one who is getting it wrong. Can you actually be in a government at the management level without being a politician? It's like people who studied law ending up in management positions of banks and you say they are not bankers. My friend Aig Imoukhuede; perhaps many of you don't know, studied law from the University of Benin. So, go and tell him he's not a banker.

What is politics? It's a noble calling, management of human lives, human affairs.

That's what we do every day, solving problems.

Is it true that there's a cold war between you and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu according to social media offerings?

You have allowed unfounded rumours to build as facts. I am trained to only respond to facts. Unless you give me facts, I won't respond to hypothetical questions when they concern relationships. Social media who? If it's a twitter handle is it his own or her own?

If people hide behind social media, cowards who cannot reveal who they are and start fabricating stories, I won't dignify them with a response. That's not an efficient way to use my time. But if somebody makes an allegation, then I can confront the person. But social media, people who are faceless, they are cowards. Let's use our time more efficiently; we are in the season of change.

Many of your colleagues are going to the Senate. Did it cross your mind to contest to be one; is it right to do so?

Many of my colleagues went to the senate.

I didn't see myself as a legislator. The legislative work also requires certain skill set, let me be clear about that. Was it the right thing to do? For me, it may not be right, for you it may be right; but it's not illegal. It's also important to be honest with yourself; four-and-a-half years as chief of staff, eight years as governor, there must be a time when you feel that you have served in the public space enough. If I wasn't given the opportunity that I had you won't have known about me, would you? There are so many people out there we must yield the space to.

There's a lot of work to do in this country.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

ou studied agricultural science, so how did you venture into politics?

Yes, I read agriculture, and from agriculture I went further to study Business Administration because I like business. I am currently a business woman and a politician. Currently, I am the Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. How did I venture into politics?

It's just a funny incident. I didn't really want to be a politician, but somehow, somewhere, somebody just invited us to the national secretariat of the then Action Congress of Nigeria, and said Ah! Madam, you like to affect lives, you like to do good to people; don't you think by coming into politics you will achieve your aim? And I said that's true. I started off and I went into the ACN office in Abuja and I told them I wanted to be a member and that was how I started.

When was this?

That was about five years ago. I climbed from one ladder to the other; the next year I was made the ACN women leader. From there, I became AMAC chairman. They moved me from women leader to AMAC chairman.

From there, we have APC now where I also rose to become the women leader of APC in the FCT. How has your experience been as a female politician?

Beautiful and its quite unfortunate people tend to look down on women in politics, but I tell people that since politics is also like a calling; you are called to be a politician; the way pastors are called, the way presidents are called. If you are a politician, you are called into politics. I just love politics. I like to put smiles on people's faces. So, I think my being in politics has made me achieve that.

What advice do you have for other women out there that are still cautious about joining politics?

Yes, like I tell women, the era of singing; market women jumping up and down, clapping their hands is over. The kind of politics we are playing now is different.

Women in politics now are women of integrity; they are women that have things upstairs, they are women that are responsible, they are women that you can count on any day, anytime and they are dependable women. So, I tell women, look, don't shy away from politics; it is not the usual thing, it's not the way you are looking at it. This time around, we have to take our destiny in our hands, our women are good managers, and we have to be there to help the male folk, to help the men to build our nation to what we want our nation to be. If we are not there, who will be there?

So, there are still women that have the integrity; that God has called to be politicians, to be at the helm of affairs to build the nation of Nigeria so that everyone in this country will have a sense of belonging.

Some people believe that Nigerian women contributed a lot to the success of General Muhammadu Buhari in the last presidential election. Do you agree?

Absolutely, I believe and even in Abuja, let's take Abuja as a case study. Do you know that 57 percent of women came out to vote for the people's General? When you go to any polling unit, you will see more of women; if women are hundred, then men will be maybe 25, 30 and they will stay there and ensure that they monitor their votes till the last minute.

Women are dependable. Have you ever heard cases of women moving from one party to the other? It hardly happens. Women are more stable in politics than men.

Based on this, what percentage of women would you recommend for President-elect Mohammadu Buhari to include in his cabinet?

Our president-elect is woman-friendly; he has shown it so well. He loves his mother; he has a very wonderful wife. Our president-elect can make 40 percent for women. I think they will contribute a lot to nation building.

The president-elect has been saying that he may not support the office of the First Lady, what do you see to it?

It is not as if the president is not interested in women; he does not believe in it, he believes it is not constitutional. This issue is not about the First Lady, this is about Nigeria. Hajia Aisha Buhari has written many books.

Anyway, she said we should not call her First Lady; she is the president's wife.

She is trying to accept mother and children, sell values, giving values to our children that have been lost in the past. These are the kind of things that affect lives. If that is being done, things would get better. It is not just about carrying women around and just clapping hands, just jumping up and down with nothing to show for it. Nigeria is still the same way it was before. But, if the wife of the president has something to do to children-

'Jealousy driving women away from politics' Mrs. Hailmary Aipoh is the women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the FCT. She spoke with Bukola Amusan on her experience as a female politician and other issues.

• Kashamu mother relationship, set values to show to our children, you will see Nigeria will be a better place to live in. It is a process and she has to go through that process.

As a woman and a politician, how do you manage the home front with politics?

You were first a family member, you were first a mother before you became a politician and God has made it so easy for us that women are good managers. We know how to manage our homes; we know how to manage our husbands; we know how to manage people around us. We know how to manage whatever is put into our hands. So, I don't see any big deal as a woman, and how to manage your home and how to be in the political front; it is just your own understanding and your knowledge also and it is a process.

Following the failure of the PDP in the last election, what advice do you have for the leadership of the APC? You know that PDP and APC are a family; they are like brothers and sisters. It's just that we are in different battalions. You know when you go to war front; this one is in battalion this and that. They have done their own part; they tried their best, our leaders in the APC talk about CHANGE. That change must start from us as individuals, then it will now reflect in the lives of the people around us and the nation at large.

Interestingly, our president-elect has not said anything, but you hear that people are already bringing money, what does that signify? Of course, it signifies that he is a man of integrity.

They know he doesn't like corruption, they know he is a disciplined man. So, everyone now is going

into that path; that 'let me return my money o, let me return this o.'

That is the essence of life; that is how we will make Nigeria a better place. Every one of us in APC has to take to what President Buhari stands for. He doesn't like corruption; you can see that he has declared his assets.

In APC now, what we do is mentoring.

We have young APC women graduates and undergraduates that are members of young APC women. We mentor them, teach them about self values, how to dress, how to talk to people, how to be a better person in the society.

I advise women, we have to re-orientate our women on how to carry themselves, on how to talk in public, on how to talk to other people, so that people will not look down on you and say that she is a free woman, and we advise them to find something doing.

I am a business woman, so I can stand freely where men are standing. I am not a cheap woman that you will say you entice this woman with N1000 or N5000, No! I was a business woman to the core before coming into politics and my being a politician is to affect lives.

Some people believe that female politicians can't make it to the top without involving in some kind of immorality with their male counterparts. Do you believe this?

I don't believe it because you must make yourself different; give yourself something to do. For me, before a man will talk to me, he will look at me and say this woman, she has something upstairs, she's not a push around; she's not coming here to look for N5000 or N1000; she is a responsible woman, she is a business woman. If the men are donating N5000, then I will put my own N3000 down, so they will have respect for me; that I am not coming to take from them. That's why we advise women in politics to get something to do, be responsible.

What advice do you have for the incoming administration?

My advice for the leadership of the APC is to keep up the good work. Every promises made to the masses should really be touched so that the masses will have confidence in us as APC members.

Do you see a female president someday emerging in Nigeria?

Of course, yes, but not now.

Like how many years from now?

You know as women, we still need to love ourselves; we are the enemies of ourselves. We don't love each other, if we have a female and a male candidate, instead of us to vote for the woman, we vote for the male because we don't have confidence in that woman. This is due to envy and jealousy. It will take a lot of time to orientate the women folk on the need to love one another. It has to start from you and killing that jealous spirit and envy. The sky is quite big for everybody and every one of us is going somewhere.

Talking about the missing Chibok girls, what advice do you have for the federal government?

It's so touching. Anytime I think about these Chibok girls, it pains me as a mother.

My advice for the incoming president and their parents also is to rely on God absolutely. There is nothing too small or too big for God to do.

God will surely bring them back. Though it may tarry, though it may be long, they will come back.

Looming bankruptcy in states: A disaster foretold?

•Contd. from page 35 Only Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Jigawa states will spend less than 15% of their total state revenue on personnel, according to his finding.

Adetunmbi was worried that if the trend continued, "many of the states would become financially insolvent and increasingly handicapped to finance real sectors and drive economic growth jobs and improved livelihood."

He was also worried that "most state governments now rush to the capital market to raise long term bonds to finance development projects" and warned that without an appropriate framework, misuse of such funds could spell doom for the future of the states.

He listed some of the state governments that have taken bond route of funding between 2002 to 2011 to include- Lagos, Imo, Kwara, Niger, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ogun, Delta, Kebbi and Yobe states.

He underscored the fact that the financial quagmire of states highlighted the urgency of a review of the revenue sharing structure between the federal, states and the local government areas.

For him, the continued centralization of labour and wages legislation without reference

to resource endowment of states is antithetical to the basis of true federalism in Nigeria.

Such unitarist policies, he contended, are unhealthy to the development of a competitive labour market in states.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker was unhappy that the infrastructural deficit and shortage of jobs in the states have led to massive out-migration of youths into key cities, a situation he said had further exacerbated the pressure on urban infrastructure and social service with attendant slum growth, urban unemployment and worsening crime rate.

He observed that the states and local government areas being places of domicile and points of service delivery of dividends of democracy to the people; a progressive dwindling of resource availability for essential services in the areas constituted a threat to peace and security.

He concluded that since it is the people in the 36 states and 744 local government areas that elected them as senators from the 109 Senatorial districts in the country, they owe them a duty of representation, advocacy and negotiation for a better deal.

Many other senators spoke in the same line and sought quick intervention of the federal government to avoid disaster in the states.

Adetunmbi's treatise may have turned out prophetic. Most states are in trouble. The debacle

of most states finding it difficult to pay monthly salaries, some say, is just the beginning of worse things to come. Most states, they say, are in ruin financially.

Some of the states that called for the head of Adetunmbi for disclosing their poor financial position either as "tolerable, unhealthy, distressed, critical, or healthy, may have to engage him for salvage mission.

It is obvious that the out-going President Goodluck Jonathan's government has failed to address the challenge.

The sustainability of the states, especially their capability to fulfill their statutory obligations, including the well being of citizens of the state, may be a major problem for the incoming Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

The tragedy of the inability of some states to pay salaries may wittingly or unwittingly rekindle the debate on merger of states. Those asking for creation of more states may have also learnt one or two lessons. What is the essence of having states that cannot fulfill their obligations without monthly handouts from the federal government?

Does the country really need 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja with some of them so weak that they are existing on the mercy of the federal government?

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

39

Will the media siege on Abia end now?

A

s Nigerians across the different states rejoice over yet another smooth transition from one set of democratically elected administrations to another, it will be a different sense of celebration in Abia State. On Saturday, May 29, 2015, the good people of the state will sigh in relief in expectation that the siege laid on their state by two newspapers owned by one of their own will be over.

This is because though their outgoing governor, Chief T.A. Orji, has performed to their general satisfaction, this illustrious son of theirs has been unrelenting in using his two newspapers to wage a psychological war on the entire citizenry of the state for choosing to support the governor in its programme of transforming the state.

Although the quarrel between the newspaper mogul and the governor is a personal one, the former used his media prowess to paint the state in very bad light as a place where nothing works. The attack on the state has been so persistent that but for the fact that Nigerians are familiar with the idiosyncrasy of the newspaper proprietor as a fellow who sees himself as the only shining star in the state, Abia would have since became a pariah. The proprietary or otherwise of the media siege laid on Abians by one of their own is a topic for another day but the concern today is that even as Abians salute the man they finally refer to as "T.A." for a job well done, it is difficult for Nigerians who never visited the state in the last eight years to believe that it is not an assemblage of never-do-wells.

Such is the tragedy of a people hitherto seen as among the most discerning and hardworking but now so psychologically battered by one man who is impressing it upon them that after him no one else in the state matters.

Still, while this write-up is not necessarily an appraisal of the eight-year tenure of Governor T.A. Orji, its basic objective is to once again draw the attention of Nigerians to what the politics of hate could do to a people who have in the last eight years collectively worked in one page under the able supervision of T.A. The emphasis here is on the word, "collective". For, even as the administration of Orji proved its mettle in trying to improve the lives of Abians through the provision of infrastructural amenities, it will be perhaps most remembered for bringing the good people of the state to work together for their collective good. Anybody familiar with the state before T.A. Orji would easily agree that Abia was fragmented into many tendencies and that there was a complete breakdown of elite consensus.

The administration that preceded that of T.A. preferred to reign over rancor; its political elite virtually decided to dissociate itself from the state while the government of the day fancied itself as a champion of the Federal Republic instead of seeing to the welfare of the local citizens. But as Chief Orji bows out on May 29, 2015, it is to his eternal credit that Abia has been returned to a place where members of the political class work for a common goal, regardless of partisan differences.

Letter to Prof. Osinbajo ear Prof, It gives me great pleasure to address this letter to you as you prepare to move into office with Nigeria's Mr. Integrity. I refrained from getting across to you by any means since the All Progressives Congress stakeholders settled for you as the man most suited to pair General Buhari in piloting the affairs of this country because I was trying to watch development. I already knew then that the APC would win the presidential election and did not hesitate to say so, but I was more concerned about what to expect after inauguration of the administration.

Prof, I have just read your concern over the debt being handed your government and do not envy you. However, please note that Nigerians won't be satisfied with explanations and excuses. They expect the government to hit the ground running. I sincerely hope you could rise up to the crisis of expectation.

The Nigerian people are hungry and angry. Their disaffection with the Jonathan administration was quite manifest in the voter behaviour of March 28 The positive side was the manner they debunked the myth that an incumbent could never lose a presidential election.

The other side is the daunting task of clearing the mess on ground. The economy is in a shambles; the health system has turned all hospitals to mere consulting clinics; potable water is unavailable for households and the unemployment bomb keeps ticking. Yet, the outgoing government was satisfied with playing the rhetoric game.

Prof, much is not just being expected of this administration, but of you. Many see you as an intellectual and a pastor. Those who have insight to your contributions during the Tinubu government in Lagos State and what you mean to that tendency testify to your sterling qualities. To me, in addition to the depth which is required of whoever must pair with the GeneralPresident, your reputation as a principles human being counts even for more. It is my prayer that the office would not rob you of the qualities that made the choice of the urbane Professor of Law of Evidence generally applauded.

As a Pastor, you owe it not just to man, but God, to be true to yourself in office. Many men of God were lost to the eorld as soon as they stepped into high offices of state.

Rather than see themselves on Kingdom Assignment, they dissolved into the darkness that has enveloped the world. If you see yourself as an ambassador, it will be easier to handle the task. An ambassador keeps regularly in tour with the home government, takes briefing on all critical issues and ensures that his views do not contradict those of the head of government or head of the foreign ministry. The same applies to a Christian on mission. He realizes that he is not his own man and keeps asking the Principal (his creator) what to do. Thereby he does not go astray.

D • Orji

By Mike Nwachukwu

There was this newspaper report some years ago quoting a certain minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and who happens to be an indigene of the state as saying that he never visited the seat of Abia state government throughout the period he served as minister. The reason, he was quoted, was the overbearing demeanor of the then governor who saw every member of the political elite as a threat and who even tended to abandon his own duties in Umuahia to concern himself (chiefly) with matters of the federation.

But providence threw up Orji who was actually part of the previous dispensation, to correct all that. With the benefits of an insider who witnessed the oddities of the hegemonic dispositions of his then boss, the first thing Orji did was to embark on reconciliatory moves to bring the elite back to the state to work together. That move paid off handsomely and for eight years running, it has been near total equanimity among the political class. The first indication is that the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), became so cohesive under Orji and an example of party decorum. The second indication and perhaps the most significant is that Abia became the only state in the entire South-East where you could find senators and ministers of the state's origin sitting at the same high table with the governor in a function. In the neighbouring Enugu and Ebonyi states, which like Abia are all PDP states, the governors and their ministers are hardly in talking terms. In Imo, it is war between the governor and virtually every other member of the political elite. In Anambra State, the fellow who held sway for eight years until last year did it all alone to the extent that he carried his travelling bags himself.

Political scientists all agreed on the point that 70 percent of governance is made up of intangibles. The intangibles here include attitudes and dispositions such as allowing others to make inputs into governance. Above all, it entails consensus building and ability to ensure a stable polity where acrimony is reduced to the barest minimum. Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, out-going governor of Abia State, scores quite high in this aspect which, on the

converse, is where more than 80 percent of state chief executives in Nigeria score very low.

In agreeing that intangible achievements are very germane to good governance, experts point out that consensus building, which is the most significant outcome of that approach to governance, inevitably leads to the strengthening of government which should be the ultimate aim of democratic governance. In this sense, every successive administration only needs to improve on what the preceding one did with a cumulative effect on the wellbeing of the governed.

Unfortunately, the situation so far in the Nigerian experience is that each new governor comes with a mindset of outshining his predecessor. The first thing a new governor does, in most cases, is to demolish the institutions put in place by his predecessor. Even projects that are more than half way executed are abandoned and entirely new ones began at the expense of the people. But soon, the people would discover that it is mere merry go round. The new administration ends up doing the same thing that was done before.

Even where there are semblances of newness, they are white elephant projects that do not impact directly on the lives of the people apart from invoking the abused sentiments of Ihe ahuru n'anya (What the eyes can see).

To be sure, state governors, who do not have either the academic or social background to run consensus building administrations, have tried to make up that lapse by inundating their people with physical infrastructures that are in most cases phantom or achieved at provocative costs. In most cases, the people try to find consolation on the mere sight of such structures even where they are of the lowest qualities.

One people that once suffered the fate of the proverbial candle lit at both ends were the good people of Abia State. For at least eight years, prior to the administration of Governor Orji, they were at once reduced to mere onlookers and at the same time saw nothing in terms of any meaningful effort to physically develop their state. It was in such circumstances that T.A. Orji took over the affairs of the state but as noted earlier in this article, he realised that the first •Contd. on page 66

As a reminder, dear PastorProfessor, remember that God expects faithfulness from His children. You were elected based on a pact with the people of Nigeria.

Your ticket promised to be faithful to section 14 of the constitutionworking assiduously towards meeting the security challenges of the country and raising living standards of the people.

Please, in this period of transition, get your men fully briefed and seized of the state of power architecture and road network. It is a shame that a country as big as Nigeria is unable to consistently generate 4,000 megawatts of electricity. Despite the recent rebasing of the economy which reportedly makes Nigeria the biggest and most boisterous economy on this continent, we have merely been throwing money at this challenge which is at the very root of underdevelopment. The Buhari administration must make a difference within a short period.

Energy cost and policy must be reviewed to ensure that Nigerians begin to live like others from Ghana and South Africa. The federal roads can do with a dose of sincerity. Lies have never been known to road construction for too long .

I know you will have more than a large say in the reform of the justice sector. Our God is himself God of peace. Therefore, remember to pay close attention to the joke that passes for the Police Force and its handling of criminal investigation. You know that extra-judicial killing is still rife in the country. With your meticulous attention to this, it must end. The accused must be quickly put to trial and sentenced or discharged as may be determined by the judiciary. It grieves me whenever I realize that the big thieves are deemed great and thus rewarded with cheftaincy titles and made to sit on specially designed front row chairs in churches, while the pickpockets are slammed with long years in jail. As a matter of state policy, a programme that would make those who have been standing trial since 2006/7 speedily brought to justice must be enunciated within the administration's first 100 days.

There must be a policy to protect the poor and underprivileged in the society. They are, by the iniquitous system in place, rendered hopeless; serially raped by the high and mighty who are too ready to throw around their weight. A government that fails to protect the oppressed is ungodly and awaits the day of reckoning.

My dear Professor, I cannot end this letter without pointing out the pledge to accord Lagos a special status. It is the most cosmopolitan in the country and deserves to be paid special attention.

These are some of the issues I want to bring up in the final push towards inauguration. I will keep praying that the Almighty strengthens and endows you with the Wisdom from On High needed to perform righteously and creditably.

Regards to my sister and other members of the family.

