Sunday 16th April 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Buhari: Keep Faith With Us, We'll Change the Nigerian Story

Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to keep faith in the determination and ability of his administration to change the Nigerian story for the good of all. Making the call yesterday in

his Easter message to Nigerians, Buhari said since assumption of office, his administration had worked hard to meet the expectations of Nigerians in the areas of security, anti-corruption crusade and revitalizing the economy. He said his government was determined to continue with

the fight against terrorism, sustenance of the the peace in the Niger Delta through engagements with stakeholders and restoration of peace and stability in other parts of the country. In his Easter message, the president said: "In the almost two years of this administration,

we have worked hard to meet the expectations of Nigerians by improving security, especially in the North-east, sustaining the campaign against corruption and have taken steps to revitalize the economy. "We are determined as never before to continue with the fight against terrorism and insurgency;

sustain the peace in the Niger Delta through engagements with stakeholders; and restore peace and stability in other parts of the country.” He therefore enjoined “all Nigerians to keep faith in the determination and ability of this administration to change the Nigerian story for the good

of all.” Congratulating Christians across the country on the occasion of Easter celebration, the president implored Nigerians to maximise the blessings of Easter to promote peace and good neighbourliness. Continued on page 10

APC Stakeholders Protest Imbalance in FG's Board Appointments...Page 83 Sunday 16 April, 2017 Vol 22. No 8032

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Yari Takes on Sanusi, Says Emir Displaying Opulence Amid Poverty Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja In his first direct attempt to get even with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for mocking his remarks

on the recent outbreak of meningitis in Zamfara State, the governor, Abdulaziz Yari, yesterday hit out at the emir’s pro-poor record, saying he is not known for his modesty or

attitudes aimed at reducing poverty among his people. Yari spoke in a statement by his special adviser on public enlightenment and communication, Ibrahim

Dosara, titled, “Practice What You Preach.” The governor said Sanusi’s criticism of northern governors and the region’s elite for the high level of poverty and

disease in the region hid his own contribution to the problem. The Zamfara State governor had said that the meningitis outbreak, which has killed

nearly 500 people mainly in his state, but also in a few other states, was God’s punishment for the sin of fornication. Continued on page 83

Pressure Mounts on EFCC to Speak out on Recovered N15bn Wike releases white paper to support claim against Amaechi Ex-Rivers gov insists allegation is diversionary Olawale Olaleye in Lagos, Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt and Ogheneuvwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja With the controversy trailing the recovered N15 billion from a flat in Ikoyi, Lagos last week, pressure is now mounting on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which carried out the raid, to speak out on the recovered funds. Though, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) had said that it owned the money, which it claimed was for its covert operations, while responding to THISDAY enquiries off the record, the EFCC, which carried out the raid and announced the recovery, has kept mum since controversy began to trail the ownership of the money. EFCC had on Thursday stormed a luxury apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, where it discovered Continued on page 10

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CHAMPIONS ALL! Students of St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, winners of the COBIS Champions Cup for four consecutive years. They defeated 17 teams from 13 countries at Stantonbury Campus, Milton Keynes, UK, to emerge cup winners …recently

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

PAGE TEN PRESSURE MOUNTS ON EFCC TO SPEAK OUT ON RECOVERED N15BN cash in three currencies stashed in fire-proof safes. During the raid on one of the flats on the 7th floor of Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, a total of N13 billion, made up of $43.4million, N23million and £27,000, was found. Although the EFCC did not give details of the operation, four names were immediately touted as alleged owners of the money. Those allegedly linked to the flat and cash include former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and owner of the Osborne Towers, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, who was recently relieved of her appointment as Managing Director of NNPC (Retail); and an alleged daughter of Chief Tony Anenih, a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP. They have all refuted the allegations. A curious dimension was also added to the controversy with the claim by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, that the recovered money was allegedly stolen from the state coffers by his immediate predecessor and current Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. He consequently released a white paper which indicted the former governor of corruption. Amaechi has refuted the allegation. While effort by THISDAY to reach EFCC yesterday on the issue was unsuccessful, a majority of prominent Nigerians, who spoke exclusively to

THISDAY insisted that to put the controversy surrounding the money to rest, the EFCC must speak on the intelligence that led the agency to the building, the result of its investigation and the ownership of the money. Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who claimed the development was a reflection of the rot in the President Muhammadu Buhari government, insisted it was a problem created by the government itself, asking: “Are these not agencies of government? Don’t they have defined responsibilities and roles? Why are they interloping each other?” According to him, “Government set up commissions by law to fight corruption and they are fighting each other, is that not corruption? What is happening now shows the rottenness in the government. “Those who rejected the DSS report on Magu, what have they to say? Is that not the body empowered to investigate any public officer and this agency sent a report to the Senate that Magu was not credible to lead EFCC and you declined their report and yet, you still keep them. The moment you have lost confidence in them, you sack them since you no longer believe in them? “That’s the responsibility of a responsible government. The moment you are no longer confortable with an agency or

its recommendations, you sack them. In fact, this is the first time in the history of government in this country that the DSS recommendation was turned down and when you don’t believe in it anymore, you sack them. You can’t continue to keep the DSS there because you have shown that you are not comfortable with them. If a permanent secretary doesn’t perform, what do you do? You sack!” he said. Former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba was palpably irritated when he said, “The whole thing is a total disgrace of the highest order and there’s a total display of sordid incompetence. A whistleblower should have told them the owner of what he’s blowing the whistle on. EFCC too should have taken the trouble to monitor the place and catch whoever owns it red-handed. I say it is a disgrace because a body claims to have recovered a huge sum of money and within three hours, they touted four names as the owners. “It was first Muazu. Muazu denied and said he was not the owner and in any case, Muazu is not in the country. They now went on to Esther, and Esther denied. Then, they went to Anenih’s daughter and that one too denied. Then, then said it was Amaechi and Wike now came out of the blues to say it is Rivers’ money. I cannot believe that a serious body would run

itself into such a situation, where its credibility is being questioned. I am really not impressed at all. “EFCC has made the mistake of confirming that the internet bloggers are their agents because all these names were being touted, not by major newspapers but internet bloggers, who are not themselves in any way professional. EFCC has to go and search itself, clear its name and stop this trial by the media. “I say this because of the recent happenings. For instance, up till now, we don’t know the owner of the N49 million found in Kaduna. Did the money fall from heaven like manna? You went to a market and you said you found N250 million and so what? Are we not a cash society? Do we politicians not throw money around and pay cash to our agents during campaigns? Does that turn us into money launderers? During elections we pay our agents cash. We don’t send money to them by bank transfer or cheques. Nigeria is still largely a cash society. It is not a big deal at all. There’s no law that says it’s a crime to keep cash in your house. “To compound it all, two major agencies of government – NIA and EFCC – started to wash their linen in the public, giving the impression of lack of cooperation. NIA now lays claim to the money and we are yet to have the reaction of EFCC. It is a disgrace to our country that two sister agencies are now

BUHARI: KEEP FAITH WITH US, WE'LL CHANGE THE NIGERIAN STORY Buhari described Easter as historic celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ which he said marked the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, redemption over condemnation and hope over despair. Observing that the celebration of Easter is always preceded by fasting, piety, humility, penance and intercessory prayers, Buhari said the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday was one significant event which reunited man with his Creator. He added that the message of Easter was filled with themes of love, faith, sacrifice, dedication, commitment, fulfillment of prophecy, hope, expectation and victory as reflected in the Scriptures as well as the teachings and lifestyle of the Lord Jesus Christ. He appealed to Nigerians to explore the opportunity of

Easter to live peacefully with one another and do their best to make Nigeria a beautiful place to reside in. Noting the importance of peace, the president said no meaningful development could take place in an environment devoid of peace. "It is in our collective interest to live in peace because without peace, no meaningful and sustainable development can take place. Lack of peace in one part affects in one way or the other, all parts of the country. Our people must rediscover the values of peaceful coexistence, social justice, religious tolerance, dignity of labour and patriotism,” he said. In his Easter message, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to rededicate themselves to the

virtues of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which he said were the essences of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth. Ekweremadu said no nation would make progress unless the people were willing to forgive the past, reconcile their differences, and enthrone justice for all, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, and political backgrounds. Ekweremadu stressed that injustice and unforgiveness were slowing down the nation’s progress. He said, “Easter offers an opportunity for sober reflections, to bind up the brokenhearted, announce freedom for those held in the captivity of unforgiveness and vengeance, to let justice reign and make restitutions to the mistreated”. He urged Nigerians to continue to uphold their faith in the nation’s democracy, while

also praying for the nation’s speedy exit from the current economic difficulties. The deputy senate president, however, asserted that such faith must also be accompanied by the sincerity on the side of the leaders to put the nation on the right track of progress. “I disagree, once again, with those who hold the view that we do not need to restructure the country to make progress. Such mindset is a recipe for more social, political, and economic woes because we cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. “Righting the wrongs of the past, therefore, includes restoring for true federalism, the very foundation upon which our fathers covenanted to build the Nigerian nation to enthrone justice, equity, and peace as well as speedy and lasting development”.

WORTHY RECOGNITION L-R: Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu; Senate President Bukola Saraki and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, during the turbaning of Saraki as the Baba Adinni and Ojikutu as the Iya Adinni of the 75 year-old Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria in Ilorin …yesterday

working against each other with inadequate cooperation. I feel ashamed as a journalist that the information coming from our agencies is through the bloggers.” A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Eyimofe Atake, was not less disappointed, saying “In truth, by now EFCC must know who has the money and it is easy to find out who owns the flat or rented it. If you don’t know who owns the flat, you will know who rented it; if you don’t know who rented it, you will know who owns it. “Either way, I am convinced that by now, the EFCC knows who owns the flat or who rented it at the very least. Why they are keeping mute is the most shocking part of this matter. “My view, therefore, is that by now, the EFCC knows who owns the flat or rented it. But it is baffling that they are silent and nothing is being done about it. One thing is also clear: keeping such money in the house also shows that the money is illegal.” The scribe of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, also described the development as “The greatest embarrassment for the anti-graft war in Nigeria. That the EFCC will rush to the public and make a scene about its discovery, in any case, that’s even the first tragedy. Initially, EFCC told us that $38 million was found. But immediately there was a claim that the money belongs to NIA and they went to court, the money became $43 million dollars. “So, what was going to happen to the $5 million differential if the NIA had not allegedly claimed the money? And I think this speaks to the integrity issue which the DSS raised in its letter to the Senate. If a whole $5million suddenly surfaced after NIA claimed the money, that’s the first test of EFCC’s integrity. The second thing is that if you go to Alausa today, as a lawyer, to verify the title of that property, in a day, you can do that, to know the title of the house, who owns it and if it has been transferred to another person. “So, if a whole EFCC cannot confirm the title or the identity of the owner of that property, then, there is problem. Now, we have this forth and back: oh, the money is owned by NIA; NIA said the money is…and up till now we’ve not heard from NIA – NIA has not made any statement, which raises a lot of concern and I think how EFCC handles this will determine whether Nigerians will continue to take it seriously. “This is because, as a whistleblower, the first thing is who owns this money. You should be interested. In fact, we will be interested in seeing the owner of this money paraded than the cash being paraded. I don’t know of any serious country in the world, where there is sanity; where there is decency, where they have not lost their values and they would display money like that in front of children and in front of hungry people on a daily basis. “I think the EFCC integrity is seriously being challenged here just like the DSS wrote to the Senate that there is integrity issue in EFCC, so the integrity of EFCC is being challenged over this recovered fund,” he said. Meanwhile, Wike has not relented in his push to recover what he called Rivers money,

accusing the federal government of a desperate attempt to cover up corruption in its handling of the money recovered by the EFCC at Osborne Towers because its “principal financial sponsor” (Amaechi) was involved. But Amaechi has described Wike’s allegations as frivolous, malicious and diversionary. In the same breath, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has also said Wike was using his allegations to divert attention from the accusation by embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, that the governor spent $6 million to bribe Supreme Court judges on the tussle for the national chairmanship of the PDP. Briefing Rivers Christian Leaders on the development at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike stated that the Rivers State Government was not interested in the prosecution of Amaechi but simply seeking the return of funds belonging to the state. He said once the federal government returns the money to the Rivers government, it would deploy it to the completion of Amaechi’s abandoned pet project, the monorail. Wike said the promotion of insults and needless propaganda would not detract the State Government from recovering her “stolen resources” and declared that the state was ready for a lengthy battle with the federal government over the money. “The federal government wants us to believe that a security agency will keep a whopping N16 billion in a private residence in cash. They think that Nigerians don't have brains. When millions of dollars were found in Kaduna, the EFCC was quick to announce the owner of that money. Now they don't know the whistleblower in the case of the Ikoyi billions and they are afraid to disclose the owner of the money.” But Amaechi in a statement described the claims as malicious, frivolous and another failed attempt by Wike to divert attention from the mess he has created in Rivers State. “This latest outburst by Wike is typical of him. We are aware that Wike first tried to float the fake news of Amaechi’s ownership of the recovered $43 million and the Ikoyi house in the social media using his minions and lackeys, spending huge sums of Rivers money on the failed project... “For clarity and emphasis, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not the owner of the $43million and the Ikoyi apartment in which the money was recovered from..." He however challenged Wike to go to court if he has any shred of evidence that the money belongs to Rivers State and was kept in the Ikoyi apartment. In the same vein, the DirectorGeneral of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has questioned the sanity of the Rivers governor for making the wild allegation. “Not too long ago, Wike apparently suffering from overdose of self-delusion said he had awarded road projects in faraway Benue State and had mobilised contractors to site. The same Wike has also accused the Inspector General of Police of plotting to assassinate him through the new CP in Rivers State.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

APRIL 16, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

THE ENDURING MESSAGE OF EASTER There is virtue in selﬂess service to the people

hile the events of Good Friday were about the ultimate sacrifice paid by Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, today is much more significant in that it marks His resurrection after defeating the power of death. In the words of the Australian Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, “all the blood and tears of the world” that were “gathered up on the Cross” will give birth today to “the songs of joy which are unique to Easter, music that reaches beyond all our disappointment, disillusionment and depression”. As we rejoice with Christians all over the world, there is a lot in the Easter story that resonates not only for them but indeed for all humanity. The sacrifice, love and mercy that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ exemplified are some of the enduring values of Easter that transcend doctrine and they are worthy to be reflected upon by all Nigerians, especially at a time like this when we are increasingly suffused with rhetoric of hate and incitement to violence. Easter indeed demands that we all rise above bitterness by becoming beacons of hope and peace wherever we find ourselves. We are well aware that, just like Christmas, Easter celebrations have not only become mundane but have also taken on traditions that sometimes seem to overshadow the real essence of the season. Yet it is important to pause and reflect on the central message of Easter which is about the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross so that adherents of

It is only when we adopt selﬂess attitude that we would be able to focus attention on other people, their safety and welfare as well as the optimal allocation of scarce resources for eﬀective implementation of policies for the greater good of our society

Letters to the Editor

“T

hat boy was the Steve Jobs of Africa” are the words of Marian Nnnana Ogbe, the mother of late Michael Ogbe, a former student of ASACS International School. No need getting into the details of Michael’s death but it can be said that the system killed Michael and is roaming round looking for whom to devour, especially youths. Countless Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg have been handicapped by the system. The system has made has been everything but a mother, a nurturer to us. It has delayed and denied many. My encounter with the system within the years 2013-2015 were terrible. I had prepared seriously for my examination in 2014. I was sitting for my second UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examina-

the faith would enjoy the blessing of joy on earth and the promise of eternal life.

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITORS VINCENT OBIA, OLAWALE OLALEYE 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

his enduring message which is about love can be transmitted by sharing with the less privileged of our society not only material possessions but also through simple gestures like kind words and sincere smiles. Unfortunately, that is where we fail most miserably. And the tragedy of that failure can be seen in the poverty and deprivation of majority of our people. But to the extent that with Easter, death did not get the final word and an empty tomb was not the end of the story, there is still much more that we can all do and hope for in Nigeria. Therefore, as we mark the triumph of the risen Christ, people in authority in our country, at all levels, must begin to imbibe the lessons of Easter. Jesus Christ is such an eloquent testimony to the virtue of selfless service to the people. Throughout His earthly sojourn, He lived among the people, spent his whole life with them and shared in their anxieties, hopes and aspirations. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, consoled the sorrowful and wept for the dead. He remains a model for those who would lead, especially at a time when human miseries continue to worsen. Christians stake their eternal destiny on the message of Easter which is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ who demonstrated a remarkable form of servant leadership, by washing the feet of His disciples in the days preceding His death on the Cross. What Easter then demands of them, and indeed all of us, is the need to shun unbridled individualism. It is only when we adopt this selfless attitude that we would be able to focus attention on other people, their safety and welfare as well as the optimal allocation of scarce resources for effective implementation of policies for the greater good of our society. As the message of a resurrected Jesus Christ continues to give hope, peace and strength to people around the world, we wish all our readers a very happy Easter.

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.

THE MURDEROUS NIGERIAN SYSTEM

tion) and I was confident that I was going to pass the UTME and Post UTME eventually. Like I had it panned, I passed the UTME with a score of 221 which qualified me for the post UTME. I had picked the University of Ibadan as my preferred institution to study political science and I was confident that I would be admitted. I wrote the post UTME at the school in Ibadan and as I had expected, I passed with a score of 65. I went home rejoicing, but that would not be for long as the cut-off mark for all courses were released. I missed the cut-off mark by just a point, it was 66. It was a tearful day for me; I was cold and bitter for days though expecting that at least I would be considered in the second admission list or given another course but it would never be so. I was not recommended to another university after all my efforts. It was wasted, all efforts gone with a mark.

I forgot about my experience with Ibadan and went on to write an exam at the Lagos state university. The university had invited students who didn’t make it to their preferred university to write their exam and I did. I passed the exam and according to the list which was uploaded by the university on its website, I was the 15th best student overall out of the hundreds that wrote for political science. But once again, I was not admitted. This was not the last time such will happen but I leave the rest for another day. I am currently studying office technology management (secretariat studies) at the Yaba College of Technology and planning to take the UTME again this year but as I look back at the year 2014 and how it discouraged me and my resolve not to put too much effort into anything that has to do with the Nigerian system, I am deeply hurt and just have to put

it in writing. I live in a nation that has slowed me down, shattered and rewritten my dreams. My mother land doesn’t care for me, or want me to grow. Most of my friends no longer want to go to school, the ones I have in school do not take their education seriously. They know they can pay their way out, after all what we are being taught is arguably irrelevant to our lives and community. We take shorthand and typewriting classes for speed in writing and typing in the twenty-first century. You would be amazed to know that we still take ICT classes. This is not the time to discuss the irrelevance of most of the things we are being taught in school, though it is one of the ways the system is frustrating people and producing useless graduates. As I plan to sit for the coming UTME and try again to study my course of choice, political science and as a result of my frustration in

life, I want the world to know that the system is draining individuals; it is sapping every motivation, zeal, desire, passion and persistence in us. It is making out of us unremorseful scammers, dropouts and the likes. It is killing its saviors; it is killing its future. I live in a country where the future is blurry; I do not know what will happen to me or if I will stay long enough to know what will happen to the system. I spent my childhood trying to understand why most of the adults around me preferred prayers to work or prayed more and put less effort, now I understand. The system has taught me that hard work doesn’t pay and opportunities don’t come to the most persistent but to the most connected, but I really hope it can prove me wrong. I hope to one day leave this country, if it does not kill me like it did my father. ––Olaoluwa Fashogbon, Lagos.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

ͯʹ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION A Wound That Has Refused to Heal The Chibok schoolgirls deserve more from the Nigerian state, writes Kunle Adebajo

hree years ago, terror like no other struck the small village of Chibok. Some 276 young, innocent students – all girls – were abducted from their hostels by members of the dreaded sect, Boko-Haram. In the dead of the night, their school was burnt down, their belongings were destroyed, and their freedom and dignity have become footballs dribbled by players in the field of oppression. It was barely two weeks away from April Fools’ Day, but this was no joke. Till today, 195 of these innocents remain, at best, in captivity. The Yoruba people of Nigeria, in times like this, have a habit of saying, “omo eni ku san ju omo eni ni lo” – it is better for one’s child to be dead than for that child simply not to be found. The Yorubas understand that it is easier for a person to come to terms with an irredeemable situation than for them to recover from terribly prolonged misery. They understand that nothing can be worse than a drive around the roundabout of hopeful hopelessness. It is under this condition of prolonged misery that 195 – or double – parents have laboured for not one, not two, but three solid years. For three years, they have bitterly protested without yield. For three years, their heartbeats have changed gear from the usual to the unusual. For three years, the colour in their lives and the pleasantness of their meals had been stolen without hope of remedy. Like Vladimir and Estragon, for three years, they have more or less been waiting for Godot. Dr King once famously remarked that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. At another time, he said also that our lives begin to end the day we keep silent about things that matter. It is thus surprising to see that many Nigerians are not only going about their lives as if the event of April 14, 2014 never was, they are agitating for those dedicated to justice to quit, forget and just move on. As Mrs Aisha Yesufu, the BBOG group convener, noted, “many people have said 24 of them were rescued and that we should go back, but we have 195 reasons to keep marching.” Three years ago, they came for the Northern child and many kept quiet. Even the world – distant peoples from across the

globe – was more vocal against the king-size injustice. When they do come for the Southern daughters or the Eastern sons, if they do come, no doubt the key to padlocks shutting our lips will be miraculously found. But we need not wait till then. With our words and actions, we can make sure ‘then’ never arrives. The climax of this tragic chronicle does not even lie in the apathy from the Nigerian people, but in the fumbling of the government in whose hands rest the mandate of protection, of lives and of property. The government is weak, its will is feeble, and its zeal misplaced. This fact has been demonstrated over and over that, for the scientist, it may in fact qualify not only as theory but as law. The drafters of the Nigerian Constitution were certainly not drunk when they wrote within its second chapter that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” Security of lives is not a matter for a session of AOB (Any Other Business). It is a primary agendum, which must be addressed before any other for without tranquility of mind, the motions of the limbs are bound for vanity. After the tragic incident which occurred during the Presidency of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the administration remained silent for several weeks under the ridiculous pretence, as was later revealed,

The climax of this tragic chronicle does not lie in the apathy from the Nigerian people, but in the fumbling of the government in whose hands rest the mandate of protection of lives and of property

of fear of not compromising details of investigation. Besides that deafening silence, the unresolved Dasuki loot of funds destined for security is another fact attesting that our failures are as a result not of our stars. The fault indeed lies nowhere but in our very selves. In saner climes, the life of each and every citizen is important, regardless of status or amount of titles. Even though he travels to the other end of the planet, a citizen of such land can rest assured that his government has got his back. But not here. Here, though we claim communalism as our core value, each man is on his own. Each man is his own government. Unless you are the mother of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala or an ex-minister like Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, the reverse of your misfortune may never be a priority. For instance, we all know, sadly, that the 2012 diplomatic faceoff between Nigeria and South Africa due to alleged fake yellow cards would have never been a big deal but for the senator who was equally on board. For those who know our leaders all too well, it was never about the 124 Nigerians on that South African Airways aircraft. It was about that one senator whose parachute of dignity was too precious to be pierced. And until we advance into a nation where all lives matter, be they from up there or down here, be they rich or poor, be they Hausa or Yoruba, development and respect will continue to dodge us like a leprous limb. I do not know if the Chibok girls will ever return, but if we learn nothing from the vacuum they have since left behind, then their abduction by Boko Haram is much better than the abduction from our minds, of sympathy, of sanity and of solidarity. This mental abduction was the hole in the wall whence Boko Haram elements crept into the sacred institution of the school to wreak havoc. It is the hole for which reason the three-year wound has refused to heal. And, if we refuse to rather err on the lane of caution, this same hole shall be our grave as a people. ––Adebajo wrote as a Media Intern for Brain Builders International, a youth-focused organisation working on youth empowerment, good governance and civic responsibilities

The Media, Convenient Falsehood and Development Uche Nworah argues that news coverage by the Nigerian media is below expectation

ass media refer to the various forms of communication that reach large, widely dispersed audiences simultaneously with largely undifferentiated messages using a media vehicle or platform such as electronic media ( radio, television, film), print media (newspapers, magazines, journals and other forms of published matter), Online media ( internet websites, social media websites: example Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc). Traditional media which is often classified as alternative media is included in this discussion as they are considered relevant in reaching the rural communities and include town criers, mural paintings, markets and village square meetings and other forms of traditional media practices which still exist in various forms in our rural communities. Mass communication scholars share this age-long view of the traditional roles of the media as agents of change. Okunna corroborates this and argues that the mass media help to maintain constant flow of vital information for economic progress without which national development is bound to be stagnated or at best be retarded. Owolabi goes further to add that decisions are made on the basis of the quality of available information at the disposal of the citizens. Beyond the traditional functions of the media to educate, inform and entertain, Wood and Barnes acknowledge the role of the media in reducing poverty by raising public awareness and debate, and shifting public and political opinion. They also recommended the following functions for the media in any society: one, providing an open forum to reflect different public views, including those of economically poor people; two, providing an open forum to reflect different public views, including those of economically poor people; three, scrutinising and holding all actors to account for their actions. The challenge for media practitioners therefore is to ensure that the information we are sharing with the public to aid their decision making process are truthful, relevant, useful, objective, timely and are such that will help to improve their quality of life. Information from the media should also aid government officials, policymakers and entrepreneurs to be aware of and respond to opportunities and challenges in their respective political, social and economic domains. The media is expected to play leading roles towards the development of the society where they operate. Igben argues that the mass media are believed to be central to the over-all development of the society. Ucheanya submits that the role of the media in development lie in their capacity and capability to teach, manipulate, sensitise and mobilise people through information dissemination. Other writers such as Yakasai prescribe further roles the media should play

towards the development of the society: One, establishing societal values and promoting change towards desired directions thereby encouraging a climate of change; two, promotion and protection of social justice; three, promoting social cohesion, peace, progress, co-existence and discouraging corruption and injustice ; four, proffering solutions to societal problems and providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and giving voice to the voiceless. Development refers to an improvement in the economic situation of the people where the basic necessities of life such as food, housing, education, good income and health care are met at affordable cost and where the society is safe, peaceful, secure, attractive and worth living. Walter Rodney argued in his book How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, that development in human society is a many– sided process. At the individual level he said; “It implies increased skill and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility and material well-being”. The media have big roles to play in helping our people come up in the Human Development Index as popularised by the UNDP, and its Sustainable Human Development (SHI). The media can pursue reportages that promote people-centred development through people’s empowerment; encourage popular participation that put the people first, a bottom- up development model from the grassroots that also promotes shared environmental responsibilities. Exchange of information is therefore key to the development of any society. Lack of information could lead to under-development. This discussion would not have been necessary if not for the accusations from some observers that the media have largely failed to lift Africans and mainly rural dwellers from poverty, choosing rather to focus and thrive largely on the philosophy of convenient falsehood. In most parts of Africa and indeed Nigeria, mass media activities have remained urban enterprises to the neglect of people living in the rural areas where 70% of the population lives. When the story of the agricultural breakthrough deal brokered by the Anambra State Government broke in 2016, rather than explore further by climbing boats and using other means to get to the locations where the Ugu and Onugbu farms are located, many of our colleagues chose rather to report ‘convenient falsehood’ which were regurgitated and fallacious stories bothering on scandalous falsehood copied from bogus and fake internet websites and off the facebook pages of sworn enemies of the government. Some media practitioners in Anambra State are gravitating dangerously towards the widely travelled route of ‘Herd mentality journalism’, where everybody reports and writes the same thing, mostly copied and pasted without efforts at fact checking. It is not only in America that the divisive concept of ‘Alternative Facts’

have berthed. It is alive and thriving in Anambra State with its attendant consequences. This is particularly true of the so-called online journalists, bloggers and social media crusaders who abide only by their own self-written survival code which does not come anywhere near the NUJ code of professional ethics. Before you copy, paste and post, before linking and sharing, please pause and think. We can see all around us the new craze for everybody to become a blogger. It appears that the invention of the WordPress, Blogger, Facebook and other free social media applications and platforms has unleashed the beasts in us. It has given us the freedom to publish malign, abuse, threaten and blackmail. Surely, these unethical practices cannot be what the founding fathers of the journalism profession had in mind when they risked personal safety and freedom and used the newly discovered and powerful tools of mass media to fight for independence and seek an end to military rule in Nigeria. Many of our colleagues do not come prepared. It appears that for some, the fame must come before the craft. If you bother to read what some us write in the name of blogging, you will cringe. The journalism profession is gradually slipping away from the hands of trained journalists and rather than fight to wrestle back this noble profession, many of us are still chasing mundane things. The likes of the great Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alade Odunewu, Mokwugo Okoye, Dele Giwa, etc., will be turning in their graves at how rather than use the media to promote development in our societies, we have converted it to a profession for pursuing personal vendetta, settling political scores and for personal aggrandisement. We may also wish to recall the exploits of Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson, both of The Guardian newspaper who chose rather to go to prison in 1984 defending their conscience, rather than disclose the source of their published information. The biggest story in the modern ‘fake news’ era in Nigeria has its roots in Anambra State. The real story of the Miss Anambra lesbian sex video scandal is yet to be told. In choosing to go with ‘convenient falsehood’ or the way of the American ‘alternative facts’, we may have failed to truthfully serve our publics. Media practitioners should begin to see themselves as stakeholders in the Anambra project through responsible journalism and adoption of a culture of shared values. If Anambra does well on all the indices (health, education, roads and infrastructure, doing business, quality of life, agriculture, security, FDIs, etc), media practitioners living in Anambra State will also benefit and partake in the socio-economic growth. –Nworah is CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service, Awka (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

LETTERS APC And PDP: A Danse Macabre

othing seems interesting anymore about politics and governance in our nation. The political landscape has been unstable. Politicians, who once held sway in the supercilious Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have begun their palongo (scattered legs) dance by taking shameless refuge in the tentative All Progressives Congress (APC), either for protection from the searchlight of the anti-graft agencies or for opportunities to seek elective and appointive offices. Governance, on the other hand, has been largely uninspiring and this is accentuated by the fact that a vast majority of Nigerians find it difficult to cope with current economic realities. Living standard has nose-dived and abject poverty has become much more endemic. There is crying disconnect between the government and the governed, giving rise to all manner of citizens’ protests. The atmospherics and nuances of governance have left many Nigerians flummoxed as to the destination the nation is headed. Opposition that is needed to put the APC government on its toes is unintelligent. Besides, the PDP has been unable to assume a vibrant oppositional role. The party is bogged down by self-inflicted crisis, which elements of the ruling party may have, understandably, continued to stoke. If care is not taken, the crisis may deny the PDP an opportunity to reclaim presidential power in 2019 and, consequently, fail forever to rebound in the

Yakubu, INEC Chairman

politics of Nigeria. In a worst case scenario, will the PDP be able to coordinate a new alliance to change the ruinous “change” that has become our lot? Those sympathetic to the party contend that it will be sad if the initiative to rescue the nation from the clutches of a nonperforming APC is coordinated by a brand new party without the PDP as strategic rallying hub. The party’s on-going dance of death is a big setback. Similarly, the APC is digging its grave through non-performance and angry Nigerians are eagerly looking forward to February 16, 2019 to determine its fate. Verdict 2019! The party and its federal government, as it were, are more plagued by internal crises than

the opposition PDP. The prosecution of the Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, by the executive arm of government at the Code of Conduct Tribunal is symptomatic of the APC’s misguided steps. The battle to bring Saraki down has the backing of his party and government. His real offence was that he contested and won election to become Senate president in spite of them. The call by the Senate for the sack of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, over award of N220 million grass-cutting contract to his company by the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) is another symptom of dissonance. Yet another is the decision by the acting chairman of

the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, who has been twice rejected by the Senate for allegedly failing the integrity test, to continue in office, at the behest of the president. Interestingly, the security report on which the Senate anchored its decision was written by the Department of State Services (DSS), a sister security agency under the same Presidency. The comptroller general of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) and the Senate are also having a running battle. Ali has been managing the affairs of the NCS like a sole administrator, refusing to heed the Senate directive to wear the uniform and rank of comptroller general even when he has fully embraced the perks of the office and position. Ali had also shunned and dodged Senate invitation. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice had written to the lawmakers to apprise the Senate of a court case on the issue which makes it impossible for Ali to honour its invitation until after the determination of the suit by the court. The Senate has, in the interim, suspended the customs’ new policy on payment of unpaid duties on imported vehicles, which was the reason for Ali’s invitation. The animosity festers. Amid the sordid scenario, the Senator Dino Melaye absurdity played out. His claim that he completed his undergraduate study in the department of geography at the Ahmadu Bello University was questioned

APPRAISING KADUNA’S SMART INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

aduna State knows that infrastructural development is a straightforward way to inject money into the economy and lay the foundation for long-term growth. This is why it has committed N108 billion of its 2016 budget to capital expenditure and will further commit N130 billion in 2017. Already, 421 contracts have been awarded for renovation of public primary and secondary schools in the state. These renovations are complete with the provision of solar-powered bore holes and cubicle toilet blocks. The aim is to expand class sizes to the extent that they cater for school enrolment rates which have soared from about one million pupils in 2015 to 1.8 million currently. In the same vein, the Dangote Group alongside the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have provided funding support to the Kaduna State Government for the renovation and equipping of one Primary Health Care centre in each of the 255 wards in the state. Imagine how much of the state’s health burden will be relieved if 255 PHC’s function optimally across the state. The more attractive option for politicians is to initiate new projects at the expense of uncompleted ones inherited from previous administrations. The tragedy this poses is that the likelihood of leaving

behind even more uncompleted projects becomes high. Luckily, Kaduna’s present administration is not thinking this way. Early in his administration, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai contracted Bain and Company to review all inherited and ongoing capital projects in the state with a view to developing a prioritisation mechanism for future ventures. Among its truly shocking findings was the fact that N87.5 billion existed in outstanding contractual obligations. Examining the outstanding obligations further also revealed that most projects were awarded for the protection of political interests as opposed to the public interest. In the years leading up to 2015, much of the state was without potable water. This will change in early 2018 when the N50 billion Zaria water facility is completed. Thanks to funders like the African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank, the Zaria water project will supply 150 million litres of water daily and provide water coverage for 2.2 million people across seven local government areas. Even for agriculture, the sludge generated from the water treatment process will be used as fertiliser. In 2012 and 2014, construction on the project was disrupted when the contractors abandoned site due to the inability of the government

to offset some N3.2 billion payment for completed and future works. Now, thanks to a deal brokered by the governor and his team, the contractors will accept staggered payments of N300 million monthly until all outstandings on the project are cleared. It is in making smart deals like these that the state raises the required funds for most of its infrastructural projects. Already, the state government has begun a redesign of its entire transport infrastructure. With the support of the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF) and funds from the UK Department of International Development (DFID), a transport policy was launched in 2016, the policy will ensure accessible and reliable public transport service that meets the mobility needs of the state. The Zaria road in Rigassa, the Rabah road and Kawo roads are very major entry, intra and exit ways for Kaduna State. Unfortunately, these roads have become peculiar traffic areas. The state government has responded to this by implementing measures that streamline traffic inclusive of dualisations, repairs to dilapidated roads and the introduction of a bus rapid transport (BRT). The BRT will have an exclusive lane such that it can operate even at times when traffic is the most

congested. Another smart deal will fund Kaduna’s road interventions. The state receives about N1.3 billion monthly from the federal government to augment the prices of the fall in crude prices, it has negotiated a retainer-ship with 12 contractors who continue to work specifically on roads for an agreed monthly instalment until their contract prices are offset. Besides these efforts, a N10 billion proposal was included in its 2016 budget to construct a Metropolitan Rapid Rail Line. The line will run through the Millennium City to Rigassa and Mararaban Rido, Zaria expressway to Sabon-tasha, Mando and Nnamdi Azikwe expressway. Expressions of interest have been sent out and a prequalification carried out on 18 companies. The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai knows that infrastructure spending unlike any other form of government expenditure puts an economy firmly on the path of sustained progress. This is why his administration is committed to putting in place infrastructure that guarantees easier access to both education and health services, improved transportation systems that result in easy accessibility and an overall increment in the standard of living. ––Bukola Ogunyemi, Lagos

through some media reports, about the time the Senate president reportedly imported an armoured Range Rover vehicle without paying the correct customs duties. Further aggravation! Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who recently lost his position for contradicting the positions of the Senate, caused the senate to refer the allegations to the committee on ethics and privileges. At the end of the investigation, Melaye and the senate president were absolved. Melaye did the ridiculous: on the following legislative day, he wore an “academic” gown to the chamber. He also went on the social media with his “ajekun iya ni o je” song and dance to mock his failed traducers. For daring to bring up the issues on the floor, senate suspended Ndume for six months, thus widening the gulf of dissension within the APC. Consider also the onslaught by the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) on the senate: he said the senate was filled with questionable characters. Sagay, a federal government appointee, has dismissed senate invitation to him as illegal, meaning he would not honour it. He had also made it clear to the APC, which called him to order, to excuse him since he is not a member of the party but an appointee of Buhari. More fuss! Adamawa governor, Jibrilla Bindow, has issued a threat, through his Chief of Staff, Abdulrahaman Jimeta, to the APC that the state might jump ship if in matters of federal

appointments from the state, the federal government continues to act without consulting the leadership of the party in the state. In a similar development, Minister of Women Affairs from Taraba State, Senator Aisha Alhassan, has upbraided the APC and the Buhari government for abandoning the state in terms of federal appointments. There is no end yet to the growing tension. The remonstrations are spreading. The ground is becoming more and more slippery for the APC. The confusion, ego trip, muscle-flexing and impunity within constitute the seeds of the party’s looming destruction. It took impunity and the exit of five governors from the PDP in 2013 to set it up for defeat in the 2015 presidential election. Is the APC learning from history or not? Rather than embrace compromise and sacrifice, influential political blocs are squaring off and actually doing battles with the cabals or governments within the Buhari government in supremacy and survival contests. Governance is suffering. The people are unhappy and many blame themselves for voting for “change” that has turned out, in their perception, to be the greatest scam in Nigeria’s recent political history. A needless danse macabre continues to define the ecology of the APC government; and, Nigerians are justifiably eager to undertake the interment of the party in the 2019 general election, just like they did to the PDP in 2015. Will the APC avert a repeat of history? ––Sufuyan Ojeifo, Abuja.

