Sunday 5th March 2017

Rising Export Pushes Nigeria's Foreign Trade to N5.28tn in Q4 James Emejo in Abuja Nigeria's total value of external merchandise trade rose to N5.28 trillion in the fourth quarter of last year (Q4 2016) compared to N4.78 trillion in the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics

(NBS) has said.

According to the NBS, this is the first quarterly positive trade balance to be recorded since the fourth quarter of 2015 Total export was valued at N2.98 trillion compared to N2.43 trillion in the previ-

ous quarter. Total import, however, fell to N2.31 trillion in Q4, representing 6.1 per cent decrease from N2.46 trillion in Q3.

Crude oil exports totalled N2.43 trillion while the Noncrude oil exports accounted for N553.57 billion as well

as Non-oil exports, which recorded N129.55 billion in Q4.

According to the NBS, the much faster rise in the value of exports relative to the rise in imports brought the country's trade balance to N671.3 billion during the

review period, showing a stark improvement from the negative trade balance of N-136.0 billion recorded in the preceding quarter.

It added that the positive trade index came as a result of the rise of N656.3 billion or 28.3 per cent, in the value

of exports combined with a decline of N150.9 billion or 6.1 per cent in the value of imports against the levels recorded in the preceding quarter.

For the full year, however, Continued on page 8

Kukah: APC Was Not Prepared for Governance ...Page 82 Sunday 5 March, 2017 Vol 22. No 7990

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Barkindo Reveals How Kachikwu Nominated Him for OPEC Job ...Pg 12

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To Tackle Corruption, Ekweremadu Seeks Decentralisation of Anti-graft War ...Pg 12

Obasanjo, a Gift Intricately Tied to Nigerian History, Says Osinbajo Leaders pay tributes to former president at 80 Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta The sterling qualities of former President Olusegun Obasanjo were extolled yesterday as leaders from across Africa converged on Abeokuta for his 80th birthday celebration, with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo describing him as a

gift intricately tied to Nigerian history.

Speaking at the inauguration of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) and the library’s Central Mosque as part of activities marking the former President’s 80th birthday celebration, Osinbajo noted his strategic

roles in the nation’s history and concluded that “Obasanjo is therefore a gift in various ways being so intricately tied

to the history of Nigeria.”

He noted that few years after independence, he played a crucial role in the civil war

and later became military head of state during which he midwifed a transition programme that culminated

in the election of the first executive president.

Continued on page 8

Jonathan's Peace Moves in Jeopardy as Makarfi, Sheriff Head to Supreme Court Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s intervention for a peaceful resolution of the lingering crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have suffered a major setback as the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee is already at the Supreme Court to challenge the recent Court of Appeal

See THISDAY Style Inside…

judgment in favour of the Senator Alli Modu Sheriff leadership.

Jonathan had accepted to assist in resolving the crisis in the party, a decision believed to have brought some relief and renewed confidence to stakeholders, who believed that a political solution to the crisis was possible after all.

But the excitement arising from this was cut short the moment the Makarfi group headed for the Supreme Court Continued on page 8

CELEBRATING AN ICON L-R: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson at the inauguration of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta ...yesterday

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PAGE EIGHT JONATHAN'S PEACE MOVES IN JEOPARDY AS MAKARFI, SHERIFF HEAD TO SUPREME COURT to appeal the judgment that conceded the PDP leadership to the Sheriff group.

THISDAY gathered at the weekend that Sheriff has been served with the notice of appeal at the Supreme Court.

A top member of the Sheriffled leadership and spokesman, Mr. Daniel Mikko, told THISDAY last night that the notice of appeal signified the resumption of legal fireworks by both parties.

By implication, Mikko added that the latest move might have put the reconciliatory talks in jeopardy. He said this was so because nobody would be going into such discussions with confidence.

"Nobody will be comfortable continuing with the peace talks once there is a Sword

of Damocles dangling over his head", he said.

Although the Makarfi-led caretaker committee has vowed to proceed with the appeal to the Supreme Court, spokesman of the group, Chief Dayo Adeyeye, said his group had nothing against the move

by Jonathan to broker peace in the party.

"The former president has made good effort; let him continue. We have nothing against it but the understanding we had with the former president is that we shall continue with peace efforts without prejudice to the ongoing court process. So, the court process will go on and if there is any political solution, that will be okay. We cannot wait for the political

solution before going back to the court," he said.

Adeyeye explained that there was every reason for them to insist on seeing the appeal through to the Supreme Court in order to put the party in a strong position for negotiation.

However, with regards to the Jonathan peace moves and the renewed effort by the PDP standing committee on reconciliation headed by the Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Dickson, and Senator Ibrahim Mantu, the two sides said they would support the initiative.

Mikko told THISDAY that the Dickson committee would complement efforts of the former president in settling most of the animosities

amongst members.

"Looking at the grievances that are being heard across board, I think this is the best time for him to look into the grievances held by party members with a view to resolving them. We feel the Dickson committee will serve to complement what former President Jonathan is dong.

They are not working at crosspurposes but complementing each other," he said.

On factors responsible for the failure of previous peace efforts, Mikko said before the latest Court of Appeal judgment, there was a proposal canvassed by Sheriff to the effect that both sides should select six persons each as acting members of the National Working Committee pending

OBASANJO, A GIFT INTRICATELY TIED TO NIGERIAN HISTORY, SAYS OSINBAJO He said in retirement, Obasanjo embraced farming before he returned back to public service as elected president in two elections, and later handed over to another elected president.

He, therefore, said Obasanjo's enduring legacy would be his belief in one strong, detribalised Nigeria, and in an Africa united in vision and thoughts.

Describing him as an authentic African icon, Osinbajo said Obasanjo’s Pan-Africanist vision could be gleaned from the large presence of Africa’s serving and former heads of governments at the event.

"But we diminish his vision if we do not recognize his place as a world - stateman even that is evident from the representatives of the world that are present here today", he added.

He noted that at every turn, “the former president recorded his views and perspectives especially in various books, articles, seminars and now in this amazing monument to add credible life of service to our continent and to our world.�

According to him, “Very

few human beings have a chance of making history and fewer still have a good fortune of making history, writing it as you go along and living longer to even establish a library and write history in your own words.�

He added: "Baba Olusegun Obasanjo is certainly one of those rare human beings."

"But we diminish his vision if we do not recognize his place as a world statesman, even that is evident from the representatives of the world that are present here today", he added.

The acting president said: "History is the most compassionate teacher.

At some point in time we were told in an adage that experience is the best teacher but now we know it is only half of a wise saying. The full statement of that adage is that experience is the best teacher for a fool, a wise man doesn't need the pain of experience, history is a kinder and a more compassionate teacher."

Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson, in her remarks, said, "the lessons herein are more than academic or events from the past, when history and technology meet

as eloquently displayed in Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, history becomes alive as a dynamic reality and development of human kind for our people".

Speaking further, she said, "our children will read events of history, will live, interact, feel and challenge the interpretation of past events.�

Describing the library as a project to be emulated by others, the Liberian President advised African children, adults, scholars everywhere and friends of Africa worldwide to visit the Presidential library to feel the exhibits from the life and times of a great son of Nigeria and Africa.

Obasanjo in his comment at the event said the Library was the fulfillment of the vision and mission he had in 1988 to collect vital materials on the civil war.

The former president, who described the library as a centre of knowledge, said the it would also sustain culture and encourage tourism.

Leaders who graced the event were former President Goodluck Jonathan, President Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson of

Liberia; President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, former President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of Kenya, former President Joyce Banda of Malawi; former President William Mkapa of Tanzania, former President Nicephore Soglo of Benin Republic, former president John Kuffor of Ghana and former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Koffi Annan.

Also at the event were House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Minister of Mines, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former Governor Olusegun Osoba, former Governor Gbenga Daniels, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; former Governor Donald Duke; former Governor Liyel Imoke; former Governor Alao Akala; Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; Mr. Femi Otedola; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Senator Ali Modu Sherif, Senate Minority Whip, Goodswill Akpabio; Mr. Andrew Young, and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, among others.

a new national convention.

"Part of the proposal that we put out was that both parties should appoint six persons each to serve as acting members of the NWC, who would make presentations to the NEC meeting after which we will go for a national convention on September 25.

But Makarfi did not get back to us on its position, instead they opted for the botched convention on August 17.

"After that they insisted that they were going to get favorable judgment from the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Now that the case has been won and lost, what we are saying is that let everyone join hands to plan for a unity convention.

We are not saying that we won but let everybody come together and let's set an agenda for a national convention.�

But in spite of the appeal court judgment, one issue that has not been resolved outside of the judicial pronouncement is who controls the apparatus of the party and leads the rest of party members to organise a convention.

While Sheriff believes that his victory at the appeal court automatically confers on him the powers to assume leadership and organise a national convention, the Makarfi group sees such as a temporary advantage which is going to be upturned soon at the Supreme Court.

Makarfi and other leaders who have refused to recognise the Sheriff leadership feel they have the support of a majority of the mainstream members of the party.

Mikko, however, thinks differently. According to him, "There are no two ways to it: Sheriff is the national chairman of the PDP. The court has said so and the convention is going to be presided over by the chairman. It is stated in the party's constitution and no other person should preside".

It is against this backdrop that Dickson has appealed to leaders of the party to be ready to make sacrifices for the overall success of the ongoing peace initiatives.

The Bayelsa State governor said his committee had started to embark on a wide consultation with party leaders and critical stakeholders across board with a view to building

consensus and confidence in the party before holding an all-inclusive unity national convention to save the party from imminent disintegration.

He said his committee’s preliminary findings indicated that the consultations are already yielding dividends as stakeholders have begun to meet as well as seek a way forward to an all-inclusive national convention, which he reckoned was in the interest of the nation’s fledgling democracy.

A statement signed by Dickson’s Special Adviser on Media Relations, Francis Agbo, quoted the governor as having made the remarks shortly after a meeting of his committee in Abuja last week.

According to the governor, party leaders all over the world make sacrifices to consolidate the political system, adding that the PDP leaders could not do otherwise. He therefore asked party leaders to urgently burry their differences and work for the rediscovery of the PDP. Contending that the PDP is the only political party capable of accommodating all shades of interests in the country, Dickson posited that a political party is like a horse that could go to war only when it is strong.

"I am appealing to all party leaders, critical stakeholders and members across the country to close ranks in the overall interest of our great party. Let the revival of our great party be of paramount interest to all and sundry, for we can only further our political interests in a strong political platform. We have the potential to revive the party but we can only do this if we subsume our divergent interests under the umbrella.�

Dickson said Nigerians were waiting for the PDP to bounce back and play the role of a virile opposition party, warning also that anything short of this would be a disservice to the people and the founding fathers of the party.

He therefore maintained that an amicable political solution was the best option for the party and that the proposed convention would be a litmus test to gauge the seriousness of party leaders towards reviving the PDP.

RISING EXPORT PUSHES NIGERIA'S FOREIGN TRADE TO N5.28TN IN Q4 total trade stood at N17.34 trillion or 6.47 per cent more than the N16.30 trillion recorded in 2015 and N23.67 trillion in 2014.

Total exports for 2016 stood at N8.53 trillion compared to N9.59 trillion in 2015 while total imports stood at N8.82 trillion compared to N6.69 trillion in 2015.

As a result, the country recorded a negative trade balance of -N290.13 billion in 2016 compared to trade surplus of N2.895 trillion in 2015 and surplus of N8.92 trillion in 2014.

In 2016, crude oil exports accounted for N6.99 trillion while the non-crude oil exports accounted for N1.53 trillion as well as non-oil Ě‹ Ë? Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ ÞËÞĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ ĂŒĂŽĂ&#x;ÖËäÓä Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ëž ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă?ĂœËœ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă‹Ă•Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ&#x; Ă™Ă‘Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ëž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ëœ exports of N344.37 billion. Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă&#x;ÕÙÖË Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă•Ă“Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÕÙÞÙ ÞËÞĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă¤Ă“ĂœĂ“ Ă‹Ă—ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂĄĂ‹Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă? ÙãËÖ Ă‹Ă”Ă?Ă?ĂžĂŁËœ ĂœĂ™Ă?Ë› ĂœĂžĂ?Ă?Ă?

In Q4, however, India, the

Ă™ĂœĂ¤Ă&#x;Ă‹ Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĚ‹ Ă“Ă Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă‹ ÞËÎÓĂ&#x;Ă—Ëœ ĂŒĂ™Ă•Ă™Ëœ Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞËÞĂ? ˛˛˛ ĂŁĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Netherlands, and the United

States of America accounted for 16 per cent, 11.2 per cent and 10.6 per cent of total exports respectively.

On the other hand, China, Belgium, and the Netherlands accounted for 17.5 per cent, 15.4 per cent and 10 per cent of Nigeria's import in Q4.

Interestingly, Nigeria exported goods mainly to India, Netherlands, the United States, Spain and South Africa, whose values stood at N475.6 billion or 16.0 per cent, N334.2 billion or 11.2 per cent, N317.2 billion or 10.6 per cent, N286.8 billion or 9.6 per cent, and N160.4 billion or 5.4 per cent respectively in Q4 2016.

The natural liquefied gas recorded N351.4 billion of the total export value during the period under review.

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SUNDAY COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE TASK BEFORE CJN ONNOGHEN Justice Onnoghen needs a new wave of reform to restore credibility to the bench

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fter his confirmation last week by the Senate, Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen became the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). It was a fitting end to a needless drama that started with his nomination as acting CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 10 last year.

With the process now concluded, Onnoghen has his job cut out for him at a period the judiciary in Nigeria is on trial. This is not only because some judges are actually facing charges of corruption, the confidence of the public has been badly shaken by the antics of many of the men and women on the bench.

Unfortunately, the debate that dominated the appointment of Onnoghen as acting CJN and eventual nomination to the Senate for confirmation was about the politics of North and South.

Yet in the application of law in a secular state, justice should be blind to which section of the country a judge hails from.

It should be about the protection of the rights and liberties of citizens and the promotion of the rule of law and public good in a milieu where individuals have overpowered the system such that justice is no longer to the weak.

At his confirmation hearing, Justice Onnoghen made allusion to this state of affairs by imputing that the judicial arm of government is neither free nor independent in Nigeria. “The judiciary will welcome a day when a decision is handed down by the court and it is obeyed. That is when the judiciary will be independent,” he said in a coded but strong message to the presidency.

We agree with Justice Onnoghen that disobedience to court order, which is fast becoming the norm under the

Buhari administration, constitutes perhaps the greatest threat to our democracy. Resort to self-help in the resolution of disputes, which the government is unwittingly encouraging, can only result in anarchy. It is all the more disturbing against the background that Section 287 of the constitution which all political office holders swore to uphold w and defend imposes on them a binding duty to obey the judgments of our courts. We hope the authorities will take note of the statement by the new CJN.

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From the delays in the administration of justice which are most often deliberate acts, to the culture of tardiness and corruption which robs the institution of its impartiality, fairness and independence, there is an urgent need to restore integrity to the bar and the bench in Nigeria

Letters to the Editor

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITOR VINCENT OBIA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

owever, there is also a need for internal house-cleansing. The crisis of credibility afflicting the judiciary has taken a serious toll on the institution. Indeed, its image in the eyes of most Nigerians is now severely battered. So bad is the situation that there is an on ongoing investigation of some men and women on the bench, including Supreme Court justices, allegedly linked with corrupt practices. Restoring credibility has therefore become the task of all the relevant stakeholders, but more of Justice Onnoghen as the CJN and chair of the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

That those bringing shame upon the institution are the same custodians charged with maintaining its integrity and prestige is not in doubt. But they also have accomplices as once testified to by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami. Speaking at an event organised by the Ikeja chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Salami pointed accusing fingers at lawyers: “You members of the bar often tell sordid stories or tales of certain high ranking serving or retired judicial officers who act as ‘arrangees’ or couriers of bribe. That is, such are engaged at a fee to reach out to judges to influence or ‘purchase’ justice in certain sensitive cases.”

As we have repeatedly said in our previous editorials, the judiciary is not just any institution: it is an important arm of government that knits human society together. Yet the function of law as instrument of social engineering is made difficult in Nigeria by the corruption of judges.

From the delays in the administration of justice which are most often deliberate acts, to the culture owf tardiness and corruption which robs the institution of its impartiality, fairness and independence, there is an urgent need to restore integrity to the bar and the bench in Nigeria.

We wish Justice Onnoghen all the best in his new assignment as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LAGOS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND SOCIAL HARMONY

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t is worrisome that a sprawling metropolis of Lagos status, that attained mega city status 10 years back, is still bogged down by such anti -social behaviour like street trading, illegal bus stops, cart pushing and the intractable menace of Okada riders who had defied all existing rules except the ones they made. These activities give Lagos a chaotic look. Sadly, it has been observed that enforcing relevant laws that should curb these anti-social behaviours is quite tough. The reasons for this range from inadequate human and material resources to opposition from rights activists. While these limitations are real, my submission is that, Lagos roads and highways are too accessible to all manner of pedestrians. Therefore, it is imperative that government prevents unwanted users from major roads and highways, especially cart

pushers, street hawkers/traders and okada riders who create illegal bus stops on every inch of major roads and highways.

It is, however, inspiring to note that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has already seized the initiative by addressing the traffic bottleneck that builds up every morning on the Oworonshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge inward the Island. This was done through the creation of spacious bus stop shelters on both ends of the highway and erection of strong mesh wires, which were used to secure and prevent easy access to the ever busy and fast highway.

Similar steps were taken some 500 metres towards Ogudu foreshore. It has been a fantastic respite for both pedestrians and motorists who feel secured using the multi-million naira pedestrian bridge while motorists drive

without the fear of knocking down a hawker or daring pedestrians who brazenly jumped on the highway. When the ongoing bus shelter at Ogudu is completed, more sanity would prevail on the highway. Also, along the newly constructed Mile 12 – Ikorodu road, the Ambode administration has erected wire mesh on some sections along the road. This has helped to reduce traffic considerably. Perhaps, the most impressive is the Mile 12 market end of the road where riotous danfo drivers and cart pushers were effectively cordoned off the highway.

With the success of this laudable initiative, the state government should go ahead to implement this wire-mesh policy all across major highways in the metropolis.

Starting from Ojota Bridge all the way to the Island, this wire mesh can be erected at the service lane, excluding walkways. The iron

steel at Palmgroove and Onipanu is unnecessary because pedestrians have been effectively restricted and guided to use the walkways or the pedestrian bridges. The overhead bridges do not need the wire mesh because accessing them on foot would have been discouraged.

However, at Maryland, on the Independent Bridge, where all manner of street hawkers shove drinks, pirated books, pirated CDs and what have you into your face, the wire mesh will come in handy.

If properly meshed, hawkers would not have access to the highway, thereby making the route less chaotic and cleaner.

The same will apply to the unruly commercial bus driver that chooses to stop to pick passengers at every turn. The wire-mesh strategy should be deployed in such a way that commuters would have to walk to designated bus stops before boarding a bus. With

this, the attraction for drivers to pick passengers at any spot will disappear. Ultimately, the city will be orderly, neat and more appealing. Undoubtedly, these anti-social behaviors persist because; people have unfettered access to the roads, which should not be.

If loose access to major roads and highways is denied, street trading, violations of traffic regulations by Okada riders who need just the same space as a pedestrian to get on the highway and others such will be prevented.

Danfo drivers would equally have no choice but to identify and make use of authorized bus stops.

With this, sanity would reign supreme in the city. Perhaps, more important is the fact that lesser resources would be expended on enforcement while the health of the people will be preserved.

––Lateef Raji, Lagos.

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SUNDAYNEWS

News Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă—ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?

E-mail: Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă—ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă‹Ë›Ă‹Ă•Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?̜ÞÒÓĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—Ëœ ͸΀͸ͺ͚͚͝Ϳ͞͝Π̙Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁĚš

Barkindo Reveals How Kachikwu Nominated Him for OPEC Job Chineme Okafor Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, has provided details of how he was nominated and elected into his current position, including the roles the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, played to ensure he

emerged as what may be described a consensus candidate in the OPEC election.

Barkindo became the 28th Secretary General of OPEC and fourth Nigerian to occupy the post in August 2016 after his electioninJuneatthe169thMeeting of the Conference in Vienna.

Other OPEC Secretary Generals of Nigerian descent were M. O Feyide, Rilwan Lukman, and

Edmund Dakouru.

Speaking during his recent visit to Nigeria and Kachikwu in Abuja, Barkindo stated that he was drafted into the race at the last minute by Kachikwu, whoequallyensuredhebecame aconsensuscandidateoftherace.

He noted that having got the nomination and approval of PresidentMuhammaduBuhari, Kachikwu was hands-on in his

campaign for his candidacy, diplomatically consulting other sovereign member countries with nominations to cede their nationalambitionsforthegroup’s and that he (Barkindo) was the candidate to help OPEC restore its almost waning credibility in the global market. “Thisisanampleopportunity for me to share with my friends andcolleaguesmyimpressionon

ADVOCATES FOR DEVT

Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN (second right), flanked by members of the Private Sector Advocacy Group for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while inaugurating the group at the Villa in Abuja...recently

To Tackle Corruption, Ekweremadu Seeks Decentralisation of Anti-graft War t Calls for N50,000 minimum wage Ademola Babalola Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜ The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called for the urgent decentralisation of the war against corruption if it must be won and decisively too.

To this end, Ekweremadu said the political will to fight corruption must be blind to political affiliation, friendship, ethnicity, religion, and family, adding that, “It must not only be immune to selectiveness, parochialism, nepotism and double standards, butmustbeabletocommandthe goodwill,supportandlegitimacy required to win the battle.�

Ekweremadu, who also called forN50,000minimumwageand abolition of the Security Vote, advocatedthedecentralisationof thefederalanti-graftagenciesand urged the 36 states in the country, to make conscious efforts at setting up anti-corruption agencies, so as to complement the efforts of the federal anti-corruption agencies, in the fight against corruption.

He spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State weekend, where he delivered the 4th National Public Service Lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, withatheme:‘FederalismandThe

LegalFrameworkforCombating Corruption in Nigeria.’ According to the Senator, a situation where the two major anti-corruption agencies in the country, Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) do not have presence in theentirecountry,madethefight against corruption ineffective.

Henoted,forinstance,thatthe ICPC had just six zonal offices and nine state offices, in addition to its headquarters in Abuja, while the EFCC had offices in only eight states, apart from its headquarters in Abuja.

Ekweremadu insisted that “these do not scratch the surface, as they are grossly inadequate for a vast area like Nigeria and leave the agencies highly overstretched.�

On the way forward, he said: “We need far-reaching and indepthreorientation.Importantly, Nigeria being a federation, the waragainstcorruptionmustitself be devolved, and federalised, not centralised as is currently the case�.

He added: “To this end, I wish to make the following suggestions:Decentralisationoffederal anti-corruption agencies, estab-

lishment of State anti-corruption agencies; domestication of anti-graft laws; enthronement of fiscal federalism; decentralised policing, establishment of State orientation agencies, State social intervention /security schemes, State prisons, true economic reformsandpublicparticipationin the anti-corruption war. “Sadly, only Kano state currently has a state agency to fight corruption-theKanoStatePublic ComplaintandAnti-Corruption Commission. This should be emulated, and urgently too, if we must make a headway in the war against graft. “Similarly, a Code of Conduct Bureau should be established in thestateswithaCodeofConduct Tribunal to handle cases of civil servants in the states and local government councils. Besides setting up such agencies, there is also the need for the states to domesticate auxiliary federal laws such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), FiscalResponsibilityAct,among others, to help curb corruption.

Rivers, Oyo, Anambra, Enugu, Ekiti, Lagos, and Ondo are the only States that have so far adopted the ACJA�.

He urged the country to discard the current arrangement of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul,’ to make the war against

corruption more effective, since people are more likely to show more interest in how the money they truly worked for was being spent, than one thrown on their laps, for doing little or nothing.

His words: “Entrenching fiscal federalism will replace the current ‘feeding bottle’ arrangement where the centre holds tightly to the purse-string and feeds the components, with a better arrangement that is predicated on self-reliance, hard work,enterprise,resourcefulness, ingenuity,taxation,transparency, and accountability. “Inthevariouskindred/family meetings, the illiterate farmer or palm wine tapper becomes literatewhenitcomestohowthefines and levies he contributed were spent because it is the product of his sweat, not a windfall from anywhere�.

Listing the various mineral resources in the 36 States of the country, Ekweremadu noted that “The good thing is that every State of the federation is sufficiently endowed to survive from its own resources and sweat�. He also decried a situation where the minimum wage was pegged at N18,000, while some State governors and executivescouldpocketasmuch as N2 billion under the cover of Security Vote.

the honourable minister. I must confessthatinallmyyearsinthis industry and the towers, I had nevermetEmmanuelKachikwu. “Ours is very big industry, he wasinExxonMobilpursuinghis ventures, we were battling here in the towers with the day-today challenges of the industry, but as fate would have it, this gentleman whom I had never met, I had never seen, decided in his own wisdom to ask his staff to look for somebody called MohammedBarkindo,whohad passedthroughthistowers,�said Barkindo in his account of how the process started. “Then I got a phone call in faraway Fairfax in Virginia where I was pursuing my scholarship that the honourable minister of petroleum was looking for me and wanted to speak with me, and I was wondering why he wantedtospeakwithmebecause I hadn’t met this man. “I got to know through the governor that he decided in his ownwisdomaftergoingthrough various vetting, to nominate me forthisjobandpresenttohisboss, President Muhammad Buhari.� “I met him for the first time when I came here to be formally nominated for this job, and from day one he took over as the chief campaign manager. I was the last and seventh candidate, there were already six candidates and so my chances were almost zero because some of the candidates on the ballot had been there for over two to three years since my predecessor’s tenure expired. “He kept on telling me that we must make it and I should not entertain any doubt. He went through, did all he could do and forced the hands of these countriestodroptheircandidate for his candidate and that also showed the level of respect that his colleagues in OPEC have for him. “Thesewererepresentativesof theirgovernmentsbuthelooked them in the face to tell them that he had a better candidate and if we were talking about group interest, we should forget about national interest and focus on the group, and he pledged that his candidate will not let them down.HistorywasmadeinJune in Vienna and since then we had

become friends, brothers and colleagues working together for this industry,� added Barkindo.

Meanwhile, Kachikwu has indicated that the Federal Governmentwouldhavetofully deregulate the downstream petroleum sector of the country soon because implementation of the 2016 price modulation policy it introduced was done at a high cost.

Speakingatthejust-concluded annual Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition where he delivered ministerial remarks, Kachikwu disclosedthatprevailingchanges inthemacroeconomicconditions of the country has made it difficult to continue on that policy.

He said the Nigerian National PetroleumCorporation(NNPC) which takes up the responsibility of ‘supplier of last resort’ was alreadyfeelingthepinchandthat thegovernmentwouldhavefind awaytoresolvethedownstream challenges. “Petroleum products supply and distribution to the nation is fairly stabilised since the giant leap of May 2016 market liberalisation. However, with the prevailing change in the macroeconomic conditions, this is being achieved at higher cost, especially to NNPC as the supplier of the last resort.

We continue to channel more energy towards resolving our downstream issues, once and for all,� said Kachikwu in his remarks.

HeexplainedthattheNigerian downstream infrastructure has been solely financed by government because of the social and economic impact, high investment requirements and long gestation period, but that this has to change for improved investments in downstream infrastructure. “It is in the light of this that comprehensive reforms are ongoing to fast track the development of private sector led downstream infrastructure and fully deregulate the market for effective competition and efficient service delivery,� said the minister, who acknowledged it was a shame and fraudulent for Nigeria to continue to import refined petroleum products.

AU Chairperson Calls Buhari to Wish Him Good Health Tobi Soniyi Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Chairperson of the African Union (AU), President Alpha Conde of Guinea, on Friday, called President Muhammadu Buhari in London, to wish him good health and speedy recovery.

Special Adviser to the PresidentonMediaandPublicity,Mr. Femi Adesina disclosed this in a statement. He said Conde called Buhari on behalf of leaders of member countries of the AU. Adesina said Conde assured the Nigerian President that all African leaders stand with him

in prayers at a time like this. He said: “Buhari, while thanking President Conde for the telephonecall,usedtheopportunity tocongratulatehimonhisrecent electionasAUChairpersonduring the 28th Ordinary Summit of the continental body in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2017. “The Nigerian President, who could not attend the AU Summit, wished his Guinean counterpart a successful tenure.

President Buhari also expressed confidence that Africa will witness improved political stability, security and economic growth during Conde’s tenure.�

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MARCH 5, 2017

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OPINION Nigeria and Open Government Partnership Uche Igwe argues that if well implemented, OGP may indeed transform the governance landscape Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.� – Desmond Tutu

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nformation is a key asset – perhaps one of the most valuable keys in the pursuit of good governance. Whether you want to see the breakdown of the ‘elements’ in a country’s annual budget, the details of the assets of a public officer, the register of companies and property owners or even the health status of your President – information is your ammunition. That is if you must stick to facts and verifiable information and not cheap propaganda or rumour. When a government is willing to promptly and proactively disclose information, such a government is likely to reduce unnecessary suspicion, speculation, and increase trust among citizenry.

If citizens trust their government due to deliberate openness and responsiveness, the expected constructive engagement and resultant accountability relationship naturally fosters democratic consolidation.

That is the ambition of the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

Founded in 2011, this partnership seeks to bring together governments desirous of reforms to share experiences and learn together. Growing from an initial eight countries to now 75 participating countries, it is evident that participating countries have faith in the promises that this initiative seeks to deliver. The questions lingering in the minds of many is whether OGP will deliver on its promises or is it just another western idea to ‘teach’ developing countries good governance through untested slogans?

It is a cheering news however that Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, Nigeria, joined the initiative last July. Since the discovery of oil in commercial quantity, the country is yet to see commensurate development while billions of petro-dollars have been reportedly squandered by the political class. With the recent momentum for reform shown by President Buhari, whose electoral victory was largely due to his no-nonsense stance and anti-corruption credentials, many observers are keenly watching how far the country can leverage on OGP to fight the scourge of corruption that has bedeviled Nigeria since independence, and how far these efforts can go to improve her economy that is currently undergoing recession. In the National Action Plan (NAP) developed by the Nigerian government in collaboration with civil society – a condition for membership; the country committed to four thematic areas of fiscal transparency, anti-corruption, access to information and citizen’s engagement. From these thematic areas, 14 concrete

commitments were developed, with clear milestones and timelines over the next two years. Technology and communication were also identified as crosscutting tools that will drive the implementation of the commitments. Although there is enthusiasm among government agencies and civil society organisations who are participating collaboratively in the OGP process, a section of the population still remains sceptical as to if the country can translate such ambitious commitments to concrete action. Past administrations had mouthed transparency and anti-corruption only to end up driving the country into deeper profligacy and decay.

Nevertheless, the federal government seems determined and resolute on the pathway to openness. Many governmental institutions are already working together to resume implementation of OGP commitments relevant to their mandate. Last week Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami(SAN) disclosed that about N57.9 billion and 666.67 million dollars have so far been recovered by the Buhari administration as fines from corporate organisations and stolen monies from corrupt individuals in the country. The amount recovered seems to be a far cry from the USD89.5 billion which is estimated to have left the country illicitly through criminal trade and money laundering between 1970 and 2008– as estimated by the report of a special United Nations Panel on Illicit financial flows from Africa headed by former South African President Thabo Mbeki. However, recoveries seem to be a useful starting point.

Since the inception of the Buhari administration, many high-level politicians including Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser,

If citizens trust their government due to deliberate openness and responsiveness, the expected constructive engagement and resultant accountability relationship naturally fosters democratic consolidation. That is the ambition of the Open Government Partnership

Ibrahim Dasuki, who served under the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, have been brought to book. Also, the country’s former oil Minister and first female President of the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC), has been accused of laundering millions of dollars of public funds outside the country. She has strongly denied any wrongdoing, though she and her close relatives are reportedly under watch in the United Kingdom and may be charged to court soon. Furthermore, on February 3, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), recovered USD9,772,800 and another £74,000 in cash, in a building allegedly belonging to a former Group Managing Director of the country’s national oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu. Critics from the opposition, People’s Democratic Party(PDP), disparage the ongoing anti-corruption battle in Nigeria as a selective vendetta mission and point at the perceived reluctance of the president to prosecute persons reported to be close to him, who have been linked inexorably to some shady deals in the recent past.

With renewed impetus to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria, through the recent launch by Acting President Yemi Osibanjo, of the “60-Day Action Plan� of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), an initiative to open a public register of beneficial owners in the country’s murky extractive industry led by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) among others, hopes of stakeholders are beginning to be rekindled that Nigeria’s membership of OGP may soon begin to deliver verifiable dividends. With many frontline civil society groups under a coalition known as the Open Alliance, participating in the process, there is assurance that they will insist that government fulfil their promises. Some experts have welcomed Nigeria’s membership as another chance for citizens to demand accountability from their leaders with a history of opacity. For instance, one of the commitments in Nigeria’s OGP Action plan for instance, is to establish a technology-based citizen’s feedback platform between government and its citizens. For a country that has a tele-density of 110.76 (155 million active telephone subscribers) as at January 2017, one can only imagine the huge potential impact such a high level of telephone access could have, especially if government can leverage on it to increase citizen’s feedback on services provided to them. –– Igwe wrote from the Department of Politics, University of Sussex in Brighton, United Kingdom

Re-examining African Bigmanism It is a scandal. But it is mostly true. Chukwuma Chinwo gives a vivid portrait of the big man

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igeria today has an Acting Big man. It is the Vice-President and Acting President. Well not just because he is not big in stature or loquaciousness or otherwise, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice-President of Nigeria is not the typical African big man. I have seen smaller persons than him in every respect, whose constant struggle seem to be to fill every space in their vain efforts to be reckoned with as the big man wherever they are. And you find them in different places, in the university, professions, communities, church, corporate sector, public service and even in the market. If nobody reckons with such big man he makes enough noise to make himself a nuisance. He wants to dominate everyone around and does that in very obtrusive and obstructive if not despicable manner.

Long before he became the vice-president of Nigeria, I have seen Professor Osinbajo in closer quarters. It was first in Ilorin in 2001 at the National Conference of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) when he was the Attorney-General of Lagos State. He spoke at that conference on Integrity and Excellence, two virtues many would not deny him. I have also seen him in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. In the virtues of humility, intelligence, diligence, vision, grace and so forth, he is inversely proportional to his physical appearance. But today’s discussion is not about the acting political big man of Nigeria. It is about the ways of the African big man.

Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, an African who became The Big Man of the United States, was in Africa in 2010 or thereabout. Right there in Ghana he made it clear that the problem of Africa is the African Big man who has no value for rules and institutions but wants everything to revolve around him.

There are several things I later came to disagree with the eloquent and charismatic Obama but I immediately agreed and still agree with him on this. The African Big man is Africa’s biggest problem and he seems determined to ensure the problem persists and remains as big as it has always been. Who is this man? Sometimes he is described as the ‘elite’.

The portrait of this man is everywhere. He is too big to miss or ignore. In any case, he forces you not just to take note of him but bow to him. He is the man who considers obedience to law as an insult and below his dignity. As far as he is concerned law is not made to regulate society and conduct of all, not just for all those who do things against sound doctrine and proper behaviour

irrespective of their status. It is made for the small man and not him. So when there is a law stating the direction of traffic he decides to drive in the opposite direction. When there is a law commanding silence, he blares his siren and amplified communication system. When there is a law that taxes should be paid he would rather bribe officials of government than bring himself to the ‘low level of paying tax to those boys’. When there is a law or rule to ensure order such as queuing in a public place based on one order or another he rejects it and either goes to the front without consideration of others or finds a door behind.

The African big man appears to have his own rules on just about everything. To him it is not compatible to being a big man to be at any place on time. So if an event is scheduled for 10 am, he ‘magnanimously’ starts getting set for it at 10 am. Meanwhile he sends his ‘protocol’ people to go and find out if everyone is seated. He must come in when everyone would see him, rise or bow, not out of statutory courtesy but to show that the man of power or wealth is around. If he is not on the ‘High table’ (he prefers that description), he would create enough scene, moving round the whole place, shaking hands and being loud enough not to be missed. By the time he leaves you can be sure the only things he is taking home are the things that proceeded from his voice. No other person was worth attention. Of course he rarely ‘has the time’ to seat through any event, especially intellectually engaging ones, if he is not the one with the microphone.

When the African big man is a public official then it is woe to that public if it expected him to be a public servant. In Africa that term is anathema. He is the public master. Whether he is a gateman, head of department, lecturer, permanent secretary, head of service, commissioner, minister not to talk of governor or president he is above all – the law, the constitution (which he pays mere compliments to), every human being unless the one who has power to deal with him as he deals with others. It appears he only begrudges subordination to God. Thus he does not have any scruples having his lips filled with talk of God but with his heart far away from God’s command. Who are you to ask an African big man in public service question or to hope anything? One magistrate (now a judge) once asked me in my work as a lawyer ‘who are you to hope anything in my Court?’ A journalist was recently engaged in bringing an African big man in public service to say whether in his view it was infra dig to have a dialogue with his workers. Happily he said that was

not what he meant. It was left to those who heard him to infer what he meant. Do not ask me what I understood or concluded.