Your compatriot, Mobolade Omonijo.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

Jonathan's men against PIB - Akpatason Hon. Peter Akpatason was the National President of NUPENG before contesting for the National Assembly in 2011. He is the member representing Akoko -Edo Federal Constituency. The labour leader spoke with Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia on some national issues, including the Petroleum Industry Bill and the sharing of the leadership of the National Assembly. Excerpts

O

n the crisis within APC over sharing of positions in the National Assembly I don't think what is happening can be described as a crisis; what is playing out is a normal occurrence in a party; there is this saying that the battle to win elections sometimes may not be as strong as the battle to share positions after victory.

The reason is that in politics, everybody has an interest, groups have their interests, regions have their interests and in a attempt to balance these interests, you have to be extracareful in allocating positions and this case is particularly very critical because the party is just metamorphosing from the position of an opposition to the leading party at the national level.

We have not in the time past the opportunity to produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to produce the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and similarly, APC has not had the opportunity to produce the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President or the other majority positions; it is the first time this is happening, so it is a huge responsibility that has fallen on the shoulders of the leaders of the APC. A lot of people have indicated interest but up till now no in-fighting anywhere; that is why I believe that there is no crisis yet, it is scheming which is normal in politics for people to represent their constituencies very well.

For instance, we in the South-South, we believe that we made serious contributions to the emergence of APC; we may not have produced the numbers that other regions were able to bring together, but the people need to realise that the out-going president is from South-South, the implication of that is that the pressure here in the SouthSouth was much higher than the pressure in any other geo-political zone because the out-going president wanted to get the whole of his own zone en-bloc, so they did everything possible to get that; from Akwa-Ibom down to Edo State, they wanted everything, they did everything humanly possible to get that.

The amount of money that entered the south-south during that election is

unprecedented in the history of elections in this geo-political zone.

The physical presence of very powerful members of PDP, the power brokers of PDP as well as professionals like media house owners and some other people who had enough power and resources were deployed to make sure they deliver the South-South yet in the face of those daunting challenges, we were still able to produce some reasonable results.

Like in Edo State, ordinarily, it would have been difficult, if not for the exceptional contributions of the Comrade Governor and the APC members in this state for us to get even 25 per cent for Mr. President- elect, yet we did more than that, so we expect that our colleagues in the House, in the Senate as well the leaders of our party should consider the peculiar situation of Edo people and people of South-South during that election.

The same way, the North Eastern people will say they have been badly marginalised under the leadership of the outgoing president because of their commitment to opposition right from time and they equally want to be represented when it comes to sharing of the national offices.

Even in the South-East where you have only one member, they equally want to be considered; it is the whole of these activities that you may think it is crisis; it is not crisis at all; it is normal, it is what we should expect but my happiness again is that the leadership of our party has clearly shown that there is a departure from what it used to be; they are not ready to dictate to the House but that is not to say however that the idea of zoning has been jettisoned; we believe that with proper zoning, we are going to have some sense of balance and that the best candidates in such locations will be given the opportunity to serve.

What are Nigerians expecting from the new National Assembly?

We expect a National Assembly that has the character of APC as the dominant party because if you look at the out-going dispensation, you will see that the states where we had APC governments, the level of development is higher than many other states; you see what is happening in Edo State, in Imo State, in Rivers State, in Lagos State and several other states under the APC. You will discover that despite that some of these states don't have as much revenue as some other states; they are still able to bring about

• Akpatason

serious infrastructure development, very remarkable human capital development.

For me that is an indication that there are more progressives in APC than any other party and now that APC has the opportunity to replicate what they have done at states at the federal level, Nigeria stands a better chance; so when it comes to National Assembly, we are looking at a more transparent dispensation; we are looking at lawmaking that places the ordinary Nigerians' interest as the central focus; we are looking at a more inclusive approach to lawmaking and we expect legislations that will directly address the challenges of our people, legislations that are relevant to national development.

There is so much mess in the oil industry, what is your suggestion on the way forward?

Over the years, efforts have been made to sanitise the oil industry, what my personal experience has shown is that sanitising the oil and gas industry will require string commitment of the number one citizen of this country.

When you say there is mess in the oil industry, it is not just NNPC, GMD or the MD of one subsidiary or another, it is political mess, the mess is in Aso Rock; the thieves are actually in Aso Rock because NNPC management cannot steal and divert money un-noticed; some people give them cover, so until we have a government that is ready to free NNPC to operate and ready to sanction anybody in NNPC that misbehaves, it will be difficult for us to clean the oil and gas industry.

But the first major step that we can take as a group is the passage of the PIB bill that we are already working on; that is

A lot of people have indicated interest but up till now no in-fighting anywhere; that is why I believe that there is no crisis yet, it is scheming which is normal in politics for people to represent their constituencies very well

why you see that there is so much politics about the PIB. I asked this question sometimes ago, who actually wants PIB? It is the ordinary Nigerians; the government of President Goodluck Jonathan has not demonstrated much interest in PIB. You start PIB and along the line, you get frustration from left, right and centre from Jonathan's ministers, because a whole lot of leakages will be blocked.

When you have an oil and gas industry like we have in a lot of advanced countries, where the industry is completely de-politicised, where there is an NOC (National Oil Company) that is professionally run whose role in the industry is almost the same as a multi-national or a local company or private run company that cannot superintend over other companies in such a way that they will have undue economic advantage over others, where we gave an NOC that cannot transfer their money for political purposes, an NOC that must account for every naira that they spend, that is the only time that we can have sanity in the oil and gas industry.

What we have currently is complete confusion, a situation where you have an NOC that is both a competitor and a regulator in the industry.

You cannot regulate an industry where you are a competitor and you are not supposed to compete in an industry where you are a regulator; that is the confusion and then politics will come where decisions cannot be taken by the NNPC without going to the Federal Executive Council.

Your re-election is being challenged by your opponent in the PDP, what will you say about this?

I participated in the same election in 2011 with a strong advantage. I am very acceptable to the people of AkokoEdo Federal Constituency and as a result of that, they supported me enmasse.

I know there is a culture of being bad losers among our people particularly in our opponent's party, a lot of them believe that good or bad they must challenge it and I think that is what is happening. I am quite comfortable with what is going on and I think that I did whatever was necessary to get my people to support and they supported me.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

O

NE would have thought that you would have been given the right of first refusal as an experienced legislator who made his intentions known to go back to the Senate. But you were denied your senatorial district's ticket. What happened?

What happened can be laid squarely on the doorsteps of Governor Ayo Fayose. He's such a man who does not like anybody with opinions contrary to his. He does not want anybody to share the limelight with him. So, he had to pack the National Assembly with people who cannot call their souls their own. The leadership of the party spoke to me to support him because everybody knew that Fayose was a bad product.

He was governor from 2003 and he left nobody in doubt as to his capabilities for violence and the fact that he does not really have respect for law and order. We tried to let him know that things have to change for the good of Ekiti people. As soon as he was swornin, he called a meeting and wrote the list of the people that would contest for the respective offices in the state and National Assemblies. He named the 26 people for the House of Assembly. He also named about four of the six House of Representatives contestants that same day. He later completed the list of the remaining six. It was at that point that I took him on that his decision was not good for democracy. People had already obtained forms and you're now saying that these are the people going into the Assemblies regardless? This was the point he started to fight me. I really wasn't seriously disturbed by not getting the ticket because I have been working on my business. I believe that there are ways that people can become useful to society outside of public service.

If the leadership of the PDP, as you said, believed that Fayose was a bad product, why then did they present him as the party's governorship candidate?

Well, it's not the leadership of the party that believed he was a bad product but those of us from Ekiti. The leadership of the party was sold a dummy that they needed a violent person or someone that has this perception of action and brigandage to wrestle power from an incumbent government. It's not as if they knew him but they knew him by his bad reputation. They thought they needed somebody like that, whereas, any of the other candidates would have won the election because there were fundamental disagreements with the government by the teachers and civil servants. President Jonathan wanted Ekiti to be a PDP-controlled state and he delivered. But the moment he lost the presidential election, my interest in PDP came to an end. I stayed in the party, tolerating Ayo Fayose because of President Jonathan, whom I would say personally have been a good person to me. He's a good friend. I have no business staying in PDP as long as Fayose remains in the party. We have nothing in common. Our characters are very different. Our pedigrees are not the same.

Was there a point that the leadership tried to reconcile you and the governor for the sake of the party in the state?

Let me say that as soon as Fayose won that governorship election, he became a Lord and law unto himself.

Nobody, including the chairman of the party, and I even dare say, including the president, could ask him to be of good character to members of the party.

I know for sure that the President spoke to him to give me the ticket but he went to tell him all kinds of things about me.

Of course, the president was worried about his own election and if the governor that would make it happen for him says don't worry, this man who is always quarrelling could not deliver the votes for you and all that, what could he have done? I was there when the president called that he should assist me with the ticket. Nobody could talk to him, nobody. You know him, if he wants something from you, he can

POLITICS

Fayose doesn't deserve to govern anybody- Arise Ayo Arise was a PDP Senator in the 6th Assembly from 2007 - 2011. The legislator from Ekiti State was also the chairman of the influential Senate Committee on Privatization during the Obasanjo administration. In this interview with Femi Odere at his Gwarimpa office in Abuja, the senator expressed his views on Nigeria's political situation, the never ending political war of attrition in Ekiti and his own travails with the current Chief of State, among others. Excerpts:

• Ayo Arise

prostrate flat on the floor until you ask him to get up. The likes of Fayose do not deserve to govern anybody. By the special grace of God, Ekiti people will have the governor they deserve sometimes in the near future.

You said there's no way you will remain in PDP as long as Fayose is also in the party, is it then safe to say that the APC is an option for you?

Of course, I was home a day before the Assembly election to tell my supporters that I had moved to APC. It was just that the period was too short, but they still saw the effect. While PDP used to win with more than 90 percent in my constituencies, their winning margins dropped to less than 60 percent. So, they saw the effect. I believe that by the next election, hopefully, I would have settled one or two things and my people would become APC again. I got them into PDP in the first place. Remember that I was in AD. It was after the primary that I left at the time. But I can assure you that most of us, if not all, who moved to PDP at the time would soon return to APC not because we like changing parties but because the country requires change. We went into AD to drive Fayose out in 2004/ 2005 or thereabout. After junketing from

one party to another, he somehow wangled his way again to become governor. I am now in the APC. Some people may have joined the party because of one position or the other. I was in PDP for four years after my term at the Senate and I was not even made a Board member or one of those people that conducted primaries. I was not even a member of the campaign committee. But since I have promised to work for President Jonathan, I had to fulfill the promise I made to him.

President Jonathan never really had enough traction, politically, in the SouthWest when it comes to reckoning with him on a larger scale. Why? Well, when you look at politics and the practical practice of it, he dealt with those people that he either knew or were recommended to him. The PDP is strong in some places in the South-West but the governors are mostly from APC like you have in Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos.

Ordinarily, if a governor does well, he would most likely win his state because the power of incumbency is there. The people he has appointed to various offices, like commissioners and board members, are supposed to go to their respective

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constituencies to work for the governor in order to retain their jobs. You also have those other people that the governor may have touched their lives by way of employments and the like. But in the case of the Jonathan government, there's this problem that for the first time, Yorubas had no say and relevance whatsoever in his government. There's no Yoruba in the first fifteen positions of his government. When he tried to correct some things, he brought somebody in as his Chief of Staff who is by and large not a politician. That affected the party in the South-West.

Even at that, the position was not one of the statutory positions. So, campaigning in the South-West became a very difficult one for him. We had to zero in on our local environments of our states. We're lucky that Jonathan could point to the Federal University as what he did for Ekiti people. We used that to campaign for support for him but that was not the same in other places. The Lagos - Ibadan expressway started a bit too late as people already made up their minds that the PDP was not going to do anything for the South-West. There were so many areas that things could have been better handled but, again, I look at it that governance is not a tea party. That's why I am praying that Gen. Buhari and APC would succeed because the challenges are enormous.

If you're asked to predict how the Buhari government is going to turn out, what will be your prediction?

From the little I have seen so far, I think the Buhari government would do well. If you look at the AIT saga, the way the president-elect and the party handled the situation gives me confidence that the Buhari government would be a responsive one. A mistake was made by some aides and the man came out to set the record straight. That's leadership. I would imagine that as he begins to bring his ministers on board, they would be very credible people.

Do you believe in the efforts of the 19 APC lawmakers to impeach Fayose?

Oh, very certainly. He has committed an offence against the constitution. His action is actually tantamount to treason.

So, he should be impeached and I have no qualms about that. Those people covering him would also be made to face the consequences if they're not careful.

Can you imagine if a crowd had gathered and occupied the Government House that the governor would not be allowed to go out? For how many days can they do that? Is it possible? Would the police commissioner in the state not lose his job? The way the Government House is protected is the same way the legislative house must be protected as well as the judiciary. It is his responsibility. If he does not understand that and believes that by just winning an election he can come and set his own rules outside of the constitution, then we have a big problem on our hands. If such things are allowed to go unchallenged, the president of the country can decide to close down the National Assembly and suspend all lawmaking activities for the next one year. What would happen? You never can tell the extent which somebody can take this drunkenness of power as being demonstrated by Ayo Fayose. He has to be impeached. Because if he gets away with this impunity, then I am afraid, what would someone like me go to Ekiti for? If Ayo Fayose says I should be shot, would I take it beyond him that he would not do that? What Fayose did would never happen in any society that has law and order? If Fayose does not allow those 19 lawmakers to sit, he's just postponing the evil day. When he leaves that office, which I know that sooner or later he would, he will go to prison because he has a budget passed by seven lawmakers that did not form a quorum.

He has driven 19 House of Assembly members out, passed the budget and has started spending money. He also appointed commissioners with an illegal House. That leaves a lot to be desired.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

POLITICS

Daniel's rumoured defection to APC raises dust

• Ikimi

Ikimi frustrated in PDP?

T

T

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, is allegedly biting his fingers in regret for leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sometimes last year, sources have revealed. His high expectations for joining PDP has turned into a nightmare, with unconfirmed report claiming that the flamboyant politician has allegedly reached out to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, asking to be reabsorbed back to APC.

• Daniel

• Ajomale

HE over a decade long rift between Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel, may have been settled by respected traditional rulers in the state, according to media reports, but the latter's alleged plan to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is raising dust within the rank and file of the ruling party. The former governor, sources revealed, had planned to leverage on his reapproachment with Amosun to move to APC, following PDP's loss of power at the federal level and his alleged sidelining by the Buruji Kashamu group in the Ogun PDP. Daniel is also reportedly not happy over how he was allegedly kept in the dark on the emergence of Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, his political godson, as the PDP governorship candidate in the last general elections. APC stakeholders, it was gathered, are however not comfortable with the former governor's planned move to the party, which they have vowed to resist.

Ndoma Egba delays action

Intrigues trail LG chairmanship race in I Lagos APC

T

Intense lobbying among aspirants jostling for the chairmanship tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has started in earnest. In the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas, the homes of leaders of the party have become a beehive of activities, as chairmanship aspirants go for the broke to emerge as the party's candidates.

It's is no longer news that outgoing Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, is disenchanted with leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River state and is under pressure to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reports even claim that the APC national leadership of APC has put machinery in motion to woo Ndoma Egba to the party.

But sources close to the senator revealed that his planned move to APC has been put on hold until consultations with his political associates within the PDP and outside are completed.

• Ndoma-Egba

Between Boroffice and Akeredolu HE 2016 governorship election in Ondo State is still some months away, but the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would soon commence preparations for the governorship campaign, it was learnt. But while the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko's succession plan remains unclear, the choice for the APC ticket has been narrowed down to Senator Ajayi Boroffice and Rotimi Akeredolu, the former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). There are also strong indications that the APC chairman in the state, Isaac Kekemeke, may join the race in the next few months.

T • Boroffice

• Akeredolu

Raising a voice for the Nigerian girl With Temilolu Okeowo temilolu@girlsclub.org.ng 07086620576 (sms only) Please visit my blog www.temiloluokeowo.wordpress.com for more inspiring articles. Twitter@temiloluokeowo

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

‘Mosaic art must be used to re-invent the society’ Austin Air Omeke is one of Nigeria’s modern-day mosaic artists, whose love for the aesthetics of mural art and wall decorations and beautification knows no bounds. He is not only involved in the crusade to use mosaic art to restructure the society, he also wants government at all levels to put the necessary things in place to promote this form of the art.

He spoke to Edozie Udeze on this and his sojourn to Awka, Anambra State, where he discovered that the art of blacksmithing began years back

•Omeke

A

USTIN Air Omeke is one of the most outstanding studio artists of his generation. He has been in studio practice for close to thirty years during which he was been able to create his own distinguishable identity and signature. A graduate of the famous Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State, he is widely known for his love for the mosaic mural and wall arts and decorations, a tradition, he claimed was begun by his grandfather way back in the 1930s in Awka, Anambra State.

“This is a tradition that was known in Awka in those days where my grandfather lived not only as a great artist but in the midst of blacksmiths. Blacksmithing was a great form of art in those days and it was traditional to the people of Awka who thrived in it a great deal. What my grandfather did in Awka is what I now found myself doing in the city, but in a new modern way. When the commissioned work was assigned to me to beautify the hotel in Awka with mosaic murals, the first inkling I got was, oh, here I am in the bowel of the town where my grandfather plied his trade many years ago.”

A native of Ika South Local government area of Delta State, Omeke first discovered on arrival that Awka is indeed the centre of ancient civilisation where art works and relics are buried beneath the earth surface. But today the people still do not know how to tap that huge resources to reclaim what is their own. “If I have to leave Lagos to go settle down or set up a studio in Awka, what I’ll do is to go beyond the surface. Here the Igbo-ukwu art is not far from the place. The Nri art is not far also, yet Awka has been the cynosure of all eyes in terms of the concentration of the old art. It is now time to begin to rediscover and tap these abundance of works to give the town a face-lift,” he said.

“All the blacksmiths people, all the moribund industries and the people involved have to be reviewed. We still need such people to continue to give life to our art.

This is a beehive of art that still remains untapped. But because the strength of individuals in Anambra is more recognised than the collective responsibility, it is a bit difficult to see how to resurrect this form of the art. It is also unfortunate that people there do not spend their money to identify with culture in terms of the visual art. Nobody is indeed making any landmark artistic statement in this regard,” he posited.

However, a few wealthy people who have gone into estate investments and hospitality have somewhat chosen to toe the path of modern art to make bold statement.

•Mosaic works by Omeke

This was why when Omeke was chosen to do the mosaic mural and wall decorations of one of the biggest hotels in Awka, he saw it as an opportunity to push on to let the people know that art can be revived in this vast modern city. “Today, we have a handful of such hotels in the city. It is even good also to mention that Anambra State boasts of big time art collectors like the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, who has been the pillar of the art revival in that area. He has since taken the lead by showing the people the way to civilisation.

So, what I did at the hotel is a total identity to make people see the beauty of mosaic in a public building where people visit often and on.”

The location of the hotel in Awka equally makes it easier for people to see what beauty mosaic art can add both to the interior and exterior of a modern architecture. “When people come and see this work

they marvel at it and then feel oh, this is the sort of art we can identify with. The structural and such other artistic beauty embedded in it, has somehow begun to touch the psyche of the people. Such people would now come to Awka and exclaim, oh, things are indeed changing; public buildings owned by rich men are beginning to wear new look.”

Omeke, just like most modern visual artists have wondered, is still not comfortable with the fact that the school of art at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka where they produce artists every year, has not deemed it fit to encourage the town to invest in the art. “This is one of the ways to bring back the groove,” he bemoaned. “If the professors we know in the art department of the school are really committed, this is the time to embellish the city with art studios and art works. Just like the Lagos State government is doing at the moment, Anambra State can bring back the aesthetic value of the town with works of art in all nooks and crannies of the town.”

Beyond the love for the art and what the artists can do to make visual art strong in the state, people who have the financial wherewithal have to be encouraged also to invest in it. However, what is going on now, according to Omeke, is a new definition.

“This is the redefinition of the town. Everything has to be redefined to bring art back into public focus. But then, you can also diversify it into some other areas including manufacturing industry, in the area of ar-

chitecture and so on. The first time I entered Awka the first thing I noticed was how the people bury their oxide materials beneath the earth. There is plenty of wealth accumulated and left there over the years.

They are trapped in the so-called iron stone.

Almost everywhere in Awka you notice this phenomenon and it is the responsibility of the artists to begin to rediscover this and more. Then when I looked at the belle of the town, I wondered the quantum of wealth buried there.”

