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FAAN Relocation Order Threatens Over N20bn Investments At MMIA •AIB-N Begins Withdrawal to Abuja •FG May Pay N10bn Compensation to Dominion, Others •NASS Cautions On Planned Demolition •Legal Battle Looms

State of The States

This special publication of THEWILL x-rays the potentials of the 36 states and the FCT to achieve a quantum leap in development through investment and job creation. The prevailing cash crunch in the country makes the project more compelling for policy-makers, investors and other stakeholders.

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FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 05, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

COVER

FAAN Relocation Order Threatens Over N20bn Investments At MMIA •AIB-N Begins Withdrawal to Abuja •FG May Pay N10bn Compensation to Dominion, Others •NASS Cautions On Planned Demolition •Legal Battle Looms

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

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he owners of private hangars and occupants of structures that are situated very close to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)'s new terminal may lose investments worth a whopping N20 billion when the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) goes ahead with its plan to demolish the structures.

Although the Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, had advised FAAN not to take such a step, describing it as ill-advised, FAAN is, however, insisting that nothing will stop the demolition exercise, even as such action is expected to cost the government up to N10 billion in compensations.

The demolition plan, which is to make way for aircraft parking space at the terminal, is scheduled to commence soon.

NASS OPPOSES PLANNED DEMOLITION Nnaji spoke recently during a joint oversight inspection tour of the airport by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation.

The lawmaker said the obstruction was not considered during the initial construction of the new terminal, adding that rather than spend billions of taxpayers' money on compensation, “FAAN can restrict the use of the affected hangars to narrowbodied aircraft and deploy the money that would go for compensation to the owners of the facilities to the building of additional terminal.”

Nnaji’s counterpart at the Senate, Smart Adeyemi, also backed the House Committee Chairman’s position.

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The senator urged the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Hamisu Yadudu, to submit the cost of demolition and compensation due to the owners of the hangars to the two committees for consideration before demolishing them.

“We are the representatives of the people and we must be sure that the resources of the country are not unduly wasted.

We must weigh the options. If the amount to be paid out as compensation does not make sound economic judgement, we will not allow it,” Adeyemi added.

He stressed that the inauguration of the new terminal was long overdue, considering that it was built with borrowed funds and that Lagos Airport generates over 60 per cent of the authority’s total revenue.

Nnaji advised the management of the authority to ensure that the new terminal is inaugurated as soon as possible to decongest the airport.

NO GOING BACK ON PLAN – FAAN But FAAN insists that the demolition exercise will go on as planned, which is to make way for aircraft parking space at the terminal.

For some time, FAAN has been in a dilemma of either operating the new terminal at reduced capacity or demolishing obstructing hangars to increase the aircraft parking space.

AFFECTED PARTIES THEWILL gathered that FAAN had already issued a notice of eviction each to the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria

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(AIB-N), Dominion and Evergreen Apples Nigeria (EAN) Hangars.

Also affected are the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC) and the towing companies close to the AIB-N regional headquarters.

Although FAAN had confirmed the relocation order given to the agencies and other organisations affected at the airport, it insisted that there was no timeframe for their eviction yet.

The aviation agency also insisted that it would not pay the affected companies any form of compensation, but it would provide them another land to reconstruct their offices.

As of last Friday, FAAN was said to have started making very frantic efforts to make provisions for some of the affected organisations, including Dominion Hangar and that of Evergreen Apples Nigeria (EAN) for a start.

AIB-N BEGINS WITHDRAWAL TO ABUJA When THEWILL visited AIB-N’s office at the MMIA in Lagos on Friday at about 1.45pm, the agency had started removing some of its belongings in readiness to move to Abuja. Some of the workers were seen removing very light items from the office.

It is not clear whether it was as a result of the eviction order, but a source close to the agency revealed that it was ordered to vacate its Lagos office on Monday, February 28, 2022.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said: "Yes, I hear that all the workers have been asked to move to Abuja on Monday. I don't know why, but as you can see, anything can happen".

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COVER

FAAN Relocation Order Threatens Over N20bn Investments At MMIA Asked whether there was any form of relocation allowance paid to the workers before now, the source replied in the negative, adding: “On Wednesday, we received a letter from the Department of Administration, directing us to move to Abuja without prior notice. We were given till Monday to relocate to Abuja, even though we don’t have a befitting office there and nothing is being said about our accommodation. And as we stand, nobody is talking about relocation allowances to the workers.

“In the civil service rules, you can’t compel workers to relocate without the payment of relocation allowances. The workers are even using their personal resources to relocate government property to Abuja.”

This regional office in Lagos houses its office complex, Command & Control Centre, office of investigators and Information Communication Technology (ICT) department.

Others are the Training Centre, Mini Flight Safety Laboratory, which is used for downloading of flight recorders, otherwise known as black boxes, and investigators’ stores, among others.

It was also gathered that, apart from the cost of the land, AIB-N’s facilities alone at the Lagos office are worth over N5 billion. Most of the facilities were installed less than four years ago by the current management led by Engr Akin Olateru, the Commissioner of AIB-N. Similarly, Evergreen Apple Nigeria and Dominion Hangars as well as others , which were affected by the two-week ultimatum, have total investments worth over N15 billion in the construction of offices, installation of facilities and acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for their services.

LEGAL BATTLE LOOMS Since the relocation order was handed to the affected companies, their workers have been apprehensive. But it was gathered that they might resort to challenge their impending eviction in a court of law.

A source close to one of the two towing companies affected by the relocation order confided in THEWILL that the letter of eviction was signed by Capt. Rabiu Yadudu and delivered to the companies recently.

The reason for the evacuation and subsequent demolition of the offices within the airport, it was learnt, may not be unconnected with the ongoing construction of an airport terminal by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

THEWILL gathered that FAAN had planned to use the affected buildings and offices for apron extension of the new terminal.

FAAN had previously argued that AIB-N and other companies were obstructing further expansion of the new terminal, but stakeholders argued that the new terminal was wrongly positioned, while the owners of the structures received valid and approved papers from the appropriate authorities before constructing their offices at the present location.

FAAN CONFIRMS ORDER Commenting, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the immediate past General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, confirmed that the relocation order was issued to the companies.

Yakubu explained that FAAN would give the affected

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Dominion Air Hangar

Amongst the organisations involved, AIB-N seems to be more affected. The regional headquarters of AIB-N, for example, which used to be its headquarters until mid-2020 when the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, compelled the bureau and other sister agencies to relocate their headquarters to Abuja.

organisations a new parcel of land within the airport environment, stressing that the companies were on the path of the new terminal.

She, however, debunked the claim that FAAN issued them a two-week ultimatum to relocate, but assured that the new terminal would be open “very soon”.

“There is no timeframe on their relocation, but they have been told to make plans to relocate. You know they can’t relocate within two weeks. The new terminal will definitely be opened to the public very soon and it will be connected to the old terminal,” she said.

STAKEHOLDERS REACT Meanwhile, aviation experts have condemned the processes of approval of both the terminal and neighbouring structures.

To them, if the initial masterplan of MMIA was strictly followed, such confusion wouldn't have occurred.

Former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu, blamed the approving authorities for contributing to the quagmire.

Ojikutu, who queried whether the approval of the responsible oversight authority was sought before the terminal building was constructed, recalled that the attention of the minister was called to the fact that there was no aircraft parking space around the terminal.

According to him, the original plan was to open the terminal in November 2019.

"We are in 2022 and yet there is no aircraft parking space.

The car park near the terminal building is another security risk that nobody is talking about. That must go with all others mentioned, too," he warned.

On whether the terminal was wrongly sited or not, the former Air Force officer said: “The terminal was not wrongly located, but all others were wrongly located and without the approval of the responsible oversight authority. The car park was expected to be located at the old car park, but the then minister of aviation unilaterally located the car park at the

present site because of political interests and influence of certain powers," he said.

The aviation security expert also stated that same ministerial approval was given to the others mentioned, "Wait for what happens to the church and mosque later as the matter is getting resolved along the eastern axis of the airport," he added.

Corroborating Ojikutu, the Secretary-General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu, blamed the approval processes, describing the attendant confusion as a "product of corruption, which held sway during the period those structures were built."

Saidu said that MMIA had a Masterplan and that if it had been followed, no issues would have come up.

AVIATION UNIONS' POSITION The Deputy General-Secretary, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Frances Akinjole, told THEWILL that the unions were not aware of the relocation of workers.

However, Comrade Ocheme Aba, who confirmed the relocation order, said that some senior staff of the bureau, especially those in the finance department, had been paid relocation allowances since 2020, but they refused to move.

Aba also confirmed that most of the workers were yet to receive their January salaries, but he said that the Ministry of Aviation promised to pay them once they relocate to Abuja.

“The information I gathered is that some of the staff have been paid relocation allowances for some time now, but they refused to move to Abuja. As you are aware, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) last week sent a letter to the agency that they wanted to demolish the building for apron extension of the new terminal at the Lagos Airport.

“Because of this, the management now said everyone should relocate to Abuja. Though they have not been given relocation allowances, the ministry promised that all their outstanding would be paid to them once they move,” he said.

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NEWS Agunloye, Gabam Still Our Authentic National Chairman, Secretary – Ogun SDP FROM SEGUN AYINDE, ABEOKUTA

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he Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ogun State chapter, has moved a motion to support Dr Olu Agunloye and Shehu Gabam as the authentic national chairman and secretary of the party, respectively.

THEWILL recalls that the Adul Isaqled National Executive Committee of the party had suspended the duo from their positions over allegations of misconduct.

L-R: British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Mary Beth Leonard and Dr Matshidison Moeti during an audience with delegation of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance at the State House Abuja on February 25, 2022.

NEWS ANALYSIS

Russia And The West in Pursuit of Gloom

BY OBI EBUKA ONOCHIE

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nybody who follows international politics of the West-East divide of the world knows that these political blocs do not rumble over nothing. There is always a target and spoils somewhere to pounce on. Most times, the main object of commotion is not publicly made known. Over the years, the Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown that he is not stupid and usually steps out for a target. But on this Ukrainian issue, his objectives are hazy and his target a secret. I don't believe that Ukraine is really his final target. It may be part of it, but definitely not the ultimate. Everybody and Putin himself knows that Ukraine is not joining NATO anytime soon and the likelihood of the country joining at all is slim, so what is the rumble about?

Putin knows very well, even before he made his first move, that Russia’s economy will take a hit, plunge and cave in to Western sanctions and its allies. He knows he can cause harm to the Ukrainians, but he will never win, conquer or annex the whole country. He knows that Russian monolithic economy relies heavily on its gas supply to the EU. He knows that taking the plug off the gas supply to the EU countries will hurt Russia more than the EU. The European Union has three months’ gas reserve, which is enough time for them to increase their import from Algeria, Norway and possibly import from other fronts like Egypt, Nigeria and the USA. Whichever way or angle one tends to look at the Russian situation in this invasion, it looks like a loselose situation for them.

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of their economy, but he is pressing ahead, regardless and the question is why? The 'why' is circled in the dark, possibly only in his mind and the minds of a few of his most trusted allies within Russia. In a game someone is aware of the disadvantageous consequences in a move yet presses on to soaking it, there must be a bigger target that will compensate in the long run. The Nord stream 2 gas project has just been halted by Germany and most of German nuclear energy plants are shut down or in the process of being shut down. There is going to be an energy crisis in the world, especially if winter extends. Nigeria is naturally in a position to take advantage of the situation and make money, but lack of capacity will not allow the country to maximise the opportunity. Imo State alone has about 50 per cent of all the natural gas deposits in Nigeria, yet produces so little.

Unraveling Putin's interest will make a lot of things about this confrontation clearer, including how long it may take, what and who will likely get involved and if it has the possibility of snowballing into World War 3. China is watching the development closely to see how the United States under President Joe Biden handles the situation. If it turns out to be as shabbily handled like the Afghanistan pull out, any perception of weakness could trigger the Taiwan confrontation. The Taiwan issue, added to the ongoing Ukrainian invasion, will impact the globe negatively and could ultimately lead to World War 3. The West also appears to desire Russian invasion of Ukraine and the 'why' behind that is equally obscured. Putin has taken what appears as irretrievable steps and we can only watch what comes next.

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Ayu Receives 23,000 APC Defectors in Plateau FROM UKANDI ODEY, JOS

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he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party has received over 23,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The new members were received during a PDP mega campaign rally held at the Jos Polo field as part of the party’s expression of readiness for the by-election in Jos North/ Bassa Federal Constituency, which took place last Saturday.

Speaking at the occasion, the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, described the party as the only truly national political party in the country that had the experience to pilot the affairs of the country and steer it clear of the mess in which the APC-dominated Federal Government had plunged it.

He said the PDP is well positioned to win the 2023 general election, stressing that the party’s internal composure is excellent and those who were aggrieved before for any reason have sheathed their swords and embraced one another with a strong resolve to return the party to power in 2023.

According to Ayu, the APC is grossly incompetent and it has demonstrated uncommon laziness and inability to govern even itself, as evident in its failure to organise a national convention, for which reason the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, abdicated his duties and responsibilities as governor and has been living in Abuja for almost two years.

Responding on behalf of the new members who defected from the ruling party, a former Chairman of the APC in Plateau State, Ho. Latep Dabang, said it was nice to be back to the PDP, especially at a time Ayu is the national chairman of the party and former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang is eminently providing good leadership for the PDP in the State.

Latep, who recalled the role he played in the originating activities of the PDP 24 years ago, also expressed regret about joining the APC and the role he played to bring it to power.

He also apologised to the people of Plateau for bringing the incumbent Governor Simon Lalong to power, saying, “It takes a man who tied the hyena to untie it."

But, rising from a meeting held at the party's secretariat at Ijaye, Abeokuta, the members of the Executive Committee of the party in Ogun State described Agunloye and Gabam's suspension as fake.

The members, who passed a vote of confidence on the two, maintained that they did so because they were the national officers of the party recognised by the Independence National Electoral Commission.

The state chairman of the party, Ayo Jinodu, said that the state executive committee decided to throw its weight behind the duo because INEC had declared them the authentic national chairman and secretary of the party.

Jinodu also noted that 36 chairmen of the party across the federation had supported the Agunloy- led national executive of the party to steer the affairs of the SDP ahead of the 2023 general election The chairman argued that since the Abdu Ishaq faction of the party's National Executive Committee had not gone to the court to challenge the decision of INEC on the two members, then their positions remained authentic.

"It is a fake suspension. Dr. Agunloye is the national chairman and Gabam is the national secretary that are recognized by INEC. They are the people that are being now recognize by 36 states chairmen of the party, for this reason we are casting our vote of confidence on them to lead our party.

"These are the people that are officially recognised and voted for as executive members. There is no crisis on ground as at now because Dr Abdul’s suspended group has never gone to court to challenge INEC or Dr Agunloye. It is just a fallacy," he stressed Jinodu, therefore, advised Nigerians, particularly the people of Ogun State, to vote for SD, because it is a party that is free of corruption and ready to support any politician who is determined to build a better state and nation.

"We just want to tell our people that this is a party that is corruption-free and all our members are ready to support only those people that are ready to build that nation and develop Ogun State," he added.

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FEATURE

Who Owns The School?

Two communities Ifaki and Ilawe are both claiming the newly approved Law School slot for the South west. The first already has a signboard on the ground, complete with the logo of Council of Legal Education. The second insists their town was endorsed by the Senate after two of the three senators from the state rooted for Ilawe.

THEWILL heard from some of the principal characters on both sides. MICHAEL JIMOH reports…

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osing what should come to you to someone else can be painful. It is even worse if the person is just a jogging distance away. Though Ifaki and Ilawe are in different senatorial districts in Ekiti state, approximately 37 kilometres separate both communities and both can be reached by car in just one hour, making them more like brothers. They also seem to have a common descent as anyone can tell from their names Ifaki Ekiti and Ilawe Ekiti.

Now, there seems to be no love lost between the two communities separated by the state capital Ado Ekiti smack in the middle with ifaki to the north and Ilawe to the south. What is the source of this problem?

Incredibly, the source came straight from the Senate, the Upper Chamber in the National Assembly, Abuja last October.

Without any hint of what is now playing out in the two communities and with good intentions, Senator Smart Adeyemi of Kogi west senatorial district proposed/ introduced a bill to site the newly-approved law school for the South west in Ifaki. Six new law schools had been approved by the Federal Government to be sited in the six geopolitical zones in addition to the already existing half dozen bringing the total number to 12.

Following that, Adeyemi proposed Ifaki as the host community for the legal institution. The standing order in the Upper House is that once two senators from the same state support a bill against a third, the die is cast automatically in their favour.

Any Ifaki indigene who watched Adeyemi on the day he angled for their town as host community for the institution would have been delighted to no end. But that happiness was short lived. Months later, their joy turned to dismay when Ilawe got the endorsement instead after Senate President Ahmed Lawan brought down his gavel for approval.

What suddenly went wrong? How did it happen that a town first mentioned as the beneficiary in Adeyemi’s bill was replaced by another?

From what THEWILL could piece together, after Adeyemi’s initial proposal, two senators from Ekiti state went to work immediately. They are Opeyemi Bamidele and Abiodun Olujimi of Ekiti Central and South respectively. The core of their presentation was that Ekiti North where Ifaki is located has an abundance of federal institutions at the expense of the south. So, it may also not augur well to have the proposed law school in the north.

A source told THEWILL that most worrisome to Opeyemi and Olujimi was “the appropriateness of the location he (Adeyemi) recommended as it affected their respective zones… it was at that point the duo of Senators bamidele and Olujimi jointly made a strong case for the South senatorial district of Ekiti in view of the obvious marginalization in terms of the distribution of federal institutions in Ekiti state.”

Bamidele and Olujimi were not the only lobbyists rooting for Ilawe. The number one citizen of Ilawe himself, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, was also in Abuja during the public hearing on the matter. In a report by Lekan Adejuwon, Ilawe community led by Alabi “presented and defended a memo before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Education and Human Rights on November 15 2021.”

Not stopping there, the monarch also “spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers of the communities from the six geopolitical zones where the six law schools would be sited.”

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As for the claim the institution had been relocated elsewhere, Alabi said it “was embarrassing and unacceptable for any other community in Ekiti state to be laying claim to what was approved for Ilawe Ekiti,” a point he stressed in an accompanying video recording.

In the video, Alabi expressed shock that “people are angling for this kind of opportunity that is not meant for them,” insisting that the South senatorial district of Ekiti state “has been so deprived and most disheartening. All federal government establishments are in the Central and North Senatorial district.

The North senatorial district has Federal University of Oye Ekiti and some other federal institutions. The Central senatorial district has the Federal Polytechnic and a lot of other institutions. But the South senatorial district has no single federal institution and on account of that the Senate agreed that the law school was going to the South senatorial district and Ilawe was chosen.”

In a telephone conversation with the newspaper recently, Oba Alabi said as much, insisting the decision of the Senate to site the law school in Ilawe remains. Asked what he makes of the signboard now erected at Ifaki depicting it as the designated site for the institution, Alabi, a former diplomat, said it is a “reckless act.”

THEWILL had no chance to speak with Alabi’s counterpart in Ifaki, Oba Adegbenro John Falore when we called twice last week. Twice my calls were not received nor replied. Even so, we got through to a prominent citizen of Ifaki, Alhaji Lanre Sule Bakare, vice chairman of Ifaki Progressive Union.