Another area where the African big man has made himself a worldwide spectacle and sometimes and object of ridicule is in the idea of wealth. The African big man has his signature all over the place when it comes to wealth. My friends in the Faculty of Social Sciences in University of Port Harcourt, from late Prof. Claude Ake to Dr. Asuk, my teacher on Political Economy, have a phrase which I am not sure they have explained to the African big man: primitive accumulation. I do not know if, notwithstanding the efforts of Dr Asuk, I truly understood what primitive accumulation is. But in my own view any accumulation of wealth that is not put into productive use to serve God and mankind, beginning from one’s homestead is primitive. Any accumulation of wealth that makes one’s generation next to become mere consumers, wasters and, sometimes, destroyers is primitive. Any accumulation of wealth that the owner would be ashamed to tell God Almighty, who gives power to make wealth, how he made it and afraid to let a body like EFCC know that he has it is primitive. Any accumulation of wealth that cannot be attributed to cogent and verifiable work, return on investment, donation or gift, luck (as in lottery), inheritance, is primitive. And it is worsened if its use is utterly selfish or it is not used.

The recent story of Andrew Yakubu was the immediate trigger for this article which has been in mind for over four years now. The EFCC stormed a clearly poor environment, which should be a shame to Yakubu, apparently under security protection by bouncers, and found an amount of money that could bring down the house. I hope EFCC has given the Whistle-blower his princely 5%? To think that persons like Yakubu while telling us lies, long before the era of Lai Mohammed, about the situation of NNPC and crude oil in Nigeria is unbelievable; to realise that for every Yakubu there are at least four directors of NNPC in the lower cadre who, because ‘oga is taking I would also take’; to imagine that the reason why Yakubu was made a spectacle may be because he did not know ‘African table manners’ and he is not from a section of Kaduna or Arewa that can do no wrong should set one thinking and praying for mercy on Nigeria. –––Chinwo is a legal practitioner and law teacher, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

LETTERS Xenophobia and Nigeria-South Africa Relations

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he latest wave of violent attacks on the Nigerians living in South Africa has generated local and international condemnation.

This article examines the core issues of racial intolerance and dislike for foreigners, particularly Nigerians in South Africa, within the broader historical framework of the apartheid regime and the post-apartheid socioeconomic relations, which have over time shaped the existential notions of false community, vague entitlement and empty sense of belonging amongst a number of black South Africans. It further highlights and provides fresh perspectives to addressing reverse migration and building for Nigeria a positive foreign policy template that promotes genuine national pride and national interest.

It put forward that the provision of a national welfare scheme at home for the average Nigerian citizen by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will help to restore hope for young Nigerians waiting to migrate in search of greener pastures and ensure that they would not be caught up as victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa or death in obscure Asian countries.

Indeed, the issue of xenophobia in contemporary South Africa in my view is profound psychosomatic carryovers and the negative product of the apartheid regime that cannot be wished away from the collective consciousness of the people of the rainbow nation.

Zuma

This is even more so, given the attendant dispossession of their heritage and personal pride by the despicable and repugnant apartheid regime, which exploited them in their own land. The reality of these historical facts has continued to obstruct the wheel of progress and development. Furthermore, the political crisis of that dark era led to social dislocation, which in turn affected their economic means, educational advancement and developing the required skill sets that would have prepared them for high-level jobs and proper integration into a new South Africa promising a brighter future.

While xenophobic violence is not a new phenomenon in post-apartheid South Africa, indeed the sudden explosion of violence has been attributed to

a combination of factors which include local political pressures over time, increases in prices of basic goods, high levels of unemployment estimated at 25 per cent and growing concerns and frustrations at the inability of the South African government under incumbent President Jacob Zuma to provide essential services to poor people and the resultant economic hardship and tensions surrounding crime and competition over scarce resources by non-national population. The continued socioeconomic issues are pushing the average Black South African into extreme poverty in the midst of plenty and there is a high level of dissatisfaction with the scheme of things after the fall of the apartheid regime.

It would be recalled that in May and June 2008 there were

135 separate violent incidents that left 62 people dead, at least 670 wounded and unfortunately, dozens were carnally assaulted and many property destroyed and looted. In addition, the South Africa domestic environment has been hostile to non-nationals particularly, undocumented migrants and there is implicit culture of impunity, which encourages mob justice in most communities. Interestingly, South African state security institutions such as the police and immigration services show no sympathy to black settlers from other African countries; the xenophobia appears institutionalised.

Therefore, Nigeria’s international diplomacy should not dwell much on the criticism of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, but rather much attention should be placed on understanding the dynamics of international politics, which is a game of selective morality, outrageous paradox and double standard. Hence, concrete efforts should be made at home to culture an enabling environment that would create jobs and livelihoods for the common people in Nigeria. In addition, Nigeria must re - jig her diplomatic institutions to engage the South African government.

It is important to note that people migrating in search of safer and more prosperous living conditions is as old as man and the right of any person to leave any country is enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

THE MISEDUCATION OF NIGERIANS

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first read Robert Kiyosaki’s evergreen book ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ in 2005 shortly before I dropped out of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. It gave me the impetus to permanently drop my earlier ambition of being referred to as a learned gentleman because it showed a clear nexus between pursuing ones passion and success. It also pointed to the inevitability of being groomed over a period of time to win life’s daunting battles. Robert began taking lessons from his rich dad at the age of nine and ‘graduated’ at the age of 38, some 29 unbroken years of toil, pain and blood equity.

The whole idea to study law was my dad’s who wanted some form of financial security for his eldest son. His intentions were noble and altruistic but was it what I wanted? I had spent three years in law doing everything other than studying it – politics, wild parties, chasing the cutest of nubile maidens, alcohol and the finest of Cuban cigars. I was tired of living a lie and like a demon possessed by a maniacal spell, I took a year off in 2005 without informing my inner circle and came back a year later to switch to English as there was a decision taken two years to bar law students

from switching to political science which I would have preferred to do.

I have two journalism fathers – my biological father, Prince Kanmi Ademiluyi who became the Editor of the defunct Financial Punch, Member, Editorial Board of the now rested Concord and Editor of the defunct Democrats, all before he turned 30. The other is Jimi Disu who was the Assistant Editor of Financial Punch straight from the University of Lagos at 25. He had earlier turned down an offer to study Journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to go to the University of Benin where the deft combination of the effective use of the press and street smart activism saw him rattle the administration of the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tiamiyu Yesufu who had no choice but to flush him out and the other dissidents which made him seek refuge in the University of Lagos, fondly referred to as the “School of First Choice” and the nation’s pride.

He was later to turn down an offer from the Times of London at 27 because of his die-hard belief in the Nigerian project despite the fact that he has a British Passport. This same insane patriotism has made him turn down all

entreaties from friends and family members to go on exile during the heady days of the military rule where he was incarcerated for his NADECO activities with his firm, Jimi Disu & Associates being denied briefs. Things got so bad for him at a point that he watched in tears, a Corona alumnus enroll his children briefly in a Lagos State public school.

A critical look at the life and times of all great men reveals that they first had a great love for what they eventually went into. Money wasn’t the motivating factor.

Zik of Africa had the dream of owning a printing press as a callow-minded student of Methodist Boys High School.

His inspiration to study in the United States of America rather than the United Kingdom which was the popular educational route was obtained after he read the works of James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey. Gani’s principal at Victory College Ikare wrote a letter to his father advising him to study law because he saw the traits of an activist in him. Back to Disu, he started his journalism career at the Methodist Boys High School and did a vacation job at the Daily Times pro bono at 19.

This explains his seamless transition from the print, radio,

television to online journalism despite the challenges that were sturdy enough to break the heart of a lion.

The current placebo given to unemployed youths to acquire vocational skills is highly flawed. A public policy aimed at creating a plethora of youths to end up as mere mercenaries totally separated from the economic endeavours they pursue is a gargantuan recipe for disaster. It is counterproductive to tell a jobless youth to go and learn sewing, baking, etc., and sell the scam to him/her that there lies their economic salvation as if those fields don’t pose their own form of unique challenges.

Permit me to go Biblical: When God created Adam, he gave him the task of taking care of the garden and naming the animals. There was no evidence of a pay cheque but his needs were still met somehow.

The same Bible also says ‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness and every other thing shall be added to you.’ I will rephrase it to suit this context ‘Seek ye first purpose, passion and smart work and every other thing including a solid financial base shall be yours.’

–– Emmanuel Onwubiko, www.huriwa@blogspot.com

While it is not possible to eliminate social tensions in any country, it is expedient on the part of the South African government and its nationals to respect universal and regional treaties, declarations, norms, protocols and conventions rather than resort to barbarous acts that have outraged the conscience of Nigerians and Africans. Indeed the unwholesome of politicisation of migration as an excuse for xenophobia in South Africa must be addressed by diplomatic means by both countries. The issues and factors of migration that include increased unemployment, poverty and greed must be top in re-tooling the new NigeriaSouth Africa partnership. Both countries must promote and sustain protection mechanisms for human rights and conducive environments for decent work by migrant workers and their families whether documented (economic) migrants or undocumented migrants.

Sadly, one major challenge in Nigeria - South Africa relations over years, beyond the recent violent attacks on Nigerians and other Africans, is lack of mutual diplomatic and tactful reciprocity on the part of the South Africa government and the country’s non-state actors for the strategic role Nigeria played in the struggle against apartheid. In addition, this is why Nigerians are angry at the latest attacks. Nigeria played a frontline role in ensuring freedom for black South Africans through the mobilisation of international opinion to isolate the apartheid regime in

the global community, business and sports.

Equally, Nigeria has also provided a robust and unrestricted market for South African businesses like MTN and Multi choice. Therefore, Nigeria must also forge strategic business alliance in South Africa to balance the insalubrious business equation.

Furthermore, beyond the existing skewed bilateral and economic relations in favour of South African businesses in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for both countries to initiate a liberalised migration regime and a robust migration management capacity towards enhancing and strengthening the strategic role of Nigerians in the diasporas as development partner and factoring their contributions to the overall Africa development agenda for sustainable peace and security.

The two countries in my view are not exploiting their leadership and governance roles in sustaining the African dream and indeed the drive for poverty eradication through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Indeed, South Africa and Nigeria, representing the two leading economies in Africa, must play leading roles in driving a sustainable green revolution that would provide food security thereby contributing significantly to overcoming hunger and social tensions that have fueled African emigrations.

Samuel Orovwuje, founder, Humanitarian Care for Displaced Persons, Lagos

A TALE OF VAMPIRES

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he notorious kidnapper, Henry Chibueze, also known as, “Vampire” who escaped from prison custody on January 27, 2017, when some gunmen believed to be his gang members stormed the Owerri High Court in Imo State and rescued him, killing two persons while many others sustained bullet wounds, has been killed in a gun duel with the police,” reported the Vanguard newspapers.

The 30-year-old suspect, met his waterloo, on March 2, 2017, when operatives from the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT) who were deployed to Imo State, trailed him to his hideout in Omu-Awa forest in Ikwerre, Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The police in Imo State said the crimes of the late ‘Vampire’ included killing with his gang, of 200 persons.

Gruesome as these crimes are, there’s perhaps one reason he was typically named a vampire - he feasts on blood.

The dare-devilry of this criminal vampire resembles how a scientist describes the feeding pattern of the animal known as vampire.

His words: “At night long after most visual predator have stopped prowling vampire bats emerge from their roots and take to the wing, flying low across the landscape in search of warm-blooded prey. Within an hour or two, having found appropriate victims and fed on their blood, the bats return to the roost to sleep, feed their young and interact with nestmates”.

Now that we have seen how the criminal gangster known as vampire and the real vampire bats feeds, there’s still a specie of vampire that has even taken over political powers at all levels in Nigeria and are still calling the shots political vampires.

Politically exposed vampires are those persons that the late music legend Fela AnikulapoKuti called ‘animals in human skin’ or those identified in scriptural writings as ‘Wolves in sheep’s clothes’. Some of these vampires have had the misfortune of being elevated as governors and ministers in Nigeria and they had actively led to the demolition of our national economy through coordinated brigandage, bureaucratic corruption, politi–– Emmanuel Onwubiko, www.huriwa@blogspot.com

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

INTERNATIONAL Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea and the Niger Delta Region: Dynamics, Linkages and Challenges

T

he Niger Delta Sixth Dialogue, focusing on ‘Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea and Implications for the Niger Delta Region,’ took place on Tuesday, 28th February, 2017 in Abuja at the Sheraton Hotel.

It was a Two-day Dialogue organised by the Academic Associates Peace Works of which Chief (Dr.) Judith Burdin Asuni is the Executive Director.

It was organised with the support of the European

Union.

The dialogue came on the heels of the many problems identified in the previous ones but which were yet to be resolved. The first dialogue was held at the Eemjm Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Friday June 10, 2016. Some of the then dynamics of insecurity were the closure of the Maritime University allegedly without due process; the award of pipeline surveillance contracts to non-Niger Deltans; the destruction of the environment by flaring of oil spills and gas; consideration of oil mineral exploitation as the only field where artisanal mining is not allowed in Nigeria but made exclusive to multinational companies; non-recognition of the ancestral domain title to land in Nigeria but which is internationally recognised; allocation of oil blocks mostly to non-Niger Deltans, and more importantly, the belief that the Niger Delta produces the wealth of Nigeria and yet the Niger Delta remains underdeveloped.

What is particularly noteworthy about the resolutions of the Uyo dialogue was the decision to set up a Contact Committee to mediate between and among the Niger Delta agitators, local communities and the Federal Government, with the involvement of international observers.

In responding to the foregoing causal factors of insecurity, several suggestions were also made: that the Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko should take off immediately; the headquarters of oil companies should be relocated to the Niger Delta region; recipients of contracts who have abandoned their projects ‘should be named, shamed and prosecuted,’ that there should be increased synergy among the Ministry of Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Amnesty Office and other intervention agencies; addressing more meaningfully the herdsmen/farmers crisis, and ensuring full implementation of the UNEP report, by particularly putting in place processes for performance monitoring.

For the purposes of the foregoing recommendations, two sub-groups, Aand B, were set up. The first group, comprising nine members (HRM King Alfred Diette Spiff, HRM Owong of Akwa Ibom, HRM Dandeson Jaja of Opobo, HRM Orodje of Okpe, Chief Iduh Amadhe, Pastor Power Aginighan, Mr. Felix Tuodolo, Mr. Morris Idiovwha and Senator Helen Esuene). This sub-group Awas charged with the responsibility of engaging the Federal Government. Subgroup B, which had the mandate to engage the Niger Delta agitators, comprised eight members: TK Ogoriba, Ani Esin, Ben Donyegha, Morris Idiovwha, Dan Ekpebide, Annkio Briggs, Chief Godspower Gbenekama and Chief Anabs Sara Igbe.

The second and third dialogues were basically those of the contact group meetings that took place on 13th and 14th July, 2016 at the Best Western Hotel, Udu, Warri and 19th and 20th September, 2016 at the Elkan Terrace Hotel in Port Harcourt respectively.

Virtually all the problems identified at the Uyo dialogue still surfaced at the second and third meetings. New issues were also identified: IDP crisis in the Bakassi, flooding, food security, Ogoni clean-up and Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). At the third meeting, several challenges militating against peacemaking were also noted: Government’s declaration of ‘operation crocodile smile,’ lack of coordinated response from the Federal Government, proliferation of bodies seeking relevance and resurgence of militancy in the Upland Delta.

The fourth dialogue was held in Yenagoa on November 2-3. It addressed the various amnesty programmes in the Niger Delta region. The fifth dialogue, held on 1st and 2nd February, 2017 at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, focused on the NDDC and a New Development Agenda for the Niger Delta Region. The dialogue observed that there was no genuine development in the Niger Delta and that the lack of it had had serious implications for peace and stability beyond the Niger Delta region. Consequently, in its recommendations, request was made for transparency and accountability in the activities of the NDDC, free flow of information from the NDDC, and publication of all contracts awarded by the NDDC. Besides, the dialogue suggested that the governors of the region should no longer own and control the regional economic development plan of the NDDC but should

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Pastor Usani Uguru, Minister of Niger Delta Aairs

work with it in partnership. The NDDC was advised, not only to adopt a bottom-up approach instead of top-bottom approach that has made the agency far away from the people, but also to spend more resources on youth development.

If we take a closer look at the first five dialogue series, it is observable that attention largely focused mainly on issues of development and security in the Niger Delta, as well as efforts to address the challenges. The Sixth Dialogue is different from them mainly because of the attempt to seek solutions to the Niger Delta question by also examining the linkages between insecurity in the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). As such, it is of particular importance for three main reasons: first is the recognition of a deepening state of insecurity in both the Niger Delta and the GoG, hence the need to investigate whatever linkages there might be in the causal dynamics of insecurity in the two regions.

Secondly, there are new factors of insecurity to which little or no attention is paid by relevant governments. They include the issue of the Bakassi Strike Force and the growing grievance of the cession of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon without consultation and consent of the Bakassians living in the peninsula.

The mere fact that the people still prefer to maintain their allegiance to their kith and kin in Nigeria and the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria gives the impression that they now belong to Cameroon through little or no care for their complaints of neglect, there has also been the resultant problem of statelessness, that is, they are neither Cameroonians nor Nigerians.

This is one major source of the anger. Additionally, even when the members of the Bakassi Strike Force offered to surrender their arms for purposes of resettlement and peace, there is nothing to suggest any readiness on the part of the Federal Government of Nigeria to accept. Consequently, the option left for the Bakassi Strike Force is to engage in militancy which has been quite detrimental to economic productivity.

Thirdly, and more importantly, fears are growing that the militants in Nigeria are much likely to reach out to their counterparts in English-speaking Cameroon in order to harmonise their strategies for political self-determination and military struggle for autonomy.

The proponents of independence in Anglophone Cameroon have wished to have Nigeria support their cause right from the time the

Unless the various conicting international interests in the two regions are ďŹ rst reconciled, the quest for enduring peace and security cannot but remain a good dream. Military victory can be possible but that does not necessarily translate into acceptance of military defeat or prevention of guerrilla warfare that may follow such a defeat.

Besides, the principle of self-determination outside of colonial rule has not only become a new issue in international relations but also a new source of insecurity that is difďŹ cult to suppress by manu militari

dispute over the Bakassi Peninsula began. They have argued that, with Nigeria’s support and eventual autonomy of Anglophone Cameroon, Nigeria would be allowed to maintain its sovereignty over the Bakassi. However, the government of Nigeria has always shown hostility to this type of suggestion, not only in the spirit of African Unity, but especially in light of the cordiality of ties between Nigeria and Cameroon, which derived largely from Cameroon’s support for Nigeria during the Biafran war. The request for Nigeria’s has become more difficult to grant with the signing of the Green Tree Agreement.

All these factors combined, are quite worrisome and therefore raise many questions about how to make the GoG and the Niger Delta Region secure. They also raise questions on the extent to which the political leaders of the region have the political commitment to ensure a crime-free region. In fact, the United States has particular interests in the GOG on three grounds: the rich mineral strategic resources in the GOG are self-inviting. The United States wants to have direct access to them. Secondly, the GOG constitutes an access route for international trade, especially for oil resources coming from other regions. It is not only more secure a trade route, it is also more cost effective, considering the challenges of terrorism in the Middle East. Thirdly, the United States considers that there is power vacuum in the GOG region which it thinks should be occupied by it. This explains in part why the United States tried to move the headquarters of the AFRICOM from Stutgatt in Germany to the GOG, particularly to Nigeria. But following Nigeria’s rejection to play host to the AFRICOM, the Washingtonian authorities reviewed the idea of change of headquarters, and therefore suspended it for ten years in 2005.

Perhaps more interestingly, this is why the GoG has been a major subject of inquiry. It is a den of violent crimes since the time of general independence as from 1960: the 1960 Congolese crisis, the Shaba I and Shaba II in the Congo (Kinshasa) in the late 1970s, the 1967-70 Nigeria’s civil war, the conflicts in Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia, current Niger Delta militancy in the South East and Boko Haramism in the North East of Nigeria, the Angolan conflict, Côte d’Ivoire conflict, etc.

In this regard, several efforts at security have been made, but virtually all the security efforts have been to no avail. Why has the GoG been ridden with various crimes ranging from proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs), piracy, vandalisation of oil pipelines and destruction of oil installations, to crude oil theft, drug and human trafficking in spite of the containment efforts?

Without iota of doubt, both the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the entire GoG, comprising 23 countries, are of strategic importance. As submitted by Rt. Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, the Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, ‘the Gulf of Guinea host one of the largest offshore oilfield of the planet that represent about 5% of global reserve. It is therefore pertinent that as we chart our economic projections that the Gulf of Guinea is in focus, especially in the face of present day realities that not only challenge our economic outputs but put great pressure on our security.’ As noted by the Hon. Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Major General Paul T. Boroh, ‘the maritime domain of Nigeria’s coast contains sea foods such as shrimps and fish, oil, gas, and avenues for maritime trade which are crucial for the country’s development. These backwaters also contain vast network of pipelines, oil and gas installations, as well as flow stations, which constitute the economic life of Nigeria.’ If we admit that both the Niger Delta region and the GOG are both of strategic importance to national and regional growth and development, how do we explain the recidivist character of the crimes in both regions? Why has the strategic importance of the regions not prompted enduring commitment to the protection and development of the resources of the regions? Why is it that the international community, particularly the big powers, are more interested in the GOG than the eight member states of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GOGC), on the one hand, and the entire 23 members of the GOG, on the other?

Observations and Recommendations Security in the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea in the foreseeable future is much likely to be seriously threatened for various reasons. First, there is the factor of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SARLs). As pointed out by Ambassador Emmanuel Imohe, former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency and current Chairman of the Presidential Committee on SARLs, weapons are a common denominator in most of the security challenges confronting the GOG. The use of deadly weapons not only escalate the intensity of conflicts but also create obstacles to an early resolution of the problem.

More important, Ambassador Imohe identified many sources of the weapons used for perpetration of crimes in the region: weapons recycled from previous theatres of conflict in the GOG region; local craft production either in-country or from the immediate neighbouring countries; weapons recycled from other theatres of conflict in Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Horn of Africa, etc); weapons stolen from government stocks by non-state actors; weapons from international traffickers of illicit weapons, as well as weapons from the Libyan conflict and the Arab spring revolution.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

BUSINESS QUICK TAKES

Foreign Exchange

Liquidity in the foreign exchange (FX) market got a boost, following the sale of dollars to authorised Bureau de Change(BDC)operatorsinthecountry

by Travelex.

In all, THISDAY learnt that in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) directive, 2,529 BDCs got $8,000 each from Travelex for onward sales toretailcustomers.Thisamountedtoa totalof$20,472,000thatthecurrency dealers received.

The development is expected to improve liquidity in the market and also make dollars more available to retail customers.

ThePresident,AssociationofBureaude ChangeOperatorsofNigeria(ABCON), AlhajiAminuGwadabe,whoconfirmed thecashinjection,expressedoptimism that the intervention would help improve dollar supply in the market.

“Wearehappybecausethepressurein themarkethaseased.Butourmembers are not happy because we are not part of the policy. Up till now, our volume has been capped at $8,000 and our buying rate is still N381 to the dollar, which is far higher than the selling rate of the banks.”

NDIC Nigerian Stock Exchange building, Lagos

The Historic Listing of $1bn Eurobond on NSE Kunle Aderinokun

The Federal Government recently achieved remarkable success with the issuance of its first FX-denominated bonds. The bond, issued under Nigeria’s newly established Global Medium Term Note programme, is the third in the series after the ones in 2011 and 2013. The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 7.875 per cent and will mature on February 16, 2032, with a bullet repayment of the principal.

The Eurobond, which is part of federal government’s funding strategy for its 2016 capital expenditure plan will be utilised to fund key infrastructure projects, in line with its economic plan.

The Notes were approximately eight times oversubscribed with orders in excess of US$7.8 billion compared to a pre-issuance target of US$ 1.0 billion.

Following the massive 780 per cent subscription to the bonds, it was admitted to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and available to trade on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market. Many analysts have attributed this huge oversubscription rate to a buoyant investor appetite for building exposure to Nigeria and the demonstration of international capital markets confidence in the Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

The Notes were issued following a successful one-week roadshow led by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to key global financial centres – London, Los Angeles, Boston and New York. Other members of the delegation include Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Governor of

ECONOMY the Central Bank of Nigeria; Godwin Emefiele, Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO),Dr. Abraham Nwankwo; and Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, In line with federal government’s commitment to the development of the domestic capital market, Debt Management Office (DMO) last Thursday, listed the $1 billion (FGN) Eurobond on the floor of The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The 15-year Sovereign is the first foreign currency denominated security to be listed and traded in the Nigerian capital market.The minimum denomination to participate in the bond is USD200,000 and increment of USD 1000.

First, DMO DG, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, and parties to the listing were hosted to a pre-listing meeting at the council of the exchange where the Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Mr. Ade Bajomo, received the team. In his brief remarks at the pre-listing event, Dr Nwankwo described NSE “a great stock exchange, the pride of Nigeria.”

At the Facts Behind the Listing presentation at the stock exchange, Nwankwo noted that,“The listing of domestic Sovereign Eurobond on the local bourse reinforces FGN’s commitment to deepen and grow the Nigerian capital market. Developing the domestic market can help bridge the infrastructure deficit constraining economic growth.”

Also speaking on the listing, the

Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Mr. Ade Bajomo, commended the DMO for listing the Eurobond on the nation’s bourse.

He noted that the domestic listing would diversify its investors’ base by giving Nigerian institutional investors access to the bond.

Bajomo further remarked that,“The listing of the dollar-denominated bond on the exchange will boost price discovery and liquidity in the local market as well as help attract reliable We are cautiously optimistic, as consensus estimates suggest a moderate recovery for Nigeria in 2017, provided that policy makers implement the right combination of policy measures

long term foreign currency denominated funds into the financial market. It would also set the foundation for raising and listing more foreign denominated securities in Nigeria which will open up additional capital raising options for issuers and portfolio diversification opportunities to investors”.

To ensure seamless trading and settlement of the Eurobond, the Exchange, in collaboration with Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), developed a framework to facilitate onshore and cross border trade and settlement process in line with robust market practices.

At its 2016 NSE Market Recap & 2017 Outlook, the Exchange’s Chief

Executive Officer, Mr Oscar N. Onyema, had raised hopes of a possible buoyant capital market in 2017. He stated that,“There will be a revival of supplementary listings, return of the new issuance market, and potentially one IPO since the equity market is a forward indicator of the economy. We are cautiously optimistic, as consensus estimates suggest a moderate recovery for Nigeria in 2017, provided that policy makers implement the right combination of policy measures.”

To reinforce this, NSE has gone on a listing spree from the beginning of the year. To date, it has listed the Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited listed Pension ETF 40, Top Services Limited listed a Real Estate Investment Trust, Forte Oil listed a N9 Billion Bond etc. With the listing of two companies by introduction at the beginning of the year, Medview Airline and Jaiz Bank added N14.65billion and N36.83billion respectively to the bourse’s market capitalisation.

It would be recalled that MTN, the telecommunications giant, had indicated interest to list on the exchange by 2017. According to experts, MTN listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange would increase the market capitalisation by about 22 per cent.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and NSE have been consistent in its advocacy to the federal government to encourage multinational companies operating in the country to list on the exchange, to give Nigerians the opportunity to benefit from their investments.

TheNigerianDepositInsuranceCorporation (NDIC) has urged depositors to reportanysharppracticebycommercial banks.

It also called on Nigerians to shun dubious financial schemes and wonder bankswhichhavecontinuedtodefraud unsuspecting members of the public.

Speaking at the NDIC day at the on-going 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair the Managing Director of thecorporation,AlhajiUmaruIbrahim, urged customers to report any bank involved in sharp practices, saying the NDIC was out to protect the interest of depositors.

“Depositors and stakeholders are therefore, advised to make effective useofthefreetelephonelineinmaking their enquiries or laying genuine complaintstoNDIConsharppracticesbeing perpetrated by their banks” he said.

Hefurtherwarnedagainstkeepinglarge sumsofmoneyathome,inthemarketor shopsandotherunsafeoutlets,pointing out that there are 978 licensed Micro finance banks nationwide with seven of them located in Kaduna state.

The NDIC boss expressed regret that despite repeated warnings by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the corporation, Nigerians still patronised wonderbanksandsomequestionable financialschemes,especiallythePonzi scheme known as Mavrodi Mundial Movement (MMM).

CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria says it is not against the use of financial technology as the country steps up efforts to enhance its payment system. The centralbanksaiditwasinsupportofinnovationsthatwouldpropele-payment system growth in the country.

The Director, Banking and Payments System, CBN, Mr. Dipo Faitokun, who said these, however, emphasised the need for the regulator to examine the proposedusageofanyinnovationand put necessary guidelines in place for its success.

He spoke at a breakfast meeting on virtual currencies organised by the CharteredInstituteofBankersinLagos.

The forum was tagged, ‘Virtual/ crytocurrency: Evolution, regulation, challenges and impact on the future ofpaymentsandsettlementsystems’.

He said the central bank was meant to support innovations that would improve safety while performing its statutoryroleofmaintainingmonetary and financial stability.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

18

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

A section Balogun textile market, Lagos

With Q4 2016 GDP Report, Economic Recession Slows The latest growth indicators may have signified reduction in the depth of the current economic recession, but experts also note persistent macroeconomic constraints, Kunle Aderinokun and James Emejo write

N

igeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate stood at -1.30 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year (Q4 2016) compared to -2.26 per cent in the previous quarter.

Though GDP growth contracted by -1.51 per cent in full year, the growth figures in Q4 was indicative of gradual movement away from the economic quagmire, given that the economy recorded much negative contraction in the third quarter and given that all the quarters in the year under review recorded declines in growth.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its GDP Growth Estimates for the Fourth Quarter 2016, though the decline in Q4 was less severe than the contraction in the previous quarter, it was nevertheless lower than the 2.11 per cent growth rate recorded in Q4 2015.

The NBS noted that the contraction in the quarter under review reflected,“A difficult year for Nigeria, which included weaker inflationinduced consumption demand, an increase in pipeline vandalism, significantly reduced foreign reserves and a concomitantly weaker currency, and problems in the energy sector such as fuel shortages and lower electricity

generation.”

In monetary terms, real GDP was valued at N18.29 trillion in Q4 and N67.98 trillion in 2016 as a whole.

Though oil production improved to 1.90 million barrels per day (mbpd) in Q4, indicating a 0.27 mbpd higher than the 1.63 mbpd production volume in the previous quarter, oil sector contracted by -13.65 per cent in the year, representing a more significant decline more than the -5.45 per cent in 2015.

Oil sector share of real GDP also reduced to 8.42 per cent in 2016 compared to 9.61 per cent in 2015.

According to the NBS, “This reduction has largely been attributed to vandalism in the Niger Delta region. As a result, the sector contracted by -13.65 per cent; a more significant decline than that in 2015 of -5.45 per cent.”

On the other hand, the non-oil sector declined by -0.33 per cent in real terms in Q4 but increased its share of GDP to 92.85 per cent from 91.94 per cent in Q4 2015.

Essentially, Mining and Quarrying contributed 7.32 per cent to real GDP in Q4, representing a decline of 0.89 per cent relative to the corresponding quarter of 2015 and also a decline of 1.02 per cent points relative to the third quarter of 2016.

Agriculture contributed 25.49 per cent to

overall GDP in the quarter under review, higher than its share of 24.18 per cent in Q4 2015, but less than its share in the previous quarter of 28.65 per cent.

Although, economic analysts see the slowed contraction as positive signs for exiting the recession, current macroeconomic indicators including lack of infrastructure, foreign exchange crisis, high unemployment rate and inflationary pressures remained major challenges to future economic prospects

For 2016 as whole, agriculture increased its share relative to 2015 to 24.43 per cent due to its relatively strong growth rate.

However, the contribution of manufacturing to Nominal GDP was 8.34 per cent lower than the 9.09 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2015, and 8.59 per cent in the third quarter of 2016.

Real GDP growth in manufacturing remained negative in Q4 2016; a contraction of 2.54 per cent was recorded (year-on-year).

According to the NBS, this reflected a number of challenges faced by manufacturing in 2016, such as higher costs of imported inputs as a result of the exchange rate, and higher energy costs as a result of a fall in electricity generation, and more expensive fuel.

Although, economic analysts see the slowed contraction as positive signs for exiting the recession, current macroeconomic indicators including lack of infrastructure, foreign exchange crisis, high unemployment rate and inflationary pressures remained major challenges to future economic prospects.

Nevertheless, the recent appreciation in oil prices and relative peace in the Niger Delta region as well as recent success achieved in the foreign exchange management by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appear to offer further hopes of prosperity in the first

19

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

BUSINESS/ECONOMY With Q4 2016 GDP Report, Economic Recession Slows quarter of the year.

Specifically, analysts who spoke with THISDAY said notwithstanding the seeming improvement in growth figures, relative to previous abysmal performances in preceding quarters, it would be too early to roll out the drums in celebration of improved condition in the economy.

Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Prof. Akpan Ekpo, noted that the -1.5 per cent growth of GDP in 2016 confirmed that the economy was deep in recession last year.

“Even if a marginal positive growth in GDP takes the economy technically out of a recession, the structural problems remain,” he pointed out.

Ekpo, however, added that, “The visible hand of government via spending would enable the economy exit the recession. If 80 per cent of the projects in the 2017 budget are implemented growth would be restored and a robust monetary policy would further enhance growth.”

But, the renowned economist and former CBN director cautioned,“The slight increases in oil prices should not derail the policies, strategies and programmes meant to diversify the economy, “ stating that, “The real sector particularly manufacturing must be revamped.”

An Associate Professor of Finance and Head, Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Uche Uwaleke, expressed concerns over the persistent inflationary pressure amid growth prospects.

According to him, “In view of the GDP growth rates of -2.06 per cent and -2.24 per cent recorded in Q2 and Q3 of 2016 respectively, the Q4 figure of -1.30 per cent simply suggests that the recession is becoming less severe and the country may well be on the path of recovery. It is interesting to note that the 2016 full year figure of -1.5 per cent is lower than the forecast of -1.7 per cent earlier made by the IMF. “ As you well know, the fall in oil revenue is largely to blame for the economic recession given the mono-product nature of the economy.

I think that the current positive developments in the international oil market and the relative peace in the Niger Delta region if sustained will combine to improve revenue for all tiers of government and in particular put the state governments in a stronger position to regularly pay workers’ salaries.”

“This will boost demand for goods and services and generally increase the tempo of economic activities. So, I see the country exiting the recession in a few months’ time.

However, there is the inflationary pressure to tackle. Even when GDP eventually turns positive, a high rate of inflation as we have it today (a little shy of 20 per cent) will rubbish any favourable impact the GDP figure may have on an already high misery index.

“No doubt, the end of recession will be good news for the Central Bank not least because monetary policy implementation will be made a lot easier. Be that as it may, the fight against inflation should not be left to the CBN alone in view of the fact that the key drivers of inflation in Nigeria today, as confirmed by the NBS (high cost of fuel, transport, electricity, housing, food), are largely non-monetary factors. More than ever before, sound fiscal policies are required to address these challenges.”

Also, economist and former acting Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Dr. Muhammad Rislanudeen, said coupled with current GDP growth prospects, the CBN needed to bring much more clarity to forex management and as well curb inflation to keep current hope of recovery alive.

He said: “Even though year on year GDP growth rate contracted to -1.51 per cent in 2016 from 2.11 per cent in 2015, it looks like with reduced pace of both contraction in GDP from -2.24 per cent in third quarter 2016 to -1.30 per cent in fourth quarter 2016, we have seen the worst of the current recession. Also, the pace of month on month increase ininflation has started displaying decreasing rate of increase like from 18.55 per cent in December 2016 to 18.72 per cent in January 2017.

“In response to National Economic Council’s advice to CBN to change its archaic foreign exchange policy, massive injection of liquidity of USD370 million, USD230 million and USD180

Cont’d from Pg.18

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

million has done the magic of bringing down the black market rate from about NGN520 to about NGN450.

“This is positive as it will significantly help to tame down imported inflation and minimise activities of speculative demand as well as rent seeking. However, sustaining this positive trend require increased clarity in CBN foreign exchange policy, closing other forex windows thereby encouraging private investors to provide more liquidity in the market.”

According to him,“With six months foreign exchange forward contracts quoted at NGN381 and maturing three months at NGN354, Bloomberg quoted JP Morgan Chase and Renaissance capital as saying that without free floating currency, Nigeria will still struggle to lure back foreign investors.

“We had a fire brigade approach on foreign exchange policy beginning last week, which in part, worked to close the exchange rate gap. However to consolidate on this, CBN need to close other forex windows and leave only CBN quote and Interbank which can be allowed to partially float with intermittent intervention by CBN to provide stability and liquidity. This will incentivise private investors especially foreign investors where emerging markets are a good investment destination given the low interest rate in developed world.

For example, rates in Bank of England is 0.25 per cent, 0.5 per cent in U.S. Federal reserve and almost zero in Eurozone while Japan’s economy is still in deflation with negative interest rate.”

“With the right forex policy, investment by foreign portfolio investors in Nigeria’s fixed income market is attractive with current tax free interest rate of about 18.44 per cent. Fiscal authorities should also work with CBN to ensure both monetary, fiscal and trade policies complement rather than contradict each other within the context of proposed economic recovery and growth plan due to be launched soon by the President.”

Similarly, economist and ex-banker, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu said a lot of work is still needed to be done especially at the macroeconomic level to achieve and sustain growth.

