SUNDAY 11TH JUNE 2023

Kingsley Nwezeh, Sunday

Aborisade, Gabriel Emameh in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Condemnations have trailed

yesterday’s arrest of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, by the Department of State Services (DSS), despite a subsisting court order issued in December 2022 by a High

Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) barring his arrest.

Following the suspension of Emefiele on Friday by President Bola Tinubu, the DSS yesterday took him into custody.

Reacting to the arrest, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), expressed deep shock at the arrest, stressing that the job of the DSS is to ensure internal security.

“The suspension of the Governor of the CBN from office is not a surprise as his action was way beyond monetary policy. But confirmation by DSS that Governor Emefiele is in its custody comes as

a shock. The statutory role of DSS is internal security and I shudder to think what role DSS will play in this matter. The rule of law says it all- can

Chuks Okocha and Sunday

Aborisade in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday advised incoming members of the 10th Senate to shun vote buying in the election

of presiding officers slated for Tuesday in the interest of the country. He spoke at the valedictory session organised for all lawmakers who were elected into the ninth Senate.

The inauguration of the 10th National Assembly has been slated for Tuesday, June 13. Shettima and other members of the ninth Senate were invited to take part in the session. The vice president urged his

colleagues, who would take part in the voting next Tuesday, in the election of presiding officers, to carry out their civic responsibility, according to their conscience. He said: "To my incoming colleagues, I will leave you with

a paradox. The stability of this nation is superior to the stability of our pockets. On Tuesday, let us vote wisely. Let us vote for the Nigerian nation."

"To my colleagues, who will depart from this chamber, I address

you not as colleagues left behind, but as experienced lawmakers who have become an integral part of my history.

"We have shared many things

Tinubu's Policy Advisory Council Proposes Sale of NNPC's Stakes in Oil and Gas Assets

Targets

Peter Uzoho

$17.4bn Seeks merger of NUPRC, NMDPRA, NCDMB

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Policy Advisory Council has proposed the sale of the major stakes of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

THISDAY gathered from the Policy Advisory Council Report dated May 2023, that the federal government will earn about $17 billion from the sale of the NNPC's majority stakes in the oil and gas assets.

According to the submissions from the Energy and Natural Resources sub-committees of the advisory council, Tinubu’s administration should consolidate the regulatory agencies by merging the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) under a single regulator.

10TH N’ASSEMBLY: SHETTIMA URGES SENATORS-ELECT TO SHUN VOTE BUYING

in common and stand shoulder to shoulder in times of adversity. We have fought relentlessly for the betterment of our dear country."

Also speaking, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commended her husband, President Bola Tinubu, for supporting her throughout the three occasions she was in the red chamber in the 7th Senate, 8th Senate and the 9th Senate.

She also commended the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and other members of the 9th Senate for the love and assistance that helped to make her legislative career a success.

She declared with excitement that she carried out all her

legislative businesses successfully and made positive impacts in the lives of many Nigerians, especially women, youths and children.

Other senators, who spoke on the occasion praised God for sparing their lives as some of their colleagues, who started the journey with them could not, unfortunately, make it to the end.

They regretted the Rubber Stamp tag on the ninth Assembly and urged Nigerians to consider the positive impacts the legislation and motions passed based on their cooperation, had on the country.

Specifically, Senator Uba Sani, who is now the Governor of Kaduna State said, "People were wrong in tagging us Rubber

DSS CONFIRMS EMEFIELE’S ARREST

the relevant agency responsible for Governor Emefiele step forward but this excludes the DSS, unless this has security implications,” Agbakoba said.

On his part, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Mike Ozekhome, also condemned the arrest, describing it as illegal, unconstitutional and wrongful.

According to him, the president has overall superintendency over the CBN in terms of its governance, coinage and minting of new currency.

He also added that the president has the power to suspend the apex bank governor.

“But he has no power to order the arrest of Emefiele or any Nigerian citizen just like that. Such arrest must conform to the laws of the land. For instance, there must be an arrest warrant issued directly by a competent court of law.

“The president cannot simply because he is president whimsically, arbitrarily, and capriciously order Emefiele's arrest and detention.

“Such will be illegal, unconstitutional, wrongful, unlawful, null, void and of no effect whatsoever,” Ozekhome explained.

In their reaction, lawyers under the aegis of United Lawyers for Rule of Law Defence, expressed outrage over what they described as the midnight siege on the Lagos residence of Emefiele, and his arrest by the DSS, describing the development as undemocratic.

In a press statement issued yesterday by their leader, Mr. Obe Albert, the lawyers argued that arresting Emefiele despite a subsisting court order barring his arrest was against the norms of the rule of law.

They subsequently called for his release out of respect for the court and the rule of law.

The statement read: “A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in December 2022, barred the DSS and the Inspector General of Police from arresting and detaining the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, over allegations of terrorism and sundry offences against him.

“Also restrained by the court order are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, who were listed as the first, second and fifth defendants.

“Justice M. A. Hassan made the order while delivering judgment in a suit marked GAR/CV/41/2022, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership.

“In the suit filed on December 19, 2022, the applicant, among other reliefs, prayed the court for a declaration that the continuous harassments, intimidation, threats, restriction of free movement, abuse of the right of office, surreptitious moves to arrest, and humiliation of Emefiele by the respondents are vindictive, unwarranted and abrasive.

“We urge President Tinubu to immediately call the DSS to order based on this subsisting court judgment.

“We believe strongly that Emefiele’s arrest has put a question mark on the rule of law mantra of the President.

“It is too early in the day for this administration to begin to disobey

Stamp National Assembly because we cooperated with President Muhammadu to succeed."

Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who has now been sworn in as the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State said the ninth Senate had been dynamic and patriotic in handling issues despite the members’ differences.

She said: "Issues were handled in a non-partisan manner and the ninth Senate is knowledge-based."

All the senators in attendance received their certificates of service from the senate president on the occasion.

PDP Warns against Intimidation of

Lawmakers

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday in Abuja cautioned against any form of intimidation as the 10th National Assembly elects its principal officers on June 13.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, told journalists that members of the National Assembly should be allowed to elect their leaders freely.

He said information at the disposal of the PDP indicated that there had been attempts to harass and threaten lawmakers-elect as to their choices of leaders of the National Assembly.

“Reports in the public space

indicate plots to arrest individuals, who are considered to be strong proponents of the independence of the legislature.

“The PDP notes that the independence of the legislature is a prerequisite for a virile democracy and therefore insists that memberselect in both chambers must be allowed to elect their leadership.

“The National Assembly is the symbol of sovereignty of the people in a democracy. The people exercise such sovereignty through choices made by their representatives on the floor of the National Assembly.

“Fundamental to this sovereignty is the choice of presiding officers, which must not be appropriated by any group or individuals.

“Such will amount to a dethronement of the sovereignty of the people,’’ Ologunagba said. He advised lawmakers-elect to assert their independence in the election of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Plot Thickens against Yari’s Emergence as Senate President

Meanwhile, fresh indications yesterday emerged that the supporters of Senator Godswill Akpabio were allegedly plotting to stop former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul'aziz Yari, from contesting for the office of the President of the Senate.

court orders. We, therefore, call for Emefiele’s immediate release.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has also described the suspension of Emefiele, as a witch-hunt and a sign of ethnic cleansing.

The group stated this in a statement made available to journalists by the Director of National interest matters, Chima Uzor.

The organisation observed that Emefiele’s suspension did not follow due process.

"To say the least, this suspension is without due process and the arrest despite a court order against DSS from arresting him is provocative and well-meaning Nigerians must resist it and ensure that it does not stand,” he added.

“We view the development as clearly part of the new administration’s scheme of ethnic cleansing of the Igbos from public offices.

“This is nothing but a witch hunting directed at the Igbos for no other reason other than they dared to oppose the new administration in the last general elections.

“We are therefore asking President Bola Tinubu to beware of starting his administration with actions capable of driving an already shaking nation into chaos,” Ohanaeze said.

The Labour Party (LP) has also described Emefiele’s suspension as vindictive and unconstitutional.

Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, said in a statement in Abuja yesterday that the party was disturbed by the decision of President Tinubu to suspend the CBN governor “albeit unconstitutionally without seeking the permission of the National Assembly and we insist that the action was not in good taste and sounds punitive.

“Drawing inspiration from what Femi Gbajabiamila, then Minority Leader, had said years ago (as quoted above) over a similar situation when President Goodluck Jonathan sacked former CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, wherein he questioned the powers of the President in sacking the CBN Governor.

“The opposition leader made it clear that the President lacks powers under the laws of the land to sack the CBN boss. One wonders what has changed between that time and now.

“Femi Gbajabiamila is the current Speaker of the House of Representatives and also holds the enviable portfolio as the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu.

“He had then argued that the law requires the President to seek the approval of two-thirds of the Senate to be able to sack the CBN Governor.

“But under Gbajabiamila’s watch, Emefiele was fired in a most unconstitutional and vindictive manner,” LP added.

“It is only in Nigeria that we find people that approbate and reprobate at the same time. People say one thing from one side of their mouth and another from the other side, especially when it favours them politically and otherwise,” LP said.

The party argued that “If indeed, there is any government agency that should be investigated with this utmost urgency, should it not be the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and its Chairman,

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.”

On its part, a non-governmental organisation under the aegis of Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA), has faulted Emefiele’s arrest.

The group led by its National Coordinator, Bright Ngolo, said the alleged arrest was an infraction on the rights of the CBN governor.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, the NDRA coordinator called on all government agencies to respect the rule of law and stop harassing Emefiele.

Ngolo argued that Emefiele could be invited for questioning at any time since no Nigerian is above the law.

"However, we are also concerned with the fact that there is a judgment by a competent court in suit no GAR/CV/41/2022 instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership wherein Justice M.A. Hassan barred the DSS, Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, who are listed as 1st, 2bd and 5th defendants from arresting Godwin Emefiele.

"Our call for the authorities to respect the rule of law by challenging and setting aside Justice Hassan's judgment has nothing to do with the propriety or otherwise of

his removal from office as CBN Governor."

THISDAY had reported that Emefiele, who was suspended by President Tinubu, was calm at home on Friday reviewing his handover notes, contrary to some reports claiming that he was arrested on Friday.

In an earlier tweet yesterday, DSS had clarified that the suspended CBN boss was not in its custody.

“Currently, Emefiele is not with the DSS,” the spokesman of the agency, Dr. Peter Afunanya, tweeted.

However, Afunanya later issued a statement saying that Emefiele was under investigation and in the custody of the agency.

"The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.

"The public, particularly the media, is enjoined to apply utmost caution in the reportage and narratives concerning this," it said.

THISDAY gathered that Emefelie was arrested by DSS operatives in Lagos and flown to the Murtala Muhammed Airport and flown to Abuja.

Ahead of the 2023 general election, Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the

All Progressives Congress (APC), had alleged that the naira redesign project and the cash withdrawal limits introduced by the Emefiele last October were introduced to derail his presidential bid.

But the CBN had responded then that the redesigning of the N1000, N500 and N200 banknotes was not targeted at any politician or political parties, but in the interest of the nation.

The Director of Finance at CBN, Benjamin Fakunle, had explained: “Let me put it on record that we are not targeting anybody. The last time that Nigeria redesigned notes was more than nine years ago and this is something that we normally do in a period of between five and seven years; so, nobody is being targeted.”

DSS had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking a warrant to arrest him.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice J.T Tsoho, however, refused to grant the application of the DSS on the grounds that it did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims.

The court said such an application should have been accompanied by presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.

Credible sources alleged that the Akpabio group had been cajoling, intimidating and blackmailing the former governor of Zamfara State to withdraw from the senate Presidency race.

One of the sources stated that at least 65 senators-elect “are currently backing the Senate Presidency bid of Sen. Abdulaziz Yari,” a reason that compelled the Akpabio group to intensify its plot against Yari.

According to the source, the new upswing in the rank of senators backing Yari is causing a lot of panic and tension in the presidency and Akpabio’s camp.

Another source acknowledged Yari’s rising acceptability among senators-elect.

He said: “They do not want Yari to be a candidate for Senate President on the floor of the senate on Tuesday. Presently, they are trying extremely hard to cajole, intimidate and blackmail Yari to withdraw from the senate Presidency race.”

According to the source, Yari has a court order preventing his invitation or detention until after the election of principal officers of the senate. They intend to use the institution of the presidency to carry out the plot.

TINUBU'S POLICY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROPOSES SALE OF NNPC'S STAKES IN OIL AND GAS ASSETS

The members of the council include: Austin Avuru, Olu Verheijen, AbdulRasaq Isa, Bashir Bello, Ifeanyi Ajuluchukwu, Doyin Akinyanju, Tinuade Sande, Ahmad Zakari, George Etomi, Nasiru Wada, Mohammed Abbas, and Segun Lawson.

They proposed that the government should work towards achieving some milestones within the first 100 days ending August 2023.

The council advised Tinubu’s administration to re-organise NUPRC and NMDPRA to deliver set milestone goals and headhunt and place capable resources in critical positions in the oil and gas sector.

The council further advised that the president should head-hunt competent, tested, reform-focused leaders in NNPCL and ensure the company discharges its function as a commercial entity as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The council advised that NNPC should also be strengthened and placed in a position where it would be paying taxes, royalties and profits to the Federation Account and properly regulated by NUPRC, NMDPRA and NCDMB.

Though the president has removed the petrol subsidy, the council, which was set up when Tinubu emerged as the president-elect, equally proposed the deregulation of petrol pricing and implementing the Federal Direct Cash Transfer Programme, with the disbursement of $8 billion in Direct Cash Transfer to the poorest 30 million Nigerians.

It advised the president to end insecurity in oil-producing states, particularly in Imo, Delta, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa-Ibom by engaging key political and community stakeholders.

The council called for the

reforming of the operations of the military task force with clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) and consequent management to tackle deficiencies.

To improve financing in the oil and gas sector, the council called for a debt repayment framework and a transition to market prices for gas.

It stressed the need for Tinubu’s government to put robust policies in place in order to unlock Nigeria’s energy potential to fuel economic growth and diversification while improving energy security sustainably.

It proposed that the government should work to raise Nigeria's oil and gas production to 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) and 3.5 billion cubic feet (bcf) in the next 18 months ending December 2024.

The advisory council urged President Tinubu to mandate NNPCL, NUPRC and NMDPRA to close out outstanding divestments and contract issues for project delivery clarity.

It further urged the president to strip NNPCL of policy-making roles and keep NCDMB within its mandate as prescribed by the Local Content Act.

The council advised the president to consider integrating NUPRC, NMDPRA, and NCDMB into a single regulator or include all midstream activities into NUPRC's scope.

The advisory council also called for the expansion of domestic gas reserves and the promotion of the development of a diversified oil and gas industry by implementing reforms in the PIA, including the National Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC).

While proposing the development of a sustainable financing model to facilitate boost oil and gas development projects, the council

stressed the need for the government to facilitate a third-party gas pricing framework for the export market.

The report further advised Tinubu’s administration to, "Enact Fiscal Enablers for NAG and Deepwater via Finance Act and expand stabilisation in PIA to cover full credit for post-Final Investment Decision (FID) levies and taxes

"Bring ready Brownfield Project onstream from 10 critical gas projects and oil projects at FID,” the report added.

The council also advised Tinubu’s government to achieve a daily crude oil production target of 2.5 million barrels per day and 5 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas daily by May 2027.

It also recommended the sale of NNPCL’s oil and gas assets and transit of the company to a minority shareholder with a target to raise $17.4 billion from the assets.

The council also recommended that the NNPCL should form global strategic partnerships with other co-venturers.

Tinubu’s advisory council also advised the new government to, "sell down interests in JVs to a minority position and develop an operating model that eliminates cash calls. Sell down/divest interests in the refineries and build the NLNG operating model.

"Bring remaining Brownfield Project on-stream including 10 critical gas projects, oil and gas projects post FDP and pre-FID.

"Bring Greenfield Projects to FID to grow production, such projects included deepwater oil and NAG (Non-associated gas) projects, develop offshore gas hub, and FLNGs (Floating LNGs)."

It also advised the Tinubu administration to restore the nation's lost revenue by restoring oil and gas production with a view to ensuring

that Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plants run at 100 per cent capacity and unlock 12 gigawatts (GW) of stranded gas-fired power generation.

The council further proposed that the government should work towards growing the country's oil and gas production capacity to 4 million barrels per day (bpd) and 12bcf/d to domestic and export by 2030 and 25-30GW of power generation by 2030.

To diversify revenue sources and boost job creation, the advisory council stressed the need for the government to convert oil and gas into industrial products and feedstocks, aggregate demand in industrial clusters and prioritise export-oriented projects to improve bankability.

While proposing the need for Nigeria to transition to Net-zero by 2060, the council advised that gas should be used as a transition fuel to displace diesel and biomass, reduce emissions in operations, and drive energy efficiency.

The report further recommended that "within the first 100 days, constitute a team to evaluate portfolios of upstream, midstream and downstream.

"Decision analysis to carry out a high-level valuation and establish the range of consideration, commence preliminary engagements with potential buyers and financiers.

"In the first 18 months, with assets up to $4.5 billion, the government should appoint an external investment banker, legal advisor and financial advisor to identify and test transaction principles with key buyers.

"They should establish the transaction process and execution timeframe and assess market conditions for the transaction,” the report explained.

SEEKING COLLABORATION…

Court Dismisses Obi's Applications to Question INEC over ICT Personnel Deployed for Presidential Election

Atiku calls 18 of 100 witnesses to prove fraud at presidential election

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has dismissed two applications by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, seeking to interrogate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts used for the conduct of the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

This is as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday called two additional witnesses to further prove his allegation of malpractices during the election.

A five-member panel of the PEPC in a unanimous decision held that the two applications were incompetent and lacking in merit and accordingly dismissed them.

The five-member panel had on Thursday reserved ruling after counsel to parties argued for and against the granting of the applications.

Obi and the LP had through their lawyer, Mr. Patrick Ikweto (SAN), at Thursday's proceedings, moved two pending applications, which specifically sought to know the quality of the ICT experts deployed by INEC for the presidential poll.

Delivering the ruling in the two applications yesterday, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani held that the petitioners failed to establish "the existence of an extreme circumstance" for the granting of such applications.

According to the court, applications relating to electoral matters, including interrogatories must be filed and heard during the pre-hearing session, adding that any application which is brought after the end of pre-hearing must show extreme circumstances why the court should hear it.

Justice Tsammani held that the claim of the petitioners that the application was filed on May 22, the last day of pre-hearing could not be sustained because they failed to counter the submission of counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), that the application was filed at the close of pre-hearing

and not served on some of the respondents.

The panel further noted that even if the petitioners had filed on May 22, they ought to have drawn the attention of the court to the motion of notice, stating that not doing so was an indication that they may have abandoned the motion.

While stating that the petitioners did not challenge the report of the panel that the pre-hearing session ended on May 22, "nor draw the attention of the court to the pending applications," Justice Tsammani held that, "it is the duty of a party who files a motion to indicate its intention to move it...a process not moved is deemed not to have been filed.”

The panel further stated that it was wrong for the petitioners to blame the respondents or the court for a motion that was not filed or moved.

"The application is incompetent and accordingly dismissed", Justice Tsammani held.

Obi and LP had in their motion prayed the court for an order compelling INEC to supply them with the names and profiles of the ICT experts that participated in one way or another in the February 25 presidential election.

Besides, Obi and his party raised 12 questions to be forwarded to INEC for answers.

It is the position of the petitioners that INEC did not only breach its own regulations and guidelines for the conduct of the presidential election but manipulated the process so that the outcome provides specific desired results.

It was further stated in their submission that the request, if granted will assist them in establishing their petition challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu as President.

The two applications - the first seeking leave of court to bring the application and the second the main application was first filed on May 22 and replaced with another dated June 2.

However, when Ikweto attempted to move the applications on June 5, the respondents objected because it was not ripe for a hearing.

When it was moved on June 8, the respondents however opposed

the granting of the request because it was belated and the court lacked the necessary jurisdiction to entertain the applications.

According to INEC's lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinhero (SAN), the applications were not only incompetent but amounted to a waste of the precious time of the PREPEC.

He pointed out that the applications lacked merit because they were not brought within the time allowed by law.

He argued that such applications ought to have been brought and argued during the pre-hearing session of the PREPEC.

Similarly, Tinubu and APC represented by Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) and Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), respectively, in their submissions also opposed the granting of the two applications.

After listening to the arguments of counsel representing parties, the Presiding Justice, Tsammani reserved the ruling for a later date, which was yesterday.

Atiku

Calls 18 of 100

Witnesses to Prove Fraud at Presidential Election

Meanwhile the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku yesterday called two additional witnesses to further prove his allegation of malpractice at the February 25 election.

The two make a total of 18 witnesses he has so far called out of 100 witnesses planned for the exercise.

Atiku and his party filed their petitions against the election of President Bola Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and INEC at the court.

They are challenging the outcome of the election on the ground that INEC, the electoral umpire, did not conduct the election following the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

At the resumed hearing on Saturday, one of Atiku’s new witnesses, Ms. Alheri Ayuba, said she was unhappy at her inability to upload results from her polling unit to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal.

“There was a form that I filled at the ward centre where I stated that I was not happy at my inability to transmit the result.

“I could not log into the INEC portal. If I had logged into the system and posted the result perhaps it could have “pending’’ status and when the network is restored, it would upload,’’ she said.

The witness also told the court that she was not induced or influenced by any politician before or during the election.

The second witness, Ms. Sadiya Haruna, told the court that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machine she used malfunctioned.

Haruna told the court that the result she entered manually at her polling unit was what she took to the ward collation officer and that party agents assigned to the unit monitored the entire process.

She said she took a photo shot of the result as collated manually on the result sheet with the BVAS machine, but that she couldn’t ascertain whether it was retained in the machine or not.

Earlier, INEC’s counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinhero (SAN) and Mr. Akin

Olujimi (SAN) counsel for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, objected to the admission of the witnesses’ statements in evidence.

The counsel for APC, Mr. Abiodun Fashanu (SAN), aligned with their objection.

The counsel submitted that their reason for objecting to the admission of the witnesses’ statements on oath would be advanced at the stage of final addresses.

They, however, did not oppose the invitation of the witnesses to testify before the court as well as the presentation of their letters of employment as Presiding Officers for the election by INEC. Abubakar’s counsel, Mr. Chris Uche (SAN) who led both witnesses in evidence prayed the court to discountenance objections by the respondents and admit the witnesses’ testimonies.

Presiding Justice Haruna Tsammani reserved ruling on the objections until the final judgment. Justice Tsammani also adjourned further hearing in the petition till June 13.

NLC: We Will No Longer Respect

‘Frivolous’

Onyebuchi

Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed concerns over the frequent use of ex parte orders against it by some judges who it said had bent to accommodate the whims and caprices of the executive branch of government.