SEXUALISATION OF CHILDREN: MATTERS ARISING

enowned conservative public affairs commentator and lawyer, Mr. Sonnie Ekwowusi wrote an expose on April 12, 2017 in THISDAY newspapers which he captioned ‘Sexualisation of Children: Matters Arising.’ He revealed that the curricula of the primary and secondary schools in Nigeria have been defiled to accommodate sex-related textbooks and English literature books aimed at surreptitiously sexualising unsuspecting pupils and students. Many parents who put their nose to the grindstone in their efforts to give the best education to their children were shocked and scandalised that their children were being turned into sexual guinea pigs by some agents of the western liberals who are hell bent on doing the sinister bidding of their Oliver Twist like paymasters. The eye-opening article revealed that former Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi and Oby Nwankwo, lawyer and gender rights activist who also doubles as the Executive Director of the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre are spearheading the campaign that Nigerian teenagers be

allowed to express their ‘sexual rights’ as contained in the Comprehensive Sexuality Education. In Mrs. Nwankwo words ‘Comprehensive Sexuality Education is being taught in Nigerian schools but people with warped ideas are blocking it from schools especially Christian schools and this is why we are losing our children to unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.’ The irony is that at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 61) held in New York from March 13 – 24, 2017, the African Group which included Nigeria rejected comprehensive sexuality education. Nwankwo led a protest against the rejection. The leader of the Nigerian delegation, Princess Joan Jummai Idonije and some other noble women reminded her that the so-called sexuality education aggressively promotes homosexuality and lesbianism but that didn’t cut the ice with the former magistrate. Let us critically examine some aspects of the harmful ‘comprehensive sexuality education.’ Students in an open classroom are expected to respond to ‘I like you’ by touching each other’s genitals. ––Tony Ademiluyi, www. liberationnow.orggmail.com

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž RIL 16, 2017

SUNDAYNEWS Easter: Leaders Advocate Peace, Tolerance at Easter Abimbola Akosile Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Anayo Okolie Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ë&#x153; Omololu Ogunmade Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Kasim Sumaina Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Mohammed Aminu in Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Laleye Dipo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;

AsNigeriaandtherestoftheworld celebrateEasterandtheresurrection of Jesus Christ today, prominent citizens including former Vice PresidentAtikuAbubakar;Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; former Senate President David Mark; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and a host of Governors have called for peace, tolerance, justice and forgiveness, among other things. Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC),AtikuAbubakar, congratulated the Christian community in Nigeria on the Easter celebration, and added that the celebrations are a worthy finale to the period of fasting, prayer and self-denial which they had gone throughinthepast40daysofLent. In a press statement released by hisMediaOffice,theAPCchieftain urged the Christian faithful and Nigerians of other faiths to see the sacrifice and deprivation of the periodprecedingEasterassimilarto thesacrificeandperseverancewhich the present economic difficulties has imposed on all Nigerians and whichwouldfinallyterminatewith celebrationandmerry-makingwhen the difficult period is over. TheformerVicePresidentadvised allNigerianstolearnfromthepain, joy,loveandcaringwhichcharacterizetheperiodofLentandtheEaster celebration,andallowthesevirtues tocontinuouslyguideusasapeople inourindividualandcommunity relationships. He said a national attitude built on selflessness and sacrificewouldgoalongwayinlayingthefoundationoftruepatriotism and greatness of the nation. The Turakin Adamawa urged those in positions of authority to endeavourtoencouragethecitizens to make sacrifice and show love especially when the country is facing challenges by making their own lives, in public and private,

somethingtransparent,andworthy of emulation. He prayed for peace andprosperityforallNigeriansand urgedthemtoenjoyastress-freeand violence-free celebration. Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to rededicate themselves to the virtues of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which he said were theessencesoftheministryofJesus Christ on earth. In his goodwill message to the ChristianfaithfulatEaster,Ekweremadusaidnonationwouldmake progress unless the people were willingtoforgivethepast,reconcile theirdifferences,andenthronejustice forall,irrespectiveoftheirreligious, ethnic,andpoliticalbackgrounds. He stressed that injustice and unforgiveness were utterly slowing down the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress, and urged Nigerians to continue to uphold their faith in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy, while also praying for the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speedy exit from the current economic difficulties. The Senator, however, asserted thatsuchfaithmustalsobeaccompaniedbythesincerityonthesideof the leaders to put the nation on the right track of progress. He wished Nigerians a hitch free and happy Easter celebration. FormerSenatePresident,Senator DavidMark,yesterdayalsourged Nigeriansacrossthenationirrespectiveoftheirreligiousorsocio-political divide to close ranks and work harmoniouslyinordertoovercome the challenges facing the country. Mark, in his goodwill message signed by his Media Assistant, PaulMumeh,taskedtheChristian faithful to use this period of Easter to pray for the survival of Nigeria, saying the current situation in the country requires divine interventiontoovercomethemyriadsofits problems.HeenjoinedChristians to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ and the lessons of Easter which emphasised peace, love, perseverance and forgiveness. Mark also canvassed religious tolerancebetweenreligiousbodies in the country, pointing out that to

thebestofhisknowledge,noreligion preachesviolencebutpeace,loveand good neighbourliness. He added that the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenges could besurmountedifcitizensdevelop positiveattitudetowardsnationhood and harnesses various talents for positive goals. TheMinisterofMinesandSteel Development,Dr.KayodeFayemi, yesterdayfelicitatedwithChristians in the country for witnessing another Easter season, even as he saidthecountryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;schallengeswere surmountableifthepeopleuniteand love one another. Fayemi in his message, signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr.YinkaOyebode,congratulated Christiansforthesuccessfulcompletion of the Lenten season, a period of40daysoffastingandprayerthat culminatedintheEastercelebration. HeurgedChristianstoimbibethe spiritoflove,perseveranceandsacrifice which the Lord Jesus Christ exhibitedinensuringthesalvation of humanity. TheMinister,notedthat,theEaster period offers Christians opportunity for sober reflection, even they celebratewithfriendsandfamilies. He called on Nigerians to imbibe andreflectonthelessonsassociated withthecrucifixionandresurrection of Jesus Christ. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ourchallengesaresurmountable, ifweunite,loveoneanother,remain resolute, committed, patient and hopeful.â&#x20AC;? Lagos State Governor, Mr. AkinwunmiAmbodealsocalledon Nigerianstocollectivelyimbibethe spiritoflove,sacrificeandpeaceful co-existence, saying that it is only whensuchvirtuesexistthatthenationcanmakemeaningfulprogress. GovernorAmbode,inhisEaster messagesignedbyhisChiefPress Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said such fundamental values would go a long way in promoting and strengthening the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the country, adding that the season shouldserveasaremindertoallof the selflessness, love, sacrifice and toleranceofJesusChristthroughout His earthly sojourn, his death and his resurrection.

Illegal Petrol Sale: DSS, NNPC Move to Recover N11bn from Capital Oil Chineme Okafor Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Following its conclusion of investigation into the sale without appropriate authorisation of 82 million litres of petrol valued at N11 billion by Capital Oil and Gas, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Department of State Security (DSS) may have to force out a firm repayment plan from the management of Capital Oil, THISDAY has learnt. Reliable sources within the corporation told THISDAY yesterday in Abuja that this was the latest decision reached by the DSS and NNPC in an attempt to recoverthepetrolstockoritfinancial equivalent,whichtheNNPCkept underathroughputagreementwith Capita Oil. ThefirmwasaccusedbyNNPC of expropriating 82 million litres of petrol kept in its tank farm in ApapaareaofLagos.Itsubsequently denied that, but after a thorough investigation by the NNPC and subsequent sack of three of its

officials found culpable in the act, THISDAYwasreliablytoldthatthe ChairmanofCapitalOil,Mr.Ifeanyi Ubah, had been in the custody of the DSS where he was expected to tender a firm repayment plan to the corporation and DSS. Sharing with THISDAY the currentstateoftherecoveryefforts afterthecorporationsackedthree ofitsstaffmembersfoundculpable in the act, one of the sources said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once anybody is relieved of his appointment, it means that such person has been disengaged. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ButtheissuenowiswithCapital Oil and for three weeks, its chairman has been with the DSS, and they are trying to extract a sort of repayment model from him.â&#x20AC;? Hefurtherstatedthat,â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theissue isbasicallybetweenthecompany and the Federal Government because the product in question belongs to the government, and the order to keep him came from the presidency.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are criminal and civil cases;thiscaseisacriminaloffence

andthatiswhyitisbeforetheDSS, butasabusiness,businessesthrive ondebtandNNPCmaybeowing thecompanyandtherecouldalso beinstanceswherethecompanyis owing the corporation, but this is strictly a criminal matter because the company sold products that was kept in its custody, and the government is simply asking that it pays for what it sold.â&#x20AC;? Whencontactedforcomments on the repayment plan for Capital Oil, the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu,toldTHISDAYthathe couldnotimmediatelyconfirmthe kind of demands being made on the company by the DSS and the corporation,butthatthecorporation wasbentonrecoveringwhatitlost to it. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this thoroughmeasure,therewonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tbe such with this new management of NNPC that is really focused on recovering bad debts. The new administration in NNPC is bent on recovering old debts to the corporation.â&#x20AC;?

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

BUSINESS

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com (08054681757)

LAST WEEK WEEK

FX liquidity

The Central Bank of Nigeria auctioned $418 million at a marginal rate of N310 to a dollar to airlines, agriculture, petroleum, and raw materials sub-sectors. Director of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor said in Abuja that the $480 million oﬀered last week was in addition to the $350 million sold as wholesale auction for travel allowance and school fees at the same period. He said that in the weeks ahead,theCBNwouldfurthersustain its intervention through the sale of foreign exchange to all segments of the market, like the interbank and the Bureau de Change segment.

Naira

The naira on Tuesday sustained its loss against the dollar at the parallel market. This was in spite of the CentralBankofNigeria’sintervention at both the interbank market and Bureau De Change window. Reports had it that the naira on Tuesday afternoon exchanged between N405 (buying rate) and N410 selling rate at the parallel market, weaker than N405 traded on Monday. Also, the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N490 and N430 respectively. At the BDC window, the naira was sold at N362 to a dollar, while the Pound SterlingandtheEurotradedatN500 and N428 respectively. Meanwhile, trading at the interbank market saw the naira closing at N306.20 to the dollar.

NNPC

A local market

Analysts Optimistic of )XUWKHU 6OLGH LQ ,QÁDWLRQ Kunle Aderinokun

Following the decline in the consumer price index (CPI) for two consecutive months, analysts are predicting further downward movement in the coming months. But they are cautious in their optimism about the CPI trajectory. The National Bureau of Statistics released the data for the CPI, which measures inﬂation, last Thursday. According to NBS, the CPI increased by 17.26 per cent (year-on-year) in March but at a slower pace as it represented a decline by 0.52 per cent points from the 17.78 per cent recorded in February. The March headline inﬂation, which declined for the second consecutive month on a year-on-year basis, according to NBS, represented the effects of stabilising prices in already high food and non-food prices as well as favourable base effects over 2016 prices. “It is also indicative of early effects of a strengthened naira in the foreign exchange rate market. Price increases were recorded in all COICOP divisions that yield the Headline Index,” the agency added. NBS, however, explained,“The major divisions responsible for accelerating the pace of the increase in the headline index were housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel, education, food and alcoholic beverages, clothing and footwear and transportation services.” On a month-on-month basis, the headline index increased by 1.72 per cent in March 2017, 0.23 per cent points higher from the rate recorded in

ECONOMY February, the agency also stated.“The Food Index increased by 18.44 per cent (year-on-year) in March, slightly down 0.09 per cent points from rate recorded in February (18.53) per cent driven by increases in the prices of bread, cereals, meat, fish, potatoes, yams and other tubers and wine, while the slowest increase in food prices year on year were recorded by Soft Drinks, Fruits, Coffee, Tea and Cocoa,” it pointed out. The headline index is made up of the core index and farm produce items. Processed foods are included in both the core and food sub-indices, implying that these sub-indices are not mutually exclusive. The pace of increase in the headline index, however, ran contrary to the projections of analysts. For instance, analysts at Financial Derivatives Company Ltd had forecast that headline inflation would in March decline for the second month to 16.4 per cent (representing some 1.38 percentage points decrease), as a result of further waning of the 2016 base year effects. In the same vein, analysts at FSDH Merchant Bank estimated that the March 2017 inflation rate (year-on-year) would drop to 16.52 per cent (1.26 percentage points decrease) from 17.78 per cent recorded in the month of February 2017. But analysts at The Economic Intelligence Group of Access Bank Plc came close with a

projection that the inflation rate (yearon-year) would moderate downwards to 17.1 per cent in March 2017 from 17.8 per cent in February 2017, showing a decline of 0.70 percentage points. Nevertheless, in the wake of the March inflation figures release, economic analysts and market watchers have registered their thoughts. In his view, Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Limited, Femi Ademola, said the decline in inflation in the review period was not surprising. “Expectedly, it was due to the high The commencement of harvesting period will lower food prices; thus supporting the falling inflation. Inflation is likely to decline to below 15 per cent in the coming months

base effect over 2016 prices and the curtailed demand due to the drag in economic activities. Although economic activities have improved lately and so demand increasing, the moderating exchange rate effectively tempered the rate of increase in prices,” he noted. Ademola, therefore, projected,“Inﬂation in 2017 is expected to be low compared to 2016.” This, he pointed out,“is due to the combination of high base rate, moderating exchange rate and improving liquidity to manufacturers. In addition, the commencement of

harvesting period will lower food prices; thus supporting the falling inflation. Inflation is likely to decline to below 15 per cent in the coming months.” Similarly, Director, Union Capital Markets Limited, Egie Akpata, stated that the drop in CPI was not unexpected due to the base effect. Akpata, however, added that like last month, month-on-month inflation rose in March as it did in February, which “shows that the inflationary pressures in the economy are still very much at play.” Given this scenario, he projected,“Marginal reduction in CPI combined with rising monthon-month inflation will mean that the CBN is unlikely to make any changes to MPR at the next MPC.” According to him,“Interest rates in the market are driven by liquidity and so are unlikely to trend down solely because of this inflation report. On the contrary, FX sales by CBN, OMO auctions and other administrative rules are likely to cause market interest rates to rise on the short term.” For the Chief Executive Officer, The CFG Advisory Limited, Adetilewa Adebajo,“The upward trajectory of cost push inflation has clearly lost momentum as the economy has fully absorbed and adjusted to the energy price spike that triggered inflation.” He cautioned,“We, however, need to see a sustained decline in the headline inflation numbers through half year 2017 to make a proper call on downward inflationary trend.”

Some top officials of the Nigerian NationalPetroleumCorporationwere on Tuesday directed to proceed on compulsory retirement over the missing petrol scandal.The corporation’sspokesperson,NduUghamadu, identified the retired staff as Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, managing director, NNPC Retail Limited; Mr. Alpha P. Mamza, executive director, Operations,NNPCRetailLimited;and Mr.OluwaKayodeErinoso,manager, Distribution, NNPC Retail Limited. They were found culpable in the 100 million litres missing petrol scandal involving Capital Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited owned by businessman, Ifeanyi Ubah.

FX Loan

The Central Bank of Nigeria during the week increased the limit on foreign currency borrowings by banks to 125 per cent of shareholders’ fund after some lenders breached its regulatory limit due to the recent fall in the naira. The new regulation replacesa2014rulecappingforeign borrowings, including Eurobonds, at 75percentofshareholders’fundsas Nigeria tries to manage widespread capital shortfalls due to a currency crisis and bad loans.

BureauDeChangeOperators

TheAssociationofBureauDeChange Operators of Nigeria said politicians werebehindthepersistentfallofthe Naira. President of ABCON, Aminu Gwadabe, said the recent discovery of huge sums of money in Lagos had vindicated its members. Gwadabe said ABCON was saddened by the development, but said the real enemies of the Naira were gradually being exposed.

Crude Oil

Nigeria’s crude oil production fell to 1.27 million bpd, far below the benchmark of 2.2 million barrels per day, amid the shutdown of two major export grades. The country produced 1.269 million bpd last month,accordingtotheOrganisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

With Special FX Window, a Lifebuoy for SMEs While the introduction of a special foreign exchange window for SMEs fetches the CBN some plaudits, the intervention has brought to the fore other pertinent issues that need to be addressed. Olaseni Durojaiye reports

A textile production line

tatistics have shown that small and medium sized enterprises play a significant role in the development of any nation, given the ability of businesses that fall in that category to generate employment and create platforms wealth among other factors. As a matter of fact, many developed economies particularly among the Asian Tigers attained their developed economy status on the back of the successes of cottage industries in their economies. This explains why many economies across the world pay premium emphasis on supporting that critical sector. The story is not entirely different in Nigeria. Important as SMEs are to any economy, the local sector has been bedeviled with myriad challenges, particularly funding. The funding challenge became compounded at the height of the FX shortage in the nation’s economy. While many analysts may argue that sector hardest hit by the FX shortage was the manufacturing sector, it is however noteworthy that around 70 per cent of members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) fall within the sector. It is against the background that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last Monday created a special FX window to accommodate the SMEs. A statement by the Director of Corporate Communications of the CBN, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, had stated that the new supply window would enable SMEs import eligible finished and semi-finished items not exceeding $20,000 per enterprise per quarter. It added that the new policy became necessary because it was found out that the SMEs were being crowded out of the interbank FX market. Part of the statement read thus: “The sum of $20,000 per SME customer per quarter can be effected through telegraphic transfer subject to

completion of Form ‘M’ supported with pro forma invoice and the importer’s Bank Verification Number, BVN,” Okoroafor explained in the circular announcing the new policy. Stakeholders, Analysts React Expectedly, respondents to THISDAY enquiries hailed the directive as a “welcome development” adding that it was a measure aimed at ensuring that the FX gets to the end users. “It is a good development. It will provide relief for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) both in the manufacturing sector, services and other sectors. It is expected that with the new window many of the SMEs will return to business,” Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf, told THISDAY in an interview. In the same vein, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Dr. Frank Jacobs, stated that, “I am highly excited about the new policy” adding that “It is a welcome development. It will actually help a lot of our members, a significant number of our members actually fall within the SMEs category and this new policy will impact their business positively. I expect that they will no longer complain about their inability to access FX.” On his part, Director, Union Capital Market, Egie Akpata, reacted thus: ”The idea is that the CBN is trying to provide money (dollar) directly to the end users, that is the SMEs. But the question is whether it is cost-effective and efficient compared to having a common market system because the CBN is currently managing other issues.” Interestingly, the reason for the new policy resonated with industry stakeholders, who agreed that the reason was valid. However, “Crowding out” as reason is genuine but not limited to SMEs

especially at the height of the FX shortage in the system. THISDAY investigations, corroborated by industry stakeholders, found out even big companies were crowded out due to the brokerage practices and activities of currency speculators in the financial services sector. A branch manager of a third generation bank, who craved anonymity, confirmed same to this newspaper. “There is the crowding out effect, it is real and it is not limited to SMEs alone; some big companies are also affected because the whole framework is not transparent, even within the banking system itself.” Continuing, he argued that, “The framework is not transparent because you can’t be sure of FX allocation on a first come, first serve basis even when you have filed all the necessary papers. You are also not sure of when you will get the allocation because there were a lot of sharp practices going on, including brokerage and speculative activities. Those were part of the challenges that our members face; but it is hoped that as the supply increases all of these will go away even as things are beginning to get better.” Sustainability and Compliance Concerns Stakeholders, including industrialists, economic policy analysts and SME operators may have welcomed the new policy direction, concerns over its sustainability, however, linger, accompanied by calls for a mechanism to ensure that the policy is not abused. One respondent also reiterated the call on CBN to allow for other autonomous sources of FX supplies into the economy and argued that, “The economy can’t afford to depend only on the FX supplies from the CBN.” Another respondent asked rhetorically, “Does the CBN have the resources to manage the process?” In raising the sustainability and compliance

concerns, all the respondents to THISDAY enquiries are concerned about the ability of the apex bank to ensure that the new provision is not abused by unscrupulous elements in the system both within the banking system and outside of it, even one of them expects that as FX supplies improve, some of the concerns would become a thing of the past. Commenting on the concerns, Akpata, asked rhetorically, “Does the CBN have the resources to manage the process? There are so many SMEs, probably running into millions, unlike the bureaux de change. The CBN may have to come up with specific mechanism that will help to identify the true SMEs; it could be through the banks that know and can identify them. The circular stated that the SMEs states that they will get the money and account for it later, many people may get the FX once and never go back for another one because they cannot account for the first one that they got. The CBN will have to come up with a mechanism to check that,” he posited. In his own assertion, Yusuf also stated that, “We still want a framework that is sustainable. The current practice whereby the CBN is the sole driver of the FX market is not sustainable. The economy can’t afford to depend only on the FX supplies from the CBN. We need other sources of FX supplies to compliment what the CBN is putting into the market. That is how you can have a framework that is sustainable.” Responding to question bordering on the compliance concern, Jacobs explained that, “I have not engaged the CBN on that, it is an issue that I will raise with the CBN governor because it is important that that the money gets to the right people for it is something that some unscrupulous Nigerians can abuse. We will like to find out if they intend to partner with MAN to ensure that the right people benefit from the policy.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

BUSINESS/ENERGY

How Nigeria Averted another Tortuous Cycle of Fuel Scarcity By yielding to one of the demands of petrol tanker drivers, the Federal Government recently momentarily sidestepped an ugly development that had become quite synonymous with Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector - fuel scarcity and its attendant queues. Chineme Okafor writes A statement announcing the call-off was subsequently provided to THISDAY in Abuja by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu.

A long queue of tanker trucks on Apapa Oshodi-Expressway

hen The Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) section of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) announced that it was going on a nationwide strike on account of stored up complaints, most Nigerians from experience expected it would be another round of long lingering and tortuous queues at petrol service stations across the country. As witnessed over time, such occasions of frequent strikes by any of the stakeholders in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector have always had massive impact on the socio-economic life of the country, from increases in costs of goods and services, to extra incomes for black market petrol operators who swiftly take over the streets and corners of the country hawking petrol in plastic kegs to exasperated consumers without the tolerance for long queues. In most cases, consumers even sleep at service stations to get supplies into their vehicles or kegs, thus making the thoughts of strike and petrol scarcity agonising to Nigerians. The call for strike But then, the PTD rose from their Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting in Lagos recently, and announced to the nation the decision of their members to go on a nationwide strike on grounds of unresolved industry-related issues. They listed their grievances to include poor road networks, poor welfare for their members by their employers the National Road Transporter Owners (NARTO), as well as insecurity of their members amongst other issues. But key on their complaint list was the

welfare of their members whom they claimed were short-changed by NARTO, and inadequately compensated for the work they do. In their communique announcing the planned strike, NUPENG on which platform the PTD operates said: “The CWC-in-Session considers inhumane, the refusal of the National Association of Transport Owners (NARTO) to commence negotiation with the union for the renewal of the expired Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on the working conditions of our tanker driver members in the PTD branch, after several appeals and even an ultimatum.” The CBA as learnt also involved the bridging claims paid by the government for trucking of petrol by the tanker drivers, and it was on the basis of this that the union mobilised for the strike. Having perhaps attained the status of ‘demigods’ on the back of Nigeria’s very decrepit downstream petroleum distribution infrastructure, the tanker drivers like most of the unions in the country’s petroleum industry, have often leveraged their position to extract from Nigeria demands for improved services for their members. The bridging scheme, which was originally introduced as a temporary measure during the unfulfilled turn-around maintenance (TAM) of Nigeria’s petroleum products refineries, and wherein government sought to encourage and support marketers in transporting petroleum products nationwide, has however become a part and parcel of the pricing templates developed by the government. Although bridging was meant to be a temporary solution until the refineries resumed production at full capacity, the state of the refineries has worsened over the years, while pipeline vandalism has also made products distribution by trucks established against the more economical

option of pipelines. Accordingly, the initial projection was to have a maximum of 10 per cent of total petroleum products bridged while the remaining portion will be pumped through the pipelines, however, trend analysis indicated that bridging of products have consistently increased over the years, thus granting the tanker drivers a lot of influence as to make the country quiver to threats of strike by them. The meeting While the strike action barely took off as planned, a meeting called by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, to iron out the identified issues, immediately resulted in the union calling off their strike. The meeting was reportedly attended by the President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Kasim Bataiya, National Chairman of PTD, Saliman Oladiti, Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Hon. Joseph Akinlaja, and President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, as well as representatives of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF). At the meeting, the NNPC GMD disclosed that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had approved the increase of the bridging cost allowance from N6.20k to N7.20k, thus providing the unions the sweetener with which they could negotiate further on their other challenges. Baru noted that such gesture by the government should spur the unions to call off their planned strike and engage in productive discussions. His expectations were however fulfilled when Achese announced that the strike had been called off by the union from the government’s intervention.

The Aftermath Even though the strike was called off mostly from the government increase of the bridging claims for marketers by N1, reports that the pump price of petrol at service stations would subsequently increase, became rife, thus necessitating a denial of such development by the NNPC and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). The NNPC said in its response to such, that the recent increase in petrol bridging allowance to transporters from N6.20 to N7.20 per litre will not lead to an increase in the pump price of petrol from the prevailing price of N145 per litre. Ughamadu, stated that the Chief Operating Officer in charge of NNPC’s downstream operations, Mr. Henry Ikem Obih, gave the assurance that there was no plan by government or any of its agencies to review the pump price of petrol above N145 per litre. According to Ikem-Obih, the rise in the bridging cost was achieved after an adjustment was made in the “lightering expenses” from N4 to N3 per litre and the difference transferred to compensate for the cost of bridging within the same template. By definition, the bridging allowance refers to the cost element built into the products pricing template to ensure a uniform price of petrol across the country, while lightering expenses involve charges for moving products to depot area from mother vessels by light vessels due to the inability of the former to berth in shallow water depth. Ikem-Obih however said: “What happened, in simple language, is a rebalancing of the margins allowed and approved for stakeholders. So what the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) did was to take N1 from lightering expenses and add same to the bridging allowance. That is how we arrived at N7.20. Therefore, PMS remains at the ceiling of N145 per litre.” He also stated on the availability of product supply that as at today, the country had 1.3 billion litres of petrol which translated to an inventory of 36 days. “What this means is that even if we stop importation or refining of petrol right now, we have enough products in-country to provide for the needs of every Nigerian for a period of 36 days,” he said. Speaking further, Ikem-Obih noted that the supply availability was bolstered with the production of petrol from the three refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna. According to him: “There is absolutely no risk of shortage in supply as we also continue to import to support the production from the refineries, we have informed the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to enforce the prevailing N145 per litre price regime and also ensure that every service station that has fuel is selling to the public.” He also reiterated the readiness of NNPC to sustain the existing cordial relationship between it and the leadership of the downstream industry unions and other stakeholders, adding that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which is the regulatory arm of the industry had been alerted to sanction fuel station owners who engage in hoarding or charge consumers in excess of the approved pump price of petrol.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

INTERVIEW

Ige

Broadcast Digitisation Will Create More Job Opportunities With five digital television production studios in the HS Media complex in Oregun, Lagos, the largest being 900 square-metre (one of the largest in Africa) adjoined by four others, this media group looks set for broadcast digitization. This multi-billion naira complex will clearly help ensure the success of the digitisation process in Nigeria and attracts big productions like Big Brother Nigeria to Lagos.Already, one of the studios is producing live Bundesliga and Italian Serie A matches for StarTimes. The Chairman/CEO, HS Media Group, Mr. Taye Ige, is convinced that the revolution that would come with digitization will be close to what came when mobile telephone was introduced in 2001, with new jobs for thousands of Nigerians. He shares the dream of his media complex and benefits for the country with Yemi Adebowale

hat is HS Media Group all about?

HS is an acronym from ‘HotSports’, which has been our trading platform for the past 20-21 years. When it was time for us to migrate from a one-platform organization to a multiple platform, we thought we should not lose our heritage, which is ‘HotSports’. So, our creative agency gave us HS as a way of achieving that; in order words, become new without losing our antecedent. ‘Media’ because our business here is essentially media; television

and radio production and ‘Group’ because there are at least five different platforms that we trade on, or that we would eventually be trading on by the time the complex is completed.

You are building what experts describe as the largest studios in Africa. Tell us about this project; what stage are you now? It is a television studio/production complex, situated at the heart of Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, some 20 minutes from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and standing on just a little over two acres of land.

There are five television production studios in the complex, the largest being 900 square-metre adjoined by two others which are 175 square metres each, and then there are two other ones that we call presentation studios, and they are 55 square metre each. So, whether the 900 square-metre studio qualifies as the biggest in Africa is what I do not know, but I know that I conceived the idea of an extra-large studio from a project I was involved in years ago with Guinness. They had what was called “Guinness the Match”, that involved simulation of a football pitch right inside a television studio. We looked everywhere from

Lagos to Ogun, even as far as Ibadan and Osun State, and we could not find a suitable studio, until we had to settle for what was the biggest then, which is the LTV 8 studio. So, when this opportunity came to do a studio of our own, I had that experience in mind and I thought, the only thing one can bring into the market that will make HS Media stand out is that size. I actually wanted a 1200 or 1300 square metre size, but superior reasoning around me thought otherwise, and said that it would be difficult to maintain good occupancy all year round and that we would be lucky to even gross 20% occupancy

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

INTERVIEW

Broadcast Digitisation Will Create More Job Opportunities

Cont’d from Pg. 22

with that volume. We were told that we could do something smaller but still big enough to accommodate the most ambitious of productions and equipped with modern day gadgetry; and create illusion of an even bigger space. For instance, with cameras fixed with appropriate zoom lenses, you can actually create a 1,800sq.m space in a 900 square environment. But you know, money is the name of the game. For instance, some of those lenses are more expensive than the cameras themselves. So, that was why we were able to conclude at 900 square metre and create two other studios of 175 square-metre each.

this uncertainty in the Nigerian economy set in and then some conditions that are not positive to say the least, started coming up, and then we had to repudiate. It is instructive to note, at that time, anywhere we dropped this idea (of partnership) we were well received and people wanted to talk to us. Then, interest started fizzling out once the uncertainties set into the Nigerian economy. But I must also say that we benefitted from all that engagement because they exchanged ideas with us, on how things should be done, because they are experienced equipment people, which will come in handy when we finally make progress. We have reached a point of no-return since the shell is standing ready to receive lighting and equipment.

What stage are you now with the five studios, and what are you currently doing with them? We have only completed one of the two presentation studios, but studios two and three of 175 square-metre each are speedily nearing completion. I think we are right now doing the very last layer of flooring which they call the Epoxy. Of course, all acoustics solutions are in place and only waiting to receive lighting and equipment. Soon, they will both come on line at the same time. We are working on the two simultaneously. The shell (as we speak) is ready, awaiting only two things - lightening and equipment. But the “big man” himself, the one I call the “GOC”, which is Studio 1 measuring 900 square-metre, is also getting ready to the tune of the shell.

What date and figures are you looking at in terms of completion?

What will you be doing with 900 squaremetre studio? Let me ask you: Where did ‘The Voice Nigeria’ concluded about 3-4 months ago take place? It took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. Where is Big Brother Nigeria currently taking place? It is taking place in South Africa. Where is Coke studio? It is in Nairobi, Kenya. I can go on and on, all because of facilities. The main reason cited by production houses for taking these shows abroad is lack of the requisite facilities and expertise. The facilities needed are the kind of things we are trying to provide here at HS Media Studios. For instance, when fully completed, you can build that Big Brother house in our Studio One. And you know when digitization comes, that is when the boom will come from production, and that is what we are positioning for.

What is the extent of patronage of the already completed studio? Are you getting value for the investment? The completed studio is busy 24/7. First, we have our programmes. We have HotSports, which has run for close to two decades, and it is still running. We are producing it every week. We have ‘UAC Unscripted’, the wave-making celebrity family game show, sponsored by Nigeria’s biggest indigenous conglomerate, UACN Plc. We have our radio programmes and we have audio booths supporting the completed studio. As matter of fact, it is those audio booth that have been making life easier for the managers of that studio, otherwise, they are already over-booked, because they manage to push a lot of things to the studio. But far more importantly is that every weekend, from Friday to Sunday, we are locked down on StarTimes. We produce six live matches every weekend, for StarTimes. Matches of the Bundesliga, i.e the German League, the Italian Serie A, and matches of the Russia 2018 European World Cup Qualifiers. These matches are produced live on World Football Channel on StarTimes. What we do is that we get the signals of these matches all the way from the various originating point, mix them with Nigerian studio analysis, giving it a Nigerian tune, such that the matches come closer to Nigerian football fans, and send to the StarTimes hub in Tejuosho, from where they distribute to their subscribers. We are enjoying consultancy from a number of partners, Meyone for technology/internet and ISAT Africa for satellite broadcast consultancy. So, from Fridays, you don’t come near the studio because it is live matches throughout, and we do not close on those days until, sometimes midnight.