He said: “With a daily oil production of 2.1million barrels of Oil, arising from a relaxed Niger Delta restiveness within the period under review, and with the Crude Oil Price hovering between $54 to $56 per barrel, it is expected that we should achieve some level of marginal GDP growth within the 1st quarter.

“This growth can be sustained in the 2nd quarter. It is however, not time to roll out drums yet. A lot of work still needs to be done to improve on the other Macro Economic indicators of Inflation, Foreign Exchange Price and its stability, Employment, Balance of Payment etc. Frantic efforts therefore should be made

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

towards improving on all the foregoing indices by putting a self-driven machinery in place.”

Also, Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Limited, Mr. Femi Ademola said the economy may be headed to the inflexion point where growth will turn positive but added that it is important to await positive economic growth before celebrating a possible exit from recession.

According to him,“The overall news is that the economy contracted in the 4th quarter and in 2016 generally. However it is consoling that the decline is lower than expected and lower than the previous quarters.

“This may be an indication that we are getting to the inflexion point where growth will turn positive. The improvement in oil production and higher oil price can help economic growth.

“Increased spending on infrastructure can also help growth in the first quarter of 2017 and thereafter.

We need to wait for positive economic growth before rolling out the drums.”

To the Managing Director and Chief Economist, Global Research, Africa, Razia Khan,“A contraction in GDP last year was a foregone conclusion. The real issue is the nature of recovery that the Nigerian economy now sees.

Do we see the economy ambling along, with a return to positive but still-low growth because the base from last year was so weak? Or do we see strong reformist momentum, that is able to drive higher investment levels and a much more robust growth rate? The latter is likely to be possible only with reliance on foreign flows in the near-term. That will require some measure of market determination of the FX rate.”

Nevertheless, the recent appreciation in oil prices and relative peace in the Niger Delta region as well as recent success achieved in the foreign exchange management by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appear to offer further hopes of prosperity in the first quarter of the year

Besides, Director, Union Capital Markets Ltd, Egie Akpata, who noted that,“The results are largely in line with most analyst forecasts,” believed,“After a sustained contraction, there is likely to be a rebound as the economy adjusts to the new exchange rate and other variables.”

Akpata, however, pointed out that, it is interesting that most forecasts show very marginal growth in GDP for 2017. “In order to see significant growth in GDP this year, the authorities will need to fix the FX situation and drive down interest rates. It is unlikely that a number of key sectors can grow meaningfully without access to FX or borrowing from banks at 30 per cent.”

“CBN MPC decisions in the next 2 meetings will have a big impact on the level of growth to be achieved in 2017. Same for the ability of the Federal Government to quickly implement the 2017 budget,” he added.

Reasoning along the same line, analysts at Renaissance Capital, pointed out that, notwithstanding the Q4 2016 report, their outlook for 2017 is predicated on foreign exchange policy and resolution of the crisis in Niger Delta.

According to them, “Our 2017 growth projection of 0.5 per cent is premised on an improvement in capex, agriculture sustaining c.

4 per cent growth, and oil output stabilising at c. 2mbd. The $1.5billion in foreign loans that the government has secured since November for the budget, and those to come suggests we should see a lift in capex in 2017, compared to 2016. The recent narrowing of the spread between the official and parallel FX rates is positive.

“However, this policy is premised on the central bank sustaining sizeable net FX inflows.

For a sustained improvement in liquidity, we believe the central bank needs to ease FX controls, unify the FX rates and allow for price discovery. This would help key sectors like trade and manufacturing recover. We think a resolution in the Niger Delta would allow for oil output to stabilise at c. 2mbd and support a recovery in FX liquidity.”

However, analysts at FBN Capital expressed disappointment at the performance of the economy in the review period.“Our expectation was modest GDP growth in Q4 on the basis of some recovery in the non-oil economy with help from the usual, seasonal boost. This did not materialise, and the slump in real oil output was worse than we anticipated. That fall was slower than the previous quarter yet still in double digits (-12.4% y/y),” they said.

The analysts pointed out that, “FGN has a major role to play in economic recovery on the fiscal side. Construction contracted for the sixth successive quarter, by 6.1 per cent y/y, and stands to benefit from the planned acceleration in capital releases to spending ministries.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

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BUSINESS/MONEY

As CBN Battles Currency Speculators…

Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest efforts to clamp down on currency speculators and traffickers with a view to strengthening the foreign exchange rate is a step in the right direction, writes Obinna Chima

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently applied policy actions on the foreign exchange market that have unnerved speculators and improved the value of the naira.

The actions, actually, engineered a sudden appreciation of the naira exchange rate against the dollar.

The new FX announced by the central bank, which clearly caught currency speculators and traffickers off guard, has resulted in a significant appreciation in the value of the naira measured against the US dollar.

In fact, the naira exchange rate, which depreciated by 76 per cent on the parallel market in 2016 due to scarcity of the greenback as well as pressure from importers and foreign investors due to capital repatriation, had also dipped by 10 per cent on the parallel market in the first seven weeks of 2017, before the new FX actions were announced. The naira had shed 46.5 per cent and 66 per cent in the interbank and parallel markets respectively between June 2014 and January 2017.

But following the measures announced by the CBN, the nation’s currency recorded a 19 per cent appreciation on the parallel market, from an all-time low of N525/$ in February to about N425/$ last week.

Several parallel market operators and speculators, who had been stockpiling dollars for months have been lamenting that the CBN’s intervention was forcing them to offload their dollars at a loss. But as they bemoaned their losses, market analysts cautioned that they were likely to incur more losses, as the CBN, in keeping with its determination to increase liquidity in the FX market has so far pumped a total of $772 million into market.

Most economists and analysts still expect the naira would further appreciate in the coming days following the sale of about $20 million to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators by Travelex this week.

The CBN had, in explaining the objective of its actions, among other things, said it had resolved to ease the burden of travellers and ensure that transactions are settled at much more competitive exchange rates and had directed all banks to open FX retail outlets at major airports as soon as logistics permit.

Furthermore, as part of efforts to further increase the availability of FX to all end-users, the CBN said it decided to significantly reduce the tenor of its forward sales from the current maximum cycle of 180 days, to no more than 60 days from the date of transaction.

But while some Nigerians and investors have continued to commend the central bank over its action to halt the speculative attack on the naira, some have continued to argue that the seeming currency war victory might be a flash in the pan unless the central bank allows the market to fully determine the exchange rate.

To Float or Not to Float While the debate on whether to freely float the naira or not rages on, the Head of Banking and Finance, Nasarawa State University, Dr. Uche Uwaleke, opined that Nigeria needed a minimum of $32 billion in reserves to be comfortable enough for seven months of imports before it could even decide to float the currency.

Faulting the call for the CBN to freely float the country’s currency, Uwaleke said the supply of forex was yet to be enough to leave the currency to market forces.

He charged the monetary authorities not to succumb to pressure, saying Egypt, which succumbed to pressure to freely-float its currency, has seen its currency depreciate more

Pieces of naira and US dollars

than envisaged.

“If we don’t have this $32 billion, we shouldn’t be thinking of floating the currency. Nigeria needs a minimum of $32 billion to be regarded as comfortable and that is enough to finance seven months of imports. So if we don’t have this $32 billion, we shouldn’t be thinking of floating the currency,” the don said.

Uwaleke added: “Egypt was advised not to float the currency until they got to $25 billion reserve but because Egypt was pressured and in a hurry to get $12 billion International Monetary Fund loan, they did the currency float much earlier and they have now seen the outcome.

So when people say Nigeria should float, why we don’t look at what happened elsewhere to learn?

“In order to boost the economy, the current demand management, which involves forex access restrictions of items that can be produced locally, should be contained. I am not saying that the policy should be kept forever, but we should sustain it until we get out of recession.

If our reserves get to a comfort zone of about $32 billion, then we can begin to think of how to relax the policy,” he added.

Uwaleke urged the CBN, through its development finance function, to identify certain goods that can be produced locally and provide incentives for SMEs to be able to produce locally.

But the Chief Economist, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, said the changes observed in the FX market, essentially increasing FX supply to the interbank market in Nigeria, was a positive step in the right direction.

“However for the impact on spreads with the parallel market to be more long-lasting, Nigeria needs to go a step further, in allowing for greater price determination (that is determination of the FX rate) on the interbank market.

“Until the interbank market is freed to play a greater role in exchange rate determination, there is no guarantee that increased FX supply will be sustainable.

“There will be no real recovery in the Nigerian economy until the FX shortage is resolved – only a technical recovery off a very weak base,” Khan added.

Also, analysts at Renaissance Capital held the view that although the measures by the CBN were a move in the right direction, “but as we expected they fell short of a full liberalisation.”

“The CBN plans to use the $5 billion in FX reserves it has built up (via a deliberate policy of building up reserves since November) to increase liquidity in the interbank market and make FX available for retail transactions (including travel allowances and school and medical fees). This will affect about 20 per cent of FX transactions.

“The CBN has introduced FX flexibility with respect to retail transactions by allowing them to take place at an FX rate not exceeding 20 per cent above the interbank FX rate. We take this to mean that retail transactions can be settled at any rate in the N315-380/$ range.

While we think this will provide much-needed short-term FX liquidity relief for the banks, it does not necessarily address all the current issues.

“FX policy remains interventionist, with the CBN still providing guidance on the FX rate.

Furthermore, the CBN will remain the biggest supplier of liquidity on the interbank market.

“There was no mention of restoring an FX market where banks trade on a two-way quoting basis, whereby banks are free to buy from all FX sellers and sell to their customers at market rates for price discovery,” Renaissance Capital added.

However, the Chief Executive Officer of Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Mr. Ike Chioke, recently said Nigeria’s present economic environment did not support a fully flexible exchange rate regime.

He also said it would lead to massive capital outflows, thereby leading to pressure on the FX market.

Chioke pointed out that for a fully flexible exchange rate regime to be effective in the country, there was need for large-scale reforms in sectors such as the oil and gas, power, mining, as well as significant improvement in the level of governance in the country.

“Actually, if you look at what the CBN has tried to do in the exchange rate environment, I believe they have tried given all the challenges they are faced with. If they were to go to a fully flexible exchange rate in the Nigerian economy today, I would probably be against that.

“You know why, it would be trying to solve the problem on the fringes. When you do that, all the capital would just fly out.

“To adopt a flexible exchange rate, you need to impose some massive reforms in some of the key sectors that would help to attract dollars. You can’t manage in one dimension.

You have to remember that your problems are multi-dimensional.

“So, as you are trying to fix this one, remember that the other one might be opening up. So, a reform that focuses on large-scale reforms is what the country needs before we can allow the exchange rate to float.

“Once upon a time, we were actually close to that. There was a time when between Soludo and Sanusi, we could have done that. We were getting to that sweet spot. The naira was even appreciating, but we lost that opportunity,” he said.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Aerial view of Central Business District Lagos

Improving Operating Space for Businesses The recent review of visa issuing process to ease business and tourism visits into the country has been hailed as a right move, even as stakeholders opine that more needs to be done, reports Olaseni Durojaiye and Dele Ogbodo

T

he discourse on the several bottlenecks that frustrate businesses operating in the country and discourages inflow of foreign investments is but has assumed a new momentum as it has become a major talking point at several fora dedicated to improving ease of doing business in the country, in recent time.

It has generated much debate, more because besides hurting local business already in operation in the economy, it has also been identified as sometimes constituting a source of discouragement to the inflow of foreign investments. Though opinions defer among economic policy analysts and operators in the nation’s economy on the premium placed on foreign investments in the quest for economic development and growth, the importance of foreign investments in an emerging economy cannot be wished away, particularly in an economy grappling with recession like Nigeria’s.

The issues on many bottlenecks militating against business returned to the front burner at the 2015 edition of the Nigeria Economic Summit and have not left public discourses dedicated to either attracting foreign investments into the country or how it affects local business. Many participants at the 2015 economic summit had lamented several encumbrances to doing business ranging from registering property, getting permits, multiple taxation and enforcing contracts among a few others.

The idea for the eventual set up of the Presidential Committee on Ease of Doing Business may have emanated from the summit at which the Acting President Prof.Yemi Osinbajo was in attendance. With the setting up of the committee, many expected a plethora of burdensome policies to be reviewed as part of making the business environment friendlier.

Part of the terms of reference of the committee when

it was set up include to facilitate easy registration of businesses, fast-track processes of clearing goods at the port, obtaining Nigerian visa, paying taxes and obtaining land titles, among others.

According to analysts at Renaissance Capital in reaction to the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index 2016, which retained Nigeria in 167th position as the previous year, “One way of overcoming this issue would be for targeted reforms, focusing on a single area, as opposed to broad changes which may prove costly to enact.

We highlight paying taxes and property registration as two areas, which would have a large impact on Nigeria’s ranking. Our estimates show that reforms in just these areas could contribute an improvement of 47 places; by 2019, this could see Nigeria ranked at 122nd, all else constant,”researchers at RenCap argued.

The RenCap analysis, contained in a report obtained

by THISDAY had lamented that, “everything takes time in Nigeria”in allusion to bureaucratic bottlenecks that slows the pace of doing business and high cost of engaging in international trade. Adding that, “On average, it takes a month to start a business, 908 hours to pay taxes, 10 weeks to register property and six months to get electricity,”adding that,“For registering property in Nigeria, it can cost on average 11 per cent of the property’s value.” In comparison to other African countries including Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda and Ghana, it takes less time, to get all the components.”

It is against this background that many view the recent review of visa procurement for persons wishing to travel to the country for business and tourism.

The New Visa Policy The reviewed visa policy was announced last week by the Minister of Information and Culture who explained that the measures were part of the action plan for

the ease of doing business as well as efforts to boost tourism within the overall context of the administration’s economic diversification agenda.

The minister’s statement disclosed that,“The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has reviewed the requirements for Nigerian visas to make them more customer-friendly, and details of this review are available on the NIS official website www.immigration.gov.ng “The types of visas currently reviewed include Visa on Arrival (VoA) Process, Business Visas, Tourist Visas and Transit Visa” the statement read in part.

The minister explained that business visas are available for foreign travellers, who wish to travel to Nigeria for meetings, conferences, seminar, contract negotiations, marketing, sales, purchase and distribution of Nigerian goods, trade fairs, job interviews, trainings of Nigerians, emergency/relief work, crew members, staff of NGOs, staff of INGOs, researchers and music concerts.

He also stated that tourist visas are also available to foreign travellers, who wish to visit Nigeria as tourists or to visit family and friends while VoA is class of short visist visa issued at the port of entry and is available to frequently-travelled high net-worth investors and intending visitors who may not be able to obtain visas at Nigerian mission/embassies in those countries of residence due to the absence of a Nigerian mission in those countries or the exigencies of urgent business travels. He had added that, other actions that had been taken by the NIS for the ease of doing business and facilitation of travellers are contained in the service’s website.

The Public Relations Officer, of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Assistant Controller of Immigration (ACI), Mr. Stanz James, said the new action plan of government towards making the towards improving the business space includes simplifying all the processes involved in the issuance of visa for foreigners, who want to come into the country either for business or tourism

purposes. According to him, Visa on Arrival into the country is now done through electronic application adding the approval process is immediate.

Reactions of Stakeholders Expectedly, reactions have been trailing the visa review even as analysts stated that there was still more to be done to ease doing business in the country. Some of the respondents to THISDAY enquiries noted that while the new measure was a welcome development, government needed to address other issues including legal framework for timely resolution and enforcement of contractual agreement, bridge infrastructural gaps, security of investments and making liquidity available in the foreign exchange market.

Speaking with THISDAY in an interview, Managing Director of Cowrie Asset, Johnson Chukwu, who had noted the stringent visa requirement and how it was discouraging foreign investors at the last FBN Quest, an investor forum of the First Bank group, Johnson Chukwu, stated that “The visa review is a welcome development,”pointing out that,“It will compliment other efforts.”

Expatiating, Chukwu explained that,“The Presidential committee on Ease of Doing Business has only recently been inaugurated and what they have done with the visa review is going for low hanging fruits that entail policy review and not funding. That is a clear sign that they understand the challenges against ease of doing business in the country.

“Going forward, I hope the committee will draw up a medium to long-term plan that will address other major issues including how to stabilise the economy, create liquidity available in the foreign exchange market, put in place an economic system that will assure investors of the safety of their investment as well as a legal framework that ensure timely enforcement of contract,” he stated.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

BUSINESS/ENERGY

When Barkindo, OPEC Secretary General, Came Calling …

Nigerian-born Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, who once headed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was recently in Nigeria where he met with top government officials including Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu. He also attended the annual Nigeria Oil and Gas conference and exhibition in Abuja. Chineme Okafor, who witnessed his visit, writes

W

ith a high-ranking OPEC delegation, Barkindo last week made his first official visit to Nigeria since picking up his current job as the oil cartel’s Secretary General in 2016.

A one-time Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Barkindo, during his visit, met with Kachikwu where he relayed to reporters how he was nominated by Kachikwu and his candidature for the OPEC job subsequently sold to other member countries by Kachikwu.

He also attended the NOG and made presentations on the cartels market forecast for the oil industry.

Meeting with Kachikwu During his meeting with the minister, Barkindo took time to explain to reporters how member countries of OPEC fared in the last oil price recession and their quick intervention through the cartel to halt it from further exacerbating.

He disclosed that the cyclical downturn in crude oil prices which lasted 2016 from 2014, meant that member countries of the cartel could not earn about $1 trillion of oil revenue.

He also stated that globally, the oil industry lost up to $1 trillion in terms of deferred projects and outright cancelations of projects across its entire value chain to indicate the harsh impacts of the price recession on the oil industry for almost two years.

According to him, in the long run, member countries of OPEC had difficulties managing their domestic economies because of the price dip and thus needed to reach an agreement on how to overcome the recession.

He explained that the agreements reached by the cartel and non-OPEC members in Algiers and Vienna during their meetings in November and December 2016, were lifesaving measures, adding that from these, they have been able to overcome the market challenges and now looking forward to better days.

Affirming his optimism that the worst was over for OPEC member countries as regards the oil price slump, Barkindo stated that the economics of the oil market was looking good for OPEC members, in addition to its reputation as a significant market player already restored with the agreements.

He said the cartel and non-members would now go ahead to solidify the partnership they reached in December so as to maintain a comfortable balance in the market.

“This industry globally has lost nearly $1 trillion in terms of deferred projects and outright cancelations of projects across the supply chain and this is the greatest threat that is facing future security of supplies.

“We need consistent investments in order to maintain current production and take care of reserves and secure future supplies,” said Barkindo.

He further stated: “In terms of national revenues, since all our countries are dependent on this commodity, within OPEC alone we have lost cumulatively about $1 trillion.

Therefore, we together with our non-OPEC friends, we remain determined to solidify this platform and maintain a stable environment and restore confidence for investors.”

Production Freeze Speaking on the impact of the December

Barkindo

production freeze agreement on the market and OPEC members, Barkindo said the cartel now has a renewed confidence level in dealing with the rest of the oil market.

He noted that the agreement which many pundits failed to acknowledge as a potential market game changer has been hugely successful so far with high percentage of compliance by OPEC and non-OPEC member countries.

This, he added, has enabled the partners realise the significant role a united OPEC could play in stabilising global oil market fundamentals, as well as guaranteeing security of supply. He noted that, the global market was no longer paying extreme attention to developments in fields in the US, but also watching OPEC and its non-member partners closely.

“When we met in Vienna, we agreed that we needed the non-OPEC members to come on board, we are a marginal supplier and supply about 40 per cent to the world market and the real balancing that would restore stability to the market would require the non-OPEC to join hands with us.

“And for the first time in history we were

For the first time in history we were able to build a platform of 24 producing countries to agree on a joint supply agreement seeking to adjust about 1.8 million barrels a day within six months in order to address the stock overhang which has been the variable to the supply equation that had sent this market off balance since 2014

able to build a platform of 24 producing countries to agree on a joint supply agreement seeking to adjust about 1.8 million barrels a day within six months in order to address the stock overhang which has been the variable to the supply equation that had sent this market off balance since 2014,” Barkindo said.

“Today, I can confidently report that those three historic events have altogether changed the energy landscape and turned a historic page in oil for good. We are on the course of pulling this industry out of the worst recession that we have entered to restore stability to the market on a sustainable basis that will allow investments to come back on a continuous basis,” he added.

Speaking on the place of Nigeria in the global oil industry, attempts to restore the country’s lost production from militants’ disruption of production in the Niger Delta, as well as the country’s final solution to its lingering challenges with cash call obligation, Barkindo said Kachikwu was bold in taking the steps to end the troubles with joint venture cash-call obligations. He said the approach adopted by the minister was innovative.

“In the seven big wins initiatives that you have rolled out, I must single out the lingering funding challenge of exploration and production – the joint venture cash calls.

“Many of my colleagues that we served together will testify that government after government, regime after regime, we had battled with this issue continuously without solutions and the day that I got information that you have been able to overcome this issue, you made my day and all participants in this industry who know what previous governments have battled to stay afloat cash calls.

“The approach has been innovative, the solution is very practical, and you are clearing an overhang of debt that is too high and yet maintain levels of production while focusing on an incremental growth that will continue to sustain the industry and domestic economy.”

He also noted that while Nigeria’s exemption from the production freeze would last for only six months, the cartel was confident that the market would absorb the extra volumes of oil that would come from her increased output.

“This decision is for six months and as the countries continue to be exempted for these months, we will continue to pray that they will recover production and return to the market fully because the market needs every barrel that Nigeria can produce or Libya or Iran.

“The demand figures continue to show a robust growth of over one million barrels per day going forward,” he stated.

Leadership Skills Similarly, Kachikwu in his remarks explained that before Barkindo came on board, OPEC was in a messy situation with its credibility greatly impaired and thus needed someone like him to restore its posture.

He said the coming of Barkindo has helped to restore the integrity of OPEC, as well as salvaged the economies of its member countries who were finding it extremely difficult to cope with the plummeting oil prices and their economies subsequently battered.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

BUSINESS/ CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY persons representing 8.8 percent, 5.2 percent, 2.8 percent, 2.1 percent, 2.3 percent respectively.

Against the backdrop of the company solid belief in Nigeria as a country, it did not neglect other parts of the most populous black nation as other states in the federation have a combined 3, 325 persons employed in the company. This figure represents 22.2 percent of the total number of persons employed by Intels Nigeria Limited. In line with the extended family system embedded in the African culture, which goes beyond husband, wife and children only, the total number of persons directly and indirectly employed by the company runs into several thousands of people.

Empowerment for women in host communities

Pleasantly Working with Host Communities in Niger Delta Indigenes of host communities where one of the concessionaires in the nation’s seaports, Intels Nigeria Limited operate, have pleasant stories to tell about how the terminal operator’s corporate social responsibilities (CSR) projects have positively impacted on them, writes John Iwori

T

hat host communities and multinational oil and gas companies operating in the oil producing areas of the Niger Delta region relate like cat and mouse is not unknown.There is mutual distrust and suspicion between the oil-producing companies and the oil producing areas.This mutual suspicion and distrust is not limited to the multi-national oil and gas companies. Not a few other firms servicing the oil and gas industry are also embroiled in the rancorous uneasy relationship.

This acrimonious relationship which has led to the loss of several lives and properties in several instances has been on for decades. In fact, it did not start today. It dates back to 1956. This was when Nigeria found crude oil in commercial quantity in the sleepy community called Oloibiri in present day Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.These multi-national oil companies, including Elf Petroleum Company Limited, Shell Petroleum Company Limited (SPDC), Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC), Mobil Oil Producing Unlimited, and Total, have devised means and ways to change the narratives in the oil-bearing communities. Nevertheless, none can, in any way, be compared to the robust relationship that Nigeria’s foremost port operator and concessionaire of Onne, Calabar and Warri ports, Intels Nigeria Limited, has put in place in its host communities since it started operations in the oil and gas rich Niger Delta region. The firm which is one of the concessionaires in the nation’s seaports won the bid for the concession following the conclusion of the port reforms initiated by the Federal Government during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

The exercise, which was supervised by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) divested the management of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) from the day-to-day running of the terminals as well as cargo handling.

Touching Lives As a wholly-owned Nigeria company, Intels Nigeria Limited, which presently has Mr. Andrew Dawes, as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has put in place programmes and policies that have engendered peace and sustainable development in its relationship with its host communities. Over the years, it has continued to put measures in place

to ensure a smooth and win-win relationship with its host communities. These include the provision of scholarship, training opportunities for the acquisition of skills, employment of youths, award of contracts, as well as empowerment schemes. Besides its prophysically challenged initiatives, which have endeared it to the less privileged in the society, Intels Nigeria Limited is also gender friendly. Its tailoring scheme for the women of Onne is second to none in the country. The women in the host communities are not only taught how to become self-reliant but also how to make several household items. These include dresses, foot mats, bow ties, overalls, aprons, table clothes, handkerchiefs, caps, personal protective equipment (PPE).

From its imposing magnificent corporate headquarters called Enterprise House situated at Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, Rivers State, Intels Nigeria Limited has been reaching out to its host communities in a gradual and sustainable manner that made it the toast of indigenes of where it operate. The Head, Government and Public Affairs of the firm, Mr. David Alagoa, told newsmen recently that Intels Nigeria Limited’s CSR has three key objectives. These are to empower the indigenes of the host communities in a sustainable way through the provision of employment and improved welfare; to plan and execute integrated community development programmes with full community input and participation, as well as to adopt‘best practices’that guarantee community friendly operations.

According to Alagoa, who is a ‘son of the soil’, the benefits of this approach are mutual and Intels Nigeria Limited, being a commercial entity with diverse business interests, fully recognises the enormous positive influence that good community relations can have on its operations and profitability. In the development of her community relations development plan (CRDP), the company places great importance on acquainting herself intimately with each individual community through a process of communication and dialogue. This approach nurtures trust and confidence which in turn encourages communities to change their traditional community/company biases.

Approach that Works It must be noted that the company integrated participa-

tory approach (IPA) identifies integration, participation, communication, interaction, and dialogue as being the critically important elements of community relations development plan.This implies a move away from the ‘traditional’model of corporate-community relations.

The company host communities are categorised.They include the Oil and Gas Free Zone Communities, Rivers Estate Communities, Inter-oil Estate Communities, Cross River State Communities, and Delta State Communities. Among other things, Intels Nigeria Limited has constructed roads, drainages and street light; undertook the construction of ultra-modern markets; modern classroom blocks; health; ICT centres; town halls and community centres; skill acquisition centres; public toilets; civic centres; and renovation of traditional rulers palaces.

As if these were not enough, the company has also embarked on an aggressive empowerment schemes in its host communities. This is aimed at qualitatively improving the status of an individual or group in the host communities.

So far, it has put in place the Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS); free medical programme; meetings and visits; sports and traditional events; skills acquisition training.These empowerment schemes cost the company millions of naira as more and more indigenes of the host communities take advantage of them to improve their lot.

Data obtained from the company showed that no fewer than 15,000 persons were employed directly or indirectly. While 96 percent are Nigerians, the rest are nationals of other countries. In the same vein, not less than 30, 0000 additional jobs have been created in the wider economy as the company continues to add value in the way and manner it conducts its business in the country over the years.

A breakdown of the total number of persons employed by the company also showed that it is sensitive to its host communities. For instance, while 6,244 indigenes of Rivers State where it has its main operational activities are employed, representing 41.7 percent of the total number of staff on the payroll of the company, Imo State indigenes are 1, 184, representing 7.9 percent just as Delta State is 1, 031 representing 6.9 percent.

Similarly, Akwa Ibom State has 1, 322 persons, Abia State has 778 persons, Edo State has 421 persons, Bayelsa State has 310 persons, Cross River has 345

Stakeholders’ Viewpoints Not a few stakeholders in the maritime sector of the economy as well as the oil and gas industry have hailed the company on the strides it has made since it started operations in the nation’s seaports.

Apparently impressed by its achievements since it took over the running of Onne, Calabar and Warri ports, the stakeholders in a recent visit to the operational base of the firm said the terminal operator needed to be encouraged to do more.

The erstwhile Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Hon. Victor Alabo, expressed delight that the concessionaire has added value to its operations in the nation’s seaports.

Alabo stated that the terminal operator has relentlessly deployed huge investments expanding and upgrading facilities to what he called ‘world-class standards’, making it the leading energy logistics services provider and concessionaire at the Onne Port Complex.

According to him, the concessionaire has transformed the Onne Free Zone into an investors’ paradise, attracting, foreign direct investments (FDI) of over $60 billion to the free zone. The other zones are not as successful as this and investment portfolio there is about $15 billion.

His words:“Intels is the biggest player in this free zone and as an investor in free zones, it has confidence in Nigeria’s economy. It has done massive investments within the free zone. For instance, it is into port development. Initially, the port here had only about seven to nine metres draught, but it has gone into 12 metres draught. It is a public private partnership (PPP) based on the landlord model”.

It must be noted that the exercise, which was supervised by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) divested the management of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) from the day-to-day running of the terminals as well as cargo handling. The firm won the bid for the concession following the conclusion of the port reforms initiated by the Federal Government during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

A shipper who regularly uses the Onne port stated that one of the reasons that informed his decision was the fact that whatever the size of the cargo, it arrives at the port because the draught has been developed.

According to the shipper who prefers anonymity, if one does not have faith in the economy of this country, one cannot invest much. The last phase of port investment is about $3.5 billion.

That is what we expect others to emulate in order to ensure the sustainable development of the country.

He stated that the local content compliance was high as most companies have Local Content Desk, which will ensure that they comply with the Local Content Act. The management of the OGFZA had revealed that it goes round to ensure that firms operating in the zone complied with the provisions of the Local Content Act. It pointed out that there were some companies that have gone up to 100 percent in their compliance with the provisions of the Act. It also disclosed that on a daily basis, the zone has over 30,000 people working directly and indirectly in the various companies operating in the zone.

“The free zone is adjudged as the most developed and successful free zone the world over that is dedicated to oil and gas industry. It is because of the consistence of government policies and also the ingenuity that we have brought into management of the free zones.

There is a culture of regular stakeholders meetings with investors to address their challenges, providing a feedback mechanism to deliberate jointly on whatever the challenges are and how to resolve these such that there is a win-win situation. Government has provided lots of incentives. While some are physical incentives, others are tax incentives.These have attracted investors into the free zone. Government also ensures that they are consistent with these incentives. If there are policy somersault, the investors lose confidence in bringing in their funds.

“As long as this confidence is established, it attracts many other investors coming into the zone. That is why in this zone, we have close to 200 investors, several falling into the maritime sector, the light manufacture sector and the downstream sector of the oil and gas, and we will say it is a success story and we hope to replicate this success story in other parts of the country”, the management of OGFZA added.

24

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Substantial foreign exchange loss impacts profitability

G

SK recently released result for third quarter ended, September 2016 records notable decline in top-line earnings while profitability was negative.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK) is an affiliate of GlaxoSmithKline worldwide commenced operation on the 1st July 1972, under the name Beecham Limited and was subsequently quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1977 and is currently one of the 30 most capitalised stocks on the exchange.

The Company has constantly advance innovations in products development and branding such as: the recently developed smaller pack sizes of inhaler devices for Asthma patients- Ventolin Rotacaps.

Ventolin Rotacaps uses a re-engineered version of the established GSK inhaler technology that is five times less expensive to produce. The new inhaler has been made available in four markets –The Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya and Nigeria.

DECLINE IN REVENUE AS HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION SHRINKS GSK has continued to face stiff competition from cheap imported healthcare and consumer goods from China and India besides local competition.

This is in addition to reduction in sales witnessed in the North Eastern part of the country earlier in the year.

Third quarter 2016 financial results of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc recently released shows a 10.85% decline in revenue to N20.54 billion from N23.04 billion in September 2015. The decline in top-line earnings triggered by the cautionary spending by households due to the domestic economic headwinds prevalent in the country has unarguably resulted in reduced general consumption.

Hence, the GSK consumer healthcare goods - which deals with oral care, over the counter (OTC) medicine and nutritional healthcare – and pharmaceuticals – which deals in antibacterial, vaccines and prescription drugs - records sharp drop in sales by 12.41% and 7.55% respectively.

Cost of sales also declined by 4.20% to N14.72 billion from N15.37 billion. Due to the lower decline in cost in comparison to revenue, gross profit weakened considerably by 24.18% to N5.82 billion from N7.67 billion recorded in the same period of 2015.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE LOSSES GREATLY ERODES PROFITABILITY Operating profit recorded a loss of N6.29 billion in September 2016, indicating a substantial decline of 993.64% when compared with September 2015 figure of N704m. Forming a huge part of operating income is recovery of accrued licence fee of N1.22 billion payable to Glaxo Group Limited which was considered

WE HOLD STRONG OPINION THAT GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIGERIA PLC HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER HIGH LEVEL OF PRODUCT INNOVATIONS, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEEPEN ITS MARKET WHICH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST PERFORMANCE BEYOND CURRENT RESULTS. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT MUST REVIEW AND ACTION SOUND STRATEGIC PLAN TOWARDS IMPROVING REVENUE AND EFFECTIVELY MANAGE ITS EXPENSES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT FURTHER EARNINGS AND SHAREHOLDERS RETURN

unnecessary. GSK’s profitability is largely eroded by an unanticipated loss recorded in other gains and losses to the tune of N6.47 billion from N653m in September 2016. Other gains and losses declined extensively on the back of unrealised foreign exchange losses totalling N5.85 billion.

The Company’s total expenses figure revealed that administrative expenses, and selling and distribution expenses rose by 4.36% and 10.47% to N2.14 billion and N4.73 billion, from third quarter 2015 record of N2.05 billion and N4.29 billion respectively. The rise in selling and distribution expenses was incurred due to increased promotional activities by the Company’s management in a bid to further deepen the GSK brand and increase its market share in the highly competitive market in which it operates.

DESPITE INCOME FROM BUSINESS DISPOSAL, PROFITABILITY REMAINS NEGATIVE Pre-tax loss stood at N6.29 billion indicating a decline of 997.09% from N701m in the corresponding period 2015.

The company boast of reduction finance costs to N0.31m for the third quarter ended, September 2016 from N2.68m in the preceding period of 2015 indicating a massive decline of 88.56%.

Net income was boosted by an unexpected income of N2.33 billion received from the disposal of its drink business through the sale of the Company’s two flagship brands; Lucozade and Ribena to Suntory Beverage & Food Nigeria Ltd. Nevertheless, a huge loss was still recorded as net income decline of 762.75% to N4.05 billion loss from N486m billion recorded in September 2015.

KEY FINANCIAL METRICS REFLECTS PERFORMANCE FIGURES Total assets rose by 22.25% to N38.30 billion as at third quarter ended, 30th September 2016 from N31.33 billion as at December 2015. The growth was driven primarily by the substantial increase in cash and bank balances, trade and other receivables which grew by 543.06% and 19.95% respectively. Total liabilities also increased substantially by 62.65% to N29.51 billion from N18.14 billion as at third quarter ended, 30th September 2016. The growth in total liabilities was due to a massive rise of 71.36% in current liabities, despite a record loss of 7.16% in long-term liabilities. Shareholders equity decreased on the back of retained earnings by a notable figure of 33.34% in the period under review to N8.79 billion from N13.19 billion recorded in December 2015.

Profitability ratio however dropped significantly. Return on average asset (ROAA) and return on average equity (ROAE) reflects bottom-line earnings as each stood at a negative 11.62% and 36.83% respectively as at third quarter ended, 30th September 2016.

GSK’s quick ratio currently stands at 1.13 compared to 0.58 and 0.62 in September 2015 and December 2015 respectively.

Furthermore, price to sales (P/S) positions at 0.64 while price book value (P/BV) at 2.05.

WE PLACE A HOLD RECOMMENDATION The performance of GSK for third quarter of 2016 has not been impressive due to unprecedented foreign exchange losses, and reduction in both Company’s revenue and profitability. GSK still enjoys significant patronage across its product brands and Nigerian economy is an attractive market for consumable goods, largely supported by the growing population size of about 180.1 million people, which provides vast consumer

Valuation Metrics 3-Mar-17 Recommendation

HOLD

Target Price (N)

12.55

Current Price (N)

14.10

Market Cap (N'm)

17.84

Outstanding Shares (m)

1,196

EPS (N)

-2.98

P/S

0.63x Source: BGL Research

Third Quarter Results – September 2016 Turnover (N'm)

20,540

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

(6,288)

Profit After Tax (N'm)

(4,046)

Pre-tax Margin (%)

(30.61) Source: BGL Research

Audited Full year December 2015 Turnover (N'm)

30,634

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

1,157

Profit After Tax (N'm)

965

Pre-tax Margin (%)

3.78 Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Setfirst Limited

27.31%

SmithKline Beecham Ltd Stanbic Nominees Ltd Public Float

19.11% 10.08% 44.67%

Source: Company Data, BGL Research

demand.

We hold strong opinion that GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has an opportunity to deliver high level of product innovations, operational excellence and create an opportunity to deepen its market which would significantly boost performance beyond current results. However, the Company’s management must review and action sound strategic plan towards improving revenue and effectively manage its expenses to positively impact further earnings and shareholders return.

Considering the foregoing with respect to intense of and other macro-economic factors, we have valued the GSK’s share using a combined valuation methods of book value, and adjusted price to sales (P/S) which resulted in a 6-month target price of N12.55 per share. Since this represents a downside potential of 14.91% on the current stock price, we place hold recommendation on the Company’s shares.