The sum of Bakare’s response is injustice and unfairness, something close to robbing Peter to pay Paul. “We followed the proceedings in the Senate and we saw Ifaki was the town in Adeyemi’s original proposal,” Bakare said. How did it suddenly change to Ilawe? The well-spoken senior citizen wondered.

Ilawe was recommended as state capital. Ado Ekiti, less than 30km to the south of Ifaki, got it instead. What was the reason for sharp turn around? Lack of infrastructure in Ifaki, so it was said at the time.

Did the Olufaki attend the public hearing in the Upper House in Abuja as his counterpart from Ilawe? No, Bakare told THEWILL. Even so, the controversy over who owns the school is yet to be resolved, as anyone can see from the erection of signboards showing the location of the law school in both communities.

One such conversation monitored by the newspaper revealed arguments for and against both communities. One Odundun Kayode Adaramodu has been most outspoken, calling out both communities for amicable resolution of the matter. Adaramodu’s view is that senators from every region or district do, in fact influence siting of schools in their natal places or close to it.

From his comments, Adaramodu is clearly from Ekiti state and has not taken sides with any of the contending parties. “I think what makes Ekiti different is the issue of age-old marginalization of the South Senatorial District. It is clearly not anything personal between and among our senators, neither is it a battle of supremacy between our two innocent communites…Bringing the law school to Ekiti is a collective victory for our three distinguished senators and of course for all of us.”

But a response from another source put Adaramodu’s post as “an afterthought and amounts to standing logic on its head,” a former unnamed legislative aide wrote. “From the little I know about the legislative process, having served as a senior Legislative Aide in the red chamber for four years, elementary common sense should have prevailed in this matter rather than making recourse to perceived marginalization of a Senatorial district of a state.”

Continuing, Bakare admitted the two communities have no problems with one another. “We are not at war,” he said emphatically but deplored how politicians could play brotherly neighbours against one another because of decisions they take and make. He singled out Bamidele and Olujimi as the catalyst for the current tussle over who owns the law school proposed for the state.

With the back and forth of senior citizens of both communities over the proposed law school, and others, it is clear tension is on a low boil between Ifaki and Ilawe. Whether it will escalate into something else – certainly not the Russia/ Ukrainian crisis – is hard to say. Sources told THEWILL that before the current crisis, friends from both Ifaki and Ilawe used to invite one another for mid-morning rounds of pounded yam with fried egusi soup over beer, of course.

By the way, Bakare let on that there is a precedent to what is currently happening to Ilawe. After Ekiti state was created,

Such invitations from both ends may have to wait for now – until the crisis of who owns the school is resolved.

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POLITICS bearer was beyond Governors Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State or Mohammadu Badaru of Jigawa State, “who are only entitled to one vote each when it is time for elections.”

The statement also pointed out, “Members of the party would not have at any time treated Adamu as a top contender for its national leadership since he failed woefully to unite the party as Chairman of the APC Reconciliation Committee.”

The group said its assertion was based on verifiable facts that the APC did not at any time meet to take these decisions.

It clarified that a group of people meeting as a “cabal” do not constitute the APC, which is founded on a recognised constitution with known organs that have responsibility for decisions at various stages.

Buni

It further warned that no one should take the party and its members for granted, saying the ultimate powers belong to the people, who made up the party and not a handful of overbearing state governors, while hinting that those attempting to hijack the party would have to live with the reality of a deserted APC, should they provoke the larger population of the party to defect to a new platform.

Fresh Crisis Threatening APC National Convention

BY AYO ESAN here appears to be no end in sight to the controversy trailing the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The postponement of the convention, earlier scheduled for Saturday, February 26, 2022, was not unexpected as political analysts and some members of the party realised that the date was unrealistic due to the party’s failure to prepare on time.

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It would be recalled that after a closed-door meeting that lasted around seven hours last Monday, the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, APC CECPC announced March 26 as the new date for the conduct of its national convention.

The March 26 date is in conflict with the earlier date given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Caretaker team for the conduct of zonal congresses of the party.

Thus within 24 hours, the APC had announced different dates for the convention and zonal congresses, an indication that critical stakeholders of the party did not reach a consensus on time.

Some analysts see the latest posture of the party as part of a calculated attempt by the Buni-led committee to hold on to its position and this is believed to have split stakeholders into two opposing schools of thought.

Many stakeholders of the party are even sceptical of the new date of March 26. To these ones, the March 26 date was hurriedly fixed without adequate consideration for the enormous task of organising a successful national convention.

Speaking with THEWILL, an APC stalwart from Katsina State, Alhaji Maman Daura said, “The date for the convention was hurriedly fixed. It may be very difficult to organise a successful national convention with just one month left. We pray they will not postpone it again.”

With a new date picked for the convention, political analysts and watchers of political developments in the country have concluded that a fresh crisis is already brewing in the party ahead of the convention.

The issues that are likely to throw up a full-scale crisis include the adoption of a consensus arrangement in picking the THEWILLNIGERIA

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new National Working Committee of the party; the desire of former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu to get the presidential ticket of the party by any means and the non-resolution of problems arising from the ward, local government and state congresses in about 13 states.

There is also the matter of a group threatening a lawsuit over the planned zonal congresses, which it described as not mentioned in the constitution of the party.

On the issue of consensus arrangement, instead of the election of the NWC members, there is already uproar in the APC. Reacting to the alleged consensus arrangement, which led to the selection of a former Governor of Nasarawa State as National Chairman of the party, the All Progressives Congress Mandate Group (APC-MG), has urged party members and the general public to disregard such rumour saying that the party never met to tip Senator Abdullahi Adamu as a consensus candidate for the national chairmanship ahead of the March 26 national convention.

The group also debunked the claim that the 2023 presidency may have been zoned to the South.

Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, National Chairman of the group, which is made up of eminent party members in a statement warned against a few individuals arrogating powers to themselves by trying to decide the fate of the ruling party without recourse to members of the party across the country.

“The APC- MG noted with dismay the purported endorsement of a former Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu, as the national chairman of APC and the reported zoning of the party’s presidential ticket for the 2023 general election to the South of the country.

“The APC Mandate Group has consequently directed members of the party and Nigerians in general to disregard the purported endorsement of Adamu as Chairman and the zoning of the APC presidential ticket,” the statement said APC-MG described those promoting the twin stories of the endorsement and zoning in the media as “purveyors of fake news and merchants of lies.”

It stressed that the decision of the APC presidential standard

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Aside the crisis that is brewing in the APC over consensus arrangement, there is also the inability of the Abdullahi Adamu-led reconciliation committee that travelled round the country but could not achieve any reconciliation.

It was surprising to see an otherwise festering crisis within the APC in Osun State blow open during the party’s governorship primary held two weeks ago. In fact, the way former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his group attacked and ‘destroyed’ the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola showed that the APC reconciliation committee’s visit to that state was nothing but a jamboree.

A similar situation persists in APC chapters in Kwara, Lagos, Imo, Ekiti and Abia, among others. So the failure to achieve peace and resolve the crisis arising from the APC congresses in many states is seen as a potential danger to a successful national convention of the party.

Many stakeholders in the APC also believe that the alleged adoption of Adamu as its consensus chairman shows that instead of moving round the states where there were crises to reconcile warring factions, he went to those states to lobby for the position of national chairman.

Many also see Tinubu’s desperation to emerge as the presidential candidate of the party as an issue that is likely to trigger confusion within the party in a few months to come.

Another group within the political party, known as APC Rebirth Movement and led by Aliyu Audu, has vowed to drag the party to court over the CECPC’s plan to organise zonal congresses.

This threat was made by Audu while fielding questions on a Television programme. He said, among others, that the APC constitution had no provision for zonal congresses and describe the Buni-led CECPC as” incompetent and without direction”.

“We are going to challenge the planned zonal congresses in court. There is no place for such in our party constitution.

“The Buni-led committee has shown that it is not only incompetent but without direction. It has failed and should be disbanded,” he said.

It would be recalled that on February 21, 2022, CECPC in a correspondence addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, and jointly signed by the CECPC chairman, Mai Mala Buni, and Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, over the postponement of the convention, the party argued that the decision was in furtherance to Article 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and in compliance with Section 12:6 of its Constitution.

In the said correspondence dated February 21, 2022, the APC informed Yakubu and the electoral body that its zonal congresses would be conducted on March 26.

Akpanudoedehe told journalists later that the zonal con•Continues on page 12

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POLITICS/INTERVIEW

2023 Presidency: Vote For Competence, Integrity – Shagari A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Water Resources, Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, speaks with TUNDE OMOLEHIN, about his support for the presidential ambition of Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, his allegiance to the PDP and other issues of national interest. Excerpts:

Tambuwal’s past distinguished records as Speaker of the House of Representatives, his achievements in Sokoto State, his ability to make friends across the country, his belief in the unity of the country and the fact that Nigeria must be given a better leader, were what informed our decision. All these encouraged the stakeholders to say to him: “We believe you have what it takes to be the president of this country.” That is why we told him that he has our support and we encouraged him to consult with other like minds across the country and seek their support and blessings.

Before taking the decision, did you take into consideration the agitation for zoning, especially from the Southern stakeholders?

I actually don't know about any written agreement on zoning of the presidency. What I know is that the constitution of the country has given every Nigerian the right to aspire to be the President of this country.

If we are talking of rotational presidency, it is an arrangement to be made by the political parties. So far, the PDP has not come out to say we have zoned the presidency to any part of this country. When we get to that bridge, we shall cross it. At the moment, we don't know where our candidate will come from. Whether he is going to be a Hausa, Igbo, Fulani or Yoruba man, whichever tribe or religious group he belongs to, he has the right to become President of this country. What is important is competence. What is important is love for this country and believing in one, united and strong Nigeria. For now, we want someone from any part of this country that is confident enough and is capable of solving the problems afflicting this country.

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Since 1999, the PDP has produced presidential candidates based on their geo-political backgrounds.

Talking about competence now, aren't you changing the goal post to suit your candidate?

Let us look at it this way: If someone lacks the competence to lead Nigeria, would you make such a person president? Is it the kind of country you want or are you saying that credibility, personality, unity of this country are not important in the present Nigeria? Are you also saying that no matter the candidate's level of competence, as long as he comes from a certain part of the country, he must be made President? That is not my wish for the country.

Do you believe the South also has competent people that can vie for the Presidency?

Sure. There are many of them. Nigerians have the right to choose the president they want. It doesn't matter where the party is going to zone the presidency or not. If the party zones the presidency to the South, I believe there are people in the southern states who will not vote for a southern president. Likewise, if it is zoned to the North, there will be people who will not vote for a northern president. I think it is high time we talked about competence, integrity and the unity of this country, as well as those who will bring us together.

Alongside Governor Tambuwal, you have toured the North-West states on consultation. What are the responses of the people you have visited so far?

The crowd has been massive so far. We went to Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kastina States. There have been positive reactions from the people in these states.

As a former deputy governor of Sokoto State, what are your aspirations ahead of the 2023 general election?

First, Tambuwal is still the governor of Sokoto State.

I wish that after he completes his tenure, another competent person from our party will take over from him and continue the good work he is doing for the people of the state. As for me, there was speculation and much talk on radio and social media platforms.

People are saying a lot of things in the media, regarding my political aspirations. But when the time is right, I will make a decision on what to do.

Can we assume that you are also doing consultations?

I am not doing consultations yet, but I have listened to

Shagari

Y

ou are one of the PDP stakeholders in Sokoto State who advised Governor Aminu Tambuwal to declare his ambition to run for president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. What informed your decision?

Yes, let me begin with these facts: As a Nigerian citizen, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is very qualified to aspire to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The constitution permits him or any other Nigerian to seek any political office in the country. The stakeholders in Sokoto State have looked at the political situation and they know fully well that Tambuwal has the capability to reposition the country.

people calling on me to come out and contest. I have heard so many radio programmes. I have also seen a lot of things on social media. My photographs are all over the place because people believe that I can move this state forward by continuing from where Governor Tambuwal might have stopped. Nevertheless, I am saying that when the time comes, we shall all see what will happen.

You are a former Attorney General, former Minister and former Deputy governor. Could this be the reason why people are calling on you to be the governor of the state?

Yes. As a former Attorney-General of Sokoto State, former deputy governor and a former President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water, I have been listening to people calling me to come out and contest.

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POLITICS stand by each other. So, my relationship with him is completely different from a political relationship. I have never ever said anything bad about him and he has never ever said anything bad about me. In fact, we don't even allow people to say bad things about any of us. Our relationship is still wonderful. We are not only friends, but also very close ones. Political relationships are different from personal relationships and we have been together without any problem.

You are one of the founding fathers of the PDP and you have remained in the party till now. Tell us what has kept you in the party since 1999?

First of all, the PDP is a party that was put together by the most respected people in Nigeria. It is a party that was built on national unity, on the progress of this country, respect for each other and the rule of law.

I became attracted to the party because I believe in its ideology. I have absolute confidence in the people who put PDP together. These are people who believe in the unity of Nigeria. PDP has one advantage, in government it has done what any political party has never done in the history of Nigeria, in terms of infrastructure, unity of the people and delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people.

As for me, I believe in the unity of this country and I can serve the people of the country without allowing my personal interest to becloud my mission. I was given the opportunity to serve as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria twice. My landmark projects both at the rural levels and at the urban levels with construction of dams to provide water for the people are there. I think I did wonderfully well to the extent that the then President Olusegun Obasanjo gave me special recognition for my service to this nation.

After that, I contested for the governorship position in Sokoto State. I won the primary but by divine intervention of the party leaders, Wamakko came on board and I handed over the mandate to him on the request of my party stakeholders and leaders. We both served Sokoto State for eight years. Our landmark achievements are there for everyone to take a look at.

“

I have also been listening to the radio where people are calling for my capabilities. So, when the time comes, you will hear from me.

For now, we want someone from any part of this country that is confident enough and is capable of solving the problems afflicting this country THEWILLNIGERIA

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What is your relationship with Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who you served as deputy governor for eight years? I am aware that he left your party and declined your ambition to succeed him in the 2015 governorship election.

I became Aliyu Wamakko’s friend when I was contesting for governor of this state and we are still friends and brothers. As at the time I accepted to run a joint ticket with him, I knew I was running along with a friend. We are still friends. We talk to each other regularly. We still share jokes as we used to do.

We call each other and if anything, good or bad, we

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I also served Sokoto State as deputy governor for eight years under the PDP. I believe in the politics of principle, politics of integrity and also politics of doing what you promise to do. The PDP has given me every opportunity that anyone would wish to have as a politician. So, why will I leave such a party? I don't believe in any party’s ideology except that of the PDP. For me, I am a founding member of the PDP and will remain a member of the party, no matter what happens or whatever the situation may be. I believe that very soon in this country, the PDP will come back to power and continue the good work we were truncated from doing in 2015. Nigerians have now seen the difference and it is up to them to decide in 2023. I am a member of the PDP and I believe in it wholeheartedly.

Whoever will be the next President will have insecurity as a major issue to tackle. What is your advice on this?

Well, I think the question should go to the All Progressives Congress and its government, not me.

Remember they told Nigerians that the PDP could not provide security and they should be voted in so that within a short period of time, they will stop insecurity.

Where are we today? How do I manage? I believe you should rather ask them, but when we get back to power, I can assure you that we will do whatever we need to do without lying to Nigeria and make sure that this country is secure so that it can move forward.

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POLITICS

Osun 2022: Intrigue, Bloodletting as PDP Gets Set For Primary

BY AYO ESAN

T

he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully elected Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State as its candidate for the July 16, 2022 governorship election.

However, the battle for who will emerge as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election is getting messier by the day.

The ward congresses to pick the Ad-hoc delegates to the primary already scheduled for March 7, 2022 turned bloody last Wednesday across the state.

Osun State Police Command confirmed the death of one Toheeb Mutalib of Ward 14 in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State during the ward congresses of the PDP in the state.

Besides, another person was reportedly killed during the same exercise at Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Emmanuel Ocheja, stated that the command in collaboration with other sister security agencies were able to put the situation under control and quickly restored normalcy in the affected areas.

All the six aspirants cleared by the National Working Committee of the party - Senator Ademola Adeleke; his nephew, Bamidele Adeleke; a former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Fatai Akinbade; Oyedotun Babayemi Akinlade Ogunbiyi; and Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya are going round the state to lobby leaders for support. Intrigues and political maneuvering are in top gear.

One of the aspirants, Ademola Adeleke who is been backed by one of the factional chairmen, Sunday Bisi is said to have discovered that the former Governor of Osun State and former National Chairmanship aspirant, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is not supporting his ambition and this has led to some skirmishes in the party in the state.

Oyinlola

It was gathered that loyalists of the two camps tackled themselves at the wards with the aim of having their candidates emerge as delegates for the forthcoming PDP governorship primary election in the state.

Adeleke

The two factions of the party led by Hon. Sunday Bisi and Barrister Wale Ojo had locked horns in a struggle for supremacy across all the 332 wards in the state before the congresses fixed for Wednesday.

They accused a factional chairman of the party, Hon. Sunday Bisi, one of the party’s aspirants for the party, Senator Ademola Adeleke and Deji Adeleke to be the brains behind the harassment and condemned the act they described as disgusting.

“Nobody has a monopoly of violence. The National Working Committee must be unbiased. Our elders must be respected. Senator Ayu should not follow the step of the disgraced Secondus.”

“We also referenced our leaders like Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Senator Olu Alabi, Erelu Olusola Obada and others and we will go all out to refuse their being embarrassed by whosoever,” the protesters said.

The PDP members were armed with placards with various inscriptions, such as “We will resist all attempts by anybody to rubbish our leaders”, “They are elders of honour with impeccable character” and “We shall not take it lightly with who attacks Oyinlola.”

The protesters who converged on Okuku Palace Square beside the community town hall around 2 pm equally displayed leaves to express their displeasure with the development.

The internal crisis within the Osun State PDP took another dimension penultimate Sunday when all party members from all the 15 wards of Odò Otin Local Government Area trooped out in their hundreds to express their grievances on the recent harassment of their leader, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, by supporters of a governorship aspirant.

While addressing the gathering, Hon. Lekan Oyediran, a former member of the state House of Assembly said, “Our leader was attacked in Osogbo while visiting the committee sent by the national headquarters. By the time he was about to drive in there, a faction of the PDP led by Adeleke, sponsored an attack on him.

The party members frowned at the ugly incident which they said happened when Prince Oyinlola visited members of the committee from the national headquarters of the party in Abuja at Laim Hotel in Osogbo.

“If not for the quick intervention of security agents, only God knows what would have happened. Oyinlola is a person that has respect for elders. That is why they asked us to allow peace. Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to.

Fresh Crisis Threatening APC National Convention •Continued from page 9

gresses would now hold in between the national convention.

would take place on March 31 and that zonal congresses have been fixed for March 12.

He said, “After deliberation and agreement with the CECPC, we have agreed and approved that the activities of the national convention commence from the 24th of March and terminates on the 26th of March.”

“After deliberation and agreement with the CECPC, we have agreed and approved that activities of the national convention will commence on March 24 and terminate on March 26. The convention activities commence on February 24 and will terminate at Eagles Square on March 26.

In between the convention, we have agreed to have zonal congresses,” he said.