You were trying to relate what you are doing to digitisation; was it the main source of inspiration for this studio project? Clearly yes, because in the digitization era, you are going to find a lot of need for production. I attended a seminar in Abuja and one knowledgeable gentleman described digitization era as a city hitherto served by a four-lane highway, and all of a sudden having a fifty-lane highway serving it. So, you need vehicles to ply those highways otherwise they are useless. The metaphor here is simple: In a place like Lagos, we can have three to four terrestrial channels, but we need content/ programmes for the channels because you and I

Ige

will watch what appeals to us, and what appeals to us is what gives us what we want to see. The idea therefore will be, if you have such a large number of stations, owning a station at that time will no longer be a big deal, but the main thing will be content. And television succeeds where you and I can see ourselves in it. You can see people like you in television, which is why Africa Magic today has succeeded in Nigeria because people can see themselves in it. We believe as a matter of fact that there must be an up-surge in production activities when digitization comes. With that array of stations, therefore, we have gone into this, in order to serve the community of producers in radio and television programmes across the land.

Is Nigeria ready for Digitization? First let me say that the entire West Africa have not digitized up till now because Nigeria could not. Nigeria has shifted twice; they have now fixed June 17th 2017 as the date for Digital Switch Over (DSO). I dare say that we do not have a choice, we have to, because the entire East Africa from Nairobi to Tanzania are fully digitized. I don’t want to talk about North Africa, Tunisia and all Magreb region. They have all long digitized. And do not forget that this is internationally-imposed and sanctioned by a body called ITU (International Telecommunications Union). Nigeria, not being able to do it in the past has not created much unease because even our neighbours have not. If any of our neighbours had digitized, the impact would have been so noticeable that we would have had no choice than to so. Nobody wants to wake up in the morning and not be able to watch television. It won’t get to that because June 17th is the DSO, and it has started because the pilot in Jos was successful. One of the companies that the government licensed for this project, Pinnacle, has done Abuja, and it was successful. They are planning Kaduna now, and very soon, they will come to Lagos. So, it is progress, and I am sure that by June, Nigeria should switch over.

How much have you invested in this massive studios? When you talk about the worth of investment in this studio, it is difficult to answer because prior to the last two years, you could talk with some certainty. This is not the case now. If you put in a figure before now, you are most likely to be right but you cannot anymore because things like this are denominated on the basis of replacement cost. In other words, if I have to do this all over again, how much will it cost me? But we know that we cannot answer that question because we do not know, and we don’t know because the

government has pegged the dollar at N360, but few weeks back, the dollar was over N500. What will the situation be in another month is most unpredictable. So we cannot put our hands to all those kind of variables. However, the best way to put it will be to say that it has taken quite a bit. It’s taken all of twenty years of pioneering an aspect of the industry and of an active business life. This is all that we have lived for and worked for with all our lives. It could have been worse but, as they say, we thank God we are here. As for level of support from the Nigerian financial environment, unfortunately, I will say nothing. We have ended up with nothing from the sector and it is not for want of effort on our part. But you know as the situation is with them. You would be asked to meet all kinds of conditions ranging from the sublime to the downright ridiculous which would be why we are where we are now. Well, we knew that even if we manage to complete the shell, we may not be able to fund equipment and lighting, so we have a number of options in view. The first is partnership; look for equipment manufacturers and vendors to bring in equipment, lighting and expertise to operate the equipment. We would supply infrastructure and knowledge of the market. As I have said, sports marketing is what we have done for all of our 20-21 years. The business makes money and the partners share, based on agreed percentages. In order words, we as a company are prepared to own just a percentage of this, but have something of a functional enterprise, than to own one hundred per cent of loans. You may then end up finding yourself with strange fellows, because, if you are talking to partners that know what you are doing and are industry people, they easily connect with you. They know what you are doing, rather than talking with strange bed-fellows, or you do business with companies and individuals who may not fully understand what you are doing, and whose ideas of the dialectic in terms especially of returns on their investment might be very different from what the reality can support. Next on our list of options is private placement, and the third is bank loan, which is usually our last option. Both are not really very attractive to us. Talking about partnership, we have gone far in talking to a lot of partners. I have a very knowledgeable partner, a Belgian, who has done thirty-six years of television production across Africa. He was resident in South Africa until he moved back home to Belgium; a 63-year-old but he is very sound. He has been spear-heading our efforts to get partners, and we have been talking. In fact, one of them from Belgium came in here; we were almost signing an MoU, then

With the shells virtually ready, we will be talking about $7.5 to $8 million. If we have the fund as we speak, I am sure that we will be running before digitization in June. It is like you are not scared with the kind of money you are putting in, in relation to when the returns will start coming. I told you earlier that we have reached a point of no return. As for the timing for the returns, it is only a matter of time, because the revolution that will with digitization will be close to what came when mobile telephone was introduced in 2001. I remember talking to a boss of mine at that time and he said “you mean Ibrahim (his driver) too will own a phone?” And I said ‘sir, not just Ibrahim, even Akpan your chef at home will own a phone.’ In 1999, we went to cover the All Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa, and it was such a big deal to find cleaners, at the media center where we were, with phones starched in their pockets and they were doing their work, and we were taking pictures of these and sending home to our publications, because it was so novel to us then that cleaners, drivers, and all what’s not have phones, but what do we have today? That is the kind of thing that is coming to television when digitisation comes. We are positioned to be part of it.

Talking about the challenges, in relation to the government, what are the things that you think government should do, to support investors, such as yours? Government basically just has to be a facilitator. Nobody is asking Government for money, but they have to facilitate, and it starts from as little as body language. When investors find that there is prospect of stability and there is prospect of safety for their investment, they will come in. These funds are also there; they do not want to keep funds idle. Funds that are kept idle are nothing but a waste. But investors want to be sure of the safety of their funds. They also know that their best investment destination in a place like Nigeria is not public sector; it is private sector. And those in television industry already know what digitization is. Please go to Jos and Abuja. Go and see how many people are already getting something to do, gainfully, by way of employment, on account of digitization alone. In our live production, we have both permanent staff and stringers. That is employment. You can go on and on. To be honest, the possibilities are humongous, if only government can just be a facilitator; i.e., create an enabling environment for people to relate, do business profitably, and maintain their partnerships. It will be very helpful. That is what I think government should do.

What is your message to Nigerians on HS Media Studios? They should watch out for us, watch out for a revolution in television in Nigeria. I have said it; it will be akin to the revolution that came in 2001 when GSM came to this land. Digitization is coming and we are working day and night assiduously, and God is helping us to overcome various challenges in order to be a major player in digitization of television in Nigeria. As I said, in the complex, there are five different business units. One of them is a TV College. A TV College is necessary because, with digital switch over, there will be a lot of gaffes and gap in knowledge, so you need training. We are talking to two universities, one in the US, and the other in the UK, who have very good communication schools to partner with us on this. We are also hoping to be very active in signals distribution. In this we are partnering with iSAT Africa, a company that rules the waves in East Africa as far as digitisation is concerned, where, as I said, digitization has been completed. So all of these and even more will take place in our media hub.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

INTERVIEW Siddiqui: At MTN, We Take Customer Feedback Seriously In furtherance of its commitment to customer satisfaction, leading ICT company, MTN has been going round university campuses to connect directly with subscribers, and take feedback on how to improve its services. The road show campaign is led by the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohammed Zia Siddiqui, who after recently returning from an engagement visit to the University of Port Harcourt, shared perspectives below on what has been described as ‘MTN’s Voice of the Customer initiative. Olaseni Durojaiye brings excerpts:

ow important is Customer Feedback to a large organization like MTN?

In MTN, we value customer feedback because that is the core of our business. Customers are the reason we exist. Our mission statement is “To make the lives of our customers a whole lot brighter.“ In line with our mission, it is critical for our customers to be happy for us to be in business. We have an initiative titled ‘Voice of the Customer’ that helps to check the pulse of customers through regular feedback.

What is ‘MTN’s Voice of the Customer initiative’ all about?

This is a platform that ensures that MTN takes feedback to improve the experience we deliver to our valued customers. It allows senior management take feedback from customers directly without having to wait on regular customer interfacing channels like the Call Centers, Service Centers and Social media. Interestingly, this initiative is also in alignment with the Nigerian Communication Commission’s ‘Year of the Consumer’ program which celebrates the Customer as the King. Tell us about this recent visit to universities in Lagos and Port-Harcourt. We believe the university environment is made up of young people who are knowledgeable and saavy and majority of them are our customers who use our products and services regularly. They are in the best position to give quality and candid feedback on our services and products. This is what prompted the need to commence this journey with them.

Why do you have key management presence at the events?

It is important that senior management are involved because they are the leaders and decision makers within MTN. The feedback from such an event will enhance quicker decision making on major issues that will be raised.

Can you shed light on the #livewithCOO session on Twitter?

You would agree with me that the social media has become a veritable platform for interacting and engaging with customers. During my inaugural session, it afforded me the opportunity to interact with many customers simultaneously in real time. It also afforded me the opportunity to hear directly from the customers. Also, some of the answers I provided helped to clarify many questions that customers may have.

What are some of the key issues that were raised during these sessions?

Some of the issues were around the need for improved network coverage and quality, demand for faster internet access even in the suburban areas, lower and affordable Voice and Data plans, increased bonus offers & promotions, reduction in unsolicited sms and deductions from Value Added Services (VAS).

Siddiqui

With increasing complaints about VAS deductions, it appears MTN is not doing anything about this issue. What is MTN doing about it?

In MTN, it’s not in our policy to make deductions from customers’ accounts without their consent. We believe customers have the exclusive right and are the only ones to decide whether to join a service or not. Our dear customers have the choice to continue on a service for as long as they want and exit whenever they choose to. We once again confirm our commitment to avail our customers this choice considering that these VAS services are provided by third parties through our network. We do acknowledge that there is lot of room for improvement in the management of VAS services. We also want our esteemed customers to be rest assured that the matter

is being handled as a top priority within MTN and a high-powered committee headed by me is involved. Any VAS provider found wanting or in breach of our customer code of conduct will be severely sanctioned.

Are these visits to university campuses a one-off event?

No, it is going to be across the country and not only in universities. We will be having several direct feedback sessions with customers across different segments.

Will there be any other thing you would like to add?

We are completely aligned with the quality of service initiatives of the NCC especially around empowering our customers and increasing transparency on all our interactions with them.

Customers have the choice to continue on a service for as long as they want and exit whenever they choose to. We once again conﬁrm our commitment to avail our customers this choice considering that these VAS services are provided by third parties through our network

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

BUSINESS/ENERGY/MONEY

IPMAN Retraces Steps, Ends Leadership Tussle Recently, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) took a bold step to end the prolonged leadership crisis that has made a mess of the association’s fortunes, with the emergence of a new president, Sanusi Abdu Fari. Chineme Okafor writes

fter years of internal struggles between two factions for the leadership of IPMAN, a new president, Sanusi Abdu Fari, recently emerged to lead the embattled association for the next three years, and out of the mess it has found itself with the leadership struggles. Fari, who emerged as the next president of the association in a congress that took place in Abuja, would now take over from a former factional president of the association, Chief Lawson Obasi, who for the larger part of his term in office, battled with another factional leader of the association, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo for control of IPMAN and its authorities. At the emergence of Fari, Obasi, who handed over to him was said to have successfully completed his three years in office this month, thus paving the way for a fresh congress and the emergence of Fari using existing provisions of the association’s constitution which is reportedly supreme in affairs of leadership succession. Succession dilemma Since May 2014, IPMAN had been overwhelmed by factional tussle for its national leadership. Leading the fight, which destabilised the national leadership of the association and its direction, were Okoronkwo and Lawson, who ran parallel regime even with subsisting court suits on the situation. Allegedly, the troubles for the association started with the refusal of its past president,

Aminu Abdulkadir, to hand over to Obasi, who was by the constitution of the association next in the line assume leadership of the association as a deputy to Abdulkadir. It was then reported that amendments to the constitution of the association was effected without majority approval of same, thus denying Lawson the presidency. A court action by Lawson, which requested the association to revert to status quo was subsequently challenged by the Okoronkwo faction, and then the situation ballooned into the mess that held the association bound to the ground. Loss of productivity, relevance For the length of time the association was engulfed in its leadership troubles, its members, who largely provide petroleum products to far-flung parts of Nigeria, could not comfortably operate. They also at a point lost business relationship with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which refused to deal with any of the factions after several attempts to reconcile them failed. While the Okoronkwo faction of the association, at a point charged the federal government of impartiality in the internal leadership crisis with its alleged recognition of the Lawson’s faction, and business dealings with it, the NNPC subsequently resorted to individual trade relationships with independent petroleum marketers in the country on the basis of the association’s prolonged leadership crisis. At the time the corporation took the decision, Okoronkwo told THISDAY that his faction got the notice of NNPC to maintain a neutral

stand on the association’s internal quarrel. He explained then that his faction’s legal counsel, Messrs A.S. Moyosore, got a letter from the NNPC indicating that it was going to respect the many law suits that were pending in court on the same issue, and stay clear of its internal affairs, and would for as long as the crisis lasted, maintain individual trade relationships with IPMAN members. Emergence of Fari But in his inaugural speech after his emergence, Fari said he would uphold the constitution of the association and the collective will of all IPMAN members. He also said his emergence as president had opened a new chapter of unity and progress for IPMAN, adding that the period between 2014 and 2017 were turbulent in the history of IPMAN. His emergence THISDAY gathered, was shortly after fresh efforts to resolve the crisis was initiated by stakeholders including the NNPC, which recently held meetings with the association and from which it was reported that a truce was reached by the warring factions. Fari, however, stated in his acceptance of the responsibility: “It is the period we pray never to resurface as IPMAN wax to accomplish its objects. It is my pleasure to state unequivocally with humility that the long awaited and desired peace in IPMAN has finally arrived by my emergence as the national president.” Noting that his emergence as the new IPMAN president was the desire of all peace-loving marketers, who believe in the

1997 constitution of the association which made provision for seamless succession, Fari stated that the association has retraced its steps and would now take steps to reposition itself. According to him, the constitution said that, at the end of the tenure of each of the presidents, his vice will automatically succeed him as the new president. He added that he was the former vice president under Obasi leadership and with the termination of Obasi’s tenure this month, he automatically emerged the new president. Insiders also told THISDAY that Fari would leverage the existing truce brokered by stakeholders, to reintegrate the Okoronkwo faction, and unify IPMAN. Processes to achieve this, it was learnt, have already begun. On this also, Chief Adewonyi Kolawole, who represents the South Western Zone of IPMAN, expressed his delight with the emergence of the new president and assured him of support from his zone while his tenure lasted. Kolawole noted that IPMAN in the South Western Zone was united and would in this regard ensure the success of the new move. Other stakeholders, who spoke to THISDAY on the implications of the development, explained that a united IPMAN would be useful to a seamless petroleum products distribution and supplies in the country. They noted that most of the private service stations in the hinterlands of the country are owned and operated by members of IPMAN, indicating that for products to get to villages and semi-urban parts of the country, IPMAN would be needed to achieve that.

Empowering Women through CSR Obinna Chima

orporate social responsibility (CSR) has become one of the standard business practices for reputable organisations in the country. It has also helped in enhancing the overall reputation of a lot of organisations, especially in the financial sector where commercial banks strive to outshine each other. Today, the establishment of a CSR strategy is a crucial component of any bank’s competiveness, in their quest to give back to the society they operate. That was why as part of its CSR, Access Bank Plc, in partnership with the Field of Skills and Dreams Academy recently trained and graduated a total of 225 women and young girls. The training sessions, which took place in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Calabar. Beneficiaries from the initiative, which was specifically part of the CSR project of the Retail Operations Group (ROG) of the bank includes rehabilitated street girls, Chibok women in Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs), widows and rape victims. In 2015, the ROG embarked on a 3-year CSR project aimed at capacity building and empowerment of disadvantaged women across the country for a maximum of three months. The objective was to enable them acquire skills in either catering, fashion or hairdressing. The training programme also included seminars and business training, which included owning personal accounts, record keeping, customer service, etc. Upon graduation, each trainee were provided equipment such as dryers, industrial sewing machines, make up kits and commercial oven, to enable them start off their small scale businesses. Speaking during a graduation ceremony for the 225 women held in Lagos, the Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, expressed satisfaction with the support given by Access Bank. “I feel so proud that we are able to touch several people’s life. But I also think we don’t have an option. Somebody once said that 80 per cent of

Wiwge what we are, as individuals today, was as a result of support we got from someone else. So, who are we not to want to reach out and touch other people’s life? “When I hear about the IDPs today, it touches my heart because we lived there and we all lived like brothers and sister. So, we don’t have an option but to support them, when we see our people being forced out of their homes for reasons beyond their control. “One of the things we know very well at Access Bank is the fact that when you look at life in

general, it is women that help to shape values. When you train a woman, you train a generation. There are people who take us through the core values of life and these are the women, our mothers, sisters and wives. So, we are so proud because this empowerment would help several generations to become better. So, why wouldn’t we reach out to these people? The other thing I wish to say is that all of you that have developed skills should please put them to use,”the Access Bank boss said. Also, the founder, FSD, Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde,

said it was fulfilling and emotional working with the women. According to her, the FSD provides skills and training that goes with verifiable success stories. Ogunrinde noted that by providing practical, technical and vocational training, the FSD does it best to ensure that those that go through the training come out successful. “Together with Access Bank, in the last two years, we have been able to change the lives of these 225 women and their families. We are always happy to work with people who measure our success,” she added. She said the foundation was created out of the desire to add value to young Nigerians and to reduce the number of Nigerians walking the streets aimlessly daily. “It is true that the economy cannot accommodate the growing number of school leavers. Therefore the number of unemployed people keeps increasing daily. Meanwhile, the needs of industries keep increasing daily because there are very few skilled men and women,” she said. At the event, testimonies of how the programme changed the lives of participants were received. There is no doubt that the growing women entrepreneurs in the country could serve as a potential market for banks to grow their businesses, thereby enhancing financial inclusion. Statistics had revealed that women constitute about 50 per cent of the Nigerian population and it was estimated that women-owned businesses represent about 30 per cent of registered businesses worldwide. Therefore, increasing access to finance for women they will be able to build larger and more sustainable businesses and can contribute more to economic growth. Owing to this, Access Bank had launched the ‘W’ Initiative , which is the bank’s approach to supporting women. The ‘W’ Initiative, offers privileges for women and their families to access a wide range of loan products and credit facilities; access to the ‘W’ community with helpful advice on family and financial matters; home and family articles and details of special offers; and access to a wide range of discounts, special offers and freebies on health, beauty and fitness.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž APRIL 16, 2017

BUSINESS/TELECOMS ment and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), the government agency responsible for regulating infrastructure installation and use in Lagos State, has been at the forefront of efforts to address the hazards associated with telecoms and communication masts in the state. Sensing danger in the installation of masts close to residential buildings, LASIMRA has embarked on a clampdown on communications masts set up around residential buildings, especially the ones that are no longer in use by their owners. Yet many of the masts remain and they pose serious dangers to people living in the areas where they are installed. LASIMRA has severally warned mast owners, especially abandoned masts, to pull them down because of the risk they pose to people living around the locations. The agency had in the past supervised the pulling down of communications masts in Lagos in a bid to sanitise the Lagos airspace and make it risk free. Assurance In spite of the health risks, telecommunications operators have argued that there is no established health risk associated with telecoms base stations. Chairman, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, says Nigerians should not panic over electromagnetic emission from base stations, arguing that the amount of emission from BTS is too infinitesimal to cause health hazards to humans. Speaking on the issue of fumes and sound from BTS generating sets, Adebayo said all telecoms operators had installed soundproof generators that completely absorb sound from those generating sets used to power BTS.

A telecoms mast

Public Safety and Indiscriminate Siting of Telecoms Masts Emma Okonji examines the risks attendant on the installation of Base Transceiver Stations and communications masts around residential buildings

ase Transceiver Station (BTS), commonly referred to as base station, is a telecommunications mast that houses telecoms antennae, which are devices used to receive and transmit telecoms signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Since the inception of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) in Nigeria in 2001, telecoms operators have always installed BTS for the transmission of telecoms signals and the BTS is powered 24/7 by generating sets. Risks The BTS had initially been installed away from residential buildings to avoid health risks that could emanate from either the radioactive emission from the antennae or from fumes released by the generating sets. But in recent times, telecoms operators are seen installing masts close to buildings, and in most cases, masts are installed on roof tops. Aside the possible health risks, there are fears that the mast could collapse when subjected to strong wind because of its height and lead to damage of buildings and, consequently, death of persons living around the installed BTS. The World Health Organisation (WHO)

has tried to allay fears about health risks from electromagnetic emission from BTS, insisting that there is no scientific research that has proved it otherwise. But even at that, subscribers are still sceptical that the endless fumes and noise from BTS generating sets pose serious health risks, since most telecoms masts are now located close to residential buildings. Another area of concern raised by subscribers is about the communications masts used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), radio stations and television stations, designed for the transmission of radio wave signals from one location to another. Nigerians have been witnesses to the collapse of such masts, whether in use or out of use, causing death of humans and damage to buildings and other property. The fears about the hazards of BTS and communications masts are on the increase, as many worry that their lives may be in danger, especially those living close to installed masts. Complaints Subscribers living in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and other cities of the country have continued to raise fears about the likely health risks associated with electromagnetic emissions from BTS.

Some who spoke with THISDAY in Lagos said they were worried about the health hazards likely to emanate from the direct inhalation of fumes from generating sets used to power base stations. Some said the masts were installed too close to their buildings and that the generator fume is making them very uncomfortable. They are afraid that the continuous inhaling of the fume could cause serious health hazards. A civil servant with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Azeez Olawale, who narrated his ordeal, told THISDAY that aside the fume, the noise from the generator that powers the BTS close to his Maryland residence was becoming unbearable. He called on relevant bodies, especially telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to come to their rescue. Other persons, who had similar complaints, said they had in the past experienced collapsed masts, especially during strong wind, though none caused damage to buildings and household property. They said most people had lost their lives to the collapse of masts and called on government to address the ugly situation without further delay. Government Position The Lagos State Infrastructure Manage-

Community Perspective Although some communities are against the installation of BTS around residential buildings, some communities welcome the idea and even go as far as inviting telecommunications operators to install BTS around their residential buildings, just for the financial gain. Some families within communities collect rent, as much as N5 million, from telecoms operators for an initial payment and about N500,000 yearly fee, for every BTS installed in their compound. The financial gains have lured some of them to leave close to BTS, despite the risks. NCC Position Concerned about public safety, NCC, on April 9, 2009, issued guidelines for the installation of telecommunications and communications masts in the country. The guidelines clearly recommend stiff penalty for any operator that may defies the rules. The guidelines provide standards to be adhered to by telecommunications services providers/operators, designers, fabricators and installers of telecommunications towers in order to ensure environmental safety and sound engineering practices. The guidelines also provide a comprehensive data on wind speeds in Nigeria, which may be used as reference material for engineers in the design of masts and towers. The reason is that most mast collapses are caused by strong wind. According to NCC, all masts and towers sited within residential areas must conform to the setback stipulated in the guidelines, in order to mitigate the effect of heat, smoke and noise pollution arising from BTS generating sets. NCC further said telecommunications towers above 25 metres in height would not be permitted within districts delineated as residential. It added that all masts should be placed at a minimum setback of five metres distance to the nearest property, excluding the fence. The 2009 guidelines stated that noncompliance with the mandatory provisions of the guidelines shall be deemed to be an offence punishable under relevant provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. But in spite of the guidelines and the attached penalties for violation of the guidelines, Nigerians have continued to groan under the hazards associated with indiscriminate siting of masts in residential quarters.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

BUSINESS/ENERGY

The Perennial Crisis in the Power Sector It would appear Nigeria’s privatised electricity sector has refused to break away from the many troubles that hold it from turning the corner. Based on its recent outputs, Chineme Okafor reports that it may be long before the sector comes around

ecent records on power generation and supplies in the country from the System Operations department of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have shown that services from the sector to the Nigerian public have been quite

poor. The development, though not entirely new, speaks deeply of the shortcomings of the sector and its stakeholders in bringing to reality the expectations of Nigerians, who at the inception of privatisation in 2013, believed the country was on a strong path to ending its historically bad public power supply services. But after four years of testing the waters of electricity privatisation( in which private operators have taken over and are running the business of generation and distribution of the services while the government still holds on to that of transmission), it would appear the sector still has not overcome its initial teething problems. So far, while not overlooking the impact of these teething challenges on the sector, experts who have followed its growth, have variously posited that the troubles of the sector were multifaceted and thus need to be appropriately dimensioned to allow for ﬁtting solutions to them. Steady Growth Though the country’s capacity to produce power appears to have grown with investments reportedly made by investors in generation companies (Gencos), extant constraints from gas supplies and water management have continued to cut into the ﬁnal production levels of the Gencos. Often guilty for this glitch is the periodic damage of gas pipelines transporting gas to the Gencos from the Niger Delta, as well as huge debts owed gas producers for supplies made but not paid as expected from the revenues remitted by the distribution companies (Discos). As at last week, for instance, constraints from gas and water management chipped off about 2,785 megawatts (MW) of generation volume from the system, leaving the country with just about 3,624.90MW of electricity to transmit and distribute across the 11 distribution networks. According to the daily operational statistics from the government, average power generation as at April 05, 2017, was 3,441MW. This hovered around 3,653.8MW and then dropped to 3,624.90MW. The country last generated up to 5,000MW of electricity, which was still short of the projection in the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO), in February 2016. The reported gas and water constraints were 2,695MW and 90MW respectively, while no constraints from the transmission lines were recorded. However, the government’s record also stated that the power sector lost an estimated N1, 337,000, 000 on April 05, 2017 due to these constraints. Similarly, on April 11, 2017, average power sent out was 2,950MW, down by 254MW, while reported gas constraint was 2,627MW, and high frequency constraint was 27MW. The power sector also lost an estimated N1, 274,000, 000 on April 11 2017 due to these constraints. For the transmission and distribution sectors, both segments have frequently blamed each other for the failings of the sector. According to the Discos, while the government maintained that it had continued to invest to upgrade the transmission network to be able to wheel up to 6,700MW of electricity generated by the Gencos, the country’s transmission system remains the weakest link in the sector’s value chain. Frequently, the Discos have blamed the TCN for failing to send power to parts of their networks where stable distribution would be guaranteed, while the TCN in response claimed that the Discos have failed to invest in the upgrade of their distribution facilities thus leaving them with obsolete and weak distribution facilities that allows

Transmission lines

them reject load allocated to them. According a recent claim by the TCN, the Discos have, based on their rejection of load allocation, forced it to ask the Gencos to cut down on their generation levels. It explained that excess volumes without the distribution networks taking them would collapse the country’s transmission system, hence, the request to drop down on their volumes. Additionally, the Discos have equally blamed the lack of funds, or poor collection levels for their inability to upgrade and expand their networks. They also claimed that historical debts owed them by governments agencies had impacted their financial abilities. Beyond the Technical In addition to the technical challenges of the sector, operators have also found it difficult to operate with the very difficult financial mess the sector suddenly got itself into. While speaking with THISDAY on this in a recent interview, the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Mr. Rumundaka Wonodi, explained that before he left office in June 2016, the sector’s regulator – Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other relevant operators had drafted and was almost implementing a framework that could have solved the financial troubles in the sector. Wonodi, however, pointed out that certain decisions and actions of some stakeholders overturned that action plan which he added would have massively taken care of widespread disregard for financial and governance processes in the market. “As at June, we have had issues with liquidity in the market and payments or remittances by Discos to the market that would allow payments to the Gencos. One of the issues then was having a tariff everybody thought was cost reflective and

if the Discos would be able to pay in full for services, but we could not ascertain if that was possible,” said Wonodi. He stated, however, that,“One thing we knew then was that the regulator, NBET and Market Operator could apply sanctions because at least, the commercial frameworks which we worked on would apply to everybody.” “We were able to ﬁnish the commercial and security frameworks that would compel people to play by rules in the market, and there were excitements especially from the upstream Gencos and gas suppliers. We were also able to assign the Letters of Credits (LCs) from the Discos to the Gencos, which meant that the usual reticence of government acting was taken off and most Discos that believed they would perform welcomed this, but the ones that could struggle to meet the terms felt the pressure because it was now time to perform.” He said while the framework afforded everybody the prospect of looking at an industry that may have changed in its form of commitment and level of obligation,“some ill-informed ruling came out from the court reversing the tariff and stating that the regulator had not done all that it needed to do before the tariff review.” “Once that was done, the underpinning legislation and foundation for all the work we did went loose, and the Discos sensing an opportunity to relieve themselves from their obligations also went to court and got an injunction that without cost reﬂective tariff the NERC cannot enforce compliance and NBET cannot call on their LCs. “That was granted them, and after that, everything in the market happened on best endeavour basis and a coupled industry suddenly became loosened and decoupled. From then until now, it became a basic challenge that included the generation

levels, and macroeconomics,” added Wonodi. According to him: “There would have been firmer commitments and standards that would have allowed everybody to operate.” He equally noted that the sector was going to benefit from a parallel bond to support the revenues of the Discos in the short-term for capital expenditures, but this as well was frustrated by the absence of a cost reflective tariff, and firm commitments. Asked if the Discos, which had become the sector’s whipping boy, had contributed to these troubles, Wonodi said: “The truth of the matter is that when it comes to trust, it is totally broken in the industry and the Discos have not helped themselves in this. From my view, the Discos are monopolies and running them as private business where they feel that they are not required to share information is faulty.” He thus added:“It behoves the Discos to be as transparent as possible and the regulator should demand that from them. Where the Discos have refused to be open, they have attracted condemnation and to a large extent, some of that are self-inflicted, but I cannot say if they are fair or all true. The only thing I advise is that they should be open. “If there are claims that they receive revenues and hold on to some of them, there is only one thing to do – agree to an escrowing or a full transparent mechanism that hold together the industry finance and that way everybody sees your books, but to the extent that they do not want that, they cannot claim it is an unfair allegation. “The Bulk Trader and others do not want to know how much you are making as long as you are paying your bills, but if you are unable to pay and seeking some interventions from the market, then, participants need to know what you are doing.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Growing the Economy through Import Substitution Amid the positives being recorded in the nation’s oil sector, accretion to the foreign reserves and brighter prospects for the economy, Olaseni Durojaiye reiterates the need to sustain the import substitution policy for economic development

he incipient cheery news emanating from the country’s oil sector as evidenced in the swelling of the foreign reserves and improvement in the forex market as seen in the local currency appreciating against other foreign currencies, particularly the dollar are signs that the economy may be on the path of recovery and growth. Also strategic to economic recovery and growth is deepening of the backward integration policy. However, the importance of keeping track with the backward integration policy, particularly its import substitution component could not be overemphasised considering the country’s knack for policy inconsistency and the temptation to dump the initiative at a time like this when the economy is beginning to show positive outlook. Given the country’s attempts at adopting backward integration as a policy to develop the economy and the outcomes of such attempts before now, makes the call more instructive. One of Nigeria’s attempts at building a virile industrial base through import substitution depended on importing processed materials for assembling but the strategy merely bequeathed to the nation a number of assembly plants that were dependent on completely knocked down (CKD) components imported from industrialised nations while essential materials needed for local production in different sector of the manufacturing industry were being imported. Beneﬁts of Import Substitution Development economists argue that import substitution remains one of the ways to grow an economy even in developed markets. Economic policy analysts posit that one of the policies and strategies employed by developed economies to grow their industrial base is import substitution. Import substitution industrialisation strategy (ISIS) involves producing locally, goods that were formerly imported. An economist and research analyst, Rotimi Oyelere, told THISDAY that,“ISIS is a trade and economic policy that advocates replacing foreign imports with domestic production as well as looking inwards for raw materials for production process particularly in the larger agriculture sector. The benefits of looking inwards include reducing a country’s dependence on imports and as such conserve forex? The latter reason gained ascendancy at the height of the country forex challenge when the greenback rose to historic heights in exchange with the naira. Though some analysts insist that for all its benefits, import substitution is not free of drawbacks arguing that its benefits can sometimes be difficult to measure since it is often lumped with other economic and trade strategies. Nevertheless, they maintain that it is a policy worth pursuing with vigour and beneficial to any economy that does so. Even then, some argue still that one of the ways to prevent scarce forex from leaving the country under the guise of importation is to connect manufacturers with local growers of some of the raw materials that the manufacturers use in their production lines. The argument is supported by claims that substitutes abound for good number of the raw materials that businesses in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector need can be sourced locally. However, due to reasons ranging from capacity and quality, those materials were being imported before the forex problems arose. This represents flight of capital from the system. But by looking inwards for those raw materials, developing economies like Nigeria can retain such capital for use within the economy, including increase capacity and improve quality. According to Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based economist, Ezeh Wordu,“Despite arguments against it, import substitution strategies helps to reduce import dependency, conserve scarce foreign exchange and grow local industry. When

Cocoa farmers during harvest on a farm

you look inwards for your raw materials, you not only cost of production and help to grow the local production of that material; it also has spiral effect on the economy, via internally generated revenue for government, improved socio-economic standards of the growers. With consistency and appropriate developmental plan it will increase a country’s export receipts.” The NB Plc Example Nigeria Breweries is already consolidating its local sourcing of inputs for its operations as it announced that it has reached 55 per cent local input sourcing adding that it has fast-tracked its plan to attain 60 per cent local input sourcing to 2018 as against the initial 2020 target. Besides, the company noted that currently its product packaging is 95 per cent locally sourced. The disclosure came at the commissioning of three newly upgraded facilities at its Ota Brewery located in Ota, Ogun State. The three facilities, which included a pet line which is described as the best in the Heineken world today, a modern water treatment plant and a state-of-the-art, waste water treatment plant (WWTP). The Corporate Affairs Adviser of the company, Kufre Ekanem, who made the disclosure, added that it was in line with the foremost brewer’s corporate philosophy of“winning with Nigeria”and a commitment to helping to grow and develop the local economy. Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the company, Chief Kola Jamodu, stated that, “These investments, totalling over N11 billion stand out as a testimony to our corporate philosophy of Winning with Nigeria and they reflect our company’s bold confidence in Ogun State and Nigeria as an investment destination.” Jamodu noted that the projects signpost the contributions of the company to economic development of Ogun State, which also play

host to another of its brewery in Ijebu Ode and many of the ancillary industries that the company supports. Continuing, the frontline industrialist and former Minister of Industry added that,“The tremendous transformation the brewery has witnessed stands as another milestone in our company’s socioeconomic development journey with Ogun State and Nigeria. Among the investments we have made in Ota are the three facilities which will be commissioned today by His Excellency, the three facilities to be commissioned today are the multi-billion naira PET line which is the best in the Heineken world today utilised to deepen availability of our non-alcoholic product portfolio,

We have made a public commitment to ensuring sustainable local sourcing of input materials to our operations. Currently, our product packaging is 95 per cent locally sourced and a lot of the ancillary companies, who we have utilised to attain this highpoint in our value chain are based in Ogun State

a modern water treatment plant to ensure the continued excellent quality of our brands and a state-of-the-art, waste water treatment plant (WWTP), which further contributes to the success of our sustainability agenda of Brewing a Better World. “As part of our commitment to Winning with Nigeria, we have made a public commitment to ensuring sustainable local sourcing of input materials to our operations. Currently, our product packaging is 95 per cent locally sourced and a lot of the ancillary companies, who we have utilised to attain this highpoint in our value chain are based in Ogun State. From bottle makers, can manufacturers, crown cork producers, shrink wrap providers, preform makers for our PET lines, labels, crate-makers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, hoteliers, etc., we have so many companies in our value chain based in the state with multi-billion naira revenues who are also creating employment and paying taxes to the government. “While Ogun State has been a good host to our operations, I am happy to inform you that the state has also been a consistent recipient of our social investments and our commitment to Growing with Communities. These include the donation of a block of 6 classrooms, a library, toilet facilities and principal’s office to the Gateway Junior Secondary School, Ita Iyalode Abeokuta and the donation of a block of 6 classrooms, a sick bay and toilets facilities to the Baptist Primary school, Ereko, Ijebu-Ode. Others include the renovation of the science laboratory of the Imagbon/Imaka community school, Imagbon; donations of books to the libraries of Imagbon/Imaka Community School; donation of a block of 6 classrooms and library to African Church Grammar School, ItaEko Abeokuta; and the provision of electricity transformer to Isaka community,”he concluded.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

TRAVEL

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

Dubai’s Entertainment Destinations Oﬀer Easter Treats Stories by Demola Ojo

he Easter season is truly on and for many countries around the world it’s a holiday for students especially. Regardless of the what it’s known as (spring break, mid-term, April break) the transitional season between winter and summer provides an opportunity for parents to give their children a lifetime treat before schools resume while entrepreneurs, corporate organisations and executives use the break to unwind and network with people from all over the world. Speaking on how Dubai plans to lure Nigerian visitors during this period, Director Africa, Dubai Tourism, Stella Obinwa said:“Visitors to Dubai this Spring will be immersed in a world of excitement like never before as Dubai Tourism has a treat for everyone: parents; children; businessmen and women; corporate visitors and many other who want to have a great time. “Dubai Tourism has been ensuring the enjoyable experience of Nigerian visitors to the beautiful city of Dubai for quite a long time. Nigerians are hardworking people who spend

almost 360 days of the year at work but Dubai Tourism is creating avenues where work meets play and networking leads to formidable relationship,” she said. According to her, there is a special focus on the young ones as two of the biggest and most equipped entertainment destinations in the world – Dubai Parks and Resorts, and IMG Worlds of Adventure - promise visitors unparalleled excitement. Dubai Parks and Resorts offers visitors a massive thrill playground for the young and the young at heart to relive childhood memories and fantasies all over again. Meanwhile IMG boasts of four epic adventure zones in one location. Two of the four zones represent renowned global brands Cartoon Network and MARVEL, while IMG Boulevard and the Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure zones are original concepts created by the IMG Group. IMG Worlds of Adventure is the world’s largest temperature controlled indoor theme park. The entertainment destination features a unique array of adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, thrill rides, and spine-tingling attractions based on popular Cartoon Network characters, iconic MARVEL

super heroes and hair-raising dinosaurs. Apart from the theme parks, tourists are expected to: shop at the popular Dubai Mall, experience the amazing Dubai Parks and Resorts, learn the ropes at Aventura Parks, relive the Atlantean adventure at Atlantis, visit The Palm, feed the turtles at Jumeirah Al Naseem, conquer the dunes of the Safari Desert or chase the sun at Kite Beach. Fun lovers will also experience the popular Turtle Lagoon at ‘Jumeirah Al Naseem’ and learn more about the Hawksbill turtle, which is native to the Middle East and an endangered species with an estimated 8,000 nesting females left worldwide. Children can swim with dolphins or try out the rides at ‘Aquaventure’ – one of the best waterparks in the Middle East.Visitors are expected to discover incredible marine life at the ‘Lost Chambers Aquarium’. Shoppers from Nigeria will beneﬁt from quality side attractions as the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is a major site viewed from Dubai Mall. With more than 1,200 retail outlets across 1.1 million square metres and with top brands such as Armani and Zara positioned inside the beautiful Dubai Mall, shoppers are assured of value for money.