Education is what is needed now to redirect people’s attention to the rudiments of the art as a source of wealth creation.

“This is time too to begin to indoctrinate road-side arts, public arts, art of decoration and more so that the wealth in this area can spread to more people. This is why my concept of mosaic art goes in consonance with structural art. They go together to give the desired beauty to an object. Often, architecture and mosaic mural work hand-in-hand to create the necessary effect. And this is part of what we need now to redefine our appreciation of art both in private and public institutions. If we marry these two together, we’ll be able to make a landmark statement,” he said.

When you inscribe the art on a building, people will certainly identify with it. To him, therefore, the mosaic will soon exceed time and boundary due to its endless value and richness. “Yes the one I did in that hotel is the first of its kind in commercial quantity in the town. So, I am like one of the pioneers of mosaic mural in that area and it gives me plenty of joy and professional satisfaction. Once you are in town you can easily locate Finotel Classique Hotel where the aesthetic arts of mosaic has been installed by me. At Uzu junction by Agu-Awka where it is situated, people practically go there to have a view of this unique and modern form of art of decoration.”

Even though many people who do not really understand the tenets of the visual art often take mosaic to be foreign, Omeke dismisses this notion with a wave of the hand. “It is just that the concept is yet to totally permeate the society. You see, this is why I try as much as I can to identify with the tradition of the people in my mosaic.

That way they can easily see themselves in the mural and then begin to love it. I use the colours of the mosaic to give two-dimensional impression necessary for the art.

This is why I needed to add more colours so that from afar you will be able to identity the colours. So, as the government is restructuring, the people should be involved to make everything look good. Before you do any mosaic, what you first of all do is to locate the site, then identify the culture of the people and what they need,” he explained.

As soon as these are in place, it is now time to begin to put the colours in place.

The colours must help to add a fusion of landmark impressions and other artistic effects common to the local people. This was why the work took him much time to do in order that the people are convinced that part of their traditional art is now back. “Even from a kilometre away, you can spot the colours,” he concluded.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY,

ARTS

MAY 24, 2015

‘The Drum Festival in Egypt was good’ “S

INCE the last time we met, which is at the beginning of my assuming office as Artistic Director, we have been designing and implementing programmes aimed at getting our local audience; the mass populace of Nigeria informed about the role of the performing arts in national development by bringing to their awareness what national Troupe represents. We have also been engaging ourselves with the other parts of our role, which is being Nigeria’s face; cultural face to foreign nations, particularly foreign nations that are friendly to Nigeria.

One of such opportunities for us to play our role as Nigeria’s cultural ambassadors came through our parent ministry- the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation when they asked us to go and represent Nigeria at the Cairo International Festival of Drums and Music in Egypt.

The festival was organised by some privately run cultural institutions and the government of Egypt. I was informed that it will be the third time we will be attending the festival as a Troupe but it is the first time I will be leading the Troupe to the festival as Artistic Director.

We were almost not going to be able to honour the invitation because of the obvious issue of lack of funds. We have zero funding for such engagements and we are battling with irregular release of even overhead expenses.

But I read the literature on the festival and I saw that the theme, which is Drums and World Peace, is in line with my vision for using the vehicle of the performing arts for conflict resolution. So I met with my management

The Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Akin Adejuwon who has just returned from cultural trips to Egypt and Brazil with the National Troupe of Nigeria, tells Edozie Udeze, in this encounter, why Nigeria has to do more to reposition all aspects of the nation’s culture and arts for the good of all and we agreed that even if it was to go on credit, we must go for the festival. I didn’t think we should just sit down and not make any effort to attend because as far as I was concerned, the National Troupe was the most appropriate organisation to represent Nigeria.

So, I thought whatever it takes, I have to go and represent Nigeria. So, we did all kinds of gymnastics, financial and otherwise and got ourselves to Egypt. We got to Egypt and discovered that it would really have been a big miss for us if we hadn’t attended. Thanks to the organisers of the conference of the drums, they were quite forthcoming by giving us accommodation and we had to move ourselves there and took care of the rest. A greater part of that was done like I said by all kinds of arrangements part of which we are still struggling to defray but I felt proud that Nigeria was so well represented and in fact we turned out the only subSahara African representatives because most participants were from Europe, the Americas, México and all over. They were at least 21 nations represented. As usual, our performance was so energetic, so African and powerful. We were even drafted in to be part of the festival anthem at the open because of the pulsating rhythm of our drums.

The anthem involved beating of very heavy drums and most of the other countries didn’t have the kind of

was even an offer for us to perform for the President of Egypt on the closing day but the closing day happened to be the day we were booked to return.

But It was really a wonderful, exhilarating stay in Egypt and they are looking forward to having us back and sincerely, I am looking forward to going back to Egypt because as you would know, Egypt is a very historical country and in things of arts and artefacts, visual and the performative art, we share a lot of similarities and I discovered that in sub-Sahara Africa, after you have taken Egypt, you take Nigeria and Ife and Benin in particular, when it comes to arts and artefacts. So, that’s that about Egypt.

On Brazil

•Adejuwon

heavy drums we travelled with. Of course you know that most of the participants had that were ballet oriented and all that. But we travelled large. Our cargo was huge because we took a lot of drums and a lot of costumes. I must report that we stole the show.

The organisers were even asking for us to extend our stay and to do some extra perform-

ances even outside Cairo, which was not included in our itinerary. They even got us to perform in three other locations outside Cairo and by the second to the last day, I had gone over to Brazil, but it was not possible for us to extend our stay because we had to return to Nigeria to begin to work on our package for the May 29 th handover. There

The next was my trip to Brazil. The invitation came through Associação dos Maracatus Nações de Pernambuco – AMANPE (Association of Traditional Maracatu Groups of the State of Pernambuco), founded since 2009 with the objective of preserving the rich Maracatu tradition popular all over Brazil as one of the oldest expressions of African cultural heritage in Brazil, specifically, the Yoruba and Congo/Angola traditions.

Recall that the Brazilian Government Agency for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPHAN) recently declared Maracatu as a Brazilian Cultural Patrimony, a de-

velopment that has further increased our responsibility for the preservation of this ancestral tradition. So as part of the projects towards the expansion and preservation of the tradition, the Maracatu Nação Raízes de Pai Adão, a member of the AMANPE, under the leadership of the historian João Amaro Monteiro took the Maracatu group to participate in the international conference titled “Afro-Identity at the Crossroads” organized by the Faculty of Arts of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in conjunction with the Osun State Government and held at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) in Osogbo, Osun State from 26-30 August 2013 at which solid foundations were successfully laid for the cooperation between Brazilian and Nigerian cultural agencies.

So considering the fact that the intensification of such a cooperation is in consonance with the full implementation the Brazilian Federal Law 10.639/2003 which is the legal framework within which AMANPE and other Afro-Brazilian cultural agencies and groups are empowered to function, I was invited to lead a delegation of Nigerian cultural actors under the auspices of the National Troupe of Nigeria to initiate an intensive exchange of cultural and technical ideas on Nigerian and Afro-Brazilian cultural and dance performances. The visit was to pave the way for the performance of the Nigerian National Troupe in different states of Brazil to showcase the rich Nigerian cultural heritage in this country under the Existing Nigeria-Brazil MoU signed in Abuja in 2010.

In the throes of homes Omotola, others unite to fight poverty Title: Hearts and Homes Author: Tomi Adesina Year of publication: 2015 Number of pages: 34 Reviewer: Blessing Olisa NE year after the Chibok situation, Tomi Adesina in her book Hearts and Homes takes you through a summary of the 365day travail since abduction of the Chibok girls. She takes different turns with her characters in the book, but synchronizes their experiences and sums it up as one.

The book opens with Major General Michael Silva waking up to the aftermath of confronting the insurgents. He was sure he saw a B61 nuclear bomb which caused the explosion that took the lives of every member of his battle troop. Amid the rubble, flying choppers and stench from bodies that littered the road, he found solace in that familiar on-air-personality’s voice, Diana Silva. She wanted him back home very quickly.

Leaving the distant lovers, the 34-page book takes you on to feel every ounce of pain the Chibok girls went through, the depressions they were confronted with, the sexual violation of their bodies, and the eventual violation of their lives through the ‘drill’.

Aisha was the strongest of the abducted girls, but after her best

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friend was ‘drilled’, she promised to get help for the other girls. She escaped from the den and led Michael’s troop to rescue the girls, but lost her brother, father and Michael in the process.

After sanity returned to Chibok, that familiar radio voice said, “The last one year has been hard on us all as we searched and prayed for the Chibok girls. Finally, the girls have been rescued...but not all of them and definitely not the way they were...a lot has changed....Things will never be the same again...we will finally say NEVER AGAIN to the insurgents that plagued our land.”

She concluded by saying, “My name is Diana Silva and I lost a loved one in this war.”

Aisha had an opportunity to tell her story when she took a trip and handed Michael’s rusty radio to Diana.

Adesina, a fiction writer who has mastered the incredible art of storytelling gives a clear picture of emotion and family, leaving you teary eyed even if your tear ducts dried up a long time ago.

She dedicates the book to the memories of force men and civilians who have died in the cause of the battle against Boko Haram, and the missing girls from Chibok, that no child should live in fear.

•Omotola, Waje and Victoria Kimani marching for gender

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N outstanding line-up of top women musicians from across Africa including Waje, Omotola and YemiAlade have joined forces with ONE to create a brand new song called Strong Girl, a rally cry to empower girls and women everywhere.

Nine artists from seven African countries came together in South Africa earlier this month to write and record the track. They were joined by Nollywood superstar actress and activist OmotolaJaladeEkeinde, who stars in the Strong Girl video. The women are calling for action because poverty is sexist, and we won’t end it unless world leaders act now to help girls and women reach their full potential. The track and video was released on May 13, 2015 along with a global day of action amplifying the songs message and recruiting thousands worldwide to the fight for justice.

This year, new global goals to end poverty will be set by world leaders.

equality

To be truly transformative, the goals must focus on the countries and the people that are worst off, and that includes girls and women. Evidence shows that investing in girls and women helps their families, communities and whole economies too.

Talented Nigerian singer, Waje has said the campaign means a lot to her. “This is one of the most profound things I have done in my life. I am doing this for the African woman so she doesn’t have to die in childbirth.

I am doing this so that girls in rural Africa can complete primary school education. I am doing this because it is the right and smart thing to do.

Empowering girls and women is an idea whose time has come”.

Also speaking as regards the campaign, top Nollywood actress, OmotolaJalade said “I am fortunate to be a young woman living her dreams and a trailblazer of my generation but I also recognize that many women and girls are not so fortunate. Women and girls are dispro-

portionately affected by the injustice of poverty and inequality. But when we invest in women and girls, we increase and accelerate the chances of overcoming extreme poverty”.

On International Women’s Day, ONE published a policy report that revealed the scale of the gender gap in the world’s poorest countries, and how unlocking the potential of girls and women could transform lives.

ONE’s call to action is already backed by more 36 of the world’s most powerful women, including Beyoncé, Meryl Streep, Lady Gaga, Angelique Kidjo and other leading women from the worlds of business, arts, politics and activism. They have written an open letter to Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and African Union Commission Chair NkosazanaDlamini-Zuma, who both host crucial summits in the coming months that should set us on a path to agreeing Global Goals that put women’s empowerment at their heart.

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Rising staff turnover in banks

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

• Onalo

Expert proffers solutions to rising domestic debts

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•Oladipo

-- Page 53 'Book publishing hardly profitable in Nigeria' Page 60

Aviation stakeholders task minister, NAMA, others on air safety

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•Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole flanked by Ecobank Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Tony Okpanachi (left) and Directorate Head, South, Heritage Bank, Emeke Anene (right) kick-starting the Okpekpe Road Race (VIP Race), 2015 in Okpekpe, in Edo State...recently

Code of Conduct Bureau board chair in alleged N2.5b scandal

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HE Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr. Sam Saba is alleged to have misappropriated over N2.5billion of the Bureau in the last few years, The Nation learnt.

The Nation gathered that the CCB boss has been enmeshed in a crisis of confidence of sorts, as staff members alleged that under his watch, the Bureau has become a shadow of its former self.

In petition filed by Fatoki Taiye Timmy on behalf of the aggrieved staff, tagged: 'Corruption War Buhari Must Fight: Case Study of Nigeria's Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)' dated Tuesday, May 5th, 2015, they accused the Saba-led Board of dereliction of duty, saying that the Bureau no longer carries out its primary mandate of assets declaration and verifications responsibilities, a development, they declared has robbed Nigerians of good governance.

In the petition which reads in part, they said: "At a time

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf the whole world is celebrating Nigeria and her people, some gluttons in the name of board members are milking the nation. Interestingly, this is the same agency established over 20 years ago to be watchdog over public officers."

Among other the sins committed by the Saba-led Board, according to the staff, include incapacitation of the accounting officer of the Bureau with Saba serving as both Chairman and Accounting Officer all at the same time.

The Chairman and other Board members is alleged to have assigned departments to themselves in contravention of Section 155 (1) C of the Constitution.

The Board also allegedly monetised all its benefits, with each Board members paying themselves N14 million just as the Chairman is suspected to have bought himself a Land Cruiser jeep and Prado jeep for other members of his Board.

The staff also demanded to know how N2 billion meant for the CCB's Headquarters

building in Abuja was spent as there are no evidence of any work on site thus far.

The staff further accused the Saba-led Board of converting to personal use six Toyota corolla cars meant for the daily operation of the Bureau.

They equally alleged that the Saba-led Board worked in cohort with cash office staff namely: Mrs. Obuh, Precious Adegbe and Adejo Emmanuel as well as the then Head of finance, now Board Secretary, Mr. Omoyola, to divert funds to personal accounts allegedly run by Saba in the last few years.

Also worrisome to the staff is the misappropriation of over N500 million revenue generated by a subsidiary of the Bureau, Discovery Cycle Professionals for consultancy and other allied services in the last few years.

The staff further alleged that under Saba-led Board, there has been recruitment of ghost workers such as Mr. Godwin Jerome Ochube and many others on the payroll of the Bureau.

Saba was also accused of allegedly perpetuating himself in office in total disregard of Section 155 (1) C of the 1999 Constitution, as his tenure elapsed in April 2015, having served two terms already, first under the late Umar Yar' Adua and later under President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Nation also learnt that staff are already seeking legal redress.

The Nation can authoritatively report that their lawyer, Lawan Yaro, Head of Chambers, M.L. Ibrahim & Co, has since written petition to the Saba-led Board. This is even as he served copies of same petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others, with a view to getting to the root of the alleged fraud in the Bureau.

As at press time, the Board Chairman was yet to respond to all allegations preferred against him as he neither returned calls and text messages sent to his GSM.

'Single currency exchange good for Nigeria'

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HE single currency exchange agreements among ECOWAS countries will boost Nigeria's economy, the former chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Sam Ohuabunwa has said.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos,

By Ambrose Nnaji

Ohuabunwa said the country stands to be a major beneficiary because a lot of trade that are going on within the ECOWAS countries is driven by Nigeria.

"Because Nigeria is a dominance economy in the

region so if you put the currencies in the basket the weight of the Nigerian currency would be higher," he stated.

"Nigeria is the industrial hub and therefore if we have a single currency it will promote trade and Nigeria will be the major beneficiary and certainly

would discourage all forms of practices that would not promote the nation's economy," he stressed.

Ohuabunwa said that with the single exchange it would not only be easier to measure trade but also to record trade, saying the country would be better for it.

VIATION stakeholders' meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have identified key areas militating against effective air services operations, lamenting that the sector lacked essential facilities and welltrained personnel to ensure the industry complied with the international air safety standards.

The officials drawn from various regulatory agencies including the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB); Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); Aeronautical Information Services (AIS); Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and other associations within the sector, identified safety-trust as the major plank for which the sector derives its strength.

According to them, the industry has been striving to meet the regulatory standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in the area of automation of Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) since 1998, lamenting that problem of funding has been hampering its implementation.

Addressing the forum in a meeting over the weekend in Uyo, the President of the Aeronautical Information Services Association of Nigeria (AISAN), Mr. Shittu Babatunde, recalled that "ICAO has since 1998 sensitised all contracting states on the need for the services of AIS to be automated," regretting that "ever since then in Nigeria, we have been hearing and reading on the

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From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo pages of newspapers of AIS automation and it is yet to be completed."

While lamenting that the project might not be completed even in 2016, Shittu, who identified funding as the major challenge stalling the completion of the project, however, called on the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka and other agencies to ensure air safety is guaranteed by fixing the information management system in the industry.

The Commissioner\Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in-charge of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr. Felix Abali, who chaired the conference, underscored the importance of safety in the industry and stressed the need for qualified professionals to man key sectors in the industry for efficient management of the air transport system in Nigeria.

"It is axiomatic to state that safety is the primary concern of the aviation community worldwide; be it military, civil, scheduled or non-scheduled flights operations, charter services or commercial aviation, using any form of aircraft.

"This necessitates the need for manpower development, adequate training and retraining of AIS personnel to achieve the objectives of improving the timeliness, quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness of aeronautical information services," he stressed and urged NCAA, NAMA and NCAT, to train and motivate AIS staff for effective service delivery.

NGO educates Osun miners on safe mining

HE Conservative Environmental Growth and Development Centre (CEGDEC), a nongovernment organisation has embarked on capacity building workshop to sensitise the people of Igun-Ijesha gold mining community in Atakumosa West Local Government in Osun State on the adverse effect of unsafe practice of gold mining.

Speaking at a workshop, Executive Director of the NGO, Maryam Olayeni said mining has been a massive driver for development, as seen in developed countries. "Now that Nigeria is diversifying from her mono-economy of petroleum, mining should now be looked at. Therefore, plans to manage the sector throughout its life cycle should also be put in place. Old mine practice that brought about adverse environmental

By Medinat Kanabe degradation, without attention to managing social impacts of mining should be avoided.

Mining impacts must be managed judiciously 'from cradle to grave' to accomplish sustainable development outcomes. Thus, mining will be all encompassing, viable e c o n o m i c a l l y , environmentally and socially."

The CEGDEC boss who disclosed that the workshop was based on experience gained from the Australian African Awards on Managing Social and Environmental Impacts of mining, a sevenweek intensive training which basically incorporated social issues in environmental development that she attended, said examples were drawn from good practices around the world, especially from Australia and Madagascar.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

BUSINESS

O say the nation's banking landscape has suffered an eclipse is clearly an understatement.

Truth be told, since the banking reforms carried by the then governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido some years back, things have not been the same for the sector, which hitherto attracted a sizeable number of fresh graduates back in the days.

Remote cause of current crisis Since June last year when oil price started crashing, forcing sharp drops in accruals to foreign exchange reserves and, ultimately, devaluation of the naira, economic and finance experts had predicted the worse for the economy This is just as the difficult regulatory environment in Nigeria appears to be taking its toll on the financial sector this year, thus forcing a number of banks to commence the process of cutting jobs and putting on hold branch expansion plans.

Recently some of the new generation banks laid off their staff massively, including Diamond Bank, Access Bank, etc.

While some of the banks laid off some workers late last year, it was learnt that most of the lenders were planning to cut their number of employees again.

The Nation was reliably informed that some of the financial institutions were already outsourcing a good number of job functions, a development that has seen some of them transfer a significant number of their employees to third-party companies.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that recently, Skye Bank Plc announced that it had transferred its tellers, drivers, security personnel and other support staff members to three outsourcing firms. Hundreds of the bank's workers are said to have been affected by the development as a result.

The decision, which came less than one week into the New Year, led to the disengagement of the affected employees from the bank and their subsequent transfer to third-party firms.

Skye Bank, however, said in a statement that the move was part of the initiatives to strengthen all cadres of its workforce.

According to the statement, the outsourcing companies appointed to take over the employees are Optimum Continental Services, Strategic Outsourcing Limited and Integrated Corporate Services Limited.

The bank gave the assurance that the outsourcing firms would engage the affected employees under the same terms and conditions as they were employed by the financial institution.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that the decision of the banks to reduce their workforce and branches was meant to assist them to cut costs in the face of a looming decline in their profitability this year.

A top official of one of the major lenders, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said, "Some banks have laid off a few workers; others are planning to do so. Some will engage more contract staff. All the measures are aimed at cutting costs because the banking business environment is increasingly becoming challenging."

He added that Nigerian banks had the tradition of sacking some workers at the end of each year.