The organised labour described such orders as black-market injunctions that it would no longer respect.

Recall that the federal government was granted an ex parte order by the National Industrial Court (NIC) restraining the union from proceeding with the proposed nationwide strike slated for last Wednesday.

The union accepted the court's decision but described it as a

Ex parte Orders

weapon against the interests of Nigerian workers.

However, in a statement issued in Abuja, the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero said it had taken steps to vacate the extant injunction in question in consultation with its lawyers.

Ajaero said black market injunctions constitute an inherent and present danger to the image of the judiciary and it would not hesitate to picket any court that issues such injunction in the future.

NIC had in the ruling that was delivered by Justice OY Anuwe, barred the two organisations from proceeding with the strike action, pending the determination of a suit that was brought before it by FG.

The court held that the interim

order, as well as the substantive suit, should be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC, which were cited as defendants/ respondents in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/158/2023, even though it fixed the matter for hearing on June 19.

The court order followed an ex-parte application that FG filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Federal government’s lawyer, Mrs. Maimuna Lami Shiru, who moved the application, maintained that the proposed strike action was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector, and the educational sector.

The federal government further tendered Exhibits FGN 1, 2, and 3, which were notices from the NLC, TUC, and the Nigerian

Union of Journalists, NUJ, to their members, asking them to withdraw their services with effect from Wednesday, June 7.

The court, in its ruling, held that it was empowered by Section 7(b) of the NIC Act, 2006, with the exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lockout or any industrial action.

It held that sections 16 and 19(a) of the NIC Act 2006, also empowered it to grant urgent interim reliefs.

The court held that the affidavit of urgency, as well as the submission of the federal government’s lawyer, revealed: “a scenario that may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large”.

L-R: Chief Digital Officer, Polaris Bank, Dele Adeyinka; Director & SSA Head, Solution Delivery, VISA, Nkebet Mesele (Snr); Chief Executive Officer, Polaris Bank, Adekunle Sonola; Vice President and Head of CEMEA, Digital Partnership & Solutions, Otto Williams (Snr); and Vice President and Head, West Africa Cluster, Andrew Uaboi, during the visit of VISA’s senior executive team to Polaris Bank…weekend

30 YEARS OF HARD WORK…

Buhari Signed 129 Out of 1,129 Bills in Eight Years, Says Lawan

We were indeed 'rubber stamp' assembly, Adamawa senator tells senate president

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan has said revealed that the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, assented to 129 bills passed by the ninth Senate.

This is as the lawmaker representing Adamawa South, Senator Binos Yeroe, has admitted that the ninth Senate was a rubber stamp.

Lawan noted that the ninth Senate presented 1,129 bills out of which 500 were passed

He stated that the senate accomplished some significant accomplishments over the last four years.

He said, “In lawmaking, the ninth Senate introduced and successfully passed critical legislations that could reform and promote the economy, improve transparency in government processes.

“As of June 10, over 1,129 bills were presented on the floor of the Senate, and over 500 were successfully passed.

“The president assented to 129 bills; the highest of any Assembly in Nigeria’s history.

“In the last few days, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had assented to two Bills passed by the 9th National Assembly; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.37) Bill, 2023.”

Lawan added, “This extended the retirement age of high court judges, and others, from 65 to 70 years.

“This was the first Bill to be

signed by the President since taking the oath of office.

“Only Friday, June 9, he also assented to the Electricity Act 2023, which we had passed in July 2022.

“The new law replaces the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.”

The outgoing Senate President said that in the discharge of their representative functions, the ninth Senate aggregated and amplified the problems faced by constituents.

“Three hundred and sixty one motions were moved in the 9th Senate and 488 Resolutions were passed.

“Through these various motions and resolutions, we called the government’s attention to specific issues and sought their intervention.”

Lawan said that beyond the impressive numbers, however, the laws cut across the eleven priority areas of their Legislative Agenda.

Lawan further said that to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and weapons, “we passed the Bill for the Establishment of a National Commission for Coordination and Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

“We passed other securityrelated laws, including the Police Act 2020, which introduced radical changes in the operations of the Nigerian Police force and how they relate to the citizenry.”

Lawan thereafter appreciated his colleagues for voting him to

be the President of the 9th Senate.

He said that it had been an honour and a privilege to serve as a member of the revered legislative body and to preside over its activities at a defining moment in the history of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Adamawa South, Senator Yeroe, has admitted that the ninth Senate was a rubber stamp.

The senator told the lawmakers during his valedictory speech at the plenary yesterday that he agreed with those who have labelled the 9th assembly a rubber stamp.

Yeroe noted the appoval of the N22.7trillion Ways and Means further validated the rubber-stamp accusations.

It will be recalled that despite initial resistance from lawmakers and public outcry, the Senate approved a N22.7 trillion Ways and Means advance loan collected by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Yeroe said, “I agree with those who say the ninth Senate is a rubber stamp.

“Furthermore, the suspension of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and subjecting him to investigation is a mild indictment of the National Assembly.

“This is so because if we had done our oversight duties properly, we would not have gotten to this level.”

The Adamawa senator advised the 10th Senate to take its role as the watchdog over the Executive

seriously.

Yeroe said, “I hope the 10th Senate will take its job as the Watchdog of the Executive more seriously.

"I also hope that the 10th Senate will operate and adhere to its own rules, take their rules on the procedures of the bills in rules 76, 77 and 78 for instance, that state that bills that are being read should be circulated to all senators.

“But very often, bills passed first and second reading without senators reading through them.

“I hope the 10th Senate will conduct its business more properly.”

There was, however, a mild drama when Senator Rochas Okorocha mocks Ahmad Lawan’s return to the Senate.

Okorocha said, "You (Lawan) are a very smart politician. How you came back [to the Senate] is another chapter in our political history that we need to discuss.

"I was there in the field with you running for president, I never knew how you were able to meander, leaving some of us. Next time you must teach me how to do that."

Lawan explained that it was his constituency that actually spearheaded the court process that gave him a return ticket.

He said: "It was easy. I was there with you in the field and after our defeat, my constituents thought they needed me again.

"They asked for me to come back and it was a tortious journey

because we had to go through the courts. I didn't even appeal the judgement that did not give me the contest.

"The party and the stakeholders appealed on my behalf up to the Supreme Court; so, there is

nothing critical or remarkable. In fact, you have nothing to learn from it."

Not taking Lawan's explanation, Okorocha said, "I want to be your student next time. It is more of 'the more you look, the less you see."

My Hands are Open, I Hold No Grudges, Says Aregbesola

Segun James

Former Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that he is not in conflict with anyone, stressing his resolve to work with anyone in returning the progressives back to power in the state.

Aregbesola stated that irrespective of what happened in the past, the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must heal and jettison personal gains for the reinvigoration of the party.

The immediate past Minister of Interior spoke at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, on his homecoming reception after his tenure in the federal cabinet.

He called on stakeholders of true progressive, traditional, and social institutions who believe in the party's development agenda to rally members for successive elections.

His words: "I hold no grudge with anyone in Osogbo or Osun. My hands are wide open to work and receive anyone. Anyone who has issues with me has their reasons, but I hold no grudge against anyone.

“It is never my desire to leave any of them, but now that they have gone the way they did, I beseech you, our royal father, to plead with them. I would always wish them well and always desire to work with them.

“Anywhere I am, please be rest assured that Osogbo’s and Osun's interests are covered,” the former Governor of Osun explained. Aregbesola had stated that he came back to restructure the APC in Osun State.

The former two term governor of Osun State made this known last Wednesday as residents of the state and members of the Osun APC welcomed him back to the state.

At the event, which was held at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Aregbesola explained that he had in 2019 called for the unity of the party with a warning that failure to unite different interest groups in the party would not produce any good result.

“We were here in 2019 after the Supreme Court affirmed the mandate of the former governor. I called for unity in the party,” he reportedly said.

Zamfara Govt Robbed My Houses, Stole Cars, Other Valuables, Matawalle Alleges

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has accused the state government of allegedly robbing his houses and confiscating his personal belongings.

On Friday, the Zamfara State Government, led by

Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) confirmed that the security forces entered the two houses of Matawalle in Gusau and Maradun, where they seized 40 vehicles.

However, Matawalle in an interview with BBC Hausa Service said that it was

“stupidity” and “poverty” that caused his houses to be entered, alleging that items, including his wife’s hijab were stolen.

He said: “I have never seen this kind of stupidity where someone’s house will just be entered without any permission as if we are in a lawless country.

“I am in Abuja and nobody told me that any court gave that order or invited me and I refused to answer. The saddest thing is that, in my Gusau house, all my wives’ rooms were broken, even hijabs have been taken away. Stoves were all put in a car and taken away.

“Instead of Dauda facing

Zamfara problems, he wants to create another crisis because he knows I have my people and they will not fold their hands.

“In my Maradun house, they took away all campaign cars that people gave us as contributions, including those I bought in the United States

even before becoming governor; you know I was a car seller. I will not ask them to bring the cars back, everybody knows that I have cars.

“This is robbery, they entered everywhere in my houses, even my daughter’s wedding clothing materials (Kayan Lefe) were not spared.”

L-R: Senior Counsel and former Judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa, Prof. Mervyn King; Founder, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Atedo Peterside; Founding Partner, Kenna Partners, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN); Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; CEO, Futuresoft, Mrs. Nkemdilim Uwaje-Begho; and Professor of Professional Ethics, Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Juan Manuel Elegido, at the Kenna Partners’ 30th anniversary colloquium in Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

DIPLOMATIC VISIT…

Obasanjo Suggests Ways to Alleviate Poverty in Nigeria

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Former President Olusegun

Obasanjo yesterday said the best way to get Nigerians out of abject poverty is by turning the country’s growing population into an asset.

Obasanjo, who lamented that over 100 million Nigerians are living in poverty, insisted that only investment in human development and education would turn Nigeria’s population from a liability to an asset.

He said this in a keynote address titled: “Importance of Network in Life and Business,” during the launch of the Gateway chapter of Business Network International (BNI) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo said: “We lay emphasis on our natural resources and when we talk of our natural resources, we are talking of mine, oil and gas, gold, whatever we can find in the bush or under the

ground. But for me, our most important natural resource is human beings.

“By the year 2050, we will be the third largest country in the world with a population of well over 450 million. Only China and India will be larger than us in population. That can be an asset and it can be a liability.

“I won’t say more than that for now because that requires a whole day to discuss how not to make it a liability, what we have to do to make our population an asset.

“I like the goals that you have set for yourself in BNI in Nigeria, to support 25,000 businesses, to support one million families and if you take an average of one family being five – father, mother and three children, we are talking of five million people.

“Well, you may say, give a million out of 230 million people, so how much is that? But it means a lot. In a situation where

SEC Declares Binance Operations in Nigeria Illegal

Festus Akanbi

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has declared the operation of Binance Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Binance, as illegal in the country.

In a statement published on its website on Friday, SEC said the cryptocurrency platform has been actively promoting its web and mobile-enabled platforms to Nigerians. According to the statement, the company is neither subject to its regulations nor registered.

“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) has been drawn to the website operated by Binance Nigeria Limited, soliciting the Nigerian public to trade crypto assets on its various web and mobile-enabled platforms.

“Binance Nigeria Limited is neither registered nor regulated by the Commission and its operations in Nigeria are therefore illegal. Any member of the investing public dealing with the entity is doing so at his/her own risk,” the statement said.

Warning Nigerians to be wary of crypto-assets and related financial products and services that are not

registered in the country, SEC stated, “As the regulator with the statutory mandate of investor protection, the Commission urges Nigerians to be wary of investing in crypto-assets and related financial products and services if the service provider/ its platform is not registered or regulated by the Commission.

Nigerian investors are hereby warned that investing in cryptoassets is extremely risky and may result in a total loss of their investment.

“By this circular, Binance Nigeria Limited is hereby directed to immediately stop soliciting Nigerian investors in any form whatsoever.”

The capital market regulator therefore pledged to continue to provide updates on further regulatory actions concerning the activities of Binance Nigeria Limited, and other similar platforms and shall work with other regulators in Nigeria to provide further guidance on this matter.

Binance, the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem, with a product suite that includes the largest digital asset exchange, is facing similar issues of a crackdown from authorities in the United States — the latest being lawsuits filed by the country’s SEC.

over 100 million of us are in abject poverty if five million can be raised out of poverty, it means we are doing a lot.”

He commended BNI for its plan to support over 25,000 businesses and one million

families through growth in employment and value creation and to contribute N650 billion annually to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Obasanjo said, BNI’s plan would go a long way in raising

no fewer than five million Nigerians out of poverty.

The President of the Gateway chapter of BNI, Ronke Daniel, disclosed that the organisation had been supporting business owners in more than 70

countries to grow.

Daniel noted that the objective of the organisation is to grow businesses and empower operators of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs) to reach their maximum potential.

PenCom: 97,591 Micro Pension Participants Contribute N436m in May

James Emejo in Abuja

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has said the Micro Pension Plan (MPP) contributions as of May stood at N435.61 million from the 97,591 participants registered.

The Head of the Micro Pension Department, PenCom, Mr. Dauda Ahmed, revealed this on the sidelines of the maiden Micro Pension Open Day, organised by the Pension Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) in Lagos.

The event had its theme “Micro Pension – Challenges, Prospects for Growth and Deepening Financial Inclusion in Nigeria”.

Ahmed said that the total contingent withdrawal by 150 Micro Pension Contributors (MPC) as of the month under review stood at N30.24 million.

According to him, the commission recorded N6.51

million as the amount converted by 581 Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) holders, under the informal sector to RSAs under the formal sector.

The PenCom scribe explained that the MPP is an opportunity for workers, who are mainly in the informal sector to save for their retirement.

Ahmed said that the MPP, as revised this year, is expected to extend pension coverage to over 2.2 million informal sector workers by 2024.

He said, as part of incentives to embrace micro pension, PenCom was working toward adopting a minimum health insurance for eligible MPP participants.

Ahmed stated that the commission was also engaging with labour unions, trade associations, and several groups on embracing the plan.

Ahmed listed the challenges to the implementation of

the plan including; lack of awareness, mistrust about the pension system, absence of appropriate incentives, and lack of financial literacy.

According to him, the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) based MPP on short-term perspectives, especially in terms of financial benefits and the perceived associated cost.

Ahmed blamed the PFAs for poor service delivery, an inadequate awareness campaign for the product, and slow adoption of shared services arrangements.

He identified other factors impeding the implementation of the MPP as weak economic indices, inflation, and increased poverty level.

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PenOp, Mr. Oguche Agudah, charged the informal sector workers to visualise how their needs would be met in the next 20 to 30 years without

a pension plan.

Agudah noted the PFAs were concerned about improving the micro pension penetration in Nigeria, saying, “The country has the largest informal sectors which are not covered by any form of formal pension”.

“We, in the pension industry, work to get as many informal sector workers as possible on a pension scheme.

“Those within a structured organisation or who employ less than three persons and youths growing the informal gig economy; starting businesses on their laptop without any office, yet earning decently.

“We are passionate about micro pensions, as today’s event revolves around the audacious industrial goal to engage as many informal sector workers as possible, to sign up for the scheme for the benefit of everyone,” he said.

Plateau Attacks: 150 People Buried in Last Three Weeks, Says Gov

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Caleb Mutfwang, has revealed that no fewer than 150 people have been killed in the Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state in the last three weeks.

The state has over the years been battling with security challenges often involving the killing of citizens by unidentified gunmen. Speaking during a live television programme at the weekend, Governor Mutfwang lamented the increase in attacks in the state in recent weeks.

“Last night four people were killed in Mangu. Conservatively, I will put it that in the last three weeks, we have buried not less than 150 people in Mangu local government.

“And as I am talking to you, we have no less than 30,000 scattered in various IDP camps that we are having to deal with now,” Mutfwang said. Asked what he thinks the problem is, the governor said it is fundamentally a breakdown of trust in both inter-communities and intra-communities, which opened the flanks for non-state actors.

He said a new pattern has emerged whereby “80 per cent of the situation is pure genocide simplicity against the people of Plateau”.

The governor, who paid a visit to President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, expressed confidence that the Nigerian leader is determined to deal with the situation.

“I had the privilege and honour to have a meeting with Mr. President at very short notice. The meeting centered around the challenges of security in the Plateau and I found Mr. President full of listening ears, full of determination

to deal with the issues and I think it is going to be a welcome change.

“The response of Mr. President is reassuring, his understanding of the problem was quite comforting, and certainly Mr. President is showing that he has a political will to deal with the issues.

“He is about to rejig the security architecture in the country and I am sure he is going to come with a new vigour, with a new sense of patriotism and nationalism that I am sure we will be able to have some respite at the end of the day,” the governor stated.

L-R: Wife of the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Fusur Bayraktar; Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; and Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hidayat Bayraktar; during the Ambassador’s working visit to the governor’s office in Ado Ekiti…weekend

STRATEGIC CONSULTATIONS…

in

West Local Government Area of Delta State...weekend

HURIWA Asks Ondo Deputy Gov to Step Aside over Alleged Assault on Wife

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) yesterday asked the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to step aside over allegations of beating up his wife, Oluwaseun.

In a statement by its National

Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said it is unthinkable in the first place that a deputy state governor would be accused of being a wife-batterer.

The group said according to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, Aiyedatiwa is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three

Glo Rolls out 4G-LTE Advanced Service to Boost Productivity

Data grandmasters, Globacom has announced the launch of its fourth generation long-term evolution advanced network, popularly known as 4G-LTE Advanced to boost productivity.

The company disclosed that the simultaneous rollout of the service in several major cities in the country is projected to help speed-up economic and commercial activities as well as boost productivity of professionals, students and traders across the country.

Globacom explained that delivering a superior 4G LTE Advanced technology was a major step in actualizing its objective of empowering Nigerians for a better internet experience and more productive life.

The Glo LTE Advanced is de-

scribed as the power of three LTE data networks in one. “It is faster, stronger and better”, Globacom said, and went on to outline the process of how its new and existing customers can connect to the network.

“It is a simple process. For those who already have 4G SIMs, they will be able to enjoy the Glo LTE Advanced service. But for those who do not have the 4G SIMs, they first need to upgrade their SIM cards to USIM (4G SIM).

“The upgrade process is also simple, as all you require is a SIM Swap, which takes two minutes. The customer also needs a device that is 4G-enabled. Then, you will experience seamless and super-fast mobile Internet services on the Glo network,” the network disclosed.

Adewole Emerges Ondo Oil Palm Plc CEO

Taiwo Abimbola Adewole has been appointed as the Managing Director/CEO, Okitipupa Oil Palm (OOP) PLC, Okitipupa, Ondo State, with effect from May 24, 2023. Prior to his appointment, Adewole was the General Manager of the agro-allied firm between September 2018 and May 2023.

Adewole’s elevation to the exalted position of Managing Director was believed by players in the sector as a recognition by the firm’s Board of Directors and other critical stakeholders of his uncommon feat in resuscitating and turning-around of the erstwhile moribund company which for nearly 20 years could neither pay dividends nor fulfil its obligations to land-owners but swimming in multiple banks’ indebtedness!

Adewole’s rare management and leadership prowess was first

recognised by owners of the firm, which prompted the stakeholders to hire in April, 2018 to lead a Management Consultancy team for the onerous task of reviving the distress company, his excellent performance compelled the Board just after six months of leading the Consultancy team, to appoint him General Manager and CEO of the firm in September of the same year.

years or to a fine not exceeding #200,000.00 or both.

HURIWA also called on the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to order a probe into the allegations of domestic abuse filed against Aiyedatiwa by many rights groups.

HURIWA said though the accused has denied the allegations but fresh revelations purportedly credited to his wife, Oluwaseun need to be probed. In various reports online, Oluwaseun was

said to have stated that her husband lied in his response to allegations of domestic violence levelled against him, insisting that she suffered constant beatings, humiliation and torture from her husband

Onwubiko said: “The reports emanating from Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s home is unsettling and startling and should not be swept under the carpet. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu should order

a probe into the allegations of domestic violence levelled against his deputy.

“The women affairs ministry in Ondo State should rise up. The Human Rights Office of the Nigeria Police Force, the Ondo State Command should act now to set a precedent that no one no matter how highly placed would be allowed to trample on another without facing the tune of the law.

“Deputy Governor Lucky

Aiyedatiwa should step aside until the conclusion of investigation by the government and security agencies.

“The death of gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, who was a victim of domestic abuse, is still fresh in mind. In 2021 alone, the National Human Rights Commission said it received over 1.7 million sexual and gender-based violence complaints and out of that, about over 900,000 affected women and children.

NDDC Promises Speedy Completion of Projects in Niger Delta

Ejiofor Alike

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has reaffirmed its commitment to completing all ongoing projects in the Niger Delta region and ensure that the projects help in improving the living conditions of the people.

Speaking after inspecting the canalization of Oporoza creek, in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel

Ogbuku, noted that the project would provide easy access and navigation for communities and oil companies operating in the kingdom.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, who was accompanied by the Executive Director in charge of Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola and other directors of the commission, assured that work on all infrastructure projects would be completed.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, the inspection

team also paid a courtesy visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, King Oboro Gbaruan II, at his palace in Oporoza.

Ogbuku identified Escravos as an area of special economic priority, stating that NDDC was taking steps to make it more accessible by rallying the support of stakeholders for a broad partnership that will expedite the construction and completion of the Warri-Omadino-Escravos Road.

He said: “We have reached out to Chevron Nigeria Limited and other stakeholders, seeking

for partnership on this and other projects.

“We chose the Public Private Partnership (PPP), model as an alternative source of funding for the Commission. So, we have been going about seeking funding partners to complete our current projects and also start new ones.”

The NDDC boss noted that the partnership between the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, and the NDDC in the construction of the 25.735-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road should be replicated for other projects.

Troops Neutralise Six Terrorists, Recover Arms in Kaduna, Says DHQ

Kingsley Nweze in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters yesterday said the troops of Operation Forest Sanity in conjunction with the Defence Headquarters Special Forces had neutralised six terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition in Kaduna State.

The Director, Defence Media

Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

Danmadami said the troops had on Friday conducted a covert operation to terrorists’ enclaves at Maidaro village in Giwa Local Government Area and made contact with terrorists.

He said the six terrorists were eliminated in the firefight that ensued.

According to him, five AK 47 rifles, 192 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm Special ammunition, 74 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm Special, and Nine AK 47 rifle magazines were recovered.

“Three IEDs, three Baofeng

radios, one PKM, and three motorcycles amongst other sundry items were recovered.

“The military high command commends troops and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on terrorist and all criminal activities within their area,” he said.

UNDP, Partners Rebuild Terrorist-ravaged Community in N’East

Uchechukwu Nnaike

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners have released a documentary film, based on their recent intervention in Ngarannam, a community in the North-east ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents.