25

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

GuarantyTrust Bank Plc: Remarkable third quarter performance points ahead

G

uaranty Trust Bank Plc (GT Bank) is an internationally focused commercial bank providing a range of banking products and services to corporate, commercial, and retail customers in Nigeria, West Africa, and Europe. The company focuses on acquiring and managing strategic businesses that create long term shareholders’ returns and socioeconomic impact.

The Bank’s management recently released third quarter result for the period ended September 30th 2016, the performance metrics shows substantial positive growth in revenue and profitability compared to the corresponding period of 2015 despite a protracted economic recession caused a number of tough macroeconomic factors which includes: unstable foreign exchange terrain, unexpected increase in prices, decline in income and expenses, and easy adjustment and absorption to changing banking regulation,.

TOP-LINE EARNINGS ROSE SIGNIFICANT AMID ECONOMIC SITUATIONS. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc posted a significant rise of 43.56% in gross earnings to N329.28 billion in September 2016 from N229.38 billion in the corresponding period of 2015 largely driven by other income which grew by a remarkable 1250.32%, and interest income which grew by a 5.17% to N181.91 billion compared to N172.96 billion recorded over the same period of 2015.

Interest expense on the other hand grew by dropped by 6.95% to N49.16 billion in September 2016 from N52.83 billion recorded in September 2015. The high and constant interest rate environment throughout the period and an unchanging Banks’ Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) resulted in increase in competition for deposits amongst banks but GT Bank was able to manage its interest expense.

Expectedly the bank’s net interest income grew notably by 10.50% to N132.75 billion in September 2016 from N120.13 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

OTHER INCOME AND FEES EARNED LEADS TO SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN NON-INTEREST INCOME The Bank reported non-interest income of N147.37 billion for the third quarter ended, September 2016 from N56.4 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015; reflecting a substantial growth of 161.25%. This was an impressive

WHILE THIS POLICY AIMED AT CONTROLLING MONETARY LIQUIDITY IN THE ECONOMY FORESHADOWS HUGE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE BANKS’ OPERATIONS, THE BANK’S MANAGEMENT IS CAPABLE OF INCREASING PERFORMANCE THAT WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN EARNINGS, INCOME GENERATION CAPACITY AND GROWTH IN LIQUIDITY BASE

performance as fee and commission rose by 27.11% on the back of substantive increase in income generated from e-business products and services which suitably replace the phased out Commission on Turnover (COT) by the CBN; a hitherto significant source of income to banks.

Also, growth in non-interest income was despite decrease in net gains on financial instruments classified as held for trading which decreased by 69.23% to N3.01 billion from N9.79 billion over the period reviewed.

IMPRESSIVE GROWTH IN PROFITABILITY ON THE BACK OF EFFICIENTLY MANAGED OPERATING EXPENSES The Bank’s well venerated operational efficiency is a tradition that GT Bank strongly upholds. The Bank has been able to consistently sustain its effective cost management strategies and hence profitability.

Despite running a leaner branch network compared to its peers, the Bank conveniently generates more competitive profit year after year.

This renowned efficiency is also

sustained in the period under review as the Bank grew operating expenses by a modest 8.24% to N79.93 billion from N73.8 billion recorded in 2015, while operating income rose by a considerable 478.74% to N96.96 billion from N16.75 billion over the period.

The combination of efficiently managed operating expenses and substantial growth in gross earnings steered profitability higher. Thus, pre-tax profit grew significantly by 52.98% to N140.84 billion in September 2016 from N92.06 billion in in the corresponding period, September 2015, while net income grew substantially by 59.56% to N119.93 billion from N75.16 billion over the same period.

IMPROVEMENT IN ASSET QUALITY AND KEY FINANCIAL METRICS GT Bank maintained its leading position in terms of margin and cost efficiency. Pre-tax profit margin declined slightly to 42.77% from 41.93% over period while net income margin also followed suit with an increase to 36.42% from 34.23% during the same period. In addition, the Bank’s cost to income ratio also declined marginally to 36.20% in September 2016 from 44.51% in September 2015. At 37.62%, the Bank’s liquidity ratio remains above the minimum regulatory requirements of 30% while capital adequacy ratio remains strong at 18.10%, well above the regulatory requirement of 15%.

In relation to assets quality, nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio rose to 4.13% in September 2016.

Furthermore, the Bank shareholder’s fund improved by 19.01% to N492.20 billion in September 2016 from N413.56 billion in December 2015.

The Bank’s return on assets and shareholders’ equity rose remarkably.

Return on average asset (ROA) grew to 4.27% in September 2016 from 3.06% in December 2015 while return on equity (ROE) grew to 26.48% from 18.76% over the period under review.

HOLD RECOMMENDATION DESPITE BRIGHT OUTLOOK The CBN’s monetary tightening policies have resulted in limited income generation and high cost of funds within the Nigerian financial system. The CBN has maintained the CRR at a high level with a view to maintaining price stability and support the stability of the Naira exchange rate.

Despite the regulatory headwinds prevalent which saw inflation soar to 17.70% as at September 2016 from 9.4% a year ago, MPR at 14% and the CRR on all public sector deposits

Valuation Metrics 3-Mar-17 Rating

BUY

Target Price (N)

27.81

Current Price (N)

24.80

Market Cap (N'm)

691,338

Outstanding Shares (m)

29,431

Rolling EPS (N)

4.90

Rolling PE Ratio

5.03

Forward EPS

5.77

Forward PE

4.07 Source: NSE Data, BGL Research

Unaudited Q3 Results 2016sultsResults Gross Earnings (N'm)

229,372

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

92,062

Profit After Tax (N'm)

75,160

Pre-tax Margin (%)

40.14

Source: Company Report Q3 2016, BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Gross Earnings (N'm)

301,900

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

120,695

Profit After Tax (N'm)

99,437

Pre-tax Margin (%)

31.98 Source: Annual Report 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Citibank Nigeria (GDR) Stanbic Nominees

10.54% 25.90%

Public Float

63.56%

Outstanding Shares (m)

29,431.17

Source: Annual Report 2015, BGL Research

at 22.5%, GT Bank delivered another impressive performance. While this policy aimed at controlling monetary liquidity in the economy foreshadows huge negative impact on the banks’ operations, the Bank’s management is capable of increasing performance that will further strengthen earnings, income generation capacity and growth in liquidity base.

We maintain our projection of N339.48 billion for gross earnings and net income of N111.29 billion for the financial year ending December 2016, leading to a forward EPS of N5.77.

Using an industry price to earnings multiple (PE) of 5.03x, we arrive at a six-month average target price of N27.81. Since this represents an upside potential of 12.82% on the current stock price of N24.65, we therefore recommend a BUY.

26

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH 5, 2017

TRAVEL

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

As UNWTO Sec-Gen Candidates Target Port Harcourt Bantaba The race to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations’ tourism arm will come into focus at a tourism event slated for Port-Harcourt next week, writes Demola Ojo

I

t was revealed a few days ago that two of the five candidates vying to be Secretary General of the United States World Tourism Organisation would be attending Port Harcourt Bantaba travel event between March 16 and 17.

Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality minister, Walter Mzembi, and former minister of tourism and culture of The Seychelles, Alain St Ange, are among many other travel bigwigs expected at what has been described as a“travel and tourism speed-dating event”.

Other attendees for Bantaba which used to be held in Abuja – with the first edition six years ago - are Timothy McPherson, the finance minister of Acompong, Jamaica and Damian Cook a specialist on e-tourism from East Africa.

Among other things, leading global experts will train agents on how to package in-bound and out-bound tours, while there will also be an E-tourism training sessions at Bantaba. Training will cover topics including e-Tourism in theory and practice, e-marketing strategy, web design, content and management, analytics and conversion optimisation, search engine marketing, and many more.

Some past speakers at Bantaba include former chairman of HRG and former president of NANTA, Femi Adefope and former DG NCAA, Harold Demuren. It is expected that more speakers, delegates and partners would be announced before the date of the event.

Already, South Africa Tourism Board, Tripberry.com, Golden Tulip Hotels and De Edge Hotels have all confirmed their partnership with the event.

According to Mr. Ikechi Uko, the organizer of Bantaba, the event is an opportunity for stakeholders in the industry to come together to discuss some of the salient issues affecting the sector and the way forward.

Just like the annual Akwaaba Africa Travel Market in Lagos, and ACCRA Weizo in Ghana, Bantaba will offer a platform for travel trade networking, especially for practitioners in the South-South and South-East regions of the country.

Elections Draw Near Beyond that, it would be the stage for discussing the “salient issue” of who becomes the next person to succeed Taleb Rifai from Jordan as the next UNWTO boss. Elections for the next Secretary General will take place at UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid between May 11 and 12, during the course of the 105th meeting of the organisation’s 33-member Executive Council. As the March 11 deadline for the submission of candidatures to the UNWTO post approaches, there are five officially declared candidates.

Apart from Mzembi and St Ange, there is Doh Young-shim, a South Korean woman; Marcio Favilla, an ambassador from Brazil and Zurab Pololikashvili from Georgia.

What’s the Big Deal?

The UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world. This includes Nigeria, with the UNWTO helping with review of a tourism masterplan.

UNWTO’s membership includes 157 countries, six territories and over 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

UNWTO is not complete and struggles to speak for the entire world when it comes to travel and tourism issues. Non-members include: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Comoros, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Any new Secretary General is being encouraged to make it his or her priority to push non-members to become members and join the international United Nations community of tourism destinations.

Leading the UNWTO which is one of the 17 specialised agencies of the UN is a huge responsibility; the tourism sector has been identified the third highest global export earner.

How Voting Works The Secretary-General shall be appointed by a two-thirds majority of full members present and voting in the Assembly, on the recommendation of the Council, for a term of four years. His appointment shall be renewable.

The term of office of the current Secretary-General Taleb Rifai from Jordan, expires December 31, 2017. It is therefore incumbent on the General Assembly to appoint a Secretary-General for the period 2018-2021 at its twenty-second session due to be held in Chengdu, China, in September/ October 2017.

Consequently, the Executive Council will be required at its 105th session (May 11-12) to recommend a nominee to the General Assembly.

Some of the rules which have been consistently applied for the nomination

Mzembi for the post of Secretary-General since 1992 state that only nationals of member states of WTO may be candidates; candidates shall be formally proposed to the Council, through the Secretariat, by the governments of the states of which they are nationals; the Council shall select only one nominee to recommend to the Assembly; discussion of candidates shall be conducted during a restrictive private meeting at which only voting delegations and interpreters shall be present; there shall be no written record and no tape recording of the discussions; during the balloting Secretariat staff necessary to assist with the voting shall be admitted.

The recommendation to the Assembly of a nominee for appointment to the post of Secretary-General shall be made by a simple majority of the members of the Council present and voting.

If no candidate receives the majority in the first ballot, a second ballot shall be held to decide between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes.

Of the thirty-three members, ten votes are assigned to Africa, 10 to Europe, five to Latin America, five to Asia and the South Pacific and three to the Middle-East.

The Africa Angle Already, the candidates have criss-crossed the continent and the world to introduce themselves and garner support; Mzembi for around a year, St. Ange at the beginning of the year.

In recent weeks, they’ve been to international travel fairs in Spain and Uganda. They are expected to be at the ITB in Berlin this week too.

This time last year, it was reported that the 15-member Southern African Development Committee which includes Seychelles, endorsed Mzembi’s candidature. An AU Heads-of-State meeting later in July, also endorsed Mzembi.

However, Mzembi who presently chairs the UNWTO regional Commission for Africa, was joined in the race by St Ange who resigned as the minister of tourism, civil aviation, ports and marines late December last year to concentrate on his campaign.

It has been reported that St. Ange initially indicated interest in the UNWTO position months before but backed out. His political party had lost elections in the Seychelles, but the popular St. Ange was able to retain his post which was expanded to include aviation and marines. At about the same time, Mzembi was traveling the globe campaigning for Africa, while still a serving minister in his country.

Although there is no officially recognised system of regional rotation when it comes to filling the post of UNWTO Secretary-General, it is thought that given the right candidate, Africa – which has never held the top post before - could be well-placed to assume leadership of the organisation. Previous leaders of the UNWTO have been from France, Austria, Mexico and currently, Jordan.

It would be tougher for an African candidate to win if votes are split.

Of course, this is based on the assumption that member countries are inkling to vote for a candidate from their region, which is by no means cast in stone.

Supporters of Mzembi are of the opinion that St Ange and Seychelles are openly breaking ranks with the SADC and AU. It is believed that unless any of the two candidates enjoy enormous support outside Africa,

St Ange it would be difficult for either to win.

Mzembi said recently,“In a very real sense, the electoral contest is between a group of candidates from Korea/Spain, Brazil, and Georgia who constitute and who promise little more than a continuation of the status-quo and stand for UNWTO to carry on as before. My candidature is about my promise to bring significant change to the manner in which the UNWTO approaches and delivers upon its mandate.”

According to Mzembi, his assessment is shared by many of those he had engaged in his outreach program. He feels that to surrender the UNWTO Secretary-General-ship to yet another bureaucratic succession will be to condemn the organisation to further peripheralisation and irrelevance within the global system. Mzembi’s words have been reverberating within tourism circles, with claims of racial innuendo.

Speaking with Richard Quest during a recent CNN interview, St Ange countered the notion of block endorsements. “When (Zimbabwean) President Mugabe was head of the African Union, he found a way that Walter Mzembi became the candidate. It is his right to be candidate, but you can’t buy all the people’s rights to be candidates in a democratic state today, to put forward your candidature.”

According to St Ange, the UN is a democratic body and there is need to respect the rights of countries to be candidates and decide who they will elect.

Up Close with St Ange This reporter has only met one of the candidates. During an encounter with St Ange at the INDABA in Durban a few years ago, he was exasperated at the lack of connectivity between African destinations.“In many cases, one needs a connecting flight through Europe to get from one African country to another. Sometimes you spend two days to reach another African destination; that is four days to and fro. Why would I spend four days to attend a meeting of half a day for example? That is why we all need to come together to address these issues.”

He also said at the time,““We consider Nigeria as our brother and that is why Nigerians don’t need a visa to visit Seychelles.”

Tourism in Seychelles has been on a steady rise ever since St Ange started out as Director of Tourism Marketing at the Seychelles Tourism Board before being CEO. While he was at STB, the Carnival International de Victoria was launched in 2011, which helped boost tourism to his country and led to him being appointed Minister of Tourism and Culture.

He has become a much sought after keynote speaker for tourism events worldwide, with many wanting to know how Seychelles has consistently punched above its weight, given that the collection of 115 islands only has 90.000 inhabitants.

Visitor arrival records have been set from 2009 onwards, now in excess of 300.000 tourists per annum, a large part attributed to a liberalized aviation regime which St Ange influenced, adding frequencies, larger aircraft and new airlines calling on Mahe’s international airport, while at the same time Air Seychelles prospered too with new passenger records year after year.

The Bantaba in Port Harcourt should – among other things – shed more light on both candidates, enable them present their plans, and help tourism stakeholders, and the 33-member voting body, make an informed decision on the identity of the next UNWTO Secretary-General.

27

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

MARKET NEWS

Nestle Nigeria Shares Rebound Despite 67% Profit Decline Goddy Egene The shares of  Nestle Nigeria Plc rebounded at the stock market last week after a free fall. The stock appreciated by 10.2 per cent in a week that the consumer goods manufacturing firm unveiled its financial performance for    the year ended December 31, 2016. The company recorded a decline of 67 per cent in profit for 2016.

The profit decline notwithstanding, renewed demand for equities lifted

its price by 10.25 per cent to close at N628.42 per share.

The stock had hit a low of N570.00, shedding 22.4 per cent year-to-date before last week’s rebound.

Market operators said the renewed demand may not be unconnected with the attractiveness of the current price of the stock, since it is trading  at over 22 per cent below its year’s opening price.

According to them, longterm investors see value in the current price of Nestle

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

Nigeria given the assurance by the directors that the firm would soon record improved performance in the very near future.

Nestle Nigeria recorded a revenue of N181.911 billion, up by 20.2  per cent from N151.272 billion recorded in 2015. Cost of sales rose by 27 per cent from N83.926 billion to N106.583 billion.

Gross   profit stood at N75.328 billion, up by 11.8 per cent from N67.346 billion recorded in 2015.

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 2-Mar-2017, unless otherwise stated.

Net finance cost soared 276.6 per cent from N4.425 billion to N16.665 billion in 2016. Consequently, profit before tax (PBT) fell by 26.51 per cent to N21.548 billion, compared to N29.322 billion in 2015. A higher growth in income tax expenses by 143 per cent, contributed to depress profit after tax by  66.6 per cent  from N23.737 billion in 2015 to N7.925 billion in 2016.

Commenting on the results, the directors said revenue

grew by 20 per cent in spite of the challenging operating environment and softer consumer demand due to rising inflation. “This is a confirmation that our brands continue to enjoy strong patronage as they enable our loyal consumers to live happier and  healthier lives. Notwithstanding the increase in the cost of  sales and operating expenses due to rising input costs and currency devaluation, operating profit increased by 13 per cent. This

was made possible through internal cost savings initiatives, operating efficiency and pricing  management,� they said. “The board and management remain optimistic about the long term potential of the business in spite of the current tough macroeconomic environment. The company will continue to increase investment in key   brands and route-to-market activities while proactively managing input cost pressures,� they added.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 126.28 126.62 -0.63% Nigeria International Debt Fund 219.75 220.25 2.05% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.69 0.70 -1.35% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.57% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 12.00 12.36 -2.80% ARM Discovery Fund 283.74 292.29 -1.20% ARM Ethical Fund 21.85 22.51 -2.18% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 15.87% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 105.04 105.78 -0.06% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.57% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Nigeria Global Investment Fund 2.20 2.26 1.36% Paramount Equity Fund 9.42 9.66 0.63% Women's Investment Fund 86.57 88.79 2.33% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.32% FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,134.99 1,139.10 1.08% FBN Heritage Fund 106.63 107.08 -1.96% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.70% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $100.48 $101.39 0.93% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $100.39 $101.31 0.85% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 97.32 98.51 -2.09% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 0.93 0.95 0.00% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.63 2.63 2.45% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,171.78 2,196.88 -1.70% Coral Income Fund 2,169.36 2,169.36 3.09% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.27% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 16.95% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.67 1.69 -0.44% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.61%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 0.99 1.01 0.64% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,020.28 1,020.28 1.74% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 9.48 9.57 -1.84% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 15.30% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.07 1.09 1.64% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.42 10.45 0.10% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.21% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 108.84 109.74 6.91% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.27 1.27 1.70% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 1,813.21 1,822.76 -1.00% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 153.66 153.66 -0.19% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.74 0.75 -3.25% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 190.63 190.63 2.00% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 125.99 127.64 -2.95% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.42% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,180.86 7,267.65 -5.29% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.13 1.15 9.86% United Capital Bond Fund 1.27 1.27 15.68% United Capital Equity Fund 0.64 0.66 0.39% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.58 9.75 -0.40% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.08 11.18 1.50% Zenith Income Fund 17.17 17.17 3.94%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 124.66

1.01% 0.56%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

7.46 69.43

7.56 70.73

-14.95% -8.38%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.72 5.77 11.29 15.34 123.59

2.76 5.85 11.36 15.54 125.59

-1.07% -17.82% -5.94% -3.80% -4.81%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY MARCH 5, 2017

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Whither Their Dreadlocks?

05.03.2017

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ MARCH ͳ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

COVER CHARLEY BOY

ADE BANTU

DAKORE EGBUSON

WIZKID

Before

Before

Before

Before

After

After

After

After

WHITHER THEIR DREADLOCKS? In the past they were known by their Rastafarian coiffure, but now they wear well-trimmed haircuts. Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha write on celebrities who changed their appearances with their hairstyles

H

air has held tremendous attraction for admirers of the human anatomy since the creation of man. Hair is one of the prominent physical attributes that defines a person.

However, attitudes towards different hair types or styles vary from one culture to another. This divergence is further narrowed to individual outlook.

Therefore, hair is commonly used to make a statement that describes one’s character; sometimes it surmises cultural, social or religious beliefs. It is often described in elevated terms as a ‘crown’.

Beyond its transformational capability, it is a sort of identity, particularly for those in the creative industry. The way you style your hair says a lot about your personality. It could connote attitude, career path and roots. For those in the creative industry, it clearly delineates style and brand identity. For instance, the famous dreadlocks which mostly identify a leaning towards Rastafarianism have accepted by other cultures. Nowadays, dreadlocks are rocked by individuals who have no business in the arts, entertainment or media. One doesn’t necessarily have to be a die-hard Bob Marley fan to wear the hairstyle. It has since become a huge trend for both

male and females, irrespective of their careers. Bankers, footballers, lawyers wear the hairstyle. Interestingly, the allure of locks was not always there. It gained popularity in the 21st century as individuals sought ways to express themselves with their hairstyle. In the past, dreadlocks was associated with spiritual convictions, particularly in most African cultures. For instance, in many Nigerian ethnic groups, children born with naturally locked hair were ascribed the gift of prophecy or believed to be the offspring of a deity, and were generally called ‘Dada’. Dreadlocks also known as dreads or locks dates back to 3600 years ago in Ancient Greece, according to Wikipedia. Soon, it spread to other parts of the world like ancient Egypt and Senegal. Also, the Maasai warriors in Kenya are identified by their long, thin red locks. The Rastafari culture, which is commonly believed to have grown out of Jamaica, sold dreadlocks to the world, largely through Reggae music. The belief is rooted in the popular myth that the Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie is a direct descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, through their son Menelik I. Rastafarians link their dreadlocks to the Biblical Nazarites who were forbidden from shaving their hair. Dreadlocks, however, gained mainstream popularity from the 1970s with the rise of Reggae, particularly, Bob Marley and the Wailers. Marley wore

his locks long. As the world evolved, dreads became a fashion statement that indicated liberalism, as well as creativity.

Hair stylists came up with synthetic dread extensions for ladies. Perhaps, the most alluring element of this particular hairstyle is that it can be styled in different ways: long, short or in parts.

The more creative the style, the more attractive it is. The common types of dreadlocks include traditional and sister locks. Traditional locks can be achieved in two ways: either through a salon on free-form. In the salon, the hairstylist uses a bonding agent to fuse the strands of hair together to form bonded dreadlocks; while free-form is naturally groomed by not combing or brushing the hair for a long time. However, sister locks can be done within a short period of time without your hair being actually locked initially. What the stylist does is to create a parting grid on the scalp, then use a locking tool to move the natural hair into locked formation. Sister locks often look like thin dreads, sometimes like tiny braids. As fashionable as this hairstyle is, it also comes with its own shortcomings. Natural dreads take a longer period to groom. This explains why most women opt for the dreads extensions or sister locks. There is also this general belief that dreads harbour dirt, thus the need to constantly wash it.

Also, the monotonous look could be very burdensome and boring.

Could this be the reason a couple of celebrities who previously rocked this hairstyle choose to shave it off?

Charles O’ Tudor For the Love of State Well known in advertising and branding industry, Charles has built an enviable reputation as an authoritative voice in brand strategy over the years.

Through his Adstrat brand, Charles’ fame grew as he was highly sought after by top multinationals. He famously wore black attires always and encouraged his staff to appear in black, as well. His office and everything linked to Adstrat carried a black hue.

Shortly before he was appointed by the then administration of Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State to manage the state brand, Charles shaved off his dreadlocks. Today, he still looks dapper in his low-cut hair, even if his name is not making giant waves like it did in the past.

Charly Boy Like a Chameleon One of the things that distinguished the eccentric musician from his peers back then was the creative way he wore his dreadlocks; loading it with an array of colourful beads and cowries.

No one understood the importance of hair to one’s image like Charly Boy. At the beginning of his career, he rocked

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MARCH 5, 2017 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER DAMMY KRANE

FADABASI

TIMAYA

GBENRO AJIBADE

Before

Before

Before

Before

After

After

After

After

androgynous look with his braided hairstyles which earned him the moniker ‘Nigeria’s Boy George’. Then he took on a Mohawkish look in the 80s, with help from his late cherished friend, Tyna Onwudiwe. He soon traded his punk look for dreadlocks in 1990s, assuming a Goth image. By 2014, he shaved off his dreadlocks and presently sports a bald head.

Timaya True or Not, We Concur The ‘I Concur’ crooner entered the music scene with dreadlocks. He caused a sensation with the look as it became his signature.

But in 2012, Timaya shocked his fans by

ILL RHYMES

shedding off his dreads. It was speculated that his baby mama inspired the decision. Other reports suggested that the artiste was merely rebranding.

True or not, he obviously felt cool with it and we can’t help but concur.

Fadabasi Gone with Orangootan Carl Raccah’s Orangootan Records fired the promising dreadlock wearing Rock artiste, Fadabasi onto the Nigerian music scene. He had previously recorded a Diamond Bank jingle produced by Carl. But it was ‘Abasi Mi Ayaya’ that exposed his genius, playing only the guitar and voice. Not too long after, Orangootan went under and so did Fadabasi. He resurfaced in his home state, Akwa Ibom, where he is now based, with a clean shaven head.

Sahr Ngaujah A Fleeting Feeling The American-based Senegalese became world famous, playing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in the Broadway musical, FELA! He told The Glitterati in an interview in Lagos that he started his acting career, wearing a dreadlock because that was how he felt at the time.

Gbenro Ajibade Love Did It In the case of this model/actor, letting go of his cherished dreadlocks look was simply an act of love. His wife Osas Ighodalo simply didn’t like his dreadlocks. To demonstrate his undying commitment to her, the Tinsel star booked an appointment with his barber to please his wife! He shaved his dreadlocks few days to his wedding.

Dammy Krane All for Buhari It was a case of politics for Dammy Krane. The popular ‘Amin’ singer made a daring promise to shave off his dreads if President Buhari wins the 2015 election. He kept to his word and joined the era of change without his dreadlocks.

Wizkid No Harm in Trying Quite a few remember Wizkid in dreadlocks. But the Starboy actually tried his head on dreadlocks back in 2014. However, by January 2015, he went back to his old look. At least, there is no harm in trying.

Ill Rhymz Dreadlocks or Not, Still Handsome The former Nigerian Idol host used to sport an afro look. He traded it for dreadlocks, not too long after. That didn’t last also. He has returned to a clean shaven look. Through this shifting sand of changing hairstyles, what remained constant was his ravishing handsomeness.

Dakore Egbuson Marriage Did It The Nollywood actress captivated many hearts when she burst into limelight, rocking her dreadlocks.

She was quickly branded as one of Nollywood’s natural hair ambassadors.

But after settling down, the actress felt it was time to let go of the dreadlocks. She still looks amazing in her weaves, braids and natural hair.

Ade Bantu 23 Years is Enough After rocking his long dreadlocks for 23 years, the convener of the monthly concert Afropolitan Vibes at Freedom Park in Lagos decided to let go of his locks. He described the change as painful but necessary. These days, he is hardly seen without a hat, perhaps, he is keeping his growing hair away from prying eyes.

Terry G Missing Dreadlocks, Fading Fame Before he attained fame, the ‘Apako’ Master wore his hair low. However, he picked up the dreadlocks as his signature as his popularity grew. Like other artistes who shaved off their dreadlocks as part of a re-branding process, Terry G took that route too. It’s still unclear if the missing dreadlocks contributed to his fading fame.

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Akisanya’s Plan to Help Nigerian Youths Funke Olaode

D

onning an Adire attire, Funmi Akisanya, British-born Nigerian entrepreneur cuts the image of a cosmopolitan woman who is deeply rooted in Nigerian nay African culture.

A native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, she was born in the United Kingdom but moved to Nigeria at age 11 where she had a brief stint at Command Children School and later Maryland Comprehensive School before jetting back to the UK. Raised by strict parents, Akisanya has done well for herself. She had her first degree in Social Research in 1999 at what was known then as North London University now London Metropolitan University. She went back to the university in 2011 and did a second degree in English Language and Linguistic. She is currently pursuing a master ’sdegree in Global Prosperity and Entrepreneurship at University College London where she is the only black studying the course.

Though based in Clapham Common in North London since childhood, the environment and the colleges have helped to discover her talents beyond paper qualification. Recently, Akisanya was at the British Council educational exhibition at the Eko Hotel to guide secondary school

Akinsanya

students who want to pursue their education abroad.

Akisanya had met with youths of like mind under the Change Makers Africa. “They gave me a

great insight, they asked question and was able to give them valuable information. Ultimately, I would love to create a platform in Nigeria where entrepreneurs

can gather and network, develop their opportunities. In the UK, I run a pop up shops: these are for freelancers who don’t have a shop because it is quite expensive but the next thing is to engage a shop for two days, display their products and services and then shut down. I have been doing it in my local college for three years now.�

Akisanya came to Nigeria with a mission. She wants to find out about the entrepreneurial landscape in order to motivate the youth and provide them with information.

Though Nigeria is a private sector driven country, Akisanya says banks can come in to support the youths just like in the UK where Barclay’s Bank has a scheme for young entrepreneur.

Going forward she believes the youths must be encouraged and empowered. “I have always promoted African culture and entrepreneur which goes hand in hand. I really think is a winwin situation for the youths.

Once they know what to do, their motivation will be improved.

Nigerians in the Diaspora can also use their strategies while government, NGOs canprovide capacity building, private sectors and SMEs everybody working together to bring their skills and with that we can promote and support them.

Hope for Special Children Yinka Olatunbosun

T

o have a special child is a test of parenting. But no one really wants such a test. At school, teachers are forced to impart knowledge in the child even in the face of learning disability. In Nigeria, many schools still subject children with special needs to the same rigour as neotypical children. And the result has been disheartening for many parents. Given this background, a UK-based teacher and consultant in special education, Dr. Ivie Omokpae Okwuegbuna recently trained some teachers in Lagos on how to develop skills that can improve the learning process in children with special needs and save such children from being classified as failures. Dr. Okwuegbuna is an assistant head teacher who is very passionate about her job. Though clad in a flowery dress and red suede pair of pump, her usual work clothes include sneakers and t-shirts that makes running easy. In her line of job, it is expected for the teacher to wear comfortable clothing for ease of movement especially when dealing with restless children.

Her homecoming hangs on the need to raise the awareness in teachers, parents, administrators of schools on what special needs children require. “The training which is for three days in different location is to empower teachers on what to do where there is a special needs child in your classroom. First of all, know what special needs the child has and what type of intervention you can provide for them. Some of the teachers here had little or no training and I used myself as an example. When I trained to be a teacher, no one ever taught me about special needs. I had no formal training. I only went along with it. I only got into it about ten years ago

Dr. Okwugbuna

due to my own interest especially in the children at the school,� she began as she settled into a leather swivel chair in one of offices after a training session in Ikeja.

She talked about the stigma associated with children with special needs and why many of them never make headway in life.

Some parents hide these children or refuse to talk about them, while those with deep pockets send their children abroad. At present, no fewer than six centres exist for children with special needs in Lagos while their population is on the rise.

There are also reported cases of medical negligence during childbirth that have led to many disabilities in children. The parents are ultimately left to deal with

this challenge without knowledge or expertise. Some school authorities have recommended for such children to be withdrawn from school as it has become obvious that the children cannot learn.

Dr. Okwugbuna thinks that children with special needs should be left in the mainstream school. “We are in a global world. We should live with our difference. Why should we segregate special needs children?

Sometimes schools may ask parents to withdraw their children with special needs because the school lacks. knowledge and understanding of the condition. I work in a school of 480 pupils and on my special needs register, I have 57 children. And they

are spread right across nursery to year six.

We have children with aspergia, dyxlesia, autism, speech delay, and a wide range of children,� she revealed.

In Africa, there are myths that children with special needs are punishment for the errors of their parents. Some medical journals have suggested that the change in lifestyle in urban cities are contributing factors. Many religions hold special prayers for families and children who live with special needs. The visiting consultant is more interested in finding solutions to training children rather than digging for the spiritual cause of their challenges.

It is not strange to have episodes wherein the child becomes a physical threat to others. Dr. Okwuegbuna emphasised the need to be watchful, citing an example of hers. “I have been bitten and hit by a child.

I was placed on hepatititis B injection for three months. The boy who bit me had night scares and didn’t get enough sleep.

That is why the parent-teacher partnership must be there. I suspect he was abused as a child. His mother didn’t come out to say so.

I went to an agency and I was given a man for one-to -one walker and that triggered it. The boy lost it. I went to him to keep him calm. I wanted to lead him to where he would be safe and he reacted that way.

They were going to expel him from his old school. I chose something that worked for him that was his interest. He loves school now and he smiles. Yes, he is working below his peers but he is still in school,� she recounted.

One feature of a class with special needs children is a work station. It is a cut-out section of the classroom where the child can have his learning sessions without distracting other children. His classmates are to be educated on his special needs.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The Records and Gaffe of the 2017 Oscars Vanessa Obioha

So much has been said and written about the Best Picture gaffe at the 89th Academy Awards. Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were mistakenly given the wrong envelope and pronounced ‘La La Land’ winner of Best Picture instead of ‘Moonlight’.

Call it another Steve Harvey error, but blunders like these are gradually becoming a trend at awards shows.

While the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has taken disciplinary actions against the PwC accountants Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz responsible for the mix-up by banning them from any of the Academy shows while still partners with the firm, the fiasco remains fresh on the mind of viewers across the globe. It was a killjoy for the show which otherwise had a smooth sail. That awkward moment would be recorded as the greatest blunder to ever rock the Oscars.

Despite the seemingly chaotic end to the Oscars, there were some impressive record-breaking moments.

For the first time in the history of the Oscars, two actors from the black race: Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali , won in the major categories. Mahershala Ali took the trophy home for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Moonlight’, and also made a new record as the first Muslim to win an Oscar in the acting category. Viola Davis on the other hand who took the Oscar for

TLC FINALLY SETS DATE FOR FINAL ALBUM RELEASE After a two-year wait, the surviving members of the girl group, TLC, Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas are set to release their fifth and final album. In 2015, the singers raised funds on Kickstarter for the album which was scheduled to be released later that year. But the 90s hip-hop and R&B group recently assured fans that the album will be finally out this summer. It is the first recording the group will do since the untimely death of its founding member Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes in 2002.

BEYONCE OUT, LADY GAGA IN FOR COACHELLA Lady Gaga will replace pregnant Beyonce as the headliner in the upcoming California Festival in April. Beyonce had to pull out following doctors order.

Lady Gaga who made a spectacle at the Super Bowl half-time show is now the second female headliner who has topped the bill at the festival. She will join Kendrick Lamar and Radiohead as headliners of the festival while artistes like Lorde, Bon Iver will perform.

Barry Jenkins

Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences also made a historical feat as the first black actor to win an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony award.

Also joining the list of Oscars record breakers is the Harry Potter franchise which scored its first Oscar win with its latest flick ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’. The movie won in the Best Costume Design Category.

‘La La Land’ may have missed out on the Best Picture Win but its director Damien Chazelle became the youngest director to win an Oscar at 32 years. Meanwhile, ‘Moonlight’ made history as the first LGBT to win an Oscar.

Finally, Emma Stone won her first Oscar as she defeated Meryl Streep, Ruth Negga, Natalie Portman and Isabelle Huppert to clinch the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Sound mixer Kevin O’ Connell (Hacksaw Ridge) also put an end to his losing streak after being nominated 21 times.

Last week, we predicted the outcome of the Oscars, particularly in the major categories. Out of the seven categories we predicted, we only got two wrong: Best Picture and Best Animation. It would actually have been only one, if ‘La La Land’ wasn’t a mistake.

The other categories we got right were Best Director which Damien Chazelle won; Best Leading Actor which Casey Affleck won; Best Leading Actress (Emma Stone); Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) and Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis).

Damien Chazelle

YOUTUBE TV DEBUTS YouTube recently unveiled plans to launch a YouTube TV- a new live television service that will include a mix of broadcast and cable programming. The TV will have about 45 channels and costs $35 per month. It will also include access to shows from YouTube creators, top trending videos and all of the original programmes it features on the YouTube Red subscription service.

The service will be launched in the U.S markets in Spring.

ALEC BALDWIN TO CO-WRITE SATIRICAL TRUMP BOOK As if his Saturday Night Live mimics are not enough, actor Alec Baldwin is taking his criticisms of US President Donald Trump a notch higher. He will be teaming with author, Kurt Andersen to write a satirical book on Trump.

Entitled ‘You Can’t Spell America Without Me: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of my Fantastic First Year as President Donald J. Trump’, the book will be released on November 7, coinciding with the date Trump emerged the winner of the US presidential elections. The book is published

by Penguin Press.

Alec Baldwin

T-Boz (l) and Chilli of TLC

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ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

BURNA BOY SEEKS AND FINDS REDEMPTION PAGE 64

05.03.2017

A CREATIVE LIGHT

FLICKERS OUT One of Moyo Ogundipe’s expressions

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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MAR ͳ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\TRIBUTE

A CREATIVE LIGHT FLICKER Yet again, the Nigerian visual arts community reels from the news of the passage of one of its own. The de Ogundipe, was found dead in his office last Wednesday. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

“H

e died this morning.”

Moyo Okediji’s last Wednesday’s Facebook had the effect of a sucker punch on the reader. Death never ceases to spook. Nor amaze. “He drove himself to his university to teach. But when the janitors opened the door to his office, he was found slumped on his desk, unconscious.

He was rushed to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.”

Thus, Okediji announced the sketchy details of the sudden passage of his namesake Moyo Ogundipe.