Unity Bank Plc had in July last year announced the disengagement of 170 of its workers as part

Rising staff turnover in banks With soaring cost of doing business not commensurate with turnover coupled with a new regime of unfriendly policies, the nation's banking industry is experiencing yet another crisis, which has led to layoffs and retrenchment in the sector in recent times.

Bukola Aroloye in this report, examines the worrying trend caused by the rapid turnover of jobs in the industry

• CBN Headquarters, Abuja

of efforts aimed at repositioning it for effective service delivery. The bank also stated that it had recruited over 300 new members of staff, mostly at the entry level.

Zenith Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Enterprise Bank Limited and Keystone Bank Limited had in the last two years sacked hundreds of their workers.

Findings revealed that the latest threat of disengagement had to do with the need to realign for their operations for tougher 2015, especially as the monetary policy environment continues to get tighter.

Some of the regulatory measures introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at protecting the economy, according to findings, have started affecting the banks' profitability, with major impact to be felt this year.

It was learnt that apart from job cuts, the banks were also planning to reduce the number of new branches to be opened this year.

Other major projects and sponsorship programmes for third-

party companies, which may not readily add to the bottom line, are also due to be axed by bank executives.

Global rating agency, Fitch Ratings, and other international and local research firms had late last year predicted that Nigerian banks would witness a fall in profitability this year.

On November 25, 2014, the CBN's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) devalued the naira by eight per cent; raised Monetary Policy Rate from 12 to 13 per cent; and also increased the private sector Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) from 15 to 20 per cent.

The development, which led to the immediate withdrawal of about N500 billion from the banking system, was said to have affected the banks adversely.

Also, in a bid to halt the sliding naira, the CBN had in December stopped the banks from keeping any of their funds in foreign currencies. It also said dollars bought from it must be utilised within 48 hours, adding that the actions were aimed at stopping the

banks from speculating on the exchange rate.

Experts said the recent regulatory measures would have major negative effects on the banks this year, adding that they were already feeling the effects of previous actions by the CBN, especially the increase in public sector CRR, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria's levy increase, and the gradual removal of certain bank charges.

The Managing Director, HighCap Investment and Securities, Mr. David Adonri, said although banks had been affected by previous regulatory measures, the recent actions of the CBN would further affect their operations beginning from the first quarter of this year.

"A number of banks will declare good year-end results for the last financial year. But starting from the first quarter of this year, their profits may begin to decline owing to some of these regulatory headwinds," Adonri said.

Fitch, in a report released on October 8, 2014, said actions

aimed at protecting the economy and the banking system by the CBN would make the profits of the Deposit Money Banks for this year to drop.

While recalling that some of the previous regulatory headwinds had led to weaker profitability and "stemmed credit growth" in the first half of 2014, the rating agency said Nigerian banks' assets growth and earnings would experience further fall over the next 18 months.

Fitch, however, observed that the nation's banks were performing well despite the twin hurdles of tight monetary policy actions and new rules.

The CBN had in July 2013 increased the CRR on public sector deposits to 75 per cent from 12 per cent in order to curb inflation. It also reduced how much the banks could charge account holders whenever they withdrew money as part of its plans to phase out the Commission on Turnover charges.

AMCON had similarly raised its annual levy on the banks to 0.5

know in Nigeria, we don't have good temperament “forYoueconomic summersault. If somebody invests and things are not working fine, the next thing is to remove people working with him. In other climes, people will persevere but here in Nigeria, people don't persevere when it comes to such issues

“

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015 per cent from 0.3 per cent of their assets.

According to Fitch, the AMCON levy and network expansion strategies have made the banks to experience earnings pressure and high operating costs.

The Fitch report added that "the banks are now seeing some asset quality deterioration with rising absolute non-performing loans, reflecting fast loan growth since 2011.

"Most banks' NPL ratios remain below the five per cent prescribed by the CBN, but Fitch views this as unsustainable in the long-run. Very high loan concentrations by borrowers and sectors expose banks, particularly the smaller banks, to significant event risk."

The fall in the value of the naira, may soon start taking its toll on the banking sector as lenders may axe jobs to cut costs, especially on pay cheques.

No longer at ease with bank workers For those who lost their jobs recently in majority of the new generation banks due to fall in oil prices and the subsequent devaluation of the naira, banking jobs is no longer the attraction it was.

Tunde Babalola, one of the victims, who hitherto worked in one of the new generation banks, confided in The Nation that the turnover of staff in the banking sector in recent times shows that all is not well with the sector after all.

According to him, the apex bank should be blame for the problem in the sector.

Waxing philosophical, he said: "In the banking sector today, if you make money, it's a problem and if you don't problem again.

Secondly there still a lot of fraud going on in the system. If this is not curbed, there will still be problem."

Like Babalola, Doyin Adeyemi, who is a marketer in one of the new generation banks, recalled that he had to leave his former employers to take up another offer at another bank with the hope of enjoying more perks, but the reverse was the case.

Already, some workers in the banks have started looking inwards, exploring what they described as option B; should the unexpected happen.

Some of them said economic realities are negatively affecting the bottom line of the lenders, fearing that their jobs were on the line.

Confirming this development, President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Mr. Olusoji Salako, said banks would look at what they could do to reduce their expenses, adding that job loss would be one of the first steps. He pledged to ensure that the banks follow due process in laying-off their workers and paying them off.

He said: "You know in Nigeria, we don't have good temperament for economic summersault.

If somebody invests and things are not working fine, the next thing is to remove people working with him. In other climes, people will persevere but here in Nigeria, people don't persevere when it comes to such issue.

"We are, however, bracing and also monitoring the employers to ensure that if it becomes necessary to lay off their workers, due process must be followed and people affected must be well compensated so that they can function in any part of the economy."

He said though the economy has witnessed interventions by the government apart from the austerity measure, the common

BUSINESS

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'Nigeria has capacity to generate 9000mw electricity now' D

•Okonjo-Iweala

ELIBERATE sabotage by those concerned, weak transmission infrastructure and the inability of the government to compel those who are behind the pipeline vandalism to face the wrath of the law are major barriers hampering the nation's power generation capacity.

The President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), an organ of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Akpan Michael who attempted a prognosis of the crisis in the power sector, said Nigeria has the capacity of generating about 9000mw but however complains that there is dearth of

distribution facilities.

While noting that the power roadmap provides a clear pathway to achieving a certain level of generation and distribution in the country, it can only be achieved if the government contains the incidents of pipeline vandalisation across the country.

"The investment in the power sector has gone to a stage that it is just a step and we get there put aside the incapability of the regime in handling those that are into this act of destruction," he said.

While urging the incoming government to take decisive steps to address the issue appropriately, the NIEEE boss said: "We are getting

to that point vandals will come in and disrupt the system, there has been a lot of infrastructure put in place in terms of gas pipeline distribution and transmission."

He further advised the incoming government to improve on the power roadmap of the present administration, adding that it is left for the incoming government to expedite action on improving power infrastructure in the country.

He also commended the Lagos State government for building the Independent Power Plants to power the streets of Lagos and other infrastructure in the state adding the level of achievements in the state will live in decades.

New guidelines for mortgage out soon

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•Emefiele

HE National Pension Commission (PenCom) has hinted of plans to issue fresh guidelines on how contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) can use their contributions to access mortgages.

The Director-General, PenCom, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, gave this hint in Abuja at a stakeholders' conference on the Pension Reform Act 2014.

She said Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) could do so now thus giving most of the over six million contributors can access to their fund as equity contributions for residential mortgage.

According to her, "for the first time, you are now able as a contributors to utilise part of your balances to secure your own primary home in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the commission, this is fantastic in a country where we gave over 15

million housing deficit, at least those who are contributing-over six million contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme can now for the first time be able to utilise rather than just leaving it there."

The PenCom boss also revealed that the Pension Act is being reviewed with a view to strengthening the penalties against the perpetrators of pension infractions. The details of the sanctions she said are contained in the new act which will soon be made public.

"The process of issuing these guidelines is already at advanced stage and it is our expectation that as soon as implemented, this development would assist in bridging the housing deficit in Nigeria."

Anohu-Amazu noted that the contributory pension scheme would soon be introduced in states and local

governments as contained in the 2014 Act and this will set a standard which the state governments are required to comply with for the benefit of their respective employees.

The DG said by setting standards which state governments are required to comply with for the benefit of their employees, the application of the CPS by states and local governments has received a boost under the PRA 2014.

She said, "The new act clearly outlined the responsibilities of other government institutions in the implementation of the CPS. Thus, public sector challenges under the CPS which were encountered during the last ten years, in the areas of remittance of pension contributions, funding of the retirement benefits bond redemption fund account, duration and adequacy of monthly pensions for public servant are some of the issues to be specifically addressed."

Expert proffers solutions to rising domestic debt

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•Salako

man on the street is feeling the pain "because nothing is really working now".

He said: "The government is just trying to make money to pay salaries and nothing is left for any infrastructural development or any other intervention in the critical sectors of the economy. This is as a result of fall in the oil price.

"The question would be that when we have the price of oil rising in the couple of years back, what did we do with the excess money we made?

"We just squandered the money and you know anything that goes up must come down. If we have been managing our resources prudently, it is likely we would not have experienced this kind of problem. All we need to do is dip our hands in the excess crude account and use that as an intervention measure to augment what we have.

"Now, we are faced with the reality now that things will not be as easier as before, and to worsen the situation every effort of government is to make the rich richer and the poor people poorer. This is because if you have few dollars, you become richer in naira wise and the average man who wants to buy anything will use foreign currency and will pay more," he added.

HE nation's rising domestic debts presently at a staggering N11 trillion has remained a cause of concern.

This, according to Prof. Chris Onalo, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), needs to be addressed for the economy to grow.

Speaking with The Nation over the weekend, Onalo, who is regarded as the doyen of credit management in Nigeria, said this suggestion becomes necessary in view of the fact that the domestic rising debts profile of the country which has been incurred by the previous administration in the course of managing the affairs of the state is becoming to take its toll on the economy as a whole.

"We stand today as a country indebted to the tune of about N8.5trillion domestic debts arising from issuance of bonds by the federal government and state governments, of course, it is speculated that the debts owed by states put together could be within the region of N1.69trillion."

While noting that there is nothing bad about borrowing, Prof Onalo however decried a situation where borrowing is based on germane need.

"In the case of Nigeria and in particular the outgoing government, who has borrowed within the period of Jonathan's administration up to N5trillion, in addition to what was brought forward from the previous regime, yes, the incoming government has got herculean task as to how to liquidate these debts."

The incoming administration,

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

he said, has got a big task on its hands. "But I think the only way the incoming government can address the issue very quickly is to see that negotiations within the various stakeholders is brought to bear. Of course, looking at the Debt Management Office, it would require critical restructuring to be able to move in, in the right direction that would stem the tide of further debts growth."

To make fund available, the incoming administration, he said, may need to tight the noose in order to create funds necessary for the liquidation of these debts.

"I'm referring to a no-giving up effort to fight corruption because money is tied down within the domestic sphere and for those that may have in one way or the other have taken funds that is not theirs, there should be proactive steps to recover such funds so that there would be much more funds in the government kits. Obviously, the incoming administration would be looking for funds to run the economy."

Government, he stressed, "must be ready to put in place mechanism that can enable it retrieve ill-gotten wealth, some elephant projects that are tied to financial obligations but has no immediate value as far as the economic development is concerned such projects may have to be put down."

Expatiating, he said, "Government in Nigeria for a very long time have not been able to come to terms with is delivering the divi-

dends of democracy without sacrificing the national interest and management of the economy which gives opportunity for everybody to create further wealth for the country. That is my major problem. There is this disconnect.

There is nothing I can do about that other than saying it the way I'm saying it and then someone out there listens and some day we could have a dramatic change that could address this issue where dividends of democracy does not necessarily mean giving out some sort of handouts to people financial handouts." "And then, we develop means and ways by which we can deal decisively with the culture of corruption, so that funds will be available to develop the infrastructural need of the country for the people to bring out the best in them. "Having said that, I think, that the state government particularly, the incoming government should develop governance character completely different from what has been the norm so far.

"There must be a conscious effort on the part of the state government to look inward and identify economic potential that are available and try to harness them and putting up laws that encourages indigenes to set up enterprises creating employment for people thus contributing to the GDP because as it stands, the GDP and the debt ratio, is too wide and there is no way any economy can survive with this. Obviously, looking at it from that springboard, the impoverish status of this country can be better argued."

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

BUSINESS

HAT are the challenges that the publishing industry is facing apart from piracy which is common?

Without any doubt, the poor reading culture in our country is a big challenge to the publishing industry. Books rank very low on the preference list of an average Nigerian and this has made it difficult to achieve turnover that is commensurate with our huge population. Some parents would rather spend money on electrical appliances, jewelry, clothes and frivolous ceremonies than buy recommended books for their children, It is so bad, but for the intervention of the government, even textbook purchase for core subjects like Mathematics, English Language and the Sciences, may suffer. It ยกs easy to look at the level of poverty and say there is no purchasing power.

The irony however is that education can provide opportunities that can lift people out of abject poverty and neglect. As a matter of fact, many of the successful professionals and public figures in the country today came from humble backgrounds. They were able to rise above the circumstances of their births through the acquisition of excellent education, perseverance, selfdiscipline and strong faith in God. Besides, the cost of funds is still very high and this is a serious headache for many companies in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, some of them are unable to pay dividends to shareholders because the greater percentage of what they would have declared as profits is used to pay interest on credit facilities that they obtained from the commercial banks. Perhaps, the Governor of the Central Bank will initiate policies that can address this concern and encourage the private sector to increase capacity utilisation and establish new factories that can reduce the current high level of unemployment.

We are also seriously concerned about the high level of infringement of copyright, most especially by students, many of whom engage in widespread photocopying of recommended textbooks, which reduces sales of the original copies. It is sad that students who should be championing the intellectual rights of authors are involved in such illegal activities that discourage scholarship and creativity.

Besides, we have to import printing equipment and materials such as ink, film, plate and paper at highly prohibitive foreign exchange rates. All these lead to high cost of production which makes it difficult for us to achieve significant returns on investments.

Moreover, we are also troubled by the epileptic nature of public power supply.

As a matter of fact, we spend several millions of naira on diesel every month in order to run the generators in our sixteen offices across the country. If you take into consideration the cost of repairs and servicing of the generators you will be able to appreciate the enormity of what we spend to generate electricity due to the poor services being rendered by the PHCN. It is also painful to observe that the road network is still not impressive despite the billions of naira that the

'Book publishing hardly profitable in Nigeria' Mr. Segun Oladipo, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Learn Africa Plc, in this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf speaks on the prospects and challenges of the publishing industry with specific insights on Learn Africa's survival strategies thus far. Excerpts: government has committed to the construction and rehabilitation of roads. We spend a lot of money to repair and maintain our pick up vans, trucks and other operational vehicles, due to the bad state of the roads in different parts of the country.

Is book publishing still profitable?

In the light of the huge population of Nigeria and the growing demand for formal education, it is apt to say that the current turnover and profit in the book publishing business are seriously below expectations. We can certainly achieve higher returns on investments if some of the limiting factors that were mentioned earlier are addressed by the appropriate authorities.

In what ways should government assist the book publishing industry?

Government needs to address the challenges associated with our public infrastructure. Our roads networks need to be expanded and maintained regularly to enable companies distribute products across the country at a lower cost and at a faster pace.

It is hoped that the reforms in the power sector will bring about the desired improvement in the provision of electricity and reduce our dependence on industrial diesel generators and the attendant environmental pollution.

Considering the critical importance of our sector to national development, government can offer us incentives like tax holidays, duty free importation of printing machines, books, paper, ink and other materials that we use in the industry.

We would like government to intensify antipiracy campaigns in order to reduce its negative impact on the fortunes of the industry. As a matter of fact, the greatest threat to the survival and prosperity of the publishing industry in our country is piracy. It is an assault on the intellectual rights of authors and discourages creativity. As a matter of fact, some of them pass off outdated books as new editions to unsuspecting buyers. It is also possible for pirates to use money that ยกs derived from their criminal trade to finance other dangerous activities. It is painful that some crooks engage in unauthorised printing of fast moving titles from established publishers and sell them at ridiculous prices. They can afford to do that because they have not invested time and resources in content development. Besides, they do not have employees that promote these among teachers and school administrators. They also do not organise trainings for teachers and support school libraries like we do

โ ข Oladipo periodically. Nor do they carry out corporate social responsibility initiatives to supplement government efforts. In addition, they neither pay royalties authors as rewards for intellectual creativity nor pay taxes to support the developmental programs of governments.

Estimates vary, there is a strong feeling that perhaps more than two-thirds of book industry revenue goes to pirates. The problem has affected the growth of the industry, hampered its ability to generate additional employment opportunities for our growing youth population and limited its contribution to national economy.

While one recognises the efforts that government has been making through the Nigerian Copyright Commission, it is obvious that there is room for improvement.

We need to replicate the success recorded at the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control under the leadership of late Professor Dora Akunyili.

Government should increase budgetary allocation to NCC to enable it engage more personnel and carry out more raids against the book pirates. Moreover, the law enforcement agencies most especially the police and the customs should engage in greater collaboration with the

publishers and the NCC in order to curtail the nefarious activities of book pirates. We would also like to appeal to school authorities, parents, booksellers and the general reading public not to purchase pirated copies.

Since the exit of Pearson Education from Longman Nigeria, the stock price of Learn Africa Plc. on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange has been dropping. What is responsible for this?

The decline in our share price was largely due to wrong perception by some market operators who thought we might not be able to cope with the challenges that were likely to be associated with the divestment of our former parent company. Besides, we incurred significant costs as a result of several initiatives to expand our product portfolio, distribution network and field operations which had some impact on our profitability.

However, I am pleased to report that we have started enjoying the benefits of those decisions, which were taken to ensure the continuous growth and prosperity of our company.

It may interest you to note that we have successfully introduced new titles into the Nigerian market as replacements for some of the Pearson Education titles that were withdrawn from our list.

Specifically, we have replaced

New General Mathematics with New Concept Mathematics. Junior English Project and Senior English Project were also replaced with New Concept English.

Furthermore, Concise Grammar was introduced as a better substitute for Brighter Grammar while The Echo Series (creative writing) replaced The Drum Beat. It is also interesting to note that we have carried out a thorough revision of some of our publications to align them with the new curriculum requirements and sustain their market acceptance. These include Phonics Is Fun, I Can Read, My Language Books, Science Is Fun, Senior Secondary Physics, Senior Secondary Chemistry, Biology for Senior Secondary Schools, Economics for Senior Secondary Schools, Quantitative Reasoning for Primary Schools and Verbal Reasoning for Primary Schools. Moreover, we came out with brand new titles like Civic Education for Senior Secondary Schools, New Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Schools, Unto Igbo (Junior Secondary Igbo Course), Okachamma lgbo (Primary Igbo Course) and HaskenKaratu (Primary Hausa Course). Similarly, we released Model School Register of Attendance, Model Diary for Primary Schools, Model Diary for Junior Secondary Schools and Model Diary for Senior Secondary Schools. In addition, we have originated96 new titles and produced over 20 million copies of our various publications. Without any doubt, we have been able to broaden the range of our product portfolio in order to meet the increasingly growing and dynamic needs of our customers.

Regarding distribution network, we have established new depots in Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ota and Oshogbo.

With respect to manpower, the number of employees actually increased from 204 in2012 to 213 in 2013 in order to ensure that we broaden our market coverage. It may interest you to know that this company recognises that management, professionals, and technical experts are its major assets, and investments in their future and development are given top priority. Our expanding skill base has been extended by a range of trainings provided to employees whose opportunities for career development within the company have thus been enhanced. Training is carried out through both in-house and external courses. Incentives and welfare schemes designed to meet the circumstances of each individual employee are implemented wherever applicable and some of these

include performance bonuses.

I am optimistic that the various initiatives that we are carrying out towards greater operating efficiencies and better strategic cost management will enable us to continuously report consistent improvement in the key performance indicators and the overall quality of our business.

In spite of the quality of prints, some Nigerian authors and corporate companies still print their books, annual reports and other materials outside Nigeria, What is your take?

Many private companies and even government agencies prefer to patronise foreign printers because of a couple of reasons including the poor quality of locally printed publications, the expensive quotations from Nigerian printers, their inability to handle large print runs and deliver on schedule.

The reality is that Nigerian publishers who wish to sell good quality books at reasonable prices are forced to print overseas.

Cheap electricity and labour, access to international paper markets, latest technology as well as technical knowledge limit globally competitive printing facilities to few countries.