Emirates Starts Advanced Seat Reservation on Amadeus

mirates Airlines is offering travellers more choice and personalised travel experiences by making advanced seat reservation available through the Amadeus distribution channel. Advanced seat reservation allows travellers to select their seat at the time of purchase. With this ancillary services implementation, Emirates is also able to add new and exciting services to its catalogue, so travel agents can serve their customers’ broadest needs and add further value to their overall travel journey. Having also recently launched its branded fares in the Amadeus distribution channel, Emirates now has the tools to differentiate its brand, maximise sales and engage with travellers and travel agents in new and innovative ways through the world’s largest and most diverse travel community, a statement from the airline said.

Ethiopian, Singapore Airlines Sign Codeshare to Connect Africa, Asia

Legoland at Dubai Parks and Resorts

Countdown to INDABATravel Expo Begins

outh African Tourism is putting the final touches to INDABA 2017 which kicks off a month from today. INDABA, Africa’s leading travel show, returns to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban from May 16 to 18, sporting a more streamlined programme and improved floor layout to make it easier for the world to come and sample the tourism treasures Africa has to offer. Through the convenient online diary and matchmaking system, delegates can use technology to set up pre-scheduled meetings with buyers or exhibitors that may match their needs, saving time and enabling them to get the best out of the show. For the first time, this digital platform has also been extended to media, meaning journalists can now schedule one-on-one meetings with exhibitors of interest to secure the stories they want to tell about Africa’s tourism industry. A new INDABA app will also function as a one-stop digital resource for updates, news and events. This year’s

heightened focus on matching like-minded tourism industry players is aimed at driving successful business deals while helping to showcase the kaleidoscope of product options on offer. For instance, the Hidden Gems pavilion will introduce the world’s travel buyers and visitors to small tourism enterprises from each of South Africa’s nine provinces that may otherwise have remained undiscovered, in the hope of encouraging a broader range of authentic tourism experiences to be included in tours to South Africa. Delegates at the trade show will be exposed to the full breadth of Africa’s tourism offerings, including high-end products at the Tourism Grading Council’s new luxury pavilion. This feature will cater to global buyers who are on the lookout for the premier five-star offerings many destinations on the continent are famed for. Apart from the pre-scheduled meetings, buyers will have the chance to meet with exhibitors during the morning speed marketing sessions on each of the

three show days. Here, participating exhibitors will be grouped according to themes such as lap of luxury, scenic outdoors and award winners before making short presentations on their offerings. These sessions are an excellent way for buyers to ask questions and learn more about exhibitors – many of whom are small businesses. Media organisations will discover an abundance of challenging and thought-provoking content in the series of Conversations at INDABA 2017. Leaders and influencers from the local and global industry will take part in riveting panel discussions around topical issues and their impact on African tourism. INDABA’s focus on African destinations gives visitors a chance to become acquainted with exciting product developments throughout the continent. Industry players from more than 17 African countries are taking part, including Angola, Botswana, the DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion, Seychelles, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

tar Alliance members, Ethiopian Airlines and Singapore Airlines will expand their codeshare agreement from June 1, offering customers travelling between Africa and Asia seamless connectivity options. Ethiopian Airlines’ daily non-stop services to Singapore from Addis Ababa, due to be launched in June, will be covered by the expanded codeshare agreement. Under the expanded agreement, Ethiopian Airlines customers will be able to access multiple destinations in Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam across Singapore Airlines’ wide network. In turn, Singapore Airlines customers will enjoy access to Ethiopian Airlines’ vast intra-African network including countries like Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, The Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Mr. Girma Shiferaw, Acting Vice President, Strategic Planning and Alliances, remarked: “I wish to thank Singapore Airlines for the successful completion of this vital agreement. The two airlines will synergize their respective networks in Asia and Africa to offer customers the best connectivity options with one ticket and one single check-in at the first boarding airport. It will also play a critical role in enhancing investment, trade and tourism ties between a rising Africa, and a highly developed, innovative, and business-friendly Singapore.” Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Mr Tan Kai Ping, said, “We are delighted with our expanded codeshare operations with Ethiopian Airlines. This significant expansion of our important partnership is in line with our ongoing effort to continuously expand our network reach and to offer customers more travel options and convenience when travelling between Africa, Asia and Southwest Pacific.” The airlines first began code sharing on each other’s flights to and from Dubai in 2011. The expanded codeshare flights are subject to regulatory approvals and will be progressively made available for sale across various sales channels. Ethiopian Airlines operates the youngest fleet on the African continent with an average aircraft age of less than five years, serving more than 90 international destinations across five continents with over 240 daily departures. Singapore Airlines operates a modern passenger aircraft fleet of more than 100 aircraft. Together with wholly owned passenger airline subsidiaries SilkAir, Scoot and Tigerair, the SIA Group’s combined network covers more than 130 destinations around the world.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

EFE EJEBA THE RISE OF A WARRI BOY

16.04.2017

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

COVER

An excited Efe when he was announced the winner

EFE EJEBA

THE RISE OF A WARRI BOY For one who came to Lagos, barely one year ago with only a pocketful of hopes, Efe Michael Ejeba, winner of the Big Brother Naija Season 2 reality show, everything seemed so unreal. It was his first audition and he came home with the top prize - an astonishing surprise for one who didn’t have the privilege of watching cable TV not too long ago. Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha report

rom the moment he walked into the filled Grill Room of the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, the atmosphere became a frenzy. The ambience had earlier been edgy due to the delay in his arrival for the press conference. Scheduled for 10 am, the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 2, Efe Michael Ejeba arrived over an hour later. It was difficult to say if the rain earlier in the day caused his late arrival. By then, the press and fans were restive. Neither the presence of other contestants in the show like Offiong Edet Tony known as Thin Tall Tony, Soma, Gifty, Bassey and Bally, who indulged the journalists with interviews and photos nor the wafting aroma of delicacies lined up in a buffet on one side of the hall could calm their nerves. Everyone wanted to see the winner - Efe and the runner-up, Bisola. Every now and then, journalists besieged Mimi Ucheagwu of XLR8, the PR Agent for Multichoice Nigeria with questions. She tried as much as possible to ease their mind off the delay. As Efe made his way into the dining setting finally, screams and cheers rented the air. The loudest cheer however came from him. Like an excited teen who hadn’t seen his friends for a long time, he ran to his fellow housemates screaming and hugging them. Then, he jumped on Thin Tall Tony who hugged him profusely. Within minutes, they bowed in a uniform gesture that seemed to be their own signature greeting. Throughout the press conference till he was waltzed into a car that drove him

out of the premises later in the day, the new star hardly caught his breath. Everybody wanted a piece of him. People were either talking to him or taking selfies with him. Perhaps, the only respite he enjoyed was when he was taken upstairs for lunch. Still, the crowd thronged him. He was a good example of the popular saying that success is everyone’s child. Albeit, the 24 year-old Delta State indigene was the least dazed by the badgering. In fact, he took his new found fame in good strides. It still felt like a dream to him; that he was N25 million richer. To top it all, he had a car. For one who came to Lagos with only a pocketful of hopes, everything seemed so unreal. A good pointer to his astonishment was his inability to sleep since he arrived Nigeria. He stayed up most part of the night, trying to digest his new life. “Who I be?” he repeated often in pidgin. Indeed, who was Efe before Big Brother Naija brought him to spotlight? “Efe was just a hustler. Everything I do involves hustling - from my education to entertainment. While in school, I hustled to pass my exams. I studied tirelessly, thank God I also made it in school. I did one or two businesses in school just to make ends meet. I handled one of my mum’s businesses. Based on logistics, I can’t reveal it because it is very sensitive and humbling, and also for her safety. But it is a kind of business that will keep you in the rain or under the scorching sun.” Efe moved to Lagos from Jos in 2015 to work on his music career. This was shortly after he graduated from the university. He

L-R: John Ugbe, Efe and Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

BBNaija 2 winner Efe and Runner-up Bisola

APRIL 16, 2017 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER EFE WAS JUST A HUSTLER. EVERYTHING I DO INVOLVES HUSTLING - FROM MY EDUCATION TO ENTERTAINMENT. WHILE IN SCHOOL, I HUSTLED TO PASS MY EXAMS. I STUDIED TIRELESSLY, THANK GOD I ALSO MADE IT IN SCHOOL. I DID ONE OR TWO BUSINESSES IN SCHOOL JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I HANDLED ONE OF MY MUM’S BUSINESSES. BASED ON LOGISTICS, I CAN’T REVEAL IT BECAUSE IT IS VERY SENSITIVE AND HUMBLING, AND ALSO FOR HER SAFETY. BUT IT IS A KIND OF BUSINESS THAT WILL KEEP YOU IN THE RAIN OR UNDER THE SCORCHING SUN wasn’t too keen on education. He studied to conform to societal needs and also to please his loving mother, he went through the university and bagged a degree in Economics from the University of Jos. He had dreamt of coming to Lagos because that was where it all happened. When he came to Lagos with his friend and producer Duktor Sett, another friend of his, Victor accommodated them for 10 days before they could find their footing. From playing in bars and shows, Efe struggled to mark his name in the entertainment industry. “It’s been up and down for us. You know how it is in entertainment. There are some shows you go to perform and you end up being a bouncer or even the organiser. You will stay backstage organising other artistes. I have done all that - performed in different bars. Sometimes they spray you money, other times they don’t.” His struggles are recorded in an EP he released last year titled ‘Lagos’. Then one day, he was at home watching TV with his friends when he saw the Big Brother Naija 2, TV commercial. This was in October 2016. He had just completed his National Youth Service Corps in Awka, Anambra State where he taught in a secondary school. He called his older brother to tell him that he was interested in the reality TV show. He encouraged him to go for it. Efe was however a bit skeptical. First, he felt the show required someone who didn’t have a humbling background. But his brother urged him on. Secondly, he hadn’t really watched Big Brother shows.

They had no cable TV back in Jos to watch the show. So his knowledge of the show was based on snippets from YouTube and blogs. “I was scared of saying it in the house. We didn’t have a cable back home and Big Brother is often shown on DStv. It’s not like now that GOtv had made it accessible to the poor. I had only watched snippets from Youtube and blogs. So I didn’t even know how the whole thing went. For instance, like the first task we did in the house. I didn’t even know it was going to be a Head of House task. Fortunately for me, that was my first audition. I have heard people say that they have auditioned for 10 years, but it was my first audition and I emerged the winner.” On January 22, Efe was among the 12 housemates who entered the Big Brother House. He won the hearts of many from his first appearance. Looking all plain and humble, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the host asked him what he would do if he won the contest, he boldly told him he would remove his shirt if he did and immediately started unbuttoning his shirt on stage. Therefore, it didn’t come as a surprise when he went shirtless on April 9, as he was announced the winner of the contest at the grand-finale. He was the only male among the five finalists: Bisola, TBoss, Debie-Rise and Marvis. He went home with a cash prize of N25 million and a SUV. Understandably, contestants usually have a strategy up their sleeves to clinch the coveted prize. However, Efe claimed he had none. “I was just being myself. I just went

there to live my life. When I’m emotional you know, when I’m happy you know, when I’m angry, you will know. There was no strategy.” While in the house, he won the Head of House tasks thrice, was up for evictions five times and found a love interest - Marvis. He admitted that he liked Marvis but had no intention to go to Port Harcourt to pursue the relationship. His reasons were based on the fact that she has a strict father and secondly she has a boyfriend. In a reality show where expressions of love can go from mild to super obscene, Efe only expressed his emotions to Marvis only through a kiss. He explained the reason for his actions. “That was how I wanted it to be. You know we are in the Big Brother House, so whatever you do must be serious because I respect women. I just can’t play with their emotions. For me kissing shows a good dose of emotions. If it goes beyond that, then it must be very deep.” He cleared the misunderstanding that he had a feeling for Debie-Rise “She came into the house when I was Head of House, so it was my duty to make her feel comfortable. But I think it was misinterpreted. There was really nothing between both of us. Moreover, I was tired of her guitar. It was so annoying.” Living in a confinement for 11 weeks was not an easy task for Efe. It meant giving up on so many things. Above all, he missed the company of his friends and family. The day his brother visited him at the house, he broke down. He was overwhelmed by how the wind of change had engulfed his family. Being the third child of his parents, he was

happy to be the member of his family that made it to South Africa, then his brother too flew into that country to see him. It was just too emotional for him, particularly when his brother told him he collapsed his business just to ensure that he gets more votes to make him a winner. It dawned on him then that the reality show was bigger than he had imagined. Even while speaking, his voice was choked with emotions. He gently told the reporter that he would like to refrain from talking about his mother, that it made him cry tears of joy. He also felt bad each time he failed at the arena games. One of the things that fetched Efe popularity was his fluency in pidgin English - a trait common to Warri indigenes. Some believed that the pidgin English was a strategy but he insisted that it wasn’t. For most part of the interview, he spoke pidgin. Perhaps, what endeared him more to viewers was his use of slogans. He was known as ‘Based on Logistics’. He shed some light on the coinage of that phrase as well as the popular ‘Warri no dey carry last’. “If you are from Warri, when they say Warri no dey carry last, it means you have to put in your best. It’s like a booster to make you do your best. I didn’t coin the phrase but for ‘based on logistics’, it was during a reality show ‘Just Bring it On’, organised by winner of 2009 Big Brother Africa Kevin Pam in 2013. It’s similar to Big Brother because we stayed in a house for two weeks. They were having logistics issue so each time he came to the house, he would say ‘Housemates, based on logistics’.

APRIL 16, 2017 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER

Efe in a joyous mood with his fans at the ﬁnale le That’s how that phrase was formed.” Before his emergence as the winner, the dreadlocked winner garnered votes from celebrities including comedian ‘I Go Dye’ who pledged N1million as well as the Governor of his state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. In his town, children and adults stormed the streets campaigning vigorously for him. This explained the high percentage of votes he garnered for the grand-finale (57.61%). In fact, the Regional Director M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, proclaimed the show recorded the highest number of votes on the platform. At the grand-finale, over 26 million votes were counted. In many ways, Efe counts himself blessed to have won the game. He revealed that he was threatened by TTT and Bisola. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t have been unhappy if the golden prize didn’t come to him. He however expressed profound gratitude to all those who supported him and promised not to let them down through his music career. The new wealth he said would be shared by his friends and family who stood with him throughout the journey. “What’s the joy in success if people around you don’t benefit from it? Just imagine if I’m the only one to win the car and money, how will I enjoy it? The people around you are the reason why you are in the house. This is not just the nuclear family, there is the extended family, the youths that I have to reach out to. Maybe not financially but by talking to them. They can learn from my story that you don’t really have to know anybody to achieve greatness. First, believe in God, then yourself.” Bisola on the other hand was not left out of the spotlight. Many in the gathering were eager to see her reaction to Thin Tall Tony whom she had an affair with in the house. The affair became a controversial topic when it was revealed to her that he was married with children. Deftly, she hugged her fellow housemates, but on getting to her love interest, she mimicked social media entertainer Falz’ signature greeting ‘Weh done sir’. Not letting her go easily, journalists asked her if she has had a chat with TTT. “No, I have not had a talk with Tony but I do not think there’s a need for that. We will definitely work together on a professional level.” No doubt, Big Brother Naija has brought fame to these contestants as lead sponsors Payporte and Heritage Bank plan to engage all of them. As Efe marked the beginning of his reign as the winner of the Big Brother Naija

season ason 2, not a few expressed curiosity on n whether a season 3 will follow shortly. The he first Big Brother Nigeria show held 10 years ars ago where Katung Aduwak emerged inner. Despite the high ratings it recorded winner. this is time, Multichoice got some backlash from om Nigerians. The company was pilloried forr shooting the programme in SouthAfrica, frica, instead of Nigeria. The General Manager, John Ugbe, attempted tempted to correct that misperception. “Most times when you watch programmes ogrammes on TV, it’s not about location of the shoot. Take for instance, Tinsel has reached ached its 2000th episode. It’s a record, nothing othing has been running that long. The studio udio used is in Lagos. Those who have been en in Big Brother House will tell you it’ss not about the house, it’s about the people ople you put in there. So when there’s an an opportunity pportunity to commission the house, houssee,, to to reuse use it, you take it. The economy my y is not stable, you have tto o reduce duce cost. It wasn’t a decision cision based on power, it’ss just how best we could uld reduce cost. There here was a lot of commissioning mmissioning done. Also so we have a lot of Nigerians on thee production crew. ew. The series producers oducers are Nigerians. igerians. I’m sure re you saw them em eating our ur local meals. eals. The show ow was as Nigerian as it could be.” .”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

For its 70th Anniversary, Cannes Film Festival Embraces Diversity Vanessa Obioha

A week after it released its highly controversial poster, Cannes Film Festival releases its 2017 movies line-up. The movies apparently are meticulously selected to reflect diversity. From politics to animal cruelty, Cannes 2017 is all about diversity. British actress Vanessa Redgrave tackles immigration crisis in ‘Sea Sorrow’, which marks her directorial debut; Claude Lanzmann takes a short at the present North Korea crisis in his documentary ‘Napalm’. Al Gore continues his quest on climate change in his documentary ‘An Inconvenient Sequel’; Robin Campillo’s revisits the AIDS crisis in ‘120 Battements Par Minute’. This year, the festival will recognise virtual cinema such as Netflix-funded films ‘Okja’ and ‘The Meyerowitz Brothers’ as well as Amazon’s ‘Wonderstruck’. TV is not left out in the mix. The first two episodes of the David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks’ will be screened alongside

Jane Campion’s detective drama ‘Top of the Lake’. The film festival will also feature 12 female directors out of which three will be competing for the Palme D’Or: Sofia Coppola’s ‘The Beguiled’, an adaptation of the southern gothic film, starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Farell and Kirsten Dunst; Scotland’s Lynne Ramsay film about a sex-trafficking ring ‘You Were Never Really Here’; and Japanese director Naomi Kawase’s ‘Radiance’, a film about a photographer with a failing eyesight. Kristen Stewart will also make her directorial debut with a short film ‘Come Swim’. Other top contenders in the competition include Michael Haneke’s ‘Happy End’, and Fatih Akin’s ‘In the Fade’. Owing to the recent attacks in France lately, Festival President, Pierre Lescure assured that there will be maximum security in the festival. Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 17-28 with ‘Bad Education’ director, Pedro Almodovar presiding over this year’s jury.

Soﬁa Coppola

SYLVESTER STALLONE SUES WARNER BROS The Rambo actor is slamming Warner Bros with a lawsuit for ‘outright and obviously intentional dishonesty’. Stallone alleged that the company intentionally hid profits made from the 1993 sci-fi film ‘Demolition Man’. According to the suit, Stallone was supposedly owed 15% of the movie’s gross if the film earned $125 million, and 20% if the film earned $200 million or more. ‘Demolition Man’ had a gross $159 million worldwide at the box office. The actor who played the role of a police officer who is cyrogenically frozen and wakes up in 2032 to pursue a crime lord said he only received a cheque for $2.8 million from the company, a figure it considered very insignificant. JUDE LAW TO STAR IN FANTASTIC BEASTS 2 The Oscar-winning actor is the latest star to feature in older versions of the character in Harry Potter franchise. Law will play Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. His character was revealed in 2007 as gay by author JK Rowling. It is yet unknown if his sexuality will be an element in the forthcoming film. JOHN LEGEND FORAYS INTO VIRTUAL REALITY The ‘All of You’ crooner will mark his entry into the virtual reality with ‘Rainbow Crow’, an animated series from Baobab Studios. John Legend will executive produce as well as voice the title character in the series. Directed by the studio’s co-founder and ‘Madagascar’ director, Eric Darnell, ‘Rainbow Crow’ tells the story of a bird with the most dazzling plumage and mellifluous voice, who after the planet became gloomy, must traverse from home to bring light back to the world. The animation tackles themes like diversity, sacrifice and self-acceptance. The first episode of the series is slated to screen at the Tribeca Film Festival later this month.

DMX and Eve of Ruﬀ Ryders

RUFF RYDERS REUNITE The 1990s New York Rap group is set to feature in a reunion concert slated for April 21, at the Barclays Centre. The concert will feature hyper DMX, slinky Eve, producer-cum-art director Swizz Beatz, Lox and others. The reunion is the latest in the hip-hop world. Last year, P-Diddy had a Bad Boy Records reunion. FINALLY, BEN AFFLECK, JENNIFER GARNER OFFICIALLY FILE FOR DIVORCE Nearly two years after they went their separate ways, Hollywood actors, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner finally make their split official. The couple cited irreconcilable differences in their divorce suit and seek joint custody of their three children: Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. Affleck met Garner on the set of ‘Daredevil’ which they co-starred in 2003. He married her in 2005 and after a decade, divorced her in June 2015, but without filed documents. In a joint statement, the couple said the divorce was a difficult decision but they would move on with “love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time.” LA LA LAND GETS ITS OFFICIAL DAY To say Los Angeles is proud of the Oscar-winning film will be an understatement. In what can best be described as profound honour to the film which immortalised the city on screen, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared April 25 as ‘La La Land’ Day. The public ceremony will take place on L.A City Hall and will feature a jazz band and BANDALOOP aerial dancers. Director Damien Chazelle and other production crew are expected to attend the ceremony.

Jude Law

Sylvester Stallone

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Strictly Exclusive Soiree

LANRE ALFRED

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A High-octane Party for Aliko Dangote at 60

R-L: Nduka Obaigbena, Donald Duke, Adams Oshiomhole, Olusegun Osoba, Femi Otedola, Godwin Obaseki, Bukola Saraki, Aliko Dangote(the celebrant), Nasir El-Rufai, Ike Ekweremadu and Femi Gbajabiamila

Lanre Alfred

s the rays of dawn streaked through the Ikoyi skyline, it was evident to all and sundry that that day was going to be a total departure from the drudgery of everyday life in Lagos. Yes, Femi Otedola, the billionaire oil mogul, hosted his bosom friend, Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, who clocked 60, in his mansion in Ikoyi, Lagos, last Sunday. It was a great party and an undeniable testament to the celebrant’s worth as a true man of the people. At the highoctane event, politicians shook hands with corporate players, top bankers embraced top celebrities, former governors and incumbent governors back slapped, and everyone wore a happy smile as they ate and drank. The four-hour soiree extended far more than five hours, and in spite of the fact that the next day was a Monday, many were willing to go on forever The Venue On that day, Otedola’s mansion transformed to a residence of fun and jollity. Otedola’s all-white mansion is a testament of class. Outside, it is garlanded with carven imageries of archs and flowers, and bunches of knot-grass. It’s ambience of splendid dyes and luxury titivate like the damasked wings of the tiger-moth. Such taste for luxury as displayed by Femi, it is often said, has ruined more poets and caused them to lose their wit, than ever did a taste for the gutters. Yet no poet or grand proponent of the high art could visit

Otedola’s mansion and totally lose it. Rather he or she would simply descend into the hallowed chambers of eternal muse. Femi’s manor no doubt, inspires the best of lyricism in the established poet and apathetic to art. The mansion got practically all the guests spellbound. Security within and around Otedola’s mansion had been beefed up, and nobody was allowed in 10 metres from the gate without a verifiable Access Code. By 11.00pm, the spacious compound was filled to capacity and Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, chairman of THISDAY, promptly set the ball rolling for yet, another momentous occasion. The champagne cocktail proceeded smoothly and very calmly as it was proficiently convened with commendable civility and grace. Adorned in the most exquisite finery, the carefully selected guests strolled into the venue and the waiting arms of very pretty ushers who led them in smilingly. Every guest was given the royalty treatment; they were all treated to the choicest brands of champagne; from Ace of spade, Don-Perignon, Crystal and Cognac to Moet & Chandon. Asides the assorted liquor, beer and fruit juices, the guests were also treated to delicious finger foods and dessert that sufficiently wet their palates and sated them. At the background, a soulful medley of very old and contemporary music wafted from well-appointed woofers causing the guests to sway, shuffle and waltz as much as the music moved them and transported them to euphoric cusps. Buoyed by the ecstatic response of the guests to his music, the DJ

upped his tempo, leaving everyone swooning for the greater part of the night. However, the centre of attraction that night was no other person than Aliko Dangote who bowled everyone over at the event with his infectious candor and charisma. People who know him well never got tired of purring odes about him on account of his humility. Femi, the Chief host too, ensured that there was a seamless flow of gaiety. The powerful guest list Aliko is indeed a true man of his people. The top businessman occupies a soft spot in the hearts of his most trusted business and political associates. Thus his 60th birthday manifested as a worthy testament to his enduring popularity and acclaim. As the party kicked off, Femi’s residence shook from the base to the rafters as the deluge of encomiums and applause caused its hallowed chambers to tilt in his honour. Guests and dignitaries trooped to Femi’s abode the way snowflakes trickle down from heaven above. They kept it casual and simple with élan, just the way the host wanted them to appear. The event was indeed a memorable one; business associates, friends and family members of the oil magnate deserted the humdrum of their daily lives to celebrate with one of their own. The elaborate event paraded top businessmen, politicians, society big wigs and captains of industry. Among them were Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ike Eweremadu, Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Adams Oshiomole, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Governor Nasir El-Rufai,

Nduka Obaigbena, Herbert Wigwe, Aig Imoukhuede, Jim Ovia, Fola Adeola, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Femi Gbajabiamila,Nuhu Ribadu, Dapo Abiodun, Willie Anumudu, Bayo Abdul, Francis Ogboro, Muyiwa Bakare and Tunde Ayeni. Also in attendance were Niyi Adebayo, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Tayo Ayeni, Kola Adeshina, Ladi Balogun, Tunde Folawiyo, Lanre Tejuoso, Yemi Onabowale, Deji Adeleke, Kola Abiola, Dapo Balogun, Sanni Dangote, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Timi Alaibe, Timi Frank, Olusegun Osoba, Chief Demola Seriki, Feyi Bali, Oscar Onyema, Chikeluba, Akin Osuntokun, Tunde Fowler, Anslem Tanbasi, Tonye Cole, Wale Tinubu, Segun Fagboyegun Tonye Princewill, Segun Oniru and Hakeem Muri Okunola. There were also other powerbrokers, oil magnates, bank chiefs, and industry titans with stakes across the country’s business sectors at the party. That Jim Ovia’s oratorical prowess His oratorical prowess and his well groomed intelligence was overwhelming enough to elicit never-ending admiration from everyone. He talked so well about Aliko Dangote; to him, Aliko is the best thing to have happened to Nigeria nay Africa. He cheered rapturously in victory. However, narrating the goings-on at the event would never be possible without acknowledging Sani Dangote, Aliko’s younger brother, who was obviously well groomed for the event. His demeanor was dashing. He is truly a brother indeed.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ͯʹ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

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SOIREE Otedola treats his guests to good and delightful music As the woofers belted out familiar, evergreen tunes, their hair stood on end and they tipped over in merriment - their joy spilling from their souls into the air and sky high. Enthralled, the guests moved in gaiety, tap dancing and swaying to the beat as if they meant to enact a madhouse jamboree with the tenacity and agility of veteran dance and music buffs. Aliko’s birthday was no doubt a convergence zone for the high and mighty from different parts of the country. Guests at the party were treated to the choicest liquor and sumptuous meals made by the finest caterers. It no doubt warmed the cockles of the celebrant’s heart to see dignitaries at the event smack their lips in pleasure as they devoured the sumptuous meals and drinks offered to them at his anniversary. Otedola was at home as chief host, keeping the guests and enthusiasm aglow. He ensured that there was a seamless flow of gaiety. The glamour boy of the oil sector, who embraces risk unabashedly, pioneering and leading the way, he made new friends that day and converted new disciples with the successful hosting of his friend.

L-R: Gbenga Daniel, Jim Ovia, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ike Ekweremadu, Nasir El-Rufai, Aliko Dangote, Bukola Saraki, Godwin Obaseki, Femi Otedola, Olusegun Osoba and Niyi Adebayo

Friends like no other The people we get along with, trust and feel simpatico with are the strongest links in our networks. Ask Otedola, he knows. There is no union of hearts that does not meet its end; friends after friends leave each other, but comrades in true spirit stay. With them, the deep, tightly woven fabric of affection glistens even with wear and the inescapable vicissitudes of companionship and emotional life. This much is exemplified in the enviable friendship between Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola. Dangote basks in the love of friends In appreciation, Dangote beamed with smiles and heartily hobnobbed with dignitaries and friends at his star-studded birthday. He effortlessly surpasses the shimmer and allure of overstated praise. Dangote epitomises merit and affluence with indescribable allure. He’s got a heart of gold too. Many attest to the fact that Dangote is astoundingly generous too. He lives to improve the lot of others, the underprivileged in particular hence the contents of his pockets are often emptied to better the lives of impoverished, ragged families of the boondocks. Even fellow billionaires and millionaires at the bottom of the ladder of Nigeria’s filthy rich have benefited one way or the other from him. And despite being loved and treasured by anyone, Dangote won’t be deified by anyone simply because he succeeded in turning generosity, excellence and humaneness into an art form. But he is feted and idolized all the same. This is understandable for a man who challenged resolve with steely grit and exploited the arduous planes of ambition and toil, till he encountered grandeur at the crossroads where wild contemplation and hard work morphs into triumph. More pleasant memories of the celebrant’s guests and well-wishers resonate in the aftermath of his birthday.

L-R: The celebrant Aliko Dangote, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Nduka Obaigbena

L-R: Nasir El-Rufai, Aliko Dangote, Sani Dangote and Femi Otedola

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

ARTS & REVIEW A

JAZZ AS A GIFT... PAGE 66

PUBLICATION

16.04.2017

NOW IS THE APPOINTED TIME Peju Alatiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flying Girls (2017)

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

APR ͯʹ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\EXHIBITION

NOW IS THE APPOINTED T

Ayodeji Rotinwa previews Nigeria’s participation at the Venice International Art Exhibition, held biann Viva Arte Viva!

‘H

owAbout NOW?” Nigeria’s debut showing at the world’s biggest international art exhibition, the Venice Arte Biennale is encapsulated in this question and title of the country’s presentation. It is at once a statement of intent and also an (implied) taunt to the rest of the world who will be visiting Nigeria’s pavilion, come May 10th 2017 when the Biennale opens. Let us consider the implied taunt first. The main character in the history of Nigeria’s visual art industry is (attempted) erasure, or to be less politically correct, theft. Decades ago, the Benin Kingdom’s artistic legacy of spectacular bronze works were stolen by colonial powers and were promptly scattered across the world, to foreign lands. These days they are statuesque entertainment for display and profit in the British Museum, London, Ethnological Museum of Berlin, Metropolitan Museum ofArt, New York, amongst others. They are also held in private, perpetually anonymous collections. To note, these works had been in existence, and were being created, centuries before the colonial powers initiated their campaign of plunder in WestAfrica and beyond. Eventually, the works that were left behind were classed and damned by Western powers as primitive, barbaric, figurines of voodoo. Still the visual art industry did not fold up into extinction. Bronze works continued to find expression.Anew age of exemplary artists was birthed, termed the Modern Era.And then the Contemporary Era followed. They painted, sculpted, conceptualized master pieces.Artists likeAina Onabolu, Yusuf Grillo, and Ben Enwonwu dominated the time periods they came up in and the world slowly began to take notice. Today, there are contemporary art auctions set up exclusively for artists ofAfrican origin, dedicated fairs; with Nigerian artists routinely dominating both. An industry was robbed, blackballed, condemned to ashes. Still, it rose. Now, it stands. The industry is inching towards a kind of full circle. So how about we participate in the world’s biggest international art exhibition next? How about NOW? Responsible and credited for crafting and directing this conversation is lead curator of the Nigerian pavilion,Adenrele Sonariwo. The 30-year old curator is widely regarded as a revelation in Nigeria’s arts scene. Few people know she has spent twelve years in the industry to now be seen as an overnight success. She is joined in the curatorial team by Emma Iduma, a faculty member of the School of VisualArts, New York. Of the pavilion, Sonariwo explained at a press conference announcing it, “the aim of the Nigerian Pavilion is to reflect on the question of now, and of narratives firmly rooted in the present. The presentation by the artists seeks to use the narrative of the present to interrogate the minefield of societal consciousness in addressing aspects of identity and belonging as it relates to and confronts our past and future.” Sonariwo also believes that this presentation and this debut will be a game changer for the

Qudus-performing

Peju Alatise place of Nigerian visual art in the world.And this is where the statement of intent comes in. Her thoughts were echoed and elevated by Femi Lijadu, Steering Committee member of the Nigeria in Venice project representing Governor Godwin Obaseki, Commissioner of the Nigerian Pavilion; and a keen collector of contemporary art of Nigerian artists. “This is coming at a reflection point in the history of art in Nigeria. It is a vibrant opportunity

Victor Ehikhamenor for our beautiful culture and artistic identity to reverberate throughout the world,” Lijadu said. He also went on to explain that the Biennale was also a chance for Nigeria to rebuild its cultural infrastructure, deploy its soft power in mending its own reputation, perception and voice in the global committee of nations. Indeed, these have been damaged over the years by kidnap of school girls by terrorist group, Boko Haram; an accidental bombing of an IDP by

the NigerianAirforce; an attempted suicide bomb attack by a Nigerian on US soil; a former President under whose watch monies for arms and citizens protection made its way securely into private bank accounts of his staff; and other such unsavory, embarrassing events. Lijadu also explained that Nigeria’s showcase could be an entry point and / or an argument for the country to start reclaiming the artworks that were carted away during the colonial years. He

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž IL 16, 2017

Ęś ËşËş The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; revealed that that Governor Obaseki had plans of building a museum in Benin, from whence these works were taken and where they can return and finally be at home. Considering all of these, it would be fair to say a lot is riding on the successful execution of this debut showing. It would also be fair to say Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pavilion is in capable hands if the resume of selected exhibiting artists are anything to go by: Victor Ehikhamenor, Peju Alatise and Qudus Onikeku. Ehikhamenor andAlatise are two of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most accomplished artists practicing at the moment. Their works are collected globally and command eye-popping prices at auction. Alatise is known for her large scale, sculptural works tackling contemporary themes most recurring of which is gender and its associated politics.Amixed-media artist, Ehikhamenorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works are influenced by the duality of African beliefs and Western/Catholic political intervention. Onikeku, is a globally renowned performance artist, sought after from Burkina Faso to Brazil. He is a pioneer inAcro-dance, a self-styled fusion of acrobatics and dance that takes inspiration from traditional Yoruba movements and philosophy. It seems fitting that it is these artists that were selected by the curatorial team. Not only do they already have global clout to attract attention to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pavilion, they have a history of casting time (the past, now, the future) as a main character in their works, in the narratives, they choose to share with the world. They have a track record of creating work with a deference to the word itself: history. Sonariwo revealed that their presentation in installations and performance will toe this familiar line, a meditation on time in the context of Nigerian art and society. Ehikhamenor will tell his story from the beginning. He will present large-scale installations, titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Biography of the Forgottenâ&#x20AC;? fusing abstract shapes with traditional sculpture and exploring the effect of colonialism on cultural heritage. The installation will pay homage to those that came before, their contributions to the art world, from the classicists to the modernists. Onikeku will explore the present. He will showcase a trilogy of performance film titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Right Here, Right Nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The trilogy is an investigation through dance of the workings of body memory and its connection to national consciousness. It will provide a window through which time could be altered for a brief moment. Alatise will foretell the future. She will present an installation of eight winged life-size girls, based on the story of a ten-year old girl who works as a housemaid in Lagos while dreaming of a realm where she is free, who belongs to no one but herself, and can fly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flying Girlsâ&#x20AC;? addresses the injustice of the present, but through a vision of a safer imaginary future, especially for little girls; and a recommendation to society. Its only three weeks to go now till the Biennale, now in its 122nd year. It will be playing host to 85 countries, four of which are debuting like Nigeria. 9 African countries have previously showcased in past editions. The statistic Nigerian art enthusiasts, historians, supporters, stakeholders, citizens should care about most though is: NOW.