Ogundipe... Remember him? Just last year at Omenka Gallery, his most recent solo exhibition in Nigeria, Mythopoeia held from October 15 to 22. It was an exhibition of recent work by this leading U.S.-based painter, who likens the creative practice to mythopoeia: “an unending search for the meaning and reason and rhythm of life.”

Janine Systma, the exhibition’s curator said it “traces Ogundipe’s artistic development during the last 20 years as he moved between Nigeria and the United States and developed a mythic language to reflect the ever-changing global condition.”

“Viewers of the paintings presented [at the exhibition],” Systma added, “are cast in the role of protagonists and are invited to navigate the labyrinth of patterns and to unearth the treasures embedded within.”

Professor Ogundipe had his beginnings in Nigeria. Indeed, his Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts was from what used to be called the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Ile-Ife. Before leaving the Nigerian shores on self-exile, he worked as an art teacher, a graphic illustrator, an award-winning television producer/director and an independent filmmaker.

Later in the US, he would further burnish his academic credentials with a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore.

The acclaimed Denver painter would later explain that he had fled the military dictatorship in the 1980s, because he hated the idea of hounding people into jails. Indeed, he couldn’t imagine himself realising his dreams under such conditions. Thus, his Nigerian dream, which he had nurtured while growing up in the 1960s, gradually turned into a nightmare.

This was when it became evident that his country, which he had hoped would be as great as any country of the developed world, was sliding the cesspit of hopelessness and mediocrity.

True, Ogundipe’s works may not have put him in the bad books of the military dictators. Yet, activism simmered in his blood.

Flash-back to the late 1970s. The year precisely was 1978. He used to be a controller of programme with the N.T.A. (Nigerian Television Authority). Then, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a virtual persona non-grata to the military authorities. Consequently, his work was anathema to the staff of the government-owned electronic media house.

But not to Ogundipe, who used his

Ogundipe office, to dare the military regime, for whom he haboured total contempt. He had Fela’s Berlin concert aired unedited on the national television and was unfazed by reports that the secret service agents of what used to be called the Nigerian Security Organisation (N.S.O.) were after him. Of course, the tacit support of his then General Manager, Dr Yemi Farounmbi, had given himthe tacit encouragement that he needed.

But even before he left Nigeria, Ogundipe always considered himself first and foremost a visual artist. “People ask me why I make art. I say to them, why does a bird sing?” he was once quoted as saying.

He would later hold several exhibitions across Europe and the U.S., making occasional forays into the Nigerian scene. In the U.S., he had held exhibitions at The Orlando Museum of Art, the Maryland Museum of African Art, the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and, more recently, in African Renaissance: Old Forms, New Images at the Denver Art Museum.

Ogundipe’s Yoruba roots may stare back at the viewer in his densely-

patterned colourful paintings, which had been described as “hypnotic”, yet in them lurk the unmistakable elements of the influences of his Western education.

Perhaps, that was why he would rather not be branded an “African artist”. For sure, he would readily acknowledge his African roots, but would rather be more specifically called a “Yoruba artist”.

Yet, he would insist that the art world changed when Western art, which used to be about designs and aesthetics, came in contact with African art, which has always favoured the abstract, philosophical and spiritual. For this reason, the recipient of the 1996 Pollock-Krasner Award believed African art should be acknowledged for its contributions to modern art.

While in the US, he realised the urgent need to reconnect with his roots again.

His admiration of his native Yoruba sculptural works, especially those of the late Olowe of Ise, would chart a new course for his studio practice. Hence, he was so thrilled to have a show that featured the works of the late iconic sculptor.

Admired – or even celebrated –

though he may have been in the U.S. and parts of Europe, Ogundipe’s name vaguely rang a bell among the aficionados in his native country. This explained his repeated forays into the Nigerian art scene, not only to give back to his roots, but also to avoid drying up like the proverbial stream that forgot its source.

For these efforts, the renowned art educationist, Dr Kunle Filani, hailed “Ogundipe’s visual articulation” as “summative of the meticulous intellectualisation of artistic forms by the Yoruba artists over the ages.”

“The penchant for perfect rationalisation of visual images seems ceaseless in the Yoruba creative regenerative continuum,” Dr Filani further explained.

“From the ancient classical Ife bronze and terra-cotta sculptures, Owo art, and even the hybrid of Benin, Tsoedo, and Tada bronzes to the more recent exquisite Ekiti/Igbomina woodcarvings, there is a peculiar compact and sophisticated appropriation of forms that is unique in spite of the remarkable diversity of African art.”

Ogundipe’s works, each of which the artist once said took him at least

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž CH 5, 2017

ʜ ˺˺

RS OUT Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ? Ë› Ë›Ě‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÙãÙ Ogundipe’s works, each of which the artist once said took him at least six months to complete, proclaim his reputation as a detailed painter. In the viewers, they elicit diverse emotions, which range from excitement to calmness

six months to complete, proclaim his reputation as a detailed painter. In the viewers, they elicit diverse emotions, which range from excitement to calmness. Even so, the viewers are urged to decide what to take away from them.

So, the artist, who 12 years ago was invited to become a member of Africobra – an organisation founded in the 1960s and whose membership is comprised of distinguished African American artists – departed this earthlife unsung.

Okediji ranked him amongst the “greatest painters ever produced by Africa�, lamenting: “The world of African art is a world of total ignorance. It is a world in which the blind is leading the deaf. That is the only reason for an artist of the calibre of Moyo Ogundipe to die, unknown, uncelebrated.�

Describing Ogundipe as a “perfect artist�, who “was never a hustler�, he continued: “He knew his job was to make art. He expected curators, art historians and dealers to do their [bit] by seeking out the greatest artists and promoting them. But he didnot realise that contemporary art is not about talent or brilliance: it is about who could shout the loudest, who sleeps with whom, who knows you, and who you know--it is about mediocrity, sycophancy and frivolity, wrapped in the cover of racial, gender and sexual discrimination. “The death of Moyo Ogundipe makes me angry not just because he has passed. I am angry because of the unjust world of art that he served diligently till his last breath.

But I’m happy because he has finally proven that the art world is full of back-slappers and ignoramuses. I’m happy that he left a treasure of work that represents his great stewardship on earth.�

The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFÉ

BURNA BOY SEEKS AND FINDS REDEMPTION Oris Aigbokhaevbolo

I

t’s little wonder that pop music has inspired so many tributes to sex. Like sex, some of the best pop music are mindless infusions of raw pleasure—minus the exertions.

But there’s the other kind of pop, the type that aspires to pleasure of a different, introspective sort.

You will find both on Redemption, the new EP by Burna Boy. Last time out, Burna delivered a disappointment. His sophomore On A Spaceship, excepting less than a handful of tracks, was dismal compared with the greatness of his debut album, LIFE. You could say that after the poor On A Spaceship, the ‘Like to Party’ singer was seeking redemption.

On this EP, he has found it.

A superb brooding track ‘Pree Me’ opens Redemption. A patois infested fare, ‘Pree Me’ (which means, ‘watch me’ in a manner suggestive of surveillance) isn’t quite clear in terms of lyrics; one is just able to make out bits of what is going on.

Because of the production, however, it doesn’t take much to infer that the song is contemplative. It continues Burna Boy’s preoccupation with his detractors. He seems to believe he has lots of them, and perhaps he does. I’ll explain.

Weeks ago, Jidenna brought Burna onstage at his Hard Rock, Lagos concert, declaring him “one of my favourite artists” in what felt like a solidarity act for an outsider. During an interview around that time, Jidenna also said Burna Boy is underrated.

Before both Jidenna episodes, at the birthday celebration of Burna’s granddad, the music journalist Benson Idonije, Burna declared Phyno his only friend in the music industry—quite a declaration from someone who has featured a fair number of colleagues on his songs.

Whatever the case, Burna Boy seems to have quite the persecution complex.

Good for him. It brought some of the better songs on On A Spaceship. On Redemption, it gives us these lines from ‘Pree Me’: I got a lotta enemies some of them use to be my friend now they switch sides on me I wonder they all pretend even though it aint clear to me only one thing clear to me me really can’t trust no friend so you have to watch your friend Not quite worthy of the Nobel perhaps, but Burna has made his personal paranoia feel universal. Listening to the man grumble his way through those lines on the back of Leriq’s drum-based production forces empathy.

It’s difficult, of course, to feel sorry for a rich, young and famous artist—but maybe you can begin to look at your own friends with suspicion. As it stands, Burna Boy may be the only Nigerian artist to make “The money gat me all I want/Every other day I want” sound like something you’re not supposed to crave as he says on ‘Fa So La Ti Do.’ ‘Pree Me’ and ‘Fa So La Ti Do’ are at the start of the EP, which closes with ‘We On,’ a short song with a chorus to inspire uninspired dancing from the most insecure of bad dancers. With its trippy trap music elements, the beat on ‘We On’ is one more evidence of a successful genreraiding for an artist like Burna whose sound is a confluence of influences. The song’s chorus is the primary source of Redemption’s raw pleasure. Most of rest

Burna Boy

of the album aspires to that introspective pleasure mentioned earlier.

In between the first and last song on this 7-track EP, Burna Boy’s brood-mood doesn’t exactly lift, and we get a look at the personal life of the man’s pop music persona. What comes across is a lyrical inventory of a young person’s intimacies—carnal and emotional. The songs ‘Body to Body’ and ‘Mary Jane’ convey those lucidly.

‘Mary Jane,’ in particular, samples Minnie Ripperton’s 1975 Billboard number 1 hit ‘Loving You’—the use of a love song extolling the beauty of the beloved in

that famous “loving you is easy because you’re beautiful” line is itself indicative of the power of lust, something Burna Boy and his Naija pop colleagues talk about endlessly. And yet, with Burna there’s a hint of something not quite as mindless as is the case with the lusty preoccupations of his colleagues. There is an edge to his considerations, as though the songs cover an emotional tinderbox.

Ripperton’s song is not the only sample on Redemption; there are hints of Nas’s ‘You Owe Me’ and Ginuwine’s ‘Same Ol’ G’. These songs by American artists are repurposed by Leriq, who remains in the

business of not pandering to Nigerian radio. Fortunately, he has more than enough imagination to pull it off. Little wonder the absence of his production on On A Spaceship was noticeable.

The Redemption EP leaves the listener with a minor fact of the Nigerian pop scene: Bad Burna Boy is merely bad; Good Burna Boy is almost always great.

This time we get good Burna Boy, and boy does it feel great.

A version of this review appears online at musicinafrica.net. Oris Aigbokhaevbolo is winner of the AFRIMA award for Entertainment Journalism.

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CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

Beyond the New Visa Policy for Foreigners The announcement of a new visa policy for foreigners by the federal government is laudable, but the factors that made the process a horrendous experience should be identified and dealt with, writes Vincent Obia

A

fter staying silent about a long time nightmare of getting a Nigerian visa at the country’s foreign missions, the federal government on Sunday announced regulations to ease the visa process. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the measures were part of a plan to boost tourism and make the business environment conducive and attractive to foreign investors. The federal government wants to make it easier for foreigners to secure visa on arrival, business visa, tourist visas and transit visa.

Mohammed also said, “Re-issuance of passports for change of names due to marital reasons or lost cases have been decentralised to all state commands and foreign missions to save passport holders from additional costs and the inconvenience of travelling to the service headquarters in Abuja, while additional 28 offices have been opened for the issuance of residence permits in Nigeria, bringing the issuance of Combined Expatriate Residence Permit And Aliens Cards closer to the doorstep of employers of expatriates in all 36 states and FCT.�

The sensible desire of any civilised society is that it should be the preferred destination of economically valuable migrants. It is, thus, very difficult to rationalise the obstacles being placed in the way of foreigners, who seek to visit Nigeria for business and tourism. It is even worse that these impediments are created by the same citizens who are employed and deployed to market the country abroad. Horrific pictures of what people experience to secure the Nigerian visa at the foreign missions have been widely painted, with some likening the visa process to a “camel passing through the eye of a needle.�

So when on Sunday the information minister announced the decision to make foreigners secure the Nigerian visa more easily, and remove undue bureaucratic bottlenecks Nigerians endure to get their country’s passport, many received the news with great relief. While this move is commendable, the federal government needs to sincerely and steadfastly probe the awful visa experiences to determine the issues behind the difficulties.

There is need to probe the past lapses and fix them to be able to secure the future of easy visa that Nigeria craves.

The probe is necessary, because the inexplicable frustrations in the Nigerian visa process tend to point to a deeper need to deal with corruption at the foreign missions. There have been allegations of bribery and other corrupt practices in the visa process at the country’s embassies and high commissions, as staff seek inducement to do their job. Many believe that most of the hindrances in the process are not born out of a desire to ensure that only genuine visa seekers are permitted to enter Nigeria. They are widely alleged to be mere pressures in aid of bribe.

If the alleged malpractices that made the Nigerian visa and passport application processes a traumatic pursuit are not exposed and dealt with, the federal government may just be introducing the proposed reforms into an environment that

would set them at naught.

Addressing the consular problems would help to eliminate some of the dints that make it difficult to market Nigeria in foreign lands. It would help the drive for foreign investment in the country.

Nigeria currently ranks 169th out of 190 countries on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index, and immigration issues have been identified as a major cause of the low ranking.

According to the World Bank, of the 190 countries ranked, Nigeria places 181 in the area of trading across borders. The country ranks 182 in terms of payment of taxes and registra-

tion of property, 180 in power availability, 174 in processing construction permits, and 140 in resolving insolvency. The World Bank says Nigeria places 139 in enforcing contracts, 138 in starting a business, 44 in getting credit, and 32 in protecting minority investors.

The embassies and high commissions are the mirror in which foreigners look to form impressions about the effectiveness and efficiency of institutions in the parent countries.

Taking out needless bottlenecks and complications from the visa process would go a long way in burnishing Nigeria’s image abroad.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Still on the Southern Kaduna Killings

T

he federal government recently ordered the deployment of additional security measures in southern Kaduna following the continuation of attacks and killings in the area, in spite of a heavy presence of security personnel. The new measures, which came after the killing of 21 persons in renewed violence, include the despatch of over 15, 000 more police ofďŹ cers to the area and arrangements for the establishment of a new Police Squadron in Kafanchan. Others are the deployment of 18 Armoured Personnel Carriers and a unit of Belarustrained police Special Forces to southern

Kaduna.

The police have also increased helicopter surveillance in the area to try to prevent violence in the communities.

These measures are okay. But to make them achieve their desired purpose, the ofďŹ cers supervising the security personnel on the ground in southern Kaduna should be given speciďŹ c targets, and they should be sanctioned appropriately if they fail to achieve their targets.

The horrible news of continued killings and violence in the area even with the heavy presence of security forces is not a good advertisement for Nigeria. – Vincent Obia

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris

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Makarfi

Jonathan

Sheriff

Goodluck Jonathan Sets Himself a Challenge to Reconcile Makarfi, Sheriff As former President Goodluck Jonathan takes on the task of reconciling the warring factions of PDP, Onyebuchi Ezigbo looks at the challenge before him

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he dispute in the Peoples Democratic Party has taken on a new twist with the recent pronouncement of the Court of Appeal, which reinstated the former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, as the national chairman of the party. The appeal court verdict came against the expectations of the mainstream section of the PDP. Many in the party had thought the judgement would help to resolve the conflict plaguing it. But as things are now, the outcome of the appeal court has widened the crisis in the party. This is, apparently, because a lot of party stakeholders had expected the judgement to be in favour of the national caretaker committee led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, which commands the loyalty of majority of party members.

Animosity The reactions to the appeal court ruling betrayed the level of animosity created by the leadership crisis. Sheriff’s initial reaction to the court verdict showed that he had not forgiven the two governors, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike. The two governors played an influential role in picking Sheriff for the PDP top job before their relationship with went sore. Sheriff was reported to have said that the duo had no place in the new PDP under him, a statement he later denied.

Fayose, who is now the PDP governors’ forum chairman, has thrown his weight behind the Makarfi-led caretaker committee’s resolve to challenge Sheriff’s reinstatement at the Supreme Court.

Makarfi and the national caretaker committee had issued a statement rejecting the court ruling and stating that they will approach the Supreme Court to set aside the ruling of the appeal court. The meeting of stakeholders of the party summoned by the caretaker committee also gave its backing for the appeal at the Supreme Court.

What also came out of the PDP stakeholders meeting was that interest in a peaceful reconciliation might have waned.

Since that meeting held, both sides of the divide have intensified their effort to undo each other rather come together to seek a political solution. Though, he paid a few visits to some former Board of Trustees members, like the former President Goddluck Jonathan, former military president Ibrahim Babangida, and former BoT chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, Sheriff did not do much to calm frayed nerves.

Instead, he went ahead to reopen the PDP national secretariat, thereby provoking the other faction.

The stakeholders’ meeting, which was convened by the Makarfi-led national caretaker committee to decide on the next line of action following the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt division, that reinstated Sheriff as the party’s national chairman, pushed for an appeal to be file at the Supreme Court. Most of the leaders who addressed the meeting were vehement in rejecting Sheriff and calling for the case to be appealed at the Supreme Court.

Pressure for Resolution The lone voices from both sides of the divide are Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, and a member of the BoT, Professor Tunde Adeniran, who also a member of the strategy review and inter party affairs committee set up by the national caretaker committee. Ojougboh said that the group viewed the judgement as “no victor, no vanquished”, adding that the stage is set for genuine reconciliation among members of the party.

Apparently sounding reconciliatory, Ojougboh said what would best serve the interest of the party was for Sheriff to go into negotiation with every organ of the party, including the national caretaker committee, to iron out all outstanding difference and put to rest the leadership crisis in the party.

Similarly, Adeniran, who is also a founding member of the PDP and a member of the party’s BoT, canvassed for the adoption of a political solution to finally resolve the dispute in the party. In a statement issued by Adeniran, the former Minister of Education maintained that political solution remained the best option, adding, “Our founding fathers and all critical stakeholders must resume action in this regard, not just for the sake of justice, fair play and stability within the PDP but for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.”

Enter Jonathan There is hope peaceful resolution, especially, going by what transpired at a recent meeting Jonathan held with the warring parties. At the meeting with Jonathan, the former Borno State governor pleaded with Jonathan to help negotiate a peaceful settlement of the party’s crisis.

At first, the visit of Sheriff to the former president’s home was wrongly interpreted by some to mean his tacit support, but Jonathan’s media aide issued a clarification last Tuesday, saying the issue of endorsement never came up during the meeting.

The statement said Jonathan’s meeting with Sheriff was merely part of his effort bring about a peaceful settlement of the crisis in the party, stressing that the former president also met with other delegation of the leadership of the party led by Makarfi the same day. He said as a former president and foremost leader of the party, Jonathan welcomed Sheriff and some of his supporters to his house, in line with a mediation role he was playing towards unifying and strengthening the PDP. The statement read, “As a peace-loving leader of the party, the former president’s interest is to help reposition PDP to enable it play a constructive role in the affairs of the nation, in view of the imperative of deepening the nation’s democracy.

Indeed, it may interest you to know that after meeting with Sheriff, the former president also met with Senator Ahmed Makarfi, leader of the PDP caretaker committee, and the party’s Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Walid Jubril, later in the evening.”

Eze quoted the former president, as saying, “We (PDP) are not factionalised. We are one. We are solving our problems.

There are bound to be differences in politics. It is the way we

resolve these differences that make us human beings and that is what makes us leaders. I have met with Sheriff. And I have met with others. I will still meet with others, so that we will be able to do what is expected of us as a political party.”

Jonathan and PDP Governors Jonathan met with PDP governors on Tuesday in continuation of efforts to bring an amicable solution to the PDP crisis.

At the end of the meeting, which lasted about five hours, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and governor of Ekiti State, Fayose told journalists that they had resolved to pursue a political solution to the crisis. He said the meeting resolved to pursue a political solution while the major actors were urged to refrain from making inflammatory statements that could inflame passions in the party.

Fayose said, “It is my pleasure to tell you that we are here at the instance of the former president. He is genuinely concerned about what is going on in the party. And he thought that an interactive session with the governors will go a long way in dousing tension.

“One, we want to assure all our supporters that we believe in this party, we believe in the success of this party.

“We want to appeal to everybody to be wary of making statements that could further worsen the situation. Rather we should make complimentary statements that can enhance the party the more. Again, we know that there are so many matters before the court. But we believe that a political solution will go a long way to solve this matter.

“And if we believe in this party, we will all be willing and ready to pursue a political solution, in which at the end of the day every interest will be well represented. That is the position of this meeting.”

From the look of things, it seems the former president’s intervention has started yielding fruit, at least, in helping to tone down the war of words between the feuding sides.

Sheriff spoke in more reconciliatory manner at a recent function in Abuja, when he pleaded with those who were unhappy with his chairmanship of PDP to give peace a chance and allow him hold a convention where new leaders will emerge.

He again pledged to quit the scene after the convention.

However, many of those who opposed his reinstatement have dismissed the offer to quit the stage as an empty one, arguing that Sheriff cannot be trusted again after he plotted to remain in office using the instrumentality of the courts.

On its part, the Sheriff group has accused the Makarfi-led caretaker committee of plotting to expel them if they eventually win the court case. The situation now is almost a stalemate with each side intensifying its drive to mobilise support from state chapters of the party. They have continued to seek endorsement from both the zonal and state leaders of the PDP in an attempt to consolidate their bases. Under the present scenario, it difficult to see how any peace effort can succeed in bringing the two sides to a dialogue table since both appear to have taken extreme positions.

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Osinbajo and the Caps of Power Chidi Amuta

T

here is something about power and caps in Nigeria.

An unwritten law seems to state that Nigerian power wielders at national and state levels must wear caps as part of some traditional attire, an indication of the rootedness of the individual politicians in the traditions of their roots. After all, all politics, it is said, is first and foremost local. In these parts, then, through their caps, you shall know their locality.

The semiology of caps in our political life assumed a life of its own even from the First Republic. Then, the cap was mostly a means of individual authenticity and self-validation.

Akintola’s cap quickly told you he was first an Ogbomosho man. Dr. Azikiwe’s adapted Malaysian cap was more of a fashion statement than a badge of Igbo nativity. Okpara occasionally donned the Zikist cap but was more comfortable in the rainbow coloured war cap of Bende warriors.

Chief Awolowo wore a much simpler but different cap from Akintola’s more elaborate Abeti aja (ear of the dog) topping. So you couldn’t possibly put a pan- Yoruba commonality on Awolowo and Akintola simply based on their caps. Chief Awolowo either wore his signal cap straight up or slightly slanted it in a direction decidedly different from Akintola’s, I suppose for political effect.

If anything, their differential caps signaled a latent ideological chasm and deep political divide. May be the shapes of their caps had nothing to do with the political upheaval that later enveloped the region and subsequently the nation, leading to conflagration and the civil war. We may never know.

Ahmadu Bello’s cap was almost similar to Akintola’s normal fare except when Ladoke Akintola decided to go grassroots native.

But the Sardauna’s cap was somewhat non-flamboyant in many ways and was quite different from that of Tafawa Balewa, whose mostly simple white cap suggested a Sahelian ancestry more akin to Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso than something suggestive of a pan Northern Nigerian solidarity. So basically, in the First Republic, the cap as part of political costume was not an ethno national badge. It was either a fashion statement or a stamp of individual cultural authenticity. Sometimes, it became an emblem of ideological solidarity as in the case of Chief Awolowo and Dr. Azikiwe.

For both men, it was an emblem that their ideological followers would adopt to differentiate themselves from the crowd of other political flock.

With military rule and the civil war, a new more sinister cap came into preeminence. Just take a look at the National theatre in Lagos. It was deliberately shaped to mimic the army general’s cap a la Yakubu Gowon. The internal differences within the formations of the military told you whom the cap fitted. Army Signals had a distinctive beret with the feathers of some strange birds sticking out in front. But basically, the military wore a uniform cap, thereby neutralizing somewhat the diversity and divisions among the politicians they surmounted and replaced.

When under Ibrahim Babangida, ideology became a preoccupation of the government, the cap became an unstated ideological symbol. In normal non-ceremonial uniform, Babangida loved the beret of his beloved armored corps. But he tilted it always to the right. When he was challenged on his imposition of a two party system on the country by fiat, he defended the decision by insisting that the dominant ideological tendencies in the nation’s politics were either ‘a little to the right’ or ‘a little to the left’.

When the SDP, which was a ‘little to the left’ was about to win the presidential election, he annulled the results. People forgot that he preferred his beret slanted a little to the right!

In the post military era, the cap again moved center stage to the national level. A

Osinbajo

new language of the cap accompanied the rise of an almighty federal government.

Political struggle in Nigeria became an open warlike contest for control of the federal government with the oil cheque book. In a rather subtle way, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, a quintessential gentleman, who related to federal power from the perspective of a colonial bureaucrat, perhaps unconsciously inaugurated the era of the cap as signpost of supreme political power. He came from Sokoto with the conical hand woven Shagari cap and an appropriate nationalist slogan –‘One Nation, One Destiny’.

The flowing Sahelian three-piece Agbada with the Shagari cap to match became the distinguishing costume of the ruling NPN all over the country. That costume was the passport to huge federal contracts and all manner of patronage in a rampaging assault on the national treasury. It was the ticket for enrollment into widespread racketeering in rice, cement, import licenses and all manner of shady deals for which the Second Republic politicians earned themselves eternal prison terms under the first Buhari. Maybe it was not the cap but those who wore it as a badge of gangsters that was the problem. The irony was that

Either as substantive vice president or acting president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo cannot wear certain caps… In whatever direction he slants his present modest non-political cap, however, there will always be a political reading

Mr. Shagari, an otherwise good man, had lent his signature political cap as a symbol of unprintable crimes. The cap had come to stay as a symbol of the new contest by ethno national ‘war lords’ for the control of the federal government in a new ‘turn by turn’ notion of power in our federation.

Therefore, when Obasanjo returned to power as civilian president in 1999, his ascent was celebrated both as a welcome nationalist resurgence and as a ‘power shift’ from the North to the South. The new cap at Aso Rock Villa, the seat of power, was in fact variations of the Yoruba traditional cap. The new cap was christened ‘power shift’. Other Nigerians working at the seat of power had to adopt this new cap and its accompanying variegated attire to indicate that indeed power had shifted to the southern end of the nation. Obasanjo himself was the worst advertisement for any cap anyway, either as fashion statement or ethnic symbol. He was neither a fashion icon nor an ethnic bigot strictly defined, but nonetheless still unmistakably a Yoruba man.

The next watershed in the semiotics of caps at the apex of national power was the ascendancy of Goodluck Jonathan, a man who became president more on account of his origins in the Ijaw creeks of the Niger Delta than on account of his personal sagacity or political muscle. With him came the signature Panama hat of the Niger Delta and the long be-jeweled woolen gowns popularized by ancient slave traders and oil chiefs of the old Delta. The panama caps were quickly tagged ‘Resource control’ by our public, an indication that this was the costume of the rise of the Niger Delta minorities.

Buhari’s return to power as civilian president marks a confusing amalgam in the caps of power. During the campaign leading to the 2015 presidential election, I guess the APC and Buhari’s handlers realized that the country was a vastly changed place. No single cap could summarise the aspirations of the people. The adoption of any one cap by a candidate would cost the politician the election. Buhari saw wisdom in wearing as many caps as the occasion demanded. In one of the flag off portraits, his handlers put poor Buhari in the laughable straightjacket of a business suit. A patently business unfriendly Buhari in corporate boardroom suit was a sight to behold. Quite pitiable. But that was a rather tragic use of costume in the play of

politics.

Then they made him several costumes depending on where he was going to campaign next. In Lagos and the South West, he donned the convenient Baba Isale Eko cap on top of buba and sokoto in garish APC colours. In the South- South, the cap of convenience was the Panama hat on top of the adopted slave trader’s jumper. In the South East, it was either the red cap on the very uncomfortable isi agu (the lion’s head as the warrior’s ultimate trophy) tweed jumper or the Bende warrior’s rainbow cap on top of some lousy wrapper and jumper.

All over the north, Buhari campaigned in the Sahelian Arab flowing gown and a tempered version of the Shagari cap except in Benue where the bold black and white stripes of the Tiv warrior was an imperative, an indication that things, including political promises, must be put in black and white.

It seems that Buhari’s campaign costumes were either protective colouration or statements of national unity in diversity.

Once elected, Buhari reverted to his tempered Shagari cap on top of a convenient long Tuareg kaftan. The business suit and other assorted nationalistic garb have since disappeared. Costume wise, Buhari returned to the political north. Whether that reflects in the policies he has pursued in office or the key appointments he has made so far is open to public debate. But somehow, we are stuck with the nativity of Buhari’s homegrown Tuareg kaftans and the occasional flowing agbada.

Vice President and now acting President Yemi Osinbajo is a man I am fairly conversant with. We share common friends and a similar background in the academia. But the man is a lawyer, a damned erudite one at that. He is also a fine and decent gentleman, an efficient technocrat and above all a Pentecostal pastor. But he is in a political role, an environment that is not totally strange to him by marriage, work experience and long association. The last time I saw him in his office at Aso Rock, I could not comment on his cap because I was part of a business delegation with associates from the United Kingdom.

From the inception of his current substantive tenure as vice president, I have felt some discomfort for him in his mandatory political costume, which dictates that he dons a cap. As vice president, he could don any cap and slant it in any direction. The only thing he could not do was overtly wear an Awo cap or a Tinubu cap. Bola Tinubu’s political costume is both personal and a derivative from the Awo tradition. The cap is an adaptation of the classic Awo cap but Tinubu’s has an avante garde Lagosian slant, something deliberately adorned with images of cowrie shells.

Either as substantive vice president or acting president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo cannot wear certain caps. He cannot wear either Awo’s or Tinubu’s caps in spite of his historic proximity to both. He also cannot wear Buhari’s cap in spite of his working proximity to that cap. In whatever direction he slants his present modest non-political cap, however, there will always be a political reading. If he tries to wear Buhari’s cap, he will be regarded as a usurper in some quarters and a traitor in others. If he calls home to fetch a cap from his political ancestry, all hell will be let loose. The only solid base for whatever power he will be wielding going forward is the Nigerian constitution on the basis of which Buhari temporarily handed him sovereignty. The constitution wears only the costume of neutrality. Luckily, Osinbajo is a lawyer and the laws by which we are governed are essentially Western.

When in political doubt, therefore, I suggest that my friend the professor of law goes to the office dressed in an attorney’s suit. His best decisions then will likely be made in strict observance of the rule of law applied according to the laws of political common sense.

––Dr. Chidi Amuta, Chairman of Wilson & Weizmann Ltd., is a member of THISDAY editorial Board.

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A Sweet Homecoming for Mimiko It was a historic moment for ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko penultimate Friday, as sons and daughters of Ondo Kingdom gavehimarousingwelcomeafterhiseightyearsasgovernorofOndoState.James Sowole,inAkure,reports

Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko acknowledging cheers from supporters as he heads to the venue of the ‘welcome home’ reception

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ince 2009, February 24 has remained indelible on the minds of the people of Ondo, which is one of the major towns in Ondo State. It was on this day that a son of the town, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, was sworn in as the fifth elected governor of the Sunshine State after he was declared the winner of theApril 14, 2007 governorship election in the state by the Court ofAppeal in Benin City. Ondo town had produced many notable personalities in various fields of endeavour, but the governorship position Mimiko held was unique.

The entire state had stood still for the swearing in of Mimiko, which was done at the Akure Township Stadium with pump and celebration. With the completion of his second term on February 24, Mimiko set the record as the first democratically elected governor to govern the state for eight years.

Appreciation It is one thing for somebody to rise to a position; it is another thing for the people to appreciate him after leaving office. The Biblical saying that “a prophet is not without honour but in his own country and among his own kin, and in his own house,” (Mark 6:4), was not the case of the immediate past governor in his hometown, as the entire Ondo city stood still for him as his people came out in their hundreds on Thursday, February 14 to welcome him back home. The warm reception for Mimiko did not take place only in Ondo city, but in the entire Ondo Kingdom, which has two local governments of Ondo West and Ondo East.

The former governor was received by a tumultuous crowd at Owena Bolorunduro, a boundary town between Idanre and Ondo East councils. As the motorcade was moving from Owena on the ever busy Akure-Ondo highway, sons and daughters of the kingdom, popularly called “Ekimoguns”, joined the train in their hundreds, wearing different uniform of Ankara fabrics specifically adopted for the occasion.

In his characteristic manner since he became the governor, Mimiko on arrival in Ondo city, went straight with the motorcade to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ondo Province 2 Headquarters, where a brief welcome thanksgiving service was held for the returnee and members of his family.

In what looked like a thank you tour of the kingdom, the entourage had a stop- over at OkeItunu, along Yaba Road, where the former governor paid homage to his mother, Alhaji Muinat Mimiko, before heading for another special welcome service at the Ondo Central Mosque, before he proceeded to the palace of Osemawe. It was supposed to be a distance of less than one hour, but it took more than

five hours to arrive at the palace of Osemawe, and the security agencies had a hectic task controlling the large crowd At the palace of Osemawe, large numbers of gorgeously dressed Ekimoguns were on hand to welcome their illustrious son and his wife, who they described as having done his best for the state.

Entourage Though, the event was supposed to be an Ekimoguns affair, those who served in various positions while Mimiko was the governor, including the former deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, and his wfe, Fatima, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Aderotimi Adelola, commissioners, members of boards and parastatals accompanied him to his hometown. Also on Mimiko’s entourage were Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujimi, Hons Mayowa Akinfolarin, Kolade Akinjo, Mike Omogbehin, members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, among others Ekimoguns, who gathered at the various meeting points included Hon Joseph Akinlaja, Chief Segun Adegoke, Chief Dayo Ogunniyi, Chief Jise Akimnmusere, Chief Isaac Akintade, political party leaders from Ondo Kingdom, and the Iyalajes /Iyalojas The Ekimoguns said celebrating Mimiko was a way of appreciating God for giving them the former governor, whom they described as a gift to the kingdom because, according to them, he has served meritoriously as a good ambassador of the kingdom.

Achievement In the welcome address delivered by the chairman of the organising committee for the reception, Chief Segun Adegoke, at the palace of Osemawe, Oba Olasimbo Kiladejo, the people gave their reason for honouring Mimiko. They highlighted his numerous achievements.

Adegoke stated, “Despite the plethora ground breaking progressive policies and programmes of the late legendary statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his critics, particularly, of his signature legacy of free education, seemed at the time absolutely impeccable; notwithstanding the fact that he led his country, Britain, from the brink of defeat to victory in World War II, Sir Winston Churchill was rejected at the polls for another tenure after his prime ministership of the United Kingdom from 1940-1945; even though most economic and social indices point to the Barrack Obama administration’s stellar performance and his tenure constituting a great presidency, a significant proportion of the American people would rather prefer to be governed by a billionaire president with questionable moral character and no governmental experience to the Obama-endorsed candidate, Hilary Clinton.

Mimiko, his wife, Olukemi and his children, Bibitayo and Bayonle at the Thanksgiving service “The fickleness and inconsistency in human nature is dramatised not only by the fact that both Awolowo and Churchill have since a long time joined the pantheon of great world leaders, their names are now often invoked by politicians several generations after their passing for political relevance.

“Although, the jury is still out on the Obama administration’s historical position in the US presidential rating, its glass breaking significance cannot be wished away!

“The above is why we in Ondo Kingdom feel a sense of compelling kingship through shared nativity, culture and aspiration with our son, brother and friend, Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, the fifth democratically elected governor of Ondo State and the one so far to be elected to terms of office of eight years, to welcome him back home after a highly successful performance in office. “Although, posterity will be the better judge of his record in governance, however, Dr Olusegun Mimiko’s imprints both on the social services sector and the overall development trajectory of Ondo State will be difficult to erase.”

Welcoming Ekimoguns and other dignitaries to the palace, Osemawe in Council, in an address read by the Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin, said Mimiko did not bring shame to Ekimoguns, Ondo State and Nigeria, in general, while in service as governor of Ondo State. He listed the remarkable achievements of Mimiko to include sustenance of peace throughout his tenure, infrastructural development, health care delivery, and education. Former Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, said Mimiko was a leader who kept faith with his promises.

Praise Mimiko was praised by many groups and individuals at the reception held at the Oba Adesanye Civic Centre, in the heart of the city. They included market women, youth groups, artisans, and physically challenged persons. They came out in large numbers and spoke glowingly about Mimiko’s tenure. The immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola, who spoke on behalf of cabinet members, and a member of House of Representatives, Hon Joseph Akinlaja, who spoke on behalf of federal lawmakers at the event, said it had been a worthwhile experience working and associating with Mimiko.

In a brief remarks, the paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, Kiladejo, said Ekimoguns celebrated Mimiko because he made them proud with his outstanding performance in the last eight years as governor.

Response Responding, at various points, Mimiko, clad in Aso Oke with his wife, Olukemi, was full of praise to the Almighty God, who had been with him in the last eight years. It was songs of praises to God all the way. He commended the people that worked with him in various capacities, stating that the achievements of his administration are a function of the hard work of cabinet members and others who supported the government. He commended the Ekimoguns for the grand reception accorded him and promised not to let them down anytime he had the opportunity to serve people again. wIt was an emotional homecoming for Mimiko, and a great reunion with the people after a hectic eight years.

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Five Years After, Seriake Dickson Takes Stock Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

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f Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson preens himself on being “the only Valentine governor in the whole universe,” it is not just because he is adored by the people. But, it is also because the date, February 14, holds a special political significance for his administration.