The UNDP executed the project with support from the federal government, Borno State Government, European Union,

Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

The documentary film titled ‘Ngarannam: The Homecoming’ highlights the story of hopefulness by the community that was once lost in despair when they were forcefully removed from their homes following a devastating attack by Boko Haram.

According to the UNDP, the film, directed by a Nigerian

award-winning filmmaker, Joel ‘Kachi Benson, provides an insight based on a first hand account into the lives of a community that suffered displacement as a result of the Boko Haram conflict.

“The film highlights the visionary and innovative approach of the Regional Stabilization Facility - a groundbreaking programme, which aims to restore lives with dignity, and

bring a sense of normalcy back to people facing conflict.”

It said the film is centred around three residents of the Ngarannam Village - Amina, Falmata, and Hassan, and chronicles a touching story of struggle, loss and fear as it follows their journey from the first 2015 insurgency attack on their village that launched their world into disarray, to the 2022 intervention programme engineered by UNDP.

L-R: Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, King Oboro Gbaruan II; and Executive Director

charge of Projects at NDDC, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, during a courtesy visit at the King’s palace in Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South

Adewole

Tinubu against Falling into Debt Trap

Two weeks after a new government was ushered in, the reality today is that the euphoria that came with its inauguration has elapsed. By now, a clearer picture of the state of the economy should be available to the new president which may not exactly be in sync with his expectations before the general election where he rolled out many promises to retool the nation’s economy.

Economic analysts therefore, maintained that as he settles down on the exalted seat, President Bola Tinubu’s priorities should include what to make out of the lean resources available to him in the face of mounting demand for better standards of living without plunging the nation into a deeper abyss of debt.

Burden of Debts

Apart from assets which he handed over to the new president on May 29, former President, Muhammadu Buhari also handed over a N46.25 billion ($103.11 billion) domestic and foreign debt stock as well as N22.7 trillion debt which the government owes the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and which was incurred through the Ways and Means Advances. The Debt Management of the country consisted of the domestic and external debts of the federal government and the sub-national governments.

A report by Partner and Chief Economist, KPMG Nigeria, Dr. Yemi Kale, published last week indicated that the Nigerian government will need to consider reforms in its expenditure in the face of the pressure on its revenue and the rising demand for infrastructure spending to move the economy forward.

This, according to him is because, with the recent OPEC cuts which have caused a rise in crude oil prices, the government might even need a lot more than budgeted.

But the question is, will the Tinubu administration resist the temptation to follow the footstep of his predecessor by falling into the death trap, which is considered to be a shortcut?

Avoiding High Debt Ratio

According to Yemi Kale’s report, the only way not to join the list of countries with a high debt ratio is to reform the expenditure framework as failure to do will make nonsense of the desire of the current administration to build the economy in a way to attract the needed foreign investments. This is against the backdrop of the fact that Moody’s has downgraded the country’s keep deteriorating, while Standards and Poor’stive on its outlook citing similar issues with debt serving capacity.

Kale said that while Nigeria’s debt to GDP ranges at a healthy 30-35 per cent, its tax and revenue to GDP fall between 6-8 per cent, contributing to the debt service to revenue ratio that has risen as high as 80 per cent at some point. He argued that the government would need to consider reforms in its expenditure framework, adding that with the recent OPEC cuts which have caused a rise in crude oil prices, the government might even need a lot more than budgeted. The improving revenue generation to increase its revenue/tax to GDP ratio to at least 15 per cent and/or grow the economy from the current three per cent to at least 10-15 per cent, Nigeria will

continue to face enormous challenges from debt.

The report also warned that falling into the challenges would lead to a loss of investors’ a country with a high debt-to-GDP ratio and high revenue-to-debt ratio.Already, Moody’s has stating it expects it to keep deteriorating, while rating, but turned negative on its outlook citing similar issues with debt serving capacity.

It stated further that the immediate fall out of foreign investors’ apathy to the Nigerian environment is low foreign exchange reserves accretion investment which can make it more strenuous -

example, already show a persistent decline in capital imported into Nigeria from $23.9 billion in 2019, $9.65 billion in 2020, $6.70 billion in 2021, and $5.32 billion in 2023,” the report stated. It in turn instigate higher interest rates and slower economic and employment growth.

Kale believed the time has come for Nigeria to begin to boost consumer purchasing power, enhance ease of doing business, provide the right infrastructure, increase public investment and enact fund usage transparency.

Ways and Means

Already, there are fears that the practice of printing money to fund federal government expenditure is expected to continue under the new administration following the upward review of the amount the government can borrow from the Central Bank.

The Senate recently amended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2004, to increase the

borrowing threshold for the federal government and Means borrowing plan.

Analysts say the move will encourage more printing of currency by Tinubu’s administration which faces tough challenges, including low revenues, and multiple exchange rates among others.

According to the co-founder of BudgIT, a Nigerian civic startup, Oluseun Onigbinde, ‘Ways budget funding instrument as opposed to the liquidity support it was intended to be.

“We might continue on this irrecoverable slope where the apex bank is fully degraded to a mere federal government parastatal,” Onigbinde said.

Many economic experts and institutions consider boosting revenue generation as one of the key ways to avoid falling into the debt trap. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Tinubu to take steps to increase the country’s revenue base.

Ari Aisen, who said this during a virtual forum on the Nigerian debt situation, also advised the government to drastically reduce dependence on borrowing to fund expenditure.

According to Aisen, to resolve the debt issues of Nigeria the country needs to concentrate on its revenue and expenditure. He said that the debt situation had deteriorated because the federal government spent more than it was actually getting in revenues.

Analysts also urged the new administration monetary authorities, saying there is a lot of money being pumped into the economy, and this has its impact.

Experts also stressed the need to beam behaviour. They pointed out that the federal system allows the centre to provide monies for the states. According to them, the question is,

how prudent are these monies expended when they are given to the states?

motion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, in his response to THISDAY inquiries on revenue options for the new administration, said there is a need to reform the tax regime to tax evasion and tax avoidance and eliminate multiple taxation. Other measures listed include the elimination of foreign exchange subsidy to unlock a minimum of N3 trillion in revenue anforeign exchange window and the need to unlock more income from revenue-generating agencies

Yusuf advised the new government to initiate budget padding, curb duplication of projects and review the service-wide votes to ensure transparency and to commit to a reduction in the cost of governance.

In his submission, A professor of Economics, Stephen Onyeiwu, stressed that the surest way out of the debt problem is for the new administration to reduce the high cost of governance cost, eliminate wasteful spending and rein in corruption. He warned that perennial borrowing to solve economic problems could plunge the borrower into unsustainable and destructive indebtedness.

“Given low revenue and the many projects needed to promote economic growth, employment generation and poverty reduction, the Tinubu administration will have to continue mainly by domestic and external borrowing.”

Saying that the question will not be whether to borrow, but how much, the professor maintained that drastically reducing the cost of governance

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to deliver on the campaign promises of President Bola Tinubu, who has vowed to make shadows if it follows the path of its predecessor, who continued with excessive indulgence in Festus Akanbi

Tinubu

DMO DG, Patience Oniha

INTERVIEW

Founder, RTC Advisory Services Limited, Opeyemi Agbaje, in this interview with Kunle Aderinokun and Gboyega Akinsanmi, reviews the performance of the economy under President Muhammadu Buhari and dissects challenges before the new government of President Bola Tinubu, identifying pitfalls that must be avoided and proposing strategies to made Nigeria work again

Canyouputincontexthow Nigeria fared under the administrationofPresident MuhammaduBuhari?

I think the performance of the previous government should not be a matter of controversy since we all lived in Nigeria. I don’t expect any argument over the assertion that the economy has been suboptimal over the last nine years. I stretched it to nine years because the last year of President Goodluck Jonathan was also a period of downward economic performance. Subsequently, we witnessed suboptimal economic performance during the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari. Indeed, the administration started with a vacuum in policy. For six months, he could not constitute the Federal Executive Council. We did not also have any clarity about the policy. The Central Bank of Nigeria was the only economic institution that was in place then. Remember, this was a period when oil prices were falling in international oil markets. Also, the global economy was slumping into recession. President Buhari did not have a team in place to respond decisively. While the initial problem was oil prices, the suboptimality in policy took over. Of course, this trend moreor-less prevailed for eight solid years. We did not have a strong economic team. Even when we had an economic team, policy outcomes were not ideal for our economy. So, FDIs suddenly disappeared. Disparate and multiple exchange rates were prevalent. Fuel subsidy became over N6 trillion. When Nigerians were demonstrating in Ojota in 2012, subsidy claims were over N1 trillion. Today, we are told it declined rapidly. GDP growth has not gone near the six-seven per cent average growth that we recorded under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Nowthatwehaveanewgovernment,what shouldbethedirectioneconomically?

I am indeed impressed with the inaugural speech of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It addresses most of the priorities of the economy. It also boldly speaks to political and foreign policy issues that the federation has to contend with. In terms of the economy, the president expressed bold and courageous planning issues that need to be resolved about the subsidy removal. But he has made very clear the intent to confront the subsidy issue. It is truly a big priority. Also, the president must make sure that in the implementation of the subsidy removal, we realise the case of a deregulated market and attempt as much as possible to mitigate the concerns of the poor, civil society, and labour. These are issues I am sure the president will have plans for already. He also spoke about the multiple exchange rates, the agricultural sector, and the need to grow the economy for new investments.

I believe the multiple exchange rates have dominant constraint to foreign investment for the decline in foreign direct investment, it is multiple exchange rates because investors want to maximise their investment. While we ask the investors to invest at lower exchange rates, exchange rate. But they fund their businesses at a higher exchange rate because the government

will not give them all the dollars they need. The need for institutional reforms at the CBN is equally important. It has been a negative signal for investors. Such reforms should focus on some of the controversies around the CBN.

I am happy that the president recognised this priority in his inaugural speech. We also need pragmatic revenue and budgetary reforms. The federation does not have revenue to support the size of the Nigerian economy. I believe this is one of the areas in which President Tinubu has the best experience in terms of his ability to raise the internally generated revenue of Lagos State. I believe Nigeria is generating suboptimal revenue. Under the new governrevenue generation by using modern technology and institutional reforms. We can deploy cutting-edge technology in the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Federal Inland Revenue Service and Nigerian Ports Authority, NNPC Limited, among others. Honestly, the biggest priority is to get Nigeria working again. It is to make the economy productive. This entails the need to generate more power; provide transportation system and create an enabling environment for the economy to grow and for the private sector actors to invest again in infrastructure, industrialisation, and services. This is my sense of what the priorities should be. I am very happy that they align with the

focus of the new government. Forexisnotonlycriticaltoinvestments butalsotoordinarypeopleonthestreets. Buttheforexmarkethasbeenunstable. Whatisyourproposalforthecurrent forexcrisis?

I think the forex crisis is an easier problem than the fuel subsidy issue. of FX procurement in the market today is done in the parallel market because the CBN is not meeting the demand. By parallel market, I include Bureaux De Change and other autonomous and or preferential people that have access it is currently, our market substantially person selling clothes in the supermarket or anywhere they sell imported goods, they get forex at over N745 to one dollar from the parallel market. There are a few people, very high in the corporate echelon, the exchange rate just because the market the availability will be much better. If

supply will be stronger. I even expect

some level of appreciation in the exchange dollars. Under Prof. Charles Soludo as the CBN Governor, the market was supplying dollars. The CBN did not supply dollars to the market because the exchange rate at the were bringing in dollars. MTN, investors, and Nigerians in the diaspora were bringing in dollars because it was a fair exchange rate. will reduce pressure on the CBN. There is also more availability and some level of stability in the exchange rate. Better still, some modest level of appreciation in the exchange rate. The key thing is to ensure that the exchange rate of the Naira. As I said earlier, those two poliof foreign exchange - have become market signals. President Tinubu sent out those positive market will notice the signals. The investors will notice the signals. The inauguration day was the best day for signalling to the international community and partners - International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, trading rational economic policies are back in Nigeria. For me, that was a brilliant move.

Agbaje

Modupe Vincent: Empowering People To Take Charge Of Their Finances

At a time when financial literacy and empowerment are crucial, Modupe Vincent, a lawyer and banker stands out as a guiding light for many seeking to take control of their financial destinies. Given her impressive academic background, professional experience in banking, and a passion for helping others, she has made significant strides in empowering women through her expertise in finance, law, and life matters. She tells Vanessa Obioha some of the money issues people confront daily

At a time when financial literacy and empowerment are crucial, Modupe Vincent, a lawyer and banker, stands out as a guiding light for many seeking to take control of their financial destinies. With her impressive academic background, professional experience in banking, and passion for helping others, she has made significant strides in empowering women through her expertise in finance, law, and life matters. She tells Vanessa Obioha some of the money issues people confront daily.

Interestingly, Modupe Vincent’s story started with what she observed to be a generic abnormality while she was a top executive in the financial services industry in Nigeria. She observed that most of her colleagues in banking who earned embarrassingly huge emoluments were always broke before the end of the following month. She started to wonder what they were doing with their huge salaries. Then it occurred to her that most of her friends were violating what she described as the basic principles of prudent personal finance management. At one point, she decided she might take on the challenge of helping some of her friends to shape up financially. From helping one or two friends, she discovered that the network of bank executives in financial trouble was far more than she had envisaged. So, she decided to take it on as an assignment, which has engaged her fully since she started a couple of years ago. Vincent says the experience has been eye-opening.

One of the financial nuggets you will get from Modupe Vincent is the importance of planning your financial future. To the layman, this may sound like another balderdash preached by motivational speakers. But Vincent, who was recently appointed a president of a customary court in Lagos, brings a unique blend of experiences as a lawyer and a banker to her mission of empowering individuals to take control of their financial destinies. She firmly believes that many people’s finances and lives can be transformed if they possess and apply the necessary knowledge to their financial affairs.

To be sure, Vincent adequately prepared for the role she assumed. She graduated with an LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Lagos and was

called to the Nigerian Bar as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She is an alumna of the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University Lekki-Lagos and of The Fate Foundation Lagos. She is also a certified financial planner.

Vincent’s background in law and banking has played a pivotal role in shaping her work and helping individuals realise their financial dreams. Drawing on her 25 years of experience as a lawyer and 16 years in the financial sector, she emphasised the importance of law in putting one’s financial house in order, from understanding legal steps in property transactions to deciphering joint ownership and beneficiary rights.

“Both law and banking have contributed immensely to what I do now,” she explained. “Law covers every aspect of life - and ignorance of the law can never be an

excuse for your omission to do what you have to do or commission of an offence. It is not just about the theory, but the practical aspect - knowing that law helps to put your house in order.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON MONEY

What does it mean to pay yourself first?

Vincent provides insight to this concept turn upside down by many people.

To “Pay yourself first” is one of the main principles in Personal Finance. The goal is to ensure that you have enough money saved before your monthly expenses are made.

“Pay yourself first” was a phrase first used in a book titled, “The Richest Man in Babylon” – George . Clason.

Who do you pay first when you receive your paycheck (salary)?

If you are like most people you will probably pay everyone else first (payment for food, utilities, transportation) before you keep whatever you have left (that is if you have anything remaining). This in effect is paying yourself last.

What does paying yourself first mean?

– It refers to how you save money.

– It means you should pay yourself from your salary or from your profit and save into your own savings and investment account.

– It means you set aside a portion of your income to save and thereafter invest into something or an asset that will yield you more money.

– It means that you pay yourself first before you pay other bills. You have to treat yourself like a bill, an expense to be paid for. Just like you allocate money for your everyday or every month expenses, you also (first of all) allocate money for your savings and or

investment (which is your pay yourself expense).

– Paying yourself first ensures you manage (plan) your money before spending it on bills.

You must prioritize ‘your pay yourself’ account over and above all other bills you need to pay.

To pay yourself first means that the first bill you pay each month should be to yourself.

One major way to overcome the challenge of saving and a great method for you to get to your financial destination is to “pay yourself first”.

The major challenge for a lot of people to start or continue with savings and or investment is finding the money to save or invest. While some people believe that it is difficult, others believe that it is impossible to save and or invest.

Remember, if you are going to have savings and start investing, then it is up to you, to start, with what you have and to start from where you are.

It is not how much you earn that really matters – so no matter what your earning status is, you can afford to pay yourself first.

Financial Experts will tell you to start with a minimum of 10% of your income. For some, 10% is convenient to start with and for others, 10% is a “large” amount they cannot afford to start with, at least not for the very first time.

The truth is that rather than start with 10% (which is the minimum recommended by most Financial Experts), almost everyone can start with at least a minimum of 1% of your paycheck or other money that comes

to you and you can gradually increase this amount over time. START SMALL WITH WHAT YOU HAVE WHERE YOU ARE.

Your excuse should not be that you don’t have 10% to start with, at least you can start with 1%

“PAYING YOURSELF FIRST IS A MUST”.

Paying yourself first is not the same as setting money aside and then spending money on yourself. It is about you setting the money aside in a separate account for the long term or for the future (targeted towards a goal). By paying yourself first, you are making your future a priority.

As you begin a new month, you must ensure you just don’t continue to work without having anything to show for it.

Commit to an amount (whatever amount you can start with).

Set aside the amount you have committed to saving before spending the remaining part of your money.

You may not immediately see the benefit of paying yourself first, but do not get discouraged. Your future is important. Whatever becomes of your future is dependent on what you do today. Do not get discouraged by the tiny steps. Remember a journey of a thousand miles begins with a little beginning. What you need is for you to be disciplined and to be consistent. Paying yourself first is about putting yourself first, which ultimately will help you make sure that you are prepared comes your way, especially, financially.

“For instance, when buying a property, you have to know the legal steps to take. What does joint ownership of a property mean?

Is it sufficient to have just the name of only one spouse on the documents? Does ‘Next of Kin’ mean the same as ‘Beneficiary’?

These are some of the few legal mistakes that people make that cause problems for them later in future.”

In a similar vein, her banking experience has also provided valuable insights into financial principles. She emphasised that it’s not just about earning income but knowing how to manage and multiply resources to create lasting wealth.

“It is not really how much you make that matters, but rather, what you do with what you make. People have to understand that income is not wealth. It is not just important to make money (earn an income), but it is equally important to know how to manage and multiply your money (resources) and also make it outlast you.”

Continuing, she elaborated on the importance of planning a financial future, that is, when they can no longer work and earn an income but have to spend.

“Many do not put their financial lives in order; documents are not in place for others. In some cases, there is no documentation at all. People do not think about cash flow, creating assets, etc.”

To avert this, Vincent advises that people need to know where they are financially, in terms of savings, investments, debts, etc., and whether they are doing well or not, financially. Secondly, they have to know where they want to be financially and be prepared for the future.

“Ask what you need to do to get to where you want to be. Do you need to create another source of income or do you need to learn a skill? Anything that will help you in the future. You must start taking steps towards this. If you don’t know what to do, then ask questions.”

While Vincent’s interest in empowering people to make the right financial decisions stemmed from the pain and struggle, she witnessed people, especially women, endure due to their financial ignorance. She, however, noted that her purpose was mainly driven by this column where she learnt financial principles from the editor, Mr Ayo Arowolo. Hence, she has made it her duty to “affect as many lives as possible” with what she has; her knowledge and resources.

A particular demographic of interest for the entrepreneur is women. To address their unique financial challenges, she established the Financial, Legal and Life Empowerment For Women (FLEW), a training outfit dedicated to empowering women with knowledge in the areas of finance, law and life matters. She talked about the various ways she reaches women.

“I have approached teaching women personal finance in several ways: speaking in conferences, conducting training (both online and in person), in churches, etc., but in very practical ways.”

She also has a blog named after the outfit where she shares her knowledge and a YouTube channel, “Money Matters with Modupe.”

Vincent is the author of two books: “How to Make the Best of Your Money by Budgeting” and “Go Make the Money.”

Although empowering people in the financial field is her primary purpose, she also has a deep commitment to helping special needs children.

“My husband and I are launching our NGO - Oasis For Better Life Foundation. This will take care of what we are doing currently (imparting knowledge) and also take care of children with special needs - with emphasis on autism.”

As she continues on her mission to empower individuals and transform lives through financial literacy, she remains driven by a profound sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Modupe Vincent

It is not really how much you make that matters, but rather, what you do with what you make. People have to understand that income is not wealth. It is not just important to make money (earn an income), but it is equally important to know how to manage and multiply your money (resources) and also make it outlast you

ONUOHA AND GENDER INCLUSION IN THE HOUSE

The meeting of the main opposition in Bauchi rekindles hope of a reawakening, reckons TUNDE OLUSUNLE

ATIKU, PDP AND THE BATTLE CRY FROM BAUCHI

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Bauchi, the capital of the north easterly state which goes by the same name last weekend, hosted critical stakeholders of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP). The state is otherwise famous as host of the Yankari Game Reserve and National Park, a major national touristic asset which harbours some of the world’s rarest fauna. Bauchi is also the primordial home of the armoured corps of the Nigerian Army, a critical fighting arm of the Nigerian military complex. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Nigeria’s military President from August 27, 1985 to August 27, 1993, popularised the corps. He belonged to that specialised strand of the defence forces, one of nearly two dozen corps and services of the army superstructure, but a very strategic one at that. They roll out those fearsome tanks with pointed metal nostrils, from their armoury, when the gravity of engagement in a conflict, demands such intervention. In street lingo, the armoured corps are called in, when *jungle don mature.*

The event was a “Retreat for Members of the National Assembly Elected on the platform of the PDP.” This encompasses Senators and Members of the House of Representatives. It turned out to be the first time the PDP congregated after the general elections of February and March this year, commanding the attendance of the upper crust of the party’s leadership superstructure. The recent elections are believed to have been very largely flawed at various levels, and have spawned a litany of litigations at countrywide elections petitions tribunals. The 2023 polls in instances, have been described as the most opaque, most dubious and most contentious in the 24 year old Fourth Republic. The theatrics which have been thrown up at the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal, (PEPT), for instance, suggest that the feet of the proverbial corpse which was hurriedly interred, are sticking out of its shroud! Reports and filings by local and international observer groups have echoed popular convictions about the largely compromised polls.

EDITORIAL

Led by former Vice President and bannerbearer of the PDP at the presidential poll, Atiku Abubakar, the topmost stratum of the party on Saturday June 3, 2023, convened in Bauchi. Governor Bala Mohammed who won a hardfought reelection, was chief host. The national leadership of the party and governors, reelected and freshly minted, honoured the invite to the meeting in good numbers. Candidates of the Saturday November 11, 2023 off-season gubernatorial election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi, were also in attendance. Bauchi continued to savour the carnival air of the season, presaged by the colourful inauguration, on Monday May 29, of Governor Mohammed, as PDP heavyweights peopled the city. The event was held in Government House.