APRIL 16, 2017 ˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\LAGOS AT 50

JAZZ AS A GIFT Yinka Olatunbosun

here are indeed people, who need neither alcohol or an obscene amount of money to stay in high spirits. The CEO Inspiro Productions and Founder, Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF) Ayoola Shadare is just one of them. Here is an evidence: for the past two editions of LIJF, a recurrent series of fuel scarcity in Nigeria had threatened the mega gathering of jazz fans and musicians. But Shadare stayed strong, making the festival a cultural staple and “unjinxable”. When this reporter met him recently in Ikeja, this fuel scarcity jinx with jazz appreciation month was one of the issues that arose in a half-hour chat about the looming festival and its special offering. Shadare is in love with jazz and “crazy” over Lagos, the city where he had lived and worked for decades. With the celebration of Lagos at 50, the LIJF is presenting a Lagos Special Edition titled, “50-50-50”. In other words, 50 artists will perform 50 popular Lagos songs amongst other jazz songs within the last 50 days of the Lagos at 50 celebration. The festival is part of the global celebration of jazz, which is recognised by the United Seun Olota in performance Nations. eye-opener for us that art should be used to “International Jazz Day is observed on promote good causes.” April 30 every year and it is globally recogAs usual, jazz will not be served just nised by United Nations and UNESCO,” straight but in the mix with other genres Shadare began. “It is estimated that 2.6 fused with it. What is unusual however are million people are reached with this global the headliners for this edition. Wait for it. The celebration. This year, we have adopted fuji icons, Obesere and Malaika will blend two charity groups which is very significant Fuji with Jazz. You don’t want to miss this for us. The Sesor Foundation for Internally unprecedented remix live on stage, which Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the Down will be shared by a famed jazz artist from Syndrome Organisation of Nigeria owned Singapore. by Majekodunmi of Jazzville. Somehow, “If you look at the content of our festival, jazz and these organisations seem to work it is not only jazz that we do,” he explained. together. We are glad that this happens because on a broader scale, I believe that art in “We accommodate jazz-related artists and performance poets. We are going to encourvarious forms can be used for social change. age all the musicians this year to sing popular We should have done this partnership Lagos songs and we also have the Lagos earlier than now but you know as they say Modern Orchestra. It is a 50-man orchestra that God’s time is the best. It is actually an

that will play, led by accomplished composer Seun Owoaje and Toyin Adeniji who will be live at Freedom Park.” April, the Jazz Appreciation Month is loaded with a lot of jazz concerts spread across the country. What the LIJF team does is to hold jam sessions as precursor to the threeday festival at designated venues in Ikoyi and Ikeja from April 12 in partnership with SPAN Academy of Jazz and Contemporary Music. “We plan our events to have that tourism component so that tourists can come,” he added. “Half of the people who come for the festival are from out of town. Economically, it is impactful for the city and I must commend the Governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode for what he is doing in the city of Lagos with the Light Up Lagos project. He has a strong push for hospitality and tourism and entertainment. The LIJF is our own gift to Lagos at 50.” Since Jazz is not popular music, most of the featured artists are hardly seen at concerts dominated by pop musicians. But for Shadare fondly referred to as “Shaddie”, the airplay for jazz music has soared in recent years. “Jazz music used to be played on ‘graveyard shift’ which is Sunday evening between 10 and 12 but now jazz is now played in the afternoon on stations like Metro FM, Cool FM, City FM and Smooth FM. Many media houses like yours have given us publicity. In the last decade, there has been a giant shift from being passive to some form of recognition and we will still keep at it. Jazz is also one of the main genres that the Governor himself has given attention. For us at Inspiro, we try to look at it from an industry perspective rather than company’s point of view. In the unveiled programmed for Lagos at 50, Jazz is there. The only area where I am quite worried is the support from corporate organisations. We need more support from them.” At the festival, artists will play with live bands. Even with the loud cries of paucity of funds, Shadare is determined to make the festival worthwhile and at the same time, affordable. For him, life is like jazz, it is best when you improvise.

BOOK REVIEW

Paths of Peaceful Co-existence... Yinka Olatunbosun It is apt for conscientious writers to advocate for peaceful co-existence in contemporary writing. We live in very difficult times. Extremist groups are on the rise, countries are striving to ban certain religions and while some religious leaders convince their followers to be distant from people of other faith. Whatever form religious intolerance is manifested, it leaves bitter taste in the mouth. For this reason, Femi Takuro publishes this new literary piece titled, “Is the Kingdom of God for a particular religion?” The title is a thought-provoking one and necessary too for many people of faith have this strange sense of superiority in their religious beliefs. While the writer did not set out to condemn any particular religion or belief-system, he places emphasis on the underlying principles of love for others as preached by Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and other religious groups. Using copiously some biblical allusions and Quran referenced, Takuro thinks that religious tolerance should be a way of life just as other virtues like empathy, religious harmony, neighborliness while overcoming radicalism. He cites the example of the Dangote Group of Companies in his personal experience and how a Muslim owned company has tolerance for people of other religious biase, even allowing workers to hold prayer sessions at the office premises. In the writer’s view, this may have accounted for the company’s financial

success story, but who will verify that? He also mentioned a pastor who donated a piece of land for the building of a mosque as an example of religious tolerance. In his view of extremists, it is quite ironical to find that the people of Indonesia which has the largest Muslim population in the world are living peace-

fully. What the writer didn’t say is the country’s worst kept secret of a genocidal past. Perhaps, religion tamed the brutal minds over the years but that’s a little beside the point. The point being made by the writer is that one’s religious faith should preach love and not hate for it to be acceptable to God. The writer dedicates an entire chapter to examining the similarities in many religious doctrines. These include the concept of God; compassion, morals, spiritual knowledge, holy book, salvation amongst others. He advises his young readers on what to do when they face pressures from terrorist groups or occultic organisations to join them. He said it is dangerous to keep quiet about this when it happens and even more tragic if not handled diplomatically. In this book, the author also urges parents to teach their children by their own good examples, expose them to godly principles at an early age while in their formative years. Takuro is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) whose professional career spanned auditing, banking, manufacturing and consultancy. He is passionate about mentoring, counselling and good neighborliness.

VeteranArtistFasuyiMarks 82ndBirthdayinStyle… Yinka Olatunbosun One of Nigeria’s pioneer artists, Timothy Adebanjo Fasuyi is a very intriguing man. At 82, his home is filled with fresh paintings in preparation for the exhibition in celebration of his birthday. Actually, Fasuyi hardly celebrates birthdays. But in the interest of art, a week-long programme which includes a colloquium is being organised for art enthusiasts in Lagos. Forget what anyone might have told you about cultural centres in Lagos. Fasuyi built the first cultural centre in Lagos in 1971 even before the National Theatre was completed. His goal was to use the centre to promote interest in our indigenous culture through performances, food and art works side-by-side with other cultural organisations such as the British Council, Goethe-Institut, Italian Cultural Centre and the American Embassy. However, the low turnout at the Ikeja hub was discouraging to him hence he converted the building to a pre-varsity school. Born in 1935, at Ilesa, his grandfather, the Asolo of Isona was the head of the Artists Guild based in Isona. In 1949, he was admitted into Ilesa Grammar School where art became his favourite subject. He was the cartoonist and illustrator of the school magazine whose editor was Lateef Jakande. After his secondary education, he was employed at the Survey Department, Western Region Ministry of Works and Housing and posted to the drawing section of the parastatal. In 1954, he was admitted into the Nigeria College of Arts and Science, Zaria as one of the pioneer students. He won all departmental prizes including the Sir Sidney Philipson Prize for the most outstanding examination performance. He began his teaching career shortly at secondary schools including the Kings’ College, Methodist, St. Finbarrs and St. Gregory, designing logos for the Federal Government Colleges. He is the co-founder of the Society of Nigerian Artists and was appointed Federal Art Adviser in 1969 and between 1973 and 1975, he served as UNESCO goodwill cultural ambassador. At the age of 50, he retired but began painting assiduously. As he said, his palette is still wet. “I have too many ideas in my head,” he began as he was surrounded by select journalists inside his gallery. His paintings bear the signature, TAFAS which is drawn from first letters of his name. He is exhibiting 82 works and that really keeps him busy. Most of the works are a reflection of the social realities in Nigeria. One of them titled, “Mixed Feelings”, penetrates into the heart of a woman whose abducted child is found pregnant. “I reflected on the Chibok girls and their plight after their release. The unwanted pregnancy creates a mixed feeling. This one is called Unknown Soldier,” he said, drawing attention to the episode of the raped women and girls at the Internally Displaced Persons camp. In the work titled, “ The Burden of African Woman”, he paints the picture of a woman who is multi-tasking. She backs a baby, heaps firewood on her head, carries a water pot and is heavily pregnant. “I find it easy to produce works in any of the isms – impressionism, expressionism, cubism and abstractism. I am at home with natural synthase which has now become the trademark of Zaria trained artists. My post graduate courses in Birmingham University UK and Sydney University, Australia have added some values to my Zaria training. My visits to over 80 leading cities of the world have also enhanced my practice. I have experimented with calabash sculptures an offshoot of the traditional Oyo Calabash carving and decoration.” The exhibition opens tomorrow, which will be followed on the next day by a colloquium at the Conference Hall, TAFAS Art Centre, Off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja. A special prayer session will be held with family and friends on Wednesday April 19. Fasuyi usually paints for two or three hours, read newspapers and receive visitors. When he is not painting, he dances in his room.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ RIL 16, 2017

ARTS & REVIEW\\BOOK REVIEW

STORIES THAT CHANGE LIVES Eniayo Akande Baye It’s not all books that leave a lasting impression but there’s no way a reader can read ‘Stories of Pastor E.A. Adeboye: The Power of Testimony’ without added value.

eading this page-turner by the seasoned journalist and writer, Bisi Daniels, is a life-changing experience. Those familiar with the unique style of Pastor Adeboye know that sharing testimonies of miracles are a vital component of his ministry. Like African elders garnish their speech with proverbs, the man fondly called Daddy G.O. laces his sermons with testimonies to boost people’s faith and reassure them that their cases are not hopeless; and that if God has done it for others, they could not be an exception. “By now, everybody knows me to be a storyteller. Our Daddy in heaven, Jesus, was the best storyteller you can ever find. I have discovered that some people remember the stories more than the sermons,” the author quotes Pastor Adeboye has explaining of his trademark style of exhorting people when he preaches. “I tell you these stories because when you hear those in the Bible and hear those happening right now, you appreciate them better,” he explains at a different forum while on another occasion, he notes that: “When these stories or testimonies come to some people, they sometimes mean much more than even the sermon.” Stories of miracles indeed enhance faith-building and what Daniels has done in this engrossing work of 350 pages and six sections is to painstakingly compile the testimonies of Daddy G.O., the Spiritual Leader and Global Missioners of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and present them chronologically, right from his birth to the present (February 2017), to read like an autobiography. Given the magnitude of Pastor Adeboye’s task and the near impossibility of getting him to sit down for interviews for a real biography, the author’s approach is ingenious. And not only is it creative, it works because Pastor Adeboye narrates the testimonies in his measured, calm voice that reassures. And what a story it is! It is a riveting tale of stepping out from the suffocating grip of deprivation into relative comfort, all by God’s grace; it is an amazing story of transformation from obscurity to becoming a vessel of God revered by millions of people across the world. It is a fascinating tale of how the then unprepared ‘outsider’ became the chief missioner of the world’s fastest growing church, with presence in about 196 countries. Most importantly, it is a book which reinforces the power of God and His ability to intervene in perceived hopeless situations when we call on Him in faith. The starting point of this book Daniels thoughtfully dedicates to Pastor Adeboye, who clocked 75 recently and Mummy GO (Pastor Folu Adeboye), his faithful lieutenant and priceless pearl, is Ifewara, the town in Osun State where he was born in 1942. Pastor Adeboye recalls the unusual incident of the rain falling and the sun shining simultaneously on the afternoon he was born; God’s unseen protection and how his destiny was foretold. He also discloses lessons including hard work, first fruit, opportunity and obedience his parents taught him. In the first section that also contains chapters including ‘Before the Call’, ‘The Call’, ‘Early Ministry’ and ‘The General Overseer’, Pastor Adeboye reflects on the abject poverty into which he was born and how he walked barefoot until he was 18. In fact, he collected the prize he won at the prize giving day at Ilesa Grammar School in borrowed trousers and sandals. We are also shown the house in which Pastor Adeboye was born and St. Stephens Anglican Primary School he attended and told how he married Mummy GO. Essentially, Section One chronicles Pastor Adeboye’s riveting life story -- tertiary education, postgraduate work, lecturing at

Unilag and Ilorin, meeting Christ, early days in the ministry with his Father-in-the-Lord, Pastor Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi and becoming the leader of the RCCG, despite doing his best to reject the appointment. Those wondering about the close relationship between Bishop Francis Wale Oke of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries and Pastor Adeboye needn’t look further as Daddy GO reveals: “Way back in December 24, 1979, around 2.00pm., God spoke to Bishop Francis Wale Oke and gave him a word of prophecy for me. He wrote it down as God told him and he brought it to me. That was in 1979, so you can imagine how young he must have been then- in his 20s.” The Redemption Camp is today a unique city well recognised on the world map but it used to be a jungle and headquarters of highway robbers. Reading the book will reveal the several mysterious incidents that happened as Daddy GO and others laboured to build it. Going through the section, one also realises that Daddy GO didn’t just become a much sought after spiritual leader, God spent several years forging him in the furnace until he became a beloved vessel of honour. In Section Two, Pastor Adeboye relives his experiences while preaching the gospel across the globe and shares stories of miracles that occurred on the trips. We read of his missionary trips to places including the UK, US, Canada, Japan, Cairo, Zambia, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea amongst others. How the popular 31-year-old Holy Ghost Service started is properly documented here while miracles that sceptics will dismiss are also shared. The story of how God provided the RCCG headquarters in the US and South Africa and several miracles even in flights are similarly documented. The next section Daniels calls ‘The Enhancers’ focuses on subjects including salvation, faith, service, fasting, tithing and sowing that move God for miracles to flow. All these, it should be noted are essential to secure God’s intervention in one’s affairs. The section contains examples of people who exercised their faith to overcome troubles; diligently paid their tithes and sowed and who God blessed immensely in return. Those curious about why members of the RCCG don’t joke with fasting will

discover why in this section. “The moment I quit fasting, you can begin to expect my departure because I have resolved never to relax. As far as I am concerned, the day I cease to be relevant, I go,” he replied when asked if he would stop fasting when he clocked 70. Invariably, the man of God has not stopped fasting even at 75! In sections four and five, Pastor Adeboye shares more stories of God’s intervention in various issues whilst also touching on marriage and the fruit of the womb. The last section titled ‘The Spoilers’ and containing topics like Unforgiveness, Temptation, Stealing God’s Glory, The Evil Men Do/ Curses and Principalities and Powers confirms what the Bible says in Ephesians 6: 12: “For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world; against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” It exposes the dark sides of the spiritual realm where parents harm their children and couples hurt themselves. Indeed, reading the book will be a most rewarding exercise as the Vice President; Professor Yemi Osinbajo rightly agrees in the foreword he wrote shortly before he

was sworn in: “This book of some of the testimonies of one of the greatest servants of God in this generation is worth reading and learning from.” What Daniels, author of several other books, has given us in ‘Stories of Pastor E.A. Adeboye: The Power of Testimonies’, that took him well over three years to complete and which he says “is the most important and most impactful” of all his works, is a very well researched book. In fact, there is a detailed preface and introduction where he narrates an expedition to Ifewara in search of Pastor Adeboye’s roots and how he encountered the Mount Carmel Prayer Mountain, the man of God had been inspired to build since 1985 and which was opened on May 28, 2015. Daniels also didn’t forget the history of the church, its mission, mode of worship and changes that were recently effected in its structure in Nigeria. Though not a cleric, the author can be said to have made his own little contribution to gaining souls for God’s kingdom with this inspirational work that also contains a fascinating photo section. It is highly recommended as Professor Osinbajo rightly says. -Akande writes from Lagos

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2017

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

CICERO

Editor Olawale Olaleye Email wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

A Disturbing Incidence of Suicide The rate of suicide in the country is niggling. Olawale Olaleye writes

he news of the death of Mr. Allwell Orji, a 35-year-old medical doctor, who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon through the Third Mainland Bridge, some weeks ago, drew the attention of a majority of Nigerians to the reality of this thriving cultural and social taboo amongst them. Before then, the passive reporting of incidence of suicide didn’t give it the kind of attention or consideration the news of the death of Orji and others after it did. It was fast becoming a new culture. A few days after the death of Orji, the Police in Lagos rescued two women, who had attempted suicide, on the Third Mainland and Carter bridges. The duo of Taiwo Titilayo Momoh, 58, a textile dealer at Balogun market, Lagos Island and Mrs. Abigael Ogunyinka, 61, had alluded to frustration of different kinds as the reason for wanting to commit suicide. Days after this, a journalist, Malik Nasir, reported the case of another man (name not disclosed), who was also rescued by the police while trying to jump into the lagoon in another suicide attempt. But another yet-to-be-identified man, on April 8, was not as lucky as he jumped into a canal in the Festac area of Lagos State. Although the spate of suicide is on a sudden rise in the country, it is however not new and might have been underreported over time. A majority of Nigerians had long bought into the suicide culture many years back, ranging from hanging themselves to plunging into the lagoon, intake of lethal substances or drug overdose. The statistics is alarming and a few instances will suffice. A 50-year-old former Secretary of the Mbiabong Village Council in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and father of two recently hanged himself. His suicide note alluded to harsh economic conditions. A 21-year-old man identified as Chinonso not too long ago committed suicide after reportedly drinking a substance suspected to be rat poison in Byazhin village, Kubwa, Abuja. His note to his mother read that he wanted “to go and rest.” Another 23-year-old Ugochukwu Ekwe also committed suicide in FESTAC Town, Lagos, over what he described as rejection and stigmatisation. A 500-level Urban and Regional Planning undergraduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Adesoji Adediran, hanged himself inside his hostel room. In January, a 19-year-old student of Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Verishima Unokyur, committed suicide in his parents’ home in Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos. In August 2016, a manager with a commercial bank,

Olisa Nwokobi, shot himself in Lagos. It was revealed that the 44-year-old bank manager and graduate of Abia State University, Uturu, killed himself because he was unable to repay bank loan. Anthony Oyeniyi, a 17-year-old final year student of Oro Grammar School, in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, reportedly killed himself within the school premises, the same way a 12-year-old primary five Chisom Okechukwu committed suicide by hanging herself at Nnoche-Uduke Community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi. The World Health Rankings on suicide rate across the globe, recently, put the rate of suicide in Nigeria at 6.11 per cent, standing at number 164 on the world chart. Also, recent statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that no fewer than a million people die annually from suicide, representing a global mortality rate of 16 people per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds. WHO also reported that over 800,000 people die of suicide annually and that it is the second cause of death among young people between 15 and 29 years in 2012. In 1990, it resulted in 712,000 deaths and rose to 842,000 in 2013, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. WHO’s 2012 statistics also showed that out of Nigeria’s population, 6.5 per cent committed suicide

out of which 10.3 per cent were male and 2.9 per cent were female. In 2003, World Values Survey ranked Nigerians among the happiest people in the world in a report, despite challenges confronting her citizenry, while a report released days ago by the United Nations (UN) ranked Nigerians the sixth happiest people in Africa and 95th in the world. Truly, the conditions for every suicide vary in time and space as recently posited by Mr. Reuben Abati, an ex-presidential aide, unfortunately in Nigeria, the factors are yet to be located outside economic deprivation, loss of status, debt, helplessness, stigmatization and general frustration. Therefore, if government’s primary responsibility is the security and welfare of the people, the belief that the Nigerian government has failed greatly here is trite, hence the resort to suicide by some. Whilst government cannot in truth take responsibility for people taking their own lives, it must admit to having created the environment for such societal taboo to thrive. The onus is therefore on government to boldly step into this unsavoury situation by enforcing the penal codes that frown at such a crime, but of course, after living up to its obligations by providing basic social needs that will guarantee a better life for the people.

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

Made-in-Nigeria, a Worthy Policy

Buhari

resident Muhammadu Buhari, last week, declared Mondays and Wednesdays of every week as the Made-inNigeria Dress Days across the country. That’s good thinking. The news isn’t just cheery; it is a breakaway from the prevailing madness on the political firmament at the moment.

With dented national pride and depreciating collective esteem, at a time diversification and homegrown economic approach to survival are the way to go, the elevation of the Nigerian-ness into national subconscious is well conceived and ultimately, would yield positive fruits. The declaration, which was contained in a letter dated April 4, 2017 and addressed to the Executive

Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, underscored a profound and timely policy. But the only path to an enduring policy of this nature is for the government to justify the initiative by first leading by example. The idea is evidently a product of good thinking.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

BRIEFINGNOTES

Dogara and El-Rufai at the summit in Kaduna

Let the Accountability Debate Continue! The public spat between the duo of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has inadvertently stoked the accountability debate and Nigerians will want it to continue, writes Olawale Olaleye

nown for courting controversies, often based on conviction, the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, served the first salvo in his latest outing. Last Friday, he descended on the National Assembly and said the legislature lacked transparent budget. He made the statement in his good will message at the closing ceremony of a 5-day retreat of the National Assembly management personnel

in his state. With his characteristically caustic tongue, he doubted whether the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, was in support of the fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari. “The National Assembly is seen as an opposition to the fight against corruption. The National Assembly, particularly the Senate is not seen as one of the fighters of the war against corruption and that image has to be worked on now that we are going towards election year. The leadership and members of the National Assembly have to do something about the narratives. I don’t believe that it is entirely true ; I also don’t believe it is entirely false, but it is important that the National Assembly does something about its image.” He would not stop there. He went on to address the National Assembly budget, where many thought was originally his stop. “No transparency in your budget. Nobody knows your budget, how much you get paid. Publications are made about your salaries and allowances that I don’t believe are true but cannot be defended because there is no transparency about your budget, personal cost and so on and so forth. I think you can do something about that to clear all the rumours and remove all the evil stories that are largely untrue,” he stressed. Quickly, the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was there to represent the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, countered the governor and said the National Assembly was involved in the fight against corruption and supported it at all levels of governance contrary to whatever the governor believed. “In the National Assembly, we fight corruption through our support and as a matter of facts, the anti-corruption agencies are our creation. And for our budget, it is always at the public domain,” he said, adding that the legislature and executive must work together to deliver on promises to Nigerians. “Nigerians expect higher and better performances in terms of service. As legislators, we are prepared to continue to support the administration of President Buhari either through the fight against corruption or in the confirmation of political appointees. Nigerians will change the country if we fail to perform,” he said. Perhaps, his reaction was too mild for the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who fired back by first reminding the governor that instructions had already been given to the appropriate quarters to publish the National Assembly budget some days back. “We are not happy with the statement of the governor that the budget of National Assembly is not transparent. You will have some kind of misfortune if you attempt to join issues with intellectuals but as intellectuals, we expand issues and add discussion. So, I will like to challenge you to champion the call for transparency in budgeting and budgetary process of National Assembly to other arms of government,” he said. But that was not the point that unsettled the fray. Hear him: “We

want to see clearly, how Chief Executives of states are paid, what they spend monthly as security votes, and also publish what happens to local government funds,” he added, clearly challenging El-Rufai. Expectedly, El-Rufai took the challenge in good strides and disclosed details of expenditure by his government last Monday. In a statement, El-Rufai said he operated a transparent government and that there was nothing to hide about his expenditure, thus giving details of the state government expenditures including his salary and pay slip. He then challenged Dogara to present details of his too. In the statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to the governor, El-Rufai said the challenge was a necessary step to improve and strengthen democracy, noting that the Kaduna State Government has consistently made public all its budget details. The statement disclosed that details of actual spending in 2015 for security in the state budgets are also publicly available via the annual report of the Accountant-General of the Federation accessible on www.kdsg.gov.ng, adding that the 2015 accounts of the state government have been audited, and the audit summary published in major newspapers and on the state website in June 2016. “El-Rufai is today making publicly available his pay-slip as governor of the state. In February 2017, the state government paid the governor a net salary of N470,521.74, with the following details: Income, Deductions, Basic Salary: N185,308.75; Hardship Allowance: N370,617.50, Gross Pay: N555,926.25; PAYE: N85,404.51; total deduction: N85,401.51 and Net Pay: N470,521.74. “The amount may appear puny but it reflects what the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) approved as the salary and allowances of every state governor adjusted to reflect provision in-kind of accommodation and transportation. “El-Rufai would like to reiterate his call for the National Assembly leadership to do the same and disclose the details of its budget, and the salaries and allowances of its leadership. The call to open National Assembly is not a personal one. It is one which the leadership of the National Assembly owes to all Nigerians. It is therefore disingenuous for the Speaker to use state government budgets as the excuse for the opacity of the National Assembly budget.” “There is no state government in Nigeria with a budget nearly as opaque as that of National Assembly. In March 2016, this National Assembly, led by its Chairman, promised to provide a detailed breakdown of the National Assembly budget. Nigerians are waiting,” the statement said. Dogara, of course, responded by releasing his salary pay slip, which showed that he earns about N402,500 monthly. Releasing the speaker’s pay slip on Tuesday, the House of Representatives spokesperson, Abdulrazak Namdas, said what El-Rufai published was his state’s security budget and not his security vote. Namdas, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated this at a news briefing in Abuja. He said El-Rufai was undermining and distracting the National Assembly by his claims that the N115 billion in the legislature’s 2016 budget was for all the members. “Salaries and allowances of about 3,000 legislative aides, and salaries, allowances, equipment and maintenance of about 5,000 staff in the bureaucracy of the National Assembly,” he said, urging the governor to concentrate on governing Kaduna State, particularly addressing security issues facing the state. “As a senior citizen, El-Rufai should not overheat the polity with

tendentious and unfounded outbursts. We note that what Malam El-Rufai published was the security budget of Kaduna State and not his security vote expenditure. We wish to advise the Kaduna State governor to concentrate on his efforts in governing Kaduna State and stop undermining and distracting the National Assembly in playing its constitutionally assigned role in nation building. “He launched an attack on the National Assembly on Friday, April 7, 2017 and continued on Monday, April 10, 2017. We are aware that there are serious security issues he should be grappling with in southern Kaduna and other governmental issues facing him,” Namdas said. According to him, the National Assembly is not opaque and since the constitution was amended in 2010, the legislature was put in a first line charge. “Its budget became part of statutory transfers, together with the Judiciary, INEC and others. You cannot find details of the budget of the Judiciary and INEC in the national budget. It exists elsewhere. Of course, from 1999 to 2010, the detail of the National Assembly budget was contained in the national budget.” He explained that the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, had already been directed to start publishing the budget from 2017, and so, “to continue to repeat the same call made three days earlier smacks of propaganda and cheap blackmail. The Kaduna State governor chose to give headings of its budget on security related matters. “Maybe, he will give further details of actual security expenditures at the appropriate time. It is most uncharitable to ignore the fact that the National Assembly is an arm of government, not a department in the executive branch. The budget of so many agencies in the executive is higher than that of the National Assembly, an arm of government. “Such agencies are Nigerian Communications Commission, N102 billion; Central Bank of Nigeria, N421 billion and the Nigerian Ports Authority, N250 billion; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, N100billion; Federal Inland Revenue Service, N146 billion; Nigerian Customs Services, N81 billion and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation whose budget runs into trillions. Indeed, the National Assembly budget is about two per cent of the national budget,” he said. From the breakdown made available by El-Rufai and Dogara, these are what they posted. Basic salary: the pay slip released by El-Rufai shows that the governor’s basic salary is 185,308.75 while that of Dogara is 206,425.83. On their net pay, the speaker’s net pay for February was 206,577.87 while that of the Kaduna state governor was 470,521. Talk about allowances, Dogara did not reveal how much he gets as allowance, although a majority of Nigerians would be interested in that, the only information he gave about allowance was the constituency allowance which is N175,461.96. But El-Rufai claimed he receives N370,617.50 as hardship allowance. Lastly is their tax reflection. Dogara’s pay slip shows a monthly deduction of N55,952 for his Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, while El-rufai pays N85,404.51 as tax. Clearly, they have opened up a major debate that is not going to end with both of them but extend also to other functionaries of government at different levels. Lack of accountability has been the bane of governance in the country with leaders finding different headers for convenient stealing like security votes. But the El-Rufai and Dogara debate should not just end there; it should be taken further with leaders showing more responsibility for accountability.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

CICERO/REPORT

Magu in a handshake with Buhari

Smarting from Setbacks in the Anti-corruption War… As the federal government and its agencies regroup to strategise on the ﬁght against corruption following losses recorded penultimate week in the law court, the doubt on whether or not there could be any remarkable diﬀerence is still present. Davidson Iriekpen writes

ustice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta once reprimanded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for lacking thorough investigative and prosecutorial prowess to pursue corruption cases. He reckoned that the bogus charges, frequent amendment to charges and the rush to arrest a suspect and the resort to media trial without diligent investigation were some of the problems facing the commission. Thus, after losing a string of anti-corruption cases, the federal government last week called on Nigerians not to be discouraged by the recent setbacks in the war against corruption, promising that the serial negative outcome of corruption cases that were recorded at the high court level would not dampen the anti-graft battle. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the reassurance on behalf of the government, said government had appealed all the negative decisions, and would vigorously canvass its case at the level of the Court of Appeal. He also disclosed that all the judgments are being rigorously reviewed “to determine whether there were errors on our part or whether the government is the victim of mischief…The war against corruption is going to be long, tough and arduous, but this administration is equipped, physically, mentally and intellectually, for the long haul. We must win this war because the law is on our side, the people are on our side and God is on our side. This is only the beginning, so any setback will not deter or discourage us.” He appealed to Nigerians to continue to identify with what he described as a titanic struggle, noting: “This is not Buhari’s war. It is Nigeria’s war of liberation from poverty,

misery, sickness and wretchedness,” adding that Nigeria could not afford unnecessary technicalities as far as the war against corruption is concerned, especially because of the adverse and devastating consequences of corruption on the polity. Nigerians will appreciate more the grave and dire consequences of corruption, when they consider that the $9.2 million found in a village house in Southern Kaduna could finance the construction of one health centre in each of the 774 local governments in Nigeria and fund them for one year. “Against this background, one can therefore imagine what Nigeria could have achieved with the $20 billion that was estimated to have been looted in the last three years of the immediate past administration, either in the areas of job creation or infrastructure development. “The government is therefore more determined than ever to recover as much of this plundered funds as possible and use them to put our youths back to work, fix our roads and other infrastructure, equip our hospitals and universities and invest in electricity in order to bring our industries back to life and bring back some level of comfort to our homes and offices,” he said. Penultimate Tuesday, an Abuja High Court sitting at Apo District struck out a six-count charge filed against a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Orubebe was alleged to be involved in a N1.97billion contract scam as minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. However, when Justice Olukayode Adeniyi gave the anti-graft agency time to produce its witnesses to establish that Orubebe diverted funds meant for the compensation of owners of property on Eket Urban section of the East-West Road in

Eket, Akwa Ibom State, they could not. They later applied to withdraw the charge, making Justice Adeniyi to discharge and acquit the defendants. Orubebe in 2015 held up proceedings for about 30 minutes during the announcement of the presidential results. But a few days later, he apologised, saying he regretted that he allowed his emotion to betray him. But rather than ignore him, government filed sundry charges against him. At the end, it could not produce witnesses, which is a sine qua non in criminal trial for his prosecution. This was closely followed by the acquittal of Justice Adeniyi Ademola, his wife, Olabowale, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi. They were accused in an 18-count charge of fraud brought against them for abuse of office and bribery, involving huge sums, ranging from local and foreign currencies, possession of firearms and involvement in illegal collection of gratification. But ruling on their no-case submission, Justice Jude Okeke, who heard the case said the prosecution could not establish a prima facie case against them. He consequently acquitted them Also, a Federal High Court in Lagos issued an order unfreezing the Skye Bank account of a former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, which allegedly has $5.8 million. The EFCC had in November 2016 filed an application before the court seeking an order freezing the account. The commission had contended that the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. As if these were not enough, a Federal High Court in Lagos unfroze the GTBank account of a human rights lawyer, Mr. Mike Ozhekome (SAN), containing N75million. The EFCC had alleged that funds were paid into the account by the Ekiti State

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CICERO/REPORT t‘SMARTING

FROM

SETBACKS

governor, Ayo Fayose. Investigation revealed that the four rulings had seriously jolted the federal government. Most shocking to it, it was gathered, was the acquittal of Justice Ademola, his wife and Joe Agi. Having hit a panic button because of the implications of the rulings on the ant-graft war, the presidency quickly summoned a meeting of the prosecuting agencies with the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, presiding. The meeting, which was attended by the National Security Adviser, the Director General of the Department of State Services, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, and the Acting Chairman of the EFCC was aimed at restrategising on the war against corruption. While the government sees the losses as corruption fighting back, many analysts believe that corruption cases have not been properly investigated and prosecuted by the agencies and that some of the decisions to prosecute were purely political and not aimed at genuinely advancing the fight against corruption. They have also argued that some of the decisions to prosecute are either based on rash judgment or motivated by vendetta. For instance, the case against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal has been amended not less than five times. Though they believe that the law allows these amendments, they argue that doing so frequently only means the case was rushed before the tribunal or was meant to embarrass him. Before then, Malami was forced to withdraw an incompetent charge filed against Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. They were charged with forging the Senate Rules even though there was no evidence to support the charges. It took courage to admit this unforced error. The same scenario played out in the case of Justice Ademola, who had alleged that the decision to prosecute him was a result of the feud between him and Malami, while he was sitting in Kano, which affected Malami’s chance of becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The end result, of course, was his acquittal. Before the present management of the EFCC was put in place, successive chairmen of the commission had often attributed different reasons the agency under them could not perform optimally or secure high profile conviction. While the first chairman of the commission, Nuhu Ribadu, attributed his non-performance to lack of enabling laws to drive the anti-graft war, his successor, Farida Waziri, held the judiciary (judges) responsible for her non-performance,. On his part, Ibrahim Lamorde held the executive arm of government responsible for his own failure to successfully prosecute the war against corruption. But over time, it became clear to Nigerians that the anti-graft agencies were the ones undermining themselves with either shoddy investigation or lack of diligent prosecution or both. Most analysts believe that if the agencies put as much efforts as they put in media trial of accused persons, in the investigation and prosecution process, huge achievements would be recorded. In 2013, for instance, following the heat

IN THE

ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR… tContinued from Pg. 71

Justice Ademola and his wife during one of their appearances in court

the judges of his court were receiving for frustrating the anti-graft agency in its fight against corruption, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, was forced to pay a courtesy visit on the chairman of the commission, where he explained that rather than always blame the court for not doing enough on the corruption cases before them, the judges were often helpless as the commission in their prosecution make quick dispensation of the cases uneasy. Auta, who described the visit “to show the world that we are ready to work with EFCC with respect to the law and to see that due process is followed always,” advised the commission to be thorough in their investigation before charging any suspect to court. Auta reprimanded the commission for lacking investigative and prosecution prowess in their fight against corruption, stating that bogus charges, frequent amendment of charges and the rush to arrest a suspect without investigation were the problems facing the commission. According to him, a situation where the charges against a suspect are up to 125, and judges are bound to hear all of them, was unnecessary and cumbersome. He added that incessant amendments to charges filed by the commission and too many charges in one case for the accused to take a plea, among other such actions, amount to “dancing in one spot.” The CJ further stated that when a prosecution lawyer objects to charges and the judge adjourns for further hearing, the next thing he

would see would be a request to amend the charge sheet. He also accused the EFCC of always refusing to produce witnesses on the adjourned dates. All these, according to him, add to the length of prosecution time. As a way out, the CJ suggested that in cases, where the charges against a suspect are numerous, the key ones should be used while the less important ones should be dropped in order to save time on the hearing of the cases. He also suggested that the EFCC should endeavour to conclude investigations before arraigning suspects in courts so as to avoid a situation, where charges would have to be amended. This way, he said corruption cases could be concluded in good time. Also delivering judgment in the fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by the former Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, against the EFCC recently, the former Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, lambasted the agency for always rushing to arrest suspects without evidence. The judge held that it was imperative that security agencies such as the EFCC, must first establish reasonable suspicion against a suspect before arresting him or her. The Judge, who urged men of the nation’s law enforcement agencies to learn from their counterparts abroad, cautioned them against being in a hurry to arrest suspects when they are yet to complete investigation and arm themselves with enough facts and evidence to secure conviction.