Unfortunately, our country does not have any hope of competing with these countries in the nearest future. What government should do is to guarantee regular supply of electricity, remove duty from printing materials in order to ensure that books printed and published in Nigeria will be comparable in cost with books printed overseas. Most of us are forced to go to India, Malaysia and China to print our books because many local printers do not have the capacity to match the quality and volumes that can be obtained outside our country.

What is your assessment of the industry in the last three years and what are your expectations going forward?

The last three years have been challenging for the book publishing industry due to the difficulties in our economic environment and the peculiar problems in our sector.

However, we are optimistic that the various initiatives being carried out by the government and other relevant groups will help to address some of the issues like erratic power supply, bad road network, high rate of inflation, high cost of funds, high level of unemployment, insecurity and book piracy.

As the CEO of Learn Africa Plc, what is the performance of the company in the face of all the challenges?

Despite the tough business climate, we have been able to meet our obligations to the employees, suppliers, authors, shareholders, government and other stakeholders. Besides, we have made remarkable progress in our attempts to take the company to greater heights despite the challenges. It is also inspiring to know that we are making significant contributions to the human capital development of our country through our learning resources that are enjoying warm reception among students, teachers and booksellers.

I hasten to add that we have been able to forge ahead due to the unflinching support of our shareholders, our solid capital base, the resourcefulness of our employees, the high quality management team and the visionary Board.

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Digital migration: Points to ponder

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ITH less than 23 days deadline set by the International Telecommunication Union [ITU] for the whole world to migrate from Analogue transmission to Digital, Nigeria, it does appears faces a myriad of challenges.

Besides the non availability of the key facility Set Top Boxes [STB] without which consumers will not have access to digital signals to lack of funds to engage in consumer awareness, Nigeria is not likely to meet the June 17th deadline.

"Funding is an issue that must be addressed. We do not have the required funding that will help us achieve a national digital switchover now. But we have made significant mark in digital switchover," said the Director General of the regulating body, the National Broadcasting Commission [NBC] Mr. Emeka Mba, in an interview.

Expatiating, Mba said: "In terms of planning we are fully ready as a regulator, but we need huge funding to drive the entire process that has to do with the production of enough STB that will do the actual conversion of signals from digital transmission for digital viewing on our local screens."

The NBC DG, stressed that digital switchover is not an easy task, adding that a lot of money is needed to actualise the project.

Even in developed countries like United Kingdom, and the United States, the governments had to borrow money to complete their digital switchover process. "Even Cameroun, borrowed $400 million from the world bank to address the issue of digital switchover in their country," noted Mba. Speaking further, the DG pointed out that much is needed to buy enough STB and transmitters that can cover the whole country. "We are already working with four countries that have concluded their

Jill Okeke writes on the different issues the National Broadcasting Commission must contend with towards Nigeria's drive from analogue to digital transmission digitalisation process and the amount of time and resources we have put in place is enormous showing our state of readiness as regulator."

Insisting on the readiness of NBC, he disclosed that the regulatory body has even licensed some operators that will provide contents under a single platform. "So we have made significant progress in this direction and I am optimistic that once we get the necessary funding and the required amount of STB, we will begin switching in some cities as we shall do it in phases."

While this may sound disappointing to those who understand the benefits of digital transmission, the delay may actually be what is needed to drive consumer awareness and to work out modalities to checkmate the expected attendant excesses of the major stakeholders like the Pay-Tv. Up till this moment, research has shown that many consumers both the educated and less educated do not even know or appreciate what it is to migrate from analogue transmission to digital. Majority especially those on the street are not even aware that Nigeria is supposed to be switching over to digital transmission by June 17th.

In a chat with Barrister Chugo Omeihe, of Omeihe and Associates on Awolowo Road, Ikeja, while admitting that he has heard about the matter in the news media, he however confessed that he still needs to be schooled on the propriety or otherwise of the craze for digital migration.

"I do not fully comprehend the implications because I have not paid attention to the issue as I have many things competing for my attention."

"We need more consumer awareness. Ofcourse I understand digital transmission but not the many attendant benefits,'' said Dr. Olu Adebayo of Lagos University Teaching Hospital [LUTH].

Isaiah, a Graphics Student of Yaba College of Education, Lagos, said though he fully comprehends the issues, many of his friends do not. Thus, he called on the NBC to carry out road works and paid advertisements in the media in order to fully sensitise the general public.

Most of the players in the small scale businesses and house wives admitted they are not aware of any such thing as digital migration. Even those who claimed to have heard the issue mentioned do not really understand what it means.

Another critical issue that also needs clarifying by the regulator is the need to ensure best experience for consumers, prevent cases of signal interferences, especially among Pay-TV players as well as curbing unauthorised operators.

"Yes we have heard cases of gross legal breach, insensitivity to customer's needs and anticompetitive practices on the part of some Pay-TV players and as we move into digital broadcasting in Nigeria, these issues should be watched out for and checkmated by the NBC," said Charles Okonta, a Lagos-based engineer.

Also, a television engineer, Mr. Edward Amana, who has

been involved in major technical projects in broadcasting sector in Nigeria and also in the digital broadcasting process, also called on the NBC and the players to play by the rules of

digital broadcasting, where a level playing ground is created for all stakeholders to avoid interferences.

While commenting on the much hyped digital technology,

Mr. Edward Idris Amana, the Chairman DigiTeam Nigeria, said: "We have come a long way in the transition process, the journey ahead is now much shorter from where we are coming from, we will get there."

Nigerian Breweries to reward teachers with cash prices

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HE saying that 'Teacher's reward is in Heaven' is about to change as Nigerian Breweries Plc, initiates the Maltina Teacher of the Year award in recognition and celebration of exceptional teachers.

"The Maltina Teacher of the Year is an initiative designed to recognize, celebrate and motivate teachers in Nigeria with a first year focus on public Secondary Schools," said Mr. Kufre Ekanem, the Corporate Affairs Adviser of the giant alcoholic and beverage brewer at a press conference to mark the maiden edition of Maltina Teacher of the Year.

Justifying the need for the initiative, which is coming on the platform of Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiiwerei Education Trust Fund, Ekanem said: "Teachers who play a vital role in training, coaching, and determining the quality of education, seldom get the recognition they deserve."

"To kick start a remedy of this situation, the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative aims to recognise and celebrate our exceptional teachers around the country as it is widely said, the children are the future of the Nation and whatever you do for a child ultimately impacts on the nation."

All State champions and National winners will be celebrated in a grand ceremony on October 5th this year in commemoration of World Teacher's Day. A cash reward of N500,000 awaits every teacher who emerges as the State champion while in the final event the second runner up will go home with N750,000 and the first runner up will smile home with a cash reward of N1million.

The exceptional teacher to emerge as The Maltina Teacher of the Year will cash home N1million, with additional N1million deposited in her/his account every October 5th for five years.

Beside, a classroom block will be built in her school by NB Plc and she will also be rewarded with an all-expenses overseas training.

Collection of application forms commenced last Wednesday and will last till June 30th. Application forms are expected to be collected and uploaded to the website or sent by post to P.M.B. 12632, Marina, Lagos.

The five-step evaluation process of the entries received will result in 37 champions, one per each state and the FCT. From amongst these State champions, the Maltina Teacher of the Year will emerge.

Also speaking at the event, the Director, Human Resources NB, Mr. Victor Famuyibo, regretted that teachers are hardly celebrated and recognised though they influence societal developments.

Commending the giant Brewery, Chief Wale Oyeniyi the National Union of Teacher's

[NUT] representative who incidentally is also the Acting Deputy Secretary of NUT lamented that: "Despite our hard

work we are hardly NB while vowing that Maltina remembered for good."

He called on the other will become the official drink of corporate bodies to emulate the teachers in Nigeria.

•From left: Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Victor Famuyibo, Human Resources Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Chief Wole Oyeniyi, Acting Deputy General Secretary, Nigerian Union of Teachers at the press conference flagging off the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative of Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to reward exceptional teachers in Nigeria in Lagos ... recently

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

INTERVIEW

‘Pastors divided by religious politics should reconcile’ I

T’S been years since you one heard from you. Have you been hiding or something?

My brother, I have been busy with the church’s building. I am someone who believes in concentration and attention. I am also a meticulous worker. So, I had to shut down many things to get the building up to 99 percent stage of completion.

So, what has happened to the dream ministry?

I can assure you that it’s ongoing. The dream ministry is still on. God has given us more platforms and connections to make more impacts.

It’s still about dreams, deliverance, empowerment and total liberation of human beings for us. You realise that a lot of people are under bondage through their dreams and we try to help unravel the mysteries behind their dreams.

You bear the title apostle.

But many say you hardly go out. So, what qualifies you for the title?

Let me say that it is not true that I don’t go out. I always have at least five crusades scheduled every year all over Nigeria. I was in Ekpoma, Ikare, Nnewi, Owerri, Ibadan and Ife. So, if you do only five crusades in a year, does that qualify you to be an apostle?

You see an apostle is custodian of God’s laws. He or she is someone with a pioneering spirit. It is not really a title but an assignment. We pioneered the dream ministry despite oppositions but we persevered.

God has helped us to bring it to the limelight and we are at a stage where we want to pass on the gift to others for general goodness. Every gift of God is communicable.

Your critics say you make too much fuss about dreams.

What’s the big deal about dreams anyway?

You see dream is a major vehicle through which God communicates to us. Will it not be unwise not to take that medium serious? God speaks in audible voice, still voice, through his words and revelations. If God speaks to us through dreams, we have to take them seriously.

But knowing who Africans are, won’t the emphasis on dreams lead to demonic awareness?

I agree that many tend to pay attention more to demonic dreams but that is a phase. You start from neglecting your dreams and the enemies capitalise on that. But when the awareness comes, you take charge of the demonic dreams and you overgrow them. All that God wants is to be in charge and make sure the enemies do not cheat you again through dreams.

Once that happens, you move to prophetic dreams where God can show you revelations and instructions that will lead to great profit on earth.

People also say that in the New Testament, there are only two or three instances of dreams. Are dreams still part of the New Testament era?

Really? But the whole book of Revelations is about revelations and dreams. When Jesus was going to be born, it was announced through dreams.

When his paternity was in doubt, a dream settled it. When they wanted to kill Jesus, it took a dream to show the conspiracy and escape plan. After his intending killers died, a dream instructed them to go back.

There are so many dreams in the bible. As a matter of fact,

The general overseer of Jesus Liberation Squad, New Oko Oba, Lagos, Apostle Dele Johnson, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on dream interpretation and why embittered church leaders should close ranks. Excerpts: there are over 500 dreams in the bible. You see they are there; it is only what you look for that you will find in the bible. The bible is like a supermarket. You have to go to the sections where the items you want are to locate them.

How did you come about this dream ministry anyway?

It was in 2005. The Lord told me to separate myself in fasting and prayers for seven days. So, I went to Camp David in Ijoko, Ota for the exercise.

Then, while praying, I saw an old man laying hands on him.

He said, “receive the grace to unravel dreams, mysteries, enigmas and revelations.” And that was it. From that moment, if you tell me a dream, I will be able to interpret it.

Are you then thinking of a school of dream interpretation or something?

By the grace of God, if we feel His leading, we should start a conference on dream interpretation before the end of this year. From there, we’d be able to see where we can take it to. We’d do the teaching, deliverance and impartation sessions.

If you have the gift of revelation, did God allow you to see the change that the country is about to witness?

Let me confess to you that I had a struggle when it came.

•Johnson the time to fight one another over politics. Many pastors are still embittered. They don’t call themselves, all because of politics. Many who had been friends for years have been set apart. It is sad but we have to close ranks and forget all these walls of division. The politicians broke our ranks and we have to settle our differences and move on.

Do you see the incoming administration performing?

I believe Buhari is a man that can deliver and salvage the nation. He is not a man that can easily bend. He is incorruptible. He wants posterity to also judge him well at over 70. From the feelers one

get, he wants to work.

But we have to pray. The best of intentions are never enough. The church has to support him. That is why I want to beg my pastorsfriends to make up. I was also on the other side. Jonathan meant well but I believe he came at a time our patience was exhausted. I want the pastors to close ranks so that we can pray to save this nation.

We need unity as a church.

The politicians are using us.

But we need to be the ones setting the agendas for them.

We have to come together to become relevant and take our place in the scheme of things.

Alile’s wife becomes first female apostle

with the acquisition of 206.406 hectares free of charge from the Obadan Community, 33 kilometers Benin-Auchincloss road.

According to her, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), has approved the name, Obadan University.

The journey to the Nigerian University Commission, NUC, for an operational license has commenced, she announced.

She reminded that the church had also acquired two parcels of land measuring 1.5 hectares and 1.4 hectares along the Airport Road in Kuje, Abuja for the construction of cathedral in the Federal Capital Territory, appealing to members and public spirited groups to assist the church to accomplish some of the ongoing giant strides aimed at developing the nation.

I was rooting for the outgoing president but I had to surrender to God. We prayed for the will of God and since Buhari won, we have to submit to it. I believe the situation is a winwin for us. I tell pastors who have been fighting over the division to close ranks. Politicians have settled but we keep fighting ourselves. The politicians have divided us but they are making up.

Maybe some of them are still angry that the alleged Islamisation agenda would come to pass If you are bothered, you pray. Prayer is our greatest weapon. When we pray, the devil is defeated. So, this is not

NEWS

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IFE of the spiritual leader of Saint Joseph’s Chosen Church of God (SJCCG), Patience Alile has become the first female apostle of the 69-yearold church.

This is coming two years after the church ordained the first set of female ministers.

She was ordained with six others as apostles in the church, which began in a farm settlement, Cowan Estate, Ajagbodudu in present-day Delta State.

Their ordination as apostles and 31 others as pastors was the highlight of the 57th annual conference of the church.

The conference held for the first time at the church’s new SJ Christian Conference Centre, Sapele on the Sapele-Warri ex-

By Sunday Oguntola

pressway, a few kilometers away from its original home of Ajagbodudu.

Those ordained with her include: church’s General Secretary, Levi Ogbonna; Ezekiel Ahamefule; Kenneth Osanebi; Geoffrey Owiriwa; George Ogbondamati and Peter Apugo.

The church said the appointment of 36 pastors on full-time

basis and ordination of 31 pastors was to address manpower challenges facing the church.

After their decoration and the process of ordination, the Oath of Allegiance was administered of the new ordainees by the legal adviser to the church, Barrister Anthony Onabaifo.

Addressing the new ministers, the spiritual leader of the church, Apostle Hayford Alile, who recently marked his 72nd

birthday, urged them to make their calling sure.

He listed the cardinal responsibilities of the ministers as the official shepherds of the church.

“As a peculiar person, you radiate the light of God to the entire world without, which the world cannot see. Without you, the world cannot be sweet.

“You are a soul winner or fisher of men as well as a seeker

of the lost,” he maintained, stressing that they must live a blameless life.

The church’s head of finance, Mrs. Dosike Akporhiare, reported the progress made in several areas, including the emerging new camp ground on Sapele-Warri Expressway near Sapele, educational areas.

She stated that the process of establishing the churchowned university has begun

Motailatu Church honours patriarch, matriarch at revival

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HE Patriarch and Matriarch of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), His Most Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Isaiah M. Akinadewo (Omo

Jesu) and General Superintendent Apostolic Mother Mary A. Akinadewo will be honoured at the church’s seven-day revival starting tomorrow.

A statement by Senior Su-

perintendent Gabriel Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II) says the event will hold at the church’s Restoration Parish, Akute, Ogun State.

Several men of God will at-

tend the spiritual-uplifting event.

The Matriarch transited on February 4, 2010 while the Patriarch joined the Saints above on December 26, 2014.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

WORSHIP

COLUMN

Living Faith

By Dr. David Oyedepo

Engaging the demand of diligence for outstanding success!

•Alile anointing his wife during the ordination

Three hours with Gbenga Adenuga

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HUGE round of applause from ecstatic crowd at the jampacked hall in Muson Centre, Lagos ushered in gospel act, Gbenga Adenuga, to the podium last Sunday. Time was 5pm. Event was the third edition of the fast-rising Worship With Gbenga Adenuga (WWGA) concert.

Many had arrived several minutes before eager for front rows. They wanted to get as close as possible to the centre from where Adenuga was billed to lead them into the worship of God. A visibly elated Adenuga welcomed his guests to the “throne of Grace and pure worship.”

The moment he launched into highly enhancting worship songs, many could not bear to remain on their seats. There were either on their knees or standing. The awesome presence of God was too much to ignore or resist. They simply latched on to the euphoric moment, completely lost in His presence.

Adenuga, who has led worship sessions for over two decades, was soaked himself. And he effortlessly

By Sunday Oguntola

passed the overwhelming effect to the receptive audience. He sang of God’s greatness. He sang of His faithfulness. He sang of how He bought from the miry clay to the place of significance.

For over one hour, Adenuga took the audience into soulful, awesome time with God. Many could literally feel the palpable presence of God. When he paused for a break, the audience couldn’t but ask for more. But it would be a long night. There would still be time for them to worship God. There was no need to hurry. God would always be there, ever ready to receive the praise of His people.

The Awimayehun coroner had something enthralling off his sleeve. In the hall was glamorous soul singer, Sola Allyson.

He announced she would take a few minutes to “take us on a stroll of heaven”. The crowd roared and clapped. The night was already impactful. To have Allyson lead them to God’s presence would be simply irresistible.

Allyson, ever humble and inspiring, mounted the podium with a surge of calming influence. She took the crowd in an unforgettable moment of worship for over thirty minutes. She

praised God in her peculiar voice. Her fulsome Yoruba praises left the audience stunned. Many couldn’t bottle their emotive joy. They let it out with a stream of gratefulness.

Adenuga soon returned to finish off what he started.

There were hymns of God’s awesomeness and incomparability. There were compositions of His wondrous acts.

And of course, there were traditional renditions that left many on the dancing floor.

The concert ended with many asking for more. But it’s been three hours. Yet, time means nothing when men are in God’s presence.

Speaking with reporters after the concert, Adenuga said he would continue to organise the event free of charge to thank God. “I don’t see a big deal in doing big things for God. This is just my passion and life. I love God with a passion and this is how I can express it best. I believe if I don’t spend my time and resources this way, what if I am sick and need a liver? Where will I get the money for treatment? If I don’t have such challenge, why can’t I do something great for God?”

Bishop charges govt on job creation

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HE Bishop of Ogbomoso Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Titus Babatunde, has appealed to the incoming administration to make job creation a top priority.

This, he said, will address youth restiveness and other crimes associated with unemployment.

Olayinka stated these while delivering his opening address to delegates at the third synod of the church in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The theme of the synod was “the cost of Christian commitment.”

RESSED in society uniforms, members of Saint Michael Raphael & Gabriel Catholic Church (Archangels parish), Satellite town Lagos celebrated societies Feast day recently.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Vincent Ezezue, told the society members to display love and togetherness among themselves.

He challenged them to work together for the de-

D

He described Nigeria as a great nation stalled by blood politics, corruption and bad governance.

He expressed optimism that the incoming administration will address these anomalies and deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Olayinka congratulated the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while urging them to deliver on their campaign promises.

On the theme, he said being a Christian calls for being a disciple of Christ.

This, he said, may cost them changing their relation-

ships, lifestyles and possessions.

On the consequences of not counting the cost, he said many churches are so reluctant to present the demands of Christ to new converts and would- be disciples because “we fear that it will put them off Christianity.”

In his goodwill message, The Most Rev. Dr Joseph Akinfenwa, commended Olayinka, for being a spiritual strategist, a bridge builder and concrete mixer, who mastered the art of using men and materials to achieve God’s ultimate purposes and glory within a very short time.

Catholic societies celebrate Feast day velopment of the church and humanity.

To enliven the occasion, there was a march past competition by 22 societies/organisation.

The Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) emerged first while the Teachers’ Guild came second. The church warders were third.

G

OD’S plan into the fullness of His agenda for us comes in steps, which lead the way to success. Recognizing these steps and engaging them, make our journey to greatness ‘sweatless’. One of the various steps to success is diligence. You will never come across any genuine success story in life and scriptures without the individual’s commitment to diligence (Ecclesiastes 10:18; Proverbs 22:19).

What is Diligence?

Diligence is investing the best of our time, energy and resources in the pursuit of a given task(Proverb 14:23). Diligence is hard work, and only hard workers ever become high-flyers.

It is not just being busy, but being productively engaged and focused in a given task, that makes a star (1 Thessalonians 4:11;1Peter 4:15; Corinthians 9:16; Matthew 6:22; 1Kings 20:39-40; Proverbs 12:24, 6:6-9, 24:303, 20:4, 13:4).