Not even the current sombre economic realities could subdue the festive ambience in the state that straddles a substantial part of the Niger Delta last February 14.

For that Tuesday was also a day it commemorated Dickson’s fifth year as governor. The governor, who for the above reason is nicknamed, among other things, “the Valentine Governor”, had stomped into his second term in office after his victory in the bitterly-contested election of December 5, 2015.

Indeed, no election in the state’s history had elicited as much nationwide interest as that election. And it is not hard to figure out why this happened to be so. The former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party had just lost its grip on power at the federal level to the All Progressives Congress. So, Dickson, as its flag-bearer in the state, found himself unwittingly leading its fight for survival.

Indeed, “fight for survival” it turned out to be, for Bayesa, being also the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state – as one of the few surviving PDP – controlled states – was hoping to remain so. Surely, the prospect of the APC flag-bearer and the state’s former governor, Timipre Sylva, returning to the Creek Haven once more as governor would not have been a cheery one for the ex-president. Was he not behind the former’s removal from office?

These undercurrents may have helped prepare the grounds for what Dickson’s chief press secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, described as the election that witnessed “the worst violence in the nation’s history” in his book, How Governor Dickson Deployed People Power to Defeat Federal Might, which was launched on February 14. Perhaps, also, many out there in the streets of the state capital, Yenagoa, would want to corroborate this assertion.

But Dickson rather owes his folks-hero status to his indisputable landmark achievements in the state. Politicking, the governor believes, should be left behind with the elections.

His Restoration government was back in power for a second term. That was what mattered.

When he first won the election in 2012, the governor had pledged in his inaugural speech not to “play politics with security and development”. Hence, he gave the state’s security system an unprecedented makeover and, thus, consigned the ugly spectre of insecurity in the state to the past. In the new system, a state-wide security communication network linked all the communities to the command and control centre.

Thus, the governor and security commanders are constantly in touch with all the communities.

This security setup, which witnessed the installation of electronic surveillance equipment across the state, was backed up by a rapid-response security task force code-named “Operation Doo Akpo”.

Dickson, during his first term in office, also tackled the state’s infrastructural deficit head on. The accelerated infrastructural development of his administration did not corroborate the gloomy narrative bordering on the state’s indebtedness to the tune of N342 billion, allegedly incurred by the previous administration. Nor did the recent economic recession hinder his remarkable strides in agriculture during the first year of his second term. The governor himself crowed about the fact that the much-feared recession had not stopped his paying the salaries of the civil servants regularly.

Understandably, his administration – flying the banner of the Restoration Agenda – had swung into action with a sense of urgency. The mission, which was to drastically improve the state of infrastructure throughout Bayelsa, yielded the desired results particularly the state capital, Yenagoa. His administration aimed to diversify the economy of the state, which supplies a substantial part of Nigeria’s oil revenue, through tourism, agriculture and industrialisation as well as through the construction of new infrastructure, including a good network of roads and the expansion of other existing ones.

Opening up the state for easy accessibility across the three senatorial districts in a bid to promote trade and industry, thus, became a top priority. Of course, the obvious implication of this for investors is not only having an easy access to all parts of the state, but also their ability to open businesses wherever suitable without worrying about basic infrastructure. This is also good news for farmers and agro-allied businesses, because they will easily be able to transport their products to markets. Likewise, tourists will move around to locate and enjoy the natural beaches and visit the numerous tourist attractions in the state.

Yet, the administration had to contend with a serious challenge.

That is the fact that almost the entire state is on wetlands. The consequent marshy terrain makes infrastructural development not only expensive but also cumbersome. Nonetheless, the Dickson administration has so far been able to complete over 350 kilometres of roads across the state, 15 bridges, over 50 public buildings and two flyovers. In addition, 18 roads and two outer ring roads were dualised while the secretariat for the Traditional Rulers Council in Yenagoa was constructed.

Also, the road that links the old campus of the state-owned

Dickson

Niger Delta University in Amassoma to the new one was also completed. Add to these, the completion of 25 internal roads in Yenagoa, a feat which was replicated in all the eight local government headquarters during the first phase of total rehabilitation and transformation of roads in the state.

Among other completed projects is the construction of the state archives, museum, language centre, new secretariat annexes, governor and deputy governors’ office complexes, modern police mess, rehabilitation of the Gloryland Cultural Centre and construction of the Government House Clinic. And, of course, the pharmaceutical storage and distribution centre has since become functional, being the first of its kind in Africa.

Other noteworthy projects of the administration include the ambitious new Yenagoa city, which when completed hopes to be the new Dubai in Africa, especially in terms of facilities and opening business opportunities. There are also the strategically-located bridges in the three senatorial districts, the construction of an airport and the Agge Deep Seaport.

Governor Dickson hopes that the successful completion of these two projects would speed up the quest for a diversified and vibrant economy, thereby making oil just one of the sources of income for the state.

The seaport, it is expected, would also jump-start the state economy so much in terms of massive job-creation, boom in trade, leading to a huge leap in income for the state and of course a new lease of life for the people. The governor also hopes that the completion of Bayelsa airport would, among other benefits, create a direct link to Yenagoa, thereby eliminate the two- kilometre drive from Port-Harcourt airport.

It is also to Governor Dickson’s credit that the education sector got a terrific shot in the arm across the state. Besides the poor working conditions of the teachers, infrastructure in public schools was in a sorry state before he took over the reins of government in 2012. Thus, Bayelsa which was among Nigeria’s educationally disadvantaged states soon became a state that enjoyed a successful free qualitative education.

The administration tackled the physical infrastructural deficit by building from the scratch over 600 primary schools with headmasters and teachers’ quarters, nine model secondary schools and 25 constituency schools with boarding facilities

in each of the local government areas across the state. It also invested massively in human capital development by making education literally free from primary all through to the secondary level. Even essential materials like school uniforms, sandals and textbooks are provided to students without their having to pay for it.

In addition, a number of existing schools – like St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, which is the oldest girls’ school in the state and Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa – were re-built and upgraded. Then, the state government spent over N6 billion in the state scholarship programme, with about 140 Bayelsans on fully paid government scholarships to study for PhDs in highly-rated universities in Nigeria, Europe, America and other parts of the world. Also, 400 Master’s degree students and various undergraduate students who studied or are still studying overseas are beneficiaries.

The state is also partnering with the US-based Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, which aside from having Bayelsa students learning on its campus, also extended technical assistance and support to the state-owned Niger-Delta University.

Still on education, the state government established the following institutions of learning: Teachers Training Institute, Bolou Orua, Maritime Academy, Okpoama, School of Agriculture, Ofoni International Institute for Tourism and Hospitality, Elebele International Institute of Driving, Yenagoa Music School, Yenagoa School of Nursing, Tombia, Sports Academy, Asoama, Football Academy, Angalabiri, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, Sagbama, the multi-billion naira Youth Development Centre, Kaiama and the State Polytechnic, among others.

These landmark achievements, among others, explains the people’s adulation for their “Countryman” governor. This was evident during especially evident during the Thanksgiving Service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa and at the other venues, where the administration’s celebration of its fifth year held.

It also explains the attendance of distinguished Bayelsans led by Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and friends of the state, led by the former president’s Special Assistant (Media), Dr Reuben Abati.

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A scene of Boko Haram attack

The Resurgence of Boko Haram Attacks In what could be termed a Christmas gift last December, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the capture of Sambisa Forest and the defeat of Boko Haram. But only barely two months later, there has been a resurgence of the attacks by the terrorist group, fuelling fears that Boko Haram might just have retreated to regroup. Michael Olugbode reports

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he Boko Haram insurgency group has been at war with the Nigerian state for six years now.

The group started the war within Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. During its reign of terror inside the city, many persons, including soldiers and other security officials, were killed.

Religious and traditional leaders also lost their lives.

Many streets of Maiduguri became deserted and no-go areas, as the city was divided, with the insurgents controlling about half of the capital and sneaking into the other half to perpetrate crimes. The level of criminality was so high that the federal government had to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The situation was unbearable for the people of Maiduguri and environs, prompting the youth to form a vigilance group, named Civilian Joint Task Force (Civilian JTF). The collaboration between the youth and the military led to the first defeat of the insurgents.

Relocation Many thought the war was over, there was celebration on the streets of Maiduguri. But instead of an end to the war, this perhaps marked a dangerous turning point in the war, as the insurgents went into Sambisa Forest, a nearly abandoned game reserve, and set it up as a new headquarters. The place soon became fortified and from there deadly battles were launched against the country. The highways became unsafe, with many killed in highway sieges by the insurgents. The group upped the ante by attacking towns and settlements in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The federal government was left with no option than to declare a state of emergency in the three North-east states.

The declaration of the state of emergency was largely ineffective, as the insurgents kept marching into towns, killing, maiming, displacing and taking hostages. At the peak of this, many villages and towns fell, with the insurgency group notoriously establishing their own government, which they referred to as caliphate, within Nigeria. The terrorists ruled the caliphates with a strange brand of Islam. Though they still kept the Sambisa Forest as the strategic headquarters, Gwoza, one of the major towns captured because of its hilly and difficult topography, became the new administrative headquarters of the group.

Boko Haram, at the peak of its empire, controlled 22 of the 29 local governments in Borno State and parts of Adamawa and Yobe. It was even threatening to make Maiduguri the base of its government, as frequent unsuccessful attacks were launched on the city. The Yobe State capital, Damaturu, equally witnessed

major sieges.

As the 2015 election neared, the federal government found new zeal to fight the insurgents and serious battles were waged, which saw the recapture of many towns. The insurgents were uprooted from their administrative base in Gwoza and they crept back into Sambisa Forest. The government of the day declared that the war was “won”. The loss of that administration at the election blew open the fact that the war was far from over.

Disappointment Many Nigerians voted for a man that promised to end the war within three months in office, Muhammadu Buhari. Going by that promise, the war ought to have been over a long time ago. But it seems the strength of the insurgents was underrated.

The Buhari administration announced that the Nigerian Army had “technically” defeated the insurgents, explaining that they no longer have the capacity to launch coordinated attacks or hold territory in the North-east Nigeria. No one seemed to doubt this claim.

But shortly after the announcement, when the rainy season was over, the country saw a new emboldened Boko Haram raining bullets and bombs on the people, trying to attack military convoys and isolated villages, and launching more suicide attacks, especially in Borno State. Most of the attacks were launched from Sambisa Forest and their Allargano strongholds.

The Nigerian government’s claim was rubbished and attempts had to be made to reverse the trend of the war.

Strategies were put in place to storm Allargano and Sambisa Forest strongholds of the insurgents. The first to fall was Allargano and all energies were concentrated on the Sambisa Forest.

The country was not surprised when Buhari in a goodwill message on December 23, 2016 to troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole, the military counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, revealed the successful capture of the Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa Forest.

Announcement Announcing the capture of Sambisa Forest, Buari said, “I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at ‘Camp Zero’, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest.

“I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the camp fell about 1:35pm on Friday, Dec. 22, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide.”

The president called on the troops to maintain the tempo by pursuing the insurgents and bringing them to justice. He called on all Nigerians to cooperate and support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing useful information that could expose the terrorists hiding among the populace.

He also urged the troops to intensify their efforts towards liberating the remaining Chibok girls still in captivity.

The president commended “the able leadership of the Nigerian Army, in particular, and indeed, that of the Armed Forces, in general, for making this possible,” saying, “This, no doubt, will go a long way in improving the security situation not only in the North-east, but the country in general. But we must not let our guards down.”

Next Phase The capture of Sambisa Forest was just one of the important phases in the war; it was definitely not the end of the war but a victory in one of the important battles. Subsequent happenings showed that the country might have entered another phase in the war, with the insurgents resurfacing days after to launch battles.

The highways in and around Borno State are no longer safe, some towns have been attacked and the insurgents have shown their willingness to take over Maiduguri again. An unsuccessful attack was launched on the city. The insurgents have recently increased their suicide attacks on Borno State.

Going by the words of the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Damien Chukwu, that the insurgents were rendered immobile by the rainy season, which kept them holed in bushes and enclaves, the end of the rainy season has started witnessing an increase in their attacks.

Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, even claimed that the war was far from been over, insisting that the insurgents still have serious presence in the northern part of Borno State and along the Lake Chad region.

This has been proven to be true, as insurgency attacks after the acclaimed victory with the capture of Sambisa Forest are now on the increase. The fears are back on the minds of the people.

The war on Boko Haram is far from over, though the insurgents have been considerably weakened and may find it difficult ever again to make the gains they at the height of their empire ambition. The war would be adjudged over when the destroyed infrastructure are restored, the displaced are back in their homes, civil authorities return to recaptured territories, the roads are free from attacks, and above all, the poverty is no more clearly seen on the streets of the North-east.

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Obasanjo at 80: A Reporter’s View Iyobosa Uwugiaren

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emember the late Aro of Mopa and former principal private secretary to the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Chief Sunday B. Awoniyi?

He was former National Chairman of pan-northern group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and one of the formative leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He engaged former President Olusegun Obasanjo, especially over his dictatorial, overbearing tendencies throughout his administration.

In one of their ‘’confrontational’’ meetings, when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar-led gang wanted Obasanjo to do a single term and quit politics, late Chief Awoniyi told this reporter how Obasanjo arrogantly called him by his first name, “Sunday”, even though he was five years older than him.

Awoniyi, who was apparently pissed off with Obasanjo’s seeming supercilious and big-headed posturing, was said to have replied, “Segun (referring to Obasanjo) -both of us are from the Yoruba nation, and our culture demands that you respect your senior, no matter your position. By your age, I am your senior and you must respect me.’’

Trust the former president: in his usual comic relief, Obasanjo was said to have replied, “Look at this boy; even though you are my senior officially, don’t you know your age mate?”

Chief Awoniyi would have been 85 this year, as Chief Obasanjo marks his 80 today (Sunday).

But, few months after that encounter with Awoniyi, the humorous former president reportedly told a gathering in his home town, Abeokuta, that “whether I know the exact date of my birth or not, I think God has made my birth glorious.”

It was a trifling comedy at that event when Obasanjo told his guests at his 77th birthday observance that he had no real record of his birthday. At the event held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, 13 years ago, Obasanjo said that all what he knew was that his mother told him he was born on a market day.

“There are some people including me who do not know their exact birthday. My mother only told me that I was born on Ifo market day’’, he stated.

“According to her, in our village, she had prepared to go to Ifo market and Ifo market is every five days. She said as she was preparing, she fell into labour and before those who went to Ifo market returned, I was born.”

Obasanjo said that there were people like him who had no real record of birth, thanking God for what He has done in his life.

To some who are very close to Obasanjo who is 80 today, even though some people say he is over 90, everything about him - apart from his age, is enfolded in controversy, conspiracy and treachery.

From his days in the military till day, Obasanjo has been associated with either involvement in secret political plotting against his perceived political enemies or deceitfulness in dealing with people around him. Yet, many of his benefactors said he has a large heart.

For those who knew Awoniyi – while he was alive, he detested dishonest politicians; he was very hostile to abuse of power by politicians especially by those who played God. From the experiences of those who knew him, Chief Awoniyi was not a friend to selfish politicians who derive joy in seeing the poor suffer. The good man died on November 28, 2007 as a result of injuries he sustained from an auto crash along the Abuja-Kaduna road while trying to negotiate many potholes along the expressway.

In one of his many factual stories, Chief Awoniyi, a former super permanent secretary, told this reporter how Obasanjo begged him in 1975 to help save his military career during the regime of a no-nonsense former head of state, late General Murtala Mohammed. What was Obasanjo’s problem? One of his many estranged wives had petitioned Gen. Mohammed, detailing how Obasanjo allegedly misused his power as the then military officer to the detriment of the army. The then anti-corruption crusader general, Mohammed, who later investigated the petition, allegedly found Obasanjo’s offence seeming ‘’unpardonable’’ and was allegedly ready to dismiss him from the military.

An embattled Obasanjo was later advised to solicit the help of Mohammed’s senior prefect at Barewa College, Zaria, Chief Awoniyi, to save his career. He did quite that. A day after Obasanjo approached him for the help he (Awoniyi) was in Dodan Barracks, Lagos – the then seat of power as early as 7am.

“At exactly 7:30am, General Mohammed walked into his office and met me waiting for him. He was shocked to see me that early morning; he knew something very important brought me there. And he (Mohammed) said, senior, what are you doing in my office this morning? Before I could reply him he ushered me into his office”, Awoniyi had stated.

The then permanent secretary eventually told his boss, Gen. Mohammed, his mission. According to Awoniyi, the late head of state brought out from his drawer a petition written by Obasanjo’s wife, which he said had been investigated to be true and gave it to him to read. The petition, according to him, was

Obasanjo

very dirty.

But, in spite of that, the late Aro of Mopa pleaded with Gen. Mohammed to give Obasanjo a second chance. To cut the long story short, the late head of state, after much plea, acceded to Awoniyi’s request and asked him to tell Obasanjo to sin no more.

A few months later, General Mohammed was assassinated in a violent but botched military coup by a band of disgruntled soldiers led by Lt. Col. Dimka. Obasanjo was persuaded “against his will” to succeed him.

Sadly, according to Awoniyi, the first person Obasanjo forced to retire from the federal civil service was him - the man who saved Obasanjo from being dismissed from the military.

Many cases also abound – which point to the fact that Obasanjo apparently derives joy from betraying his friends.

From the south-west geo-political zone, the families of Chief Bola Ige; late Sunday Afolabi; an Owo high chief, Chief Fasawe; Chief Bode George and others, may have similar sad stories to tell about Obasanjo.

Ask his former deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who Obasanjo is, and like somebody once said, Atiku will surely advise anybody to tackle Obasanjo first before a serpent if both mistakenly approach his/her room at the same time.

Reason: it was an Atiku-led political structure, the PDM, which mobilised support and brought Obasanjo to power - against the popular rejection by his Yoruba people in 1999, which supported his then opponent, Chief Olu Falae. But no sooner than Obasanjo came to power in 1999 than he destroyed Atiku and his political structure and till date, the Turaki Adamawa has not recovered from Obasanjo’s action against him.

For many political monitors, the ‘’sins’’ of the Ogun State born former president are many. Some northern politicians believe that Obasanjo knew the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was suffering from a terminal ailment and may not be able to finish his tenure but he chose to impose him on the nation against the will of the north and Nigerians in general, eventually making way for President Goodluck Jonathan to come to power.

Yet, even though he played a key role in bringing the late Yar’Adua to power, Obasanjo also fought him in the last days of his administration.

Although he was said to have celebrated Jonathan’s ascendance to power, the same Obasanjo fought Jonathan out of power by all means necessary for whatever reasons. His reason was that Jonathan was an ‘’ineffectual’’ president - not competent, decisive, or authoritative enough to achieve desired aims, and he wanted power to return to the North.

However, many people’s assertion was that Obasanjo’s problems with Jonathan had nothing to do with the perceived president’s inability to fix the insecurity and economic challenges in the country but about selfish economic and political interests of the former president.

According to some political analysts, Obasanjo wanted to continue to be ‘’president emeritus’’, in spite of the fact that he was no longer in power, while Jonathan and his team were not ready for that.

Again, before President Muhammadu Buhari was elected, Obasanjo openly praised-sing the leadership qualities of the president, quoted as saying during the 2015 presidential election that Buhari was the ‘’messiah’’ Nigerians needed.

But, less than two years into the administration, the honeymoon between President Buhari and Obasanjo seems to have ended.

Delivering the keynote at the First Akintola Williams Annual Lecture recently, Obasanjo pounded Buhari and advised him to stop dwelling on the past, saying since he was elected to change the country, he should concentrate on clearing the mess he inherited.

“I understand President Buhari’s frustration on the state of the economy inherited by him. It was the same reason and situation that brought about cry for change; otherwise there would be no need for change if it was all nice and rosy.

“Now that we have had change because the actors and the situation needed to be changed, let us move forward to have progress through a comprehensive economic policy and programme that is intellectually, strategically and philosophically based.

“It is easier to win an election than to right the wrongs of a badly fouled situation. When you are outside, what you see and know are nothing compared with the reality’’, Obasanjo stated.

Obasanjo told Buhari that consistent cry is not the answer but cold, hard headed planning that evinces confidence and trust, saying, economy neither obeys orders nor does it work according to wishes.

In spite of praising Buhari’s leadership qualities during the 2015 presidential election, it was gathered that Obasanjo wasn’t comfortable with Buhari’s candidacy.

For many people, Obasanjo’s interest in politics is ‘’about himself and himself.’’ Nothing more.

However, one of the celebrated columnists in Nigeria, the Chairman, Editorial Board of THISDAY, Segun Adeniyi, stated recently in his Thursday’s column that in spite of his inadequacies, there was no doubt that Obasanjo is one of the greatest African leaders of his generation, and his place in the history of Nigeria is already assured.

According to Adeniyi, ‘’By dint of hard work, sharp intellect, luck and an uncommon capacity for long memory (sometimes deployed for mischief), Obasanjo has become in Nigeria almost like the old sorcerer in Paul Dukas’1897 symphonic poem, L’apprenti sorcier, (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) which ends with the timeless invocation that powerful spirits should only be called by the master himself.’’

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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LessonstoLearnFromPastorAdeboyeat75 Koko Kalango

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y first encounter with Pastor E.A. Adeboye (who we fondly call ‘Daddy’) was about three decades ago.

The occasion was the wedding of my sister, Nkoyo, to Dr Tony Rapu. The intending couple had become born again Christians and the groom had grown close to this university lecturer turned preacher. That Saturday, 1st of August 1986 at the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Pastor Adeboye and Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye (who we fondly call ‘Mummy’) were among the first guests to arrive. He prayed quietly through the mass.

After the marriage ceremony the Adeboyes took photos with the couple and left. Pastor Adeboye was clad in his signature French suite and Mrs. Adeboye was dressed in blue and white George wrapper with a simple matching light blue long-sleeved top, probably to blend in with the Igbo customary dress of the groom’s family. Lesson number 1 – Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep your eyes on the big picture.

When I got posted to Lagos for my national youth service in 1987, I lived with the newly weds and joined them to worship at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Headquarters, then at Ebute Metta.

I had first surrendered my life to Christ as a student at Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, when I watched a scary movie about hell. The movie was shown to us by a certain Uncle Ben from the Scripture Union, who used to come to our school to evangelise in the late 70s. But I made a commitment with deeper understanding on 1st of May 1986 at a Deeper Life crusade in my university days.

Ebute Metta, in the late 80s, was not the nicest neighbourhood in Lagos but I eagerly looked forward to the services because Pastor Adeboye’s messages were sincere, nourishing and life changing. Services were always translated into Yoruba. About this time Pastor Adeboye also began an early morning English-only service. Sometimes, there were literarily just about two dozen of us at this early morning service. Lessons number 2 – Every great journey begins with a small step.

On one occasion, still in the late 80s, I accompanied my brother-in-law to see Pastor Adeboye. In the course of the conversation it came out that I had resigned my job due to sexual harassment and Pastor Adeboye told me that rather than leave the job, I should have handled the situation with wisdom. He said when a young man came along to marry me it would be good that I have a job. He then added that next time I should inform him before I left my job.

I could not understand why a pastor of a church of hundreds of thousands of people would offer to take the time to counsel ‘insignificant’ me over a matter that was not life threatening. Fast forward some 30 years, I am married. The church now has over 5 million members. I had a challenge which someone brought to Mrs Adeboye’s notice and she in turn brought the issue to Pastor Adeboye. He took the time to pray with me and counsel me on this matter. Again I was touched that he would make the effort to minister to ‘insignificant’ me over a matter that was not life threatening. Lesson no 3 – Try to create time to listen to, and help, ‘insignificant’ people In 1988, Pastor Adeboye dispatched a set of us to begin the first model parish in Ikeja under Pastor Tunde Bakare. After a few Sundays there I ran back to the headquarters church which was more like home for me – I was not ready to leave home yet. The following year, the second model parish was planted on the island under now late Pastor Adetola. As it was an evening service I could worship at ‘home’ in the Ebute-Metta church on Sunday mornings and go to the new mission in the evenings.

In 1991 the Apapa Parish kicked off at Roxy Cinema Hall, Apapa and that became my

Adeboye new home.

In the early 1990s when Jesus House London had just been planted from the Apapa parish, we were once in London on mission work and a team of us were staying in the home of Pastor Tokunboh Adesanya and Pastor Adeboye was staying there as well. In the mornings Pastor Adeboye would conduct devotion and I recall him teaching us that as we study scripture we should note every word used as it was there for a purpose. When Pastor Adeboye watched TV it was mainly documentaries or the news.

On that trip I also learnt from him that we should go to church fasting on Sundays (I have not been a faithful adherent though!).

Lesson number 4 – Use your time on earth with heaven in focus and fast often.

Sometime in late 1996 Pastor Adeboye happened to be in Dallas, Texas at the time I was visiting my sister who was then a student at the Christ For All Nations (CFAN) Bible School. I seized the opportunity to arrange a meeting between Pastor Adeboye and Mama Lindsay, wife of the CFAN founder, Gordon Lindsay. Mama Lindsay was then in her 80s (she is now late). As Pastor Adeboye, myself and the RCCG Dallas Pastor at the time waited in the lobby to see her, we could hear people worshipping nearby. Pastor Adeboye sang along with them. When he was not singing he quietly prayed in tongues. We were warmly received by Mama Lindsay. At the end of the visit Pastor Adeboye had a question for Mama Lindsay - What were the pitfalls a young preacher like himself should look out for in ministry? Her response, in summary, was ‘women and money’. Pastor Adeboye then asked her to pray for him and

disco. Pastor Adeboye graciously smiled and continued his message. Lesson no 6 – Do not be stuck in your ways, be sensitive to the spirit of God. The pioneer class of the first Bible school outside the camp, then at the Apapa Parish, was graduating sometime in 1994. We lined up outside the auditorium at the Redemption Camp to file into the hall for the ceremony at say 9am. Pastor Adeboye was to be in the procession but he was nowhere in sight. I thought this was unusual as I knew him to be a stickler for time. A few minutes to the time we began to walk in, he emerged from his office and fell in line in his characteristic quiet fashion. Discipline is a hallmark with him not just when it comes to time keeping but with prayer, fasting, worship, service and physical exercise.

Pastor Adeboye has always taught us to take God’s work with every sense of seriousness. I remember once, in the late 80s, when I presented myself for transcription of his tapes into books. He asked me to begin with the series he had taught on Elijah and sounded a note of warning – if I did not execute the assignment on time he would hand it over to someone else. Pastor Adeboye comes across as easy going and jovial, especially with this sermons which he laces with humour. But, if you come under his discipleship, you will discover that Pastor Adeboye can be a tough task master. He does not deny that. He describes himself as not just a pastor but a life coach. But again when you realise that he does not ask you to take on a task he has not himself already performed then it makes keeping pace with him that bit easier. In effect, when he calls for a 7-day fast you can be sure he is fasting for at least 8 days. Lesson no 7 – Nothing good comes easy.

Some RCCG pastors told me that at a session where Pastor Adeboye was talking to the men about providing leadership in the family by serving, he told them that he washes his wife’s clothes. At a special gathering to commemorate his 70th birthday, I heard Pastor Adeboye make statements that left no one in doubt as to what his wife meant to him. He said something to the effect that he can take any insult from anyone but if anyone troubled Mrs Adeboye they would see another side of him. He went further to state that if the Lord called his wife home before him we should get ready to bury him shortly after because he would not be keen on living without her. On he went down on his knees as she prayed. one occasion, when he preached at House Pastor Adeboye is in the habit of kneeling On The Rock, Lagos, I heard him introduce before God. When he was named as one of his wife as his girlfriend. My late father the 50 most influential people in the world

by Newsweek Magazine in December 2008, picked this affinity of Pastor Adeboye to his wife when my parents hosted the couple for his response to the nomination elicited a a meal in our family home in Port Harcourt headline that read ‘Pastor Adeboye Kneels in the early 90s. They were touched by Among Newsweek Magazine’s 50 Most the simplicity and genuiness they noticed Influential People in the World.’ You may between the couple and my father gave his notice that when he leads an audience in highest compliment – Mrs Adeboye had worship just before preaching, he also goes similar qualities to my mother! down on his knees in reverence to God. Pastor Adeboye must be doing something Lesson no 5 – When you kneel before God right because inspite of his larger-than-life you can stand up to anyone and anything.’

I read in a book about the church that the vision and drive to plant RCCG parishes RCCG which Pastor Adeboye inherited from within a 5-minute walk from each other Pa Akindayomi, the founder, was a straight- in the developing countries and within a 5-minute drive in the developed countries, jacket church where offering was not taken and musical instruments were not employed he stands spritely, agile, and with hardly any grey hair. From the little I know of Pastor in praise. As the new leader searched the scriptures he realised that giving was not just Adeboye, I can infer that it is a combination a spiritual principle but a command from the of a lifestyle of exercise, good diet, a peaceful Lord and that as people gave God promised home and above all, a life unreservedly dedicated to serving the Lord that accounts to prosper them. He also learnt that it was for these attributes. Final lesson – if you scriptural to praise God with instruments, so, he introduced these two traditions to the want to be cool, calm and collected or tall, dark and handsome at 75, then you need to church. Years later, as the vision of model love the Lord your God with all your heart, churches to reach more people for Christ all your mind and all your soul, and love began to unfold, Pastor Adeboye took the your neighbour as yourself, beginning with courageous step to go against the grain your wife! and encourage the young upwardly mobile Pastor Adeboye still has many more class that began to troop to church. I recall hearing Pastor Adeboye say, on a visit to the lessons to teach us so we look forward to having him for many, many, many more Apapa Parish (in the early 90s), that he had years in health and strength, in Jesus name. never felt the presence of God as he did at Amen. that service. But more interesting was one ––Kolango is founder of the Rainbow day he was preaching there and the person Foundation and Programme Director of manning the sound system momentarily the UNESCO Port Harcourt World Book applied some special effects as he spoke.

His voiced came out sounding like a DJ in a Capital 2014 project

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PERSPECTIVE The Future of Nigeria: Inter-Generational Dialogue as Next Step Tunji Olaopa

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began this series with the observation, clear to every Nigerian social scientist, that Nigeria is a deeply complex country. That complexity serves as the Procrustean bed for defining Nigeria’s postcolonial predicament. In other words, coming to term with the core of Nigeria’s problem requires a certain level of analytical understanding that will not attempt to subsume the predicament under one label. Nigeria’s problem defies a one-label diagnosis. In a few articles, I have tried to understand that Nigerian condition from the perspective of generational deficiencies. A generational analysis outlines the possibility presented by the deployment of generational endowments, capabilities and patriotic collective engagement to Nigeria’s problem. If two generations since Nigeria’s independence have barely managed to positively affect Nigeria’s development trajectory, what more could my own generation do? What has it failed to do thus far, even with the knowledge of the failures of the preceding generations? And how would it be judged?

One comparative advantage of Nigeria’s complexity is that other complex and plural states in the world—especially the USA—have tried several governing paradigms, from federalism to confederation, to ameliorate the dangers and virulence of diversity. And some of these paradigms are not only inevitable, but they have also worked especially with the challenge of heterogeneous constitution of a plural state. For instance, it would seem strange not to think of federalism when considering the governance of a plural state like Nigeria. It is within the federal structure of government that constituent units can negotiate their joint existence especially within a context where the units were amalgamated against their national wills. Nigeria’s unique federal arrangement, unfortunately, now constitutes a terrible dynamics that further widens the gap which Peter Ekeh identifies between the primordial public and the civic public. With its unique brand of unitary federalism, Nigeria initiated a strong centralization process that weakens the federating units at the expense of the centre.

But by far the worst effect of our debilitated federalism is its inability to facilitate elite formation and mobilization for national transformation. In other words, the hordes of ethnic, religious and cultural forces unleashed as a result of the enervating dynamics of Nigeria’s federal framework undermines any genuine national action. Elite formation and mobilization in Nigeria suffer excruciatingly from divisive fragmentation. The civic public is daily invaded by rhetoric and agitations rooted in ethnicity and religious discoloration. Most of Nigerian elites, in spite of their humongous achievements in scholarship, business, private sector, public service, etc., have failed to transcend their base primordial sentiments. This is an interesting proposition for me because my generation—career-enabled and professionally savvy—constitutes the critical mass of the elites found in the crack between the two publics. Thus, the structural limitations that inhibit the full flourishing of the civic public have equally constrained the transformational capability of elite efforts to rethink and reinvent the Nigerian state.

It would seem that any perceptive Nigerian today will think twice and hard before breaking out in hearty applause at the arrival of the crème de la crème of my generation. And such a perceptive observer of the generational output of this generation will be right to be suspicious. In the preceding part of this series, I

charged my generation with the sin of self-centered opportunism defined by the logic of exploiting the Nigeria space for personal ambition. The other side of this argument is that even the significant platform for sociopolitical transformation which some members of my generation have utilized has been significantly compromised. In the political science literature, political parties are revered as the locus of political agitation and articulation of political desires and change. Yet, the political parties in Nigeria represent the greatest manifestation of Nigeria’s disenabling political environment. The singular disadvantage of these political parties is their conspicuous lack of ideological basis from which the Nigerian state and society can be reinvented. It is therefore very easy, within such ideological vacuum, for ethnic jingoists and chauvinists to find partners even across party divide. In Nigeria, PDP and APC members can conveniently sleep under the same roof without any obvious ideological discomfort!

Since the Nigerian elites, and especially those members of my generation on whose shoulders rest the challenge of engaging Nigeria’s future, are inevitable to the transformation of Nigeria, there remains only one means by which the latent capacity of a patriotic elite formation and mobilization process can be jumpstarted. And that is finding a framework within which the disabling effects of Nigeria’s centrifugal forces can be undetermined. A truly national elite formation must have the capacity to transcend ethnicity and religion. That will require establishing and building a genuine platform of inter-ethnic, inter-cultural and inter-religious relations that crisscross and crosscut demographic and professional boundaries. Nigeria sorely requires some significant alliances, networks and platforms that enable conversations, discussions and discourses around national development and national progress. As I see it, this is the opportunity readily available for my generation to redeem itself and facilitate Nigeria’s national recovery and rehabilitation.

For one, such a grand coalition must be inter-generational. As much as it is recognized that my generation is cocooned within its own achievements, there is a need to redirect those achievements and endowments towards rescuing Nigeria’s future. But this is not a task that is possible for one generation, no matter the level of its generational capabilities. While the personalities of the first generation have been decimated by death, we still have on the one hand significant members of the second generation.

Wole Soyinka, Emeka Anyaoku, Ahmed Joda, Phillip Asiodu, Igwe Nnemeka Achebe, are still with us, and still very active in instigating national debates. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for all his alleged failings and sins, remains a national avatar around which any cogent national discourse must coalesce, so are Umaru Shehu, Ben Nwabueze, Akin Mabogunje, et al. On the other hand, the proposed conversation must also integrate the voices and efforts of the next generation that has already began its own agitation for a better Nigeria. If I am asked, I have some thoughts on a significant number of individuals that could form the critical core of elites around which a generational capital can evolve into a national critical force: Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Prof. Pat Utomi, Isawa Elaigwu, Eze Festus Odimegwu, Hon. Nkoyo Toyo, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Tony Elumelu, Aliko Dangote, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Prof. Toyin Falola, Mrs Amina Mohammed, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Olusegun Adeniyi, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Odia Ofeimun, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Mrs Joke Silva, Dr. Wale Babalakin, A.B. Mahmoud, Abimbola

Adelakun, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Prof. Godwin Sogolo, Patrick Okigbo, Chude Jideonwo, Dr Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, Prof. Charles Soludo, Atedo Peterside, Oby Ezekwesili, Dr Omobola Johnson, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Sola David-Borha, Tunji Olagunju, Julius Ihonvbere, Sam Omatseye, Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Muhammed, Sonala Olumhense, Olatunji Dare, Tola Adeniyi, Ayo Olukotun, to name just a few.

This is a unique group but not exhaustive. First, it is a blend of the old and the new—Chimamanda Adiche and Bolaji Akinyemi.

Second, it cuts across the inhibitions of ethnicity. I wonder, for instance, who will charge Odia Ofeimun with ethnic chauvinism.

Third, it transcends professional differences—Matthew Kukah and Charles Soludo. Fourth, it represents a crop of patriots whose works keep challenging the definition and representation of Nigeria. Who can query the scholarship and patriotism of Toyin Falola in this regard? And then there are younger chaps who are brilliant, enterprising and with a deep understanding of the deep dynamics—in economy, society, politics and other areas of Nigeria’s national life—that keep weighing the country down.

There is also a cream of politicians who are beyond chauvinisms who would easily contribute beyond political shenanigans.

With this core of Nigerians, I foresee the commencement of a dynamic inter-generational conversation, specifically some series of roundtables, around the future of Nigeria. I see this, first and foremost as an intellectual coalition around serious socioeconomic, sociocultural and political dysfunctions in Nigeria, animated by the collective instinct that Nigeria cannot be allowed to collapse from the sheer weight of national listlessness and floundering.

These roundtables will generate significant issues, ideas and insights that the Nigerian government cannot disregard basically because they are coming from those elites whose thoughts matter to Nigeria’s progress, and because these elites are all Nigeria has to make any conscious attempt at speeding up its development.

Let me end this reflection on what my generation needs to do to reconnect with Nigeria with a quote which Shakespeare puts in the mouth of Cassius in Julius Caesar: Men at sometimes were masters of their fates.