Atiku set the tone of the converge. He admonished the lawmakers-elect to remain very optimistic while awaiting the resolution of the disputed election by the electoral arbiter. Said the former Vice President: “You are representatives of the party and your constituents. Resist the temptation to jettison your party just because of a temporary setback. At the end of the day,

truth and good shall triumph over falsehood and evil.” Exhorting the parliamentarians further, Atiku said: Please remain resolute. Do not work in isolation from one another. You are a team and should always work together as a compact, indivisible unit. This is the way you can achieve meaningful results. Remain connected to your roots, your constituents and other stakeholders.”

In the words of the PDP presidential candidate: “Based on the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), our members are not the majority in the national assembly for now. There are, however, several pending electoral suits awaiting judicial determination by many of our members. For the time being, therefore, our legislators should function as an effective, constructive and unified opposition. They must also, prepare themselves for possible roles as the party in the majority, when outstanding litigations are resolved.”

Atiku, also the Prime Minister of Adamawa, courtesy of his installation as *Wazirin Adamawa* a few years ago, reminded participants, that the PDP is a truly people-based party. This he noted, is distinct and different from some others held at the jugular by rentseeking godfathers and overlords who must regularly be offered propitiation. He expressed optimism in the reclamation of his presidential mandate, upon the conclusion of judicial proceedings and reaffirmed his conviction that the recently inaugurated regime, is a passing phase, a temporal one, in the nation’s political evolution.

Atiku prayed the legislators not to reduce themselves to cringing and grovelling “yes men” to those who might want to govern as dictators, emperors and modern day monarchs. His words: “Do not be rubber-stamp representatives despite being momentarily numerically disadvantaged. Your numbers will surely grow when the courts rule on contentious electoral fall-outs before the tribunals. Our party ran a robust issue-based campaign and our constituents the glaring duplicity of INEC, to account on governance and administration. You cannot afford to disappoint or fail them.”

Acting National Chairman of the party,

Umar Aliyu Damagun expressed delight at the quality of attendance at the retreat, despite the short notice. He congratulated elected and reelected participants for their triumph at the recent polls, despite the odds stacked against them. According to him: “The 2023 general elections will go down as the worst in the country. Nigerians had hopes that the elections will be free and fair following the amendment of the Electoral Act which made the deployment of improved technology imperative, so as to make the process more transparent. Using the combination of BVAS and electronic transmission of results, was also designed to ensure seamless accreditation and hoisting of results. Sadly, INEC failed the minimum test of integrity and believability.”

Damagum noted that PDP has traditionally conformed with various prescriptions and milestones advanced by the Electoral Act, to ensure the credibility and broad acceptability of its processes. He noted that the way the party spontaneously, successfully and convincingly rediscovers its preexisting allure and navigates its present circumstances, will point the way to the future of the party. He requested that efforts be redoubled at various levels of the party, to rediscover the vibrancy and mass appeal of the party which has always won joiners to the party.

Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, called for healing and regeneration in the party. He advised stakeholders to keep aside their egos and vain arrogance, so as to begin redefining the core objectives of the party rebuilding the cracks and crevices in its edifice. Candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State, Dino Melaye concurred with Makinde’s proposition. He enjoined elders and leaders of the party to be more involved and interested in the various litigations involving the party. Said Melaye: “Our governors regularly have business in Abuja the capital city. They should demonstrate more interest in the presidential election petition for example, by going to the tribunal to support our legal team. Let it be known that this is not about an individual, but a wholesome party and its teeming membership.”

The rebuild and makeover of the PDP among others, must also include re-establishing rapprochement with important members of the party, who have been disaffected in various ways and have opted to stay aloof. Some have grudgingly crossed over to new political havens, to drive home their misgivings.

It should be recalled that PDP has serially provided refuge, consistent with its overarching umbrella logo, to many who were disaffected by, and estranged from their former political parties. The umbrella remains wide open and accessible for returnees and newcomers. The rehabilitation of its bipedal national secretariat located at *Wadata House* in Wuse and *Legacy House* in Maitama, August, also be on the front burner. There is a popular saying to the effect that “your dress determines how you are addressed.”

Miriam Onuoha’s bid for the position of deputy speaker places a burden on President Tinubu, argues DELE OLOWU

Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE)

ONUOHA AND GENDER INCLUSION IN THE HOUSE

Miriam Onuoha’s bid for the position of deputy speaker places a burden on President Tinubu, argues DELE OLOWU

fact that of all the seven female senators in the ninth Senate, none is coming back. Only three female senators will be in 10th Senate. In the 10th House of Representatives there will be only 13 female members. It is a shame on the Nigerian experience that since 1999 only one woman, Virginia Etiaba, has served as Governor. She served in Anambra from November 2006 to February 2007. It was really the result of a constitutional accident occurring only after the impeachment of the substantive governor. The underrepresentation of women in politics has reached life threatening proportions. In the ninth Assembly., women constituted only 12.9% of the total membership of both houses.

OLAYINKA OYEBODE pays tribute to Bisi Fayemi, a woman of substance

ERELU FAYEMI: A HUMANIST AT 60

Purple is the colour today, no doubt, 60 is the milestone and joyful is the mood as friends, family members, associates and mentees as well as an army of beneficiaries of her generosity rise in unison to celebrate one of God’s gifts to humanity- Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the immediate past First Lady of Ekiti State and Co-founder of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), regarded as of one the most impactful non-for-profit organisations, supporting women in the continent.

Electoral victories are sometimes more difficult to manage than outright reversals at the polls. In the February 2023 general elections, the APC was tops at all tiers; among others, it won the Presidency with its candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu outdistancing Atiku of the rival PDP with over 1.8milllion votes.

However in the aftermath of this electoral triumph it is the winning party that now appears to be experiencing turbulence over the sharing of spoils. The victory parade, it seems, has been as much a challenge as has been the battle to win the hearts of the electorate. This hopefully can be overcome. The National Assembly has been the haven of much of the clamor for leadership positions. In order to address this turbulence and prevent it from going overboard, the national working committee of the APC held a meeting in May 2023 during which a zoning arrangement was reached on sharing the principal offices for the 10th National Assembly as follows: Speaker, National Assembly zoned to South South (Godswill Akpabio former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs ), Akwa Ibom; it confirmed Senator Barau Jibrin from North West as Deputy Senate President and Ben Kalu from the South East as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives .

Even though this zoning arrangement is reputed to enjoy the anointing of some of the higher orders, it nonetheless provoked a storm of protest within and outside the party. They were shouts of inequity and non-inclusion and many have called for a review. In response, a statement from Barrister Felix Morka said “The NWC has noted with respect the outcome of the meetings held between the President elect and the leadership and has called for further consultation with necessary stakeholders in order to ensure the support of the aspirants to the National Assembly leadership positions. “ The zoning agenda has therefore not been cast in granite and not surprisingly, many aspirants have shown their hands, even if this means swimming against the political tide.

The National Human Rights Commission has raised concerns over the disparity of the male-female percentage in all spheres of governance and career. Miriam Onuoha, educated at both the university of Lagos and then Abuja, has long been in the wars for gender equity and the promotion of democracy. A fervent supporter of Asiwaju, she stood side by side with him and joined him in giving voice to the “Emilokan” chorus. When things threatened to turn against the Tinubu search for the Presidential nomination, Hon Miriam Onuoha was in the front ranks of those who insisted that democracy must be given full expression. It is the Tinubu model that Hon Onuoha wants the legislature to adopt in choosing its leadership. Hon Onuoha draws inspiration from the Asiwaju model; a model whose homestead allows both great faiths to exist side by side; a model which allowed his wife Senator Oluremi Tinubu a-free hand to serve as senator and a model which allowed Lagos to accommodate different ethnicities and create a democratic space for the development of a new civic identity. It is this model also that has now inspired Hon Miriam Onuoha to seek the position of Deputy Speaker in the 10th House of Representatives. That the four of the highest offices in the land has no female presence is a huge democracy deficit. However, Onuoha’s ambition to lead the House is not driven by mere sentimentality.

She has produced a coherent body of agenda which she hopes will transform the operations of the legislature if she is elected Deputy Speaker. This includes the digitization of activities of Rules and Business Committee to improve effective record management, periodic strategic executive legislature dialogue and for NASS stakeholders’ engagement to provide access for public participation in the lawmaking process”.

She has also promised to promote legislative action in favour of children, women and vulnerable groups. Hon Miriam Onuoha is a lone female lamb in the contest for leadership in the National Assembly. This singularity of status provokes instant following amongst the female folk both within and outside the House.

I have many good reasons to join millions other well-wishers home and abroad to celebrate Erelu Bisi Fayemi on her day. On a personal level, I am a testifier to her magnanimity, generosity of spirit and keen interest in uplifting other individuals and working hard to rally support, empower and raise the bar for women and the girl-child.

‘Erelu Bam Bam’ or “Ochiorah” as she is fondly called by her numerous admirers, is many things to many people. But the main attribute of hers that stands out of the pack is her generosity of spirit. Apparently, she has milk of human kindness flowing through her veins. And for this, some call her ‘Mother General’. She also goes by the name ‘Yeye Atayese’. ‘Yeye Oba’. All these sobriquets speak to her royalty, the grace she wears like a garment, loyalty to good causes and penchant for supporting and lifting others.

To these attributes of brilliance, kindness, thoroughness, thoughtfulness, decency and civility should be added a number of others, too numerous to be outlined in a short tribute such as this. There are for instance, such attributes as her frankness, firmness, wittiness, creativity, eye for details, her insatiable penchant for excellence, ability to bring out the best in people, and her love for art works. Erelu Fayemi’s unmatched ability to mix freely with the lowly placed, the struggling and the mighty is a classical lesson in inter-personal relationship management. And quite remarkable is her simple way of turning up bold, brave, brainy and beautiful, decked in her favourite well styled ankara or lace materials, designer bags and top range jewellery. A prolific writer, historian, gender development advocate of repute, Erelu is at home with words. Words - creative words are the vital flavour that spice up her weekly newspaper column- ‘Loud Whispers’ and her Above Whispers.com blog. Her words, like Mother Teresa wrote, “leaves an endless echoes”. Her spoken words are inspiring, reassuring and possess therapeutic effect.

it my best. I walked the 300 metres distance between the Governor’s office and the office of the Wife of Governor, with dejection. All that melted immediately I entered Her Excellency’s office.

The one hour meeting with Erelu was all I needed to convince myself that I was in the right place at the right time with the right principal. The meeting turned out an interview cum motivational session. I left her office feeling some inches taller than I came in, armed with some tips on better work ethics, interpersonal skills, and a better estimation of myself as a media and public relations professional.

“Your CV is quite impressive, and I have read some of your published works. I have no doubt you will go far if you remain steadfast”, she told me as she opened her diary and took me through her itinerary and work plan for the next three months. “Ise ti bere niyen (the work has started), she said with a smile as she handed me two booksmy first gift from her. “You will find these books quite interesting”. What struck me most during our conversation was the fact she asked questions and showed genuine interest in my immediate and future plans, my family and my parents.

It is not surprising that the Campaign for Good Governance, a Kano-based Rights group has thrown its weight behind the lawmaker. But even her colleagues have learnt to trust her, to the extent that in the ninth Assembly, she was entrusted with the special responsibility of chairing the committee on people with disabilities and special needs. Where ever equity or balance is required, her healing hands have been sought after. Thus she worked in Bayelsa to attract international development and was at a point drafted into tourism and culture. Always, she produced a new light and a new understanding.

The rallying cry is the need to protect the integrity of the legislature and prevent the National Assembly from being hijacked by stranger forces. Miriam Onuoha, a ranking member of the House of Representatives, represents Okigwe North Federal constituency. She is one of the leading lights of the campaign for increased inclusion and gender equity in the leadership of the House and seeks the position of Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives. She is appalled by the imbalance in the deployment of leadership positions in the country and insists that the legislature must lead by example by internalizing equity and political good sense. She laments the attrition rate of female political incumbents citing the Olowu is a veteran Journalist

In giving back to the society, Erelu has mastered the art of doing it effortlessly with focus on change and transformation that would be the portion of the benefitting individuals, groups or communities. This is because her motivation is anchored on the biblical injunction: “Love your neighbour as yourself”. She is not just a woman of substance with a heart of gold, she is a humanitarian who has dedicated her life to the service of humanity. No one comes in contact with Erelu without a good story to tell. Even her most rabid critic readily admits this as well as her ability to use power and influence quite positively.

My first encounter with Erelu Bisi Fayemi was on January 3, 2011 when I resumed in her office as her Special Assistant on Media, following my appointment by her husband, Dr Kayode Fayemi, then the Governor of Ekiti State. I had resumed with much enthusiasm at the Governor’s office that fateful morning only to be told that I had been re-assigned to the office of the Wife of Governor as her SA Media. The development dampened my spirit, having not had a prior working experience under a female boss. I quickly put calls across to a few friends and relations on the fate that had befallen me. Some pitied me, while some urged me to give

Even though my stay in her office was just for six months, as I was promoted and redeployed back to the Governor’s office as the Chief Press Secretary; we however, forged a mother and son relationship that has seen her mentoring and nurturing me till date. Erelu remains one person I can call at any time to seek her opinion or professional advice on any issue and would readily oblige me. And that goes for many people as she is ever willing and ready to go the extra mile just to make sure everybody around her feel good. She is ever positive and receptive to ideas and even advice from younger people and subordinates, and gives credit to whom it is due, and does not fail to acknowledge, even seemingly inconsequential, gestures.

Erelu’s love for fellow human beings, regardless of their social strata, is legendary. I remember the case of her personal photographer who just went on ‘AWOL’ a few days to a major event. The development caused some anxieties and we had to quickly arrange for a replacement. But when the guy resurfaced in the office some few months later and tendered an apology, Erelu welcomed him after listening to his “story”. Having given directive that the photographer should not be fired, she called me aside and explained to me how ‘crazy’ some highly talented people can be.

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

ELECTION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDING OFFICERS

The principal officers should be elected in an atmosphere free of intimidation

In a presidential system of government, the legislature is the custodian of the treasury. That presupposes that members should be therefore convene in both the Senate and House constrained to ask them to take their integrity and independence very seriously. Where a body that is sector of our national life decides to elect their principal highest bidders or the preference of the executive, it is democracy that is endangered.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. These Houses, according to Section 50 subsection Constitution, shall be elected by members and devoid of intimidation, and coercion. We understand that more than at any period should understand that better. To that extent, democratic leverage on behalf of citizens by national resources are utilised. This function can only be properly undertaken by a transparent and accountable legislative institution that is not beholden to the executive.

SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN

DEPUTY EDITORS FESTUS AKANBI, EJIOFOR ALIKE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

House of Representatives, the ruling party endorsed elections have centred on ethno-religious balancing in deployment of money by some of the candidates. This is a disturbing trend. decisions on consensus candidates have not gone about the zoning formula geopolitical zone but also about the acceptability of the candidates. Contestants challenging opposition parties could dictate the emergence of happened in 2015.

has today lost its shape essentially because democratic in a manner that advances only their personal interests and not that of society. The situation is not helped by the fact that political rent seeking is the order of the day. That explains the deployment of anti-democratic tactics on Tuesday.

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

Letters to the Editor LETTERS

BRACING UP FOR NEW CHALLENGES

the ground running. In less than 24 hours, but Nigerians have prepared themselves for years. The reason for this is not far-fetched. The outgone government did not make life the state of the economy and institutions of the facts, analysis and structure of governance common man. Rather than lose hope, faith and strength, citizens have encouraged themselves

they did not bother making fresh promises

to stir up unnecessary provocation or poison the minds of Nigerians against anybody. Nigerians are united in suffering and pain; they have braced up for the future. There is

is assured. The trials and tribulations may be far too many but there is an assurance of educational system or plans or organization. Nigerians are prepared and have changed their focus, hope and trust. in order to achieve set goals. The ruling building of a great nation might not come as

Our leaders, even politicians should learn to murmurings, and grumbling to dry up their lives and resources. We all have been kept

nationhood. Nigerians must hold every elected official accountable for their actions. Nigerians some agencies of the government have refused to give access to public information (especially in the ongoing presidential election transparency or fight corruption. Nigerians must remember that responsible government political process, advocating for transparency and accountability, and staying informed, citizens can help create an environment that encourages responsible governance.

We endorse negotiations and dialogue by the ruling party in a bid to arrive at consensus. But we reject all anti-democratic moves to force the hands of the lawmakers

Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu, Trade Fair Complex, ASPAMDA, Lagos

Kenna Partners Marks 30 Years of Legal Landmarks

Kenna Partners, a leading commercial law firm recently rolled out the drums to celebrate its 30th anniversary in the legal practice. The event was attended by the crème de la crème of the legal profession, captains of industry, clients, partners, and friends, writes Wale Igbintade

IIn a glamorous style, top commercial law firm, Kenna Partners, last week marked its 30th anniversary with a colloquium at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The celebration, which began with a thanksgiving service at the revered St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, before culminating in an engaging anniversary colloquium.

At the church service, the officiating minister thanked the management of the law firm for considering giving thanks to God first before the activities of the day. He wondered why the firm would not do well when its activities are rooted in prayers and God.

From there, the events moved to the Eko Hotel & Suites for an anniversary colloquium.

Even though the event took place on a regular working day, it still garnered an impressive turnout of distinguished individuals from the legal profession, esteemed clients, valued partners, colleagues, and friends. These attendees willingly made time in their busy schedules to join in the celebration of Kenna Partners’ impressive three-decade journey and acknowledge the firm’s remarkable achievements and contributions to society.

Setting the ball rolling, the Founding Partner of the law firm, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, in his welcome remarks, said Nigeria has enormous potential, abundant natural resources, a vibrant youthful population, and some of the world’s most talented individuals, but faces the challenge of harnessing these resources sustainably and equitably.

He stated that building solid institutions, promoting transparency and free enterprise, as well as fighting corruption are pivotal steps in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria.

“Today, we celebrate Kenna Partners’ three decades of existence and reflect on its achievements and contributions to society. As part of the events marking this, we will be engaging in a critical discourse on enhancing the socio-political and economic environment of business for exponential growth and development.

“Nigeria has enormous potential, abundant natural resources, a vibrant youthful population, and I dare say, 70 per cent of Kenna Partners are under 30 years. With all of these, there is a promise for the future, but Nigeria still has challenges in harnessing these God-given resources. So, we thought in our colloquium, we should talk about how to better our environment rather than just strictly discussing the new high court rules, or what is going on at the Election Petition Tribunals.”

Ajogwu further stated that the theme of the colloquium, “Reforming the socio-political and economic environment of business in Nigeria: The Imperative for Governance,’’ is a call to action.

“It reminds us of the work we must do collaboratively to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Building solid institutions, promoting transparency and free enterprise, and fighting corruption are pivotal steps that we must take to create a level playing field for all businesses.

Ajogwu took the audience down memory lane as he recalled when the law firm was set up on May 28, 1993. He recounted how some of the firm’s friends and partners like

Kenneth Orji encouraged them to pursue their dreams despite the pecuniary challenges.

“It was Mr. Segun Openiyi that was the very first client of the firm. When he walked into the door, we actually didn’t remember that we needed to have two chairs – one in front of the desk and one behind. So, we offered him the chair and stood up for his consultation.

“Every member of the firm is told about client 0001. Why did we choose three zeros before the 1? I think it was the ambition. We thought we would have 4,000 or 10,000 clients. But, over the years we have come to realise that it’s a game of quality and not quantity. Although we have few clients, they are meaningful relationships we’ve cherished over the years.”

Ajogwu gave special recognition to Professor Juan Elegido for his intellectual excellence and superiority of research.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, founder of Aluko & Oyebode Law firm stressed the need for good governance and the need for everyone to be part of the exercise.

He said: “We live in a society where governance is almost second nature to us. The imperative for all of us is to pay attention. Anybody in this room who thinks he cannot participate in this conversation around good governance needs to understand that the only way we will get it right is when all of us are participants on the journey.

“For those of us who are entrepreneurs and do business in Nigeria, we recognised that if there was ever a difficult operating environment anywhere in the world, we live it. So, we need to celebrate Fabian and Kenna partners’ achievements. It is not just 30 years of doing business, it’s 30 years of being successful and achieving all the objectives that were set.”

Continuing, Oyebode extolled Ajogwu for his sportsmanship, acknowledging that it is rare for one to invite his competitor to chair his occasion. “It says something about the man, Fabian Ajogwu and his ability to be totally comfortable; his ability to recognise that all of us are in this journey together.”

He also described Ajogwu as one of the most rounded and most successful legal practitioners in Nigeria.

“Fabian is an academic and very successful corporate lawyer. If I have to live my life again, I would like to be the kind of lawyer Fabian is. Successful corporate lawyer and successful litigator. We don’t see too many of them around and it’s embodied in his practice. Fabian spends a lot of time giving back to society, and I think that is important. Extremely one other thing we have passion for is philanthropy,’’ he added.

A former Judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa, Professor Mervyn King, SC, in his keynote address, highlighted how corporate reporting has changed over the years and is no longer what it used to be.

According to him, financial reporting and sustainability reporting are critical but not sufficient, adding that operationally they have been incorporated into integrated reporting.

“Fairness is one of the four key criteria of good governance. I use the acronym RAFT: R for responsibility, A for accountability, F for fairness and T for transparency. You cannot have fairness if you don’t have the other factors as well. These four criteria are inextricably intertwined. If you’re going to be fair, you’ve got to be responsible; you’ve got to be accountable. The more informed you are reporting-wise, the more transparent your accountability.”

He noted that fairness was always a key consideration: “Back

in 1994, when we issued the first King Report, we said that a board, acting as a collective mind, should learn and understand the needs, interests, concerns and expectations of stakeholders, take them all into account, but then remember the legal requirement that your duty as a director is to make a decision in the best long-term interests of the health of the company. If that collective mind gets this right, it’s in the best long-term interest of all the stakeholders.

He emphasised the importance of directors being able to explain their decision-making process to stakeholders, taking into account their needs, interests, and expectations. The key, according to him, is to ensure that the decisions made by the board are in the best long-term interest of the company and, consequently, also serve the long-term interest of the stakeholders involved.

In his contribution, a Professor of Commercial Law, University of Lagos, Professor Abiola Sanni SAN, said creating a complex tax system would not help the country and called for a comprehensive approach in addressing the tax system.

He said the newly signed Finance Act would only make the tax system more complex, stressing that “what the nation needs is smaller taxes that are broad-based, and that will bring revenue for all the levels of government so that the manifestation of regulatory authorities turning themselves to revenue agencies will cease, and unless we do that, we are never going to get what we want.