Let’s examine some biblical examples of hard worker.

God: Interestingly, I looked at God’s work schedule at creation and discovered that He is an ever-working God. From the story of creation, we discovered that God’s work schedule is described as, the evening and the morning. This connotes that He worked for 12 hours.

Therefore, if we have a working Father, then we can’t make much out of life without working (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31). | Jesus: He was an addicted worker, who was ever on duty because work-

NEWS

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HRISTIANS have been challenged to rededicate themselves to the service of God just like Christ gave Himself to humanity.

A UK- based pastor, Elliot Akinjinrin, stated this at the grand finale of activities marking the 19th anniversary of the Livingstone Church of Zion,

The chairman Laity Council, Chike Agbasi, thanked members for placing the consideration of others above them.

He appealed for support in building of the new church hall.

Livingspring Chapel’s No more delay

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IVINGSPRING Chapel International will hold a prophetic meeting tagged No more delays on May 29.

The meeting takes place at the church’s auditorium on 12, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja Lagos.

A statement by the presiding pastor of the church, Femi

ing was like eating to Him (John 4:34; John 5:17; John 9:4). Jesus was addicted to His mission and gave His all to fulfil it (Luke 12:50).

Abraham: He was a hard worker: When God told him, “I will make you great,” he worked his way up by engaging in cattle farming until he became the greatest cattle farmer of his time (Genesis 13:2, 24:1). Subsequently, the Bible admonishes us to pattern our work life after him (John 8:39; Isaiah 51:1-3).

Isaac: He was a tireless worker: The Bible records that he dug a well for irrigation, but the Philistines kept filling it.

Notwithstanding, he continued digging until he wearied them.

Thus, he invented irrigation farming and became the breadwinner of the nation (Genesis 26:12-14; Genesis 26:1-13). In addition, Paul said, “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.” This implies that by redemption, we are ordained to be envied, just like Isaac, but only on the platform of hard work (Galatians 4: 28).

Jacob: He was a Creative Worker. When Laban played on Jacob’s destiny, his creativity brought him out, because he knew what to do to multiply his portion. Jacob’s creativity which came by hard work also brought success to the house of Laban (Genesis 30:27-37, 43).

Paul:He was a man of unusual revelation, endowed with the Spirit of faith and grace. Yet, he said, “But I labour more abundantly than them all, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” He laboured and emerged a star among the Apostles. As a result, he wrote twothirds of the New Testament (1Corinthians 9:16; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Act 14:11; Act 19:14-15; 2 Peter 3:15).

What, then, are the Benefits of Diligence (Hard work)?

Hard work keeps us fit: It is important for us to understand that hard work does not kill; it only refines our lives and destinies, and keeps us mentally and physically fit.

For instance, when a house is left unoccupied for a period of time, it drops in value and rodents occupy it. Similarly, when we stop working, several things creep into our lives to break us down (Ecclesiastes 10:18).

Diligence Engenders Excellence: There is nothing mystical about excellence; it is a product of man’s tireless commitment to improvement on the approach and strategies employed in getting a job done (Hebrews 5:13-14; Proverbs 22:29).

Diligence delivers us from the awful vices of life:If you are not a worker, you will end up a robber. This is because being idle invites evil forces into one’s life (Ephesians 4:28; Luke 19:13; Proverb 14:23).

Friend, there are thousands of people, who are tied to your exploits; thus, you can’t afford to be careless.If you miss the top, you would disappoint God, because He paid the price of redemption for you to get there. Thus, are you born again? You can be born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You can be saved right now as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.

Thank You Jesus for saving me!

Now I know I am born again!” I will continue this teaching next week.

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge.

For further reading, please get my books — Exploring the Secrets of Success, Success Buttons, Success Strategies and Success Systems.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Emmanuel, assured that the prophetic encounter will break the chains of delays among participants.

Time is 8am.

Church marks anniversary

By Bode Monogbe

Sabo, Sagamu, Ogun State recently.

Speaking on: Worthy is the Lamb, Akinjinrin said Jesus Christ accepted the salvation assignment because of His love for mankind.

“Nobody forced it on him.

He took it on his own volition and so became a ransom for our salvation, “he said.

Quoting copiously from Rev 5:1-12 and Isaiah 53:3-7, he said Christ paid the greatest price, which is his life and became a worthy lamb.

He compared the commitment of Christ to that of a North Korean expectant mother, who delivered her baby boy in a chilly weather under a bridge.

The woman, he said, rapped the baby with all she had including her wares.

The kind mother died in the

cold but the baby survived.

He was to be rescued later by an itinerant missionary and his wife, who later adopted him.

In the same vein, Akinjinrin enjoined Christians to appreciate the sacrifice Christ paid, preach and act against sins and all manners of immorality that are anti- God so that more souls can saved.

Christians, he said, should spread the message of love and peaceful co-existence among fellow humans.

The Presiding pastor of the church, Pastor Molato Ikuesan, was particularly grateful to those who assisted the church.

He then appealed for special assistance as the church plans to relocate to a more expansive place when it will mark its 20th anniversary next year.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME BALOGUN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Balogun, Oluwabukola Diana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aribo, Oluwabukola Esther. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

NDUKWE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinomso Ndukwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Christiana C. Chukwuemeka. All former documents remain valid.

Ikwuano Local government Area, Government Service Commission, Umuahia and general public should please take note.

FAKUADE

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Dayo Fakuade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Ekundayo Mathew Fakuade. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

AKINLUDE I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Akinlude, Oyindamola Temilade, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Wusu, Senami Oyindamola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Nigeria Immigration Passport Office and general public should please take note.

OSOBAJO

I formerly known and addressed as Aderonke Tola Osobajo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ataghamhen, Aderonke Tola. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OLAJIDE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olajide, Jumoke Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladejo, Jumoke Esther. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, NYSC and general public should please take note.

UWADIEGWU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Uwadiegwu Scholastica Tochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeneho Scholastica Tochukwu. All former documents remain valid.National Youth Service Corps and general public should please take note.

AINA I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Aina, Fatai Olayemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Karounwi Fatai Olayemi. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

ALARIBE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Precious Chinasa Alaribe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Precious Emmanuel Ekezie. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

ADAM I formerly known and addressed as Adam Mako, now wish to be known and addressed as Adewale Rotimi.

All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

OKORIE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Chinenye Okorie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sandra Chinenye Odukwe. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

WAHAB

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omobukola Latifat Wahab, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omobukola Latifat Adegbite. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

DAVIS

I formerly known and addressed as Davis Emman Chukwuma Femi, now wish to be known and addressed as David’s Emmanuel Femi. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

IBIKUNLE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ibikunle, Toyin Stephanas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olorunsegun Toyin Stephanas. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

OKOYE

NEWS

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME USMAN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Usman, Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abutu, Blessing Eleojo. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

ITORO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Itoro, Benedict Umoren, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Itoro Nsikak-Abasi Effiong.

All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

FALADE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Falade, Adeola Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jegede, Jonathan Adeola Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

ABAH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abah, Joseph Monica Eleojo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojile, Abah Monica.

All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

ALLISON

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nyingierefa Allison, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nyingierefa Jumbo. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

OBIAJUNWA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebere Ann Obiajunwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebere Ann Uzoma. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

OGUNLEYE

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNLEYE, ADEOLA OMOLARA, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLEYE, MARYANNE ADEOLA . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKINWALE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinwale, Oluyemisi Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alagbe Oluyemisi Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Oyo State Secretariat lbadan and general public should please take note.

ABODIKE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IFECHUKWU COMFORT JESSICA ABODIKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JESSICA IFECHUKWU OSERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ONYEGBUAZU I formerly known and addressed as MRS. ONYEGBUAZUA FLORENCE SHARON, now wish to be known and addressed as PROPHETESS STEPHEN FLORENCE SHARON. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

OSHO I formerly known and addressed as MISS FEYIKEMI OSHO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FEYIKEMI ADUROGBANGBA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

AYORINDE I formerly known and addressed as MISS AYORINDE OMOWUMI KIKELOMO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IREDOKUN OMOWUMI KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

RAPHAEL

I formerly known and addressed as MISS RAPHAEL EUNICE OLUFUNKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEOLA EUNICE OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ALAKE

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAYIWOLA RIANAT ALAKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BADA RIANAT OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoye, Victoria Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezeudoye Victoria Chinyere.

All former documents remain valid.

St. Francis Nursery and Primary School, Abiodun Atiba, Oyo and general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, ADEYEMI OLUWASEYI ADEDAYO is the same person as ADEYEMI OLUWASEYIDARA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OLAGUNJU

TAMUNOMINJI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olagunju, Adebisi Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinade, Adebisi Mary. All former documents remain valid. St. General public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS TAMUNOMINJI AYANATE IBINABO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ODIONG AYANATE KUFRE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OMONFUEGBE

ADEAGBO

EZEOTUBELU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Omonfuegbe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Takon Ojong. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ANTHONY I, formely knows and addressed as Anthony Blessing Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Okoli Blessing Ngozi. All former documents remain vaild,general public and NYSC camp should please take note.

TAMUNOMINJI

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS TAMUNOMINJI AYANATE IBINABO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ODIONG AYANATE KUFRE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IGBOKE I, formerly known and addressed as IGBOKE VICTOR OJIOFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as IGBOKWE VICTOR OJIOFOR. All former documents remain valid.

Ebonyi State University and general public please take note.

FATAI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeagbo Nifesimi Eniola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinyemi Nifesimi Eniola. All former documents remain valid.

Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti and general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeotubelu Augustina Chidiogo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinkuotu, Augustina Chidiogo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OSENI

I, formerly known and addressed as Ifeanyi Edward Osuala, now wish to be known and addressed as Ifeanyi Benjamin Osuala Egbujuo.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

FOLORUNSO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kehinde Olawunmi Monsurat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Monsurat Kehinde Oladipo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oseni Omomayowa Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elegbede Omomayowa Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Folorunso Yinka Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajayi Yinka Florence. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OJEDEJI

ONYENMA

I, formerly known and addressed as Atobatele Elijah Olaniyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Adaramola Elijah Olaniyi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHIWUZIE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss JENNIFER ADAEZE CHIZOBA NWOKOLO, now wish to be known as Mrs. JENNIFER ADAEZE CHIZOBA AGUWAMBA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

This is to confirm that SHOKANMI LANRE FOLORUNSO and OLANREWAJU SHOKANLU FOLORUNSHO refer to one and the same person, and now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU SHOKANLU FOLORUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKINBOYE

I, formerly known and addressed as Akinboye Oyeyinka Ifeoluwa Oworu, now wish to be known and addressed as Crossifixio Akinboye Ifeoluwa Oyeyinka Oworu. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ADEDOYIN

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adedoyin Bukola Atiyat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dawodu Bukola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FATOKI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fatoki Grace Oluwafunmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojeikere Grace Oluwafunmilayo.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ODITA

NWOKOLO

OBIEGBU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss OGONNA PHILOMENA OBIEGBU, now wish to be known as Mrs. OGONNA PHILOMENA OGBUIKE. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

OGBONNAIYE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss ESTHER OLABUKUN OGBONNAIYE, now wish to be known as Mrs. ESTHER OLABUKUN TONADE. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

FAYEMIWO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Fayemiwo Taiwo Adejoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibidapo Taiwo Adejoke. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

FAYEMIWO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Fayemiwo Kehinde Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyewole Kehinde Adenike. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

SOLARIN

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Morenikeji Irewande Solarin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Morenikeji Irewande Akinbowale. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

WOSU

I, formerly known and addressed as Wonderful Joshua Odita, now wish to be known and addressed as Winston Wonderful Odita. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Wosu, Ednah Nwereka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Azikwe, Ednah Nwereka. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ODITA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omeje, Jennifer Uzoamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwagbo, Jennifer Uzoamaka. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Triumph Odita, now wish to be known and addressed as Theodore Triumph Odita. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWAENYI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwaenyi Chinyere Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzordinma Chinyere Esther. All former documents remain valid. NCMM and general public should please take note.

UDOKWU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Udokwu Chinenye Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Matthew-Etuh Chinenye Cynthia. All former documents remain valid.

Insourcing Limited, FBN Ltd., Fed. Poly. Nekede, NYSC and the general public should please take note.

WILLIAMS I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Isiaka Williams, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Isiaka Abbas. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss ONYENMA JOY ONYEDIKACHI, now wish to be known as Mrs. ULOKANJO JOY AMAEZE. All former documents remain valid. general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OLUGBADE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojedeji Olufisayo Afolake, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Wahab Olufisayo Afolake. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Fatai Bukola Rihanat wish to now be call and refer to as Mrs. TaiwoFatai Bukola Rihanat. All former documents remains valid. Please Lagos state polytechnic Isolo and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIWUZIE GLORIA EZINWANNE and wish to be known and addressed as MRS. WANONIWU GLORIA EZINWANNE. All former documents remain valid,general public should please take note.

OSUALA

OMEJE

ONOTAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Onotame Benedicta Onome, now wish to be known and addressed as Idowu Benedicta Onome. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UZOAGBA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzoagba, Victoria n., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzoagba Calista. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UZOAGBA

OBICHOROEZE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzoagba, Victoria n., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzoagba Calista. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obichoroeze Modesta Chidera, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Obieze Modesta Chidera. All former documents remain valid.

Umunneochi Local Government Area and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Benson, Caine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Opobio, Clapperton Kaine. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

BENSON

ATOBATELE

ODEDELE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Funmilayo Elizabeth Odedele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Funmilayo Elizabeth Aladesuru. Other documents remain valid. General public take note.

LAWAL

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abolade Judith Lawal, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abolade Judith Ogunyankinnu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just N4,500. The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 2017220392 Account Name V I N T A G E PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to gbengaodejide @yahoo.com or thenation_advert @yahoo.com.

For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, E m a i l gbengaodejide@ yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

65

Fuel scarcity: Aero, Arik cancel flights From: Faith Yahaya and Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

A

RIK Air and Aero Contractors yesterday cancelled all their Abuja-Lagos flights because of scarcity of JetA1, otherwise known as aviation fuel.

Our correspondent gathered that many passengers who arrived early at the Nnamdi Azikewe airport, Abuja were left disappointed by the development.

Officials of the two airlines told passengers who arrived at the airport that their flights had been cancelled.

Frustrated by the development, many of the passengers left the airport in anger.

A disappointed passenger, who simply identified himself as Prince Usifoh, said: "My intention of going to Lagos has been frustrated by this development. Now I have to go to Benin by roads to make Lagos tomorrow."

Banji Ola, spokesperson of Arik Air, said the airline cancelled its domestic flights nationwide but was still operating international flights.

He said: "We had to cancel our domestic flights because of lack of aviation fuel to run the aircraft.

"Our international flights are still running but it might interest you to know that our international flight to London had to travel to Kano to refuel before heading to its destination."

Aero Contractors spokesperson, Mr. Simon Tumba, stated that the airline's flights were also cancelled due to aviation fuel issues.

He promised to send more reasons for the cancellation but did not get back until this report was filed in.

Suswam's brother, kinsmen join APC From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

G

OVERNOR Gabriel Suswam's kinsmen led by one of his brothers, Jack, yesterday joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anyiin at Logo Local Government area of Benue State.

Many of his kinsmen attended the defection rally, which held at the market square in Anyiin, his ancestral village.

Before the ceremony, Jack Suswam visited the eldest son in Suswam's family, Uchimin, to seek his blessings to join the APC. The eldest Suswam obliged with the washing of the feet of the younger Suswam.

Receiving the defectors, Chairman of APC Logo Local government chapter, Ushageri Tor, promised that the new members will be given equal opportunity to build the party in Benue State.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

66

EBERE WABARA

A

WORDSWORTH

FORTNIGHT ago, May 12 precisely, I presented my third book entitled ‘Media Gaffes & Essays (plus other interventions)’ at the Bolaji Akinyemi Auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, 13/15, Kofo Abayomi Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. Actually, this review ought to have come out last Sunday, but fatigue constrained me!

The printer’s devil callously battered my voluminous book presented last week by repeating chapters, stories, headlines and generally muddling up the entire book. All the egregrious infelicities were attributed to time challenge and the sheer number of pages involved. The consequence of these schoolboy improprieties is that the N1.2m spent on printing it and other production costs have, sadly, gone down the drain as, perforce, I have to edit, proofread again, reprint and call back the 40 copies sold out on the launch day! Nevertheless, I thank God for everything.

But for the publisher of this medium and Chairman of Slok Group, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (Nmiri riri enyi) and the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, Mr. Femi Adesina, who is also the second-term president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) the ceremony would have been nothing to write home about. My employer and the most liberal newspaper owner in the country), Dr. Kalu, had to cut short his trip to Dubai to ensure he was present on my occasion.

Even on the launch day proper he was supposed to be in Abuja for strategic meeetings with economic and political associates, but had to abort those appointments in order to honour me at all costs!

The swagger when he arrived was simply presidential and eclipsed the feverishness that had engulfed the prelude to the event. You know a humble man by the way he treats his subordiantes. It is well with you sir for coming and equally staying till parting time. Your robust business empire will continue to flourish to the chargrin of your drunk, callous and amnesic ingrates in Umuahia who will be eclipsed in a few hours thence!

As for my immediate oga and friend, Otunba Adesina, I was not astonished at all because he lived up to his reputation.

Despite the fact that he read about the launch before I informed him, he still took my belated invitation with cheerfulness. Other persons in his shoes would have dissociated themselves from the event. The Sun MD did not only come, he came very early and also gave the vote of

08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Printer’s devil thanks. This was sheer display of camaraderie and brotherliness at the highest level. I must thank this fine gentleman for his rare candour. I remain appreciative especially when colleagues of ours disappointed inexplicably! May your days be long on earth.

It is amazing and embarrassing that, in spite of my usage of the official mailing list of the NGE in bulk short messaging service, no member of this professional body nationwide attended the book presentation! I am scandalised that such apathy/levity could be visited on a cerebral matter like this.

Knowledge-based journalism has given way to racketeering, media corruption of multifarious shades, mercantilism and blatancy of blackmail and extortion.

If a governor had invited these same colleagues of mine, I am so certain that 95 per cent of them would have stormed the venue hours before the governor’s arrival. The assurance in such social/informal or political outings is that the host will “drop” something handsome! This utter nonchalance to developmental journalism is antithetical to the pursuit of professionalism. I am furious.

Apart from the bulk SMS channel, invitation cards were massively distributed to prospective guests. Unbelievably, most of the people that came were those I never invited! Apparently they must have responded to the newspaper advertisements.

Of course, none of my colleagues was expected to buy the book because most of us do not read anyway, but their constituency presence alone would have enhanced my reputation in the eyes of the public. And the most annoying thing is that none of them called either before or after the event to explain absence! Let me use just two newspapers as test cases: THE NATION and THISDAY. In both organisations not less than 40 line, title editors and directors in each medium were issued invitation cards. Out of the 80 expected guests from just these two media outfits —colleagues all and some friends, too—only Waheed Odusile from THE NATION fully graced the occasion! It was quite appaling, embarrassing, unfortunate and on record for posterity and futuristic personal referential.

Not even the leaderships and secretariats of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists and the Newspapers’ Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria were represented or sent goodwill messages in solidarity with one of their own! What, then, is the essence of these professional bodies? I think the time has come for me to review my member-

ship of the NUJ and the NGE. When other professionals have such ennobling functions, their colleagues give moral support. That is the joy of such associational subscriptions.

Apart from Olise Egbunike, an Assistant Director in the News Agency of Nigeria and my classmate at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos (19851987 set), who reviewed the book, none of my classmates from Wilcox Memorial Grammar School (later Comprehensive Secondary School), Ogbor Hill, Aba, UNILAG, LASU and LBS (Pan-Atlantic University) attended the event.

Also startling is the discovery that excluding Messrs Bode Opeseitan, Uzoma Ofong (Globacom big boys), Aaron Ukodie, Gabriel Dike, Nduka Uzuakpundu and Philip Nwosu, no other person came from my erstwhile places of employment: old Daily Times, The Post Express, New Age, The Sun, ETB and Sterling Bank PLC. In the same breath, no parishoner came from my church except my youthful vicar, the youngest venerable in the Anglican Communion nationwide, Engr.

Jimmy Ebiesuwa and the president of the Guild of Stewards, Ben Onunwa. A big lesson for one aqnd all: in this world, you are on your own—do not depend or rely on anyone. Let God be your only hope, bulwark, intercessor, defender, protector, guardian and provider. Man will always disappoint!