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

Nigeria’s trajectory to its present predicament is not due to any fatalistic dynamics. There is no fault in our stars. What is wrong with Nigeria is multidimensional. On the one hand, Nigeria lacks leaders with the force of character, like Lee Kwan Yew, who can confront the Nigerian condition with the indefatigable force of vision and action that rise and see beyond Nigeria’s present problems. And on the other hand, Nigeria has not been able to rouse its own elites into patriotic engagement with the nation’s ideological formations and dynamics. My generation is right within the very interstices that condemn Nigeria but could also elevate her.

I know I am living in interesting times, as the Chinese proverb says. I sincerely only hope that we all will be willing to inaugurate a redeeming moment within which Nigeria can benefit from the immensity of our achievements and endowments. That is the challenge before the third generation of Nigerians who has a date with history—and with posterity.

––Dr. Tunji Olaopa is Executive Vice-Chairman, Ibadan School of Government & Public Policy (ISGPP) (tolaopa@ isgpp.com.ng; tolaopa2003@gmail.com)

Will Ojudu Throw His Hat in the Ring?

Segun Dele Dipe

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ruth be told, being the next governor of Ekiti State after a rough rider like Fayose is herculean and largely unrewarding. Such a person will be spending quality time clearing filthy stalls. It is thus not in my character to goad anyone into such unfulfilling terrain. But, according to my late dad, the two occasions when an advice really matters are, first, when it is solicited, second, when the situation is

life-threatening.

If you ask me, I would confess that the advice I am offering here is unsolicited. It therefore doesn’t fit into the first occasion. No one has solicited my advice as to who the cap of Ekiti governor in the next dispensation fits, more so that I have not seen or heard from any of the would-be contenders in the last six months, Ojudu included.

But it fits perfectly into the second occasion. To give the baton to just anyone at this point is life threatening. Yes it is. And why should the Ado-Ekiti-born Babafemi Ojudu be the one to mount the saddle?

Simple. He knows where the shoe pinches and he knows how to remove whatever pinches, be it nail, needle, thorn or fish bone.

Again, why Ojudu of all? Well, there is no way around this other than that he is a tried and true highly politically exposed Ekiti passionate. Here is a person who has risked all for his country, and has risked even more for his state to be free from enemy occupation.

Here is one Ekiti-man with a squeaky clean criminal record, highly wired nationally and relevant politically. He had every opportunity, like others, to choose blue-chip Lagos as his political state. He is highly rated there, like elsewhere. He is both dreaded and respected in several fields, including journalism, arts and politics. But Babafemi

Ojudu has chosen Ekiti, the state of is birth, even when all he keeps getting in return are spits and spats.

Alright, I agree that so many people know what is wrong with Ekiti and we can all discuss the pitfalls of our politically myopic state till kingdom come. But the long and short of it all is that generally, the fiercest warrior, who fears no foe, and speaks the truth, even when it is neither placating nor convenient should lead this liberation war.

Here again, the Ojudu that I know is well primped. Both his words and actions are in sync. His body is giant enough to tell that he can always lead from the front. He has the words also to assure that all will be well. Simply put, he is a Fear Factor to the territory of our enemies.

Ojudu is not alien to getting oneself into uncomfortable situations for the sake of others. He has done this severally and on several occasions, even when it was the least expedient. After all, whoever we eventually push forward knows he will be getting some heat and should know how to handle the kitchen. The last thing he would want to be is a second-rate version of James Clapper, rubbing his forehead nervously, while telling us all that all is well when it isn’t or crying wolf where there is none. That will lose us all the credit that we are still labouring to establish.

The Ojudu that I know thinks in congruence. He is not that kind of person that would say he is sincerely receptive to a dialogue with a group of people, yet all the while snubbing them. He is conscious of those things he shouldn’t do alone and knows how to command the battalions without wearying them. He gets in the mirror every day to monitor not just his face, but his entire body and conscience.

Whereas, what we have in so many others jostling is: “I’m doing all of this for YOU because I CARE.” While they say it with smile, their body disagrees and they are quick to have a conversation with their feet when the situation becomes uneasy. Not Ojudu. He is such

Ojudu a politician who delivers in a convincing and reasonable manner.

Come to think of it, don’t we need someone who can effortlessly attract significant favourable notice from the news media, national party officials, campaign strategists, and donors? Ojudu is a five-star general in all of these.

Make no mistake that we should be inward looking only in our search for arsenals (resources) to prosecute the coming political war.

We need someone who can attract lots and lots and lots of goodwill specifically from friends who have money. There is strength in numbers for sure, but we must also look for people who can flit us across the state for our campaign needs. I don’t know about others, but I know Babafemi Ojudu very well. He can and he will.

I hope my voice counts.

––Dipe, a journalist, writes from Ado-Ekiti

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PERSPECTIVE/RIGHT OF REPLY

Reflections on Buhari vs. Yar’Adua Soyombo Opeyemi

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admit some compatriots assume the recently launched book, “Buhari versus Yar’Adua: Facing The Future� draws a comparison between two administrations. No. The book is a compelling review of the celebrated electoral suit, “Buhari v. INEC, Yar’Adua & Others� decided by the Supreme Court on Friday, December 12th, 2008. It captures the doggedness of Gen Muhammadu Buhari to lead this country and pursue the goal from the electoral field to the law courts. The book also casts a reflection on presidential assent as regards constitutional amendment and the power of the Attorney General of the Federation in relation to the Code of Conduct Bureau, among others.

A visibly enraged Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), lead counsel to General Muhammadu Buhari at the 2007 Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, emerged from the Court of Appeal complex, Abuja on Tuesday, February 26th, 2008, shortly after the petitions of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) were dismissed by the court in a unanimous decision, and thundered before pressmen: “This is judicial ambush!� The court, according to Ahamba, had said that depositions would suffice for the trial only to turn round in her judgment that allegations of corrupt practices were not backed up with testimony of witnesses.

Chief Mike Ahamba, in another interview, asserted that on two occasions, he sought to bring oral testimony of witnesses to the court but the Ogebe-led tribunal ruled that documentary evidence would suffice, upon which he insisted that the court’s positions be recorded, and they were indeed recorded.

At a press conference on Friday, December 12th, 2008, after the Supreme Court, in a split verdict of 4-3, threw out the petitions of the ANPP on the 2007 presidential election, an apparently crestfallen Gen. Muhammadu Buhari fulminated: “This judgment is overtly perverse in the sense that it was agreed by all parties in chambers in the lower court that depositions would be accepted without oral testimony. For the courts to now turn around and conclude that there was no evidence is squalid in the extreme.�

Having followed the proceedings with keen interest, I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the petitioner, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, was short-changed both at the lower and apex courts.

Section 45(2) of the Electoral Act, 2006 states expressly that, “The ballot papers shall be bound in booklets and numbered serially with differentiating colours for each office being contested.�

But Maurice Iwu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), used ballot papers that were neither serialized nor bound in booklets, in brazen defiance of the law. The word “shall’’ is mandatory. Buhari succeeded in proving this substantial non compliance at the Court of Appeal.

Interestingly, INEC did not appeal that ruling at the Supreme Court, hence it remains a decision of the court till date.

The violation was serious and fundamental. In the words of Justice George Oguntade in the lead dissenting judgement of the apex court on December 12, 2008, “The ballot paper is the live wire, the heart-beat and the engine room of any election. Without ballot

papers being serialized and bound in booklets as required by Section 45(2), it becomes possible to print fake ballot papers which can then be introduced into the ballot boxes fraudulently.�

An extract from Buhari’s petition, in paragraph 9(B)(ii)(a), reads: â€œâ€ŚYour petitioners state that on 21st April, 2007, the 1st and 2nd respondents, in conjunction and collusion with the 3rd and 4th respondents, conducted the Presidential election without compliance with section 45(2) of the Act, and in the process, assigned more than Twenty Four Million (24 million) unverified and unverifiable votes to the 5th respondent, in that there are no booklet counterfoils to show the number of ballot papers actually printed by the 1st respondent or that were actually used at the purported election. Ballot papers are always printed with counterfoils and serial numbers which are features usually included to establish an audit trail. This fact is well known to the respondents‌â€?

Upon encountering this paragraph from Buhari’s petition, Their Lordships should have raised their eyebrows, expressing horror, and asking rhetorically in unison: “How can we verify ballot papers that were not serialized?�

Coker (JSC) in Swen v Dzungwe (1966) said at page 303 of his verdict: â€œâ€ŚIt follows clearly, therefore, that if at the end of the case of the petitioner, a case of non compliance is established which may or may not affect the result of the election and it is impossible for the tribunal to say whether or not the results were affected by the non compliance established, unless there be evidence on behalf of the respondent that such non compliance as found could not and did not in fact affect the results of the election, then the petition is entitled to succeed on the single ground that civil cases are proved by a preponderance of accepted evidence.â€?

In other words, when a non compliance is established by the petitioner (as Buhari did), the onus of satisfying the tribunal that the proven non compliance did not affect the results of the election is on the respondent (INEC).

Yes, the onus should rest with INEC to satisfy the court that the non compliance so established by the petitioner did not affect the outcome of the election as to warrant its nullification.

And Justice Niki Tobi stressed this position before he later somersaulted and contradicted himself in the same judgement.

Hear him, “In view of the fact that a tribunal or court of law in our adversary system, cannot go out in search for evidence to satisfy itself that the election was conducted substantially with the principles of the Electoral Act, the respondent comes in. He has to bring exculpatory evidence that non compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act did not affect substantially the result of the election. With the evidence placed before the tribunal or court by the petitioner, vide Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act and the one placed by the respondent, vide Section 146(1) of the Act, the tribunal or court concurrently evaluates the evidence and gives judgment to one of the parties.�

Quite shockingly and unabashedly, by the close of Niki Tobi’s submissions on page 94, the same S146(1) which, he said on page 25, placed a burden of proof on the respondent had become “a friend of a respondent, a real friend which the respondent finds most useful at the greatest hour of need.

And so the 4th and 5th respondents and by extension, all the respondents find in Section 146(1) the greatest friendship in this appeal�.

As a matter of fact, Niki Tobi opined three times on page 25 that the onus of proving S146(1) rested with the respondent (INEC). And if there is any iota of doubt as to the definitiveness of his opinion on this page, lines 24, 25, 26 and 27 remove completely that doubt: “With the evidence placed before the tribunal or court by the petitioner, vide Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act and the one placed by the respondent, vide Section 146(1) of the Act, the tribunal or court concurrently evaluates the evidence and gives judgment to one of the parties.�

In the end, Niki Tobi placed on the petitioner, Buhari, the burdens of proving Section 145(1) and Section 146(1) of the Electoral Act, 2006 in brazen violation of his own words in the same judgement. This was a clear-cut aberration and miscarriage of justice writ large! This colossal double-speak by the lead judgement of the Supreme Court later prepared the ground for the violence that trailed the 2011 presidential poll.

And I predicted that violence in my reaction to the judicial robbery of December 12, 2008 at the apex court. When people lose faith in the justice system, they resort to self-help, which is fatal to any society.

It is hoped that no future elections will be rigged in Nigeria and that the Judiciary will never, either by design or default, endorse electoral robbery. ––Soyombo, author of Buhari versus Yar’Adua: Facing The Future, sent this piece via densityshow@yahoo.com

Re: Ekiti Governorship, Fayose and Oni’s Second-coming Dauda Lawal

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kiti State politics has many interesting scenarios in view of its many peculiarities. But one dimension of the politics of the state that is fast becoming quite worrisome is the emergence of a crop of barely informed commentators and analysts labouring to define and re-define the political realities of the young state with narratives that are way off the mark. This trend has increased in the last few months with many writers coming up with poorly researched stories and presenting same as “exclusives� or “informed commentaries,� as citizens of the state prepare for the 2018 governorship election in the state.

Sufuyan Ojeifo’s article “Ekiti governorship, Fayose and Oni’s second coming�, published in THISDAY and Tribune Newspapers of February 27th, falls into this category of carefully crafted lies served in an arrogant omniscient narrative style. The need to draw public attention to such ugly trend and set the record straight for the reading public should therefore not be too much a task for any well meaning member of the public.

Ordinarily, Ojeifo reserves the right to comment freely on political development of Ekiti or any state for that matter, just as he has the right to project the interest of any individual, aspirant and even the incumbent government in the state. What he does not have the right to do as a writer is to attempt to distort history with unsubstantiated claims and blatant lies, aimed at pulling one down as a necessary condition to lift the other.

While on the surface, the article appears as an analysis of the 2018 contest in Ekiti, but the real motive of the writer became apparent when he resorted to falsehood in a desperate bid to malign the personality of the immediate past governor of the state and currently, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Ojeifo made an unpardonable blunder by asserting that salaries of workers remained unpaid under Fayemi’s administration.

A little check would have revealed to him that workers salaries were paid by last Friday of every month throughout the four year tenure of the administration and that the only month salary owed workers before the end of the tenure in October 2014 was

the September 2014 salaries. It is on record that arrangement for the September salaries with banks had been concluded before it was truncated by the then incoming Governor Fayose, who threatened the banks to halt all arrangements with the outgoing government thereby making it difficult for workers to be paid for that month.

It is also ridiculous for Ojeifo to praise the incumbent administration for what he described as its openness in the handling of public finance, while the exact opposite is what is currently obtainable in the state where different figures are being bandied as allocations from the federation account among other shady deals.

Ojeifo’s attempt to present the loss of the June 21, 2014 governorship election as a direct consequence of the alleged disconnection on the part of the Fayemi administration leaves much to be desired. With startling revelations of how military and other forces were used to take over power in the state, many informed writers have since come to terms with the reality of the situation and had jettisoned the disconnection fable being spread by the same perpetrators of the crime.

If Ojeifo must know, Fayemi as governor may not be seen frolicking at a paraga joint as a way of demonstrating his closeness to the people. He connects with the people through genuine and strategic engagements with them through town hall and community based meetings he held with them periodically where they freely made input into the workings of government. The product of those engagements were the developmental strides recorded by the administration, which till date remain incontrovertible.

Talk about social security scheme for the elderly, where elderly citizens above 65 years and without any form of pensions were paid N5,000 monthly stipends; the Conditional Cash Transfer which benefited 2,200 vulnerable women across the state; youth empowerment; security of lives and property; State Community Assisted Projects where the Fayemi administration released N600million for 176 of such projects which included completion or renovation of town halls or civic centres, Obas’ palaces all over the state; the laptop per child initiative; free health mission; The Youth in Commercial Agriculture Development (YCAD)

where young farmers were produced and which made Ekiti State the highest producer of cassava with the highest yield in years 2013 and 2014. These were schemes that resonated in all communities and which the citizens took ownership of. In all, there are over 2000 completed projects of various sizes in all 131 towns and villages in the state which are direct result of village square meetings requests of communities in the budget. This is apart from 1,038 kilometers of roads that are either newly constructed or rehabilitated.

Fayemi renovated all 183 secondary schools in the state, constructed and rehabilitated 1,533 blocks of classrooms in primary schools and delivered 11,700 pupils’ desks across the state; and rehabilitated and equipped all 18 General hospitals in the state apart from completing the Oba Adejugbe General hospital which the incumbent has abandoned to overgrown weeds. The moribund Ire Burnt Bricks was resuscitated and had started production before Fayemi left office. Today, the profit making business concern has also been abandoned by Fayose. Same goes for the Road Materials Company in Igbemo which has also been left to rot away. The Fayemi administration commissioned five mini-water treatment plants and almost completed state wide pipe laying to replace dilapidated ones thereby improving water supply in the state from the initial 25% to 57% . He also reactivated mini dams in the state. The Human Development Report (2012) described Ekiti as the most conducive environment to live long and healthy with a life expectancy average of 55 years.

So, one is constrained to ask Ojeifo, what connection with the public entails other than engaging them in a manner that allows them develop confidence in the government and positioning them to contribute meaningfully to governance and development.

While no one can fault Ojeifo’s undying love for his patron, time will tell whether the generality of Ekitis truly adores Fayose as he wants us to believe, just the same way time will separate genuine writers from hack writers who rely only on handouts. ––Dauda Lawal, a public affairs analyst writes from Ado-Ekiti

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PERSPECTIVE

Simeon Afolabi: Seeking Restoration for the Body of Christ Obong Akpaekong

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missed my steps this evening. I came for midweek service and did not have the idea anything was going on here.� Those were the words of Simeon Afolabi, serving overseer of Firstlove Assembly, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, when he rose up to give a brief speech, moments after walking into the spacious ultra-modern auditorium of the assembly. Afolabi came with his wife, Ruth, to deliver the mid-week sermon, Wednesday, February 22, but found the entire church setting in celebration mood.

Tables with some white coverings were being kept from the front of the church to the back, with some bottles of water and other drinks and some four persons seated to each table. A colourfully designed cake was well-positioned. Food was waiting to be served once it was time. The faces of the people and the clothes they wore also betrayed the mood of the evening.

It was Afolabi’s 55th birthday. But the decision to hold a bash was not his, neither was it communicated to him. The bash was packaged by members and pastors of the church alongside those of the International Communion of Ministers, a forum of church workers – mainly pastors, which Afolabi has been nurturing since 2001. Linus Ochai, FLA’s resident pastor, midwifed the occasion. “I thank the resident pastor for this undeserved honour. I thank everyone behind this coup,� Afolabi told the gathering.

He went on: “What can I say at 55 than that a good name is better than silver or gold? During the day, I received calls from many in the country and parts of the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Ghana and other African countries. I can see reason for all the appreciation. Let nothing surpass the strive for a good name.�

He said in his 55 years on earth, he had found God to be true and faithful to His word and that every good deed, including a cup of water given in the name of God, would be rewarded.

He urged the people to continue in their labours of love, because, according to him, God will not fail to reward. Afolabi also shared the word of God from Revelation 22:1-5, which points believers to heaven where the Bible says, will be no more suffering and curse while God will be light to all.

Afolabi was born in Ipee, in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State on February 22, 1962. He obtained his bachelor and masters degrees in Political Science from the University of Ibadan in I985 and 1987, respectively. He did his mandatory one year national youth service with Living Faith Church a.k.a Winners Chapel. He had thought he would become an academic and had considered going for PhD when God told him to “return to the church.� With this divine instruction, Afolabi secured a job as a pastor with Living Faith Church and served there for 10 years. His stations were Lagos, Abuja and Owerri, where he was presbyter for the Eastern region.

In spite of his love for Political Science and the years spent studying the political systems of the world, Afolabi has not worked in the secular world for even one day. �I admire those that have experience in fields like public relations, banking and other sectors of the economy. I associate with them a lot and learn much from my contact with them,� Afolabi said.

On November 1, 1998, Afolabi founded Revival Peoples Church but later changed its name to Firstlove Assembly. Since

Afolabi then, he has been involved in the business of leading souls to Christ and evoking a revival of apostolic values in the body of Christ. He says the name of his church is closely related to his mandate – to restore man back to God and to provoke the body of Christ to get back to the love the early apostles had for Christ and the ministry. “The apostles loved the Lord Jesus and their work in the church to the point of death,� he says.

Clearly, this mandate and passion are drawn largely from the twin scriptures of Isaiah 42:22, which emphasises the restoration of mankind, and Jude 3, which urges the global church to “earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.� His deep hunger to promote restoration of what the enemy had stolen in people’s lives and desire to build a hunger in God’s people prompted him to run the weekly ‘Restoration Hour’ broadcast on Africa Independent Television, Port Harcourt, at 6pm every Friday and 6.45am every Sunday on WAZOBIA 94.1 FM radio station in the same city.

Afolabi is clearly a teacher of the Word. This calling and drive to impart plain scriptural knowledge in the body of Christ has caused him to write many books. His latest books, The Ministry and God’s Workmen; Making the Ministry Work and The Minister’s Call to Duty were presented to the public at De Edge Hotel, Port Harcourt, on February 25 as part of activities marking the celebration. Other books authored by Afolabi include Inspiration; Concerning Giving and Receiving; Reflections; Purpose, People and Timing.

His quarterly devotional, Bread &Wine, has remained a veritable source of inspiration to thousands across the globe.

Bread & Wine, which was introduced in 2005, situates contemporary issues within the provisions of the word of God. The

entries are well researched to provide inspirational materials that are Bible-based. Afolabi’s goal in this is to see that the reader is driven into a deeper understanding of life with God. The glossy devotional, with an online version, is given out free and has been in high demand in Nigeria, parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas. Afolabi says that the secret of those who keep riding, and keep going, and never stop, is in reading the Word.

He is a good example of a liberal personality. He has said that it is the will of God that ministries spring up and flourish inside another and perhaps, bigger ministry. It is true. Unlike what obtains in many other churches, where the founder prohibits his pastors or even members from writing books and related ventures, Afolabi allows his pastors to write their books and even plays some prominent role in their presentation to the public.

Many of his pastors are authors of Christian and other books that have been a source of encouragement to many in the journey of life.

The ICM is another area Pastor Afolabi has been of immense blessing to the church and humanity. He uses the forum to hold free training sessions for pastors of Firstlove Assembly and other church groups. The sessions are held three or four times in the year in the church auditorium.

Participants include young church founders and senior church workers that seek direction and leadership for success in their callings and ministry. These pastors need tutelage, mentorship and direction.

During the last ICM, held on February 13, Afolabi taught from Leviticus 13, which dwells on the priest’s handling of the leprous and is considered dry and difficult to understand. After a painstaking reading of the entire chapter, Afolabi settled for verse two of the passage: “When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priest..� KJV. Afolabi said whereas the priest sons of Aaron were able to perform in the capacity of their father, who could go for the chief priest; a pastor in the church should carry anointing like the senior pastor or bishop and discharge responsibilities of the senior pastor whenever the need arises. He told the pastors to be thorough on the pulpit and in general church administration, avoiding errors as much as possible. He told them to be prudent in managing church and personal finances. He told them to watch their words in church and out of it and to ensure they give the right counsel to people that come to them for it. As a pastor of pastors, he insists that younger pastors pursue the building of good character for themselves and ensure that their congregations are not involved in scandal.

Afolabi was one of the lead speakers at the 2016 edition of International Pastors’ Conference, which Sylvanus Ukafia, serving overseer of Insight Bible Church and chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom State hosted in Uyo, the state capital, last July. He told the over 1,000 delegates drawn from Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroun, Gabon, and Niger Republic to strive to fulfil the purpose for their creation and calling. “You can’t truly succeed unless you know your root and the reason for your creation. When you know your root and your reason, and you pursue your reason to the point of accomplishment, that is success,� said Afolabi. –––Akpaekong is a public affairs analyst and the publisher of Sippar magazine

Xenophobia: Time for Nigeria to Act Decisively Silas Enobong

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outh Africa’s xenophobic attacks on Nigerians--which by now has become such a recurring decimal---has undoubtedly opened another sordid chapter in the many socio-political and economic challenges that the Nigerian nation is bedevilled with. Since this morally reprehensible, if not patently illegal acts has reared their ugly heads for close to two years now, Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora have never been more united in their condemnation and the seeming unwillingness of the South African authorities to nip these dastardly acts in the bud.

While there’s the tendency to see this unusual (in the sense that not only are the people of both countries have shared kinship and cultural identity, but because the Nigerian nation expended so much inordinate amount of financial and moral resources during its most dehumanizing period in its history with the apartheid system) xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in isolation, South Africa’s xenophobia speaks to a relationship between two countries that has been anything but cordial and healthy. This recurrent social malaise also speaks, fundamentally, to the level of disdain that South Africans have for Nigerians on the one hand, and a disguised contempt of the South African government for the Nigerian authority (with the apparent levity it has always treated this and other issues that affects our national interests) on the other. Both of these issues call for the Nigerian government to frontally address the South African question once and for all.

It needs restating here that while there’s absolutely no justification for South Africa’s xenophobic attacks in whatever guise, even if it were attempts to rid the country of foreign criminal elements, as Malusi Gigaba, the Home Affairs Minister had insinuated in one of his unintelligent statements in response to the carnage - which had

further added salt to our injury as a people. The fact is that Nigeria’s international prestige and fortune continues to suffer even in lesser African and Asian countries either because the country has shown, overtime, such pathetic lack of understanding of foreign policy as a tool to advance her political and economic interests as other serious nations do, or that she’s yet to come to grips with the fact that there’s no such thing as altruism in diplomatic relations, which has always been the centrepiece of its foreign policy. Diplomatic relations is simply benign competition by another name. It’s time to change this archaic and unrewarding mindset.

Nigerian citizens are unfairly, if not illegally maltreated, maimed and killed intentionally in most cases because the countries in which these unfortunate acts were perpetrated knew intrinsically that the Nigerian government has the unenviable reputation for not defending her citizens wherever they may be even if their rights were egregiously violated under the UN charter.

What happened in South Africa where several lives have been lost, with the apparent unwillingness of South Africa in lifting a finger to bring the perpetrators to book is what other serious countries would have recalled their envoy and also asked South Africa to reciprocate, if it’s not to be considered an act of war.

While South Africa’s xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals are now in the public domain and that at least 116 Nigerians have (according to official statistics) been killed in the last few years in S.A., with 63 percent attributed to extra-judicial killings by the South African police, Gigaba’s condescending response was most unfortunate. In his reply to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Hon. Abike DabiriErewa’s call on the Africa Union (AU) to intervene, Gigaba said “such issues were better discussed at the diplomatic level� and that “we should desist as countries from pointing fingers at one another in regard to issues we may not have sufficient levels of information about.� Gigaba “may not have sufficient levels of information�

about the unacceptable number of Nigerians that have been killed in cold blood because going out of his way in documenting such figures can never be in his or his country’s enlightened best interest.

While it must be made clear that Nigerians who violates the laws of their host countries must be penalized and punished accordingly, one also wonders if the deportation of about 97 Nigerians a few days ago by the South African government ostensibly because of their involvement in various crimes and other immigration violations was not only to demoralise the Nigerian government from taking up this issue at the higher level, but also to forestall the Africa Union’s (AU) from getting involved---as demanded by Hon. Dabiri-Erewa. Why the deportation now that the world opinion is not in her favour on account of the barbaric xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals of African descent if not an insidious attempt to portray to the world that South Africans are tired of the criminal elements in their midst, which Gigaba had said earlier that “his engagement with the community showed that the people were only acting against immigrants perpetrating crimes in the area?� Out of the 97 deported, 7 were said to have been convicted of drug related offenses and handed over to the police. The rest were rounded up for being undocumented migrants. It’s instructive that SA has since withdrawn its voluntary work permits for African immigrants, most especially Nigerians, leaving them without documents, and has made granting them work permits very difficult.

If Gigaba should be excused for his unprofessional conduct in handling his country’s xenophobic issue, one is highly perturbed as to what to make of the deafening silence from Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs minister Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama whose office is the first line of defence for the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians in Diaspora. ––Enobong is a foreign affairs analyst (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

NEWSXTRA

PROUDLY CHEVENING L-R: Prof. Chijioke Nwaozuzu of University of Port Harcourt; Dan Akpovwa, Publisher of The

Abuja Inquirer, John Momoh, Chairman of Channels TV and Valentine Ozigbo, Group CEO, Transcorp Hotels, at the Extra-ordinary General Meeting of the Chevening Alumni Association of Nigeria (CAAN) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja‌recently

STRATEGIC FORUM

L-R: CEO, InfraCredit, Chinua Azubike, and CEO, Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), Philippe Valahu, at the Sustainable Development Investment Partnership (SDIP) Strategic Dialogue on InfraCredit and Local Currency Guarantees (supported by PIDG) in London, United Kingdom...recently

Kukah: APC was Not Prepared for Governance Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, yesterday, took on the ruling All Progressives Congress-led administration on its inability to provide solutions to the Southern Kaduna crisis, even as he said the party wasn’t prepared for governance.

The Bishop who featured as a guest on ARISE TV Network, a sister company of THISDAY Newspapers in Abuja, disclosed that, the Southern Kaduna issue was not given much attention by the political elite in the country.

According to him, “I have been a student of the diagnostic school, even in the poster issue of this administration which is the fight against corruption. My ar-

gument has been that, first of all, everybody has accepted that the APC was not really prepared for governance. There is not enough evidence out there to suggest that people were really, really prepared to take responsibility and move with it.�

Kukah stated that the ruling party used over one year talking about the previous government that it took power from, adding that, the country as a result of that, lost lots of time.

He said: “It took almost one year to have ministers and so on and so forth. Now, I mean, there was something on Facebook the other day identifying the various ministers, only one or two or three who are doing what they were trained to do. These are some of the issues.

“Frankly, as far as I am concerned, my argument would have been that when Buhari took over power, my view is, he would have taken a leaf from South Africa. That is that, you take over a convoluted environment such as this, whether it is the corruption or whatever, it is that we should have spent more time dealing with. It’s not money that Nigeria needs. This country was haemmoraging badly, the Niger Delta, Biafra and Boko Haram and so on.� “To come back to the issue, I mean we’ve been on this for such a long time. Today, it is Southern Kaduna, yesterday it was something else and tomorrow it will be something completely different. But, I think that this issue has not been given much attention.

We really have not been able to figure out what really is wrong with Nigeria. Whether it is Biafra as you mentioned in the news, the agitators, how is it that this nation is in constant state of commotions� “Unfortunately, religion has become the tour guide but, really we don’t have problem let me say between Muslims and Christians. There are Christians, there are Muslims and there are people who are misusing the religion but, it all comes down to the nature and the responsibility of the political elite who have stepped up and asked us to give them the mandate to govern us.

So, we intend to blame the victim, which is that the Christians have not just been able to settle down with their Muslims brother.

14 Years After, Bakassi Residents Groan under Yoke of Neglect, Deprivation Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

Fourteen years after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ceded the oil rich Bakassi Peninsula in Cross River State to Cameroon, indigenes of the community still groan under the yoke of deprivation and neglect by the federal government.

As a result of the development, the Senate has lamented the failure of the federal gov-

ernment to resettle indigenes of Bakassi and consequently tasked the government to urgently resettle the people through a participatory and properly negotiated resettlement programme.

Adopting a motion by Senator Gershom Bassey (Cross River South), the Senate urged the government to urgently tackle the challenges of poverty, statelessness and deprivation

arising from the continuous neglect of the Bakassi people.

It also counselled the federal government to carry out a proper valuation of the loss of Bakassi and come up with permanent compensation to Cross River State.

According to Bassey, the failure of the government to resettle and compensate the people of Bakassi has turned them into refugees in their

homeland without “any form of livelihood and hope for posterity.�

Recalling that Cameroon had long resettled its own citizens, Bassey said federal government’s failure to give the people a new lease of life had begun to give way to another round of humanitarian crisis in Cross River State “as citizens in the area have no country to lean on at the moment.�

Xenophobia: Don’t Carry out Reprisal Attacks on S’African Companies, Nigerians Urged Anayo Okolie

Nigerians have been urged not to carry out reprisal attacks against South African-owned companies in Nigeria in retaliation to xenophobic assault on Nigerians living in South Africa.

The National Union of Nigerian Students and a host of Niger Delta ‘vigilante’ groups had threatened to carry out counter reprisal attacks against South African owned companies in Nigeria following the inability of the government of South Africa to manage the situation.

Chairman, Nigeria South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Foluso Phillips, in a statement made available to THISDAY, noted that South African firms operating in Nigeria are not small establishments and indeed make their own significant contributions to the country’s GDP. To shut them down, he said: “Is to shoot us in the foot and to be quite honest, the South African Government would not care that much. Their people are not being hurt and the destruction of the business in Nigeria

does nothing to them in South Africa but a lot to us here.�

According to him, “the difference is that these companies in Nigeria are Nigerian companies. They employ Nigerians, are managed by Nigerians and serve very many Nigerians, especially the likes of MTN, DStv, Standard Bank, SA Breweries and Sassol. “MTN is a Nigerian company employing thousands of Nigerians directly and indirectly, whose livelihoods would be challenged by such destructive act. This applies to

so many other ‘South African’ companies operating in Nigeria as well. If the students and the Niger Delta militants are hell bent on retaliation, then they should jump on a plane and go show them pepper in Pretoria – but we all know this will never happen because it is just not in our DNA.�

Philips expressed belief that the people involved in the xenophobic attacks are people suffering from economic frustration not too dissimilar in some cases with the kind of frustration some parts of Nigeria face today.

Electrical Safety: Expert Preaches Standard, Compliance Omolabake Fasogbon

With recent hike in fire outbreak in the country, most of which have been traced to electrical anomalies, experts have sought for strict enforcement of the National Electric Code (NEC), in or all electrical works at their different stages.

The expert also tasked the Federal Government, especially now that it looks to rebrand the fire service for efficiency, to devote time and resources to increase the awareness level on proactive cautions through knowledge and skills development which are essential to guard against all mistakes leading to fire disaster.

According to Vice President, NFPAWA, Roland Ngong, most electrical works in the country whether at the design, installa-

tion and inspection stage do not follow laid down standards and principles while a lot of people still engage the service of uncertified and incompetent electricians to their own detriment. “Like the forthcoming conference and training put together

by NFPAWA, it will be addressing safety in the electrical sector with a focus on the standards and benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, inspection and maintenance. The training will be coming up this May at Oriental Hotels in Lagos,� she added. “The NEC is the number one selling standard produced by the National Fire Protection Association and the accepted benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazard.�

UN Security Council Mission Visits Nigeria The United Nations Security Council Visiting Mission to Lake Chad Basin Region will arrive in Maiduguri, Borno State today.

On Monday, the Mission will go to Abuja to meet with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Matt Moody, Spokesperson and Head of Communications, UK Mission to the UN, said: “on Day 5 of the UK Presidency, the Security Council will transfer to Maiduguri, Nigeria. They will meet local officials and civil society organisations before visiting an IDP camps. “On Day 6 of the UK Presidency (Monday), the Security Council will meet Civil Society Organisations, Women’s Groups, and leaders of the Nige-

rian Government in Abuja.�

The visit is part of the UN Security Council’s mission under the UK Presidency, to the areas devastated by Boko Haram terrorists in the countries of the Lake Chad Basin - Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

The mission to Nigeria is aimed at enabling the UN body to get first-hand information on the various issues affecting the country. This will be the first time the UN Security Council is visiting Nigeria.

With the on-going crisis in the Northeast and other challenges faced by the country, the delegation will use the mission to engage with federal and state authorities.

NGO Organises Security Seminar In response to the spate of kidnapping of students and their tutors in both public and private schools across the country, a non-governmental organisation has concluded an arrangement to organise a security seminar to sensitise parents, guardians, teachers, principals and students on

measures to take, to prevent falling victims. The convener of the NGO, School Connect, Mrs. Grace Sam, said the one-day seminar with the theme ‘School Safety & Security Measures’, is essentially designed to discuss security of lives and property as paramount to help build a more secured school environment.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ARCH 5, 2017

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NEWSXTRA

WORTHY HONOUR

L-R: Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole the Founder of Endometriosis Support Group Nigeria (ESBN), & Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, at the investiture of the Minister as Endo Champion 2017 in Abuja‌yesterday

FOR BETTER SYNERGY

R-L: Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajiya Sadia Umar during a courtesy visit to the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on the Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa in her office in Abuja...recently

At S’South S’East Forum, Stakeholders Call for Restructuring of Nigeria Anayo Okolie

The people of South-east and South-south have unanimously called for a restructuring of Nigeria to ensure proper balancing of the various interests.

The calls for restructuring of Nigeria to ensure all citizens of the country are equal did not start today. Over the years, some people from the South-east, South-west, and South-south among others, have consistently agitated for a system that would be beneficial to every part of the country.

Some of the stakeholders at the meeting include Chairman/ Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; Elder statesman and Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Major. General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), Alabo Tonye-Douglas, Senator Ewa Henshaw, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Chief

Guy Ikokwu, Prof. G.G. Darah, Dr. Steve Oru, Chief Albert Horsfall, and Uche Okwukwu.

Speaking at the meeting, Clark said: “We are light years away from the kind of country ourfoundingfathersbequeathed to us. At independence in 1960, the Richard’s Constitution spelt out what Nigeria should be – a Federal Republic with three regions – North, East and West as the components.

According to him, “Each of the regions is equal and each is allowed to develop at its own pace. Whatever resources you have in your region, you take 50 per cent and the remaining 50 per cent is sent to the centre, which is further shared between the centre and the regions. That was the country we knew.�

Today, Clark said: “The reverse is the case. We complain of xenophobia in South Africa, what do we have in Nigeria? A situation where some groups of Nigerians speak and others listen but cannot speak, which means we don’t have a country.�

The revered Ijaw leader canvassed for an egalitarian society where everyone would be equal because the country does not belong to one person, saying, “This country belongs to all of us.� He however, expressed hope that the meeting of the leaders would bear good fruits.

Nwodo, who also spoke at the meeting, condemned the alleged marginalisation of the Igbo race in Nigeria. He expressed belief that the marginalisation of the region angered the youths of South-east to keep agitating for the creation of the state of Biafra.

According to him, “Our children are agitating. Our children don’t want to be part of this thing anymore because they feel that we are second class citizens and because they feel that their parents are incapable of standing out for them. They want the Biafra because most of us who are their parents have seen war before and we know that to unleash war in this country is the worst thing any one of us can bring about.

“We think that in the African continent, our size is our asset.