“If you look at the socio and political environment that businesses operate in, you know that without major reforms you are just going to be fixing the problem on the surface. We should go to the operating system and try to realign things properly. If you focus on corporate governance alone and you’re looking at the Rules of the Federal Government, and Business Facilitation Act, you will never get results. Businesses operate at the local level, security is required at that level, and the basic infrastructure they require must be at that level.” Some of the high points at the event included the presentation of cheques to 10 scholarship recipients and recognition of long-serving employees, who have served the law firm between 10 to 20 years.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the founder of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside, Professor of Professional Ethics, Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Juan Manuel Elegido, an Information Technology professional, Mrs. Nkemdilim Uwaje-Begho, senior lawyers among others.

Kenna Partners is a leading law firm that offers bespoke and innovative solutions to clients’ most challenging legal needs. It is one of the foremost law firms in Nigeria, combining extensive market and local knowledge with an innovative approach to ensure its clients get the best legal solutions.

It is distinguished not only by the depth and scope of its specialised legal services but also by its expertise in corporate setups and restructuring, as well as foreign direct and private equity investments. With the benefit of its experience in cross-border trade and commerce, it supports and guides its diverse client base on their most significant and challenging business transactions.

Its practice areas include, banking, investments and corporate finance, criminal law, transportation, environmental law, real estate law, labour and employment intellectual property, energy and natural resources, dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration, among others.

Kenna Partners’ management, staff and well wishers after a thanksgiving service ... last week

OLISA AGBAKOBA Legacy in Activism, Law and Leadership

The Nigerian legal field boasts many brilliant minds, but Olisa Agabkoba belongs to the pantheon of exceptional lawyers whose remarkable works are a source of inspiration. From his widely acclaimed roles in activism to ground-breaking courtroom victories and landmark legislative reforms, Agbakoba’s unwavering commitment to the principles of justice has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike. The esteemed founder and Senior Partner of Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), recently celebrated his 70th birthday, and as expected, received encomiums from far and wide. In this profile, Vanessa Obioha highlights his illustrious accomplishments.

Legacy in Activism, Law and Leadership

In the realm of Nigerian law and activism, few names command as much respect as Olisa Agbakoba, the renowned lawyer whose career milestones have left indelible footprints in the sands of time. He is a towering figure in the legal landscape having accomplished feats that placed him in the pantheon of exceptional legal minds in Nigeria.

Born on May 29, 1953, to Chief Justice Godfrey Ubaka and Mrs. Phina Agbakoba in Jos, Agbakoba embarked on his journey into law with a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. Growing up with parents who are in the legal field helped shape his early experiences and prepared him for the task ahead. He had his primary and secondary school education in Jos and Enugu.

From the outset, Agbakoba’s legal career displayed a remarkable trajectory. After graduating with honours from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he went on to obtain a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Subsequently, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978, laying the foundation for an extraordinary legal career. He quickly gained recognition for his sharp intellect and persuasive courtroom skills. These qualities propelled him into the upper echelons of the legal profession. It was no wonder that he served as a research fellow in the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Law and Intelligence Department upon completion of his studies at law school. Agbakoba left NIIA after a year and formed his own law firm, Agbakoba and Associates, which specialises in commercial and maritime law. His works in these fields have been remarkable, even more so when he founded the Nigeria Chambers of Shipping.

While he gained fame in these fields, it is his human rights advocacy that has earned him more admiration.

He has been a key leader in the country’s pro-democratic movement, and was a defender for the civil rights activist, Ken SaroWiwa who was executed. The revered lawyer is the President of AfroNet, an international NGO dedicated to furthering the human rights cause. Agbakoba is a Principal Partner and founder of Human Rights Law Services (HURILAWS) an NGO that specialises in advocacy and law. He is also the founder of Nigeria’s foremost human rights organisation, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), which he was the president from 1987 to 1995. He was also the founder of United Action for Democracy.

Agbakoba’s pioneering work as a space lawyer has propelled him to the forefront of Space Law and Regulation in Nigeria. Leveraging his extensive experience and fruitful partnerships with esteemed organisations like the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), he has made substantial contributions to fortify the legal, institutional, and regulatory framework governing space activities in the country.

One of his notable accomplishments includes devising a comprehensive legal framework that accommodates the growing interest from the private sector and serves as a catalyst for investment in the realm of space. Noteworthy collaborative efforts with NASRDA have yielded the enactment of the pivotal Regulation on Licensing and Supervision of Space Activities, 2015, a transformative milestone that has reshaped Nigeria’s approach to space regulations.

Indeed, the renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria has been at the forefront of numerous landmark cases, advocating for social justice, human rights, and the rule of law. As a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Agbakoba has been instrumental in shaping the legal profession in Nigeria, advocating for reforms and championing the rights of the marginalized. His involvement was pivotal in the creation of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and the reformation of the Lagos State Arbitration Rules. Furthermore, he played a key role in crafting the ADR Mechanism and Rules specifically tailored for the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to enhance

Agbakoba

efficient asset management and recovery processes.

In recognition of his contribution to the growth of Arbitration in Nigeria, Agbakoba was appointed as the Chair of the National Arbitration Policy Committee set up by the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2020 to advise the government on strategic policies to enhance Nigeria’s arbitration landscape.

He is one of Nigeria’s leading experts

in Arbitration and has presided over several complex arbitration. He is the brain behind the first Law Firm Annexed Arbitration/ Mediation Centre in Lagos (Nigeria), the Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) Arbitration & Mediation Centre. He has showcased his brilliance as a Counsel and an Arbitrator in major National and Cross border disputes relating to Aviation (Airport Terminal Concessions) Vessel Charter, Maritime Collision, Oil wells and Rigs, Telecommunications, Housing Development

and Construction respectively.

He has championed legal reforms in arbitration in Nigeria including the establishment of industry specific arbitration centres in maritime, construction, energy, telecommunications and entertainment sectors. He also played a major role in the establishment of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and reforms of the Lagos State Arbitration Rules

He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and the Vice President of the Institute. He is also the Legal Adviser to the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) and a life member of the Body of Benchers. He is a member of the African Arbitration Association (AfAA) and also a member of its Advocacy Committee working to increase the visibility of African Arbitrators. He is a member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and listed as an Arbitrator at the Lagos Court of Arbitration. He is at present working with the Nigerian Economic Summit group for the creation of a Center for Sport Arbitration in Nigeria.

As a highly acclaimed individual, he has been decorated with numerous awards from renowned institutions in Nigeria and abroad. These include the Roger Baldwin Medal for Civil Liberties which he received in 1990. Also in 1993, he was honoured with the Human Rights Award of the German Association of Judges and in 1996 he was given the Aachen Peace Award. Other awards and honours include the receipt of the 15 Great Legal Practitioners of Distinction in Nigeria (1993), Fellow and award recipient, Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria; codirector, British Council Conference on Managing Human Rights, Abuja, Nigeria; the International Human Rights Award of the American Bar Association, in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the causes of Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Promotion of Access to Justice (1996); Dr. Kwame Nkrumah African Leadership awards in 2006; and FRA Williams Legal Practitioner of the year 2006 among others.

As he clocked 70 on May 29, a significant date in Nigeria’s democratic calendar, Agbakoba found himself surrounded by an intimate gathering of family, friends, and loved ones. The team members at Agbakoba Legal, the renowned law firm he founded, organized a special event to honour their visionary leader. Immersed in an atmosphere of celebration, they showered him with accolades, recognising his remarkable achievements and profound impact.

On social media and newspaper pages, Agbakoba’s contribution to the development of the legal profession and his humanity was lauded by well-wishers, fellow lawyers, human rights activists, and prominent public figures. In a poignant moment of introspection, Agbakoba’s heart swelled with profound gratitude as he looked back on the unwavering support that has accompanied him throughout the chapters of his extraordinary life.

The resounding praise echoed his exceptional legal acumen, his unwavering dedication to advocacy, and his relentless pursuit of justice. These messages stand as a testament to the indelible impact Agbakoba has made throughout his illustrious career, leaving an enduring legacy in the realm of law and beyond.

Amongst his major publications are Federal High Court Practice Manual (published by LexisNexis, South Africa) Maritime Newsletter Volumes one and two; Manual on Election Petition in Nigeria; Maritime Cabotage in Nigeria; Bankruptcy Proceedings in Nigeria; Development Law Books (in three volumes; Towards A People Constitution in Nigeria; Transcending the Wall: A manual for Prisoners Reform. Others are: The Legal basis of the organization of African Unity Force in the Chad; Journal of International Law, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs 1981; Journal of Human Rights Law and Practice: Nigeria’s State Security (detention of persons) Decree No 2 of 1984; Exposing the Myth of Judicial Impotence with Babatunde Fagbohunlu (1991), Incursions into the Legal Profession, the way out speech given at the conference on the reform of civil adjudication, Lagos, December 1995; The Statute of Limitation in Admiralty Proceedings: A Case for Fresh Initiatives in Maritime Laws and Reforms in Marine Insurance Law, among many others. Agbakoba is married to Lilian Agbakoba, who is also a lawyer by profession.

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...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Weep Not, Orji Kalu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi: Amazon with a Difference at 60

A person of true substance always stands out from their peers, setting themselves apart in remarkable ways. In the case of Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, the gap between her and any other contender is as vast as the distance between the earth and the sky. Now that she has reached the age of 60, Adeleye-Fayemi continues to radiate with a brilliance that seems unparalleled. Yet, it is only fitting that someone of her calibre would have no equal, to begin with.

Adeleye-Fayemi turned 60 today, June 11, which has prompted an outpouring of goodwill messages and admiration for the esteemed former First Lady of Ekiti State. Despite no longer holding office, she remains as radiant, graceful, and impressively influential as ever in the hearts and minds of the esteemed people of Ekiti. While her husband, Kayode Fayemi, may be more widely known among Nigerians,

it is undeniable that Adeleye-Fayemi shines just as brightly in the constellation of personal achievements. One could even argue that she has paved her path, creating platforms to pursue her goals and attaining heights that are often only dreamed of in certain circles.

Adeleye-Fayemi’s activism and advocacy have elevated her to a position of prominence that defies predictable projections for the future. She remains one of the foremost and visible voices for women and the marginalised, rightfully earning the title of champion of grassroots empowerment and inclusion.

At 60, she continues to be a global figurehead for the welfare of the girl-child, with a particular emphasis on formal education and holistic empowerment. Consequently, she stands as a source of pride for all who have had the privilege of knowing her — a majestic eagle soaring high, diligently providing for her beloved chicks.

Banking Golden Boy … Ebenezer Onyeagwu Emerges Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa at the International Banker Awards 2023

Solemnity enveloped the ninth Senate yesterday when a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, burst into tears while giving his valedictory speech on the floor.

It was not particularly known why Kalu was weeping, but while he was in tears, former governor stated that he was labelled a thief by some entities who conspired against him.

He said, “Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money could buy. I’m not a thief. Those who put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me, yet I survived it, and I’m in the Senate with you.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the former Abia governor and Ude Jones Udeogu, a former director of finance and accountant, on 36 counts of money laundering to the tune of N7.1 billion.

On December 5, 2019, Kalu was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, while Udeogu got a 10-year sentence.

The Supreme Court later nullified the trial of Kalu and his co-convicts.

The apex court held that Mohammed Idris, the trial judge who had been elevated to the court of appeal at the time of the case, ought not to have presided over the matter while he was an appeal court judge.

No fresh charges have been filed against him.

The chief whip said before he ventured into politics, he was wealthy and played a critical role financially in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senator Kalu stated, “I have never lacked, while I was in the Peoples Democratic Party where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money they used to form that party, every penny, in 1997 and 1998, and I later became a thief.

“People I gave transport money from my house in Victoria Island became agents. This is what Nigeria represents.”

Senator Kalu, who is also a frontline contender for the leadership of the 10th Assembly, said that the country was not fair.

He added, “Thank you for giving me these four years of uninterrupted support. This country is not fair.”

Weep not daddy

The International Banker Awards for 2023 have been bestowed upon deserving leaders in the industry. Organised by Finance Publishing Limited, these prestigious accolades have

consistently highlighted the true trailblazers in the realm of finance and banking. This year, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the CEO of Zenith Bank, showcased his exceptional abilities to the awards’ organisers and captivated the hearts of those who were previously unfamiliar with him.

Onyeagwu emerged at the pinnacle of the list of deserving bank CEOs in Africa, securing the esteemed title of Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa. With such distinguished recognition, Onyeagwu can rightfully tower above any other contender claiming to be the industry’s finest, exuding an undeniable air of dominance and accomplishment that evokes both admiration and envy from his peers and rivals.

Remaining true to his humble and engaging nature, Onyeagwu was quick to attribute the premium award to the concerted efforts of his

team, led by Zenith Bank’s founder, Jim Ovia. While this acknowledgement holds, it is evident that Onyeagwu possesses the qualities that make him a recipient of numerous accolades from the continent’s esteemed platforms of recognition — an accomplishment he has been consistently achieving since 2019.

For Onyeagwu, this award is merely another addition to his collection. However, for Zenith Bank, it symbolises acknowledging their CEO’s capabilities and serves as a testament to the untapped potential within others like him. Undoubtedly, Onyeagwu’s award stands as a glorious testament to the remarkable achievements of Zenith Bank, a mutual relationship where the bank supports its CEO, and he, in turn, propels the bank to new heights.

Going down the Wire … Between Akpabio, Yari, and Kalu

While the question of who will assume the helm of the powerful Senate remains unanswered, the contest has narrowed down to notable contenders such as Godswill Akpabio, Abdulaziz Yari, and Orji Uzor Kalu. Yet, despite their prominence, only one will emerge victorious as the Senate President, leaving the others to face defeat, the loss of prestige, and the numerous benefits associated with holding that position.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party, continues to grapple with making a definitive decision regarding the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly. Although reports indicate that the President has endorsed a candidate, numerous party members staunchly refuse to step aside, believing it is their turn to lead.

Akpabio’s selection as the anointed candidate of President Bola Tinubu did not come as a surprise to many. However, in light of this decision, what options are available to Senators Yari and Kalu? Should they turn a

blind eye and allow their aspirations to wither away like a discarded old janitor? No, they seem to be staying, as they forge coalitions ready to challenge the President and his agenda, even at the risk of sacrificing their benefits.

Yari supposedly finds himself in a slightly more favourable position compared to Kalu and others. However, when juxtaposed with Akpabio, who reportedly enjoys Tinubu’s unequivocal support, Yari’s standing remains relatively inconsequential. Nonetheless, he maintains substantial backing from those who possess the potential to sway the President.

This is why reports suggesting that Kalu is reneging on a previous agreement to ally with Yari hold some credibility. After all, it appears that the tides are already turning against him, prompting him to relinquish control to fate while aligning himself with the President.

Undeniably, the ongoing dynamics are captivating to observe. However, the outcome of this political gamble may prove calamitous for those who find themselves on the losing end. Yari

Young and Getting It Right … As Ogundoyin Speaks Again

Throughout history, age has often been regarded as a constraining factor. Both being too old and too young presented similar challenges, unless the individual possessed exceptional qualities that distinguished them as truly remarkable. Debo Ogundoyin, without a doubt, radiates such qualities. It comes as no surprise, then, that he is once again being considered for the highest position attainable within his state’s House of Assembly.

Currently serving as the Speaker of the

Oyo State House of Assembly, Ogundoyin is one of the youngest political figures in the country, at a mere 36 years old. Despite a growing number of young individuals venturing into politics, Ogundoyi’s supremacy remains unshakable. Furthermore, he carries the endorsement of Governor Seyi Makinde, solidifying his ambition and accomplishments beyond comparison.

Ogundoyin assumed the role of Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly in 2019, at the tender age of 32. Critics who were initially skeptical of his talents, visionary mindset, and indomitable spirit believed he was too young for such a position. They anticipated that time would teach him lessons in humility and self-awareness. However, the reality has proven to be quite the opposite.

Throughout his four-year tenure, Ogundoyin has emerged as an exceptional leader deserving of commendation. Like his late father, Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, he possesses a profound understanding of the human condition, a forward-thinking vision, and an unwavering drive. While his education at the prestigious Babcock University may have contributed in some capacity, it is clear that this factor pales in significance, as none of his peers have reached similar heights.

Governor Makinde’s expressed interest in allowing Ogundoyin to continue serving as Speaker for another four years signifies to all, irrespective of party affiliation or constituency, that he has much more to offer the state. With Ogundoyin, diligence and foresight speak louder than age, and in the years to come, these resounding qualities will only grow stronger.

Kalu

Adeleye-Fayemi

Onyeagwu

Ogundoyin

Kwankwaso Fires Back at Ganduje, Says He Can’t Look Me in the Face, He’s My Boy

Former Governor of Kano State and Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed the threat by his successor, ex-governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to slap him if they had met at Aso Rock, Abuja.

He said Ganduje was one of his “boys” politically and dared not look at him in the face.

Kwankwaso and Ganduje had visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu separately on Friday. The latter while speaking to journalists said he would have slapped his former boss if they had met each other at the Villa.

“I heard that he (Ga nduje) said he would’ve sla pped me, but

I’m here. He was just confused. These are all my boys politically. They can’t even look at me straight in the face if we meet,” Kwankwaso told BBC Hausa.

Ganduje had lamented the demolition of several buildings in Kano State by the Abba Yusuf-led administration, accusing Kwankwaso of masterminding the development.

Ganduje, while addressing State House correspondents shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa on Friday evening, said the demolitions were executed without due process and, therefore, breached the law. When asked about the

Ganduje

president’s response and if they had reconciled inside the Villa, Ganduje said: “I know that he is

Dahiru Mangal: The Invisible Billionaire Businessman

In the face of unexpected circumstances, many individuals have succumbed to despair, proclaiming life to be a perpetual cycle of pain, misery, and meaninglessness. However, individuals like Dahiru Mangal, the prominent figure behind Max Airlines, stand as living proof of the rewards that persistence can yield. Despite his humble origins, Mangal has ascended to the pinnacle of success, yet he remains relatively inconspicuous among Nigeria’s billionaire elite.

Those acquainted with Mangal recognise him as the mastermind behind Max Airlines, as well as a significant player in the cement production and power plant construction sectors. They are also aware that he possesses an abundance of wealth, surpassing the imagination of the average person, yet he deliberately maintains a low-key profile compared to his counterparts. Conversely, outsiders often label Mangal as an affluent aristocrat from the northern region who inherited his

fortune from astute ancestors. However, this assumption needs to be more accurate.

Born in Katsina State, Mangal has always possessed an indomitable spirit, determined to forge his path despite adverse circumstances. It is well-documented that he once worked as a truck driver, even after acquiring a formal education. What truly distinguishes him is his unwavering warrior mentality, refusing to succumb to pressure and instead utilising it as a catalyst for personal growth and

enlightenment.

Rather than succumbing to the hardships of his youth, Mangal diligently reconstructed them into stepping stones for success. Through this mental transformation, he developed a keen understanding of business diversification, initially venturing into car rental services. This endeavour allowed him to surround himself with like-minded individuals, some of whom had already achieved remarkable success.

From humble beginnings, Mangal rapidly expanded his interests into various industries, including transportation, oil and gas, and construction. In 2009, he reached a new zenith as one of the Non-Executive Directors of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc. Since then, he has assumed the role of Executive Director on the boards of Massanawa Travel & Tours and Massanawa Enterprises Limited. In addition to Max Airlines, Mangal holds all the influence over Katsina Dyeing and Printing Textiles Limited, as well as several prominent businesses in Katsina, including a rice-processing mill, a fertiliser production plant, and many others.

Somefun Stamping Her Authority in the Banking Sector

The numbers never lie. This belief serves as an excellent guide for evaluating the effectiveness of a company’s leadership, particularly in terms of factors like profitability. When it comes to Unity Bank, CEO Tomi Somefun’s performance can be readily assessed by examining the numbers. Based on the evidence presented, it is apparent that she has been an invaluable asset to the bank in recent years.

The latest financial report for the 2022 fiscal year of the bank demonstrates a remarkable improvement over the previous report, underscoring Somefun’s aptitude and commitment to the institution’s objectives. With all aspects deftly managed, Somefun’s legacy at Unity Bank could encompass that of a visionary leader, steadfast supporter, and key operator.

The 2022 financial year report reveals that Unity Bank has achieved a 13.1 per cent increase in gross earnings compared to

the previous year. Customer deposits have also experienced a modest rise, indicating Somefun’s ability to foster greater trust among Unity Bank’s customers through sound policies. Additionally, the bank has successfully implemented more distinct market segmentation than in previous years.

Somefun’s perspectives on these positive changes demonstrate her deep understanding of both the internal dynamics of the institution and the external environment. She recognises that the business landscape is characterised by ups and downs, and maintaining an advantageous position necessitates a comprehensive and up-to-date comprehension of how all the corporate pieces fit together.

Undoubtedly, Somefun has skillfully assembled these pieces, adorning Unity Bank with the resulting achievements. Since assuming leadership of the bank, she has it, replacing rust with smoothness and brilliance. With her recent accomplishments, it is evident banking sector as a whole, emerging as an authoritative voice in Nigeria.

in the building, but we did not meet inside. I would have slapped him if I met him inside.”

Is the First Son of the State More Powerful than Ondo Deputy Governor?

Ondo State, known as the Sunshine State, continues to live up to its name. Recently, with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu taking time off to recover from illness, there have been verbal attacks and accusations aimed at high-ranking members of the state, suggesting that governance has been handed over to Akeredolu’s son, Babajide. This has raised questions about the role of the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and whether he has been sidelined.

The involvement of family members in governance has sparked debates in Ondo, attracting attention and stirring discussions. Governor Akeredolu is known for his assertive nature and willingness to confront challenges head-on. As a result, those who attempt to undermine his influence by targeting his son’s position and involvement in the state have made little progress.

In reality, Babajide shares many qualities with his father. He is competent and ensures that power is effectively managed, leaving no room for inefficiencies. Since his father fell ill, Babajide has stepped up and capably handled the responsibilities of managing the state. On the other hand, Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa has faced various challenges and accusations, leading some to believe that the Akeredolu family has marginalised him.

These accusations persist, despite the lack of evidence, primarily because they are not new. Even before Babajide assumed his role as the Special Adviser and Director-General of the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit of Ondo State, his mother, Lady Betty, faced similar accusations. She was alleged to have significant influence over contract approvals, causing the Akeredolu family’s reputation to suffer blows over time.

The Rise and Rise of Femi Gbajabiamila … His Solid Loyalty to Tinubu

Many Nigerians are experiencing favourable outcomes, as a significant number of them have already secured notable positions under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, while others eagerly await the fulfilment of his promises. Among these individuals, Femi Gbajabiamila, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, appears to have received the most significant share of opportunities. His appointment as the Chief of Staff (CoS) demonstrates his exceptional loyalty, which played a crucial role in securing his current position within President Tinubu’s administrative team.