The development came against the backdrop of the proposed parley between President Muhammadu Buhari and APC governors on the zoning of party positions and possible agreement on the date for the convention.

However, in announcing the timetable for the convention, Akpanudoedehe said that the sale of forms to prospective aspirants vying for positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) would take place between March 9 and 11, 2022.

He said the inauguration of newly elected NWC members

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“The convention activities will commence on February 24 and terminate at the Eagles Square on March 26. “In-between the convention, we have agreed to have zonal congresses.”

Some analysts see the latest stance by the party, as part of a calculated attempt by the Buni-led committee to hold on to their position and this is said to be splitting party stakeholders

In her own speech at the programme, a community leader, Deaconess Funmilayo Adebisi, remarked, “We are protesting because of the harassment of our leader in this local government and Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

“Some days ago, they attacked him and we are so furious about it. This man has been so good to so many people, even those that attacked him. He has been helpful to them in one way or the other.

“We want the Inspector-General of Police to look into it and make sure that the perpetrators are brought to book. We know that the attack was sponsored by Ademola Adeleke, Deji Adeleke and their cohorts.”

Also speaking, Alhaji Rasaq Oyelami said, “All traditional rulers and people of this local government condemn the attack on our leader. When they have not voted delegates that will elect the governorship candidate, there shouldn’t be an attack on anybody. They called him a thief and a betrayer what did he steal from them?”

A faction in the Osun State chapter of the PDP, supported by Senator Ademola Adeleke, has equally staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo over Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s alleged meddling in the affairs of the party.

The protesters bore placards with inscriptions, such as ‘Seyi Makinde please keep off affairs of Osun PDP,’ ‘Give NWC breathing space to run affairs of the party,’ among others, were led to the party-state secretariat by ex-chairman, Irewole local government, Dr. Lere Oyewumi.

Similarly, a chieftain of PDP in Osun State, David Ayodele Asalu spoke against the campaign of calumny targeted at Senator Adeleke.

He said “Those who want our Party (PDP) to fail in the upcoming election are busy spewing falsehoods against Senator Adeleke and igniting a crisis that will make it impossible for us to focus Speaking with THEWILL, the South-West Secretary of the party, Mr Rahman Owokoniran, said the heat generated was expected.

He said, “We are doing everything to ensure peace but you will expect such complaints from the aspirants. Each of them knows they are very close to be the Osun State Governor. As a party we will ensure peace and tranquility in the state”.

The governor of Osun State is elected using a modified two round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least twothirds of state local government areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.

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FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 05, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

POLITICS Some other landmark clauses that would strengthen participatory democracy are; Clause 29 (1), which stipulates that parties must conduct primaries and submit their list of candidates at least 180 days before general elections; Clause 65, which states that INEC can review results declared under duress and Clause 3 (3), which states that funds for general elections must be released at least one year before the election.

Others are specifically targeted at the voter in any capacity. For instance, Clause 51 says that the total number of accredited voters will become a factor in determining over-voting at election tribunals, while Clause 54 (2) makes provisions for people with disabilities and special needs.

For INEC, Clause 47 gives legislative backing for smart card readers and any other voter accreditation technology that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deploy, while Clause 50 gives INEC the legal backing for electronic transmission of election results.

L-R: Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Chairman House committee on INEC, Hon. Aisha Dukku; President Muhammadu Buhari; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Chairman Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya during the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into Law at the State House Abuja on February 25, 2022.

Landmark Provisions in New Electoral Act Restore Confidence in Elections

BY AMOS ESELE

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Friday fulfilled his promise to sign the much- awaited Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 into law, but he did so with reservations, with regards to Clause 84, which prevents political appointees from voting and standing for elections at conventions and primaries of political parties.

Before the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Hon. Aisha Dukku, Chairman, House Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Chairman, Senate Commiitte on INEC, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari and the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, President Buhari signed the bill into law and handed it to Lawan after raising his objection to some sections of it.

According to Buhari, “The practical application of section 84(12) of the Electoral Bill, 2022 will, if assented to, by operation of law, subject serving political office holders to inhibitions and restrictions referred to under section 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“It is imperative to note that the only constitutional expectation placed on serving political office holders that qualify, by extension, as public officers within the context of the constitution is resignation, withdrawal or retirement, at least 30 days before the date of the election.

“Hence, it will be stretching things beyond the constitutional limit to import extraneous restrictions into the constitution on account of practical application of section 84(12) of the bill where political parties’ conventions and congresses were to hold earlier than 30 days to the election.

“Arising from the foregoing, with particular regards to the benefits of the Bill, industry, time, resources and energy committed in its passage, I hereby assent to the Bill and request the Nationally Assembly to consider immediate amendments that will bring the Bill in tune with constitutionality by way of deleting section 84(12) accordingly."

Apart from those major observations by the president, who had earlier raised objections about only one mode of conducting primaries by political parties and got the lawmakers to amend it, the new electoral law has drawn accolades from Nigerians, who say it would enhance participatory democracy and strengthen voter power in future elections.

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“

According to Buhari, “The practical application of section 84(12) of the Electoral Bill, 2022 will, if assented to, by operation of law, subject serving political office holders to inhibitions and restrictions referred to under section 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)

Key provisions of the new Electoral Act have also taken into consideration some of the drawbacks in the old Electoral Act 2010 to justify the expectations of Nigerians.

For instance, the substitution of candidates who die during or after an election as it happened in Kogi State in 2015, has been taken care of in the new law.

As it happened in 2015, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Abubakar Audu, who was on the verge of winning the governorship election suddenly died. Ordinarily, his deputy, James Faleke, now member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, should have taken over the position and then contested the supplementary election that was later conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude that state governorship election.

Faleke could not take over the vacant mantle until the law courts intervened and the current governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, who came third in the party’s primaries, got the party’s nod to complete Audu’s victory.

To take care of this lacuna in the old Electoral Act, Clause 34 gives political parties the power to conduct a primary election to replace a candidate who dies during an election.

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Politicians and office holders are also given a recognition with Clause 94, which allows for early commencement of the campaign season. By this provision, the campaign season will now start 150 days to election day and end 24 hours before the election.

Clause 84 stipulates that anyone holding a political office – ministers, commissioners, special advisers and others – must relinquish the position before they can be eligible to participate in the electoral process either as a candidate or as a delegate.

Speaking on the new Electoral Act, PDP Chieftain, Chief Bode George, said it was a welcome development that would deepen participatory democracy in the country.

In a statement made available to THEWILL, the PDP Board of Trustees member, said: “This is a triumph for all Nigerians and for all advocates of genuine representative governance.

“I congratulate President Buhari for being courageous and forward looking enough to append his signature to this very significant Bill which has now become part of our law.

“This electoral law is quite significant in many ways. It will forever remove the democratic process from the shackles of godfatherism and money bags who continue to sabotage the will of the people. It will equally reduce a great deal of electoral malpractices through the brazen forging of figures and other manipulative processes that hinder the democratic growth.

“The Nigerian democracy is now on the path of liberation and emancipatory importance. The will of the people will now triumph over the shenanigans of a dirty few. This, no doubt, will deepen our democratic values and ensure the endurance of freedom and liberty. It is indeed a right step in the right direction.

“Nigerians have suffered a lot for this democratic dawn. We must all applaud every opportunity that enhances our collective freedom. The next agenda that needs the attention of President Buhari is the devolution of powers where all sections of our nation will be empowered to develop at its own pace without the overbearing intervention of the centre.”

For the General Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Willy Ezugwu, the NASS should ignore the president's request; “Such appointees have ended up using their offices to intimidate political opponents of their principals during party primaries in a bid to retain their jobs," he told THEWILL in a note, adding, “This is the major reason for electoral violence witnessed at local government and state Congresses of the most virile political parties in the country with the attendant loss of lives and property".

He urged the NASS, "the National Assembly should amend any provision of the constitution that allows any appointee to be a delegate or be a voter or contest as delegate at party Conventions or Congresses the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.

This presidential concern for clause 84 can be taken care of at a later date, according to Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director of Enough Is Enough, a good governance and public accountability group in Nigeria.

She was quoted as saying that the clause infringes the constitutional rights of political appointees to vote and be voted for. She called on the National Assembly to heed the President’s plea to ratify the clause in the Electoral Act, 2021.

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EDITORIAL

Worsening Insecurity in South-West

I

n spite of the spirited efforts of the security forces to contain the murderous activities of Boko Haram and I SWAP insurgents, armed bandits and killer herdsmen terrorising parts of the North-West, North-East and North-Central, there appears to be no end in sight to the worsening insecurity in the country.

Contrary to the expectations of many Nigerians, armed robbery has assumed a more alarming dimension and kidnappers appear to hold sway in most parts of the country, giving millions of peace-loving and law-abiding citizens cause for anxiety.

As much as we commend the security forces for their role in the fight against terrorism and by implication, their relentless efforts to tackle the number one challenge facing the nation, we equally implore the Federal Government to ensure that they are sufficiently equipped the with the right tools, particularly modern and sophisticated weapons, to combat crime and to effectively put an end to the activities of criminals currently operating across the country.

While the security forces, particularly the Nigerian Army, continue to do their best to ensure that normalcy returns to parts of the country weighed down by insecurity, the security situation in the South-West also calls for concern.

A few weeks ago, some motorists were reportedly kidnapped at different points on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A Lagosbound Toyota Sienna car was reportedly attacked by kidnappers who suddenly emerged from the bush at the Onigaari end of the expressway and started shooting sporadically. A commercial driver, identified as Oluwatosin Aruwajoye, was killed in the process and five passengers abducted by the gunmen. One of the passengers, known as Ibrahim Tiamiyu, was shot in the thigh and another narrowly escaped.

In a similar development, some motorists were kidnapped in different parts of Ekiti State, just as a combined team of policemen and operatives of regional security outfit, Amotekun, arrested a gang of kidnappers in Ondo State.

The incidents, including some cases reported between January 8 and 17, have left motorists and other road

users in parts of the SouthWest more apprehensive and cautious about plying certain roads within the region.

The spate of attacks and kidnapping on some major roads in the South-West, especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway calls for the attention of the security agencies, considering its importance as a major link between Lagos and other parts of the country.

The spate of attacks and kidnapping on some major roads in the South-West, especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway calls for the attention of the security agencies, considering its importance as a major link between Lagos and other parts of the country

While we appreciate the efforts of the men of the Nigerian Police, especially the Anti- Kidnapping Squads of the Nigeria police commands in Oyo and Ogun States, as well as the joint patrol operations of the Amotekun, local hunters and the police which recently resulted in the arrest of some kidnappers, we are of the opinion that such joint efforts should be sustained.

We call for a similar intervention in major roads in the South-West. The situation should not be allowed to degenerate to the level of attacks previously witnessed on the Abuja- Kaduna Expressway, which forced many motorists to abandon the road.

We also appeal to the governors of South-West states under the chairmanship of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to continue to give adequate support to the Amotekun. The governors should also endeavour to monitor the influx of nonNigerians to the South-West as most of them have no jobs and they may become ready tools for criminal activities.

We equally implore the citizens to adequately monitor their sorroundings and report suspicious movements to the security agencies. A stitch in time saves nine.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Austyn Ogannah Editor – Olaolu Olusina Deputy Editor – Amos Esele Politics Editor – Ayo Esan Business Editor – Sam Diala Copy Editor – Chux Ohai Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata Entertainment/Society Editor – Ivory Ukonu Photo Editor – Peace Udugba Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph Circulation Manager – Victor Nwokoh Nigeria Bureau: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @ THEWILLNG, +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888.

EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA [Letters/Opinions: opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com]

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OPI N ION

Police And NDLEA How Not to Joke With Serious Issues

BY IFEANYI IZEZE

O

rdinarily it would have been best not to comment on the national tragedy of the pathetic demystification of our well-celebrated and highly esteemed super cop, DCP Abba Kyari, but for the ongoing altercation between the two government agencies at the centre of the latest scandal. Is it not tragic that on the same issue, we are having different and conflicting narratives from the two government agencies?

the arrested drug dealers won't know about the deal. The drug law officer briefed his bosses and they asked him to play along.

Unless answers are found to the above posers, it is not likely anything will come out of the case.

Abba proposed to send his brother to drop the N35 million cash equivalent in dollars. The officer refused. Abba turned up with cash at a secret rendezvous. The officer insisted on picking it in his car. Unknown to Kyari, the car was already wired.

The NDLEA storyline is clear that the lead to their action was provided by Abba Kyari in his first phone contact with their personnel. That one phone call triggered the chain of events that culminated in a sting operation.

Let us even deconstruct the sad tale: The spokesperson of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, in a statement issued in Abuja said, "With the intelligence at our disposal, the agency (NDLEA) believes strongly that DCP Abbah Kyari is a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline and he needs to answer questions that crop up in an ongoing drug case in which he is the principal actor."

Drug business entails a lot of networking, therefore there is no way the foot soldiers on ground, including the major baron, will not raise issues with either the police authority or NDLEA over the arrest of the couriers after they have scaled the airport protocols. How come it took a suspended DCP Abba Kyari, who should be off duty, to make contact with Abuja on such crime?

During that period, Abba Kyari was still walking as a freeman.

He was even away in Lagos on a private business trip, according to what he told the NDLEA.

As said, Abba Kyari called an officer of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on January 21, 2022. The man missed the call and returned it.

Abba wanted a private meeting in Abuja after Jumat that day, which the drug law officer honoured at a secret rendezvous. He told the officer that his 'boys' had arrested a drug dealer who came in from Brazil with 25kg cocaine and that his boys went from Abuja to Enugu to pick the man.

The suspects are with Abba's boys in the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) cell.

Now this is the deal: Abba proposed, as alleged, to handover 5kg of the real cocaine to the NDLEA and 20kg of dummy as the seizure.

Upon the takeover of the suspects, the NDLEA would carry out an arranged testing of some of the packages in front of the suspects. Abba's boys had marked the real cocaine packages. So the random sampling will be an arranged sampling. That way

The NDLEA would also do more to tell us how the drug couriers and their dangerous wares were cleared at the Enugu Airport only to be nabbed by the Kyari boys.

Is it possible the NDLEA command in Enugu knew nothing about the arrest of the couriers by the police within the airport premises?

Except it was a deliberate mischief, the Nigerian Police version of the saga revealed what NDLEA avoided telling us in their version of the story: That the agency's staff at its Enugu operations and probably elsewhere are deeply involved with drug cartels despite deliberate attempts to present the agency as clean.

First, it was Abba Kyari who initiated a phone call to the NDLEA High Command in Abuja on the interception. So, could the drug dealers had been arrested and detained in a police facility without anybody in a Nigeria Police command in Enugu State knowing about it? Could it be that they were detained in a holding facility not known to law enforcement agencies and does the IG IRT team have the blanket powers to operate in any state without the knowledge of the state police command?

Abba Kyari reports directly to the Inspector-General of Police.

Therefore, the IGP must explain to Nigerians how an officer on suspension remained loose and super active on duty. Do the Police have procedures guiding the conduct of any of their officer or personnel awaiting jurisdiction and why senior police officers who should know the law connived with a suspended officer to execute an illegal duty?

Sadly, whenever a problem of outright criminality or misconduct arises in this country, there is now an established tendency for certain people to look away from the crime/offence and turn it to ethnic war with the aim of mustering regional or religious mass support. How can Nigeria make progress this way?

Now, there is another slant to the alleged involvement of the super-cop with drug cartels. This was introduced few days ago by the police authourity.

The police report as widely carried in the media said, "The officer stated that 'It is a campaign to smear his reputation by members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) who moved to destroy him due to his onslaught against them in the South-East."

•Izeze can be reached at iizeze@yahoo.com

We Created Abba Kyari

BY PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON

P

eople often ask me why I write on certain topics and issues all the time, like bashing governments at all levels and the band of ‘confusionists’ that run them, my take on the education, health and power sector, insecurity, the lack of or non-existent governance, arguments on ethnicity and the indigene question amongst others.

My answer is that I do so because I believe that such subjects are important for Nigeria and Nigerians as they are to other countries, but when it appears to me that Nigerians and our leaders particularly do not react to these topics the way they should, I repeat them in new essays to remind old readers and recruit new ones to participate in the continuing dialogue.

Between 1999 and today the police strength has grown from 112,000 to somewhere around 371,800 officers, a very poor figure, compared to our population.

Even if you recruit 10 million men into the police and with almost 100 million Nigerians hungry, unemployed, frustrated, crime would still be high. If you add to the fact that many of the policemen and few women out there are examples of everything bad and ugly about Nigeria, I rest my case because in a system where a police recruit earns barely N9,019.42 and N302,970.47 for a full Commissioner, there will be different versions of Abba Kyari.

Sadly the police itself is one of the worst culprits of poor remuneration and motivation, have you seen what the police barracks look like across the nation?

Despite the poor and degrading nature of our prisons, most police barracks are not different from rehabilitation homes for juveniles. The police have been reduced to an agency of ridicule and hatred amongst the populace. The only robbers they shoot are ordinary citizens who refuse to give them the N20 toll. When they conclude an investigation successfully, it must have been that of a landlord and tenant or two- fighting at a bus stop.

A security outfit without equipment, funding, without logistics, no communication facilities resorts to the very crimes they are supposed to protect us from. Divisional Police Offices are now banks; the Divisional Police Officers’ are branch managers waiting for daily ‘returns’ (bribe) from marketing executhiefs (Junior ranks).

The edifice called the police is a case of epilepsy, from the change of uniform, to increased recruitment of illiterates that can barely spell their names. The problem is not necessarily just that of the Nigerian police, but that of a nation whose leaders have thrown their responsibilities to the gutters.

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So Abba Kyari is part of the bigger problem. He and the war of words between the Police and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA is like a police crime scene unit; the story has holes everywhere, like the Nigeria Police has a settlement scene unit in every divisional police office. The entire scene is devoid of care and details that go into investigation.

The same Nigeria Police without a Behavioral Unit arresting you for having dreadlocks or beards or carrying a laptop...You can understand why there is no collective in what Kyari has done wrong or right and who he represents and what he truly is in the bigger picture.

a last resort. So naturally they vent all the frustrations of life on the job. Bail is free on paper, but in practice the price you pay all depends on the offense, your negotiation skills and the officer in charge.

Have you ever seen a Nigerian policeman wear a protective glove at a crime scene? The closest has been at wedding ceremonies or ceremonial occasions.

A visit to a police barracks tells you the story: Poor welfare, houses without common sanitary facilities, falling buildings, electricity disconnected, breeding grounds for miscreants and even worse.

I was at a local police station recently and watched as different activities went on, from the radio message alerting another station that Adam was about to eat the apple, to the old Olympia typewriter that brought back memories of my late uncle Atiku who was a teacher in the Congo.

I noticed the state of the uniforms of the rank, the frustration on the face of officers. I saw how men of the force collected N100 to buy plain sheets, file and biro for a complainant to put down his grouse. Officers that are more often than not dirty and unkempt…oh I hear it's about being covert.

Talking about the police, it is interesting to look at the police from what it should be. Police are agents or agencies empowered to enforce the law and to affect public and social order through the legitimate use of force.

The term is most commonly associated with police departments of a state that are authorised to exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal or territorial area of responsibility.

The word comes via French from the Latin politia (civil administration), which itself derives from the Ancient Greek word, for polis ("city").