We think we have built a brotherhood over the years since 1960, we cannot break it if can mend it. Consequently, we have to put our heads together and find a federal structure, a constitution structure which gives every part of this country satisfaction. In weeks, months, the socio-cultural organisations will come together, put heads together to seek an end to this impending catastrophe. “Our father (Edwin Clark) has touched some of the fundamental point, but I just want to tell him thatwemustnotbesleepinginthe same bed but we are dreaming the same dream “We aspire to have a Nigeria where the every part of this country feels a sense of belonging; we aspire to have a Nigeria where the people of Nigeria participate in crafting the constitution by which they are governed. We aspire to have a Nigeria in which those coming after us will enjoy a better standard of living than we enjoy in our time.�

Osinbajo:CommunitieswithOil ResourcesinN’DeltatobeMadeHubs Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has announced that communities with oil resources in the Niger Delta region are to be made hub for petrochemical industries in the country. He said this at a Town Hall meeting during his one-day official visit to Akwa Ibom State.

He said the Town Hall meeting was to enable him interact with the stakeholders and the people of the state with a view to identifying their problems and proffer solutions.

He said he was in the state as an emissary of President Muhammadu Buhari who, after the visit of the leadership of the Niger Delta Forum in November, 2016, called for the tour of oil bearing communities to enable him restrategise on the development of the region.

Osinbajo, who assured the people of the federal government’s commitment to the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project and upgrading of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron said “The federal government takes seriously the Ibaka Deep Seaport project.

Already we have made provi-

sion of N1 billion in this year’s budget to support the project.�

The Acting President announced the award of contract for the dualisation of Aba-Ikot Ekpene federal highway explaining that the road was critical to the development of the nation’s economy and would also facilitate movement of people in the neighbouring states.

While stating government’s determination to ensuring all round development of the Niger Delta region, he described as a privilege an opportunity to be hosted by Akwa Ibom people whom he said are blessed with a rich ancestry.

He lauded the political elites and youths of the state for letting go their political differences and come together in a town hall meeting to seek redress in issues affecting their community and particularly expressed appreciation to the youths for their peaceful disposition in tackling their problems.

He maintained that “there is no pleasure in destroying assets in the community and driving potential away investors� but cautioned that the struggle for fairness and justice can be done peacefully with great results.

EFCC Storms Jonathan Youth Vanguard Founder’s Home, Carts Away Documents AMLSN Tasks CJN on Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

For over five hours on Friday night, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ransacked the palatial mansion of the founder of the Jonathan/Sambo Youth Support Movement (JYSM) also known as Jonathan Youth Vanguard, Mr. George Turnah, carting away several documents before leaving.

The country home of Turner, situated in Kolo town, Ogbia

Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, a few minutes’ drive from the former President’s Otuoke abode, was raided by the officials of the anti-graft agency who were in search of incriminating evidence against the 33-year-old businessman and politician.

However, Turnah, who bagged a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) award in 2011 during the erstwhile Jonathan administration, was said to have escaped just minutes before the security operatives arrived.

It wasn’t particularly clear for what reason the EFCC was after the former aspirant to the position of the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s National Vice Chairman for South-south at the party’s botched convention last year, but he was said to have handled several contracts for the Jonathan government and as a former Special Assistant to two former Managing Directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

A reliable security source who

preferred to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, confirmed to THISDAY in Yenagoa, that over 40 operatives from the mobile unit of the Nigeria Police Force, the military and the Department of State Services (DSS) accompanied the EFCC operatives on the mission. “I learnt they were about 40, not hundred like you mentioned. But the operation was last night (Friday), though I cannot say what the operatives found in the house�, he said.

Benue Agog as New Paramount Ruler Takes Oath of Office George Okoh Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ“

The newly elected paramount ruler of Tiv people of Benue state, Ochiviri James Ayatse, Tor Tiv the 4th was yesterday given the staff of office by the Benue state governor with a charge to be non-partisan in the discharge of his duty.

The royal father who spoke shortly after receiving his staff of office from Governor Samuel Ortom promised to be father to all in his domain irrespective of socio-political and cultural affiliations.

As millions of Nigerians trooped to witness the coronation, particularly members of the

All Progressive Congress (APC), the occasion was largely boycotted by members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) who fingered the state government in the recent ordeal of the former governor of the state Gabriel Suswam with the DSS. Prominent PDP leaders in the country including Suswam,

Senator David Mark and PDP governors were absent from the occasion while it was who is who in the country from the APC including 16 governors, and the Senate president who all attended the event. The 61 year old paramount ruler said, “I will be Tor Tiv for all irrespective of political or religious affiliations.�

Respect for Court Judgments Kuni Tyessi Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has tasked the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen on the rule of law and respect for court judgments, especially by federal government institutions.

In congratulating the new CJN and his zeal for upholding justice, the association reiterated that several pronouncements in its favour have not been obliged, with respect to the directive given to the Minister of Health, compelling him to issue a circular to all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Doctors of tertiary health institutions in Nigeria, which the Association has said “is not an impossible task�.

In a statement signed by Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, Dr.

Surajudeen Junaid and Tam Adetunji Adeyeye, the National President, Secretary and PRO respectively, the association said it was elated to note the new CJN’s pronouncements on his determination to face squarely, whoever fails to obey court orders. It said this pronouncement if pursued would give the rule of law its due place and return Nigeria to the path of justice, law and order.

It also said “After painstakingly pursuing our cases at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), the Courts ruled in these matters in 2013 - against FMC Asaba; 2014 -against JUTH; 2015 -against JUTH; 2016- against OAUTH Ife and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; and in 2017- against the Minister of Health, JUTH, FETHA, UNTH, National Orthopeadic Hospital Enugu, and others).�

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Liverpool Punish Wenger Gamble, Daze Arsenal

L

iverpool punished Arsene Wenger’s selection gamble with a crucial 3-1 win over spluttering Arsenal, while Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic could face disciplinary action after appearing to elbow Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings in a fiery 1-1 draw yesterday.

Wenger sprang a major surprise by leaving Alexis Sanchez on the bench and the Chile forward was badly missed as Arsenal were blown away in the first half at Anfield.

With Mesut Ozil also absent due to illness, Arsenal were ill-equipped to match Jurgen Klopp’s fired-up side, who took the lead in the ninth minute when Roberto Firmino met Sadio Mane’s cross with a cool finish at the far post after sloppy Arsenal defending.

There was worse to come for Wenger in the 40th minute as Firmino teed up the unmarked Mane and the Senegal winger drilled his shot past Petr Cech.

Wenger sent on Sanchez at half-time and inevitably he made an impact, sending an astute pass through to Danny Welbeck, whose deft chip reduced the deficit in the 57th minute.

But Georginio Wijnaldum finished a lethal Liverpool counter attack in the 90th minute to condemn Arsenal to a third defeat in their last four league matches.

Liverpool’s second win in their last eight league games lifted them above Arsenal and Manchester City into third place.

Wenger’s fifth placed side are now two points outside the top four and that gap will grow to five if City beat Sunderland today.

At Old Trafford, Mings appeared to stamp on Ibrahimovic’s head with his left foot as he jumped over him late in the first half and the Swedish striker seemed to elbow him in retaliation moments later.

Ibrahimovic, who also squandered a penalty, told BBC Sport: “You have the TV, you can see the images. I jump up and jump high and he (Mings) jumps into my elbow. It is not my intention to hurt someone.”

Marcos Rojo put United ahead in the 23rd minute at Old Trafford, but Joshua King levelled from the spot five minutes before half-time following a foul on Marc Pugh by Phil Jones.

Adam Smith’s handball gave Ibrahimovic a chance to restore United’s lead from the penalty spot, but his spot-kick was brilliantly palmed away by Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Victory would have taken United into the Champions League places, but they remain sixth, a position they have occupied since November.

Ibrahimovic was already on a booking when he tangled with Mings, but both players avoided punishment, raising the prospect of violent conduct charges from the Football Association.

The standard punishment for violent conduct in the Premier League is a three-game ban.

Mings, whose side remain 14th, said the contact with Ibrahimovic had been accidental.

“I would never do that. That’s not in my game,” Mings said. “Hard and fair is how I like to tackle, but off-the-ball stuff like that isn’t part of my game.”

Referee Kevin Friend also sent off Bournemouth’s Andy Surman for two bookable offences, although he had to be reminded by United left-back Luke Shaw that the midfielder had already been booked.

“Who can I blame?” Mourinho said of United’s latest Old Trafford flop. “Ourselves.

Nobody else. We missed big chances.”

Elsewhere, champions Leicester continued their smooth adaptation to life after Claudio Ranieri by winning 3-1 at home to fellow strugglers Hull to pull five points clear of the relegation zone.

The champions beat Liverpool 3-1 last Monday in their first game since the sacking of popular manager Ranieri and caretaker coach Craig Shakespeare saw them record back-toback wins for the first time since last April.

Sam Clucas gave Hull a 14th-minute lead, but Leicester stormed back to win through strikes from Christian Fuchs and Riyad Mahrez and

Mane and Coutinho celebrate

a Tom Huddlestone own goal.

“Results give players confidence,” said Shakespeare. “Back-to-back wins will give confidence for the last 11 games of the season.

“Everyone looked at the game against Liverpool on Monday and to get the three points under pressure was important, but to back that up with another win was vitally important.”

Hull are now four points from safety and they

were joined in the bottom three by Middlesbrough, who fell to two Marko Arnautovic goals in a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City.

Swansea also pulled five points clear of the bottom three after Fernando Llorente’s 92nd-minute header secured a precious 3-2 win against Burnley.

Crystal Palace moved three points clear of danger with a 2-0 success at West Bromwich Albion, while Southampton won 4-3 at Watford.

Kalusha Pulls out of FIFA Council Race Moses

Conte: Nobody Gifted Moses Anything Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has explained that Victor Moses wasn’t loaned out this term because he impressed in preseason.

The Nigerian winger has been sent on loan to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United in the past three seasons, but this campaign he remained at Stamford Bridge and has become a key player for the Blues.

“When I saw him during pre-season I was very clear with him that he would stay here for the whole season,” Conte told a Friday press conference.

“I said I hope he’s happy with that and he said he was very happy to stay and try to prove himself and prove he was ready to play for Chelsea.

“I’m pleased for him, he deserves it and nobody gifted him anything.” Moses earlier this week signed a new contract with Chelsea which ties him to Stamford Bridge to 2021.

Z

ambia’s former African Footballer of the Year, Kalusha Bwalya, has withdrawn from the race for a place on the Fifa Council - less than two weeks before the elections for African representatives.

Bwalya was voted African Footballer of the Year in 1988 and stood as president of Zambia’s FA for two terms before losing out to Andrew Kamanga in last year’s election.

He said he was pulling out to concentrate on winning re-election to theAfrican governing body’s executive committee.

Elections for African places on the new-look Fifa Council will be held at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Congress in Addis Ababa on 16 March, at the same time as the Caf executive

committee vote.

Bwalya was initially standing for places on both bodies but told reporters: “I have decided to withdraw from the race, to concentrate on retaining my ex-co position.”

Bwalya was one of three candidates for the place on the Fifa Council reserved for a representative from Africa’s Anglophone countries.

His withdrawal leaves a straight fight between Ghana FootballAssociation president Kwesi Nyantakyi and Leodegar Tenga of Tanzania.

Africa has seven places on the Fifa Council, which has been renamed and expanded since Gianni Infantino came to power one year ago. One place is automatically reserved for the Caf president and another for a female representative. The other five places will be decided in Ethiopia on 16 March.

Murray Beats Verdasco, Wins First Dubai Title

B

ritain’sAndy Murray saw off Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in straight sets to win the Dubai Championships for the first time. The world number one dropped his first two service games but recovered to win 6-3 6-2 in one hour and 14 minutes. It is Murray’s first tournament win of 2017 and the 45th of his career, which will see him extend his lead over Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings.

“I’m obviously very happy to do it here for the first time,” said Murray. “It’s been a good start to the year.”

Murray went into the final with a 12-1 record against Verdasco, but the Scot made a slow start to the final, losing his first two service games and throwing in four double faults.

However, Murray managed to get himself level at 3-3 and was rarely troubled again. Verdasco, 33, let a 40-0 lead slip in game eight, firing a forehand wide on break point and Murray served out a set in which his returning ability had made up for some erratic serving.

The Briton’s game came together in the second set and a forehand pass gave him the early break for a 2-1 lead.

When Murray ran down a seemingly hopeless point to force another break point at 4-2 it was as good as over for Verdasco, and the top seed ended with the kind of clinical service game he had lacked at the start.

The final proved a far more straightforward contest than his quarter-final against Philipp Kohlschreiber, which saw Murray save seven

Kalusha

match points and win an epic 31-minute tie-break.

“Often when you get through matches like that it settles you down for the rest of the tournament,” said Murray.

“It’s been quite a few late finishes this week.

Maybe the last couple of matches, I didn’t start as well as I would like. It’s been the same for all the players, a bit tricky with the rain. Once I got going today, I was moving well and I finished strong.”

RESULTS & FIXTURES Man United Leicester Stoke City Swansea Watford Liverpool Tottenham Sunderland

1–1 3–1 2–0 3–2 3–4 3–1 v v

AFC Bournemouth Hull City Middlesbrough Burnley Southampton Arsenal Everton 2:30pm Man City 5pm

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High Life

͎͎͜;ʹ͜͜ͳ;ͳͰ

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Alpha Magnate, Aliko Dangote, Clocks 60 Ëž Ă“Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã ËÑÙÑ Ă‹Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ĘľĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă?

I

t is not by spectacular achievements that man can be transformed, but by will. Ask Aliko Dangote. He is a humble man with the heart of a lion. Having done almost everything that is great in his prime, Dangote evolved as the poster icon to generations of Nigerian youths and even his arch rivals. This is why his friends and family are pulling all stops to celebrate him as he turns 60. Yes, the alpha merchant and magnate of uncommon repute will clock 60 in a few weeks and predictably, a lot of top socialites and fortune seekers are planning to be part of the event. Though Aliko is not known to be a party man. He does his stuff quietly. Whether Aliko will give in and accept a high octane dinner in honour or not, only time would tell. The story of his exquisite manhood resonates with a pleasant peal. To his staff, family, friends, beneficiaries and other loved ones, his smiles have been their anchor, his shoulders their rampart of comfort.

Dangote’s citizenship of humanity they claim, depicts his love of life and undying compassion for the needy and less privileged. Born on April 10, 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family in Kano state, he studied Business AFTER THE STORM...TRUE LOVE FINDS LEKE ALDER ˞ ˜

˜

Only that which brings something quite new is really worthy of being called ‘bliss.’

Leke Alder

Aliko Dangote

at the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt and thereafter returned to Nigeria to borrow from his Ask Leke Alder. The founder of Alder Consulting finally understands that true bliss could be attained soon after the loss of its presumed shadow. Soon after his first marriage to ex-wife, Lola, crashed due to irreconcilable differences, Alder rediscovered love in Morenike Popoola. One thing led to another and he married the ravishing woman.

It’s five years now since Alder remarried and he is undoubtedly enjoying the bliss of his new marriage. It would be recalled that Alder was heartbroken by the shattering experience of his failed first marriage. The highly disciplined technocrat had his marriage dissolved after some irreconcilable differences with Lola, his ex-wife. Life then became a drudgery for several years before Leke remarried beautiful Morenike Poopola, in an exclusive ceremony in Lagos in 2012. Since then, they are waxing stronger and stronger in love. Leke, who once said he makes money by interpreting corporate dreams, has consulted on policy and politics at the highest level. His skill has seen

uncle, Sanusi Abdulkadir Dantata. The uncle (Dantata) eventually gave him a loan of N500,000 him corner juicy jobs from federal agencies, state governments and multinational organisations.

WHITHER THEIR QUEENS? Ëž

Many a man has been a wonder to the world, whose wife and valet have seen nothing in him that was even remarkable. Few men are indeed, admired by their wives and vice versa. This is because they fail to temper affluence with lovable character. But some do very well on all counts; they are great at acquiring fortune and the love of their loved ones.

More importantly, they never shy from publicising their love and the objects of their affection.

Of this privileged divide, a few men of affluence choose to be remarkably different. These men are international businessmen and they are loved and courted by several underlings and business associates. Everybody wants to be associated with them. Their names open doors anywhere in the country. But strangely, they keep their wives away from the public

when he was just 21 years old to start his own business. The rest, as they say, is now history. glare. How they manage to do it is shocking. You don’t get to hear about the wives of the set of men with their intimidating wealth and all that. Do you know the wives of Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, Cosmas Maduka, Nuel Ojei, Kashim Bukar, ABC Orjiakor, Chris Uba, Jimoh Ibrahim, and so many others.

OONI OF IFE TO HOST CORPORATE AWARDS IN LONDON Ëž

It is often said that every hero becomes a bore at last. But his imperial majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, seems set to dispel the dark notion of futility. The paramount monarch of Ile Ife kingdom unlike the proverbial hero that may eventually become a bore, continues to gain ascent in the estimation of even his most virulent critics, courtesy his unimaginable exploits. While Nigerians at home and in Diaspora savour the depth of his compassion for the indigent and progressive efforts at fostering growth and

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Humble Beginning...How Emmanuel Ojei Served Ibrus for Many Years

T

ime walks behind the man that treads slowly, like a submissive ox - doing his bidding and obliging him his heartfelt dreams. This incontestable reality further substantiates François Rabelais, late French humanist and satirist’s postulation which emphasizes thus: “He that has patience may compass anything.â€?

Rabelais simply avers that the best things come to those who wait.

Indeed, this stream of thought manifests truly in the live of Chief Nuel Emmanuel Ojei.

Interestingly, Nuel Ojei Holdings’ founder made a lot of money through government patronage, supplying hundreds of automobiles to establishments, formations and parastatals. In the 80s, he was a regular face in the corridors of power and many of those who wielded unchallenged influence were his men. The father of six children, who was born

in 1951, with a beautiful home in Hampstead, North London, valued at £10 million, where a stretch Rolls Royce is parked, unbeknown to a lot of people, worked with the Ibru clan at Rutam Motors in 1973 before he began his solo journey as a businessman. He worked there for years. It could be recalled that news of Ojei’s debilitating ailment hit the social space some years back like an unconquerable ogre. The story caused panic within Nigeria’s socio-economic space.

However, in a radical twist of fate, Ojei has chanced on his much sought panacea and as you read, he doing wonderfully well. Hope has revisited that life of the man whose generosity a legion of people tirelessly attest to. And in a rare manifestation of heaven’s graciousness on him, since his resuscitation, his business has been experiencing unprecedented growth.

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

unity among Nigerians at home and abroad, Ooni Adeyeye adds a remarkable feather to his crown of honour. Very soon, he will host a massive gathering of corporate personalities in London, United Kingdom in March. A UK-based organisation, Babatunde Loye Foundation, reputable for its laudable initiatives on business opportunities and human development, is putting up the corporate and awards dinner and the Ooni has been enlisted as the special host for the day. Speaking through a video broadcast made for the occasion, the prominent monarch expressed his interest and readiness for the event, and emphasised the importance of such occasion in promoting business opportunities in Nigeria and in

raising the living condition of the entire black race. “I’m reaching out to Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora that cut across the entire United Kingdom and the entire black race as a whole for a corporate dinner that is going to be part of my visit to the United Kingdom for business and investment opportunities in Nigeria, and for the entire Africa as a whole under the auspices of Babatunde Loye Foundation for us to join hands together to chart a positive course in order to better the living condition of the black race and in particular our dear country Nigeria�, said the Ooni.

Also talking on the forthcoming gathering, the executive director of Babatunde Loye Foundation who is also the chairman of Central Association of Nigerians (CANUK) in the UK, Babatunde Loye, said that the foundation’s determination to have Ooni was most thoughtful given the traditional ruler’s influence in the corporate world before his ascension to the throne and the respect he presently commands which cuts across different strata of the society. The event will be held at the exquisite JW Marriot Hotel, West London and will have in attendance captains of industry, accomplished entrepreneurs and top diplomats including the Nigeria Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Simon Ogah.

BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES...

WHEN LEGISLATORS’ WIVES CONVERGED ON SHERATON HOTEL

Emmanuel Ojei

Ëž

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ËŞ

Conceit is the finest armour the rich can wear. Like the proverbial fault of the vainglorious, it is also a bane to compassion, a hindrance to humaneness among men. Little wonder the Nigerian ruling class do not betray a hint of care or consideration for the citizenry they are supposed to serve. Vanity and lavish spending beclouds their judgment, hence their insensitivity to the plight of the people. To those who think celebration of vainness and extravagance only begins and ends with the movers and shakers at the National Assembly dome in Abuja; here is a newsbreak: even their wives are complicit. As Just recently, House Representative Members’ Wives Association, gathered last Wednesday for a three-day retreat at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, discussing ‘politics’ and other societal matters. But the objective of the programme, according to an insider, is simple: to reap bountifully from the current dispensation and also to learn how to ‘assist’ their husbands on the job. According to a source in Abuja, the super wives were lodged in a highbrow hotel for 3 days.

Indeed, the desperation of Nigeria’s high society and aristocracy has attained such a shameful height that some women and their ilk on the other side now go about flaunting business cards bearing such titles as “Wives of Honourable Member� “Wives of Senator� “Friends of the I.G.,� “Friends of the Vice-President,�

“Friends of the Senate President,� “Friends of the President,� and even “Friends of the wives of Governor� to mention a few.

SEGUN ADEBUTU‌ FAR FROM HIS FATHER’S PATH For those whose fathers are great, the dilemma is all the same; they live under pressure and the daunting shadow of their fathers’ attainments. Eventually, very few among them manage to best their fathers’ attainments thus they are perpetually considered inferior shades of their fathers.

But Segun Adebutu cuts a contradictory picture to such dour portraiture. The son of Chief Kessington Adebutu, knew what he must do to survive quite early in life; and that includes trying

Segun Adebutu

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HIGHLIFE

Betty Irabor at 60 Ëž Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚÖÙÓÞĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă—Ă‹Ă¤Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Í—Í‘ ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?

I

f you ask Betty Irabor, she would tell you that clocking 60 does not feel horrible rather it feels like an ecstasy which only she and her new age group could experience.

At 60, Betty thus attains that proverbial threshold of existence where fate deigns her a promising glance and happiness becomes something more than a mad and futile experiment. Betty is truly happy and fulfilled.

Turning 60, is undoubtedly epochal for her. It means a whole lot of things. It means she’s been through thick and wild. It also means she has skimmed the rough storms and tamed the wildest of fate’s afflictions to advantage.

Thus come March 25, the entire high society will be standing in line to honour the quintessential beauty queen as she waltzes with effortless grace into

to be like his father. Segun is one astute industrialist who exhibits mastery of the business world with the variety of portfolios in his kitty. Lately, tongues have been wagging in political circles about his likely ambition to take a shot at a political office in no distant future, but Segun does not seem ready for political campaigns any time soon as being speculated. Top on the agenda of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Petrolex Oil & Gas is the herculean task of delivering one of Africa’s largest refineries and Nigeria’s biggest petroleum products depot.

This massive mission presently forms the fulcrum of Segun’s activities since he, alongside his partners, signed the deal with the Ogun State government last October. Details about this project are sketchy and may be kept to Segun’s chest; findings show that the volume of works going on at the Ibefun site of the project suggests nothing short of a modern petro-chemical city, which would not only give immediate employment to over 2000 people upon completion but also send a signal of seismic proportion to the Nigeria’s downstream sector and African business community in general. With 300-million litre capacity tank farm in Ibefun, Ogun State, this ambitious project is a testament to the fact that tough but good times lie ahead for a man who has been hitting the right business chords in recent years. A philanthropist of note, his Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu, OOA Foundation has been executing phased intervention programmes aimed at supporting hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria with access to quality education, primary healthcare, nutrition as well as social and economic welfare.

the diamond age of 60.

The ageless woman has achieved what few people have been able to do, and she maintains such a level of respect among her peers that most celebrities can only dream of. Indeed, the stylish woman behind Genevieve Magazine - a fashion and lifestyle publication - is someone adored by many from both upper and lower strata of society. Since 2005, her Genevieve Foundation has taken on the arduous task of battling cancer through the annual Pink Ball fundraiser. Betty has an appreciable following on social media, where she regularly drops advice on contemporary lifestyle, social and relationship issues. Her husband of 34 years, Sonny Irabor, is a household name in the broadcast/entertainment industry.

SAINT WITH A GUN...POLICE CHIEF, CP LAKANU, BLESSES OWERRI WITH TEMPLE OF GOD Ëž

Saints come in various forms.

At times, they come cast in the build of an enforcer, like CP Taiwo F. Lakanu, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State. Thanks to the CP, the faithful in Owerri, Imo State capital, can worship in comfort and style; CP Lakanu has blessed the city with a worthy temple of God. It would be recalled that sometime in December 2010, the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Police Chaplaincy was established. The Chaplaincy had been worshipping in a deplorable makeshift temporary site along Shell camp Police barracks Owerri as can be seen in the photographs.

But CP Taiwo F. Lakanu, the 31st Commissioner of Police Imo State who is a devout Catholic ensured the Chaplaincy is completed at its permanent site. He started to lay up his treasures in building standard church for the Lord Almighty.

Betty Irabor

Realizing that he has limited time to serve in Imo State in view of his professional calling, he began to mobilize support and assistance from his friends and good spirited individuals. Within eight months of vigorous efforts, CP Taiwo F. Lakanu and his friends completed about 1000 capacity standard edifice of a church which was inaugurated/blessed on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The CP who believes in the efficacy of prayers did not only come to Imo State to salvage the security situation but also for the spiritual revival of the personnel of the Command and people around him. CP Lakanu has always restated that prayers is the source of his successes, noting that if God does not watch the city, the watchman watcheth but in vain.

Psalm: 127 vs 1. The occasion was attended by the wife of Imo State Governor, Her Excellency, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, Chairman Council of traditional rulers, HRH Eze Sam A. Ohiri (Eze Imo), the Chief of Staff Imo Government, Hon Chief Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, Deputy Speaker Imo House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Heads of Security Agencies in Imo State and hosts of distinguish personalities from the State. The pictures shows the old and the new church built by CP, Sir Taiwo F. Lakanu and his amiable friends.

ROYAL CAUTION TO THE BEASTS AMONG MEN...BETWEEN LAMIDO SANUSI AND WIFE BEATERS Ëž

Taiwo Lakanu

A beast in civilization never smells like a beast in the wild. But when the beast resides in a man, it becomes difficult for even the most adept forensics specialist to sense it, let alone an innocent, lovable bride.

Hence the sad cases of wife battery among Kano’s titled elite.

Lamido Sanusi

In the wake of incessant reports of title holders’ physical abuse of their wives, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, has warned all title holders in Kano to desist from beating their wives if they want to retain their title. Sanusi said this at the recent mass wedding of 1,520 couples.

He called on all imams, district heads, village heads and ward heads to pay heed to the warning thus: “You should all come back to your senses and stop these barbaric acts because we will not allow this to continue in Kano.� “I have warned all district heads, village heads, ward heads and imams to also desist from the bad habit of beating their wives and whoever among them is reported to me to have beaten up his wife, would out rightly lose his title.�

Sanusi vowed not to back down on the proposal to make laws against poor men seeking to marry more than one wife. The monarch also said the law would not stop Muslim men from marrying up to four wives, but will ensure that the man treats his wives and children according to the tenets of Islam

Sunday, March 5, 2017

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MISSILE Obasanjo to PDP

When he (Ali) was the Chairman of the PDP, we controlled 30 of the 36 states.

When Ahmadu Ali and I left, the fortunes of the PDP sank. May the fortune of Nigeria never sink.”

– Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, speaking during the display of 40 African traditional drums to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Nigeria’s hosting of the World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture popularly known as Festac 77 and his 80th birthday.

UBASANI GUEST COLUMNIST

Obasanjo: Celebrating a True Legend at 80

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hen Nigerians overwhelmingly voted out a ruling party in 2015 and elected the candidate of the then leading opposition party, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), as the nation’s President, an unmistakable signal was sent out that the country and the people had commenced the inevitable journey to redemption and self-discovery. It was a revolution of sorts that was largely inspired by the audacity, leadership and moral compass provided by a number of selfless patriots and nationalists. It is an open secret that this pack of great Nigerians were led by the phenomenal Chief Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, a decorated war hero, former Military Head of State, two-time democratically elected President of Nigeria and an international statesman of immense repute.

Chief Obasanjo had become ashamed of what the ruling party he helped to nurture and on which platform he won election twice had degenerated to. He knew and confided in a few persons that he feared that if Nigerians were not galvanised to oust the terribly inept and corrupt PDP government in the 2015 elections, we stood the risk of losing a country we all love so much. This, in itself, was a reflection of the love the former President had for Nigeria, above every other sentiments. Indeed someone once teased Chief Obasanjo as ‘Mr. Nigeria.’ I am tempted to aver that this person is not too far from the truth. The Chief Obasanjo that we all know, lives and breathes Nigeria and has shown repeatedly that he is ever poised to do practically anything that is legal and within his powers and prowess to keep our great nation united in peace and prosperity.

I am truly grateful to God that I had the uncommon privilege of having a front row view of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as he made series of sacrifices for Nigeria when he returned to power as a democratically elected President of Nigeria in 1999. For the few years I served as his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, I was perpetually amazed (and dazed sometimes) at his uncommon intelligence, tenacity, work ethic and of course his intense and unalloyed love for Nigeria. The nation’s interest trumped, shaped and guided every decision or move he made as President. No aide, Minister or other official of the Obasanjo government would dare contemplate bringing any matter that did not put national interest ahead of any other considerations for the President’s approval. He loathed mediocrity and primordial sentiments.

He resented all forms and shades of nepotism.

With Chief Obasanjo, it must be what is best for Nigeria and he would always ensure that the most qualified person was picked to do any task at all times. In fact, I recall that on a number of occasions, President Obasanjo would bluntly tell either a minister or an aide that he or she was not appointed because he liked the person but because he or she was the best for the job.

Not a few persons have finally come to the conclusion that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is actually a gift from God Almighty to Nigeria.

For reasons only known to God Almighty, Chief Obasanjo has always been on hand to pivot a rescue mission for Nigeria. It was to him as the Commander of the Army’s Marine Commando Division, in 1970 that the Biafran forces surrendered to, effectively ending the very unfortunate Nigerian civil war. Again, on February 13, 1976, when some misguided officers and men of the Nigerian Army led by Col. Bukar Dimka in a botched coup d’état, dastardly murdered

Obasanjo the then Head of State and commander-in-chief, General Murtala Mohammed, the nation was thrown into confusion and there were even fears that another orgy of blood-letting could ensue. Providence placed the then 40-year-old Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo in the right place at the right time. Calm was restored to the country when the then military High Command nominated him to succeed his late boss as the new Head of State and Commander-in-Chief.

Obasanjo’s tenure as military leader from 1976 to 1979 could well be regarded as Nigeria’s golden era. Nigeria’s huge potentials were abundantly harnessed and the country took its place as the true giant of Africa under the then young General. In 1977, he gave impetus to Nigeria’s rich endowments in oil and gas when he nationalised the oil industry and established the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and built the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries. As Military Head of State, General Obasanjo made the Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) the pride of Africa just as the Nigeria Airways was the leading National Carrier in Africa, surpassing even Ethiopian Airways. It is no wonder that Chief Obasanjo would always recall with nostalgia the glorious era of NNSL and Nigerian Airways. “When I was in office as Military Head of State, 19 brand new ships were specially built for Nigeria and we did not take delivery of some of them until I left office in 1979. When I came back in 1999, NNSL had been liquidated with all 19 ships and the five already in existence gone,” Chief Obasanjo once told us at a meeting. In the same regards, he readily recalls that while he was leaving office in 1979, Nigeria Airways had 32 aircrafts in its fleet but on his return to power 20 years after, the National Carrier had just one aircraft that barely flew. Of course, Nigeria Airways has since been liquidated.

With a booming and well-managed economy, Nigeria earned the respect and the adulation of the international community. Nigeria championed the independence of a number of African nations, notably Angola and Zimbabwe and of course, was a member of the frontline states that led the crusade that crushed apartheid in South Africa. To flex its muscles in the continent, the Obasanjo Government organised the globally acclaimed African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77). The list of General Obasanjo’s

achievements as Military Head of State is rather too long to totally recount here. However, Obasanjo became the toast of the world and deservedly earned the status of a globally acclaimed statesman when as Military Head of State, he conducted free and fair elections that ushered in democratically elected leaders into all the three tiers of government in Nigeria and voluntarily handed over to the nation’s first Executive President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1979 and retired to his now famous Ota Farm in his home state of Ogun.

Unfortunately, however, civil democratic rule did not offer Nigerians the desired Eldorado, or so it seemed, and was unfortunately shortlived. Citing a litany of malfeasance including corruption, indiscipline, ineptitude, election rigging and maladministration, key leaders of the nation’s Military ousted President Shehu Shagari in a coup in 1984. For 14 years Nigeria reeled under the pressure and high-handedness of successive military governments. An attempt to return the nation to civil democratic rule was botched in 1983 when the military ruler at the time, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida annulled the Presidential election that the businessman, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was at the verge of winning. The backlash of the annulment swept Babangida himself out of office paving the way for the emergence of General Sani Abacha who easily elbowed out the technocrat, Ernest Shonekan, who was installed

by Babangida as the head a contraption he called Interim National Government (ING). As Head of State, General Abacha was unsparing of opposition, intolerant of dissent and impervious to constructive criticism or correction. It was not too long after Abacha assumed power that many well-meaning Nigerians, including Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and his former Deputy, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (rtd.) started sensing that Abacha’s method of running roughshod over the country was an ill wind that would ultimately not blow the nation any good. In spite of all that Abacha represented, Chief Obasanjo refused to cower when the unity and wellbeing of Nigeria were at stake. In private and open letters to General Abacha as well as in media interviews within the country and abroad, Chief Obasanjo persistently counseled the regime to toe the path of rectitude.

However, Gen. Abacha’s intolerance and paranoia worsened when he made up his mind to transmute to an ‘elected’ leader. He was known to be assiduously working towards having the five officially registered political parties at the time, endorse him respectively as their Presidential Candidate. It was one of the darkest eras in the nation’s history. To perpetually silence his powerful and relentless critics, Gen. Abacha eventually devised the dubious scheme of implicating perceived opponents in phantom coups. In one of such aberrations, both Generals Obasanjo and Shehu Yar’Adua were in 1995 named among those purportedly plotting to overthrow the Abacha junta. The two great men were arrested and made to face to a kangaroo trial in a military tribunal where they were convicted and respectively sentenced to life imprisonment. Obasanjo was incarcerated in Yola prison while Yar’Adua was first moved to Port Harcourt prison before Abacha ordered his transfer to the decrepit Abakaliki prison. In prison both men were subjected to inhuman conditions in spite of the fact that they were not just former leaders of the nation, but also had fought for the unity of the nation. Unfortunately, Yar’Adua did not survive his ordeal in prison; but providence rescued Chief Obasanjo who

eventually regained his freedom after General Abacha died unexpectedly in office. It has since been severally documented that the original plot

by Abacha and his henchmen was to ensure that both men never left their respective prison cells alive.

But it was not too long that it became apparent that God rescued Chief Obasanjo for a purpose – an assignment that would once again put him at the forefront of efforts to restore the dignity, honour and glory of Nigeria. The annulment of the 1983 presidential elections had badly polarised the country while the high-handed method and tactics of the Abacha regime had traumatised overwhelming majority of the citizenry. General Abudulsalm Abubakar, who succeeded the late General Abacha was intelligent enough to immediately deduce that a prolonged military rule would push Nigeria to the brink.

Even when it was agreed that the country must speedily return to civil, democratic rule, the fact that the in-coming elected President must be a person that is profound enough to unite a fractured country and a traumatised people, was not lost on anybody. A combination of factors led the political class and the departing military oligarchy to settle for the recently freed Chief Obasanjo who eventually won the elections and became Nigeria’s second executive President in 1999.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s glittering record as President from 1999 to 2007 is well documented for posterity to judge. However a few stand out and deserve generous mention as we celebrate Chief Obasanjo who clocks 80 years old this month. The infractions of the successive military administrations, particularly the regime of General Sani Abacha had made Nigeria a pariah State at the time Obasanjo was assuming office in May 1999. To bring Nigeria back to reckoning in the comity of nations, Chief Obasanjo embarked on intensive diplomatic shuttle. His efforts paid off handsomely and in a matter of months Nigeria returned to global reckoning. Being an international colossus himself, Chief Obasanjo played key roles in the repositioning of the African Union, including helping to establish the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), designed to promote democracy and good governance. From the outset of his administration, Chief Obasanjo consistently supported the deepening of regional cooperation through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Coprosperity Alliance Zone incorporating Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo. With Nigeria’s image looming large internationally it did not come to many as a surprise when Chief Obasanjo at different times was either elected, nominated or appointed to serve as chairman of the Group of 77, chairman of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and chairman of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee.

With Nigeria now fully opened to the world, Foreign Direct Investments began pouring in, the most compelling being the huge investments that brought about the revolution in the telecommunications sector. We have Chief Obasanjo to thank for access to telephony and high-speed data services being enjoyed by millions of Nigerians today. r4BOJ B GPSNFS 4QFDJBM "TTJTUBOU PO 1VCMJD "GGBJST UP 1SFTJEFOU 0CBTBOKP JT DVSSFOUMZ UIF 4QFDJBM "EWJTFS UP UIF (PWFSOPS PG ,BEVOB 4UBUF See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

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