The fact that Gbajabiamila has become Tinubu’s CoS has surprised many Nigerians. When compared to other contenders for the

role, Gbajabiamila may not necessarily possess the most illustrious political track record or exert the greatest influence over political heavyweights. However, his unwavering loyalty to Tinubu stands out as his most notable quality and the key reason behind his appointment.

Even during his tenure as the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Gbajabiamila approached his responsibilities differently from his predecessors. He demonstrated fairness, impartiality, and adherence to constitutional provisions, avoiding taking sides without just cause. In his unique way, he exhibited a willingness to go the extra mile for Nigeria, regardless of the potential impact on his welfare or aspirations.

Of particular significance is Gbajabiamila’s acknowledgement that his passion and achievements are rooted in President Tinubu’s teachings. Recognising Tinubu as a master politician and strategist, Gbajabiamila has openly expressed his belief that Tinubu’s approach yields positive results—results that he strives to replicate and has successfully implemented during his tenure as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Such unwavering loyalty is highly valued by Tinubu, who never hesitates to reward it. While it is true that the president’s rewards often manifest in the form of additional responsibilities, there is no denying that Gbajabiamila has reached a significant milestone with his new role as Tinubu’s CoS.

Kwankwaso

Mangal

President Bola Tinubu: An Unauthorised Discussion

Duke, you have to look at this Tinubu thing again o. That was my egbon, the great advertising guru Dapo Adelegan in his country home in Akure. I had flown into the Ondo State capital on my way to Ekiti on the invitation of the NACCIMA to come and deliver a paper on entertainment.

Bros is to chair the session which would also have the great Alibaba speaking and he said, “Edgar, why not come spend a day with me and we head up to Ekiti together.” Sensing free pounded yam and egusi, I quickly agreed. Immediately I entered his expansive and exquisite abode, talk enter Tinubu. The man, being a strategist, didn’t start talking until he had loaded the table with pounded yam, egusi, efo riro, plenty goat meat, bottles of exquisite wines and I started feeling like the late Prof Tam David-West who entered trouble over a cup of tea.

Well, with the goat meat smelling into my nostrils, I was captured. “Edgar, you have to move away from where you are. Look critically at the back story. His struggles, his push, his determination despite strident opposition, the events surrounding the elections, the Naira squeeze, fuel scarcity and all.

“Edgar, surely even you must see that there is more to this Tinubu matter than meets the

eye.”

How can I see, when I was busy gnashing at the goat meat against Dr. Nwabuoko’s orders of me stopping all forms of meat because of my cholesterol level? I said: “Egbon, I don’t like the man and there is nothing you will say, in fact if you continue, I will leave your house immediately.”

He didn’t give up as he asked for them to bring nice British tea to wash down all that Ondo pounded yam. “Duke, see there are different powers that control this country – political, one other one I don forget and spiritual and they all seemed to have aligned in making Tinubu President. See what he did with NADECO. This egbon no dey give up o as I gnashed at the last goat meat on the plate.”

‘Duke, the man is like you. He was first an activist, disrupting…” I shouted ‘he is not like me o, I fine pass am at that age o.’ He laughed. “But seriously, you want to be a senator, you must begin to look at things differently. Tinubu first started with disrupting the status quo, exactly where you are right now and then gradually moved into the mainstream and started disrupting and building bridges. See how he moved from the last man standing in Lagos, during the Obasanjo ‘attack’ on the South-west to

now emerging ‘resident.” Then he dropped the bombshell, “Edgar, I want you to write an unauthorised biography of Tinubu. Don’t yab him and let the book be positive. Take the facts and dispassionately report it.”

I looked up at this egbon, is he serious? I should write an unauthorised biography on Tinubu? A man I don’t like? He continued, “see Edgar, start from June 12 and end it on the day he was sworn in. Get very credible researchers and just throw the facts in place and let Nigerians decide.”

He got me. He got me there. This man can be so convincing, it’s no wonder he was able to use mouth as a 25-year-old to convince Lagos State Government to give him permission to stage the first Lekki Sunsplash which opened up Lekki and moved millions into the dense forest and beaches that was Lekki then to go and suffer for days all in the name of music.

Just like the huge momentum of Lekki Sunsplash, he seems to have moved mountains with this idea - an unauthorised biography of this bala blu baba? Sounds exciting abi? He begged me to keep it under wraps and continue work, but as I sit in this lonely room at the Afe Babalola University Guest Inn with nothing to write for this column I have released it now o. I know

some mumu APC people will run with this idea now o.

Let me warn, me I kuku want to do the baba a favour by considering this book, if anybody thief my idea, I no go write am again o and una go dey deny the man a place in immortality. I don talk o. Meanwhile, egbon Dapo, thanks for the poundo. When am I coming again?

DELE OYE: MAN OF THE MOMENT

As I write, let me confess that I have not physically met the man. But he has just emerged as the 22nd President of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce and Industries at its 60th abi 63rd AGM holding here in Ekiti of which I was invited to come and speak with no arrangement for afang. I just dey look am, person wey I go still yab now. Anyway, he had called some time ago to discuss his vision for the chambers and I found a very passionate Nigerian. His passion for the country is palpable and his strong belief that the economy was the main solution to the political wahala and insecurity that we face in this country sits down very well with my position. He wanted to better understand the entertainment industry and wanted to have a fair discussion with me but ended up educating me sef. As an erudite lawyer, he spoke about the legal framework that would enable the further growth of the sector. He also talked about the need for funding from third party structures that would push in efficiency and empowerment. I just keep quiet, dey wonder, why he come call me in the first place if he already had all of the answers.

The great man is coming at the helm of affairs of this very strategic association that is well placed to benefit from a new government that is looking to free up

the economy and push market reforms. While I am congratulating bro, I will tell him very clearly that his job is cut out for him. He must look at shoring up capacity utilisation among his members, push a level playing ground and build a powerful lobby that would serve as a bridge between the private sector and government as we begin the slow and obviously very tardy move away from the locust of the last eight years. I wish you well my big brother. Congrats.

FESTUS KEYAMO’S QUALIFICATIONS IN QUESTION

Na wa, I laugh tire at the statement from Atiku’s people but credited to Mr. Atiku in most reports. After Keyamo’s case against Atiku seeking him be prosecuted by the EFCC following the mouth diarrhoea of his former aide was kicked out complete with fine? Atiku’s people began to wonder how he got his qualifications to be a lawyer. They didn’t stop there o, they even began to query how he made SAN which is usually reserved for the brightest and the best in the profession.

They further compounded Keyamo’s life by listing some cases he had lost very glamorously and to add bite, even mentioned his case against this same Asiwaju on his certificates and qualifications’ and ended it with a

terrible slap by wondering how he served under the legendary Gani Fawehinmi. This is the one that pained me. How can Keyamo allow the great Fawehinmi to be dragged into this kind thing? Atiku and your people, please if pikin decide to be wayward, he no mean say him papa no teach am well o. Afterall, na medicine dem send Fela go learn for UK, we all saw what came out of that adventure. So, if Keyamo like to turn himself from SAN to SAF — Senior Advocate of Frivolity — wetin concern Gani Fawehinmi. Please stop or else you will all see me for your office. Kai!

NASIR EL-RUFAI: STIRRING THE HORNETS’ NEST

Bros sha like to just open mouth and talk. To think that I once would have supported him for the biggest post in the land, churns my insides making me want to puke at the thought. This his latest rant as contained in most reports, just makes me and all rightthinking Nigerians nauseate. So, the fact that a ‘Muslim-Muslim’ candidacy has been fostered on us as a result of the most incredulous and colourful electoral process since democracy was founded by the Greek in Uyo, does not mean that a man of his stature — literally — and status should now be gloating.

He was reported to have said that since he delivered his state on the ‘Muslim – Muslim’ ticket, and as such same happened at the centre that this must now be the holy grail for all positioning and elections going forward. Me, I don’t believe he can be this insensitive so I am taking the reports with a pinch of salt and holding back fire.

Let him come and say it to my face. I really dare him to stand on a stool and face me eyeball to eyeball and repeat those words in exactly the way he is reported to have said it and see if he would not be exchanging notes with that policeman that had a brief discussion with Seun Kuti on Third Mainland Bridge.

Let me even say something here. Our leaders must understand that this is a complex and intriguing country with different colourful tendencies. Be it religion, ethnicity, sex or anything, we are so complex and leaders must learn how to fly above these shallow prisms to lead us as a united people. Basically, strengthen our diversity and union through holistic and wholesome leadership.

So, this statement in any ramification does not sit in our Nigeria and as such, I will order a DNA test on you to see if you sef come from Niger Republic. I don tire for people like you. Kai!

Keyamo Bob

El-Rufai

Oye

Tinubu

MUDASHIRU OBASA: METHUSELAH IN THE HOUSE

During the last inauguration at the TBS, I struggled to enter the most important pavilion in the whole place. The one that housed His Excellency and all very important officials of state and prominent business people and diplomatic corps. With my Akwa Ibom wrapper, this was always going to be a tedious one. As we argued with security, with me telling the burly bouncer that, “look I am a white cap chief from Isale Eko,” and the man looking at me with mild excitement and still not budging, I just saw one big head coming through.

I say this head be like my brother Obasa own o. As he got closer, I confirmed that it was his head. He looked at me, smiled and passed through and entered the pavilion, I smiled and said, ok, bro I go yab you next week. Well, he has reemerged with history. He is the first to win a sixth term and also the first to win a third term as speaker. Even though the dark clouds of investigation and General Tajudeen – kai I don forget him surname o but na former Minister of Communicationshover around his head, he still is a man of history.

General Taju had kicked against his comeback lamenting that indigenes of Lagos were not represented in the first three positions in the state. He had opined that at least this one should have an indigene of L agos and Lagos did not listen to him and returned Obasa.

My fervent prayer is that this his sixth term should be historic in monumental achievements that impact the people of Lagos and not just historic in the number of years spent before he will now after 20 years be gunning to be Chief of Staff of Governor, like him paddy somewhere else.

Mr. Obasa, let’s have a more credible tenure this time my brother, the other ones, you sef know wetin he be, let this one be different abeg. Thank you.

IKE EKWEREMADU: A PASSIONATE APPEAL

I cannot seem to push this matter away. The health and humanitarian angles tugging at my heart and conscience pushing me to tears many nights. This was a father and mother faced with a possible loss of a child due to a debilitating condition. The love a parent has for a child enveloping all common sense. Everything must be done to save this child, everything.

Advice is sought and solutions provided. At that point all that is in your head is ‘how much’ a figure is given and money is released. Ike has broken so many laws. Yes, he has stolen Nigeria dry as you people are shouting and the boy that was to be harvested - na person pikin tooshebi he didn’t build hospital in his village and all of that talk aside. Me, I am begging. Whatever needs to be done should be done and at whatever level, to get him out of this predicament. He didn’t wage a war against the British establishment, he didn’t carry drugs, he was not a mercenary nor a shoe bomber, he just wanted to save his child and went about it in the wrongest and most illegal of ways and has paid very dearly for this.

So na beg, remain. Please, I am on my knees, Mr. President Asiwaju. Don’t mind me, don’t vex, please is there anything you can do? Anybody who has seen the trauma of a kidney ailment will perfectly understand why he did what he did. Even though this does not justify the ways and means that he went about it.

But I will really be surprised if we allow him to rot in that British prison, hence my fervent plea. I will

FUNKE AKINDELE: N600M REASONS TO LEAVE POLITICS

That move was always a misadventure. The woman and her backers had looked at the millions that were following her on social media and thought that she had the electoral value to make her overthrow my dear Sanwo-Olu. It is like dropping me in Hilda Baci’s kitchen with all the ingredients to cook afang. I will just be looking at the stuff without knowing the ABC of converting them into the best soup ever.

So, madam, Funke with her 20 million followers became the greatest laughing stock in the history of Lagos elections. The English was suspect, the carriage

was suspect, the strategy was suspect and the immersion into the world of politics was also suspect. The woman did not even understand why or what she was doing there. It was a monumental waste of time and resources and it is no wonder that immediately the thing ended, she ran back to her first love – movies. Today, she has reported a whopping N600m gate-takings on her latest movie ‘Battle on Buka Street.’ A huge record with a strong showing both locally and internationally. This is where she really belongs and not in that fish out of water cocoon that is politics. Well-done girl.

will now be saying, “Duke how can you be Senator when you don’t even know your local government and cannot even spell it.” Anyways, this young man has just won a second term and has invited me to his inauguration reception in Akwa Ibom. If not that I am on self-exile as a result of the way they treated my candidate, I would have gone but I am stuck in Ekiti doing what I know best to do, looking for trouble.

It is remarkable to note that his mother the beautiful Comfort was my classmate in Command Secondary School and his father the honourable Senator Effiong Bob is one of the most brilliant lawyers to ever come out of that state, giving him a strong and rich pedigree to build a very resounding career for the betterment of the people. Findings have shown that he has delivered a very independent mindset, a vivacious leadership trait and a strong resolve to show maturity and love for his people hence his resounding victory at the polls where I hear the margin was out of this world.

Please bro, keep my afang once I am free, I’ll fly in on the wonderful Ibom Air and come and celebrate with you. Well-done and God bless you.

MARITAL BLISS … THE ADEFARASINS CELEBRATE 28TH ANNIVERSARY

Marriage is regarded as a significant privilege and blessing for those fortunate enough to experience it. Pastors Paul and Ifeanyi Adefarasin, the founders of House on the Rock church, exemplify a marriage that serves as a launching pad for greater accomplishments. With their 28 years of marriage, the Adefarasins continue to be role models for others to emulate.

Pastor Paul is widely recognised as one of the most articulate pastors in the world. Time and again, he has been compared to his foreign counterparts in the faith, yet he struggles to find words to adequately describe how blessed he is with an extraordinary wife. His inability to express it eloquently only adds to the romantic appeal in the eyes of observers.

also be writing to the British High Commission asking them to beg their Indian Prime Minister for clemency. Will also approach the Indian community in Ilupeju to help put mouth.

This was a crime of passion and nothing else. Please help Ike. Please. I no even know am sef, na just the painfulness of the matter. Kai. Sad.

HON. OTTOBONG BOB: NOT TOO YOUNG TO RULE

At 30, this my little brother had already emerged a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly representing Nsit Ubium Local Government. Now I used to confuse this Local Government with my own. Mine is Nsit Ibom so I use them interchangeably and people

Celebrating their anniversary, Nigerians and followers of their ministry from around the globe have expressed their determination to follow the example set by the Adefarasins. Showering them with admiration and well-wishes, many people acknowledge that their enduring union is founded on their shared love for God, dedication to the work of the ministry, and a desire to transform lives for the better.

Pastor Paul serves as the prominent figure of House on the Rock, while Pastor Ifeanyi provides unwavering support as the backbone of their partnership. Leveraging her background in banking, she has effectively utilised her management skills throughout their years of marriage. On his part, Pastor Paul has been a true gentleman, steadily nurturing his wife’s growth until she too could bear the pastoral responsibilities.

Throughout their 28 years of marriage, the Adefarasins have served the members of House on the Rock with unwavering commitment and sacrifice. Relying on the grace bestowed upon them by God, they have endeavoured to lead exemplary lives. This is a remarkable achievement and further underscores the significa nce of this anniversary.

As heartfelt cheers continue to pour in, we consider ourselves fortunate to belong to the same generation as individuals like the Adefarasins. Their love is as strong as steel and as tender as water, serving as an inspiration to all.

Akindele

Segun Runsewe’s Unending Ingenuity

Oil and Gas Top Player, Julius Rone Set to bury father -in-law

Anyone who knows Julius Rone, a top player in the oil and gas sector, can testify to the fact that he does not do his things in half measures. This perhaps explains the frenzy and buzz currently in social circles as the highly revered businessman is getting set to host the creme-de-la-crème of the society and social establishment to a high-octane party as he buries his father-in-law, the late Obong Ukpong Dan Umoh, who died recently at the age of 83.

The Delta State-born businessman is a detribalised Nigerian whose circle of friends cuts across the Who-is-Who in high society, including captains of industry, monarchs, politicians, socialites and celebrities.

Society Watch gathered that colourful invitation cards are already in circulation among family members, close friends,

celebrities, business tycoons, politicians and high net-worth individuals.

It was revealed that the billionaire and his wife will host the guests on a four-day event that commences on June 11, 2023, with the opening of a mourning house at the deceased compound in Ikot Bonikona, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This will be followed by a condolence visit on Monday at the same venue, while a night of songs follows on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Amezion Church Ikotmbonikona, Uyo. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 17.

A source further disclosed that the highly connected man, fondly called King of Gas, has been on a spending spree in preparation for the event that is expected to be a massive display of poise, allure, pomp and grand opulence.

Late Obong

City Businessman, Olatunbosun Ariyo, Shines

“Innovation is applied creativity. By definition, innovation is always about introducing something new or improved, or both and it is usually assumed to be a positive thing..’’

It wouldn’t be out of place to assume that the British author had someone like the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Segun Runswe, in mind when he made this quote.

It is no hyperbole that Runsewe has always come out with creativity and innovation that has perpetually launched Nigeria’s culture and placed it among the best. Otunba, as he is fondly called, is full of ingenuity, and as usual, he has once again come out with a new idea!

It was disclosed that he has come out with a new e-library and view centre that will capture Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage history and link it up to about 150 countries in the world.

The e-library that will be launched in June, this year will be situated at Nigeria’s new Culture House in Abuja.

The e-library/view centre platform, one of the positive fallouts of Runsewe’s engagements in China, will be strategically deployed to harness basic information, history and tradition of Nigeria’s cultural tourism heritage and showcase them to global tourism community, cultural heritage experts and students of cultural studies all over the world.

Fielding questions from journalists in Beijing after a visit to the Great Wall of China, a notable heritage tourism site, Runsewe explained that the e-library/view centre which became a new platform for marketing natural resources and heritage sites during the COVID-19 pandemic is now being deployed by other countries to market their tourism and heritage opportunities to the world.

According to Runsewe, who is also the President, World Craft Council (WCC), Africa region “The beauty is that once Nigeria keys into the e-library/ view centre, we’re going to be connected to over 150 countries in the world, which will change the way the world sees Nigeria, including the wrong things they read about us which is not correct.”

He added that the platform will also serve as an avenue to tell Nigeria’s story by Nigerians, explaining further that Nigeria will use the opportunity to tell the world what we’re doing, and what is happening and share our history, cultural heritage and our icons which will generate positive discussions and interests about our country. “I am happy because we’re going to be connected digitally by this e-library to about 150 countries of the world, an advantage which also brings us to study more about digital opportunities which we can leverage to market and promote Nigeria.”

For high-flying businessman, Olatunbosun Ariyo, it’s been a beautiful story of onward and upward. Call it his season of glory and you would’ve hit the nail on the head.

The humble personality is the magic finger behind Arismile Holdings, one of Nigeria’s prominent companies creating employment opportunities for hundreds of people in the private sector of the Nigerian economy.

A few weeks ago, the amiable businessman made his friends and family proud when he was conferred with the National honour of Member of the Order Federal Republic, MFR by the imm ediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for his contributions to the economic growth and development of Nigeria’s private sector. Indeed, it is a befitting feather in Ariyo’s cap, a man who is synonymous with

excellence.

Expectedly, congratulatory messages have continued to pour in for the fine gentleman from all corners of the world.

Better known for his entrepreneurial and managerial acumen, Ariyo has carved an enviable niche for himself in the Nigerian business landscape.

Over the years, he has built a strong reputation for excellence. He has also shown consistency in service delivery, capacity and integrity. It is therefore not really a surprise that he is being recognized by his country for his modest contributions to the economic growth of Nigeria.

Described as a kind man, he has continued to shine his light on humanity. Apart from being one of the emerging major players and employers of labour in the private sector, Ariyo is also a philanthropist in his own right.

Billionaire Businesswoman, Titilope Ejimagwa’s New Found Love

Billionaire businesswoman, Titilope Olubisi Ejimagwa, is simplicity personified, choosing to stay away from excess publicity.

The Lagos State-born businesswoman is the first black five-star Director and Global Icon of Longrich Bioscience. She is called the ‘Mother of Network Marketing in Africa’ for the fact that she is one of the most successful marketers to emerge from the continent. Despite her immense wealth and influence, she has humility and simplicity written all over her.

The serial entrepreneur also has her hands in other sectors of the economy beyond the

continent of Africa. Society Watch gathered that she is currently exploring new ground; entertainment and production.

A source revealed that she is involved in a yet-to-be-released movie production, titled ‘Okikiola the Fisherman.’

It’s being produced under Lovely Pink Media Limited in partnership with a seasoned journalist and writer, Adeola Agoro.

According to a source, several millions of naira have been invested in the movie that features top and notable stars in the movie industry.

Construction Wizard, Hakeem Alobo-Bakare’s Special Birthday Celebration

There is a popular saying that kindness is like snow that beautifies and brings to life everything it covers. For construction giant, politician and socialite, Hakeem Alobo-Bakare, he seems to eat and breathe kindness. The business mogul is a quiet, humble gentleman who does a lot for his immediate society without any form of noise or fanfare.

His flame of philanthropy appears inextinguishable, and he’s been so unrelenting in his drive and determination to bring succour to the suffering masses without fear or favour. This he has been doing for years in many states across the nation.

His gentle mien belies his remarkable strides in life. This is obviously evident in his gait which is copiously devoid of any form of arrogance, despite his status and achievement in life. Many whose paths have crossed his have continued to appreciate his gesture and he has received thunderous accolades many times.

The Lagos State-born businessman also typifies a soul who enjoys abundant luck and the grace of God. It is no exaggeration to say that his life epitomises tenacity of purpose, particularly when you consider his intimidating profile in his

chosen profession. To many of his friends and admirers, the maverick construction giant is known as a chronic go-getter who has always been driven, even as a young man, to better the

systemic structures, standards and styles of living in his society. As he grows older, the tall and hunk politician has never lost steam in his quest through his dynamic focus on the construction profession, humanitarianism and philanthropy.

For this and many more, the OtunbaBobajiro of Jogaland is being admired and loved by his friends, admirers and close associates. It is, therefore, not surprising that whenever his birthday approaches, they see this as an opportunity to extend their appreciation towards his love and magnanimity.

Today gives another opportunity for such encomiums, laudation and compliments, expected from far and wide as he celebrates his 65th birthday.

However, Society Watch gathered that the property merchant, though a socialite of note, is not someone who loves to celebrate his birthdays to the high heaven. So today, rather than rolling out the drums for this remarkable moment, his milk of kind has taken the better of him and he prefers to celebrate with the downtrodden and the poor.