In our experience the police have contributed negatively to an increasingly disjointed social order in the nation. The Nigeria Police has failed the nation in its primary function of providing safety, ensuring public order, enforcing criminal law, traffic regulations, crowd control, criminal investigation etc.

Once upon a time, a mad man was assumed to be admiring the police parade at a nearby police post, the Divisional Police Officer walked to him and asked if he wanted to join the police and the mad man retorted, 'I dey mad?!'.

Like the teaching profession, nowdays people join the force as

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I once narrated the tale of an officer who stopped the police commissioner in his state and asked for a bribe of N20 or else he was going to arrest him for driving at night alone when the roads were dangerous. How many times have we seen policemen disappear on occasion of an armed robbery, everyone wants to get to heaven, but none wants to die?

The frustration sips into the policeman's wife, every nine months another baby, and the thick line of abject poverty, social deprivation moves and finds habitation in the vicious cycle. It is in these situations that officers also wreak havoc, from the pay office, all sorts of fraud occur, the usual illegal deductions, to ghost officers.

With our police everything is wrong, nothing is right. The new uniforms are only for the Ogas, the material is in the open market and anybody can buy and wear and get a salute. There is a public apathy against the police so much that even if they wore white they would discrete the colour.

Abba Kyari is not just about the police but equally an examination of our society, one that questions our core values.

The fact being that we should be asking how we got here? Who created Kyari?

We are having the likes of Abba because our police lack 21st century policing skills that thrive more on intelligence gathering, tactical operations, which should bring about clinical execution of their assignments, in manners that are beyond stain and socially transparent. We lack security operatives that adopt modern techniques in fighting crimes.

The Force is devoid of values like the larger Nigerian society, the reason some criminals are also celebrating Abba Kyari's fall.

Between an endless hope and a hopeless end, let us see hope in the horizon, though this is difficult to see. The situation is bad. Let it not be said that we did not talk, write, and even beg the government to do something. When are we going address the Kyaris, face policemen that interrogate, arrest and detain goats, hens and crates of beer as witnesses, accused and complainants? Only time will tell.

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w w w.t hew i llni g eri a. c om VOL .2 N O.0 9

Kyari

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Off-Spec Fuel: How LITASCO, Govt Agencies Brought Pain to Nigerians

BY SAM DIALA

H

appenings in the Nigerian business and social circles for over two weeks now show that the off-spec premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, imported by Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC’s) DirectSale-Direct-Purchase (DSDP) contractors, was made possible by greed and negligence on the part of those involved in the deal.

On Monday, February 7, it was discovered that some quantity of methanol-blended petrol, outside the specified standard, was in the country.

According to NNPC, the bad product was imported by four oil marketers through four PMS cargoes under the NNPC’s DSDP arrangement – put in place to ensure sustained supply of petroleum products in the country.

The DSDP is an arrangement that allows the NNPC to deliver monthly crude oil lifting on Free on Board (FOB) basis to suppliers who in return deliver petroleum products of Nigerian standard specification to the corporation, on Delivered at Place (DAP) basis, at designated safe port(s) in Nigeria.

According to the NNPC, the four companies that supplied the methanol blended petrol are MRS, which made the importation through a vessel named MT Bow Pioneer, Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium through a vessel identified as MT Tom Hilde, Oando through a vessel named MT Elka Apollon, and Duke Oil. The MRS later disclosed that the petrol it received from LITASCO, the Swiss trading arm of Russia’s Lukoil, was unusable.

Agriculture: Travails of Elusive Low-Hanging Fruit

BY JOY ONUORAH

T

here is something worrying about Nigeria’s agricultural sector: There is too much talk, but little action. The result is that we keep singing the chorus of agriculture as a low-hanging fruit, whereas little results are achieved.

Overtime, the trite about Nigeria being an agriculture exporting

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country before the oil boom of the early 1970s and raking in huge export proceeds through the abundance of palm produce, cocoa and groundnuts, has become a narrative that fits the place of old fairy tales.

Continues on page 33

THEWILL gathered that the product was purchased from International Trader, LITASCO and delivered through the LITASCO loading port terminal in Antwerp, Belgium.

THEWILL findings also revealed that LITASCO has been the major supplier of PMS to Nigerian oil trading firms and that the low quality petrol, which has become a “way of life” in the country has its source from LITASCO, the Swiss based trading arm of Russian energy giant, Lukoil.

Although the NNPC has been able to stop the sale of the dirty petrol to Nigerians and considerably eased the hassle of buying petrol at filling stations in the major cities across the country, many vehicle owners are still reeling from losses incurred as a result of the off-spec petrol.

The NNPC had picked 16 consortia under the DSDP contract to receive crude oil, refine it and in turn, import petroleum products into Nigeria to meet the demand for PMS, jet fuel and diesel.

To comply with local content standards, Nigerian companies were given contracts alongside international companies under the DSDP arrangement to allow the Nigerian companies gain experience and acquire the required expertise to run their own entities.

THEWILL checks however further revealed the loophole in the entire arrangement from the source through delivery with some traders confirming the unscrupulous practice where excess quantities of methanol, which costs way less is blended into

MORE INSIDE 3.5GHz Spectrum: MTN, Mafab Pay for Licences PAGE 35

Equity Market Records N19.48bn in Week Ended Feb 25

Continues on page 33

CBN Issues Operating Guidelines for RT200 FX Scheme

BY SAM DIALA

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has published guidelines for the implementation of the RT200 FX Programme introduced on February 10 to enhance repatriation of non-oil export proceeds and boost market liquidity.

In a circular entitled ‘Operating

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Agriculture: Travails of Elusive Low-Hanging Fruit

Off-Spec Fuel: How LITASCO, Govt Agencies Brought Pain To Nigerians

Continued from page 16

Continued from page 16

the PMS to increase profit for the supplier and thus reduce the quality of the petrol.

PMS imported into the country, according to our checks, is expected to be unleaded with specific gravity 60°/60F standing a limit of 0.7570,77 max; distillation range (oC) was expected at a limit of 35-205; 10 percent evaporated (OC) is capped at 70 max; 50 per cent evaporated was 125 max; 100 percent evaporated (OC) was expected at 180 max; FBP evaporated (OC) was limited to 205 max while residue per cent volume was capped at two max.

On a daily basis, fingers point to agriculture as the low-hanging fruit that ‘diversification’ could yield within our backyards. On television and radio programmes, seminars, symposia and public lectures, it is agriculture, agriculture, agriculture …

‘Let us embrace agriculture …’, ‘Let us mechanise and modernise agriculture ….’ But, in reality, the sector is not receiving the priority it deserves. We still depend on the poor rural farmers who eke out a living from tilling their farms to feed our mammoth population. Even at that, the life of the rural farmer who feeds the nation is not any better. There are no access roads, no electricity, no pipe borne water, no good healthcare, and the children do not enjoy quality education.

Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), year after year, are advised to go into Agriculture and to aim to be job creators not job seekers. This admonition has become old fashioned, yielding nothing beyond the officials completing their logbooks of activity schedules.

Yet, agriculture remains the low-hanging fruit that has become increasingly elusive, existing more in official and academic circles where long discussion are held as to what ought to be done and by who.

The consequence is shortage and high price of food.

DATA SPEAKS In the last few years, Nigeria’s inflation rate has been largely driven by rise in food prices.

For instance, inflation rate increased by 16.47 percent (year-on-year) in January 2021, against surging food prices. The trend continued about midyear. While the inflation rate dropped from 18.12 per cent in April to 17.93 per cent in May, representing a decrease of 0.19 per cent, composite food index rose to 22.28 per cent in May 2021, compared with 22.72 percent in April 2021. This means that food remained expensive and unaffordable by the majority of Nigeria’s population. This contributed to the poverty rate of between 45 and 50 per cent, according to several reports.

Similarly, the consumer price index, which increased to 15.63 percent in December 2021 was the first increase after recording consecutive drops since April 2021 – amid a surge in food prices.

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It regretted that the most populous black nation had fallen from its enviable position of producer and exporter of produce in the early 60s and 70s to world’s largest importer of food THEWILLNIGERIA

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The devastating effects of rising food prices was captured in the NBS report: for 2021 year-end “In December 2021, food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi (22.82 percent), Enugu (20.65 percent) and Lagos (20.27 percent), while Edo (13.24 percent), Kaduna (13.53 percent) and Sokoto (14.82 percent) recorded the slowest rise.”

“On month-on-month basis, December 2021 food inflation was highest in Cross River (4.09 percent), Akwa Ibom (3.88 percent) and Rivers (3.79 percent), while Nasarawa (0.21 percent), Jigawa (0.39 percent) recorded the slowest rise in inflation on month-on-month with Kaduna recording price deflation or negative inflation (general decrease in the price level of food or a negative food inflation rate).”

What these suggest is that inflation rate in Nigeria is driven by surge in food prices ravaging the people and communities across the states, even when inflation rate assumes a downward trend. This has direct impact on the people’s standard of living which has not shown any improvement over the years.

WORLD BANK’S VOICE In September 2019, the World Bank raised the alarm that Nigeria’s food crisis had assumed a frightening dimension, blaming the development largely on poor policies of successive administrations in the country. It regretted that the most populous black nation had fallen from its enviable position of producer and exporter of produce in the early 1960s and 1970s to the world’s largest importer of food. The global lender stated that the nation was “tragically living on borrowed times and being unable to feed her own citizens who are now very hungry, angry and war-threatened.”

In his keynote presentation under the summit’s theme, ‘Agriculture: Your One Trillion Dollar Economy,’ the Senior Agricultural Economist for the World Bank, Dr Adetunji Oredipe, said Nigeria was reaping the price of lack of sustenance of investment in agriculture, adding that to reverse the ugly trend, the country must henceforth invest at least seven per cent of its national agriculture budget to GDP in the sector.

The declaration was made at the second Sterling Bank International Agricultural Summit in Abuja attended by delegates from all continents of the world, including 40 others representing some African nations. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the occasion assured Nigerians that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government was on course to reinvent the country through agriculture and make the sector the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

Again, the World Bank in November 2021 raised alarm over the threat of insecurity and COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerian households’ food security.

In a report titled, ‘COVID-19 in Nigeria: Frontline •Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com THEWILLNIGERIA

Additionally, the odour was put at merchantable, colour put as orange like and total Sulphur was capped by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria in 2017 at 150PPM. Other properties included copper corrosion, ratio: T36°C of 68 max; existent gum (mg/100ml) of four max; oxidation stability (min.) was put at 360 minutes; knock rating (RON) at 90 minutes and RVP (Vapour pressure) (psi) at 90 max.

The NNPC confirmed that the four PMS cargoes imported by four consortia of the DSDP were offspec. They were all bought from LITASCO. A former Nigerian oil trader told THEWILL that the blame should go to those who should conduct the necessary inspections at various points – pre-shipment, transshipment and landing/offloading.

“I am familiar with the business; there are checks and balances because the supplier must be sure he meets the specs of the buyer, and the buyer should be satisfied that what he is receiving is what he ordered and paid for.

“At the point of transshipment (when you reload from the mother vessel to a smaller one), there are systems in place to ensure that no adulteration or deviation occurs.

“

Where NNPC staff who are supposed to conduct or certify the product are found to have compromised, they should be made to face the music because you cannot run such a sensitive business and give room for NNPC or the government to be embarrassed

“Methanol is way cheaper. The more the methanol in the petrol the cheaper it is for the supplier/ producer; so producers deliberately add methanol above the required measure to save on cost,” a trader, who described this as ‘Satanic greed’ told THEWILL. The trader further explained that methanol is about 50 per cent cheaper than the PMS. So they blend it in a way that gives them room to enlarge their coasts in profiteering.

With poor inspection processes at the required stages, it becomes obvious that Nigerians are paying for the offspec PMS that greed and negligence made possible.

When LITASCO was contacted by telephone for comment, an official at the Switzerland Office asked us to send our inquiry via email.

“Thank you for submitting your request. We will be processing your inquiry and will get back to you within one month,” LITASCO said in a reply to THEWILL's email.

“In this case, heads must roll because the NNPC trusted the contractors and believed they would do what is right.

Mr Paul Osu, spokesman for Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, former Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said that the responsibility for product matters lies specifically with the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Regulatory Authority in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

“Where NNPC staff who are supposed to conduct or certify the product are found to have compromised, they should be made to face the music because you cannot run such a sensitive business and give room for NNPC or the government to be embarrassed”, he said.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority had said in a statement that, “limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as Petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the supply chain.”

The ex-trader also said that Russia, like China, does not have the kind of business integrity that exists in the West where compromise is forbidden.

“Methanol is a regular additive in Petrol and usually blended in an acceptable quantity.

Clearly, greed and the ineptitude of officials in the regulatory agencies facilitated the clearance of the cargoes into the country.

While most nations’ pre-shipment/ pre-discharge standard test parameters include the oxygenate, methanol, the Nigerian regulatory authority has not adopted this standard.

Insiders who spoke to THEWILL affirm that two factors – greed and negligence, were largely responsible for the anomaly.

“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit.

“Our technical team in conjunction with NNPC Ltd and other industry stakeholders, will continue to monitor and ensure quality petroleum products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide.

“The source supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the Authority and NNPC Ltd.”

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

How to Raise Capital for Small Business, Startup Firm

BY CHINEDU NNAWETANMA

F

unding is one of the major challenges confronting businesses of all shapes and sizes in Nigeria and across the world. Finance is the lifeblood of every business. Without adequate cash inflow, businesses would not be able to procure raw materials, convert them to finished products, market or distribute the finished products and even pay their employees.

As a result of this, many financial institutions have sprung up to meet the financial needs of businesses. Once dominated by commercial banks, Nigeria's financial services industry and business funding scene now boast of other institutions such as venture capital firms, private equity firms, fintechs and crowdfunding platforms. This highlights the maturity of the industry in the country and gives entrepreneurs and business managers a variety of funding options for their enterprises.

Despite this development, many businesses, especially startups and SMEs, are still unable to effectively raise capital to remain a going concern – or even take off in the first place. This is partly due to the stringent measures put in place by these fund providers to ensure that their limited capital is made available to organisations and invested in projects that will theoretically guarantee the best returns.

Unfortunately, many organizations, especially SMEs, lack the capacity to scale through these hurdles because of their weak structures and the managerial inexperience of their founders and operators. Listed below are some strategies that early-stage entrepreneurs and business managers can adopt to make their businesses more attractive to financiers.

1. Write down your business plan: The emphasis here is on "write." It is not enough to have your business plan in your head; you also have to write it down somewhere. As we all know, information stored in memory can become fuzzy over time. Writing it down will prevent this and also make it easier for you to fine-tune your ideas and plans anytime the need arises.

2. Register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other relevant bodies.

3. Open a business bank account: Running a business with a personal or individual bank account is one of the most common business management infractions in Nigeria.

In spite of the numerous policies put in place by the government and the business-friendly account products rolled out by commercial banks to discourage this, many entrepreneurs still run their businesses with their personal accounts, mostly to evade taxes and, sometimes, for administrative convenience. Doing this will make it difficult for investors to figure out how well your business is performing because your business finance will become muddled up with your personal finance.

4. Build an online presence for your business to expand its reach and make it easier for your target audience to connect with you from anywhere in the world.

5. Acquire sound accounting and financial management skills or hire a competent accountant or financial manager: Most early-stage entrepreneurs are jacks of all trades, performing varying functions as their companies strive to gain traction. The finance function of business management is one that must not be joked with. For starters, investors will assess your company's financial health before committing their funds to it. A financial manager or accountant or the sound knowledge of financial management and accounting will help you to properly allocate financial resources in your company for peak profitability.

6. Get the right co-founder(s) and/or management team: If you are seeking a big-ticket investment, it is important that you get the right management team on board. Investors want to be assured that there is more to your business than just you and that the company will continue to exist even if you exit. Get a co-founder(s) or management team that will complement your skills and experience. For instance, if you are good at software development, but bad at business management, get a co-founder who is good at business management.

FUNDRAISING PROPER 7. Determine your exact funding need: You can do this by projecting your business' short-to-medium-term financial performance, which is also referred to as financial forecasting.

8. Know the types of funding available:

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“

In spite of the numerous policies put in place by the government and the business-friendly account products rolled out by commercial banks to discourage this, many entrepreneurs still run their businesses with their personal accounts, mostly to evade taxes and, sometimes, for administrative convenienc

a. Debt financing – Debt financing is what readily comes to mind when most entrepreneurs think of funding. Debt capital is any money obtained that must be repaid, usually with an interest, at an agreed later date or interval. It is most commonly offered by commercial and microfinance banks.

Debt capital is suitable for businesses with financial traction and collateral. It is not suitable for early-stage businesses or businesses with insufficient revenues and collateral. b. Equity financing – Equity financing involves raising capital from investors in exchange for a stake or share in your business. It is more expensive than debt capital because it dilutes your ownership and requires offering regular financial returns (such as dividends) to investors or shareholders. Typical sources of equity financing are angel investors, venture capital firms, private equity firms and the stock market. It is mostly utilized by startups with high growth potential that need to scale very fast or large corporations that need to expand. It is not ideal for businesses that want to grow slowly and steadily. c. Hybrid financing – Hybrid financing, such as mezzanine financing, combines elements of debt and equity financing.

It is not as common as debt or equity financing in Nigeria. d. Grants – While most types of funding involve some form of give-and-take, you are not expected to pay back a grant or give up a stake in your business for it. Grants are usually given to businesses that are already making or will likely make a positive social impact.

9. Identify the right funding source or mix of sources: a. Bootstrapping – Most businesses take off by bootstrapping, which essentially entails funding a business with the entrepreneur's personal income and savings, as well as contributions from her family and friends. This funding source cannot sustain a business with lofty growth ambitions in the long run. b. Partnership – In this arrangement, an entrepreneur with insufficient funds goes into a partnership with someone who then provides the needed funds in exchange for a stake in the business and/or a share of the profits

realized. This technique is fraught with numerous risks, such as disagreements between the partners over the direction of the business. Like bootstrapping, it is not sustainable when done on an informal basis. c. Commercial banks, microfinance banks and merchant banks – These types of banks are the most common institutional sources of debt capital for small businesses and startups in Nigeria and around the world. d. Angel investors, venture capitalists and private equity firms – Angel investors, venture capitalists and private equity firms are the major formal sources of equity capital for early-stage and growth-stage companies. They are highly selective, though, and would typically fund less than 10% of the companies that apply to them for funding. e. Business incubators and startup accelerators – Business incubators are organizations that help entrepreneurs to refine their business ideas, plans and models, while startup accelerators are organizations that help businesses with already validated minimum viable products to scale rapidly. Both provide some form of financial support in the course of their intervention. f. The stock market – No thanks to various regulations, raising capital through the stock market is almost the exclusive preserve of large corporations. g. Crowdfunding – Crowdfunding involves raising business capital from a large number of people who each contributes a small amount of money, usually through crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe and Indiegogo. h. Business idea and business plan competitions – Entering a business competition can be a smart route to raising capital for companies with game-changing, highly innovative and impact-oriented solutions as most business competitions come with financial incentives. i. Non-profits and social development organizations – Many organizations in these categories offer grants to businesses in underserved communities and the green economy. j. The government – Governments at the federal and state levels sometimes offer low-interest loans and grants to promising businesses in a bid to stimulate the economy. k. Cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance – Entrepreneurs can also raise business capital by selling digital assets or tokens, which is known as an initial coin offering (ICO). But the controversy surrounding cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance, as well as frequent government clampdowns make it one of the riskiest funding options for businesses. l. Advance Payment – You can have your customers fund your business by getting them to pay upfront for a service or product that you have not yet delivered and using the money to actually provide the service or produce the product. This is where your social capital comes into play. Your customers will be more willing to pay you for a service not yet enjoyed if they can vouch for you and if your brand has a good track record and reputation.