I thank the provost and registrar of NIJ, Messrs Gbemiga Ogunleye and Dotun Adenijo, respectively, for squeezing out time to honour me all the way from Ogba amid traffic bottlenecks and contrived fuel scarcity, Equaly appreciated are my pals and colleagues Ray Echebiri, Udeme Afia (all the way from Uyo by air), Ismail Omipidan (on flight from Kaduna), Deji Elumoye (Lagos NUJ Chairman); Dr. Rosemond Uche, Chief Ziggy Azike, Ebenezer Emeruem and Egesi Ulu, And for others who attended whose names are not mentioned here because of space constraint, I appreciate you all.

I must reciprocate whenever (and wherever) your own event beckons.

Mike Adenuga unveiled!

I have just understood that Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON is worth an estimated $30 billion contrary to my grossly conservative assertion last week that the business octopus has a deep pocket of $10 billion value! The inadvertent gaffe was corrected by an unimpeachably reliable source.

Will the media siege on Abia end now?

•Contd. from page 39 thing to do was to bring back the people together. In terms of physical infrastructure, the state could not boast of even a Secretariat more than 11 years after it was created. Civil servants crisscrossed the state capital between make belief private buildings that served as offices, with the attendant negative implications on productivity. That is just one case but even as the governor made to give civil servants in the state a conducive environment to perform their duties, the security situation in the state became so bad, no thanks to the precedence created by the previous dispositions that encouraged political brigandage and violence in a bid to get even with anybody or group that showed any traces of dissent.

By 2011, just as the governor was settling down for his second term in office, the crime rate in Abia State, especially in the area of kidnapping, had risen so high that the state became a pariah state. Residents of Aba and the state capital, Umuahia, fled to other parts of the South-East. But calmly and not given to theatrics, Governor Orji knew that war was not going to be fought on the pages on newspapers. Instead, he went into a rare collaborative effort with the security agencies and in no time, kidnappers were completely routed in the state.

Initially, some of his critics said it was a mere palliative effort but Nigerians eventually discovered that the criminals were gone for good. Till date, Nigerians still baffle at how the administration of Orji did it as though it was a magic. But insiders said it was nothing of that sort. It was, they said, the result of the same rare ability in Orji to get the best out of people by creating a conducive environment for them to work in.

Some of the governor's critics try to dismiss the crime fighting feet as rather infinitesimal and something that cannot be over dramatized in appraising his administration. While no amount of pretences can diminish the importance of what the governor did in the area of crime fighting, it needs no exaggeration to state that he excelled even in the realm of physical infrastructure.

As noted earlier, for an administration that inherited little or nothing in that area, it is on record that Orji's administration not only overcame the deficiencies but went ahead to overtake states whose chief executives placed newspaper advertorials and sponsored live television coverage to announce the completion of even the smallest projects. To be sure, a tabulation of the things posted by the T.A. Orji administration is outside the scope of this write-up but it is not for nothing that the World Bank in 2014 rated Abia State as ranking number four in infrastructural development out of the 36 states of the federation.

In late 2014, a fact-finding team raised by the Peoples Democratic Party, after an extensive tour of Abia State, declared Governor Orji as the best performing governor in the South-East. The team, which arrived the state against the backdrop of orchestrated newspaper campaigns by the later day newspaper mogul referred to earlier

• Kalu

in this article, was quick to say that there was a "media conspiracy" against the governor aimed at diminishing the giant strides of his administration in raising the bar of governance and delivery of democracy gains to the door steps of the people.

Upon arriving the twin-tower state secretariat complex built by Governor Orji, the leader of the team rather unconsciously exclaimed, "This is second to none".

The edifice in a 200-office ultra modern complex that relieved the agony of civil servants who for several years had worked in ram shackled, rented apartments scattered all over the state capital, Umuahia.

There is the 5000-seat capacity International Conference Centre initiated and completed by the Orji administration.

There is the new Government House which the state could not boast of after 23 years of its existence but now in place. There is the elibrary complex. There is the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) building and the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) building. For Health, there is the Diagnostic Centre, built by the administration and equipped with the latest technology. The hospital is now a major referral centre in the Eastern part of the country.

We can go on and on but as noted earlier, it is not edifices that matter. Unknown to those who try to rate the governor from what some emergency columnists write about him in the newspapers, Abians do not even look at T.A. through that provision. They look at him from point of view of a liberator who brought them out from the jaws of the caterpillars of the common wealth who pillaged the state resources in a manner it suited them while the cow that produced the milk languished in severe want.

Initially, keen watchers of events in Abia thought that Orji orchestrated the bitterness of his former boss and exgovernor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, after he loosened his grip from the latter to be able to serve the people without let or hindrance. But they have since seen that the bitterness is real. Eight years after the fight began; the former governor daily deploys more deadly arsenals on Orji and his administration. Some observers had thought that a line would be drawn at a point. But it gets worse and the only reason is that contrary to expectations that the campaign of hate would detract Orji, he went ahead to post monumental achievements in the face with scarce resources.

The bad news again is that the respite the people may experience now that T.A. is leaving the stage may, after all, be a temporary one. In the newspaper editorials referred to at the beginning of this article, the authors served what looked like a notice to the incoming governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, after labeling him as "part of the infamous Orji administration". As it is, therefore, Nigerians are waiting to see how the Abia State born newspaper mogul and his outfits will continue with their self imposed assignment as the policemen of Abia State after the exit of Chief Theordore Orji who came, saw and conquered.

–Nwachukwu, wrote from Umuahia

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

68

For B. B. King and ‘Black’ America

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He died last week – did BB King.

He was a giant of a man – literally and metaphorically.

Plump, effervescent.

A big, commanding presence.

He had been going to die for weeks. Ill with what his Press people described vaguely as ‘Diabetes-related complaints’, it was generally put about that he was receiving ‘Hospice care’, a description which did not give grounds for any undue optimism concerning recovery and a return to normal life.

Normal life for BB King for several decades has been sitting up on stage, singing the Blues, and twanging on Lucille, his faithful guitar.

More lately the reality emerged of an impending battle over inheritance that was playing out even as the principal lay dying. His daughter went to Court, seeking power of attorney to take over his affairs. The court rejected the request, saying in effect that her father was ‘Compos Mentis’, and had access to counsel for advice and action if he felt he was about to be taken advantage of by his Manager.

The story of the Blues is the story of the African, transplanted to America to make his home and make his life in conditions that were so cruel and so destructive to the soul that it was a wonder that he survived. Part of the reason he survived, and has gone on to flourish, well – sort of - is that he had The Blues.

Nothing is easier to misunderstand, or trivialise, than The Blues. The very notion conjures up images of morose people, bereft of all hope, crying in their cups. Psychiatry itself does not help matters. It uses the description ‘The Blues of Birth’ to describe the depressed mood some women experience soon after the delivery of their babies.

If The Blues is the music of wretched hopeless people wrapping themselves about in the thick blanket of their pain, does the audience then pay money to go, out of a shared humanity, to wallow in their pain, to sympathise with them for a few minutes, before discretely making their way back to the comforts of their own lives?

Or is there something bigger, higher?

The memory of your first and only experience watching BB King live with Lucille comes flooding back. Edinburgh Playhouse, up on the hill.

For years, dating back to your student days in Ibadan, you had been collecting old records by an assortment of Blues performers including Leadbelly, Howling Wolf and Bessie Smith. You enjoyed sitting in the evenings listening to the repetitive notes banging on the high notes of the piano, or the strumming of the guitar, and the plaintive, poignant wail of the musician’s voice. Often the quality of recording of the vinyl records was so bad you could not make out the words. All you got was a general sense of the theme of the song, and the mood of the singer. Your friends were convinced this was evidence of ‘something not quite right upstairs’. Certainly the cadence was worlds apart from Candi Staton, or the vibrancy of ‘You Sexy Thing’ from Hot Chocolate that was the vogue. In your mind as you closed your eyes, you tried to picture the cotton fields of Mississippi, so removed from your own experience. You tried to feel

•B.B. King

By Femi Olugbile your way into the passions. You thought of the people inhabiting that world as ‘Our People’.

Sometimes the pathos of Bessie Smith would bring a tear inexplicably to your eye.

You had expected that watching BB King live would bring all the emotions of those mellow and lonely evenings crowding back to your consciousness. You did not expect the throbbing excitement that vibrated through the hall as he thrummed on guitar, shaking and cuddling it as if it was a living thing, or the vibrant foot-thumping joie de vivre he radiated as he sang ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ and ‘Since I Met You Baby’.

That evening with BB King and his guitar opened your eyes to the expanded vision of The Blues, and why it had played such a vital role in seeing ‘Our People’ through the rigours of their tough lives, and into the hazy sunshine of a day when an African American now occupied the White House, though much remained to be accomplished, as was only too evident shootings of black men with readiness and impunity, whether by disturbed young white men ‘standing tall’, or triggerhappy policemen who could explain it all.

The insight came to you that evening that the Blues was not about being Blue at all. It was about making a life for yourself within the space that you had, even as you strove through other means to expand that space.

It was a tough life, was the life of the black man in America through the centuries, in the deep South, in the slave belt of America.

For the generation of slaves who were taken from their home in Africa and cruelly sold, and harshly worked, at the end of the whip, in the sight of the gun, to create the wealth of America, it was an existence so bereft as to be pointless for people of less resilience to endure. Yet, even as they suffered in the day, they sang, and they danced, in the day, and even more in the nights. They loved. They hated. They married.

They divorced. They procreated new generations to carry their lives on, and also their hopes.

Generation onto generation, they sang and danced the story of their lives. They sang the Gospel, because they often found Religion, and it offered them the recognition and equity that they could not yet find on earth in an Afterlife. And they sang the Blues, which was about Life here and now. Suffering was an item in the song, but not all of it. Most of it was the substance of LIFE no oppressor could take away – the love of a woman, the betrayal of a loved one, the philanderer who could get away with murder, the beautiful woman who could not stick to one suitor, the wayward child and the mother trying with all her might to straighten him out. They would dance this story avidly, and they would sing it. It was their life. They would drink to it. They would make love to it.

After Slavery was long gone, economic and social slavery took over as the dominant theme of ‘Our People’s’ lives.

BB King had been born in Mississippi, Alabama. He had worked in the cotton fields in his early years, before he went on to find fame and fortune playing the Blues all around the world, first to people who were most black like him, and then gradually to audiences that were all the colours of the rainbow.

But the story of the Blues is not just about the Blues, or its creator, the long-suffering black man in the cotton fields, or his successor, the one who got away from the cotton field to play Carnegie Hall and Edinburgh Playhouse and the swankiest venues in Paris and Berlin. The story of the Blues is also about post-Slavery Economics, and the music genres that have been spawned by the Blues. And the rash of paradoxes that immediately assault the sensibilities when the eyes are trained in that direction. Rockn Roll, and even Rock, the bastions of ‘white’ popular music, are drawn from roots that are undoubtedly located in the Blues.

For the devotees of these music types, these antecedents are easier

to acknowledge today than they were long ago. Think how difficult it must have been for an Elvis Presley to acknowledge that he owed the music he was playing to black slaves and their descendants. Many of the stars of those genres were white men who would not give a black man the time of day. They took his music, turned it around, and made money and fame from it.

In the past few years, it has become fashionable for white ‘Rock’ superstars to acknowledge their black and ‘Blue’ antecedents, and even to celebrate them. One of the most important ‘Rock’ records of recent times is Eric Clapton’s ‘Riding With The King’. The album’s cover photo has Eric Clapton driving an open top car, with BB King sitting in the back, in what Nigerians call the ‘owner’s corner’. The photo, as well as the title, carry far deeper meaning than is obvious at first glance. ‘The King’ is not just about BB King’s name, but the fact that he is ‘King’ of the Blues. His sitting in the ‘Owner’s Corner’ of Clapton’s limousine is emblematic of the fact that the huge fortune made by Eric Clapton and other top ‘Rockers’ of the world is substantially ‘owned’

by BB King and countless black men and women who invented The Blues.

Blues notables now make albums and sing in live concerts with Rock superstars. U2. The Rolling Stones. It is interesting that the Bluesmen, including BB King, make more money from these ‘collaborations’ than they do from their own records. It is also interesting that ‘reinterpretations’ of Blues music by Rock musicians sell to a vastly larger audience than the ‘originals’. A case in point is a song named ‘Little Red Rooster’. It was originally done by Howling Wolf, who sold a few records and made a pittance. But it became world famous when The Rolling Stones chose to sing it. It became a Number One in the British Charts, selling in the millions, and raking in many millions for the Stones.

It is a bitter pill for The Blues, a musical genre honed in black adversity, that it needs to ‘cross over’ in order to get popular acceptance and to survive into the future. The reality is that outside America today, there are more ‘white’ people listening to the Blues and attending Blues concerts at Ronnie Scott’s and other venues than the traditional ‘owners’ of the music. It may be a dying genre, surviving only by enlarging its coast through infusion into other genres, or being hijacked by other genres that may not even acknowledge it. Most black youths today favour Rap, and Rhythm and Blues. ‘Pure’ Blues is abandoned to ‘purists’ – older folk who relish the times past, and the old greats. The music of the present day black struggle, which is not in the cotton-fields but in streets of New York and other cities, is not the Blues, but Rap, whose Blues antecedents are barely recognisable, and whose attitude of youthful hostility raring for a bare-knuckles fight with the enemy is a world apart from the compliance and survival mode of the cotton-fields.

Sadly the ranks of the ‘old greats’ are diminished by one, with the passage of BB King. His guitar may not have twanged as high a note as Albert King’s, and his voice may not have growled with the ‘devilish’ passion of Muddy Waters. But he was the King.

It is truly the end of an era.

Mother, daughter kidnapped in Ibadan From Tayo Johnson,Ibadan

A

MIDDLE-AGED woman, Mrs. Opeyemi Adeniran and her daughter, Oyinkansola have been kidnapped in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.

They were kidnapped on Friday around 8:00pm at their residence on Plot 4, Lodi 2, Apooyin Street, Lodi 2, Academy, Odo-ona in Elewe.

It was gathered that the abductors made away with Mrs. Adeniran, fondly called Mummy Mathew and Oyin baby, in an Ash colour Volkwagen Golf 3 car with registration number FKJ 238 BD. Confirming the incident, her brother who simply identified himself as Mr. Banjo said: “The family had been battling with the situation since yesterday (Friday night).”

He also informed that a formal report had been lodged at OritaChallenge police station.

As at yesterday, her friends were sharing useful information that might help in locating her on their social media account, especially on Facebook.

The Public Relations Officers, Oyo State Police Command, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, could not be reached on his mobile telephone.

A short message service (SMS) also sent to his line was not replied as at the time of going to press.

FG spends N1.3trillion on varsities, says Jonathan

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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HE federal government has spent not less than N1.3trillion on federal universities under the NEEDS Assessment Initiative designed to run from 2014-2019, President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed yesterday.

He spoke at the 31st convocation of Bayero University, Kano.

The President, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, revealed that a lot has been done to university education under his administration.

He maintained that his administration was very concern with capacity development in the area of university education and other education at all levels. ”Over 2252 BUK staff were sponsored by the federal government to attend international conferences. We did not stop at that, as we are still doing our best in that area,” said the Visitor of the university.

He further argued that Bayero University proved to be one of the best universities in the country.

The vice chancellor, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, commended the federal government for sustained intervention in the university.

The Pro-Chancellor/ Chairman of the Governing Council, Mahmud Ahmed, decried that the monthly recurrent grants to universities as inadequate.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

NEWS

LASSRA, nepotism and proficiency question T

HE Lagos State R e s i d e n t s Registration Agency (LASRRA) came into existence through a Bill of the state House of Assembly that was passed and signed into law on the 27th of June 2011. The law established LASRRA with the following functions: To create a reliable database of all residents in Lagos state; to establish the relevant infrastructure for the creation of a residents information database; to produce guidelines for data to be contained in its registration form and; to advice the government on mode of collecting data from the public.

These in essence are expected to help achieve the agency’s mission of identifying and registering all residents of Lagos State for efficient planning and allocation of resources and; to realise its vision of establishing an accurate, reliable and updateable database of all Lagos State Residents so as to help the government’s strategy of verifying and authenticating the users of Lagos state government service and projectedly to aid government in allocating resources to meet the needs of the citizenry in the service delivery chain so as to ensure smooth transactions by linking existing data sources with a unique person identifier.

What lofty ideals could the afore-stated be on paper if only it is as simple as stated in the agency’s enabling law? But the issue becomes more complex and entangled as the agency prepares to commence distribution of identification cards to inhabitants of the state that have registered as residents in the state. By this, we mean those that have lived in the state for not less than six months and above. It is at this point that issues coming out to the public domain regarding LASRRA show that the agency may be far from being transparently managed and that it has fallen short of expectations of Lagosians that have ab initio eagerly embraced the initiative when it started over three years ago.

The pointer to this reality happened some days back when this writer stumbled on a news item in virtually all the notable news papers in the country in which a Lekki-based Information

•Kicking off ID Scheme for Lagos residents

By Jide Akeredolu

Technology (IT) group, Oracle Data Resort expressed serious doubts about the efficacy of LASRRA to deliver on its mission and vision as hitherto projected. The initial ready instinct, upon reading the news item, was to discountenance it but on a second thought, it occurred to the writer that there are some cogent posers raised in the news publication that needs further clarifications whether by the outgoing or incoming administration because public money is involved because the project, if well managed, could have been of monumental need to the government and the people of Lagos state.

The Oracle Data Resort, through its Operations Director, Mr. Nkenna Osuji reportedly declared: “The residents’ cards project is a good idea even when it has proved to be a duplication of already existing data initiatives of the national identity card project, the data captured in the driver’s licence through the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-ordered banks’ biometric and data collation initiative among others.” Osuji further stated: “When the idea will, as a matter of projection, ensure even distribution of the needs of the populace, despite the reality that the governor obviously wields awesome discretion in the areas of giving priority to projects, the huge amount of over N7billion so far expended on the initiative is scandalous in view of the yet-to-be-disputed noncommensurate paltry

168,000 residents’ cards produced in three years … and the purported suspicious disappearance of the residency cards of the incumbent governor and the governor-elect when the vehicle of the agency’s head was purportedly robbed by robbers.”

As if this revelation was not enough, the resort’s image-maker, Mr. Gboyega Alebiosu in the report also raised vital issues concerning the dangerous trend of nepotism and transparency in the running of the agency’s affairs that the Lagos government should urgently look into where he asked: “Is it because the blood sister of Governor Babatunde Fashola (Ms Yinka Fashola), is the head of the agency that is keeping it away from the prying eyes of relevant government officials and the public?: “For how long will the agency run on public perception which has been quite positive when in actual fact, an agency like LASRRA has not been a good ambassador of the government in this regard?” And Alebiosu later added the consequences of the agency’s nepotism when he added: “Our investigation has shown that this kind of nepotistic tendency has influenced the decision of most civil servants to vote against the ruling party in the state.”

These accusations are coming just as the agency prepares to commence distribution of registration cards next month. Every one that is currently residing in the state for six months or more are eligible and

required to register. After registration, the resident’s unique identification number is generated.

These questions have projected the operations of the agency in crass display of impunity and secrecy and this is not good for the image of this government outfit that is out to lift the veil of anonymity from every citizen of the state that does not apply to it.

It is pertinent to ask whether indeed a whopping sum of N7.5billion has been expended on the agency’s operations in over three years while at this period of its operational harvest, the agency can only distribute a paltry 168,000 identification cards to Lagosians. The question is who approved such scandalous amount to this agency? Does that person think that the amount of cards being churned out by the agency is commensurate with the huge public funds so far expended on it?

Also, is it true that the General Manager appointed for the agency is the incumbent governor’s blood sister? Could this be just an instance of the public insinuations that the outgoing governor Fashola derives pleasure in putting his family members, with impunity, in choice positions since he assumed office eight years ago?

Could it also be that because Ms. Yinka Fashola, being a sister to governor Fashola, is impeding attempts to put LASRRA in check by the relevant arm of government? Is it true that civil servants because of the nepotistic inclination of the governor got pissed off necessitating most them to vote against the APC in the last elections in the state?

Furthermore, what

remains a mystery is how the outgoing governor and in-coming governor Akin Ambode’s residency identification cards got missing in Ms. Fashola’s vehicle that was purportedly attacked by robbers. Did the robbery take place at night or during the day and where? For goodness sake, why should what could have been kept in the vault of the agency be kept in the official vehicle of the head of the agency?