A senior advocate, who spoke with THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, said until the federal government puts its house in order, it should not expect anything meaningful to come out of the war against corruption. He warned the government to resist malice, vendetta and political consideration in charging any suspect to court. He advised it also to always ensure that detailed and proper investigation is carried out before charging a suspect to court. “What this government does not know is that it is not in all cases that you charge a suspect to court. How can you charge a case to court without watertight evidence, solid witnesses and strong prosecutors? “In the case against Justice Ademola, for instance, did you see the contradictory evidence from the so-called witnesses lined up by the government? How can you have 19 witnesses yet nothing to show? It is a shame! Ask yourself: can anything good come out of any corruption war with malice, vendetta and poor investigation?” said another lawyer, who did not want to be named. Generally, while the commitment of the federal government to stamping out corruption is evident, there is no debating the fact that the modus operandi of the relevant agencies saddled with the task is defective. The recent string of losses is instructive and should ginger government and its relevant agencies to start to do things properly, if they want to win the war against graft.

NOTES FOR FILE

The Ishawo, Lagos Invasion

Owoseni, Lagos State Commissioner of Police

One of the low points of last week was the reported invasion of Yawe area of Ishawo community in Ikorodu, a Lagos district, by militants, resulting in the killings of nine persons, including five policemen and two army officers. The development has also forced residents of the community to flee their homes. Reports had it that gunmen numbering about 40 and clad in military camouflages had stormed the area around 1am on Sunday and wreaked havoc. As at mid-week, residents still claimed some of their loved ones were yet to be found, meaning the casualties might be more at the end of the day. The gunmen were also said to have earlier kidnapped more than nine persons including a two-year-old Chubuike Okeke. But while others were rescued by the operatives before the deadly ambush, one of the community leaders, Raheem Olanrewaju, said Okeke was still with the kidnappers, who had since been demanding ransom through recharge cards.

Suffice it to say that the periodic attacks by militants on Lagos are becoming daring and must be contained effectively. Although security under government Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has improved tremendously from the time he newly assumed office, developments such as this are indications that government cannot afford to rest on its oars. This is Lagos – the model state of the federation, where such criminal effrontery must be promptly tackled and prospective other criminals deterred from taking a similar plunge, otherwise, it would be suicidal. This is why the culprits in the Ishawo attack must be apprehended and made scapegoats. The killing of the security personnel is enough to spur a serious crackdown on them with positive results that would stifle others from coming any close. Governor Ambode has a duty to rise to the occassion and boldly too. This is Lagos and criminals cannot be allowed to have a field day, no matter how daring they are. He must make a statement with this and all eyes are on him.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

SUNDAYINTERVIEW Musiliu Obanikoro

Obanikoro ...restructuring is the way to go

Photos: Sunday Adigun

Ekiti Election was Not Rigged Although not likely to have called time on his public service engagement, with his last outing however, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro is arguably one of the most experienced politicians around. A quintessential Lagos indigene, Obanikoro is a former Lagos Island Local Government Chairman, former Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos, former Senator for Lagos Central, former gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Lagos, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Ghana, two times minister of the republic and former board chairman for Industrial Training Fund. Clearly, he comes to the table with loads of experiences spanning many years. But while sharing his life after power with THISDAY’s Olawale Olaleye and Anayo Okolie, Obanikoro said his God was not done with him yet. In other words, he was still open to more service to his fatherland. He spoke on a wide range of issues including the 2014 controversial Ekiti governorship election, which he insisted Governor Ayodele Fayose won squarely, the crisis in the PDP, his trial by the EFCC and the state of the nation, amongst others. Excerpts:

ince your last public service engagement, how has life treated you? Well, initially it was quite restful because I went to the USA and got a degree in history. But towards the end, the issue of election funding became a very stormy issue. I had to come

home and put that in correct perspective. And so far, it’s been up and down, and as they say, that is what makes life thick. Just like you mentioned, the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State has been one in which your name has come up in different forms. One, the role you were said to have played in the alleged

rigging of Governor Ayo Fayose into office and of course, the arms deal scandal. First, let’s start with the alleged rigging. How do you defend the allegation? It’s unfortunate that we live in a country where we like to pretend or where we can’t stand up for the truth. This is my Holy Quran (he brought it out and placed his hand on it), I did not participate in any rigging of election in

Ekiti State and I did not witness any rigging in Ekiti State. I did this deliberately, because I am a student of history and I will not want to be defined by electoral fraud, which I never participated. If former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi will be honest, he lost that election fair and square.

Continued on Pg.74

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CICERO/INTERVIEW t ‘EKITI ELECTION WAS NOT RIGGED t Continued on Pg.73 At the time that election was conducted, the former governor didn’t have any chance of winning the election, because at that point, he had lost the confidence of Ekiti people. I was not there on Election Day contrary to what is being fed to the public. In fact, I represented the former President, Goodluck Jonathan at a basketball function in Lagos and seated next to me was then the commissioner for youths and sports to Lagos State, Oshodi. He was there beside me throughout on that Election Day, when I was supposed to be in Ekiti rigging election. It is also unfortunate that the young officer recorded an encounter that was misinterpreted. One, what he did was criminal. The young man should have been seriously punished and reprimanded by the military. It’s unfortunate that I am told he has been promoted. What he did was absolutely illegal – recording your minister on tape? I never invited you to come and rig any election. We walked into an altercation between them and Fayose, the then candidate of PDP in Ekiti State. Fayose was accusing them of colluding with Governor Fayemi to rig him out of the election. We walked into it and as the minister, I felt I should intervene. You can listen to that tape again and you will never hear any portion of it where I said “let’s rig an election” or gave them an instruction that the election should be rigged. No! I never did; that never took place. I listened to the same tape. No rigging ever took place in Ekiti, but people sold their argument of rigging to curry sympathy and maintain an image of a politician, who is still relevant and popular at home, rather than deal with the reality that at the time that election took place, the then governor either rightfully or wrongfully had completely eroded whatever confidence or popularity that he enjoyed when he started his administration, and that was the truth. Of what importance is Ekiti to me? I never participated in rigging any election in Lagos, why will I go and participate in election rigging in Ekiti State? I have not benefitted either directly or remotely or in any shape or form since Fayose became governor. I didn’t benefit prior to his being governor, so I had no vested interested in Ekiti. My primary and secondary interests were just to help the PDP organise themselves and give us a chance of winning the election. I did the same thing in Osun, but we lost. We didn’t cry any foul, despite the closeness of the election, and nobody will claim in Osun that they were harassed or intimidated by us with the military or anything. No, we never did. I was there and I left before the election started too. Just the same thing I did in Ekiti, on the eve of the election, I left because staying beyond that will not be justifiable, either in private or within my own conscience too. We must be able to do things that we can defend at anytime. Are you now saying that a governor who spent four years in office, with the kind of work he was said to have done in Ekiti, could not even win a single local government area? Well, that even should now show you how unpopular the governor was. There is no way anybody will plot a rigging in the governor’s local government, a sitting governor? You will be insane to do that! If you are looking for victory, you will look for it in a reasonable manner, not in a manner that will rubbish the entire election. If they will be honest, invite anyone of them let them do what I just did. I know you have more Christians than Muslims in Ekiti, let them place their hands and swear by their bibles, if they did not lose that election fair and square. Let them place their hands on their bible and swear by it, if anyone of them will dare do that. I’m not lying to you. There is nothing wrong in losing an election if we are true democrats and it’s about time that we learnt how to lose gallantly. I lost a gubernatorial election to Fashola, according to INEC. My own personal election and I did not fight anybody. We went to the tribunal, which was the right place to go despite believing that the election was rigged. It was rigged glaringly. Even the total number of votes reported exceeded the actual number of votes counted for the election by 150,000 votes. I did not die. In fact, when the party said we should go for appeal, I said I was not interested; I didn’t participate. I only participated at the tribunal. I didn’t participate in the appeal. So, that is to show you that if my own election, despite my belief that it was heavily rigged, and I didn’t do anything outrageous, why will I go to Ekiti to go and participate in rigging of an election to achieve what? What is there to achieve? Let’s look at the funding of the election, which was also very controversial, and your alleged involvement in the movement of money supposedly meant for the arms purchase. Was that also cooked up? Well, I want to say this without any fear that I never participated in moving any money meant for arms purchase. You see, in Nigeria, we politicise everything. I believe certain

Obanikoro swears by the Quran that the Ekiti election was not rigged

things should not be politicised. One thing I would say is that, I agree totally with the president that there is need to reconstruct the way we fund our elections. I totally agree and that speaks for all the political parties so that whatever mistakes made in the past are not repeated. As we stand today, the mistakes of the past are being repeated. We have seen election in Edo, we have seen election in Ondo, they are not different from what we are accustomed to. So, yes, I agree with the president that funding of election must change, tax payers money must not be used to fund election, but there is a golden opportunity now which they are missing that have not been used – to find a more justifiable means of funding election, rather than money coming from government coffers to fund elections. That has to change and that cuts across all the political parties. So, what role did you play in the probe of the Ekiti election that made the governor think that your return to the country to answer to some of the charges may have

This is my Holy Quran (he brought it out and placed his hand on it), I did not participate in any rigging of election in Ekiti State and I did not witness any rigging in Ekiti State... At the time that election was conducted, the former governor didn’t have any chance of winning the election, because at that point, he had lost the conﬁdence of Ekiti people. I was not there on Election Day contrary to what is being fed to the public

been some kind of conspiracy to bring him in? One thing is for sure, I cannot speak for Fayose and I am not a mind reader but it makes sense to say that he must have made some conclusions within himself to make such pronouncement. Evidently, he does not know who I am, that is why he could say that about me. But the truth of the matter is that, I didn’t make any deal with anybody. I was done with the academic programme that I went for, and after I was done with it, why should I stay outside Nigeria? You will need a lot of money to remain there, and don’t forget, at this age I am no longer employable in the US, so if I am going to live in the US, I must create my own business. Initially, I thought of consultancy on African affairs, but later I just realised that I was not cut out, even when I was young, I stayed in the US for nine years (1981-1989) and came back home, even as a young boy, is it now when I am a grand-father that I will now go and seat in that cold weather and be doing what? So, I’m not cut out for that kind of life and I figured that coming home and confronting these issues is more honourable than staying away. And the longer you stay away, the more people read all sorts of meaning into it. I just figured out that it’s better to deal with it once and for all and move on with my life, regardless of insinuations from any quarters. I didn’t address my mind to that. My mind was focused on getting myself sorted out within the system in terms of confronting whatever challenges that are there and dealing with them as a man. Are you free from the allegations? Well, I am not the one to answer that question. We have to push that question to the EFCC. Your party, the PDP has suddenly found itself in some kind of irredeemable crisis. Do you share this view?

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CICERO/INTERVIEW t ‘EKITI ELECTION WAS NOT RIGGED t Continued on Pg.74 Well, there is nothing irredeemable in life, it depends on the actors, but fundamental mistakes were made. After we lost the election, the party then should have been restructured. We had about two or three months to do that, but we didn’t address our mind to that, maybe because of the unexpected loss. But immediately after, the governors who ought to have been sober and more reflective chose to tend to personal needs rather than collective needs, because what brought Sheriff was this issue of people wanting to become vice-president. I was told that he promised about two or three different governors that position and that convinced them or made them to suggest to the party that Sheriff should be the chairman of PDP. That was a wrong decision. It was a wrong decision then, it is still a wrong decision now. The PDP that you see today, does it look like one that can play a major role in 2019 to you? Well for me, if the history of this country is anything to go by, it will be a tall order. I’m not God. Man proposes, but God disposes. We are planners but the almighty God is the chief planner. We can plan/plot, but if the chief planner/plotter says otherwise, no matter what your plans are, you will definitely fail. But if you ask me to speak to the realities of today in terms of the kind of hole we have dug for ourselves, I would say it is a very tall order and looking at the pattern of elections that we’ve had in the past two years, you will agree with me that as a human being, I can’t say it’s impossible; but it’s close to being impossible. Since the PDP crisis started, a lot of interventions have been made by different people, but all of them appear to have failed, including the last move by Jonathan, where Sheriff reportedly stormed out of the meeting. Why do you think the interventions have not yielded results? We have two major camps within PDP now with different agenda. You have one that wants the party to play itself back into reckoning, and you have one that has a responsibility to be an undertaker – to kill the party and bury it. These are the two elements jostling the party, and which side wins will determine what will become of PDP tomorrow. If those who want to bring the party back to reckoning win, then the party has a chance. But if those that we know have been appointed undertakers, have the upper hand at the end of the day, then you can kiss PDP goodbye. Is the situation in PDP bad enough to push someone like you to another party? You see, let me tell you, politics is about interest and looking at the Nigerian politics, the older you get, the more reflective you are on things, and I am beginning to think local since all politics is local. I am thinking more local now. Why am I thinking local now? I see my state as a state with an opportunity to show Nigeria what governance is all about through performance and I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the way we are playing our politics today in Nigeria, if we don’t reconstruct and rearrange it, God forbid, we may lose Nigeria too and with that, I am beginning to have a rethink in terms of what national politics mean? Does it have any meaning? If the federal structure has become a liability rather than an asset to Nigeria, is that where you want to be? That is what federal Republic of Nigeria in the last 50 years has become. In the last 50 years, Nigeria has gradually become a liability rather than an asset. If you look at the level of good that we have enjoyed prior to independence and a few years after independence, they are far more than what we have been able to accomplish in the last 50 years. The rate at which education was growing at that time, the sky was going to be the beginning for Nigeria. In the last 50 years, we have stunted if not regressed completely – our educational gains completely eroded. In those days, children of the rich and the poor attended the same public schools. I sat in the classroom with the children of Babatunde Jose, Chief Edu and a host of others. We the children of pepper sellers sat in the same classroom with the children of the rich of those days. That is long gone in Nigeria now. Today, your class determines the calibre of school that you attend, that is the Nigeria you have now and even the standard has fallen drastically. We cannot continue to delude ourselves believing that we are making progress, when we are actually not making any progress. I am beginning to address my mind to more local issues and to see how we can collaborate with the people of like minds to see how we can also be part of the new thinking and the new approach. The new thinking and approach for me is the future of Nigeria. By the new thinking and approach, I mean that we should restructure Nigeria for the good of everybody. If we have kept a structure for 50 years and we can’t count our blessings as it ought to be, and countries that we started together and were ahead of after independence are now far ahead of us, then something is wrong somewhere and I am convinced that it is the structure of Nigeria that is the cancer eating the country. You are one of the most experienced politicians or public office holders that this generation has produced given your experience so far, how have these experiences helped to shape your person? Let me say that coming from my background, and having served in different positions in this country, I have seen it all and that is why I try as much as possible to be guided by this experience, because you know there are productive and non-productive experiences. I want to count mine as productive

experiences over time. With that, I can sit here with you and tell you emphatically without mincing words, that if Nigeria does not reconstruct and rearrange itself, we are going to run into issues of monumental proportions, and it is better for us at this stage before we are consumed by all these to do the needful. Let’s even look at it: the federal structure is so huge and massive that it has become unmanageable. I’m talking to you from experience. How can Nigeria explain managing secondary schools and universities, when we have more fundamental issues of food and security to deal with? I also believe that the fundamental issues of education, agriculture and housing for all can be better managed at the state and local government levels if properly empowered. But I don’t know why we are running away from empowering local government administrators. In Lagos, we have had the likes of Mayor Olorunibe of blessed memory and so many prominent mayors, who have served Lagos meritoriously, like me and a host of others. I don’t know what we are afraid of, because the more you reduce the local government, the more you reduce the amount of people with interest in serving at that level, and whether we like it or not, that is the closest level of government to the people. If you can empower the local government, it is easier for people to go and compel their chairman to get things done at that level than to even see the governor. So, the restructuring we are talking about is not only about the federal government, the restructuring must also occur at the state level, but we must have the courage to do it because our future is more important than our yesterday and our today. It is evident from my own experience that most people are interested in keeping power for the sake of keeping power and not because of the value they can add. If it is adding value, when you sit in Abuja, you can tell that you are not reaching the people, except you are deceiving yourself. You can tell that primary health care must be properly given to the local government with the proper wherewithal. You cannot but admit that even the natural law of justice depicts that if I am the owner of something, I should derive more benefit from it than anybody else in the house since I am the owner. These are things that when you run away from natural justice, it will come back, hunt, fight and make nonsense of anything you are doing. You might think that you have the power to suppress or do anything, but the essence of power I believe from experience is adding value. What do you gain when you reduce or demean an individual or humanity? Because I have power over you, I will reduce you to nothing! That is not the essence of government; the essence of government is to make me a better human being, add value to my life and make it meaningful. But when you can no longer achieve that, the essence of governance has been defeated and I think that as an average public office holder, we should begin to look at things from this perspective. One, all of us can work towards reducing government in people’s lives, and two, returning power to the people in the true sense of it. And then when we do this honestly, naturally things will improve, because this idea of not being responsible to nobody is what is killing governance in Nigeria; the civil society and the public are so docile now that it is as if everyone is happy, only to go home and complain. All of us must participate, even if people are shying away from participation, we must find a way to hold them back to be part of it. That is the only way we can have the best. You cannot just sit back and say as long as it does not affect me everybody can go to hell. We must be our brother’s keeper and these are the things that I have seen from experience; the tendency for an average Nigerian to look out for themselves is not prominent rather than to look out for all of us.

In what ways are you giving back or have you given back to the society with your many years of experience in public service? Let me start from my local government administration. If you go and check the record, I, Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro was the first local government chairman in Lagos Island to visit all the primary schools in Lagos Island. I did not just visit for the sake of visitation, I went there to experience what our children were going through, and when I got to those schools, I saw schools in Lagos Island where children sat on bare floor, classrooms without blackboard, teachers without teaching aids. I saw these live, and within months we corrected all that. How can our children sit on bare floor? We immediately corrected all that within three months. It is also on record that I introduced the payment of JSS3 WAEC fees for all the children in school, because as at the time I was chairman, we were trying to find out how the children were faring, with the JSS3 examination. In the course of this interaction, we discovered that almost half of the pupils were unable to pay for the JSS3 examination; so, immediately I got back to the office, we signed and approved payments and made it mandatory subsequently. At that time, also, I saw that the bursary award for students was around 5000 naira per student and they were given either given 250 or 500naira. All these I increased by 100%. The bursary was increased to 10,000naira, while the other one was increased to either 500 or 1,000 naira, for it to be more meaningful. We did not stop at that, in order to bring government closer to the people, we must had more area councils, local government and area offices within Lagos Island. We added two additional area offices: Epetedo and Campus area, so that we can bring government closer to the people. That, we did because we realised that we had only one headquarter, which is the city hall. If you can’t come to the city hall, you can’t interact with government. That is not how to govern. So, that I expanded and I am glad to say that within the period we were there, interaction with the community improved, and we were able to uncover a number of bad roads, collapsed and non-functional drainage system, with our offices functional there. We had more interaction with the people and were able to alleviate some of their major challenges, particularly in the area of drainage system, because Lagos Island is always a messy place with flood during the raining season and even up till today, but we were able to resolve and minimize the sufferings to ensure that the drainages were flowing and we created new ones, where we’ve had collapse and where we had non-existing drainage system. Beyond that is also the fact that when I became chairman, there was a day that I was coming to the office that I saw a long queue at the council. At first, I was scared, upon asking why the queue was there, I was told that they were there to receive their monthly salaries. There and then, I said to myself that such will not happen in my office again. I immediately opened account for all the staff of the local government with People’s Bank of those days, because they had office at the city hall, and that also helped us to reduce ghost workers, since ghost workers could not open account in banks. We drastically with that effort alone reduced ghost workers and in turn, I also created other avenues for the local government to generate revenue. We also introduced stock market at that time. It was very buoyant and council made quite some money and I am sure those investments are still there as we speak today. I built two libraries to stimulate and encourage the reading culture. I also built two police posts and health centres. These are some of the modest achievements that we made at that time.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

CICERO/REPORT

The Trouble with APC National Convention The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to have boxed itself to a tight corner in its effort to fix a date for the mid-term national convention as it risk breaching the two year mandatory time lag for the exercise as required by the party’s constitution. Onyebuchi Ezigbo reports

he National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, last week, said the party had postponed its mid-term national convention indefinitely and in its place had scheduled the National Executive Committee (NEC) for April 25. He said the NEC was to take place after a national caucus meeting holding on April 24. According to Oyegun, the April 29 tentative date for the convention has been put on hold, subject to confirmation by the NEC meeting. Following intense pressure from stakeholders of the party, who were concerned about the brewing internal crisis in the ruling party, the National Working Committee (NWC) held a consultative meeting with the APC governors in March at the National Secretariat of the party after which it said the mid-term convention would hold on April 29. However, the party leadership has now put the convention on hold pending the approval of fresh dates by NEC members. The party said it would hold state congresses before the convention to nominate delegates and to fill vacancies that occurred principally from political appointments, deaths and resignations. As part of arrangements for the non-elective convention, APC said it would hold state congresses to nominate delegates and to fill vacancies that occurred principally from political appointments, deaths and resignations. It also plans to carry out constitutional amendments to accommodate some changes in the nomenclature and composition of its Board of Trustees (BoT). But all these activities cannot be executed without adequate funding and the leadership of the party has now found itself in a quagmire trying to manage the situation. Some of the reasons suspected as being behind the delays in holding the convention and which are not different from what have been preventing the leadership from summoning meetings of critical stakeholders, were internal power tussle and paucity of funds. The intrigues and clash of interests that resulted from the post-election issues, including the sharing of the spoils of election victory have all combined to keep most chieftains of the party estranged from each other. It is a fact that the party has been the worse-hit by the graveyard peace prevailing among the members, especially in the area of raising funds to carry out its obligations. Although the party leadership kept denying it, it was learnt that the convention had to be shelved due to paucity of funds and other unresolved issues. Another factor believed to be affecting the convocation of the NEC meeting and perhaps the national convention is the consideration being made by the party for the events to hold at a period that is convenient for President Muhammadu Buhari to attend. In all these, the party appeared not to have achieved the measure of success expected from the consultations, hence the delay in plans for the national convention. The very first attempt made by the leadership of APC to explore avenues of financial assistance from the presidency was rebuffed. President Buhari told them to go and develop internal mechanism of raising funds from party men and women. First, it came as a rude shock to the party leaders but all the same, they accepted the challenge and tried to develop a template for levying elected representatives and government appointees as a means of mobilising needed resources. Oyegun-led NWC reached out to members in the National Assembly and received some measure of success. But when they approached the ministers and government appointees in the executive arm for funding assistance, it failed to yield the expected fruit. The ministers rebuffed a scheduled meeting with the NWC last month, where they planned to explain details of the initiative to them. The party did not also get the desired support from governors elected on its platform.

R-L: National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President Muhammadu Buhari and a national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu at a meeting...are they thinking the future

Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who recently bared his minds on the perceived cold relationship between the governors and the leadership of the party, said the era of taking money from government coffers to fund political parties had gone. He also defended other government appointees saying President Muhammad Buhari had made it clear that it would no longer be business as usual and that the era of dipping hands in public coffers to fund party was gone. The governor stated that political party as an institution was supposed to create activities will make it to be self-reliant. Ganduje said the national officers of the APC ought to look inward and come up with strategies to raise fund, even as he gave assurance that the party would not crumble. He said the party’s leadership should begin to look for ways of generating funds internally to sustain its operations. Signs that the party might not push on with the convention as scheduled came when the constitution review committee headed by the National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire failed to conclude its assignment as expected. It was not just lack of funds that is preventing the leadership from going ahead with the convention, there are other issues ranging from the ExecutiveLegislative row and unresolved disputes in some state chapters of the party. No doubt, the party leadership is conscious of the fact that this crisis might drag through the convention period and might likely cause more damage to the fragile peace in the party. Therefore, the need to tarry a while before conducting the convention is imperative. But Oyegun on Wednesday inaugurated two high-level fact-finding and reconciliation committees to reconcile the warring party members in Kogi and Bauchi States. The first reconciliation committee for Kogi State is chaired by Tony Momoh with Gen. John Shagaya, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Gen. Ahmed Aboki and Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi as members. Another panel set up to reconcile warring groups in Bauchi State is to be chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige. Members of the committee are Gen. Lawrence Onoja, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, Gen. Lawal Jafar Isa and Alhaji Gambo Magaji. The party’s leadership had earlier set up peace committees to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders in

Kano and Gombe States. Last week’s postponement of the APC national convention has put the leadership in a tight situation because it found itself between trying to satisfy the constitutional provision, which makes it mandatory for them to hold a mid-term national convention at least once in two years and avoiding a rancorous convention. Critics of the present leadership of the party are blaming the NWC led by Odigie-Oyegun for failing to hold regular meetings of stakeholders, especially NEC meetings and convention. One of such critics is the estranged Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, whose critical stance on the Oyegun-national leadership has earned him a suspension. Frank had blamed the national executive of the party for not playing an active role in helping to build the needed harmony among the various tendencies in the ruling party and is seeking the convening of the NEC meeting to address these shortcomings. On the decision to postpone the convention, Frank said if the National convention does not hold as planned, it means that the NWC of the party has breached the constitution. Also, the party’s leadership had at some point received bashing from former Vice-President Átiku Abubakar and the national leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The latest criticism came from a group known as “Forum of APC Non-NWC National Executive Council (NEC) members, who sent a protest letter to President Buhari, over what they described as the poor handling of the affairs of the party by the NWC. The forum, whose letter dated April 6, 2017, tagged “Save our party-APC”, and addressed to President Buhari, demanded an urgent meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to help resolve certain troubling issues. They warned that if nothing is done by the president, the situation might lead to “preventable, avoidable and unnecessary intra-party cracks”. In the letter signed by a National Ex-officio, South-west coordinator, Hon. Omolayo O. Akintola, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Abuja, last week, the NEC members said they were not happy over the continued exclusion of some states from the membership of the NWC. The group also expressed displeasure over the inability of the national leadership of

the APC to hold NEC meeting as regularly as provided for in the party’s constitution. It said several letters have been written to Chief Oyegun, “without any positive reactions hence this ‘Save our party’ request. We strongly feel that an urgent call on the appropriate quarters of the party be made to ensure that NEC meeting of our party as provided by Article 25 of our party constitution is obeyed to guarantee resolution of matters affecting party amicably. We are equally greatly displeased with the ways of handling party matters solely by the National Working Committee without any recourse to the NEC from which NWC derived her powers. “Also to be noted for appropriate advice is the exclusion of sizeable number of federating states from scheme of things within the party because many states are not presently represented by party officers on the current National Working Committee, hence, the need to be having regular NEC meetings pending the much awaited amendment to the present party constitution. We, therefore, deemed it necessary putting this letter across for your timely actions to save our great party from preventable, avoidable and unnecessary intra-party/in-house cracks that the present situation might generate”. Beyond the complaints of lack of funds and the criticism of the leadership of the party is the deep-seated grievance held by many of the ruling party members, who have positioned themselves to secure one appointment or the other under President Buhari’s administration but who have had to wait almost endlessly for that opportunity to come. These crop of people are venting their anger on the party for failing to protect their interest and the party’s leadership have also been hoping that many of them would be given that opportunity so that engagements with members can be more peaceful. It is in this context that the recent board appointments made by President Buhari could be seen as a face-saving measure to douse tension within the ranks of party members. Many see the development as something that will boost the morale of party stakeholders and reduce their restiveness. And for the leadership of the party, this might be the appropriate time to hold the NEC meeting to rebuild the solidarity and unity of its membership, which is crucial before organising its mid-term convention.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ APRIL 16, 2017

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

Much Ado about Ita-Giwa’s Defection The recent defection of Senator Florence Ita-Giwa to the APC presents to her new grounds for political rejuvenation. Bassey Inyang writes.

ormer Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, on Friday April 7, formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a brief ceremony in her political ward of Ati Ema, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State. Ita-Giwa’s planned movement to the APC had become public knowledge, having been speculated in the media, but her formal departure from the PDP still took the political landscape by storm because she had maintained close rapport with the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, and members of the ruling PDP in the state and beyond. At the moment, she still chairs the board of the Cross River State Ports Authority, an appointment given to her by Ayade last year. Despite their closeness, there were indications that Ita-Giwa might have been up to deft political moves against the PDP given the non-antagonistic views she had expressed concerning issues related to the administration of President Muhammau Buhari. In the heat of the controversy that trailed the rejection of the Buhari’s nomination of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the senate for a second time, Ita-Giwa had stated that Magu’s name can be resent to the senate as many as four times based on precedent. Very recently, Ita-Giwa Ita-Giwa Commended Buhari for the Ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change, saying it was in the proper direction. “President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for signing the Paris agreement on climate change. The Niger Delta region is rich in coastal environment that is highly prone to adverse environmental changes. “These changes are occasioned by climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion and many decades of oil pollution, leading to loss of livelihoods and ecosystems. The implementation of this agreement will save the world and preserve lives,” she stated in a press statement made available to journalists in Calabar. For a woman not known to be an environmental activist, except serving once on the senate committee on environment or an anti-corruption crusader, her recent pro-Buhari stance was at best the foundation-laying stage for her departure to the APC, a party whose presidential candidate she vigorously campaigned against in the build-up to the 2015 general elections. Received into the APC by the Chairmen of the Bakassi chapter of the party, Mr. Cyril Ene; former representative of the Cross River South Senatorial District, Bassey Otu, and a host of prominent members of the party in the state, Ita-Giwa explained why she left the APC. “Thank God for making today happen. I knew today had to happen. I thank the leadership of APC. In the past one and a half years, I have not attended any meeting of any political party. It would be out of place for a woman of my stature to join a group of people that are fragmented. My stature in Nigeria, and my age cannot permit me to jump from faction to faction. It would make me look very small. There is no retirement age for politics. Nigeria needs experience. As you grow older in politics, you learn on the job and get better. “I chose the platform of APC to continue my political life. As long as I am in this world, I would not leave politics. APC in Cross River State has been too quiet. I fear nobody. If you are in a political party, you have to make your presence felt. Now, I am in APC, that silence would stop,” Ita-Giwa said. Her movement to the APC has generated diverse reactions within the political circle in the state. Chairman of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and one time National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Venatius Ikem have applauded her for joining them in the APC, describing her as a “big catch” for the ruling party in the country, and leading opposition party in the state. Ikem, now a member of the APC added a twist to her defection, saying Ita-Giwa’s action may have freed decampees from political witch-hunt. “As Cross River south senatorial district takes determined steps to up their presence and membership in APC, I urge the rest of the state to do likewise. Cross River State, according to Governor Liyel Imoke, cannot afford to be in the opposition! We must hearken to his advice and wisdom. “As the dust from this wave of movement settles, I am happy that the Governor is no longer threatening defectors with thunder and brimstone, maybe because they are not his brothers and sisters from Obudu and the north. “We welcome this development too. I even understand that he is begging Senator Ita-Giwa not to resign her appointment as Chairman of the Cross River State Ports Authority. She is at liberty to leave but keep the appointment, to save him the embarrassment. We thank God. How times change. Maybe it’s the policies that change. It could even be that it is people that change. But it’s all CHANGE,” Ikem stated in his reaction. Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Menns Ikpeme, also said “It is a welcome development for our party. We really appreciate her entrance to the APC. It was long overdue. She is definitely going to bring her wealth of experience and her resources to the party. You know we in the southern senatorial district love her. The APC family really loves her. I love her. We have all embraced her.” In another breath, her defection has attracted some angry reactions

Ita-Giwa

from members of the PDP, some of whom have described her as an “ingrate.” Reacting, a member of the PDP caucus in the state and one time chairman of Ikom local government area, Ndoma-Egodo, a lawyer said “Mma Giwa’s defection is of no moment. Mma Giwa has no political value in this state. She is a spent horse. Her movement will not impact negatively on the PDP nor add to the electoral value of APC. “She merely reunited with her old political crowd in the APC as indicated in her speech. Besides, she is looking for an appointment since PDP can no longer foot her bills. She was in the presidency when (Olusegun) Obasanjo ceded Bakassi. What did she do? It is good riddance to bad rubbish”. Curiously, Governor Ayade views Ita-Giwa’s defection from a different perspective, and has accepted it in good fate. Ayade is believed to have been briefed by the political Amazon fondly referred to as “Mama Bakassi,” of her intention, on the eve of her departure from the PDP. “She has only expressed her freedom to associate as guaranteed by the constitution. As an adult, she has made her decision, but that has not hindered any rapport between her and the governor. The governor is not irked at all. You know the governor looks at political parties as mere vehicles – as a means to an end,” Ayade’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita told THIDSAY.