•Nnawetanma is a business growth strategist and SME/startup finance advisor.

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com THEWILLNIGERIA

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BUSINESS NEWS 3.5GHz Spectrum: MTN, Mafab Pay for Licences

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

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rovisional winners of the 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum licence, MTN Communications Nigeria Plc and Mafab Communications Limited, have made their full payment of $273.6 million each for the 5G Spectrum license to the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, officially confirmed the payment status today, February 24, 2022, just as the deadline set for the two winners of the spectrum auction elapsed.

As part of the auction process emplaced by the Commission in the Information Memorandum (IM), three companies, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd and Airtel Networks Ltd submitted bids with Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil (left), with, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National an initial bid deposit (IBD) of $19.74 Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engineer Aliyu Aziz, during Airtel courtesy visit to the leadership of NIMC in Abuja on February 17, 2022. million, representing 10 per cent of the Reserve Price of the 3.5GHz Spectrum by the close of the Bid submission date of November 29, 2021.

Following the successful auction on December 13, 2021 and the emergence of MTN and Mafab as winners, they total turnover of 1.668 billion shares were required to pay the balance of the worth N19.481 billion in 25,979 deals bid amount of $253.86 million on or Continued from page 16 was traded this week by investors before February 24, 2022. on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast However, aside the $273.6 million Guidelines for RT200 Non-oil Other transaction eligibility to a total of 1.713 billion shares valued at payment, MTN paid additional $15.9 N30.764 billion that exchanged hands the million, being the bidding sum it offered Export Proceeds Repatriation criteria are Completion of e-Form previous week in 24,767 deals. at the assignment state of the spectrum Rebate Scheme’ dated February NXP, Registration with Corporate The Financial Services Industry (measured auction, making it clinch its preferred 25, 2022 and signed by Dr. Affairs Commission (CAC) by volume) led the activity chart with 1.120 Lot 1 (3500-3600 Megahertz-MHz) in O.S. Nnaji, Director, Trade & and Nigeria Export Promotion billion shares valued at N10.889 billion the 3.5Ghz spectrum; while, Mafab Exchange Department, the Council (NEPC) and Sale of traded in 13,514 deals; thus contributing Communications, which bided lower at bank stressed that the scheme repatriated export proceeds at the 67.13% and 55.89% to the total equity the assignment stage, consequentially settled with Lot 2 (3700-3800Mhz) at no turnover volume and value respectively. was created towards the goal of I&E window. extra cost. attaining US$200 billion in forex “Notwithstanding when the The Conglomerates Industry followed with the payments by the two repatriation, exclusively from export process was initiated, the 242.945 million shares worth N395.228 Confirming licensees, Danbatta said: “I wish to million in 1,418 deals.

The third place was non-oil exports within five years. exporter will quality for the rebate The Consumer Goods Industry, with a officially announce that NCC has It explained that the rebate provided the exporter meets the turnover of 80.368 million shares worth received and confirmed payments from MTN and Mafab for their scheme is designed to incentivize criteria stipulated above”, the N1.958 billion in 3,876 deals. acquisition of 1 slot of 100Mhz each in Trading in the top three equities namely the 3.5Ghz spectrum auction, which exporters in the non-oil export circular stated. sector to encourage repatriation The guideline stated that the Transnational Corporation of Nigeria was successfully conducted by the United Capital Plc and Zenith Bank Commission on December 13, 2021. and sale of export proceeds into Scheme shall pay N65 for every Plc, Plc (measured by volume) accounted for They both met the deadline of February the foreign exchange market.

US$1 repatriated and sold at the 491.673 million shares worth N5.411 billion 24, 2022 as set by the Commission.

To qualify as beneficiary of the I&E window to ADBs for other in 4,277 deals, contributing 29.48 per cent “Arising from this and on behalf of the 27.78 per cent to the total equity rebate, the apex bank said that third party use, and N35 for and Honourable Minister of Communications turnover volume and v alue respectively. only exporters of finished and every US$1 repatriated and sold and Digital Economy, the Board and the Exchange Traded Programme Management of the NCC, I wish to semi-finished goods are eligible into I&E for own use on eligible Under (ETP) category, a total of 1,622 units valued congratulate the MTN and Mafab for this for the incentive. Exporters shall transactions only. at N775,980.88 were traded last week in 27 as we look forward to accomplishing qualify for the rebates only where “However, the spread should deals compared with a total of 10,633 units feat, other deployment timelines in the 5G repatriated export proceeds are not be more than 10 kobo,” valued at N1.181 million transacted the deployment roadmap, as articulated in sold at the Investors’ & Exporters’ the circular said, adding that previous week in 27 deals. the National Policy on 5G Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.”

Under Bonds, a total of 67,646 units valued (I&E) Window.

“Payment of the incentive shall at N76.346 million were traded in the week Under eligible transactions, the be made on quarterly basis. The in 11 deals compared with a total of 40,892 For meeting the payment deadline, has commended the two circular said that export of finished accounts of exporters that qualify units valued at N44.706 million transacted Danbatta companies for their commitment to 5G and semi-finished goods wholly or for rebates shall be credited latest the previous week in 22 deals. deployment drive through their private partly processed or manufactured one week after the end of the The NGX All-Share Index and Market investments, which he said, was a Capitalization appreciated by 0.40% to close demonstration of the licensees’ belief in in Nigeria shall be recognized for quarter.” the week at 47,328.42 and N25.507 trillion the sound regulatory environment in the the purpose, except otherwise The RT200 FX Programme which respectively.

Nigerian telecommunications sector. stated by the CBN. stands for ‘Race to the US$200 Similarly, all other indices finished higher Danbatta also expressed appreciation to Furthermore, export of goods billion in forex repatriation’ with the exception of NGX Asem, NGX Meri the Federal Government for its support and services (I.T and Creative between three and five years Value, NGX consumer Goods, NGX Lotus II, and commitment to the deployment Businesses) that are permissible was created by the CBN and the NGX Industrial Goods and NGX Sovereign of 5G technology in Nigeria which, he bond indices which depreciated by 1.17 said, will bring substantial network and excluded under existing Bankers Committee to boost per cent, 0.34 per cent, 1.06 per cent, 0.07 improvements, including higher export prohibition list shall also per cent, 0.01 per cent and 0.02 per cent, connection speed, mobility and capacity, liquidity in the foreign exchange be reckoned as eligible for the respectively while the NGX Growth Index as well as low-latency capabilities to market. specified rebate. communications services in Nigeria. closed flat.

CBN Issues Operating Guidelines for RT200 FX Scheme

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Equity Market Records N19.48bn in Week Ended Feb 25

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VICTORIA NKONG Humanitarian in Entertainment World PAGE 37 - 42

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Multi- talented entertainment consultant, Victoria Nkong speaks with Shade WesleyMetibogun, about her love for humanity, foray into talent management and sundry issues. Excerpts

Nkong

ARTISTE MANAGEMENT NOT AN EASY JOB – VICTORIA NKONG W

hat inspired your decision to manage artistes and talents?

I started out with an African event production company, KORA All African Music Awards, in the production department precisely. We always had about 2,000 artistes to handle for our event. At one time in the past, there was a problem with an artiste and I was called in to handle it. That was how I got to know that I could do well managing artistes and that I would co-handle and manage some talents with the team in charge any time we have an event coming up. By the time I left KORA, I had a number of artistes reaching out to me all over Africa for favours. I would collaborate with them and give them advice for free. This was how I began managing artistes.

Who among the artistes you have worked with do you consider to be your favourite and why?

Everyone I have worked with at one point or the other is unique.

I have a background in Human Resources Management so when I do talent management, I tailor my services and relationship to suit the person’s personality. Let me just say that I have had great relationships with different people and talents. Harrysong was one of them. He was like a son to me. He is an orphan. He had a tough time growing up with his step mother. I had to play the role of a sister and mother figure to him. So, with different talents, I have had different experiences. I had Samantha from South Africa and Toofan from Togo. They are very big in the Francophone world, but there is a special respect between both parties. I have never worked with ‘celebrities that are not responsible’. My artistes are never late for an event, there is never any drama and they almost kept me in check.

Can you recall the most memorable moments you had while working with those great talents?

It was when I was working on the 50th anniversary of music in Africa. Akon was the headliner then and I was still with KORA. I remember I had handled one of his events in Burkina Faso before and this time, he requested that I liaise with his team. I was still a young girl then. I was in my early 20s. It was a big moment for me.

An international client preferred to work with me. I remember that when the event came to an end, Akon left me a recommendation on social media, which was huge for me. The second one is about Harrysong. When we got an offer from Universal Music, it immediately became evident that we were doing something right and we were working in the right direction. We were supposed to be chasing these people and they came knocking on our door. I think we were in London that day. It was a big deal for him. He was in tears, but he was very appreciative.

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How does it feel being a part of the success stories of the artistes you have worked with?

It is very fulfilling I must say. I like it when things eventually come together and I can sit down and say, yes this is right. When I reflect on it in my personal moment, I see it as something fulfilling because if you work with talented artistes generally, other people do not know that most of them are quite fragile. Out there, their images are different from who they really are. They are seen as champions, confident people, but beneath the surface they are the most fragile and vulnerable people. They are concerned about their products, how the public will receive their songs or react to their movies. The fact that they trust you and look up to you for the major decisions is tasking. I have an artiste that would tell me, if it goes well, it is his name, if it goes badly, it is my own name. He will tell me that he would do whatever I ask him to do, but if it goes well, they will sing his praise and if it doesn’t go well, people will drag me. I always keep that in mind. Sometimes they take decisions without letting you know and it is up to you to manage the crisis that may result from their action and ensure that things turns out well. It is really a huge responsibility. I feel that my career depends on it. It is also interesting for me to see the artiste who is a lion out there look up to you for major decisions.

Entertainers, especially music artistes, can be quite difficult to handle. What challenges have you encountered in the course of managing some of them?

The most difficult part is getting them to key into your vision.

Initially when I started, I wasn’t choosy about the people I work with. But as I made progress, I became very choosy. There is a lot that goes into talent management. You have to put your relationship and image on the line. If you work with people that do not share the same vision, it could end up in disaster for you as a talent manager.

My company also handles talent management for other brands.

For instance, a telecommunication company may have a big event and sublet it to my company to do all the bookings and ensure that artistes keep their own side of the contract. In some cases, you cannot decide who this brand wants you to work with. I ensure that before we start working with the brand, the people they are requesting are a bit reasonable. But no matter how reasonable they are, it gets into their heads sometimes. Sometimes I have to be very firm, but if I see that it is not working, I will use another approach.

Maybe we have just signed a contract for a big deal and I don’t want the artiste to misbehave. You just need to try your best and still get a balance. There are days that they just want to be difficult, but somehow I always find a way round it. I had an experience with a deal we signed for Wizkid with MTN. We held a meeting and discussed the deal and we agreed on taking six people. One of the crew members wanted to get into the car before the back-up

singer, I had to stop that person. I told them I would take Wizkid and his back-up singers first then come back for the remaining people. That got on his nerves and he didn’t tell me. After the event, we were about to go for the after-party. Guess what? My artiste didn’t show up. He switched off his phone and locked his room. I was ill then and struggling to manage my health. I was calling the road manager, but nobody could give me a concrete answer. The partners were already waiting and they were on my nerves. I had to pull myself out of bed and check on them. I went to the front of his room and saw the road manager and the project manager sitting on the floor. They said they couldn’t reach him. I was shocked and I was trying to calculate to see what had gone wrong. I stood in front of his room and started shouting at the two managers that they were not competent. I shouted at them to get the spare key of his room because my artiste might be in danger. He might be in a life threatening situation and they were just sitting down staring at his door. I purposely stood in front of his door and was shouting.

I think he heard the drama happening outside so he called one of the guy’s phones and said he was okay and he said “tell mama to dey try to calm down now.” He eventually came out and we went for the after-party. We got there and I teased him and he said “boys were angry.” He intentionally switched off his phone so that we couldn’t reach him and he was already paid for the job. You can imagine the things we go through at times.

What determines the kind of artiste you work with?

We have quite a number of things we check. They include your background, history, attitude, financing, etc. Do you have a financer or are we the people to finance you? I would check if the person has been running away from previous commitments with labels and managements. It is better to let go of such a person. We are not usually in a hurry to say we have xyz artiste signed to us. We are more worried with having a select few that we can make impact with.

Most artistes and their record labels usually have issues at the end of the day, maybe due to breach of contract or something else. What do you think artistes and their record labels can do to enjoy a smooth relationship?

I think the responsibility is both ways. First of all, the problem is that a lot of people see the fast lifestyles that most celebrities live on television and they want to copy them. Artistes need to understand that it is business, not just a document that they are signing. The record label is taking a risk on you, not just for your fine face. It is going to invest in you. If they can understand that, it will go a long way to eliminating conflicts between record labels and their artistes. Most artistes complain that the moment they start making money, their labels don’t give them part of it. The problem is that THEWILLNIGERIA

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most artistes don’t take time to read the terms of their contract at the beginning of the deal. They are usually too excited to read those documents. I would advise artistes to get a lawyer who will accompany them to sign any contract. The lawyer will explain everything to them so that they will understand what they are getting into. That way, it becomes easier not to feel cheated. I have been doing this for more than a decade. At times, the record label would have spent the first three years just investing money on the artiste, recording music, housing and feeding the artiste and paying for lifestyle appearances too. A lot of money would have been spent, yet they are unable to recover the funds from one or three shows. This is business and it should be run as such. When you begin to earn money as an artiste and you don’t get anything from it, don’t forget that your management has been spending on you and they need to recover the money. On the part of the record label, besides doing a background check, know that the artiste also evolves too. Try and review the deal if the brand grows bigger than you expected. Upgrade the percentage you plan to give your artiste.

There is nothing written on stone, people need to be a little flexible.

Make the artiste feel at home. I have gone to an event where people stood right before me offering juicy deals to my artistes. It takes a lot of principles for an artiste not to draw back and remember they have a contract with you. That is why when an artiste moves from a record label to another one, you may not get to hear anything from such artiste again. It is not just about the talent alone. It takes the efforts of a whole village to make an artiste successful. As an artiste you cannot expect to reach millions of people in the comfort of your home. There should also be a lot of communication. Don’t think you have grown bigger than the person that invested millions of naira on you. The label also should not see the artiste as their employee. Both parties have to be reasonable; they should see business as business.

You managed Olajumoke Orisagunna when she came to the limelight. How was the experience?

Olajumoke wasn’t business for me; it was more of charity. I was in the United States when her story blew up. I wasn’t part of her initial story. When I got back home, the buzz had just died down and there was nothing being said about her again. We had this boat cruise organised for media moguls and captains of industries. I was in a strategy meeting when I suggested that Olajumoke should be part of the boat cruise. Media personality, Denrele Edun used to be our host back in the days and I wanted them to co-host together.

People were against it because the buzz was no longer there. I spoke with some people and we met with Olajumoke. I expected that a lot would have changed in her life, six months after her discovery. She still couldn’t speak English and walked down the road with her baby strapped to her back. The image we had was larger than life, but what I saw was different. We had a conversation and I concluded that she couldn't co-host with Denrele. She kept begging and was so determined about it. I had to do a two way conversation, my personal assistant was the one translating for me as I tried to communicate with her. When we were leaving, she was all over me and I told Denrele about the plan, he said we should bring it on. You know Denrele is always positive. He promised to make her comfortable with Yoruba. We gave her four sentences to cram and she was grateful for the experience. She said she wanted to work with us. We had to contact someone in the background and we spoke with her lawyer. I gave the lawyer our retainer fee and the response I got was that there was no one to pay for it. So we took her up more on charity basis. I thought it would be a win for both of us, but nothing prepared us for what was to go on behind the scene. We had to deal with a lot of insecurities, we had to get her an English teacher. I wouldn’t blame her. She never asked for the limelight; it just walked up to her door. It was a bit chaotic for her because she couldn’t understand why we wanted her to learn English at a point. We got a modeling instructor, but Jumoke was missing classes. She would come for two days and she would be worn out. Her family issues, which were in the background, was another challenge to contend with. I was more than a manager. Till date, I can say her brand tested me a lot. I used to tell myself that I am a good talent manager, but her brand was a bit tough to handle.

Towards the end of her tenure with me, her lawyer commended me because of everything we had to deal with that no one heard about.

I wished her luck and hoped that someone comes along who will be able to understand her better and take her to the next level. We had done it all, taking her abroad one or two times and trying to see how that would impact her career. I wanted to position her for the Yoruba movie industry because modeling wasn’t going so well. We shot her television show, but we just had to move on. I am still in touch with her and assist her the best way that I can.

A lot of people were disappointed because Olajumoke went into oblivion so soon. What do you think would have been the best way to handle her brand?

That is the mistake we all make. You can force a horse to go to the river, but you cannot force it to drink from the river. Contrary to what the public think, that stardom is easy, it is not easy. It is more difficult to stay in the limelight. It takes a lot of self-discipline to build a career. For example, my talking voice might sound good, but my singing voice is a disaster. No matter how much I try for the artiste, I cannot get on the stage and perform for the artiste. It is the artiste that they want to see. It is the same thing with any other talent you are managing. If the talent is not willing to give it what it takes, everything will collapse in front of you. The best way to keep a person in the limelight is to find out if he or she is ready to dust his or her boot. Is the person ready to do what it takes to be in the limelight? Jumoke had a good brand that was built from emotion. That is what we believe in Africa. More than 60 per cent of the continent’s population live below the poverty line, but there THEWILLNIGERIA

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maybe from mentally ill parents or from parents who lost their lives in an accident. You wouldn’t want them to end up in another disaster. My vision is to have a family.

We had a few children who came in when they were a few days old and they are almost 10 years-old now. I have to cater for their emotional needs, too. Sometimes the whole burden gets to me, but I just have to move on.

All of them are in a private school. Recently, I found out that they were being stigmatised in school for coming from an orphanage. We pay their school fees fully and I don’t know why they are treated that way. The trauma had been going on for a while. So I had to change their school in the middle of the second term. There was a time when I lost a child at the orphanage. The boy had cerebral palsy. We were doing all we could and thought he would be okay, but we were wrong. When he was brought to me, I didn’t want to reject him. We tried our best, but he died. He had flu and by morning, he was half gone. We rushed him to the hospital, but he didn’t make it. I thought that was the end of the project for me.

I wanted to pack up and leave after it happened. I wanted to hand over the orphanage to someone else. It was even more traumatising because the corpse was left in the morgue for a very long time. Bureaucracy and proper handling of things made it go that way. I had to be going to the morgue every month to check his body. It was a very tough time. I had made up my mind sincerely to run away. I guess the love from the other children kept me grounded. There was a day my partner video called me with the children and they asked, “Mummy where are you?” That was a turning point for me. I had to go back.