Could this be deliberate mischief or just a mistake?

Were the cards of other Lagosians stolen with those of these two very important citizens of the state? Who is playing games with these two cards and what essence is the person trying to achieve?

What government should do is to pay more attention to the inept going on in LASRRA under the guise of providing leadership. The whopping amount of over N7billion already spent on the project could be adduced to be the rationale behind the reckless spending of 75 percent of the current year’s budget by the outgoing Fashola administration. This Lagos administration has been running on goodwill garnered in the past in the public domain while it continues to perpetuate management heist on the collective wealth of Lagosians. The incoming administration will have to inherit and contend with a lot of uncompleted and over-inflated projects that in the twilight of the Fashola regime had been commissioned in haste for selfish reasons. There are several other projects including particularly the new Ikoyi-Lekki Bridge which cost was alleged to have been inflated, being a recurring decimal of this government, and doubts raised on whether the bridge is truly a cable one.

If probity and transparency must be ensured in the Lagos service, the foundation of nepotism and lack of transparency laid by Fashola as typified in the examples of LASRRA and several others when even his serving commissioners were not availed the opportunity to help people around them should be discouraged by the incoming administration.

LASRRA must not fail and this more importantly forms the basis of this piece.

Architect Akeredolu wrote in from Surulere, Lagos

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‘Calabar Int’l Convention centre best in Africa’

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HE project coordinator of the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), Mr. Reginald Longdon, has described the centre as the best in Africa.

He commended the vision of the Cross Rivers governor, Liyel Imoke, for establishing what he called a one-stop conference centre in the state.

The project, he said, is an iconic edifice that will serve as a catalyst to drive the tourism offering of the state government.

Longdon, who spoke ahead of the unveiling of the project tomorrow, said no conference centre in the whole of Africa comes close to the CICC in terms of facilities, aesthetics and ambience.

He confirmed that 22 bookings from across Africa have been made to use the facility, with 12 confirmations.

Longdon said the centre has a main auditorium with a sitting capacity for 5000 during conferences, workshops, seminars, and annual general meetings.

“We have flexible auditoriums with sitting capacity for 5000 and the main auditorium can seat 2000 at a time but the whole thing is not just about the building but the vision which will drive the tourism potentials of the state and also open up Tinapa,” he stressed.

He said upon its final completion, the centre will be linked with 1.4 kilometers of rolling stock to Tinapa through a monorail whose coaches arrived at the state capital, Calabar, two week ago.

LP: Health workers strike to frustrate Nigerians From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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HE Labour Party (LP) has condemned the current indefinite strike declared by health workers under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Allied Health professionals (NUAHP).

The party said the industrial action started on May 19 across the country was not “not well timed and out to frustrate the ordinary Nigerians who use the public health facilities more.”

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister (Mrs.) Ebere Ifendu, in Abuja, the Labour Party appealed to the striking workers to shelve the exercise because of the approaching handover.

The party told the health practitioners it would not be out place to wait for the incoming administration to settle down fast before bringing up their outstanding demands, especially since governance is a continuum.

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SPORTS THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Michael excited with another goal

EXTRA

MAY 24, 2015

Iheanacho fires warning

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IGERIA forward Babatunde Michael scored a goal and provided an assist for Ukrainian club Volyn in a 31 win at Olimpik Donetsk Saturday and after which he insisted he will not lose focus because of speculations about his future.

“I am not distracted for any reasons, there lots of things to prove than bothering myself with transfer speculations which is normal in football," B a b a t u n d e t o l d AfricanFootball.com The 22-year-old Babatunde, who was a star for Nigeria at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, scored a goal in the 72nd minute to restore his side’s lead at 2-1, after he assisted Bicfalvi in the 23rd minute for the opener.

H e t o l d AfricanFootball.com he is happy to get another goal after he scored his first in Volyn's 4-2 win over Hoverla Uzhhorod last weekend.

"This is absolutely not my best but a tip of the iceberg. I know what it is at stake and I have every reason to keep the performance alive." said Babatunde.

"Two goals is not enough for me to rate my form, it is a gradual thing, looking back, I think I have not done enough yet. But I believe I am poised to make up for lost time.

"Yes, I am very happy to score another goal, it is not me but God.

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NFF charges Flying Eagles to lift World Cup

D

R. Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has enjoined the Flying Eagles to live up to expectations by lifting the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

The NFF's head of administration watched the Flying Eagles' last training session in Nurnberg, Germany, on Saturday morning and after which he addressed the team.

“We pray that God will uplift you. You were the first team to give me a trophy when I assumed office as General Secretary; that was the African Youth

Championship. It was three days after I got into office,” the General Secretary said.

“I now pray that you give me the World Cup. “Nothing is impossible with prayers and determination. Hard work combined with prayers will make the impossible possible.”

He again pledged the total support of the NFF to the team.

“You will not lack anything in New Zealand and I believe you will deliver,” he assured.

The General Secretary also commended the

coaches and backroom staff for doing well thus far, saying the sky will be just their stepping stone.

Taiwo Awoniyi responded to the heartwarming remarks of the NFF chieftain on behalf of the team.

Flying Eagles line up before one of their friendly matches in Nurnberg “We thank you for this visit. We are very encouraged by this and we will justify the confidence you have in this team,” Awoniyi promised. “The mentality of this team right from the U-17 level is that we play all our matches like a

Cup final and win them.

“We know the expectations back in Nigeria are that we win the World Cup. This has not put us under any unnecessary pressure, but rather it has boosted our confidence so that we will return to Nigeria as world champions.”

Meanwhile the team will depart for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand from Frankfurt, Germany, after a three-week training camp in Nurnberg, Germany.

The team will be led by NFF Executive Committee member Ahmed Yusuf 'Fresh'.

I G E R I A starlet Kelechi Iheanacho fired a serious warning to other teams at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand after he fired a brace to help Manchester City U21s dump Manchester United 3-1.

The World Cupbound forward scored the equaliser for the Patrick Viera-coached side in the 55th minute with a goal of individual brilliance after he turned his marker before he slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

He completed his brace with his side's third goal in the 80th minute, when he curled the ball perfectly into the top corner.

He is to join Nigeria U20 team, the Flying Eagles, in New Zealand on Tuesday.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

SPORT EXTRA 71 Oyo FA happy with turnout at Iyaloja Soccer Tourney

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The Barcelona squad celebrate after their departing captain Xavi lifts the La Liga trophy at the Nou Camp

HE Olubadan Stadium of Ibadan was full to brim as a grassroots soccer tourney initiated by the Iyaloja of Ibadanland Chief Mrs. Labake Lawal, commenced in Ibadan.

The tournament, according to Oyo State Chairman of the Football Association Chief James Odeniran described as a laudable step in reviving people's interest in grassroots football.

While speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Oyo FA boss expressed his happiness over the large numbers of crowd that turned out to cheer their various teams numbering 20 representing different market in Ibadan He thanked the

MTN Golf: Sponsors delighted with huge turnout

Xavi bids Camp Nou farewell G I

T proved to be an emotional day all round at Camp Nou on Saturday as Deportivo La Coruna pulled off a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 at Barcelona and stave off relegation in Xavi's final La Liga game.

The talismanic Xavi, a cornerstone of his club's Liga dominance in the past decade, revealed on Thursday that he will join AlSadd of Qatar at the end of

the season, but his farewell was not greeted by a quintessential Barca display as the newly crowned champions threw away a two-goal lead.

Despite Xavi having the stage from a sentimental perspective, Lionel Messi was undeniably the star of the show for the first hour, giving Barca the lead with a header after just five minutes.

The Argentina ace

doubled his tally for the day with his 56th goal of the season across all competitions - a tap-in just shy of the hour mark putting the visitors on course for relegation.

However, Lucas Perez's 67th-minute strike gave Deportivo hope and they continued to battle away in the hope of completing off a great escape.

Diogo Salomao then lashed home an equaliser

with 14 minutes to go, sparking scenes of jubilation on the Deportivo bench as Victor Sanchez's men secured their top-flight status at the expense of Eibar and Almeria - who also finished on 35 points.

Xavi was unsurprisingly the centre of attention before kick-off, as the Barca fans held aloft a huge banner in tribute to the legendary midfielder, giving the 35year-old a grand send-off.

organizer, a sports presenter with Federal Radio Corporations (FRCN), Sola Ayegbajeje who master minded the soccer tourney for rekindling the interest of Ibadan soccer fans in grassroots football.

Chief Labake who sponsored the tournament however expressed her satisfaction over the high soccer standard displayed by the teams at the opening where Labaowo fell to Isopako by two goals to one.

She however, reassured all participants of their safety and violence-free tournament, hinging her optimism on the security arrangement put in place to secure the stadium during every match to allay the fear surrounded such tournament.

OLFERS and enthusiasts of the sport were treated to an impressive and exciting tournament sponsored by Nigeria's leading ICT Company, MTN Nigeria at the luxuriant Lakowe Lakes over the weekend. The 18hole world class championship Golf Course is situated along the LekkiEpe axis in Lagos.

The one-day MTN Golf Championship featured captains of industries, technocrats and administrators such as Uyi Akpata, Senior Country Manager, PWC; Kate Iketubosin, Managing

Director, Stern & Kay Consulting Limited; Obinnia Abajue, Executive Director, PBB, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Demola Mumuney, former captain of the Ikoyi Club Golf section, among many other distinguished personalities.

Speaking at the event, Mike Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, reiterated the company's unwavering commitment to the development of the game of golf in Nigeria. He also expressed delight at the massive turnout of golfers for the tourney and added that this it was a demonstration of how the company is poised to be an enabler to Nigerians

QUOTABLE

“The military has already taken away most of our years in this democracy, and as you have seen, they are still not yet through with us. After Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, how many generals do you want to have as presidents? Will civilians grow this democracy or will it be the duty of soldiers?”

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 9, NO. 3225

—Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Father Hassan Kukah, urging retired military generals to step back and allow civilians to run the country’s affairs.

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NCE the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the last presidential election, it was anticipated there would be mayhem in the party, part of it manifesting in exaggerated hysteria. What no one was sure of was the nature of the mayhem or hysteria, and who the champions of the political bloodletting that would ensue would be. There were only suspicions. But finally, after weeks of pressure, the party’s national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, and Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Tony Anenih, have resigned their positions under unbearable pressure. Their resignations have made clear how the battle is shaping up, the direction of the bitterness gnawing at the party’s innards, and those likely to be consumed by the time the last scapegoat is disembowelled and his head hung on a spike. No one can predict the war in general, for the combatants, to paraphrase Machiavelli, can only will the war into being, but cannot determine how it would end. As a matter of fact, the war is just beginning, and the first battle has just been joined.

So far, the war has been limited to the leadership of the party. Sometime soon, perhaps, it will engulf the rank and file and then assume brutal and probably uncontrollable dimensions. There has been a mighty throwing of tantrums among the leaders, but once the bitterness and animosities trickle down to the supporters, many of them unperturbed by the niceties of party philosophies and the false and forced decorum exhibited by the clumsy custodians of the party’s soul, the true scale of the coming mayhem will be revealed.

Alhaji Mu’azu may not appear to have many loyalists in the party for now, for the very vocal and vexatious members of the party leadership have seemed to take control. But the former chairman obviously represented a tendency within the party, a tendency whose strength, viciousness, and preparedness to do battle have not been tested.

Those loyalists will rise at the proper time, if not directly in defence of the fallen chairman, then at least in defence of what he stood for or symbolised. President Goodluck Jonathan was the real face of the PDP in the last electoral war, and, by virtue of the ignominious defeat the party suffered at the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the emblem of that defeat. He often disguises his ruthless ability to joust with his enemies, presenting as he always does a facade of a meek and engaging peacemaker. In reality, he is the one inspiring, or at worst conniving at, the revolt taking place in the party’s leadership.

The president’s men are undoubtedly manning the barricades against the Alhaji Mu’azu tendency, from the pugnacious and uncouth Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, to the dandified Bode George, a PDP chieftain, and other grovelling party leaders from the Southeast and the South-South. A few political leaders from the North, including Governor Babangida Aliyu, have also called for change in the party leadership. The resignation of Alhaji Mu’azu and Chief Anenih indicates that one side to the party conflict is having the upper hand. That side is the one which accused Alhaji Mu’azu of not being committed to the cause of Dr Jonathan’s reelection. That side, on which the outgoing First Lady, Dame Patience, stands solidly like a rampart, struggled to make the last election a divisive and abusive one. It was even alleged that the president once moaned that if he had a few more brutal and irreverent men like Mr Fayose, his reelection campaign, which was floundering at the time, would be saved.

From the shape of the battle so far, and notwithstanding Dr Jonathan’s false pretences as an urbane, cultured and statesmanlike politician, the assemblage that had just forced Alhaji Mu’azu out is made up of hawks and iconoclasts. They are a group of politicians who would have loved to engage in a brutal fight for the presidency before the polls. They would have plumbed the nadir of filth and fought dangerously on the edge of anarchy to retain the presidency.

That is their philosophy. They regret the vacillations Alhaji Mu’azu’s urbaneness pushed

Mu’azu, first scapegoat of PDP’s failure them into. As they pine away at their loss, they recall with indescribable pains the many times the party under the former chairman called for decent campaigns, polished language and fair and modern methodologies.

Though the war in the PDP is just beginning, the emergence of the hawks should serve notice to the rest of the country, and particularly the incoming government, that it is indeed urgent and inescapable for Nigerian politics to be redefined, circumscribed and organised under new laws and sophisticated rules.

It will help the bright and modernising minds in the PDP to fight for the soul of their party in order to rebuild it into a sensible and credible political opposition for the next four years. Nigeria has no place for the buccaneers attempting to hijack the party, not even the pretentious Dr Jonathan. The PDP is of course expected to differ from the APC in many ways, especially ideologically and structurally, but it must be compelled to operate within the ambits of the law and along civilised lines. If the APC government does not build and police such

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a political environment, it will itself be unable to inspire obedience, let alone the new society envisioned by its programmes and manifesto.

Apart from the opportunistic hawks plotting their way into dominance within the PDP, the resignation of Alhaji Mu’azu, and that of the many others in the National Working Committee (NWC) expected in the coming days and weeks, may suggest that party leaders have already decided Dr Jonathan was not a major factor in the party’s defeat. This is mindless escapism. More than any other factor, Dr Jonathan’s constant indecision, frequent gaffes, his unmanageable and squabbling First Lady, policy miscarriages, poor economic management skills, absentmindedness on security issues, and general inattention to details doomed his presidency and triggered his reelection debacle. Incredibly, Chief Anenih’s resignation is sold as a means of creating room for the president at the top of the party’s BoT. In other words, while Alhaji Mu’azu is being punished for heading the party during its defeat, the man

whose failings and personal idiosyncrasies catalysed that electoral tragedy is rewarded with probably the most powerful post in the party.

Apart from making appalling mistakes in repositioning the party for the future, or perhaps presumptuously for 2019, as a few key party leaders suggested a short while ago, and also misreading the factors responsible for the last electoral debacle, the main challenge the PDP will face is how to unify the party in the face of their defeat and exclusion from the plum pickings of power.

For now, the northern component of the PDP is less assertive and reticent. The Southeast and South-South components have seemed to hijack the decision-making process and appear bent on rebuilding the party around their most notable party figure, Dr Jonathan. They are unmindful of the fact that the same argument that applied to Alhaji Mu’azu’s forced exit also applies to Dr Jonathan.

It is necessary for the PDP to present a formidable opposition to the APC. But it is doubtful that having more poignantly misruled the country for a little over five years, and having not inspired the country, nor formulated precise and practicable ideas as to how a modern and complex society should be governed, Dr Jonathan should now be found fit to inspire a new, stronger and reinvigorated PDP. Worse, having also failed to identify the real factors responsible for PDP’s loss, and having also refused to properly and accurately gauge the mood and direction of the country, the new opposition party may be in for more fractious and turbulent time. What the PDP needs is a clean sweep, not only of personnel, including ragamuffins parading as state and national leaders, but also of jaded ideas. Until they do these, unify the party ethnically and religiously to create a secular organ, and promote bright and visionary leaders able to present viable doctrinal and practical alternatives to the APC, they will freeze in the cold for much longer than the 2019 they naively conjecture.

As Buhari assumes office in the worst of times

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan should be leaving office in a blaze of glory, as they say, buoyed by the immense though undeserving goodwill he garnered from conceding defeat to Muhammadu Buhari, his opponent in the last presidential election. But from all indications, he will be leaving in five days time in a blaze of infamy. The economy is prostrate, with more than half of the country’s 36 states unable to pay public workers their wages, and the federal government itself using its big muscles to borrow to pay its own workers. Boko Haram, the terror group Dr Jonathan had hired mercenaries to fight, is staging a big comeback, perhaps inspired by the never-say-die philosophy of ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), and the president and his expiring government are at their wit’s end to respond both to old and new terror challenges.

There are a hundred and one challenges grave enough to arrest the wandering attention of Dr Jonathan, but he has chosen to illustrate and reiterate the fact that until he hands over on the last constitutional day permitted, he remains the president. To underscore this bland and mundane fact, he has seized upon his knack for the extravagant to sack and replace some of his ministers and aides. Shortly after he lost reelection, and citing disloyalty, he sacked his police chief, Suleiman Abba, a few weeks before leaving office. Then, supposedly bowing to the will of a group of protesting workers, he also sacked Saratu Umar from the top post of the Nigerian Investment and Promotions Commission (NIPC) barely two weeks to handover. He perhaps felt it demonstrated his presidential resolve, his stamina for the long haul, his courage in the face of public queries and even opposition. In addition to a number of appointments, contracts largesse, and some other shake-up here and there, Dr Jonathan has managed to complicate a few things for the incoming Buhari government.

President-elect Buhari therefore faces a grave crisis of expectations immediately he assumes office on Friday, a crisis that could easily trans-

•Osinbajo •Buhari late into a crisis of confidence if he does not hit the ground running with the boldness, brilliance and courage the public hoped he possessed when they voted for him on March 28. But with the country left gasping for breath by Dr Jonathan, not to talk of his deliberate and unwise muddying of the bureaucratic environment by the sacking and appointment of aides and ministers, the president-elect will have to decide whether to embark on the time-consuming job of carefully disentangling Dr Jonathan’s needless complications or cutting the Gordian Knot.

To find his way through the thicket, assuming he prefers the first option, the president-elect will need to assemble the best team ever put together by any Nigerian leader. The men are available; but will he find and recruit them, even if they punctuate their brilliance with independentmindedness?

If the president-elect chooses the second option, which is sometimes not as drastic or offensive as it sounds, he will evoke images of his military background, step hugely and brusquely on toes, and, as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair suggested in Abuja last week, move briskly to create a mighty and unforgettable impression. Whichever option he picks, the president-elect will have his hands full taking care of the ponderable mess Dr Jonathan’s government will be leaving behind, whether in the economy as a whole, or in the oil industry in particular.

Sixteen years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government have left an almost indelible mess; it will take a lot to clear them up. In the face

of an impatient, impoverished and suffering populace, President-elect Buhari’s methods, timing, policies, style and views on salient national issues will come under harsh scrutiny. The public and other arms of government will test his resolve, and in particular his newfound democratic credentials and convictions, some of which he has exhibited with so much public aplomb.

The president-elect will, however, remember a few important points as he assumes office in this demonstrably worst of times. He will remember the almost divine trajectory and dizzyingly short time his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) took to win office, and what needs to be done to sustain it in power. He will remember how gingerly his amalgamated party was cobbled together, and the delicate mechanics of keeping peace among its competing, sometimes desperate tendencies and often unyielding personalities. He will bear in mind that unlike the PDP that governed Nigeria over many fat years, his cobbled party is expected to preside over probably many lean years. He will also recognise that the PDP had no governing and ennobling philosophy. If the APC, which is just two years old, is to make a difference, it must enunciate a sharpened and holistic governing philosophy, one capable of transforming Nigeria from continental opprobrium into an ideational and continental leader. APC leaders must also design a new paradigm for running their party devoid of the group and caucus conflicts that undid the PDP. To do all these and perhaps more, President-elect Buhari will need depth, courage and a sublime ability to navigate the ethnic, religious and political maze Nigeria has been transformed into by past governments, military and elected; not the good luck that served his predecessor well for a short time and harmed the country so deeply and so badly.

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Website: www.thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 E-mail: sunday@thenationonlineng.net Editor: FESTUS ERIYE