For a woman not known to be an environmental activist, except serving once on the senate committee on environment or an anti-corruption crusader, her recent pro-Buhari stance was at best the foundation-laying stage for her departure to the APC, a party whose presidential candidate she vigorously campaigned against in the build-up to the 2015 general elections

Her movement to the APC did not come as a surprise to many because she had defected from one party to another before, more so given the fact that most Nigerian politicians are not inclined to any particular political ideology. In 2004, Ita-Giwa defected from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), to the PDP, after spending one term in the senate. The question on many lips is: ‘what electoral value would Ita-Giwa add to the APC, and what does the PDP stand to lose? Given her pedigree in politics, having won elections twice to the National Assembly, first to the House of Representatives in the Third Republic and later to the Senate in the Forth Republic, it would not be out of place to conclude that she is a popular politician in her own right. After joining the PDP, she applied her massive political frame, and mass mobilisation skills to the ruling party, and contributed to its domineering of the political space, especially in the Southern senatorial district, and Bakassi in particular, where she hails from. Thus, the APC stands to benefit from her joining the political party, that is, if her charisma has not waned over the years. But her political fortune seems to have nosedived since the count-down to the 2011 general election, a development remotely linked to the final ceding of the original Bakassi peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon way back in 2008. For one, the entire registered voters in the Bakassi area reduced from the tens of thousands it stood before its ceding, to about 5,000 people thereafter. Aside from this, the issue of resettlement balkanised her people along factions, which reverberated during the PDP primary elections, a fierce and rancorous manner never before associated with the once politically homogenous people. This development seems to have put her popularity to test among and beyond Bakassi, even in a one-party dominated polity, where the PDP maintained complete python grip. Her support for the return of Bassey Otu, to the senate failed to materialise as she could not pull enough strings to secure him the prized ticket of the PDP at the primaries. Even when Otu, who also is currently in the APC, left the PDP and contested the substantive senatorial election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), Ita-Giwa’s support failed to secure him victory. Otu lost to the current senator, Mr. Gershom Bassey of the PDP, who obviously did not enjoy Ita-Giwa’s support. The PDP candidate even polled substantial votes in Bakassi. It was gathered that during the Governor Liyel Imoke era as the leader of the PDP in the state, Ita-Giwa was systematically sidelined, even though she was decorated with the title of the leader of Bakassi politics. “Mma (Ita-Giwa) was presented as the political leader of Bakassi on face value, but in practical terms, she was reduced to a mere onlooker, and outsider within the party,” a member of PDP, who did not want his name in print confided in THISDAY. Having joined the APC with the hope of operating in a political turf that would afford her enough space to freely express herself politically again, events leading to, and perhaps the 2019 general election would provide the necessary parameters to judge the electoral fortunes Ita-Giwa would bring to her new party in the state.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ RIL 16, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

Construction work going on at a road project

PPP: Way Out of Infrastructure Deficit in Nigeria Iyiola Omisore

of contract awards to private firms to execute a project designed and financed by governments. ince the advent of globalisation, Thus, on the average, Nigeria has fared, rather poorly, especially in view of the country’s need much promoted by internet technology, some twenty years for requisite infrastructure for nation’s potential developmental capacity. ago, the world, outside of its My intervention in the following submission is southern hemisphere, the era anchored on a very straight forward argument to of government, at every level the extent that, even with real needs and potential of nation’s political economy, being solely responsible for the returns on investment by investors, inadequate provisions in the legal framework to sufficiently total conception, financing and management safeguard investors and financiers’ interest may of public projects has since ceased to be the continue to constitute major road blocks for norm, as there has been much and involving contractual relationships between the public and Nigeria, at all levels of the Nigerian authorities the private sector of the polity in the procurement in the country’s PPP drive for the much needed public procurement of utilities and services. The of public utilities under an arrangement known critical point to be made here is that, though, there as public private partnership [PPP]. Although, seems to be shortage of investable funds in the PPP is seen as new and novel that has come on International Market, but Nigeria’s crisis seems stream in the last 20 years, the idea, historically, compounded by the integrity profile of our legal has not been absent, since governments, as framework for an ideal PPP model. authorities of states, has had to procure utilities In the final analysis, and without going into the for the people, hundreds of years, since. The details of the shortfalls in the legal framework, reality is that the private sector has always been as has been identified in many studies, see, for involved whenever it has become necessary instance, Essia and Yusuf, 2013, suffice to say, for governments, or their agencies, to provide public services for their people. The arrangement however, that the Infrastructure Concession prevalent most societies is the design and finance Regulatory Commission [ICRC] Act of 2005, the Public Procurement Act 2007 regulations [by government], build and deliver [by private issued by ICRC governing the PPP process and contractors] and manage [by government]. various state laws as described in each State’s Hitherto, before PPP became the norm, this PPP policies falls short of necessary regulatory was the arrangement by which roads, railway, framework for proper implementation of PPP electricity and water services were provided, the projects, most importantly with respect to world over. dispute resolution during the tenor of the contract. Whereas, countries outside of sub-regional Yet, the apex bank should make concerted efforts Africa has had a major paradigm shift in public to offer assistance to commercial and industrial procurement, countries within the sub-regional banks to enable them offer financial skills required African continent, Nigeria inclusive, are yet in PPP management. to avail themselves of the opportunities and advantages in the provisions of public services and utilities, as offered by the PPP model, for Conceptual Clarification their peoples, thereby expanding the scope of PPP has become a generic term to describe their socio–economic developments. plethora of contractual business relationships While it is recognised that the PPP model and management indices between governments has been deployed to execute a few public [national, state and local, including their respective projects in Nigeria, its utility value has been agencies] and private sector that may be promotmostly felt in Lagos state where the authorities ers and financing Institution, i.e. banks. has partnered with private sectors for design, In some PPP model, project financiers [banks] finance and management of public utilities. may be part of contractual arrangement as Even then, the projects involved are hardly investors, thereby part of the risk-sharing, with a ones that can recommend themselves to a view of participating in the accruing profit and sustainable management status under an ideal also losses from such business undertakings. PPP model. Outside of Lagos State, cursory It suffices, however, that this arrangement is not survey of the infrastructure procurement by state popular in ideal PPP model for public procuregovernments is still largely tied to the old model ment, as some financial regulations preclude

the most complex and expensive of the PPP models because it involves a situation whereby the contractor provide a complete installation to specification at a fixed price and at a fixed schedule of facility delivery. A typical example of this PPP Operational Models Under PPP Arrangement model is the installation of power plant. 9 FRANCHISE. Under this PPP arrangement In the public perception, any contractual the service provider, called the franchisee is relationship between government and a private allowed to charge a fee on the public for the use sector is deemed to qualify as a business model under a PPP arrangement. However, there seems of an infrastructure facility which has already been built by government for which the franchisee pays to be some consensus around the following a periodic lump sum to government after making business arrangements as qualifying for PPP allowance for maintenance cost and profit margin. business relationships. (10) Lease/Maintain is a typical arrangement, 1 BRT –Build –Operate- Transfer. Under this whereby private vendor pays rent for use of arrangement, private investors access funds to facility owned by government. The vendor is build a public facility/utility, sells the output to responsible for maintenance of the utility. the public and transfer at the end of the contract (11) ROT-Rehabilitate-Operate-Transfer is a arrangement. model, whereby a private investor rehabilitates 2 BRT-Built-Rent-Transfer. This is a model where private investor builds a facility, rents it out facility, operates it to recover cost of investment and the transfer to government at the end of contract. to recoup investment, and, thereafter transfer the (12) RLT-is a PPP arrangement under which facility to the authority [government] at the end of private enterprise rehabilitates a facility, signs a contract duration. lease agreement with a government agency for 3 BTO –Build –Transfer –Operate apply to a use, with a view of cost recovery, thereafter transfer, contractual agreement where a private vendor facility to government at the end of contract. builds facility, transfer to government who either operates directly or contract such facility out to a Third Party. The investor either gets full payment General Features of PPP Schemes at the end of contract, or share in the earnings Irrespective of the model adopted, there are from operation, thereafter. common features that define the essence of any 4 Concession is a model, whereby the private contractual business relationship assumed to be vendor, otherwise called the concessionaires may PPP. The infrastructure or service must be funded, or may not build a facility, but is allowed to in whole or in part by the private partner, and this, operate an already existing facility on which he in essence, influence on how risks are distributed may have refurbished. He is allowed to charge between the public partner and the private investor. users a fee or toll for use of the facility for a To be sure, PPP are complex structures, involving period of the contract. multiple parties and relatively high transaction 5 DBB-Design- Bid-Build is a model where costs. But whatever the cost, a PPP model must government agency provides a design, put out relieve government of the yearly burden in budget tender for private investors to bid and build upon provisions for a public utility, because PPP must winning by a private investor. become a procurement tool where the focus is 6 DBFO-Design, Build, Finance and Operate. payment for the successful and efficient delivery of Under this PPP model government design an services. Here, the performance risk is transferred to Infrastructure facility, private vendor finances the private partner. building and, thereafter, operates of cost recovery. PPP is an output/performance based arrange7 DBMF-Design, Construct, Maintain and ment, as opposed to the traditional input-based Finance. Under this arrangement, government model of public service delivery where the focus takes the responsibility for the design and the is payment for the successful delivery of services. finances of the facility, while the private sector do - Senator Iyiola Omisore (Ph.D), a the construction and maintenance of facility, with former chairman of Senate Committee on returns to government, based on some sharing Appropriation, is CEO, Chrisore Engineerformular. ing Limited 8 EPC CONTRACT –Engineering (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com) Procurement and Construction. This is, perhaps, banks from getting involved in business ventures beyond their statutory function of managing public funds, committed to the procurement of public infrastructure.

APRIL 16, 2017 ˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

The Travails of Nnamdi-Ogbue John Bassey Inametti

he has a trade mark look that creates a touch of unusualness about her person. There is this smile that paints her lips in glowing colours in every of her pictures. But the smiles don’t look permanent. Surrounding the smiles is this look of seriousness; or what in the local parlance has often been described as a ‘no-nonsense-look.’ She looks tough and ready to get cracking on issues within her portfolio. But that’s not the most important aspect of her trademarks. While every woman cherishes long, rich sprawling hairstyles that spread from the neck to the shoulders, she keeps a low-cut. The cut is so low that even in the pictures posted on the internet, it exposes a bit of the scalp. One female commentator observed that keeping the hair low has helped her use the time she would have spent in hair salons to attend to other pressing needs. She may be right. But another, probably a male commentator, immediately responded that women with low hair cut could be stubborn. Perhaps, he is also right. Generally, low hair cut in women is said to depict stubbornness. And in the case of Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, the immediate-past managing director and chief executive officer of the downstream sector of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, it is stubbornness with a different meaning. Or what you would describe as stubbornness in the positive. She has been described as a stickler to rules. And she is a lawyer in the graduating class of 1984, according to one of her classmates. The questions on the lips of those who have been following her story are many. First, what is it about this woman that she has almost become a regular guest of the eagle-eyed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission? In the last one year or so, she has been invited or arrested by the EFCC twice. The good news, however, is that at no time has she spent a night in their cell. One can also ask: these repeated arrests, are they based on hard facts or is somebody simply trying to embarrass her? Last week, just like it happened some time last year, Mrs Nnamdi-Ogbue was in the news for certain wrong reasons; or so it seemed. By way of introduction, information on the internet shows that before her appointment as the chief executive officer of the NNPC downstream sector, she was initially in charge of the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) of the NNPC in the same capacity. In the typical Nigerian reasoning, she was sitting on top of oil money. In Nigeria, oil money comes cheap. Something curious happened about a year ago that drew national or global attention to this woman. She woke up one morning to see tough-looking officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission at her doorsteps. Was she surprised? Available information showed that someone or a group of people had written a petition or lodged a complaint with the EFCC accusing her of building a two billion naira mansion in the exclusive Maitama District of Abuja in less than six months. That was enough to attract the attention of the anti-corruption agency. In fact, it would have been unprofessional of the EFCC not to step into the situation. Happening in the early days of the current intensified anti-corruption crusade, this was big news; and she was promptly arrested for questioning. In addition, the said mansion was thoroughly searched before she was whisked away. From media reports, after questioning her, the anti-corruption body discovered that the petition was written by contractors who required that she circumvented the rules to award them juicy contracts at the PPMC whether they were qualified for such jobs or not. And because she stubbornly refused to do that by asking them to go through the normal process, they decided to “deal’’ with her. But what about the mansion she was said to have built? Where did she get the two billion naira from? Also from media reports of the incident, it was discovered that before and even after her appointment, she was living in one of the low cost housing estates in the popular area of Abuja. It was therefore the decision of the NNPC leadership to get her into what was described as a more secured environment, and a more befitting accommodation because of the type of work she was involved in. That means the building was not her own as was speculated. Credit must however be given to the EFCC for their quick action and professional handling of the situation at that time. It was however believed that there would have been no need for her arrest in the first place if the agency was less emotional about the issue. That means if a thorough investigation had

Nnamdi-Ogbue been carried out, it would first have been established that the property was not her own and that it was rented for her by the NNPC. That was her first baptism of fire with the law enforcement agency. Before she was even cleared of wrong doing by the investigating body, she had been judged and condemned in the court of public opinion. As earlier stated, just last week, the oil madam was back in the news. This time, the news was of a different type. Two incidents actually unfolded at the same time. None was good news; although no news is good news depending on how it affects you. The first was that she was forced to resign her job as the managing director of the NNPC downstream sector. In fact, part of the news said she was sacked, others said she was retired. Whatever happened, the bottom-line is that she is no longer there. Although the reason for that action still remains shrouded in mystery, it was speculated in the social media that she was actually what the Americans would call a fall guy in a high-wired oil deal involving top players in the industry. We are still waiting for the details of that deal and what could have led to her early retirement from service. It must not be forgotten that before these sketchy details emerged about her forced exit, she was being bandied in the media as having had her hands badly soiled with a massive looting of public funds. The reason was because of the discovery of about $50 million dollars in a certain apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos. This happened within the same week and almost the same day she was given a marching order at the NNPC. It was a case of the saying that the bird of death cried in the night and the child dies at daybreak, and you are still asking who killed the child? Again, she woke up on Thursday morning (last week) to see another batch of EFCC operatives at her doorsteps. She was promptly picked up for hard questioning. Unknown to many people, there is nothing to show that her arrest and interrogation had anything to do with the funds discovered in Ikoyi. Even then, her lawyers came up with a statement to debunk every imagination that the money recovered in Ikoyi was hers or had any connection with why she left the NNPC. The statement read in part: “The attention of our client, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-

Ogbue, has been drawn to the news making rounds in the news media to the effect that the large sums of money to wit: $38, 000, 000; N23, 000, 000 and £27, 000 uncovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from an apartment in Osborne Towers, Osborne Road, Ikoyi Lagos, Lagos State belong to her. “By this press release, we inform the public (especially the news media) that the said sums of money and/or the apartment where the sums of money were found do not belong to our client. Our client is as shocked as many other Nigerians at the uncovering and recovery of the said sums of money and wishes to salute the courage and efforts of the EFCC in the war against corruption. She also wishes to commend the whistle blowing policy introduced by the Federal Government in the fight against corruption which policy has resulted in large scale uncovering and recovering of monies and assets. “It is our client’s belief that the source and the ownership of the said uncovered sums of money is known or eventually will be known by the EFCC in due course. There is therefore no need for conjecture or speculation. May we finally implore the news media to be more circumspect in their publications.” Before night time on Friday, several names were in the media linked to the uncovered money. While some of them denied ownership, others simply kept quiet. In the case of Nnamdi-Ogbue, the public may not only be interested in the recovered money; more importantly, there would be need for the NNPC to tell the full story of why she was relieved of her appointment. Except this is done, the public will continue to speculate. Already, ethnic colouration is being added to the reasons for her removal. Someone has even reminded government that she, except by marriage, comes from Ibeno, the host community to ExxonMobil in Akwa Ibom State. Of course, there is also a gender angle to it. In addition, if what is being disseminated in the media is anything to go by, why should an innocent person be punished for an offence committed by greedy business moguls. Is there any information to the effect that she was a part of the suspected conspiracy? ––Inametti is an Abuja based public affairs analyst.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ RIL 16, 2017

BBNaija: Abati’s Faux Moral Outrage Livinus Acholonu

ad to see Dr. Reuben Abati, the former presidential spokesperson, a man I consider gifted, reduced to a figure of fun and exposed to torrents of social media attacks over his recent article, Television as Madness. Abati’s attackers have been so vicious that some of the things written about him, in adherence to community standards, are better left out. The article reviewed the just concluded Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show, produced by MultiChoice. While the former presidential aide admitted the show producers got many things right, he devoted a large portion of his article to savaging MultiChoice, sponsors and partners, a female housemate (as the participants/contestants are called) and the show itself, an undertaken that invited the cocktail of derision and near-prehistoric savagery from fans of the clearly very successful show. MultiChoice, Payporte (headline sponsors of BBNaija) and other partners, griped Abati, “made crazy money and got brand promotion of the back of the sweat of Nigerians”. This, for reasons of civility, will be described as nationalistic nonsense. Did they invest “crazy money” (to borrow Abati’s phrase) to keep Nigerians entertained for the duration of the show? I would think that it is uncomplicated to figure that if you invest crazy money in a commodity from which the consumers think commensurate value is derivable, you should be entitled to insane dividends. Brand promotion? The same applies - for the simple reason that sponsorship is not charity. As for voting, which the show relied upon for eviction of housemates, much of this was done online, not with airtime. Abati whined that Nigerians got peanuts in return because the show was not staged here, blaming the government for not insisting on it. He cited the problem of power supply as the reason given by producers of the show. That was one reason (genuine, at that), not the only reason. MultiChoice had explained before the show that it has a purpose-built facility in South Africa where it had always staged its Big Brother Africa series, the reason for which it was financially unsound to invest in another facility, especially in these days of cost-cutting. Financial arguments, however sound or plausible, never sit well with those in the grip of rabid patriotism. An extravagant claim, for which Abati supplied no evidence, was “all the staff, who worked on the programme with extremely marginal exception, were South Africans”. Like Abati, I was not in the BBN House, so I would not know-for a fact-the percentage of Nigerians involved in

the show. What I know was that Nigerians produced the overwhelming majority of artistes and entertainment personalities invited to feature on the show. Let us even take it that he is right. The AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards, organised by the same MultiChoice, have been held in Nigeria since inception. GOtv Boxing Night, which has revived boxing in the country, is only held in Nigeria. MultiChoice operates in 47 African countries. Should that count for something? I think so. His guff-hawking continued with the suggestion that BBNaija is something that should never happen again in the form we saw it because the show, which he likened to mass hypnotism, exploited the public need for distraction. In that case, we should start an agitation against the live broadcast of English Premier Leagues games in the country. They are too much of an anaesthesia. “If MultiChoice, as a corporate investor, wants to make a contribution to Nigeria, it must find ways of doing so in more meaningful forms,” he wrote. Clearly, Abati does not hate reality shows. He simply prefers, allegedly, those that promote talent, music, human capability and genius, enhanced relationships and intellect. All well and good. Others have different tastes and prefer different routes to celebrity-dom. Television as Madness won Abati applause among those who believe that BBNaija was immoral. The former presidential spokesperson, an influential columnist, thus became the patron saint of BBNaijaphobes, the tribe of people ignorant of the fact that they were under no obligation to watch, who also consider the parental control button on their remote control as purely decorative. BBNaijaphobes were taking moral lessons from a man not qualified to teach such. TBOSS, one of the last housemates, was rounded on by Abati for displaying her breasts on live television. That is fine if you have the constitution of a priest. “I have seen better breasts, TBoss,” Abati wrote in the article, just stopping short of saying the housemate’s fun bags may have seen too much action, the reason they can licitly be described as “fallen heroes”. I take it that Abati’s knowledge of breasts - including the assumption that his mammary preference is universal must have been acquired during tete-a-tetes with Playboy’s Hugh Hefner or in a mammography unit of a cancer centre. Abati even knows the preference of private jet owners at whom TBoss admitted she was aiming her assets. “If the same men see bigger assets, I mean those interesting Orjiakor-like ones that look like papayas, pineapples and watermelons, they will not send private jets. They will

send submarines and fighter jets,” Abati wrote sagely. Bizarrely, and in a show of approximately 0.00 per cent self-awareness, Abati felt he is qualified to talk about morality. Thankfully, the last sentence of his article exposed him. “Congratulations, Efe (eventual winner of the show); the grace of God is forever sufficient, but sorry Nigeria,” he wrote. I would rather take lessons in sexual chastity from Fela Anikulapo-Kuti than listen to Dr. Abati talk about sexual morality. This, I need to add, is not because I have seen his face in an adult movie. The man gleefully recommending Cossy’s “nuclear warheads” to private jet owners, as against TBoss’ marble-sized nuts, was claiming familiarity with the grace of God? Come on! What Abati, a man of immense wit and knowledge, demonstrated is that being the smartest or having the highest intelligence quotient does not guarantee an awareness of one’s own obnoxiousness. Nobody advertising himself as inhabiting a moral space on a matter such as this, as Abati did, should fail to understand that sexual objectification is an obnoxious trait. Curiously, he proudly advertised himself as a maestro. Yet, he had the cheek to rail against the show for its “promotion of base values, chiefly adultery, prostitution, love of money, nudity and sex”. For one, I did not see prostitution on BBNaija, as no transactional sexual activity was reported throughout the duration. Love of money? Those milking the country, with whom Abati spent some years, did not watch BBNaija. Neither did kidnappers, ritualists et al. Promotion of adultery? I fail to see how the show promoted adultery. A married male housemate lied about his status to a female housemate to get things going and Abati is heaping the blame on the show, as though it made special television commercials recommending such conduct to people. Many of the housemates claimed to have one education qualification or the other. Should one of them be found to have lied, Abati, most likely, will accuse the show of creating Dino Melaye 2.0. I consider Dr. Abati’s article an expression of his dislike for modern pop culture. He has form in this regard. In a scathing 2009 article, he dismissed modern Nigerian music as meaningless and devoid of morality, saying the country’s musical output, based on its perceived hollowness, will not be remembered in years to come. I suspect that Malawians, Ugandans, Kenyans, Tanzanians and citizens of other African countries, where Nigerian music is currently the rage, will disagree. ––Acholonu, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja

Let Godwin Obaseki Be John Mayaki

do people escaped the invading and importuning clutches of severe misrule and diabolic maladministration by the whiskers when the spirits of the ancestors and the provisions of the law booted out the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to usher in good governance under ComradeAdams Oshiomhole. PDP had been in power for 10 excruciating years and had bled the soul of the heartbeat state dry, looted the exchequer, and done enough damage to undo the exemplary works of the late Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia. Again, the desire for good governance and economic justice prevailed on September 28, 2016 as Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, the All Progressive’s Congress (APC) candidate earned a resounding victory over his PDP rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the Edo Gubernatorial election and thus earned the confidence of the people to be their governor for the next four years. He was true to his middle name – Nogheghase, ‘a man whose time has come’. That victory demonstrated the people’s yearning for continuity in governance. Since then, there has been no let-up in the pace of development in all sectors of the state’s economy. A key pillar of that administration was Mr Godwin Obaseki, who was the Chairman of the State’s Economy and Strategy Team that midwifed many meaningful programmes to the Edo people. It was therefore no surprise that as Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure ended, the popular choice for his successor was Mr Godwin Obaseki, who, as political experts rightly predicted, swept his way to power and assumed office as the state’s Executive Governor on Nov 12, 2016. Not all, however, appreciated the gubernatorial election victory. Desirous to resume its baulked buffet at the state’s exchequer, PDP alleged that its candidate was short-changed in the election. Nice enough, the legal tussle took its full course and a verdict was given by the Edo Election Petition Tribunal, which unanimously validated Governor Godwin Obaseki’s claim to the office of service at Osadebe Avenue, Benin City. The judgment was clear and unambiguous, underscoring the imperative for the governor to serve out his 4-year tenure without hindrance. The victory certainly is an impetus for the governor to stride on with the accelerated tempo of social and infrastructural development of the state. The baneful virus of godfatherism had greatly crippled and perverted

the electoral system in the state while also limiting the state’s development in many ways. The administration of Adams Oshiomhole battled the state’s godfathers fiercely to the point of ‘retiring’ them from active politics. His campaign mantra of one-man-one-vote was effective enough to stop the state’s godfathers in their nefarious strides. The Edo people keyed into the mantra, and when it mattered most, they ensured that their votes indeed counted. The radical shift from the beshrewing spectre of godfatherism pleased Edo people, irrespective of their political leanings, especially with the acknowledgement that a government that truly earned the legitimacy of the people will be careful enough to safeguard their interests through responsible governance. Notwithstanding this, the PDP opposition exercised its right to legal redress over perceived wrongs and as the tribunal judgment has shown, such standpoint was misjudged, ill-conceived and misdirected. Perceptive political observers think that it is time that Nigerian politicians began to re-orientate themselves in matters of electoral contests such that, in a reasonably transparent and credible election where only one candidate out of many will emerge winner, they must learn to accept political defeat in good faith and with equanimity. It is also beyond dispute that needless legal wrangling in the face of obvious electoral defeat impedes smooth governance. The nation’s extant constitution prescribes a term of four years for elective offices and that period is quickly exhausted for working governor. Four years is not an eternity, for which our attitude to electoral defeat must be ‘do or die’. Irrespective of political affiliations, the Edo electorate consists people from the same stock; hence, prolonged electoral acrimonies must be avoided, as it can certainly not help meaningful development. Opposition in partisan politics is a healthy phenomenon, but immoderately executed, it becomes an anathema to a society’s progress. Why ‘fight to quench’ when another opportunity could present itself to fight another day? The Christian Holy Scripture teaches that the race is never to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that time and chance happens to them all. Though we may disagree with candidates for election, once the results of an election are announced, we should become one again until the next election. We should support the victor, who could even pick some of his cabinet nominees from the opposition for the good of the state and for the furtherance of democracy. Governor Godwin Obaseki is a well-tested and reputed technocrat and Edo state is fortunate to have him now. Since his election,

Obaseki fundamental measures for the state’s economic growth have been implemented. He may not be a loud governor, but he is no less effective as he is quietly working and things are going. Everyone, including the opposition knows this; hence, there must be no room for distractions. It would be recalled that Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia passed on last month, and in death, he was celebrated like no other Edo man in recent times because of the legacies he left behind as a two-time governor of Bendel State. Such legacies are what Edo State desperately needs, and Governor Godwin Obaseki is a man with prospects, vision and determination and any further legal wrangling over elections should be jettisoned. 2020 is not far away! Let Edo people think wiser and let Governor Godwin Obaseki be! John Mayaki is Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obaseki

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ RIL 16, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

From UN, a Laurel for Okowa Victor Efeizomor

he political class has come to be associated with negative tendencies like, deceit, exploitation, scandal, fraud, venality, treachery and corruption. This makes members of this elite group get to be regarded with disdain, suspicious and scorn in some quarters. The general presumption is that politicians hardly run through political office and public service without been accused of one form of negativity or abandoning the very essence for which they were elected. It is also a common perception that Nigerian political leaders are drawn to power and political offices mostly because of what they stand to gain for themselves and their close family and friends. However, on the other side, there are some who have etched their name on the hall of fame and held their head up high through their track records of outstanding achievements and contributions to humanity and their efforts towards enhancing socio- political and economic development of the society. These groups of decent and principled politicians, share a common interest, desire and ideology of integrity , striving to earn the status of statesman, by contributing their quarter to the advancement of humanity and transforming the society for the betterment of mankind. It is on this premise that the United Nations (UN) General Assembly beamed its search light on the African continent, to seek for men and women of honor and uprightness, to bestow the prestigious Laurie of the Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandel leadership Prize, in recognition of the humility of Nelson Mandela. According to the UN , “ The aim of the Prize is to recognize the achievements of those who dedicated their lives to the service of humanity, by promoting the purposes and principles of the United Nations while honouring and paying homage to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation” It is in the light of this that the United Nation through independent investigation found His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa fit and proper to get the prize having painstakingly considered his track records and developmental policies and economic politics. It is often said that the margin of victory in life can sometime be

Okowa measured in inches. No one can doubt the political significance of His Excellency; Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in Nigeria and in Delta State in particular. One can say without any fear of contradiction that, Governor Okowa is a force to be reckoned with and has remained the singular most important political factor with regards to the dynamics of politics and administration . Presenting the award to Governor Okowa a fortnight ago, Ambassador Joseph Rankin, Governor General for Africa, International Commission of Diplomatic Relations, Human Rights and Peace Ambassador for the African Region – International Human Rights Commission, in a brief but impressive ceremony which was attended by the wife of the Governor, Dame Edith

Okowa and other top government functionaries at the Government House, Asaba, said he was excited over Governor Okowa ‘s prodigious pedigree. According to Ambassador Rankin, “nominees for the award must have made substantial and long-term contributions in furtherance of civil rights, civil liberties, human rights on the African continent,” he said, asserting, “the Mandela Medal is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of human rights in Africa; the African region headquarters of the International Human Rights Commission, Geneva, Switzerland has established this award to honor and give public recognition to an individual that has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of human rights on the African continent.” While noting that “the Mandela Medal is the pinnacle of human rights recognition in Africa,” the Ambassador disclosed, “we are in Asaba city, the capital of Delta State in Nigeria to honour and commend a great achiever who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and protection of the human rights embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in other United Nation’s Human Rights instruments.” He added that the Governor was carefully selected by a special committee comprising the General Assembly members of the IHRC and the Economic and Social Council of the International Commission of Diplomatic Relations, Human Rights and Peace, noting that the creation of job opportunities through skill acquisition programme of the state government that will make the beneficiaries millionaires within a decade was laudable. The Ambassador also, observed that apart from job creation which the Governor Okowa administration has done very well through the Job Creation Office, Governor Okowa’s administration had also, put structures in place to ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected. Significantly, the prize did not come as a surprise to many who are abreast with the anticident and protigious track records of Governor Okowa in the area of administration and politics just as it as been chorused that the award would no doubt spore him to greater challenges as he has set out a task for himself to fight for the less privilege and the defenseless in the society. ––Prince Victor Efeizomor is Print Media Assistant to Governor Okowa (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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NEWSXTRA Usman: Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Rally Till Chibok Girls Are Rescued James Emejom in Abuja

The co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, Ms. Bala Usman yesterday vowed to sustain the campaign to press for the rescue and return of all adopted Chibok girls. Speaking on Arise Television, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, she said the campaign was able to attract both local and global attention partly because people set aside religious and ethnic considerations.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it was the ability of people to empathise and understand that this is an important thing. I remember saying letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come out and demand - a few people had expressed concern that no one is going to be interested, people might not come out and respond. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I remember being very clear to say even if five of us come out, five of us care and I believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something we should do irrespective of the differences we might have. Some of the

narrative around the adoption of Chibok girls was around the fact that there was a divide along religious, and ethnic lines.â&#x20AC;? She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were questions around why we were advocating, why I was coming out because â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;you are not from the North-east, the girls are predominantly Christians or you are not from Chibokâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But once you believe in something, you understand that these girls were adopted, were kidnapped, everyone was able

to come out and say yes, these are young girls, yes, no one should be taken away from their family and of course, we would rally round until the girls are rescued and returned backâ&#x20AC;?, she pledged. Boko Haram had kidnapped 276 girls from a boarding secondary school in Borno State in April 2014. The girls were writing their General Certificate Examinations (GSE) before the terrorists struck. Usman said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that point after the kidnap I felt we should

ask, demand for their rescue and Nigerians and indeed the global community should not be quiet on the magnitude of such adoption. And a week after the abduction, I remembered sending emails to friends and asking them to come out and raise the voices of this vulnerable group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Chibok community is indeed a very small community, a minority and may not have that ability to crave the awareness

No Further Negotiation with FG until Kanuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Release, IPOB Declares David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

COURTESY VISIT L-R: Popular artiste, Olamide Adeniji, and Chief Marketing Of-

AFRICA SUMMIT L-R: CEO, TEXEM and Advisory Board member, London School

ďŹ cer, Sterling Bank Plc, Henry Bassey, during a courtesy call on the bank in Lagos...recently

of Economics Africa Summit, Dr. Alim Abubakre, and Chairperson, First Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, at the LSE Africa Summit in London, UK...recently

Senator Dino Melaye Escapes Assassination Attempt

I Believe in Justice, Fairness, Says Ibori

Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District of Kogi State, yesterday escaped an assassination attempt made on his life by yet unknown gunmen at his country home in AiyetoroGbede in Ijumu local government area of Kogi State. The Chairman Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building was reportedly riddled with bullets while two vehicles were destroyed, including one security vehicle. Addressing newsmen yesterday, Melaye said the assailants came about 12 midnight and started shooting sporadically at his building. He said the shooting occurred intermittently with little break for more than one hour, where two of his vehicles (security car and a caravan) were destroyed. Dino, who fingered the chairman of Ijumu Local Government, Hon. Taofiq Isa, said the attack was carried out because of his criticism of the state government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got a rousing welcome

from Kabba to my home town on Friday and I know it angered the power-that-be in the state, which mobilised for this assassination attempt on my life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At about midnight, we started hearing gunshot. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullets into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth. If I speak the truth I will die, if I lie I will die. Me, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve decided to speak the truth and die. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not afraid of death. I only respect men; I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fear them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This attempt is being championed by the chairman of my local government. He had said it many times that he will do everything to stop me from coming home. Beside, those assailants when leaving were chanting â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We will know if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taofiq that owns the land or you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am championing an administrative cause. I will continue to speak and be the voice to the voiceless. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not deterred, I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Noting will stop me from coming homeâ&#x20AC;?, the fiery senator vowed.

Erstwhile governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori, has reiterated his belief in justice, equity and fairness as a politician and leader. Ibori made the assertion weekend when a delegation of natural and political leaders of Anioma ethnic nationality (Delta North) visited him at his Oghara country home in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state. The Anioma leaders, who commended him for his disposition to advancing the political cause of the Anioma people, were at Oghara to formally welcome back Ibori after his return from incarceration in London, United Kingdom. The Obi of Owa Kingdom and Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, gave the commendation in Oghara on Friday when he led a delegation of Ndi Anioma to formally welcome Ibori back from London. Obi Efeizomor said Ibori was sorely missed by the people of the state during the five-year absence of the former

governor, particularly the political family of the Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Democracy Party (PDP). He said he had no doubt, stressing that Iboriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return would change the political landscape of the state ahead of the 2019 elections. The royal father noted that Ibori has had long cordial relations with the Anioma ethnic nationality, noting that Ibori had chosen Chief Benjamin Elue as his deputy in his eight years in office as governor. Efeizomor recalled the role played by Ibori in the emergence of Senator Okowa as governor of Delta State and particularly thanked him for endorsing Okowa for a second term in office in view of his excellent performance so far, even in the face of dwindling resources. He thanked God for the safe return of Ibori, describing him as an invaluable asset to the state and the country. The monarch urged the former governor to see his travails in London as a sacrifice towards deepening democracy in the country and assured him of the continued support and respect of Anioma people.

required for that. And when you look at the north-east, you look at the northern Nigeria, girl-child education is critical and important and the impact of the adoption of those girls tremendously set the northern Nigeria back on the path of girl-child education. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had civil society sort of respond to this in this way and I think that was because it was such a critical issueâ&#x20AC;?, Usman added.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has asserted that the group would not enter any fresh negotiations with the federal government until Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released from detention. IPOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s publicity secretary, Emma Powerful stated this yesterday in a press release made available to THISDAY in Awka, Anambra capital. Powerfulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s release was coming at a time when northern elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai had granted an interview, saying that Biafrans cannot lay claims to ownership of oil in the region. He (Powerful) stated that the move was meant to whittle the power of Biafrans and also reduce it. For this reason, he added that the group was not ready to go into any further negotiations with the federal government except the release of its leader. It berated Yakassai for his poor sense of history over ownership of oil in Nigeria, saying it was a deliberate attempt to cause disaffection in the country. Part of the release reads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We condemn the statement credited to Alhaji Tanko Yakassai that the

Biafra agitation is annoying and the oil in Biafra-land does not belong to the owners of the indigenous people of the land. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This statement contained in this interview is irritating that an elder like Tanko Yakassai does not know history of Nigeria and why Biafra must leave Nigeria without leaving any of her clan or tribe behind. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is pathetic that this Alhaji Tanko Yakassai did not see anything wrong with the amorphous geographical expression called Nigeria. The late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe allowed himself to be trickedandusedbythethenBritish government to keep this vacuum named Nigeria by Flora Shaw. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We reiterate again that no negotiation of any sorts unless the government releases our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other members detained illegally in all the prisons and security cells across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He (Yakassai) and his fellow politicians in Nigeria cannot stop the restoration of Biafra. Our parents were not born Nigerians for the information of this politician and others; therefore we cannot secede from something we were not part ofâ&#x20AC;?, the release noted.