There are times when you are worn out. You have to buy things in bulk and you can run out of money. I always say that God doesn’t give you responsibilities without holding your hands while doing it. So I always find my way around problems. There are days that I cry to sleep and in the morning, I just have to smile. Even giving out a child for adoption is quite tough. This is a child that grew up looking up to you and suddenly you are giving the child to another family. I used to cry for the first three days after a child is adopted because I would have so many questions in mind, but we are trained to just empathise and deal with it as social workers.

Nkong is nothing bad in dreaming. We should all be able to dream. If you work on your dream and God is also by your side, then everything will be in place. Everybody will identify that story because everybody wants a Cinderella story. The moment we begin to move away from the essence of the brand, that is the end of it. If you sell a girl as a hardworking young lady, who was selling bread and got lucky, that is the brand people are attached to. The moment you begin to deviate from the hard work, things will turn around. People identify with a brand because of a particular thing. People identify with Davido because he is from a rich background and he has a good heart. People identify with Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba, because he is talented and he is downto-earth. If 2Baba should enter a place, he will be the first to greet his fans, which is what people identify with. Brand managers do a good job of covering the dirty part and putting the good part in the limelight. When people saw Jumoke flying out of the country, they felt money was in the business, but what I was trying to do was to build an enviable brand. I wanted her to have a good thing to fall back on when the whole buzz disappears. She could make good hair. So I thought of building a wig brand. I knew people would love it. I did all I could for her brand, but it was unfortunate really.

How is she faring now?

I believe she is okay. Like I told you, I do speak with her once in a while. I support her when I can. I lost a lot of money working on her brand.

Running an orphanage can be quite cumbersome. How did you conceive the idea?

I needed to do something as my contribution to humanity and something I could do for God. I remember that when I was nine years, I visited an orphanage and I carried a baby and I was told that they don’t carry them so that they wouldn’t get used to being carried. After that experience at the orphanage, I really wanted to have a home. I lost my sister to an abusive marriage. That was when I had a clearer view of what I wanted to do. It was like a healing process when I started. I gained strength from the project.

It has not been rosy though. Sometimes I would ask myself what I have gotten myself into. If I could have another life, this is what I will still do.

What are the peculiar challenges of owning an orphanage?

There is a lot. It is human life, innocent children that depend on you. Some of them have escaped one disaster, at least, in their lives,

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How do you get financial aid to take care of all the children?

I have a partner who finances part of the project. We have friends who donate funds to us. Recently, I was able to get support from a church for some of the children’s school fees. That was a huge burden taken off my shoulders. Abroad, there are structures for such projects, but we are not yet there in Nigeria. We just find our way around it.

Davido donated the money he was given by his friends to some orphanages. Didn’t you apply for the

fund?

Yes we got that. It was a breath of fresh air. We got N540,000 from the project. I put in for it. I have known Davido for a while now. I knew he wasn’t just saying it for the fun of it. He was going to live up to his words. There was no cutting corners. We have received the money and I can say that a number of other homes also benefitted.

A lot of married couples shy away from adopting children.

What advice do you have for people who want a child but are reluctant to adopt one?

Adoption is just such a beautiful thing. Maybe because I grew up with a lot of people not related to us. A child is not only yours when you bless that child. I have some children who call me mummy and they are not my biological children. There are couples that have been waiting for 10 or 20 years to have a child of their own. They should go out there and adopt a child. Children respond to love. It is the love you give them that you get back. The difference is the experience during pregnancy and at the labour room. You are helping a child to get love and sowing into humanity and taking care of God’s child. I encourage adoption a lot. I have given out about 15 children from the home. Some people only give birth to their children after they adopted a child. It is a beautiful experience. Aside your own children, I encourage every family to take a child off the street.

You are from Akwa Ibom State, but you also bear Remi, which is a Yoruba name. How did you get a Yoruba name?

My mother is from the Yoruba-speaking part of Benin. My mother bears the name and I was given the same name too.

You are also multi-lingual. What are the languages you speak?

I speak English, French, Spanish and some other Nigerian languages. I got a few words from German and a few from Chinese. I think I have a flair for languages. For French, my first degree was Modern Languages and Linguistic studies. When I started working with KORA, I had a lot of French colleagues and started working in a lot of French-speaking countries as well. There was a time that I had to fully programme my brain in French.

When I came back to the country, I used to think in French. There are things I would love to express and I would just say it in French.

I picked up Spanish as a second language. Spanish and French are quite close.

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FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 05, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Siblings Drag Each Other to Court Over Ownership of Germaine Auto Centre T

ICPC EXONERATES YEWANDE SADIKU FROM CHARGES C

Sadiku

orporate wizkid, Yewande Sadiku, has moved on from the embarrassment that almost tainted her tenure as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. She has now joined the board of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc in a non-executive role.

Sadiku, who was appointed CEO of NIPC in November 2016, barely waited to clock exactly five years before exiting in September 2021, a month after she was quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, for alleged abuse of office bordering largely on contract fraud running into several millions of naira and unearned frivolous allowances.

Nothing concrete came out of the investigation as she was exonerated of all charges last month by the

Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission after completing its investigation.

However, sources reveal that the searchlight beamed on her was allegedly instigated by the staff of the commission who mounted stiff resistance to the reforms she tried to institutionalise, all aimed at proactive investment promotion and embedding a culture of governance and proactive accountability.

Transparency, THEWILL gathered, was a core part of the 49 yearold's administration while at NIPC and despite the many battles she faced, mostly from the commission’s governing board and other entrenched interests, Sadiku successfully improved the reputation of NIPC in the Freedom of Information ranking for compliance and transparency from 90th position

to the first position within five years.

Also, NIPC’s internally generated revenue grew from N296 million to N3.1 billion under her watch.

Before NIPC, Sadiku whose banking career spans 23 years, headed Stanbic IBTC’s investment banking arm.

She was also the Executive Director in charge of Stanbic IBTC Group’s Corporate and Investment Banking business, ensuring the realisation of business opportunities in Nigeria’s complex operating environment.

She managed key relationships with regulators and many of Nigeria’s leading corporate and multinational clients. A proud awardee of the Eisenhower Fellowship for International Leadership, she is currently the Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Investors’ Protection Fund of Nigerian Exchange Limited.

min Moussalli, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AIM Consultants, a construction and communications firm and owners of Cool Fm, Wazobia Fm, Nigeria Info, Arewa Radio, Cool TV and Wazobia TV, has joined the growing list of Nigerian CEOs whose firms have been banned

by World Bank from participating in projects and operations financed by it.

Amin was handed a 34-month ban for making improper payments to the tune of $45,000, about N13 million, to project officials during the implementation of two World Bank financed consultancy services contracts costing $908 million.

Amin allegedly made the transfer to

the personal account of two resident engineers for onward transfer to various project officials, an act that constitutes a corrupt practice under the World Bank's Consultancy Guidelines.

After the 34-month ban ends, the sanction will be converted to an 18-month conditional restoration, if he still wants to continue to be a consultant. He will also be expected to undergo training in corporate ethics, which demonstrates commitment to personal integrity and business ethics, as well as implementing an integrity compliance programme that reflects the principles set out in the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines.

This won't be the first time Amin and one of his companies will be in the eye of the storm for alleged sharp practices.

In 2015, his confectionery shop, Chocolate Royale, was shut down by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control over the use and storage of expired and dangerous products to prepare food and confectioneries for the unsuspecting public to buy, as alleged. Acting on a tip off and complaints of violation, the agency also sealed off the residence of

the company’s managing director in Victoria Island, Lagos after a thorough search and confiscation of frozen products worth several millions of naira and deemed to be unsafe for consumption, which were stored in illegal cold-rooms at their MD’s residence.

At the end of the operation, unsafe products worth more than N1 billion were seized. But after adhering to sanctions handed to it by NAFDAC, the place was reopened for business a few months after.

A naturalised citizen of Nigeria, Amin was born in Lebanon, but his family migrated to the United States with his family. His grandfather is from Northern Iraq while his father was born in Palestine. His wife’s grandfather migrated to Nigeria from Lebanon. Mousalli came to Nigeria from the United States of America in 1976 when his wife wanted to spend Christmas with her parents. After his experience he decided to settle in Nigeria with his family.

Other Nigerian CEOs banned by the World Bank for alleged fraud and corrupt practices include, Fela Amosu, owner of Sargittarius Nigeria limited and Sargittarius Henan Water Conservancy Engineering Limited; Christopher Osuala and Christine Osuala, owners of Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited; Egbe Asikong, Imoke Asikong, Rosemary Akabudike and Nelson Elemi, owners of Asbeco Nigeria Limited, to mention only a few.

Wazobia FM Promoter Banned by World Bank For Fraud, Corrupt Practices A

Moussalli

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he battle for the soul of Germaine Auto Centre has forced two siblings, Maryanne Chukwueke and Anthony Chukwueke, a former director in the Department of Petroleum resources and former manager with Shell Petroleum Development Company, now Chairman Board of Directors of Germaine Auto Centre Company, to institute legal actions against each other Originally set up by Chief Jerry Chukwueke, an inlaw to Nigerian rapper, Naetochukwu Chikwe, aka Naeto C, the battle for the ownership of the motor company, a family business, is threatening to engulf the Nwawuba-Chukwueke family. In a bid to safeguard her fundamental right, Maryanne instituted a case against her brother at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Joined as co-respondents are Germaine Auto Centre Limited, the company secretary of the company, Martha Etemu, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police state criminal investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos and Assistant Commissioner of Police Oketunji Lawrence Bola, According to an affidavit sworn to

by Maryanne, she claimed to be a founding member of Germaine Auto Centre Company and has over the years contributed to the development of the company. She also claimed that Anthony used his status and accumulated wealth to muscle her and some of their other siblings out of the management of the company. This forced her to set up her own company, Admiralty Motors Limited in 2002. But in 2019 Anthony, seeing her exploits and how she had successfully managed her own company, approached her to come assist with the management of Germaine Auto Centre, which she agreed to after much pleas from him and other members of the family. She worked as Executive director/vice president of sales and in turn, according to her, made it a viable business enterprise by expanding its operations. However, in April

The Chukwuekes 2021 she noticed that Anthony began to present the assets of her company, Admiralty Motors Ltd, as his own and even went further to do an evaluation of her company in the name of Germaine Auto Centre Limited. This caused her to believe that both Anthony and Martha were making efforts to unlawfully claim her company and its assets, prompting her to lock up the premises so as to prevent trespassing on the property.

She alleged that Anthony mobilised hoodlums to forcefully invade the premises of her company, but when they were unable to gain entrance to the premises, they sought the assistance of the Nigerian Police, Elemoro, where criminal allegations were made against her. Since there was no evidence to substantiate their allegations against her, the DPO let her go. Rather than get respite, she claims to have been receiving threatening messages and disturbing phone calls from Anthony, Martha Etemu and their agents, including some police officers. In September 2021, Anthony suspended Maryanne indefinitely from her job at Germaine Auto Centre. Now she is asking for N80 million in aggravated damages while urging the court to restrain the police and its officers from inviting, arresting, detaining, or harassing her over a purely civil or commercial transaction between her, Anthony and Martha. She also urged the court to restrain both Anthony and Martha from interfering with the property belonging to her while also asking

for 5 million naira as the cost of this legal action.

Expectedly, both Anthony and Martha denied the allegations in a counteraffidavit, insisting that Maryanne holds no shares in Germaine Auto Centre in her personal capacity, but only does so collectively and jointly by virtue of her membership of the Nwawuba-Chukwueke family, a major shareholder in the company. Also that allocation of shares has been put off until Germaine Auto Centre satisfies its indebtedness in full and reverts in entirety to the Nwawuba-Chukwueke.

According to Anthony and Martha, Admiralty Motors Ltd is not solely owned by Maryanne but by members of the Nwawuba-Chukwueke family collectively and jointly, adding that after Maryanne’s exit from Germaine Auto Centre in 2002, the family incorporated Admiralty Motors Ltd with the aim of providing alternative employment for its members who could not remain in the Germaine Auto Centre for one reason or the other. The said incorporation was backed and funded by Anthony. They added that Maryanne only assumed the position of director and that in no way made her the sole owner of Admiralty Motors Ltd. The case which received an order for status quo to be maintained, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion filed by Maryanne, was initially adjourned till February 22, 2022 but up until going to press, the case is yet to be deliberated on.

waiting and a series of meetings to resolve the differences between nominees for the stool and for one of them to assume the role of Olu of Ikeja. The choice of 33-year-old Temitope was arrived at, eight-years after Oba Rauf Adeniyi Aremu Matemi passed away.

Following this decision, those who had earlier been picked to ascend the throne, Nurudeen Adeleye and Wasiu Adeleye and awaiting the state government's ratification, were asked to step aside due to their inability to resolve a lingering feud over who should rightfully occupy the throne. The Osoja family also denounced a certain Tajudeen Muritala, a real estate expert, who they claim is an impostor and has been parading himself as the king but really does not belong to the royal family, with no claim to the

throne. In a letter, the Osoja family appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to treat with utmost urgency the family’s decision to avoid further delay so as to enthrone peace and progress in the community.

An administrator, transformational leader and information technology genius, Temitope is also an activist who advocated an end to police brutality in Nigeria. He was elected by youths through online voting as one of the members of the Lagos Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for victims after the #EndSARS saga died down. As a representative of the panel, he was tasked with listening to the submission of survivors, interrogating the accused personnel, determining the veracity of all claims, recommending punishments for the guilty and appropriate compensation for the victims.

#Endsars Promoter, Temitope Majekodunmi, Becomes Olu of Ikeja-Designate

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emitope Majekodunmi, one of the promoters of the #EndSARS protests, has been named the Olu of Ikeja designate, following a unanimous agreement within the Osoja royal family of Ikeja. This decision was reached after years of

Majekodunmi

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FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 05, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

Late OJB Jezreel's Wife, Mabel Okungbowa, Down With Severe Ailment

SAMMIE OKPOSO BOUNCES BACK, RESUMES MUSIC MINISTRY

Okposo

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ospel music star, Sammie Okposo, seems to have pushed the adultery saga that threatened his marriage of 12 years behind him and returned to the gospel music scene. The singer, who

suspended his singing ministry because of infidelity, is set to release a new song titled Comot Body.

The song, which comes as an audio and video track, will be dropping on February 28, 2022.

It was written and produced by the singer and recorded at Zamar Studios. It features two other notable gospel artistes, Mike Abdul and Bidemi Olaoba.

This development is coming a few weeks after a Nigerian lady based in the United States, African Doll called out the gospel act for making her pregnant, abandoning her and later asking her to abort the pregnancy. Following the lady’s move, Okposo went on a musical break, tendered an open apology to his wife, Ozioma and the body of Christ for his misdeed.

Sammie suspended himself from ministerial work and promised to resume after getting fully restored to the faith. Some churches who were disappointed in him for not living above board as a married man and a gospel artiste removed him from their scheduled programme of events list of gospel singers. He also withdrew into his shell. He resumed, affirming the word of God on social media a few days after his public apology. And he promised never to commit adultery again. The talented musician promised not to let his mistake affect his singing ministry.

Mide Martins Reunites With Abandoned Half-Brother

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few months after she was accused of abandoning her half-brother, Damilare Peters, actress Mide Martins has now reunited with him.

Damilare is the product of a dalliance between Juju maestro, Sir Shina Peters and popular actress, Funmi Martins.

Funmi unfortunately passed on a few months after giving birth to Damilare in 2002.

After Funmi’s death, her aged mother who was living in Abeokuta took custody of Damilare. But after her death, he was sent to live with one of his uncles in Ogun State.

Unfortunately, he had to drop out of school for want of funds. Mide was accused of blocking all access through which Damilare could have reached her. Naysayers claimed she abandoned her role as a sister and THEWILLNIGERIA

never acknowledged the boy as her brother.

The actress denied it all, saying that she tried her best, even when her grandmother was alive, to take custody of Damilare.

She revealed that she had been mute on the controversy because it was about an issue that she believed should be resolved within the family and not on social media. Shina Peters, who was also accused of abandoning his son, also promised to take full responsibility for his up-keep. Damilare and Mide were recently spotted together at a recent matriculation ceremony held at the Bells University, Ota, Ogun State, where he is currently a student. The beautiful actress was happy to reunite with her brother after the controversy.

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Osifo

LINDA OSIFO BAGS CANADIAN AWARD

abel, first wife of late music producer, Babatunde Jezreel Okungbowa, is down with a spinal cord ailment. The ailment was discovered after she went for an MRI scan, which revealed that two of her spinal discs, C5-C6, had shifted. The two are said to be swollen out of their positions, thereby causing her great and serious pain.

Lumbar Laminectomy, a surgical procedure has been recommended to correct the anomaly so that she can get back on her feet again.

The woman, who donated

one of her kidneys to her late husband before he passed on, has been in pain so severe that she finds it difficult to sit, walk and move about freely. She has been living on the good will of her friends, well-wishers and members of her family ever since she was diagnosed with the ailment. Her friends and close relations have since been making frantic efforts to raise some money for her treatment. They have also tried to get in touch with her husband’s colleagues in the music industry to come to her aid.

N

ollywood actress, Linda Osifo has been honoured with the Rising Star Excellence Award in Canada. Linda, who traveled to Canada a few weeks ago was presented with her award plaque by Afroglobal, organisers of the award in Canada. She was honoured for her achievements in the movie industry. The award gala took place virtually in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the awardees got their plaque a few months after the virtual event. The elated actress expressed her profound gratitude to the organisers of the award and added that it is one of the special awards she would be receiving this year.

Linda Osifo has also been nominated for the fifth edition of the Nigeria Achievers Awards in the the Best Actress of the Year category.

According to the actress who was happy to announce the milestone in her career, she stated that nominations are proof that people and organisations are watching and appreciating the efforts she put in her career.

This is not the first time that the actress is receiving international recognition for her acting prowess.

In 2015, she was awarded with the African Entertainment Awards, Canada in the Best Actress category.

In 2016, she won the Diaspora Entertainment Award also in the Best Actress category and the Toronto Nollywood International Film Festival as Best Supporting Actress.

The Okungbowas

Tunde Kelani Set to Produce Film on Ayinde Barrister

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easoned film maker, Tunde Kelani, plans to produce a film on the life and times of music icon, Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun, professionally known as Ayinde Barrister.

Following the success of his last movie project, Ayinla which was produced to celebrate late music maestro, Ayinla Omowura, Kelani says he felt it was imperative to tell the intriguing story of another great music icon that pioneered the fuji genre in Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mainframe Productions adds that apart from celebrating Barrister, the movie will also showcase Barrister’s contributions to the development of the music industry in Nigeria.

THEWILL gathered that the movie, which Kelani still has a working

title of the late musician will be released in 2023. Kelani says the idea was conceived about four years ago, but he decided to release that of Ayinla Omowura first. He promised to unveil some of the cast of the movie in no distant time.

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HOW E-MONEY TURNED 40TH BIRTHDAY (BASH) INTO CARNIVAL When he began the countdown to his 40th birthday some weeks ago, many were indeed shocked to discover that Emeka Okonkwo, fondly called E-Money by his friends and associates, the younger brother to popular singer, Kingsley Okonkwo, aka Kcee, would be clocking 40 years. This was understandable, considering his achievements in the business world, the way and manner he carried himself, coupled with his wealth and popularity. IVORY UKONU captures the details of his lavish party, held on Saturday, February 19 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, which was nothing short of a carnival.

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he man, Emeka Okonkwo: He wasn’t born into affluence, but by dint of hard work and determination, he has been able to rewrite the story of his very humble beginning and that of his family. From being a freight agent at the Apapa wharf, E-Money successfully built his business empire, the Five Star Group, which has investments in oil and gas, shipping, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, philanthropy, etc.

The traditional car gifts A tradition he began a few years ago, E-Money gave out luxury vehicles, about a week to his birthday to some staff of his companies and some other worthy and deserving individuals. The cars included posh SUVs and state-of-the-art saloon cars. As usual, his only brother, Kcee, presented the cars to the recipients on his behalf.

The Elegushi pre-birthday dinner A week to the party, Oba Saheed Elegushi hosted E-Money, members of his family and friends to an intimate pre-birthday dinner at his palace. This gesture went a long way to show just how much the monarch respects and values the businessman.

Oba Elegushi also made sure to attend the major party decked in a black suit and his signature bowler hat.

On Zubby Michael’s naira rain A few days to the birthday proper, Nollywood actor, Zubby Michael, who recently spent a whopping sum of N8.9m for a few hours during his birthday celebration, pulled up at E-Money’s house with an entourage to felicitate with him. While they made merry, Zubby who considers himself the richest Nollywood actor, went on a spraying spree on E-Money. He made it rain so much that the celebrant almost got embarrassed by the sheer magnitude of the cash on display. THEWILL reliably gathered that, that was Zubby’s own way of reciprocating E-Money’s past kindness to him.

Kalu, E-M

Bajowa &

oney, wif

e, Kcee

E-Money

handful came in on the day of the party.

Orji Uzor Kalu chaired the party The Senate Chief Whip and presidential aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives The Agwunnas Congress, took time off his campaign to attend the party in company with some of his male and female friends. Dressed in a suit, according to the party dress code, OUK, as he is fondly called, chaired the party.

Major-General Olu Bajowa (retd.) was father of the day Prince Joseph Oluyemi Bajowa, OFR, a retired Major-General of the Nigerian Army and E-Money’s godfather, was at the party as father of the day. In his heartfelt prayers for E-Money, he lavished praises on the celebrant who he described as a humble, respectful, hardworking and generous being, who he had no regrets whatsoever adopting as his son, despite E-Money being of Igbo extraction. He enjoined E-Money to continue in the path he had chosen and to be careful about getting carried away by his fortune, adding that he should continue to use his wealth for community development, humanitarian deeds, to help the less privileged, the widows and the aged.

Igwe Chukwudinigbo Agwunna’s grand entry Chukwudinigbo Agwunna, the Igwe of Enugwu Ukwu kingdom, the Akaji Ofo Nri and Mkpume Azaoku, stormed the venue of the party in his lavish royal paraphernalia accompanied by a large entourage including his beautician/socialite wife, Nina Agwunna.

Many were awed not only by his imposing height, but also by the cultural and royal display he showed off.

The invitation card Simply designed with an access card attached to it, which also came with a bar code, the invitation card was one of the most sought-after items after premium motor spirit.

Ifeanyi Ubah partied hard Judging by the disposition of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah at the party, the businessman and former Anambra governorship candidate of the Youth Progressive Party, has obviously moved on from his failure at the 2021 governorship polls as he was all out to have undiluted fun. A long-time friend and supporter of E-Money, Ubah stayed almost to the end of the party.

The celebrant’s surprise entry In line with the theme of the party, E-Money made his way into the hall, where his guests were already waiting and eager to see him, in one of his Rolls Royce vehicles, from beneath the floor of the hall. Once the contraption on which the Rolls Royce was placed on, rolled up and rested on the floor of the party hall, the first son of the celebrant came down from the vehicle and ushered his father out of the car to the delight of guests.

Obi Cubana honoured his friend Although Obinna Iyiegbu, otherwise known as Obi Cubana, may have taken the ordeal he recently suffered in the hands of the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in his stride, E-Money’s birthday party afforded him the opportunity to really unwind. This is moreso, as he couldn’t make it to the pre-birthday dinner with Oba Elegushi, who is incidentally his personal friend.

A commotion of private jets Despite the biting fuel scarcity, the hangar of the Lagos airport was a commotion of private jets which ferried guests into the commercial city from Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Anambra State. Most of the guests arrived a day before the party while a

Prophet Chukwuemeka Odumeje’s naira rain The controversial cleric put his Onitsha-based church proceedings on hold to attend E-Money’s birthday party. Perhaps, he must have thought he was on his pulpit where money rain is also part of his church culture, as he made it rain endlessly during the party.

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Ubah

The Umenyioras Okwudili Umenyiora buries hatchet with E-Money They used to be very close buddies a few years ago until they had a disagreement and were no longer on speaking terms. Both men vehemently refused to talk about what caused the strain in their relationship. But in a move to get back at E-Money, Okwudili, who is unable to step on US soil over allegations of credit card fraud, set up a music record label, Dilly Records and signed up Presh, one half of the former singing duo of KcPresh. Presh and Kcee, E-Money's older brother, were both signed to Five Star record label owned by E-Money before Presh parted ways with Kcee and the record label over undisclosed reasons. Well the deal between Presh and Dilly was dead on arrival. Anyway Dilly as he is fondly called, was at E-Money's party with his wife, Fifi on the latter's invitation.

The couple were reserved all through their stay at the party.

Belly dancers imported to add spice Belly dancers were imported to add spice to the party. Their dance steps set the stage for the arrival of the celebrant and his family.

The lineup of artistes As earlier stated, the party was designed as a carnival and it lived up to its billing. Artiste after artiste stormed the stage to thrill the celebrant and his guests. From Davido to Flavour N’Abania, Patoranking, Teni, Phyno, Perruzzi, Skiibii, a former signee to E-Money’s record label, Five Star Music and a host of live bands.

Harrysong conspicuously absent Singer and songwriter, Harrison Tare Okiri, aka Harrysong, not only didn’t wish his former record label boss a happy birthday, he also didn’t attend the party. This obviously means that Harrysong, E-Money and his brother, Kcee are yet to bury their grievances which almost tore Five Star Music apart. Years ago, Harrysong attempted to exit the record label before the expiration of his contract with the record label, a situation that resulted in Harrysong getting locked up and nerves getting frayed.

Nollywood well represented He isn't an actor, nor does he play in that sector but players in Nollywood have benefited immensely from E-Money's generosity.

Little wonder they turned up in large numbers to honour him.

Roll call of guests Monarchs, captains of industries, business moguls etc. all jostled to have a piece of E-Money at his party.

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FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 05, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STATE OF THE STATES

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ocated in the North-Central geopolitical zone, Plateau State was created in 1976 out of the old Benue-Plateau State. Its capital and biggest town is Jos. Unlike other states in Nigeria, Plateau is surrounded by boundaries of elevated hills, thus giving it a unique geographical location.

It is bounded by Kaduna and Bauchi States in the north; Taraba in the east, and Nasarawa in the south and west.

Weather conditions are warmer during the rainy season (April to October); and colder during the Harmattan season(December to February).The state is named after the picturesque Jos plateau, dubbed home of peace and tourism, a mountainous area in the northern part of the state with captivating rock formations and waterfalls. Bare rocks are scattered across the grasslands which cover the plateau.

The area has experienced years of tin and columbite mining activities so much that it is strewn with deep gorges and lakes.

Although there are wooded valleys in the southeast, the vegetation is mostly open grassland (formerly wooded, but now with only occasional hedges of cacti and scattered trees), which is used for grazing and farming. The state is best known for its mining production. However, agriculture is the major occupation of the people. Acha (a grain known as ‘hungry rice’) and millet are the chief cash crops; yams, sorghum, corn (maize), potatoes, cowpeas, rice, fruits and vegetables are the staple crops.

Among the major exports of the state are hides and skins and cash crops like Irish potatoes, apples, grapes, wheat, barley and vegetables. The region produces about 200,000 tons of Irish potatoes annually. These crops are grown throughout the year, irrigated during the dry season.

Some traditional trades of the people include cloth dying, calabash carving, leather work, crafting. Fish farming has gradually become a major economic activity in the State.

It has an established modern hatchery with a capacity to produce two million fingerlings of tilapia, carp and mudfish for sale to farmers. In addition to commercial fishery activity, there is also a pond fisheries consultancy service unit to stimulate private investment in fish farming to boost the industry.

Many industries have started to take advantage of the abundant raw materials in the state. These include Makeri Smelting Company, Kaolin industry in Barakin Ladi, Gold and Base, Exiands and Kaduna Prospectus and other agrobased types utilising local agricultural materials, such as NASCO Foods, NASCO Packs, Jos International Breweries, Northern Nigeria Fibre Products and Grand Cereal and Oil Mills Limited and a host of others.

Tourist sites There are many places of tourist attractions. These include Shere Hills, Wase Rocks, Riyom rock formation, Kurra falls, Assop falls, She falls, Jos Wildlife Park, Jos Zoological Garden and Pandam Games Reserve. Others are Kurang volcanic mountain, Naraguta Leather Works, Helena Farm, Museum of Nigeria of traditional architect and the popular Jos Museum. There is also the Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Kwi Conical Hill, Kahwang Basaltic rock formation, Bal Hill Katui, Mining ponds/lakes and the Amuru Bird Sanctuary. The Am-pidong Crater Lake, Foron Sand Dunes, Jal bang Rock and Shendam artworks are places to visit.

Natural resources The natural resources include ore of niobium associated with tin, tantalite, wolfram (tungsten), kaolin, zircon, and uranium. Others are Lead and iron ore, columbite, arytes, kaolin, zircon, monazite, marble, limestone, sphalerite, quartz, galena, glass sand, clay and gemstones.

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The purpose of State of the States project, is to present evidence-based alternatives. These include avenues for the sub-nationals to become more viable and less dependent on the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) – referred to as Abuja handout.

State of the States, a bi-weekly publication, features two states per edition. It endeavours to unearth hidden treasures in each state and ascertain, through consultations and

PLATEAU STATE

Agric and Rural Development The state through the Agric Services Training Centre and Marketing (ASTC&M) Limited train farmers to improve on their farming methods for better yield and profit. The state government has released funds for the repair of tractors and harvesters, including the upgrading of the Milky Way Diary Farm in Bokkos, which has been expanded. A new breed of Fresian cows has been stocked, a new processing line has also been installed and the general environment of the farm and factory has been upgraded. The production of yoghurt and other dairy products are going on to meet market demands.

“We offer training and have already trained over 4,000 farmers. We offer services in all aspects of agriculture both to small and large scale farmers. Our impact includes the number of Green Houses evident on the Plateau. Some of our trainees have gone beyond the state, building Green Houses for interested farmers,” the state government said.

FACT-FILE: LGA: 17 Land Area: 11,936sqmi Registered businesses: 665 Public primary schools: 1,985 circa Public secondary schools: 1,145 circa University (3): Federal - 1, state - 1, private -1 Polytechnic: State - 1 College of Education (2): Federal -1, state - 1 College of Agriculture: Federal - 3 Nursing School (6): Federal - 5, private -1

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School of Health Technology: State - 2 Technical school: State- 1 NTA TV College, 1 Film Institute 1 Airport: 1 Total Revenue: N54.76bn @ 2020 Total Tax: N17.11bn IGR: N119.12bn @ 2020 (34.92% of total revenue) FAAC: N35.64bn @ 2020 (65.08% of total revenue) Domestic Debt: N137.77bn @ 2020 External Debt: $37.923m @ 2020 Unemployment rate: 26.15% @ 2020

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here are concerns that Nigeria’s worsening revenue challenge may escalate into a financial implosion, with the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (sub-nationals), being the worst hit. The situation is aggravated by the nation’s escalating public debt stock (now over #35 trillion). The debt stock comprises domestic and external loan obligations of the Federal Government and the sub-nationals.

With over 70 percent of the nation’s revenue committed to debt servicing annually, governments at all levels are struggling to survive. There is little left for capital budget, pay salaries and undertake other priorities to grow the economy. Moreover, there is a limit to which the people and corporates could be taxed. Yet, profligacy and waste take the

evidence-based survey, areas of comparative advantages and economies of scale. The publication will show-case, in no exaggerated terms, the socio-economic status of each state and highlight the opportunities and threats.

Furthermore, State of the States will examine existing realities that hinge on sector-specific areas of competitive advantage – Agriculture, Tourism, Transportation, Education and Skill Acquisition, Wellbeing and MSMEs. Ultimately, the project seeks to create the desired spotlight on the sub-nationals to motivate them to venture into something different for better results.

We have featured Lagos and Ogun, Kwara and Kogi, Anambra and Enugu, Benue and Taraba, Kebbi and Sokoto, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, Edo and Delta, Ekiti and Osun, Bauchi and Gombe, Rivers and Bayelsa, Kano and Jigawa, Imo and Abia Borno and Yobe, Nasarawa and Kaduna, Ondo and Oyo, Zamfara and Niger.

Crater lake

Introduction:

centre of our governance space while frugality assumes the back seat.

As such, the sub-nationals are hemorrhaging huge resources in paying salaries and other emoluments of a bloated bureaucracy. To survive, they are urged to diversify their revenue base, embark on aggressive internally generated revenue (IGR) and depend less on the shrinking federal allocations.

Lalong

BY SAM DIALA & OLAYEMI SHABA

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FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 05, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STATE OF THE STATES

Imperatives of Rethinking Development of Plateau 1 . Rethinking Leadership: Plateau State requires an alternative leadership at this time in national history.

The need of the hour is for a value based no excuse ethical visionary servant/father leadership with requisite competencies to engage the emerging context and possible futures that has the capacity to make or sink the state deeper into misery depending on the capacity of the leader and his or her team to reposition the state and steer it to safe harbor.

2. Rethinking Economic dependency on financing Economic growth: The convergence of triple waves- COVID-19, Climate Change and Recession in 2020 triggered a global economic crisis with attendant pressure on Nigeria’s oil dependent economy as global oil prices crashed resulting in low demand, low earnings from oil and shrinking of the national economy by 1.8 per cent in 2020. We note that Plateau State is dependent on oil revenues from the Federation Account to the tune of 73 per cent (Boston Consulting Group, Plateau state Development Strategy, 2019-2023). Plateau state is 33/36 in terms of state sustainability when compared with other states in the federation. Added to this is that Plateau State’s debt profile is unsustainable. The conclusion here is that without monthly Federal allocations Plateau state cannot survive. The emerging team of leadership needs to roll up their sleeves to begin the hard work.

3. Rethinking Development assumptions and growth path: The current oil-based economic development path, which Plateau State and indeed, all the states in Nigeria have followed historically, is unsustainable given the frequent changes in international oil prices and its effects on the economies of not only the Federal Government but also

the economies of State governments. Additionally given the current transition to alternative energies, the implication is that Plateau state must develop and adopt an alternative logic to drive economic development. Plateau State needs to set forth a clear path for transitioning from an oil based economy in order to prepare the state to withstand the adverse winds which would emerge as global transitions are made from a linear fossil driven economy to a sustainable circular economic pathway. This it can do by developing and adopting a new Plateau State Green growth strategy.

4. Rethinking Plateau’s brand Assets: In 2013, a FinnishAmerican visited Plateau state and was so captivated by the Tomatoes produced in Jos given that its premium quality, fresh and clean. She became inspired to set up Tomato Jos An agro-processing venture in Kaduna. In 2020 the firm attracted $4.2 million investments while as at September 8th 2021 the firm received an additional N494 million grant from USAID-funded. What this says to us is that if Plateau state puts its act together the required financing can be secured.

Beyond this is that the state has more than twenty five brand assets that can shift it from an oil dependent state. Tomato is just one. What about Jos eggs, Jos vegetables etc? The new team in Plateau State needs to arise early enough to being putting coherent plans in place there is a lot of work to do.

5. Rethinking Security: People often argue that the crisis in Jos scares investors. While business needs a secure environment, the assumption about the insecurity in Plateau state and investments is not completely true. From 20162021 Kaduna state with the more challenging security environment attracted $2.6billion Local and Foreign

investment into the state. If investments can pour into Kaduna state in spite of the fact that the state is daily in the news for the wrong reasons, it implies that Plateau state’s emerging leadership needs to prepare to engage differently.

6. Rethinking Unity and diversity: Plateau State ethnic nationalities need to jettison the ‘small minded approach’ to managing the indigenous ethnicities and diversity. Tragically the past government through actions essentially was perceived as a ‘Berom government’, the current government is perceived as that of the ‘Ankwes (Shendam) and the Afizeres. This perception of sends a message that excludes rather than includes. The implication is that it becomes difficult to get the consensus needed to drive development.

7. Rethinking Faith: Plateau is a ‘religious’ capital of some sort to the extent that Christians and Muslims are ready to shed human blood for the sake of their religion.

Tragically, this level of commitment and piety does not support development through providing the required ethical infrastructure to drive development. True faith cannot coexist with the scandalous level of misery, poverty, pain and injustice manifest in the state.

8. Rethinking innovation and development: Plateau state has a vibrant, creative and innovative youth population. The state should leverage on its innovative youth population to seed a culture of innovation driven by a knowledge economy.

• Courtesy: Samuel DanAuta Kyarshik Challenging Factors: Insecurity, communal clashes, closed businesses, poor road networks, multiple taxes.

ENDOWMENT AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Tin Mining and Production

Travels and Tourism

Coffee Café

Boutique (Winter Clothes)

Hotels and Guest House

Restaurant and Bar

Food Processing

Mechanised Farming

Transportation

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STATE OF THE STATES creating jobs. The intervention by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture through the distribution of industrial salt is one of these measures. The state disclosed that there is massive distribution of 2,036 50kg bags of industrial salt worth N35 million donated by the Federal Government to support hides and skins traders in Katsina. This is in consideration of the fact that the state is yet to have a processing plant for the raw material.

The Chairman of the State Union of Hides and Skin Traders, Alhaji Rabiu Abdulkarim Bakori, commended the effort of the Federal Government, urging it to carry out such interventions regularly. He called on the government to establish a hides, skins and leather industry in the state to boost the business in the state.

Katsina Roundabout

Emir of Daura Palace

University (3): Federal - 1, state - 1, private - 1 Polytechnic: State - 2 College of Education (3): Federal - 1, State - 1, private - 1 College of Agriculture: 1 Nursing School & Midwifery: State 2 School of Health Technology: State 1 Technical school (7): State - 5, private - 2 College of Legal & General Studies - 1 Total Tax: N11bn @ 2020 IGR: N11.39bn @ 2020 (15.66% of total revenue) FAAC: N61.39 bn @ 2020 (84.34% of total revenue) Domestic Debt: N48,03 bn @ 2020 External Debt: $56.17m @ 2020 Unemployment rate: 25.5% @ 2020 Airport: 1

Kusugu Well

FACT FILE: LGA: 34 Land Area: 9,341sqmi Registered businesses: 77 Public primary schools: 2,360 circa Public secondary schools: 775 circa

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atsina State was created from Kaduna State on September 23, 1987, its capital and main town is Katsina. It borders Kaduna State to the south, Jigawa and Kano States to the east, Zamfara State to the west and the Niger Republic to the north. Katsina State usually records 0mm rainfall from January to March, 1mm, 9mm and 41mm in April, May and June respectively, 85mm, 119mm, 40mm and 8mm for the months of July, August, September and October, while November and December records 0mm rainfall.