Olowa Calls for Sober Reflection, Tolerance at Easter Abimbola Akosile

The Olowa of Igbara-Oke Kingdom, HRM, Oba Alayeluwa Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede, Ilufemiloye, (Ogidi III), has congratulated every Christian in Nigeria and around the world as they celebrate another Easter this year. The monarch in a release said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;this period is when Christians all over the world come together to remember the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord Jesus for mankind in His death and resurrection. This sacrifice brought redemption to our souls. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Christianity we enjoy today and our salvation is a product of inestimable sacrifice of our Lord

Jesus Christ on the cross.â&#x20AC;? He said this season should serve as a reminder to all for the selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance of Jesus Christ. He stressed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Easter is a season for sober reflection on our lives and the restoration of our individual covenant with God and our relationship with our family and friends, to forgive one another as Almighty God forgave us through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.â&#x20AC;? The monarch also called on everyone to collectively imbibe the spirit of love, unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, because these are solution to various challenges facing our society.

Kikaose Onyibe Passes On

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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 PRIL 16, 2017

NEWSXTRA

SHOWCASING ANAMBRA L-R: Deputy President, South-east South-south Professionals, Mr. Chike Okoroafor; Speaker, CUSTOMER APPRECIATION MTN Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohammed Zia Siddiqui (2nd left), presenting a gift to a student at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu, and Founder, Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit & Honors, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, at the oďŹ&#x192;cial ďŹ&#x201A;ag-oďŹ&#x20AC; ceremony of Anambra International Airport City Project at Ivite-Umueri, Anambra State...recently

University of Port Harcourt, during his tour of campuses as part of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to customer satisfaction, in Rivers State...recently

APC Stakeholders Protest Imbalance in FGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board Appointments

Stop Acts of Terrorism by Herdsmen, Northern Christian Elders Urge FG

Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;

The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has called on the Federal Government to stop acts of terrorism being perpetrated by herdsmen across the country. Speaking in Kafanchan while donating some food items to the victims of the Southern Kaduna attacks, National Chairman of NOSEF, Mr. Olaiya Phillips said the activities of herdsmen across the country were threats to the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We condemn in totality these acts of terrorism that are going on in the countryâ&#x20AC;?, he added. Phillips, represented by the Chairman of NOSCEF, Dr. Luka Lobadungze, said innocent Nigerians were being killed almost on a daily basis by herdsmen and their property destroyed without much being done by government to stop it. He said the killings and destructions in Southern Kaduna were condemnable and urged the

The All Progressives Congress (APC) may be faced with fresh round of agitations following recent appointments, made by President Muhammadu Buhari, into boards and management of some federal agencies and institutions. President Muhammadu Buhari had last Thursday approved the appointment of Chief Executives for 23 federal government agencies. But the appointments have come under criticism by some of the party men who felt that the selection process was not fair and equitable among the legacy parties that formed the APC. Some aggrieved party members described the recent board appointments as lopsided in favour of two of the legacy parties, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC),

which was President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political party before the APC merger. On the list of board appointments released last Thursday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation were Julie Okah-Donli, DirectorGeneral, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons; and Mary Ikpere-Eta, Director-General, National Centre for Women Development. Others are Bayo Somefun, Managing Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund; Ahmed Dangiwa, Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank; and Alex Okoh, DirectorGeneral, Bureau of Public Enterprise. Other political appointees are Executive Secretary, Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, (PPPRA), Abdulkadir Umar; Conservator-General, National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni; and National Coordinator,

Service Compact, SERVICOM, Nnenna Akajemeli. The statement signed by Director of Press in Office of the SGF, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, named Nasir Ladan as the new Director-General, National Directorate of Employment; Saliu Alabi, Director-General, Michael Imodu National Institute for Labour Studies; and Jef Barminas, Director-General, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology. Also on the list of approved appointments were Haruna Yerima who is to serve as the Director-General, Nigeria Institute for Social and Economic Research; Sunday Thomas, Deputy Commissioner, Nigeria Insurance Commission; Tunde Erukera, Executive Secretary, Consumer Protection Council; and Bello Tukur, Secretary, Federal Character Commission. Mr. Dikko Abdulrahman was named the Director-

General, National Pension Commission; Umar Jibrin, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority; Folashade Joseph, Managing Director, Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation; while Cecilia Gaya, was named the Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria. Others appointments include Luci Ajayi, Executive Secretary, Lagos International Trade Fair Management Board; Emmanuel Jimme, Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority; Lanre Gbajabiamila, Director-General, Nigeria Lottery Regulation Commission; and Jalani Aliyu, Director-General, Nigeria Automotive Design and development Council. The release of the appointments was seen as a welcome relief to many party members after many months of expectations from the Buhari-led administration.

Yari Takes on Sanusi, Says Emir Displaying Opulence Amid Poverty Continued from Page 1 But Sanusi ridiculed this explanation in his speech at an investment forum on April 5 in Kaduna. He said the explanation was un-Islamic and an attempt to divert attention from the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;snegligenceandfailuretotake appropriatemeasurestosafeguard the people against disease and poverty, despite warnings. Yari responded to Sanusiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allegation byinsistingthatsexualimmorality was behind the current type C meningitisscourge,whichNigeria has very limited vaccines for. Sanusi has of late been critical of the northern Nigeria elite for allegedly promoting poverty, ignorance,anddiseaseintheregion through various exploitative and manipulative tendencies. But yesterday, Yari came out with a direct attack on the emir, questioninghismoraljustification to criticise the northern leaders. MockingSanusiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;selitistlifestyle, the governor stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over time, we know our traditional fathers for their compassion. When their friends from far and near offer to assistthem,theywouldratherthe assistance was given to alleviate the sufferings of their people in cash or kind. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But for a traditional ruler who identifies the problems

of his people and utters these words: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We are in denial. The North-west and the North-east, demographically, constitute the bulk of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population, but look at human development indices, look at the number of children out of school, look at adult literacy, look at maternal mortality, look at infant mortality, look at girl-child completion rate, look at income per capitaâ&#x20AC;Ś The North-east and the North-west Nigeria are among the poorest parts of the world,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and yet when hisfriendsofferedhelp,heasksfor a Rolls Royce. There is more than a fundamental problem. There is a big disconnect.â&#x20AC;? The statement added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like Governor Yari has always said, his respect for our Creator will never waver. He will also rue joining issues with royalty, in Nigeriaoranywhereintheworld. Hemaintainsthathisreverenceof theinstitutionthatHRHMuhammadu Sanusi II represents is also unshaken. Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar is only asking HRH to either practise what he preaches orforeverkeephispeace,because inasituationwhereepidemicsare taking our children, maternal mortality, uneducated youth, social vices and incompetent

leaders are the national scourge, to borrow the words of the emir, and all he wants to do is ride a Rolls Royce in the face of palpable poverty, he shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t engage in throwing accusations at others.â&#x20AC;? The statement said though Sanusi was generally seen as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a first class intellectual, a consummate bankerandabonafidememberof Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s royalty, the last couple of weeks were a dizzying spectacle of mixed messages on integrity, royalty and wisdomâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;&#x153;Within a perimeter of weeks, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, whose royal tentacles and social networks traverse the length and breadthofthiscountry,lambasted thenationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;seconomicframework, the northern elite, sub-national leadership,especiallythegovernor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, and the traditional institution of marriage.â&#x20AC;? Hesaid: â&#x20AC;&#x153;GovernorYarifirmly believes that a country that goes to its pastors and Imams who recommend prayer and fasting as the solution to every social misfortune, from matrimonial disagreements to social and economic complications, needs to be wary of the wrath of God in the event of an epidemic of unquantifiable proportion such

as Type C meningitis. And as a country that succumbs to the supremacy of Allah, we must continue to link Him with all things, fair or foul. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who want to equate science with God, like HRH MuhammaduSanusiII,candenounce Yariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sstatementfromtherooftops, butthatwillnotchangeGovernor Yariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beliefs in the omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence of Allah.â&#x20AC;? Yari accused Sanusi of hypocrisy, stating, â&#x20AC;&#x153;By a certain bizarre coincidence too, like a prophesy foretold,SheikhMahmoodJaafar had before he was assassinated named Sanusis Lamido Sanusi as one of those whose hypocrisy would bring an epidemic of monumental proportions to this country. The tapes are very much in circulation long after Sheikh Jaafar death. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hehadarguedinthatsermon that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sanusi Lamido is one of the enemies of Islam who would assume all traits of a good Muslim butdeepinsidethemisahatredof Islam, and the people far beyond human imagination.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Could this be a prophecy foretold?â&#x20AC;? Yari also questioned Sanusiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recordonprudenceandtransparency.

John Shiklam in Kaduna

government to come to the aid of the victims who lost everything to the attacks. He said the federal government must urgently tackle the security problems posed by herdsmen across the country to avoid a repeat of the havoc caused by the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast. He alleged that government has not given adequate attention to the victims of attacks in Southern KadunaandtheMiddlebeltregion where many communities have been destroyed by herdsmen â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government has not shown serious concern or taken steps to address the frequent attacks by herdsmen as it did to Boko Haram in the north-east; that is why the killings have continued. NOSCEF wants to call on the federal government to flush out these herdsmen who have continued to attack and kill people in communities across the country.

Boat Mishap: Seven Dead, 136 Missing in Kebbi No fewer than seven people have died and seven hospitalised in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi when a boat carrying 150 passengers returning from Malali Market capsized along River Niger. The Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in-charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ngaski yesterday. He said efforts were on going between fishermen and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to rescue the missing passengers.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;As soon as we had got the hint of the mishap, we put a call to the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority to help rescue the missing passengers. All the people on board were missing, but as rescue and search continue wide and deep of the river intensified, 14 people have been discovered; seven died and seven have been taken to Ngaski Hospital,â&#x20AC;? he said. NAN gathered that the accident occurred when the boat on transit and carrying 150 passengers hit a tree branch in the water and capsized. Ngaski Local Government Area is two hours journey from the river where the incident happened.

In Brief Oderinde Clocsk 53

Financial and management consultant, Joshua Okeowo Oderinde clocks ÍłÍą Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁË&#x203A; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; ÍŻÍ´Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍˇÍ´Í˛ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ě&#x2122; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ě&#x161; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?

Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă˘Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C; Ě&#x2122;

Ě&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă?

Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ë&#x203A; Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ě&#x2122; Ě&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A;

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

High Life

ÍŽÍśÍŽÍľÍ´ÍśÍśÍłÍľÍłÍ°

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich and famous

Like a Fairytaleâ&#x20AC;ŚWhen Morocco Played Host to Agbani Darego and TY Danjumaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Son Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;

glance behind the glitter. A dreamy, colourful assemblage of family. Two simple vows. A kiss. A dozen balloons and a heartfelt smile. The majesty of the union was abundant in its ritual splendors, but its soul was all in the small things: the inexorable buildup of guests and spectators along the ceremonial route was at first a straggle of gembedecked big shots, then arrived the crowds of friends, business associates and family, all intent on squeezing into the same small corner of a sprawling city. Yes, their wedding unfolded like a red carpet, rolling out smoothly far from Abuja city, Nigeria, on the grand boulevards and palatial pleasure domes of Morocco. Few people would not forget the day

Gbegi Ojora

REMEMBERING GBEGI OJORAâ&#x20AC;Ś Ëž

Six years after his sad demise, Gbegi Ojoraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family and friends remember and appreciate the kernel and towering humaneness of a man whose life story resonates like a fairy tale, long after his exit from the mortal world. The flowers blow coolly with the wind to assert his place above the earth although he lies six-feet underground, where sand granules mingle with bones and rotted flesh of the interred. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the sixth year since corporate titan, Adegboyega Ishola Ojora, departed mother earth and his family, friends and business associates are still grieving his untimely death. Until his

and hour in which Nigerian glamour teased Moroccan charm in Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northern region. On that day, last weekend to be precise, the idyllic city of Marrakesh opened its bowels to the crĂ¨me of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society as Agbani Darego, 2001 Miss World, got married to Ishaya Danjuma, son of former defense minister and businessman, Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd.), in Morocco. Expectedly, it was a classy gathering. According to media reports, little is known of her husband, Ishaya, save his active involvement in the Danjuma family business. Though a small gathering, the wedding had in excess the components of an elaborate Nigerian party. The crowd was select and classy. The ambience was celestial in its gold draperies. The drinks were vintage and in effusive supply and the music was. sad departure, Ojora lived to see the dawn and sunset glow richly amid lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pressing concerns. He lived to give and feel love generously and without inhibitions. Gbegi, as he was fondly called, died at the First Consultant Hospital, Ikoyi Road, Obalende, Lagos. He was aged 50 years. It would be recalled that thousands of dignitaries comprising friends, family, politicians and business associates trooped to his funeral to mourn his sad exit from life. This no doubt attested to the worth of the man for whom every male and female acquaintance holds a blazing torch, even in death. On the eve of his untimely death, Ojora performed his civic duty by casting his vote during the general elections that ushered in the Eighth National Assembly. The following day, he attended the morning Mass at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, and later, the christening ceremony of a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child. But death struck him a fatal blow as soon as he retired home. Ojora allegedly complained of a slight health disturbance and drove himself to First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos. He slumped and gave up the ghost while the clinicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physicians examined him. Doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diagnosis confirmed the cause of his death as heart attack.

Agbani Darego and Ishaya Danjuma

Rabiu, founder of BUA Group, and Aliko Dangote, the founder and CEO of Dangote Group. Until recently, the duo were embroiled in bitter rivalry and conflict of interests that tore them apart. They became so estranged that it became taboo for their mutual friends to attempt reconciliation between them. But in a rare twist, the warring friends have decided to bury the hatchet and give peace a chance. Thus not a few people were surprised to see Rabiu at Dangoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 60th birthday party. The party which was organized by Femi Otedola in honour of Dangote, last Sunday, attracted the creme of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high society. As the party progressed, Samad strolled in with one of his friends to the

delight of Dangote and their mutual friends. The two billionaires have been having issues for several months now. Many people were initially shocked by tales of rancor and estrangement of the duo because their friendship was well celebrated while it lasted. However, they have since resolved their differences. Rabiu left everything he was doing to honour Dangote and a lot of people were very happy to see him at the party. Dangote and Rabiu took pictures together and talked for few minutes before the latter left the party. The duo have indeed come a long way. Theirs was a relationship seemingly made in heaven and consummated here in Nigeria.

GLAD TIDINGS! BUA BOSS , ABDULSAMAD RABIU, MAKES SPECIAL APPEARANCE AT ALIKO DANGOTEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 60TH ANNIVERSARY Discord may tarry for a while but it oft vanishes in the blistering blaze of comradeship. This explains the recent truce between Abdulsamad

Abdulsamad Rabiu, Aliko Dangote, Sani Dangote and Femi Otedola

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

ÍśÍ´

James Ibori Gives Daughter Out in Marriage ËžEx-Delta governor ecstatic as he blesses daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s union with beau

s the mystic phoenix rises from its ashes atop the pyre, James Ibori has risen from the rubble of his political miseries to rediscover his essence and joy in unlikely places. James Ibori, a celebrated political godfather and lord of his own manor, loves happiness. But he trusted too much in the happiness of the moment; eventually, he found in it, a drop of gall. Thus the series of unfortunate events that led to his legal and political entanglements. But time has gone by and his brush with misfortune has ended; now the former Governor of Delta State is back in Nigeria to reclaim his spot in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social circuit and political arena. The eldest daughter of the former Governor of Delta State, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori, and her baby daddy, Abioye Suenu, were traditionally joined together some days ago according to Urhobo THE ANCIENT WISDOM OF ANDY UBA Blood sport is brought to its apogee in the arena of the Nigerian rumour mill, every time the discussion segues to Senator Andy Uba. Andy has over time become the meal ticket of the random gossip and hardened traducer earnestly inured in the enterprise of ceaseless fibbing and slander. It has become the past time of many a gossip to fabricate tenuous news about him There is remarkable difference between a gentleman and a boy. A gentleman knows when to maintain decorum, a boy doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. A gentleman never shouts and a thug is forever lousy and foul. This comparisons perfectly highlights the remarkable differences between Senator Andy Uba and Senator Dino Melaye. Uba understands that silence is golden hence when the media was agog recently, especially the blogosphere, with the story of Senator Ubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s false certificates saga, the accused senator

Andy Uba

culture and tradition by the Ibori families in Oghara, Delta State. Ibori delightedly gave his daughter out in marriage. The groom, Suenu Abioye, owns Club Slicks in Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Lagos. The traditional wedding was star studded. Top politicians came out to support their leader, Ibori. No politician has faced greater existential challenges or perfected the technique of quiet adjustment to shifting realities with greater skill than Ibori. The throngs that packed the Oghara community to celebrate with him may have been caught up in the romance of a story sprinkled with the residual stardust of Iboriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic politics and the fairy-tale plot line of a nice but ordinary politician and statesman snaring the hearts and loyalty of the grassroots and his most formidable associates and rivals.

James Ibori

simply shrugged the accusations away and maintained decorum. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dignify the reporters with any response. He was so sure of himself that several people within and outside the Senate talked about his courage. Unlike Dino Melaye who reacted to similar news about him like a drivel, Uba proved once again that he is a gentleman who does not have time for drivel. Uba was elected Senator for the Anambra South constituency of Anambra State, in April 2011. He ran on the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party (PDP) platform. He defected to the ruling APC in February 2017

TRAGIC! GRIM REAPER STRIKES JULIUS BERGER BOSS, MUTIU SUMONU Ëž

If Julius Bergerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chairman, Mutiu Sunmonu, had his way as he is wont to in business, he would have bullishly negotiated with death to name its cost and spare the life of his beloved wife. Death struck the household of Mutiu Sunmonu in common hours. It extinguished the brilliant flame of his wife and heartthrob thus casting the former managing director (MD) of Shell Plc and the incumbent chairman of Julius Berger construction firm in inconsolable grief. Death snatched Sunmonuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife after stalking her for some time in the detestable garb of cancer. The grim reaper finally did its worst days ago, plunging Mutiu and the entire Sunmonu family into anguish. Yes, since her sad departure from the mortal world, memories of her assail her loved ones like a bittersweet gust of cold breeze after a discomforting heatstroke. For the umpteenth time, family and friends of the late woman smarted from the pain of recollection as they were forced to relive the humanity and magnificence that characterized her short spell on earth with them.

Mutiu Sunmonu

The late Mrs. Sunmonu was known to all and sundry as an exemplar of the good wife. She used her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s considerable fortune to better the lot of many and was loved for her compassion towards the downtrodden. She was like a beacon of hope for them, and for others, a model of virtue and grace. Still reeling from the shocking news, members of the high society have been visiting the Sunmonus to console the family and offer comfort to Mutiu and his children.

who are after Suleiman have added a fourth â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Adultery. In the wake of incessant bashing from fate and the general public over certain sexual indiscretions attributed to him by his self-confessed girlfriend, Stephanie Otobo, the pastor and president of the Omega Fire Ministries worldwide recently sought succour in the minster of Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Adeboye played host to Suleiman at the camp ground of RCCG on LagosIbadan expressway. Pastor Adeboye, whom Suleiman described as his spiritual father and mentor, reportedly encouraged and prayed for the fiery preacher urging him and others never to get â&#x20AC;&#x153;tired as guiding lights to Christians all over the world.â&#x20AC;? Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo State and Folu Adeboye, wife of the RCCG general overseer, were also at the church at the time of

ACTS OF THE APOSTLEâ&#x20AC;Ś IN THE AFTERMATH OF HIS SEX SCANDAL, PASTOR JOHNSON SULEIMAN RUNS TO ADEBOYEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REDEMPTION CAMP Ëž Ë&#x153; ËŠ ËŞ

Apostle John Suleiman is in a pickle. It has been said that a pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attitude towards home and his flock can be surmised in three words: Aisle. Altar. Aplomb. But mischief-makers

Johnson Suleiman

Ë&#x153; Ëž APRIL 16, 2017

HIGHLIFE

Fowlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bliss...FIRS Boss, Tunde Fowler, and Wife, Rosemary, Celebrate 35th Wedding Anniversary ËžWhy their union deserve to be celebrated

hey basked and sojourned in the lush, blissful vales of each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion and warmth. If friendship was rewarding for the duo, falling in love with each other was liberating. Ask Tunde Fowler. He will proudly tell you anyday that loving his wife is invigorating. The passion and devotion he shares with her exposed him to priceless adventures in the meadows and everglades of love. Unlike several other couples whose passion and aďŹ&#x20AC;ection have caved or extinguished in the raging inferno of midlife crises or love-gone-sour, they put up a gallant and admirable defense against life and fateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worst trials. They contend with all the force of their lives and for one thing only, to fulďŹ ll their heartfelt dreams of actualising a never-ending story of insurmountable love, forged by them, according to their own laws. Suleimanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit. Stephanie Otobo, a singer, accused Suleiman of having a relationship with her, but the pastor has since denied the allegations.

THE RETURN OF OLUSEGUN RUNSEWEâ&#x20AC;Ś WHY BUHARI APPOINTED HIM AS NCAC BOSS Like Napoleon Bonaparte, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe puts his country before everything, but unlike the late French Emperor, Runsewe embarks on no bloody quests for power and applause. The manner of patriotism he champions, nonviolent as it is, inspires his contemporaries and younger compatriots to become champions. Disgrace may tarry for the night but honour comes with the blaze of the morning sun, to enliven the life of the shamed. This timeless maxim recently played out in the life of Olusegun Runsewe. Before the resurgence of his luck and fortune, too many people thought he was done for. Yes, some people thought he was finished, particularly when he was removed as boss of the National

Olusegun Runsewe

It was celebration galore in the home of the chairman of FIRS, Tunde Fowler. Tunde and his beautiful wife celebrated their 35th year wedding anniversary in the presence of close families and friends. The madam was more than happy that day. The Fowlersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; story reads like a dreamy exposition to extraordinary verses of love. Rather than dwell on familiar intrigues and alien realities that render human passion a shoddy and infantile enterprise in the annals of mortal romance, the story of their love becomes the reference point for aspiring romantics. Their love story is best told in a more substantive format and literary forum hence this only represents a cursory glance at the genesis of their love. The longer his stay with her, the deeper and more confounding his capacity to love her and yearn for her love. Tourism Development Commission (NTDC). But Runsewe was hopeful and prayerful. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind that he was given the boot as a consequence of high-wired politics. It will be recalled that Runseweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first outing as NTDC boss was revolutionary. He worked round the clock including Saturdays, when his fellow DGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were at parties. Runsewe is an unrelenting tourism apostle; so doing he made a lot of friends and enemies. In 2013, the hawks in PDP struck not because he did not deliver but because he is â&#x20AC;&#x153;an OBJ manâ&#x20AC;?. According to reports, Otunba Segun Runseweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first outing in NTDC was revolutionary and apostolic. And he has promised that this second â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;missionary journeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; , as the new director-general of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), would surpass the achievements of his first outing at NTDC.

BAD MARKET! WHY MANY CELEBRITY LADIES BALK THIS YEAR OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE The hard times are here. As the days squeeze harder, poets bleed ink and prominent magnates count their losses under a dark pall of austerity and sorrow. Stealthily, every human constituent awaits the proverbial moment when the clouds would part to bathe their darkest hour in eternal sunshine. In this atmosphere of loss and cheerlessness, the world gets set once again for the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in the United States of America on the 1st May to 4th May. As preparations for the conference intensify, women of shady reputation and character get set to for their usual exploits in the business fair. Like vain, silly, transparent coxcombs without either solid talents or estimable nature, ladies of various vanities and character throng the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in desperate quest for the ever elusive

Tunde Fowler and wife

deep-pocket. Findings revealed that many of the pretty ladies prowling the halls of the event like predators in search of prey actually know nothing about the philosophy behind the conference. As usual, they would be attending the conference to fish for rich and powerful men. These ladies are guided by the reasoning that no matter how upright or dignified a rich man is, there is a tendency to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;misbehaveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; when he is not within his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach and when seminars are far in between. But not this year again. The prohibitive dollar exchange rate with the naira and President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gospel of change has imposed severe austerity on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magnates and participants at the OTC thus making it impossible for women of easy virtues to cash in on fun-seeking participants at the global conference. Apart from the Americans that will feel the low patronage at the clubs and shopping malls during this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event, the conferenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organisers will host actual oil and energy magnates and not the charlatans that frequented the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past editions.

for the limelight. Until recently, Larry was virtually non-existent on the social radar. Larry could not be seen for some time since his closure of Auto Lounge, his spat with Dumebi Kachiku and few other controversies. At first, it appeared that Larry closed Auto Lounge in Lagos in order to create ample time to effectively manage his then newly opened branch in Abuja, which was well received by the Abuja social crowd. Less than a year after the opening, signs of crisis appeared and before one could say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Jack Robinson,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the fun spot suffered the same fate as its branch in Lagos. Larry subsequently had a nasty encounter with some big shots, one of whom was Dumebi Kachikwu. The media went agog celebrating the scandal that placed Larry in the eye of the storm. This marked the beginning of Larryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s withdrawal into his shell. Larry we gathered, is planning a big come back with a new night club called Adress 1089 in Victoria Island. Hope he would be able to pull high quality crowd the way he used to when there was no paucity of cash

THE HUMBLING OF DEFUNCT AUTO LOUNGE BOSSâ&#x20AC;ŚLARRY ONUEGBO GETS HIS GROOVE BACK Ëž

When hope dies, what else lives? Ask Larry Onuegbo; he has been to the brink and back. But thanks to providence, he now has a second chance. Back in the days when there was less control over banking activities, club owners were demigods; in that era, Larry too paraded himself as a demigod of sort. However, a number of misadventures made him wiser. Yes, Larry Onuegbo is back with a bang. In a manner reminiscent of the biblical second coming, the boss of Auto Lounge, who allegedly renounced social visibility for a life in obscurity, has rediscovered his charm and passion

Larry Onuegbo

Sunday, April 16, 2017

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N400

MISSILE El-Rufai to National Assembly “It is inconceivable that an important institution, vested by the constitution with representation, lawmaking and oversight powers, has for at least seven years ignored the imperative to set an example of transparency, despite being severally urged to do so. – Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, berating the lack of transparency in the budgeting process of the National Assembly.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Corruption Not Fighting Back — Yet

et me start this discussion by making this declaration upfront: I have a soft spot for Mr. Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). And I want him confirmed as the substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency. I admit that he did not perform brilliantly at the senate confirmation hearing — in fact, I was slightly embarrassed by his outing. But one thing I have experienced in life, more so now that I am an employer of labour, is that there are applicants who don’t do well at interviews but can do a damn good job. There are those who speak smooth English at the recruitment stage and that is all they have to offer. I have followed the career of Magu at the EFCC for a dozen years and I can confirm that he is one of the best hands the police force can boast of. An accountant by training and a seasoned financial crimes investigator, Magu was one EFCC official that many former governors prayed to avoid when the agency was looking into their books after their tenures expired in 2007. Anytime they were invited by the EFCC, they would plead not to be assigned to Magu for interrogation. He investigated the “big guys” without a fear in the world. He earned my thumbs-up when his investigation led to the conviction of his brother-in-law. This is not a common story in our Nigeria. Much as I like Magu, though, I still have my own headache about EFCC under his watch. I’m worried by the way the agency has been losing high-profile cases in court recently. In just one week, they were floored four times. This is certainly not a badge of honour on the chest of a government that is branded locally and internationally as fighting corruption. You are not fighting corruption if your only success is to lynch people in public or to declare them guilty even before their case files are prepared. The lynching will attract standing ovation, apparently, but in the eye of the law, there is no corruption until proven in court. That is a big problem. If I were in a position to advise Magu, there are only three suggestions I would make to him on how to make the anti-graft war a remarkable success and a model for other corruption-infested countries. One, cut out the media circus while investigation is still on. Two, get “ogbologbo” lawyers to prosecute these cases — as suggested by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who himself is an “ogbologbo” character. Three, let the war know no friend or foe. If after doing these things, the EFCC is still losing high-profile cases, then I will join in screaming that “corruption is fighting back”. For now, it is haphazardness, not corruption, that is fighting back. Let me explain myself for the sake of clarity. One, I think there is too much of EFCC investigations on the pages of newspapers. I am not an expert in criminal investigations by any stretch of the imagination, but at least I see things in foreign movies, and I would say the media arm of EFCC is too active when the agency is investigating or intending to investigate people. Although Nigerians, especially on the social media, love the art of “naming and shaming” even before any case of wrong-doing is established, there is the danger of giving room to the suspects to undermine investigation and sabotage trial.

Magu

It could be counterproductive. Meanwhile, the reputations of many Nigerians have been damaged simply because they were invited by the EFCC. Interrogations are reported virtually live in the media. Yet, the fact that you were quizzed by the EFCC does not mean you have committed a crime. So many people have been quizzed and released with no case established against them. But because of the publicity blitz, their names are all over the internet being sensationally branded as criminals. This reputational damage aside, media trial can even win the accused some sympathy from sections of the public and the judiciary who would say it is “persecution” and not “prosecution”. Investigations must be discreet. I have an example to give. The FBI recently investigated FIFA officials over corruption allegations that, in some instances, went back to 20 years. The investigation was not leaked to the media. It was when water-tight cases had been established and the case files were ready for trial that it was leaked. The suspects were immediately arrested. It is going to be difficult for the US government to lose those cases. Compare to Nigeria where you will first be arrested before the search for evidence begins. All your statements will be leaked to the media while you are still in custody. Something is just not right with this approach. I understand very well the problem with EFCC, and I indeed sympathise with them, that without the media spotlight, Nigerians would not believe that they are working. They are under pressure. There is actually a psychological advantage the media show confers. It is very good for the “optics”. But winning a case in the court of public opinion is not the same as winning in a court of law. In an organised society, the court is the arbiter, not the media. Processes and procedures are as important as the aims and the objectives. What we ultimately need to achieve is to build enduring systems and institutions that will effectively and efficiently tackle impunity in the country.

To be sure, media trial was not invented by Magu. It was the standard practice under Nuhu Ribadu as chairman. It does not address the corruption problems as much as we think. In fact, as we saw under President Goodluck Jonathan, an application of biometrics can reform processes and cut out certain forms of corruption from the root. But EFCC still has to clean up much of the mess that cannot be eradicated by BVN, TSA and payroll biometrics introduced by the previous administration. It is in cleaning this mess that the EFCC has to be very strategic. Certain things are beyond EFCC’s control, but they must diligently work with what they have power over in order to achieve results. There was a time in my life when I supported media trials. As far as I was concerned, since convictions in court were getting difficult to come by, naming and shaming would serve as a second option. Having seen how things have turned out in the last 14 years, though, I have abandoned my endorsement of media trial. It can never be a substitute for proper investigation and diligent prosecution to secure landmark convictions. It is after proper investigations have been done that “ogbologbo” lawyers will come in. There are loopholes usually exploited by the counsel to the accused that “ogbologbo” lawyers can plug before trial begins. You see, EFCC should never go to court under the presumption that a judge will convict a suspect on the basis of weak evidence — just to be seen as helping the government in the anti-graft war and to avoid being accused of helping corruption to fight back. Normally, every judge wants to give a sound judgment so that it is not upturned by a superior court. That is professional pride. Sure, I know Nigerian judges are a part of the problem. I know that corrupt persons have enough money to bribe the most decent of judges and hire the best of lawyers. This is beyond EFCC’s control. But, come on, let us prepare a damn good case first before concluding that corruption is fighting back. Finally, the anti-graft war will be more credible, sustainable and effective if it does not distinguish between the friends and enemies of the government. One of the biggest failings of the anti-graft war in Nigeria has always been that you can predict who would be prosecuted and who would not. It is a pattern. Unfortunately, that is one of the surest ways of undermining the war. More so, people will easily figure out what camp to belong in order to be shielded from EFCC. I have seen this over and over again in 17 years. The war must be prosecuted in a way that nobody will feel immune — no matter who they are and where they belong. My conclusion is that Magu is still the man for the job. I am not suggesting that he is the only one who can head the EFCC. I am not that daft. I have just discussed the weak points, even if they were not all his making. But I am also intelligent enough to know that we are never going to get a perfect head for EFCC. Whoever is brought in to replace Magu will have his or her own failings. However, Magu has, over the years, demonstrated courage, dedication and tenacity of purpose. He has the fear factor. I would only advise him to review his methods and tactics in order to do a much better job. But I am totally against throwing the baby away with the bath water.

And Four Other Things... HAUL OF SHAME And so, $43.4 million, £27,800 and N23.2 million were discovered in an Ikoyi flat and the federal government is yet to make a pronouncement on the haul many days after? The biggest enemy of the Buhari administration is not the PDP — it is clearly its own amateurish way of doing things. It can’t even communicate with Nigerians. If indeed the money belongs to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) as widely reported, do we need FBI to come and investigate before the information is officially made public? We are now left with just conjectures and speculations, and the average person on the street is concluding that there is a huge cover-up. Damaging. YARI VISITS ZAMFARA Praise God! I was delighted on Wednesday when God’s minister of crime and punishment, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, finally left Abuja to pay a courtesy call on Zamfara state, where he is, according to media reports, the elected governor. Yari went to inspect the extent of God’s punishment on his people who have been dying of cholera and meningitis after too much fornication. From the look on his face, Yari seemed satisfied with the damages. Since his people are obviously too sick to fornicate now, Yari should seize this opportunity to provide them with potable water and stock the hospitals with drugs to prevent further punishment from God. Cheers. CHIBOK CHARADE On the night of April 14, 2014, Boko Haram abducted 276 Chibok schoolgirls. We were first told by the military that the girls had returned. Then we started hearing that no schoolgirl was abducted at all. Someone sent me an SMS asking: “When did northerners start studying science that 276 of them would be preparing to write Physics exam?” Another asked how many buses would be needed to convey 276 girls. Politicians were busy fighting and trading blame. Mrs Patience Jonathan added drama with her classic “Na Only You Waka Come” tirade. Some girls escaped. Some were released. But three years after, 195 are still missing. Truth be told, Nigeria let them down. Shame. LIGHT HEARTED Alhaji Lai Mohammed, information minister, had his own “alternative facts” moment on Wednesday when he made light of President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the weekly cabinet meeting. He said it was because “the agenda was light” and Buhari had to attend to more important matters. For the record, that was the first time in the history of Nigeria (let me say: to the best of my knowledge) that a president would be in town and not preside over a cabinet meeting. We all know that the president is recuperating and we are praying for him, so we did not need any spin for goodness sake. How can agenda be “light” in a country that has no light? Seriously?

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