The economy of the state depends largely on agriculture, which is the major occupation of the people. Crops produced includes millet, guinea corn, groundnut, cotton, maize, beans, rice, wheat, yam, sugar cane and soya beans.

Vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions, lotus and pepper are grown in abundance. The state is said to be the largest producer of cotton in Nigeria. Livestock production is also one of the major occupations of the people and it is in commercial quantity for dairy products and meat. The traditional farming method of ox-driven plough is still practised by some people. Mechanised farming is engaged for large-scale farming. Aside from agriculture, the state is synonymous with craft works, cloth weaving, iron works, pottery and ceramics, leather works, wood, calabash carving and raffia works.

Some of the major industries are Dana Steel formerly Katsina Steel Rolling Company, Saulawa Machines and Fabrication Factory, Hamada Carpets, Funtua Textiles, Shema Industries Dutsin-ma, Funtua Cotton Seeds Crushing Company, Katsina Oil Mill, Funtua Bottling Company, Northern Dairies Funtua, Funtua Burnt Bricks Factory, Kankara Kaolin Processing Company, Funtua Cotton Ginnery, Malumfashi Cotton Ginnery and Katsina Flour Mills.

There are many dams in Katsina State. They include Zobe Dam, Ajiwa Dam, Sabke Dam, Jibia Dam and Mairuwa and Gwagwaye Dams.

Nearly 90 percent of the towns and villages in the state have been connected to the National Grid. At present, there is a Wind Power Generating Project at Marabar Rimi, which is expected to produce 10 megawatts of electricity. The project is the first of its kind in the Federation.

Mineral Resources Different types of mineral resources abound in many locations across the state, such as gold, uranium, iron ore, nikel, asbestos, kaolin, silica sands, fire clay, lead oxide, manganese and ball clay.

Tourist sites Emir of Katsina’s Palace, Emir of Daura’s Palace, Kusugu Well, Gobarau Minaret, Katsina City Wall, Jibia Holiday Resort and National Museum, Katsina.

Agriculture and Rural Development There is a Federal Government intervention to boost the production of hides and skin business as a way of

KATSINA STATE

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STATE OF THE STATES

Katsina Embraces Infrastructure to Boost Economy T he Katsina State Government has embarked on various road projects aimed at promoting agriculture towards a better economy and development of the state. The government said it took this measure to raise the standard of living of the people through job creation and attracting investment.

The state government has completed the rehabilitation and construction of 13 roads to ease the transportation of goods, farm produce and livestock to markets in both rural and urban areas.

In addition to township roads and drainages constructed to avert flooding, it has commenced the construction of a N5.8 billion interchange (underpass) projects at Kofar Kaura and Kofar Kwaya. The projects were awarded to Traicta Construction. The Kofar Kaura underpass was awarded at the cost of N3 billion, while that of Kofar Kwaya was at the cost of N2.8 billion.

Speaking during the groundbreaking of the projects, Governor Aminu Masari, said 70 percent of the N5.8 billion had been paid to the contractor handling the project. He said, “The contractor of these two particular projects would have no excuse because

already we have paid in advance 70 per cent of the total cost”.

“And we had made adequate provision that if the contractor can perform magic and finish these projects in one day, he will have his remaining money ready for him.

“My appeal to the contractor and the consultant is about quality of work, especially draining water from the roads because it is very important for the roads to last longer and be beneficial to the people of Katsina state.”

He expressed his administration’s determination and commitment to provide all that is needed and indeed, conducive environment for business to thrive in all nook and cranny of the state.

According to him, “Since a good road network is one of such conditions necessary to boost economic activities, the government will not rest on its oars to provide roads linking all our towns and villages.”

The state is reported to have spent over N5 billion for the provision of drainage to tackle erosion within the Katsina metropolitan area.

On its part, the contractor assured the government and people of the state that his company would deliver good quality job on the first Katsina city interchanges and complete the projects on or even before the timeframe of 12 months.

Meanwhile, the Katsina State road projects, which are part of the overall rural and urban development efforts of the state government, is sure to play a significant role in opening the state to promote economic sustainability and intra state transportation as residents good road network .

In addition, Katsina is to generate about 10 megawatts of electricity through its windmill power project established by the Federal Government, which says that adequate measures had been taken to ensure speedy completion of project. The windmill and power substation project will generate about 10 megawatts of electricity. The projection is that the country’s power stock should range between 11,000 t0 25,000 megawatts in the coming years while other options include scaling up the energy mix.

Challenging Factors: Insecurity, communal clashes, closed businesses, poor road networks, multiple taxes.

ENDOWMENT AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Cotton Production

Cross-Border Haulage Business

Animal Husbandry

Milk Processing

Leather Products Manufacturing

Groundnut Production and Packaging

Animal Feeds Production

Cornflakes Manufacturing

Veterinary Services

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SportsLive Criticisms Trail FIFA President’s Comments On Biennial World Cup the FIFA President and his crew that he had inadvertently put himself in a bind. To wriggle himself free, Infantino needed to offer some clarification. For that purpose, he said: "Given that certain remarks made by me before the Council of Europe earlier today appear to have been misinterpreted and taken out of context, I wish to clarify that... my more general message was that everyone in a decision-making position has a responsibility to help improve the situation of people around the world. If there are more opportunities available, including in Africa, but certainly not limited to that continent, this should allow people to take these opportunities in their own countries.

This was a general comment, which was not directly related to the possibility of playing a World Cup every two years."

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

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Expectedly, this was not warmly welcomed by the majority of those who reacted to the migration reference and not a few found it incredulous for the knowledgeable Infantino to so offhandedly couch his arguments for more African participation in the hosting of the global football tournament with migrants who risk their lives through the crossing of the Mediterranean for a chance at a better life overseas. Yet, to make the reference even more curious, the 51-year-old football administrator appeared to concede that the availability of more hosting chances may not be the silver bullet for crossMediterranean migration, when he said that a biennial World Cup “might not be the answer” while adding: “We will discuss what the best way is to be more inclusive, not just to speak about saying no to discrimination, but to actually act in exactly that direction. By being more inclusive. By bringing everybody on board. By trying to give opportunities, hope and dignity to the entire world.”

The queries that that reference generated, while the TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations was underway in Cameroon, was swift and retributory. Racial sentiments, which had already been whipped up by the jaundiced perspective of the AFCON competition by the majority of big clubs in Europe, went overboard. These clubs, were trying to stop their players from honouring the invitations of their African nations to play at AFCON used every ploy imaginable, such as injuries, late arrival of call-up letters, COVID-related fears, threats of armed insurrection my separatists in Cameroon and arm-twisting tactics, to stop these African stars on which their team chances depended from making it to Cameroon with their compatriots. Only the insistence of the Confederation of African Football working in tandem with the local organising committee and the determination of African footballers to be at the biggest football competition on the continent saw to the overwhelming success of the competition.

It was head-scratching therefore that Infantino, who had unequivocally backed the need for AFCON while requiring European clubs to release African players and who had the support of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the proposals for a Biennial World Cup format, will turn around and engage in comments such as he made with a tinge of racial undertones. This discombobulating scenario underlined the general theme of reactions to Infantino's framing of his stance.

For instance, Tony Burnett, Chief Executive of "Kick It Out", the organisation that challenges discrimination, encourages inclusive practices and works for positive change, condemned the comments in a statement that said: "FIFA is a multi-billion profit-making organisation. They already have the funds to invest in creating and inspiring opportunity for disadvantaged people around the world.

It is therefore completely unacceptable to suggest that a biennial World Cup, predominantly set up to drive further THEWILLNIGERIA

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Infantino

t a Wednesday, January 26 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) 2022 winter plenary, President of world football governing body, FIFA, Gianni Infantino incurred the ire of many when he expressed himself in terms that were liable to misinterpretation. Infantino was addressing the Strasbourg-hosted session on a debate on football governance: business and values and on sports policies in times of crisis, and the FIFA President stressed the need for a biennial World Cup on the basis that it would provide more opportunities for people across the globe. It was all according to script until Infantino said: "We need to give opportunities and we need to give dignity. Not by giving charity, but by allowing the rest of the world to participate. We need to give hope to Africans so they don't need to cross the Mediterranean in order to find, maybe, a better life, but more probably death in the sea."

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On the whole, the reason for the criticism the FIFA President faced and the defense he ventured in his efforts at clarifying what he meant were not exactly incongruent profits for FIFA, could be a solution for migrants who risk their lives, sometimes fleeing war-torn countries, to seek a better life. If FIFA has a genuine commitment to tackling inequality, they should be investing time and resource into charitable causes on the ground, rather than disguising what appears to be a profit-making biennial World Cup as the answer to any existing problems."

In a more barbed reaction to Infantino's comment, Ronan Evain, the chief executive of Football Supporters Europe, tweeted: “How low can Infantino go? Instrumentalising death in the Mediterranean to sell his megalomaniac plan is beyond words.” The sharp criticism from Europe is to be expected as the continent's response to the Future of Football project, led by the former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and under which the football body's biennial plans are couched, has been a resounding "No". But, the most related push back came from the professional, who work directly with those who know a lot about migration across the Mediterranean and have the insight to tell that could have informed Infantino's linking of Football, world cups and the Mediterranean. Andrew Stroehlein, media director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) tweeted: "My colleagues at Human Rights Watch interview refugees around the world pretty much every day. We write reports about the reasons -- the abuses, the hardships -- that forced them to leave their homes. They never mention the timing of World Cup tournaments."

It did not take long for it to become abundantly obvious to

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On the whole, the reason for the criticism the FIFA President faced and the defense he ventured in his efforts at clarifying what he meant were not exactly incongruent. Infantino was recommending more tournaments on the African continent based on his belief that it will, with FIFA's support, help governments in Africa provide opportunities in their countries which were lacking and which absence led many to risk lives and limbs on the arduous and perilous journey overseas in search of a better life for themselves and theirs. While it oversimplifies a major African problem to the barest, there is no gainsaying that Infantino failed to grasp the complex nature of the problem, which football hosting rights alone cannot resolve because the man himself made this concession when, aforementioned, he admitted that their biennial World Cup Proposals ,“might not be the answer”.

There is enough literature to point to existing problems in the harvesting in young talents from the continent abroad with promises of football glory and the chance to become the next George Weah, the next Kanu Nwankwo, the next Austin Jay Jay Okocha or the next Samuel Eto'o Fils. That is well documented as is the fact that only a fraction of those who leave Africa on such promises ever make something of their lives and football careers.

Nonetheless, the desire to play professional football in Europe continues to drive hundreds of young boys to embark on a perilous migrant journey. Along the way, these young Africans frequently fall into the hands of unscrupulous gamblers and swindlers posing as football agents but actually are human traffickers.

These are today's victims of football's version of human trafficking: a slave trade that splits families apart, transports children to foreign cities, and then abandons them in the name of profit. North Africa and the coastal nations of the Sub-Saharan west of the continent are the two main exporting "zones" for traffickers. In 2009, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights issued a report warning of the emergence of a "modern slave trade" involving young African players. Between 2005 and 2014, there were more than 7,000 recorded incidents in France alone, according to a research by the Culture Foot Solidaire (CFS), an organisation dedicated to combating football trafficking. Foot Solidaire calculates that agents pocket anywhere between £2,000 and £6,500 for each child they send to a fictitious trial. According to CFS, 98% of those would-be footballers who make it to Paris are illegal immigrants, and 70% are under the age of 18.

These are not to be jumbled in the same taxonomy as economic migrants looking for access to Europe through the Mediterranean. Yet, both of these classes of migrants require committed, complex structural solutions beyond what a biennial World Cup format, that serves to enrich FIFA's coffers, can provide. And, it will do the President to be more circumspect about his choice of words in future.

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Goodluck Jonathan And His Purported Presidential Bid In 2023

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he campaign to get former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to run for the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been making news headlines. By Wednesday last week, the subject matter, which I initially considered to be the ambitious kite-flying of some paid hands, had morphed into a full-blown social media campaign that was going viral under a handful of hashtags.

It became obvious that more than a coterie of online foot soldiers were at work flying kites to attract attention, but the very dedicated drive purposefully backed by some insidious dramatis personae with a doubtful wherewithal to pull off what will amount to a civilianon-civilian coup never before seen in the annals of Nigeria's political practice.

How else can it be framed, that within a brief span of political life, with most of the maligned condemnation of Dr. Jonathan, which formed the basis of the ruling party's campaign against his administration in 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), still fresh in the contemporary consciousness, we are witnessing the teething moves to draft the former president into this same party to compete in the primaries against his main arch-nemesis in Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi and Bola Ahmed Tinubu? How can the irony not be lost on those whose convoluted minds crafted such an elaborate, yet disingenuous plot?

There are very obvious and straightforward reasons why this is unfortunate for the Jonathan legacy, if I'm being generous, on the one hand, and the party at the centre of the scheme, the APC, which is struggling to conduct a rancour-free national convention, just as the former president wobbled into a devastating and bitter defeat in the 2015 presidential election.

This is why I think it is such a terrible idea for those behind this plot and for Dr. Jonathan and his legacy.

A good place to start will be the farming and fishing suburb of Otuoke in the Ogbia Local Government Area of oil-rich Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region where a little known politician with a doctorate in zoology, who would later rise to the highest office in the country, began life with nothing of the fame that will forever become synonymous with his christening as "Goodluck."

The luck for the country appeared to have started around the time Jonathan was born to an impoverished family of canoe-makers in the remote district of Otuoke who scrimped and saved to put him through school. In the late 1950s, oil was first discovered in the mangrove creeks around Otuoke.

Long before the circumstances that brought him to reckoning at the state and national levels, the erstwhile lecturer at the Rivers State College of Education, who earned his PhD in zoology in 1995, aspired to the exalted position of chairman of a local government area, as the modest ambitions of his level gave him the gumption to pursue. Yet, before he could actualise this dream, he was taken from his job as an environmental protection chief at the now defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development and Commission (OMPADEC) to serve as running mate to the PDP governorship candidate in Bayelsa and later, governor of the state, late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. This was part of a series of events that showed the hands of fortune were turning him in a direction other than he anticipated for himself all the way to Aso Rock in 2010; first, from deputy governor to governor and then from vice president to acting president and finally to substantive president after his election and swearing-in in 2010.

This fortune-based elevation of Dr. Jonathan, in my opinion, happens to be his weakest point now and the reason why the scheme to bring him back to Aso Rock is designed to further humiliate him. Sadly, the former President appears to have caught the bait of the schemers, who appear adamant on leading him on another

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self-inflicted political misadventure and ultimate defeat at the presidential primary of the APC. Jonathan and those plotting to make him the presidential candidate of the APC are banking on President Muhammadu Buhari’s endorsement.

This is a very long shot in my view and not worth sacrificing his statesmanship for.

From widely available facts, it is conceivable to conclude that Jonathan lacks the political craftsmanship and sagacity to form a coalition that can defeat the likes of Tinubu, Amaechi or any other notable presidential aspirant in the APC. This is because the former President is devoid of the sort of political currency that can command respect within the APC. He does not even command any respect in his current party, the PDP, a disappointing legacy for a former President who led the party for at least six years.

Even as President and supposed leader of his party, Jonathan did not have the kind of influence and firm grip on power that his predecessors, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, had.

Even calling President Buhari, after the latter was declared winner of the 2015 elections, was viewed by many in his party as a rookie move that finally nailed the party’s fate in that election.

If Jonathan defects to the APC and presents himself for the presidency, then he stands the danger of forfeiting the statesmanship he earned for being the firstever incumbent in Nigerian history to suffer defeat and peacefully hand over power to his opponent In the days after leaving office, his status within the PDP has shrivelled into insignificance. He is neither consulted when necessary nor accorded the respect due a former leader of the party on whose platform he started his political journey that took him to the seat of government in Abuja.

An exact exemplification of how lowly Jonathan is regarded is on display ahead of the Bayelsa local government elections slated for May 14.

The party is organising its campaigns and preparing for the polls at his own backyard without as much as bringing someone of such clout as a former president into the fray because as far as the party’s leaders are concerned, he does not have much to offer them and they are better off without involving him. It is but the starkest indication of how extremely low he is valued as a political interest in his home state. How much more across the country? Obviously, there are fans of the former President, who still believe he was the

best thing to have happened to Nigeria since the return to civilian rule but that flies in the face of facts.

It takes more than a cursory look at the slew probes the incumbent administration has launched into the endemic corruption that hallmarked Jonathan's government, from the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who was accused of siphoning USD2.1 billion arms money benchmarked for prosecuting the deadly war against Boko Haram insurgents, to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, whose entire haul is believed to be in hundreds of millions of dollars, among several others who are being prosecuted in various courts for graft and theft of public funds. That Jonathan himself is not under probe is simply due to a gentleman's agreement among incumbents to refrain from prosecuting their predecessors in government.

There is also the constitutional hurdle that may preclude Jonathan from running for president a second time. This is because of an amendment to the 1999 Constitution that many constitutional scholars believe makes Jonathan ineligible to run and emerge as president again, having taken the Oath of Office twice for the same office.

The contention, which was brought forward ahead of the 2015 polls, was that Jonathan had previously had his first term to conclude the unexpired term ‎of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua between May 6, 2010 to May 29, 2011 and a second term from May 29, 2011 to May 29, 2015. Therefore, he was rendered ineligible to contest again based on Section 135 and 137 of the amendment. How this hurdle is surmounted will play a role in determining if the Jonathan gamble will fly.

I still ponder how a Jonathan candidacy in the APC will be sold to the voting public, considering the damage that the Buhari administration has done to his brand. Since he lost in 2015 and now, there has been nothing to show that he will be any different as president if he is given another chance to lead the country again. He may desire to do things differently, but the acumen to lead men and marshal resources for a country as intricate as Nigeria demands brinkmanship and craft, which is something he still lacks.

The entire campaign, therefore, is a pointer to what can be queried as the character of the man himself. Why will anyone who values themselves consider flirting with the idea of running for the top job in the country on the ticket of the same party that maligned their integrity, questioned their forthrightness, cast aspersions on their name and destroyed their legacy?

If there was any iota of value left to Jonathan's name, he will never be caught hobnobbing with the APC for anything politically. No one can prevent him, as a private citizen that he is, from running either way and he is entitled to the platform he decides to jump onto, but, in the same vein, we are entitled to question his rationale and judge his character by his actions.

If Jonathan defects to the APC and presents himself for the presidency, then he stands the danger of forfeiting the statesmanship he earned for being the first-ever incumbent in Nigerian history to suffer defeat and peacefully hand over power to his opponent, having been pronounced the vanquished. A defeat at the APC primary will bring his unenviable trajectory to an end.

Yet, a redeeming opportunity knocks for Jonathan. He is better off flaunting his credentials as a statesman of global reckoning than swimming in the dirty murky waters of partisan politics.

Dr. Jonathan must categorically state on record that he has neither the intention to run for president nor the desire to do so through the APC. He should finish by asking Nigerians to interrogate those offering themselves for service thoroughly and choose wisely at the next general election, while wishing the country well going forward. But I am doubtful that Jonathan is even able to do this.

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