Ariyo

Ejimagwa

Runsewe

ARTS & REVIEW ARTS & REVIEW

Meeting Abdulkadir Zayyad, an Artist with Sights Set on Excellence

Abdulkadir Zayyad, a stickler for details, expresses himself best in realistic art forms, using ballpoint pens, he tells Okechukwu

“Hello! I’m Abdulkadir Zayyad by name,” a youngish man in the promotional video, facing the camera, proclaims to the audience in a stentorian voice that “I’m among the top 100 exhibiting artists to exhibit in the Enugu Life in My City Art Festival 2022 with the theme The Paradox

Of course, pausing to watch videos while scrolling through Instagram feed updates is nothing out of the ordinary, for which is something enthralling about this particular promotional video for the Life in My City Art Festival—one of a handful lately shown—that

Take the fair-complexioned artist in the video, whose pencil-lined moustache and lush goatee seem to be doing a poor job of maskdidactic about his quadritych photography entry for that edition of the youth-focused annual competition, which is more often

says it illustrates the transition in time and details the stage-by-stage production process

Four “good” studio photographs of the same female model, chosen as the most suited for his concept from among several taken, to the viewer for contemplation from left to

The artist worked on the resolution and altered the backdrop colour from blue to introduced the dispersion techniques that show how the stages manifest—from the

As the 2021 graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, later intimates, his artworks are basically inspired by situations in time, to the visual representation of the human

technique, it is because he has been working for some time with the ballpoint pen, with Inevitably, the topic drifts towards inspiration, the driving force behind all forms of photos, real-life occurrences, and even music, according to Zayyad, serve as sources of

There is no doubt that he has been exposed to the works of more talented artists, whose Besides, his passion for realistic expressions, be they in paintings or pen and charcoal drawings, explains why such hyrealism among others, serve as his beacons on the

Zayyad

Could this proclivity for realism, therefore, be why portraiture seems to be the focal point of his studio practice? Talking about portraiture, he has done quite a number paintings like “Beauty Is the Beast” and

Is the Beast,” an oil on canvas work that he produced in 2021, he muses about the changes lady depicted in the painting repurposes an old pair of jeans as headgear, hinting at the And that’s how the 100 ×120 cm work got the premise that the word evokes both the The other oil on canvas work, “Vulnerable,” which was produced in 2020, depicts a hijab-sporting female child against a dark backdrop that is meant to stir up angst for imagine the scary scenario of abandoning this

Perhaps, the highpoint of his portraiture odyssey was his production of the portrait following her on Instagram because I love His regular comments on the photos of herself that Osifo was posting on Instagram caught the latter’s attention, and she started the artist decided to release a portrait of her that he had painted using a downloaded image of

Beauty Is the Beast, oil on canvas

her as a reference on her birthday as express her deep appreciation of the work through a direct message and express interest in having it delivered to her, which led to the artist visiting -

tive’s other works, two oil on canvas paintings titled “Oppress the Oppressed” and “Together in Pains” appear to allude to his empathy for

a still-life portrayal of a mound of shoes on a table with the new ones on top of the old worn-out ones, illustrates the story of Nigeria’s expanding gap between the haves and have-nots as the middle class is gradustylised depiction in which four faces can be discerned, explores the concept of how how severe his or her condition may seem, there will always be others in worse condition, lurks the message to remain appreciative in Art, explains the artist, who turns 29 on October 8, seems to have been the theme song of his life from as far back as he can

urging me to explore, develop references, Then there was his environment, which he regarded as a “motivational factor” while growing up as the second of four children— two males and two females—of his parents, in which he was often encouraged and referred Zayyad, who was born and bred in the his home as a “reserved and disciplined” one and his parents as “motivators,” “supno question about his abandoning art for himself regretting his decision or nurturing a second thought about venturing into a more “Art has been a part of me ever since, and even back in my secondary school days, it was a subject I loved and found myself participating in every school project and art

Currently living in the Northern Nigerian primary and secondary school education but also attended a tertiary institution, the Federal College of Education, before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has discovered that the people in his new environment are not as enthusiastic about art as he would wish them to be, he remains undaunted as he continues to produce works

Having so far been featured in both physical and online exhibitions, he has yet to hold a about asserting himself soon enough in the art space to be featured in exhibitions among more accomplished artists and have his works

Meanwhile, Zayyad, who is a stickler for details, believes that his works are accurate he plods on with the intention of becoming the best version of himself and the conviction that everyone possesses a motivating force that will enable them to express their highest

As N’Assembly is Set for Inauguration

Come Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the leadership of the National Assembly will be up for a change, the present set having been elected on June 11, 2019, with Ahmed Lawan (APC) and Femi Gbajabiamila (APC) in charge as President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively. They were anointed to take over the leadership of the National Assembly in 2015 following the victory of their political party at the general elections, but that was not to be, as certain influential members of the APC lobbied the opposition lawmakers to upset the applecart, thus throwing forward Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as leaders instead.

The lobbying in the present dispensation has been very intense, with all manner of permutations and calculations, from zoning to merit, being bandied to canvass support for certain interests. Some have posited that zoning, faith and gender should play major roles in the recruitment process, given the composition of the leadership of the major political parties. Deliberately and without mincing words, the framers of the Constitution established the Legislature as the first arm of government, because law is needed to define all other aspects of human existence. It is thus expected that through its additional powers of approval and oversight functions, the legislature will work to curb the excesses of the executive arm of government, especially in situations where retired politicians have hijacked the democratic process, having in their prime tasted power and are not unwilling to hand over to others. These factors have shot the legislature into national focus, especially the leadership.

The National Assembly is a bicameral legislature consisting of 109 members of the Senate and 360 members of the House of Representatives, modelled after the federal Congress of the United States and meant to guarantee equal representation. In the current 9th National Assembly, the APC has 66 seats in the Senate, PDP 38, NNPP 1 and YPP 1 whilst in the House of Representatives, the APC has 227 seats, PDP 121, APGA 4, NNPP 3, ADC 1 and PRP 1. Three seats are vacant in the Senate while one seat is vacant in the House of Representatives. In the 10th National Assembly that will be inaugurated in June, APC has 59 senators, PDP 36, LP 8, SDP 2 NNPP 2, APGA 1 and YPP 1. In this composition, the ruling party has 59 senators whilst the opposition parties altogether have 50, which gives renewed strength for diversity. In the House of Representatives, the APC has 162 seats, PDP 102, LP 34, NNPP 18, APGA 4, ADC 2, SDP 2 and YPP 1. What this has shown is that it is not possible for the ruling party to foist any candidate upon the National Assembly, even though the same scenario played out in the 9th Assembly with the opposition parties unable to pull their weight when it mattered most.

Notwithstanding the seeming plurality of representation, the 9th National Assembly has not been able to assert itself as an autonomous institution, preferring rather to treasure political party affiliation over and above the national interest. In that dispensation, the executive arm of government was always certain of maximum support and approval of all proposals and requests, no matter how unpopular, injurious or backward. In the jurisdiction for which our legislative arm has been patterned, there is the robust system of

separation of powers and the doctrine of checks and balances. The three arms of government are expected to operate independently and complimentarily, not dependent upon or patronizing, in the manner that the 9th Assembly has carried on. No doubt it is good to have a responsible legislature for the purpose of harmonization and development but when it gets to the level where the executive is always right, then such level of dubious cooperation should worry all lovers of true democracy. A legislature that cannot supervise and check the excesses of the executive is not worth its name at all. Truth is, such an assembly of persons cannot claim to represent anyone, when the chips are down. They represent only themselves, only their interests and their stomachs. However, the 9th Assembly was able to conclude the process of the amendment of the Constitution and it also gave us the new Electoral Act, with all its booby traps.

Owing largely to the independent mode of its leadership recruitment, the 8th National Assembly under Saraki and Dogara turned out to be one of the best ever, at least in taming the monstrous executive arm. You can imagine what would have happened under Saraki should the Central Bank of Nigeria dream of the calamitous project of Naira redesign or the needless loans that the federal government has embarked upon in its dying days. It was not business as usual in the National Assembly under Saraki and Dogara, as the legislators asserted their powers to the fullest and held the executive down to follow due process, at all times. As an appointee of the President, you would have to prepare very well for your screening, and ministries and other government agencies had to sit up to defend their budgets and actions. They were very daring, courageous

POLITICAL NOTES

and they took steps to protect the people from an overbearing executive. It was little wonder then that the ruling party did all its best to ensure that most members of that collective did not return to the 9th National Assembly. But Nigeria has paid dearly for that selfish agenda as the 9th National Assembly operated more like a weeping institution, a clearing house and a reporting Chamber, where elected representatives of the people stoop to beg directors of parastatals to attend public hearings, at times issuing empty threats without any follow-up action and granting virtually all the requests of the executive. Having succeeded in installing its cronies in positions of authority at the National Assembly, the executive has since then embarked upon mindless borrowings, putting our nation at the mercy of shylock imperialists, who whimsically drafted contracts that threaten even our cherished sovereignty, at times in their own language. Yes, it is a National Assembly that prides itself in ‘reporting’ errant serving ministers and heads of parastatals who defy its summons, to the President.

As elected representatives of the people, the National Assembly is expected to assert the will of the people by invoking the relevant provisions of the constitution in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities of law making, supervising the executive arm and also to prevent waste and corruption. Lawmakers who scramble for constituency projects cannot be in the best position to make laws that will impact the people positively. So much has been invested in the National Assembly in order to guarantee optimum performance and so the leadership of such a crucial organ should not be a matter of political patronage or reward for perceived electoral support. We cannot afford the misfortune of parading elected representatives who are whipped along the lines of executive preferences, all the time. There has to be a balance of power and of forces, for our nation to ever dream of attaining the expected growth that our leaders have touted so often.

In choosing the leadership of the 10th National Assembly therefore, the most important criteria should be competence, which can also include experience, qualification and indeed reputation. As the saying goes, the fish gets rotten from the head, so the kind of leaders to be entrusted with the management of the National Assembly is key to our national development. Of course we need to be sensitive to issues of gender parity, faith and indeed zoning, all of which could be accommodated in the primary consideration of merit as indeed it is possible for the right candidate to possess all these features all at once.

Although the tradition is for the ranking members-elect of the political party with the highest number to produce the leadership of the National Assembly, it does not have to be along party lines, given that the laws governing the choice of leadership is internal to the legislature. For instance, the opposition parties, either in the name of “the Greater Majority” or any other forum, can swing the tide if they remain united. In this regard, legislators should be allowed to vote according to their convictions, not vote buying. The news filtering that certain candidates for the leadership are campaigning with dollars to garner support should be a disqualifying factor, if at all it is true.

Adegboruwa is a Senior Adovcate of Nigeria (SAN)

Obasa’s Proposed Discriminatory Legislations

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, last Thursday shocked many residents of the state when he declared that the state lawmakers will make laws in the areas of property, titles, commerce and economy to protect indigenes of the state.

Obasa vowed that the lawmakers will “reverse all that is reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes.”

“Lagos is a Yoruba land as against the assertions of some people that it is a no-man’s land,” he said, adding that “we also aim at achieving our collective goals of creating a robust legislative framework that protects the interest of our people.”

It is not clear if there are laws in Lagos State that are against the interest of the indigenous people and that need to be reversed as promised

by the speaker. What is certain is that a few members of the ruling class in Nigeria preach national integration and cohesion but promote ethnic, religious and regional discriminations in their actions to maintain their grip on political power.

The concept of Lagos as “no-man’s land” was first used by one of the past leaders of Lagos State to show how the state accommodated the people from different states without discrimination.

But in the build-up to the most recent general election, some members of the political class twisted the meaning and attributed it to a different group of Nigerians to play up one ethnic group against the other to achieve their selfish political ambitions.

Nigerians from different ethnic and religious

backgrounds not only vote freely during elections in the UK, United States, Canada and other countries where they are resident but also contest and win elections in those countries.

But some members of the political class feel that it is a rare privilege to allow certain Nigerians resident in Lagos to cast their votes freely in the state, describing it as an “interference in the politics of the state.”

Nigeria is a federation where every state is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the welfare of the people, provided such laws do not conflict with the Nigerian Constitution. However, laws that are targeted at any particular group are cruel and if all the states embark on making discriminating laws, the unity of Nigeria will be the greatest casualty.

As the 10th National Assembly is set for inauguration and election of its leaders on Tuesday, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa advocates that the most important criteria should be competence, which can also include experience, qualification and indeed reputation

Tinubu

BRIEFING NOTES

El-Rufai and His Politics of Religion

Immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, recently came under fire following his alleged promotion of religious politics to advance the cause of his political agenda, Ejiofor Alike reports

Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State is not new to controversy as he has always been bold to speak his mind, irrespective of whose ox is gored. But his recent utterances on the Muslim-Muslim tickets in the 2023 presidential election were viewed by his critics as having the capacity to potentially hurt the efforts of President Bola Tinubu-led administration to heal the wounds of the last general election.

Addressing some Muslim clerics in a video that has since gone viral, El-Rufai insinuated that it was only when Muslims dominated the state government that the administration was fair to all.

El-Rufai also curiously suggested that allowing Muslims to occupy all the major positions is an indication that religious politics has been eliminated in Nigeria.

His claim implies that when Christians demand a fair representation, it is a sign of religious politics.

The former governor, who spoke in Hausa, narrated how he agreed to reconcile with Tinubu for the sake of Islam.

El-Rufai, who obviously spoke with both sides of his mouth, accused others of playing religious politics, while at the same time, boasted that he initiated the Muslim-Muslim ticket in his state because he realised that the APC could win the governorship election without the majority of the Christian votes.

“Whenever people ask me why I nominated Dr. Hadiza Balarabe (a Muslim) as my running mate in 2019, I tell them that, first, I did my calculations and I realised that most of those who are not Muslims will not vote for our party.

“So, why should I give them a deputy? I did my calculations, and I arrived at the conclusion that we could win the election without them,” he explained.

El-Rufai also claimed that his government had demonstrated between 2019 and 2023 that an administration headed by a Muslim governor, Muslim deputy governor, Muslim Secretary to the State Governor (SSG), Muslim Commissioner for Finance and Muslim Chief of Staff, would not cheat Christians in the state. He argued that despite the gang-up against the APC governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani and his running mate, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, the party won the 2023 governorship election.

“You, Islamic clerics that are here were the ones that worked for our victory, not the politicians. I swear the politicians cheated us,” he added. He disclosed that it was the Yan Agaji (Islamic aid group) that protected the polling units for the APC, stressing that the Muslim domination in his state would continue for the next 24 years, and also charged the Muslim clerics to always support Sani “so that we will show to people that Islamic leadership does not discriminate.”

“If we continue like this for 20 years, everybody will understand that we (Muslims) are in charge.

If Uba finishes, we will bring another person. After 24 years, everybody will know where he belongs. They will know Muslims will not cheat them and we will live in peace. I swear, this is our agenda since we came out to look for leadership and by the grace of God and your support and prayers, we are on track,” he explained.

The ex-governor who claimed that the state would know peace under Muslim-Muslim ticket, did not realise that the level of killings under his same-faith leadership was unprecedented in the history of the state.

“What we were able to do in Kaduna has been successfully implemented in the country as a whole,” he added.

According to him, “from now, no liar can come out and say he will play the politics of Christianity in Nigeria and win. Peter Obi did it; see where he is.”

“We have effectively tackled this. Since Asiwaju won the election, CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) has been very quiet. This is how we will ensure peaceful coexistence in this country,” he added.

To El-Rufai, the only condition for peaceful coexistence in Kaduna and the country is Muslim domination.

“I agreed to reconcile with Asiwaju and he eventually got the ticket. We know that there is no way he can win without nominating a Muslim as his running mate,” he added.

El-Rufai further disclosed that himself and his Zamfara State counterpart (Bello Matawalle), “insisted that we must produce Muslim-Muslim ticket to address this problem of religion so that we can give the Southern Muslims a sense of belonging as it concerns the leadership of this country,” El-Rufai added.

The former governor who confirmed that he made a case for Southern Muslims, at the same time, blamed CAN for allegedly playing Christian politics.

To him, giving northern Christians a similar sense of belonging would amount to playing religious politics.

NOTES FOR FILE

Keyamo’s Self-inflicted Fine

In what could be see as a case of poking the sleeping dog, the immediate-past Minister of State for Labour and Employment,Mr.FestusKeyamo,haslandedhimselfintrouble with what a judge described as his frivolous court action.

Keyamo’sfatewillserveasalessontolawyerswhoalways rush to court to pursue frivolous claims.

The senior lawyer is to cough out N10million for filing a frivoloussuitagainstthepresidentialcandidateofthePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 election, Atiku Abubakar.

However,inastatementthatwassignedbytheAssistant Head of his Chambers in Abuja, John Ainetor, the former minister vowed to appeal against the judgment.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja who in his ruling described the suit as “frivolous, vexatious and abuse of court processes,” directed that the

fineshouldbepaid“at10percentperannumuntilthecost is finally liquidated.”

HeawardedaN5millionfineeachinfavourofAtikuandthe IndependentCorruptPracticesandotherrelatedoffences Commission (ICPC).

The order followed an oral application by counsel for Atiku, Benson Igbanoi, and that of the ICPC, Oluwakemi Odogun, asking for cost after the matter was dismissed.

Keyamo,whowasalsothespokespersonofthedissolved Tinubu-ShettimaPresidentialCampaignCouncil(PCC),had filedthesuitmarked:FHC/ABJ/CS/84/2023onJanuary20.

In the application, he had sought an order compelling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ICPCandtheCodeofConductBureau(CCB)toprobeand prosecute Atiku.

Keyamobasedhisactiononthegroundofclaimsbyone

As a political strategist, Tinubu had provided a plausible reason for opting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket but those who play religious politics and nurse hidden agenda are the ones accusing others of playing religious politics.

Addressing the Kano chapter of the CAN before the general election, Tinubu had explained that he would not have settled for a minority in the North since he is also from the minority in the South.

“I am a politician and a politician’s formula and strategy are all designed to win elections. How can I be a minority Yoruba Muslim and I will go to pick an Emmanuel from Sokoto State as my running mate? I have already gotten the result of the elections. The result is failure,” he reportedly said.

Tinubu explained that as a politician, he was duty-bound to design a formula to win the election, adding however that, “it is after winning the elections that I can change the character, content and approach of governance.”

Tinubu has already started the healing process by insisting that the next Senate President should be a Christian from the South.

El-Rufai has come under fire for what his critics described as his attempt to polarise and divide the country.

A chieftain of the APC in Plateau State and former National Director of CAN, Samuel Kwamkur, fired the first salvo last Sunday, cautioning him against setting Nigeria on fire with his utterances.

He alleged that by referring to Christians in the state as ‘them,’ the former governor cannot be exonerated from “the wanton killings, demolition of houses and places of worship of Christians in Kaduna,” having turned himself into a “confirmed religious bigot with a hidden agenda to destroy the country using religion”. In his reaction while featuring on ARISE NEWS Channel’s Morning Show, the Chairman of Kaduna State chapter of CAN, Reverend Joseph Hayab, accused the former governor of deliberately setting a trap for Tinubu.

According to him, El-Rufai is playing a game “to confuse people and set up Christians against Muslims; set up Christians against the present government, and then he would stand to benefit from it tomorrow. Unfortunately, I will say to him, he has failed from the onset,” he said.

Hayap argued that with the unprecedented killings during his tenure, El-Rufai’s Muslimsdominated administration was a failure

“With this, he has actually proved to Nigerians that he is not in the first place fit to be a leader and I think that is one of the problems in Nigeria,” Hayap added.

Also reacting to El-Rufai’s failure to clinch the position of the Chief of Staff to Tinubu or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to the earlier speculations, a former senator who represented Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, noted that “Tinubu has dodged a poisonous snake.”

ofAtiku’saides,MichaelAchimugu,whohadalleged that between1999and2007whenAtikuwasvicepresident, heconspiredwithex-PresidentOlusegunObasanjotorip off the country using what he termed “Special Purpose Vehicles.”

He filed the suit after the 72-hour ultimatum he gave the three investigating agencies elapsed.

Keyamoallegedthattheformervicepresident’saction wasinviolationofSection18(2)oftheMoneyLaundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 96(1) of the Penal Code, hence, unqualified to contest in February 25 poll.

It was shocking that after all the noise, braggadocio and attack on Atiku’s reputation, Keyamo was unable to discloseanyreasonablecauseofactionorprovehiscase towarrantthecourtexercisingitsdiscretioninhisfavour.

Keyamo

El-Rufai

Anxiety over Akeredolu’s Whereabouts

The prolonged absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State at state events has created an uneasy calm as many worry about his whereabouts and health condition, Alex Enumah writes

There was a mild drama at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano last Monday, during the inauguration of Abba Kabir Yusuf as the new governor of Kano State. Miscreants suspected to be supporters of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) heckled the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and his younger brother, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, who is the Emir of Bichi.

It was gathered that immediately the first-class monarchs arrived at the venue, the angry miscreants, suspected to be political thugs, started shouting at the top of their voices.

Governor Yusuf, popularly known as Abba Gida-Gida, had invited the dethroned 14th Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammad Sanusi II, to his swearing in on May 29, 2023.

Even though the invitation came on the heels of mounting speculation that the government of the NNPP is considering re-crowning him and removing the current Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, the former emir did not honour the invitation. Instead, he chose to attend the inauguration of the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti.

However, Sanusi’s absence did not stop the crowd from embarrassing the emir.

The first sign that the last has been heard about the dethronement of Sanusi came in April when the presidential candidate of NNPP in the last general election, and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, declared that the incoming administration of Yusuf would revisit the dethronement of the former monarch.

Sanusi, who became emir in the final term of Kwankwaso as governor of the state, was dethroned by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who was the deputy governor at the time the monarch was installed.

Sanusi fell apart with Ganduje in 2017 over political issues and alleged comments on Ganduje’s style of government, as well as that of the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.

Ganduje had accused Sanusi of working for the opposition party and instigating the masses against his re-election in 2019. Although the Emir was quoted on several occasions as urging the people of the state to vote credible candidates based on their conviction of the best option among candidates, there was no evidence available in the public domain to prove that the emir openly canvassed votes for the opposition.

At last, Ganduje sacked Sanusi after six years on the throne and subsequently created additional emirates with first class chiefs with equal powers and privilege as Emir of Kano.

However, the action triggered criticisms due to the suspicious motive.

The critics of Ganduje’s action had recalled a similar action by the late former Governor Abubakar Rimi, who equally balkanised the emirate into five during his administration between 1979 and 1983.

The new emirates however lasted for only a few months before Rimi’s successor, the late governor Aliyu Sabo Bakin Zuwo reversed the action, which was considered ill and politically motivated.

Ganduje sacked the emir on March 9, 2020, and banished him from Kano to Loko, a sleepy community in Nasarawa State.

The former emir later became the leader of the Tijaniyya Islamic sect in Nigeria, after he was turbaned in Senegal as the Khalifa of the Tijaniyya sect in Nigeria by Sheikh Mahi Ibrahim Inyass, the Grand Khalifa of the Tijaniyya Movement.

However, Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in December

2021, declared his banishment as unlawful and unconstitutional, and also awarded N10 million compensation to him and against the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of Kano State, who were also ordered to tender a public apology to him in two national dailies.

Following the court judgment, Sanusi had last February paid a historic visit to Kano State. The former Emir later clarified that he was in the state on his way to Dutse, Jigawa State.

He explained that he could not fly directly to Jigawa State, because of the bad weather and had to stop over in Kano.

After Sanusi’s dethronement, Ganduje had also enacted a law splitting the Kano emirate into five emirates and appointed Emirs who were at par.

But speaking in a viral video shortly after the 2023 general election, Kwankwaso said the dethronement and balkanisation of the emirate would be reviewed by the government of Governor Yusuf.

“We have campaigned and as you know we are popular in Nigeria, especially in Kano State, we are now back and God willing we will continue with the good works our administration left. This incoming governor and his team will take them up.

“As elders, we will continue to advise them to do the right thing. We tried not to intervene in the issue of bringing or removing any Emir, but now, an opportunity has come. Those who were given this opportunity will sit down and see to the issues. They will look at what they are expected to do.

“Besides the Emir, even the emirate has been divided into five places. All these need to be studied. Usually, a leader inherits good, bad, and issues that are hard to

reconcile,” Kwankwaso had said.

Since Kwankwaso made this revelation, the ancient city has been gripped by anxiety over the implication of a possible reversal of the dethronement.

But reacting to Kwankwaso’s revelation, Ganduje had also declared that God would not allow anybody to destroy the four new Emirates created by his administration.

In his speech to mark the 2023 Workers’ Day at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano, Ganduje insisted that the newly created four Emirates had come to stay.

To him, the four new Emirates are etiquettes of unity, progress and even development across the state.

He said: “Any of you that visits the headquarters of these new emirates will believe me that we have brought development to these places. These emirates were created for unity, progress, history, and also for the recovery of the reputation of the traditional institutions. We created them to honour the people of these regions.

“I want to assure you that these emirates are permanent; they have come to stay. And anybody that will destroy them, God Almighty will not bring him to Kano State. We assure you that these emirates were created because of you, because of your progress. Even if we are not in government, we are praying and we will keep praying for God to protect these emirates from all evils. I thank you all,” Ganduje reportedly explained.

Recall that one year after he

removed Sanusi, Ganduje had at the presentation of a book on former President Goodluck Jonathan, which was authored by a journalist, Mr. Bonaventure Melah, argued that the former emir was not the best man for the throne, adding that he removed him to save the traditional institution from abuse.

He also alleged that the deposed emir was appointed to spite former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Meanwhile, apart from inviting Sanusi to his inauguration, the new governor has not made any public pronouncement on the planned review.

The final decision on the matter resides with him and not the NNPP leader.

However, Sanusi had in a video shortly after his dethronement, declared that he was no longer interested in going back to the throne of Emir of Kano.

The video was shared in March 2020 by Ibrahim Adam, the personal assistant to Yusuf, now governor and PDP governorship candidate in the 2019 elections.

He said, “I have done what I could in six years, I’m moving on. I don’t want to go back. The truth is, if I had wanted to go back, the dethronement letter was so badly written, it was not done professionally. The easiest thing is just to go to court.

“It’s simple, fair hearing, ‘did you query him? Did you ask him to defend himself? Did you even call him to ask him any question?’

“That’s all but I think we should go on to a new phase in life. There is no reason to be sad or be depressed. I know it’s difficult but for me; it’s never an issue,” Sanusi reportedly said.

For now, there is anxiety over the implication of Sanusi’s return to the throne.

Akeredolu

South Africa and Russo-American Cold War: From Ukrainian Imbroglio to What?

outh Africa and Russia are both members of the BRICS. BRICS is the acronym for the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa who are all protesting the Bretton Woods system and seeking an alternative to the current International Economic Order. The acronym was first used in a report entitled, ‘Building Better Global Economic BRICS’, and written by Jim O’Neill (vide Global Economics Paper No. 66). The original membership of the BRICS when informal meetings of the BRIC Foreign Ministers began in 2006 did not include South Africa until December 2010 as from when the acronym changed from BRIC to BRICS. Indeed, the first BRIC meeting took place in Yekaterinburg on 16 June 2009, a date generally considered as the founding date of the group. South Africa became a full member at the BRIC Foreign Ministers meeting held in September 2010 in New York.

The importance of the group is first explained by the fact that all the five countries account for 42% of the global population. They also account for more than 31% of the world’s GDP. Thus, the economic size of the BRICS and the objective of seeking to replace the current international monetary system has become a major source of economic threat to the US-led Western world. The United States has been more threatened because, one of its most reliable and important allies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, has also been reported to be seeking membership of the BRICS. More disturbingly, the BRICS wants to replace the dollarization of international economic relations with another currency.

Perhaps more importantly, when the relationship of each Member State of the BRICS with one another is considered, it can be observed that East-West alliance is being re-defined by force majeure, Africa’s dependence on the West is also gradually being redefined. In fact, Russia-South African ties are now more threatening to the United States, an important trading partner of South Africa. The same is true of the entente between China and Russia, especially in light of the implications of the RussianUkrainian war which have become the main centrifugal factor in BRICS relations with the United States. The United States frowns at any relationship with Russia that strengthens Russia’s military power to the detriment of Ukraine, but also that can bring shame to US efforts in the war. In this particular case, South Africa is on record to have been hobnobbing with Russia in the areas of joint military exercises and supplies of arms and weapons, a case the South African government has technically denied and promising to investigate. Regardless of the denial, the matter has already led to a diplomatic row that the United States is currently also finding difficult to handle.

South Africa and Russian Cooperation

South African and Russian relations have been generally warm for three main reasons. First was the role played by the former Soviet Union and particularly the Russians during the anti-apartheid war. It should be recalled that in 1896, the Transvaal Republic established ties with Russia and that the national anthem of the Transvaal, ‘Transvaal, Transvaal, My Country,’ was frequently played by Russian orchestra. Besides, various committees were created to raise money for the Transvaal in addition to the many church services that offered prayers for a British defeat.

Russian support for South Africa has been better explained in the observation made by a British historian, R. W. Johnson:‘Russian conservatives were pro-Boer not only for the usual nationalist antiBritish reasons, but because they thought the Boers were like the best sort of Russians – Conservative, rural, Christian folk resisting the invasion of their land by foreign (especially Jewish) capitalists.’ What is particularly noteworthy about the foregoing quotation is the aspect of Christian folk resisting capitalist invasion. Even though the opposition elements in South Africa were hostile to communism in South Africa, Russian relations with South Africa still remained generally cordial until the dismantlement of apartheid in 1994.

In support of the anti-apartheid struggle, Russia withdrew its ambassador following the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960. More interestingly, during the South Africa Border War, the Russians not only supplied arms but also trained the SWAPO and the

MPLA fighters. In fact, following glasnost and perestroika and the eventual demise of the Soviet Union, South Africa recognised the Russian Federation in December 1991. This was followed by the establishment of diplomatic missions on 28th February, 1992. By so doing, South Africa became the first African country to establish diplomatic ties with the Russian Federation.

Secondly, The Russian Federation, particularly under the current president, Vladimir Putin, has one foreign policy objective of taking out South Africa from the orbital influence of the US-led western world, surely in an attempt to undermine US influence and interests in Africa. And true enough, Russian supportive attitude towards South Africa is part of the initial strategy to increase Russian presence in Africa. When this objective is likened to the Chinese objective in seeking to strengthen better relations with South Africa, the primary strategic interest is to use South Africa as means of strengthening Chinese quest to establish a naval base and active presence in the Indian Ocean. This strategy has an ultimate objective of containing the Americans in the South China Sea in the event of military hostilities over Taiwan. These are some of the untold strategic calculations behind the formation of the BRICS.

And true enough, in response to the official visit of President Nelson Mandela to Russia in April 1999, President Putin visited South Africa in 2006. Thereafter, South Africa began to distance itself from the hostile activities of the US and its allies toward Libya after the death of Muammar Gaddafi. And true again, South Africa joined the BRICS in 2010 with the active support of the Russian Federation. Within this context, military understanding and cooperation increased substantially under President Jacob Zuma. Closer ties were developed with the South African Security apparatus. For example, members of the South African State Security Agency travelled to Russia for special training.

Thirdly, South Africa wants to build its own satellite surveillance capabilities with Russian assistance, but this strategic

The punitive measures being taken against Russia by the European Union cannot but become useless if Russia wins the war. So, in the event of a similar Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the Russian experience will not be anything new. Explained differently, China prefers to be a silent supporter of Russians in her invasion of Ukraine. China is remaining silent to learn lessons from international politics of the war, and then use the lessons to prepare for likely worst scenarios in the event there is war over the future of Taiwan. Meanwhile, there is nothing to suggest that the Chinese authorities want to bend their position. Beijing is quietly insisting that Taiwan must remain a part of Mainland China. Whether tactical nuclear weapons will be used by Russia to defeat Ukraine and also used by China in the event of a war over Taiwan, it is only time that will tell. What can be said as of today is that the conflict in Ukraine is deepening. The increasing support given to Ukraine by the European Union is unnecessarily strengthening Ukrainians to suffer the more for a longer time. If the Europeans want to fight Russia, the fight should not be by proxy. They should take the battle directly to the doorsteps of Kremlin. Using Ukraine as an instrument for military experimentations is a direct threat to the maintenance of international peace and security. As it is today, Russia, because of the European support for Ukraine, has not been able to defeat Ukraine, thus creating a military lull. As such, the natural question is quo vadis? When and where is the next manifestation of the Russo-American and Ssssssino-American proxy war? Where will South Africa be in all these? Again time will tell

objective cannot be achieved by working with the United States against Russia. This is a matter of protection of the national interest which underlies the current misunderstanding and irritant in the South Africa-American relations. It cannot but be illogical to expect South African hostility vis-à-vis Russia if Jacob Zuma was frequently going to Russia for medical treatment. It cannot but be also absurd for President Zuma to have successfully struck a deal for a $100bn nuclear power plant with Russia and for Western observers to expect South African hostility towards Russia.

This is why the US attitude towards South Africa on the issue of joint military exercises between Russia and South Africa, on the one hand, and among Russia, China and South Africa, on the other, should be seen as an exaggeration and an unnecessary attack on the political sovereignty of South Africa. Without any jot of doubt, Russia’s Admiral Gorshkov frigate arrived in Richards Bay on February 20, 2023 with sporting war symbols. And expectedly, the deployment of hypersonic missile Zircon-armed frigate warranted condemnation by Ukraine and western allies. It was against this background that in May 2023, the US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigetty, had to accuse South Africa of arming Russia, alleging that weapons were actually loaded onto a Russian commercial vehicle, the Lady R, which was docked at a naval base in Simon’s Town in December 2022.

As explained by Ambassador Brigetty at a press conference,‘we would like South Africa to start practising its non-alignment policy.’ This statement is quite interestingly from two perspectives. First, the United States does not want South Africa to be aligned with the Russians but is not against South Africa’s alignment with the United States and its allies. This necessarily makes a non-sense of the notion of non-alignment. Non-alignment cannot be invalid for one and made valid for another. This brings us to the second perspective, the real meaning of non-alignment at the level of intra-African and Africa’s external relations.

The origin of Non-alignment policy is traceable to the founding fathers, Sukarno of Indonesia, Jawaharla Nehru of India, Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. Non-alignment policy is actually a principle predicated on five pillars of mutual respect, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in domestic affairs, sovereign equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. The principle of peaceful co-existence still requires the non-use of force to settle disputes: diplomacy, reconciliation processes, arbitration, negotiation, judicial approach, adjudication, etc., are recommended rather than use of force.

The objectives of non-alignment policy are to enable maintenance of peace, promotion of economic growth, nipping in the bud colonialism and imperialism, opposition to military alliance and acquisition of nuclear weapons, protection of human rights, and assist the United Nations in the maintenance of global peace. But in this regard, what really is the meaning of non-alignment? Is it that, in absolute terms, there should not be alignment? Speaking grosso modo, many observers believe that non-alignment is about not taking side with disputants. This is not always the case.

From the example of Nigeria, non-alignment policy is the exercise of political sovereignty to decide whether to align or not to align. The decision to align must be a resultant from the need to protect the national interest. Aligning or not aligning is therefore a function of national interest needs. Consequently, the long-term implication of the request and advice of US Ambassador Brigetty is nothing more than an encouragement to South Africa to seek the protection of its own national interest. Put differently, nothing can be wrong if Russian and Chinese vessels docked at the Richard Bay Port in South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal Province for a ten-day joint military exercise beginning on 20th February, 2023. As rightly observed by many, the joint military exercises coincide with the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The joint exercises also appear to be more significant diplomatically because it was on 28th February, 1992 that Russo-South African diplomatic ties were established. Thus, it is a general week of anniversaries.

Russo-American Cold War

Sooner than later, the Russo-American cold war cannot but have the potential to be transformed into a hot war. The beginning of the transformation is, in fact, the current Russian-Ukraine war. US foreign policy interest is not simply to promote democracy, defend capitalism and human rights, and ensure economic vibrancy in the United States, but particularly to tell the whole world about the superiority of western civilisation, and the unsurpassed greatness of the American people. In other words, the United States sees itself as the leader of the world and wants to be seen and considered as the primus inter pares.

True, following the end of World War II, the former Soviet Union and the United States emerged as the two most powerful countries in the world. To differentiate the two of them from other great powers, the use of‘superpowers’was reserved for them. Following the dismantlement of the Soviet Union, only the United States remains and the most critical challenge for the United States is how to continue to sustain the status of the only superpower. Professor Jean-Baptiste Duroselle of the University of Paris 1, Pantheon-Sorbonne has argued that ‘tout empire périra,’ that is, ‘every empire shall perish.’This means that there cannot but be an end to the United States’ leadership of the world.

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Putin smiles with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa

Appointments: Beyond the Stampede at the Entrance

This is political appointments season. It is also a season of migrations to Abuja and the various state capitals where there are new governors and overlords. It is the season of intense shoving and jostling for choicegovernmentpositions.Predictably,there isavirtualstampedeattheentrancedoorofthe new administrations at federal and state levels.

Most hotels in Abuja and some state capitals are fully occupied. Hotel lobbies are brimming with all manner of fringe politicians and their appendages. Smart lobbyists are also making a kill in fees and back pocket payments from desperate job seekers. All manner of resumes are flying around just as lobbyists are having a hardtime.Inanationofgiftedartists,siftingplain idiots from the few who have anything to offer can be tough.

Itismostlyanelitegame.Theeliteisliterallyon bended knees at the feet of new political deities andmenofpower.Itisunderstandable.InNigeria’s peculiar ecosystem, politics is almost the only industry with guaranteed funding and almost instant returns.

As the hustling rages, the common folk who trooped out to vote at the polls in February and March have since moved on. Their hope and expectation is that the new leadership will use good people to do good things for the people. There lies the importance of this appointments season in the unfolding culture of democratic succession and seasonal renewals. But we need to put the season of stampede into context.

Since 1999, democracy has delivered two predictable dividends in Nigeria. There is now a fairlypredictablecalendarofnationaldemocratic succession rituals. There is above all the rise and consolidationofaclearpoliticalindustrycomplete with all the features of a real industrial complex in a free market.

Imperfections and disfigurements notwithstanding, we now have a fair idea of what must happen in the political industry every election seasonoffour-yearcycles.Thenoisycampaigns.

The festival of rallies and mob assemblies. The pageantofpoliticiansingarishrobeswhoaddress mobsofstarvingilliteratesinEnglish.Theparade of aspiring messiahs and the reduction of our national hopes into party marketing slogans. Thereareofcoursethefewgoodmenandwomen driven by good intentions and lofty ideals. After the elections, the mournful processions of losersandtheircrashingambitionsdrownedbythe drums of triumphant winners heading towards immense power, wealth and glory.

It is not just democracy as a desirable imperative of nation being that is coming to stay. Thereisamorefundamentaldevelopment.Like elsewhere in the ‘free’ world, the rituals of post election succession now taking place in Nigeria formpartoftheseasonalworshipofsomething no one wants to call its real name. The deity in season is the goddess of the political industry. The season of appointments is the time for the selectionofthemanagersandmessengerswho will preside over the state for at least another four years.

There is perhaps nothing to be prudish about this. It is only natural that those who worked for the electoral victory of the new overlords should expect compensation through this seasonal bazaar of appointments. But there is a logic to it all. You cannot have a free, open liberal political system without its corresponding economic equivalent. The ethos of the open marketeconomydictatesthatthepoliticalorder alsopartakesofthemannersofthemarketplace. Or, better still, the political order must carry the imprints of its enabling economic environment. Open society, open market, free wheeling, dealing and stampede in appointments and trade in lucrative positions. Nothing out of the ordinary!

So, our politics has become a full- fledged industrial sub sector, a gigantic trading floor. Votes and alliances are bought and sold freely. Evenpersonalintegrityhasapricetagandisupfor sale. Politicalpartiesarerunmorelikejointstock companies.Intheseparties,nominationformsfor contestsforhighpoliticalofficesattractgigantic ‘market determined’ price tags (N100 million for the last APC presidential ticket)! The prices are fixed by captains of the political industry and determined by the anticipated returns on the initial ‘investment ‘ recoverable in the form of pork and patronage when the ‘food’ of electoral

victory ‘is ready’.

Beyond this drama, the real dividend of democracy for the practitioners may be the emergence of a political industry that remains largely unregulated. Yet, politics and politicians regulate and direct every other aspect of our lives. The political industry through its control of the mechanics of government is the ultimate allocator of wealth, opportunity and privilege. It owns and controls the public sector through the complexmachineryoftheadministrativestate.It alsoindirectlycontrolstheprivatesectorthrough regulatoryinstitutionslikethestockexchangeand the Central Bank in addition to frequent legislative disruptions and interventions. The political industry has a monopoly of the awesome power of pork, patronage and elaborate rents.

As the political enterprise has blossomed into an industry, a big question has arisen: who regulates the political industry? This question has become urgent and necessary as the nation reels under a prevalent and crippling deficit of competence, accountability and responsibility amongkeycaptainsandoperativesofthenation’s power and politics complex. The appointments will be made all right. All manner of miscreants and a few people of honour will be named and swornintopositionsbearingfancytitlesandlofty appellations.Butthenationanditsgoverningstate will remain static.

Appointments into our political industry are mostlynotreallyaboutcompetenceandefficiency. Itismostlyaboutfillingslotsandextendingpatronage. This industry is an expansive all- dominating industry. It is a manpower dominant industry, employing a huge army of people with their own extendedfamilyofhangersonandsubordinates. It is equally an influence driven industry. Most importantly,thisisanindustrythatcontrolsevery otherindustry,regulatingtheenvironmentinwhich others practice, thrive or wither.

The political industry is a super ordinate behemoth, one that determines its own rules and regulations, sets its own entry requirements, procedures and performance standards. For the nation at large, the choice of who leads us is vested in the political parties which act as insular clearing houses for the political industry.

We can only guess the precise size of this industry when we estimate the sheer number of electiveandappointiveofficesandtheircorrelates that have featured in the political cycles since 1999. There are at any given time, the President, Vice President, about 36-42 ministers, 30-100 presidential advisers (special, senior special, plenipotentiary etc), 109 Senators, 360 House of Representative members (add at least 500 legislative aides), 36 Governors, 36 Deputy gov-

ernors, about 540 commissioners, about 1,000 plus members of state houses of assembly, 776 local government chairmen, 9,288 councillors. There are probably more to count!

Takethetotalemoluments,allowances,perquisites, paraphernalia and benefits of all political officeholdersatthevariouslevelsofgovernment andyoubegintoimaginetheexpanse,size,capital and recurrent costs of the political industry. A recent industry market survey has determined that official Nigeria alone buys more Japanese SUVs every four years than all the desert safari companies of the Gulf Arab states put together!

Mostimportantly,thecaptainsofthisarmyof political officialdom are responsible for determining the national, state and local government budgets.Theyallocatetheresources,appropriate the funds and expend same on behalf of all of us!

Yetsomehow,politicsmanagestodisguiseits industrial scope and status by focusing public attentiononthemythandritualofdemocracyand ‘service to the people’. This is further decorated with the rhetoric of representative government and public service. Sometimes, politicians have focusedattentiononthegamingaspectofpolitics, playing it more like a vicious but unserious sport. A few honest political animals will come close to admittingtheirroleas‘players’inanall-important industry devoted to serving a nebulous client called ‘the people’.

But we can temporarily forget the myth of servicetothepeopleandfocusonthecontrolling powersofthepoliticalindustryanditsoperators on the rest of society. As leaders and controllers of the mechanics of government, politicians as captains of their unique industry determine the basic outlines of our lives and livelihood as private and corporate citizens. They determine your access to basic services, how much you will pay as tax and what will be left for you and your family.Theydeterminehowmuchyouwillpayfor darknesspunctuatedbyelectricity,thequalityof teachers that your children will be saddled with, what your essential drug will cost, how many toll gates will dot your way to your village as well as the size of your retirement pension if any.

Some people endlessly trumpet the relative independence and awesome powers of the privatesector.Theargumentpretendsasthough the private sector is a self -driving machine of progress, a counterweight to an overbearing public political domain. That is false.

It is the political industry and their control of the machinery of government that creates the legislative and general macro economic regulatoryenvironmentinwhichtheprivatesectorcan evenoperate.Eventheboldestandmostmassive private sector investment and initiative can be

neutralizedovernightbyacasualregulatorytwist by the political establishment.

The political industry also happens to be the most attractive and profitable sector of the economy. It guarantees an out of this world return on investment. It powers the creation of new social classes at a rate that would make anybusinessentrepreneurbluewithenvy.Itused to be the belief that education or entrepreneurship are the quickest routes out of poverty. Not anymore. The political industry is the only one in whichadestitutecanleapfrogintothebillionaires club in less than four years. A local government councilor or chairman can transmute, in a very short time, from a miserable jobless pauper into anuppermiddleclassposterboycruisingaround in fancy cars, living it up in five star hotels and jetting around the globe.

This is precisely because the main unofficial economic activity of the political industry is rent seekingandrentsharing.Thisisacomplementto the allocation of pork as well as the privatization ofconstituencybenefits.InNigeria,politicaloffice holderstendtobestateofficialsinthedayandrent seekers and pork administrators at night. Due to the preoccupation with rents, a political city like Abuja is easily the most expensive piece of real estate anywhere on the African soil. Property pricesandrentalsaswellasthegeneralpricelevels for luxury goods tend to bear no relationship to the value of the item on sale.

This is not peculiar to Abuja. It tends to apply to most political capitals in the world. In the United States for instance, of the ten most expensive neighborhoodsnationwide,fiveareinWashington DC.Inarentseekingeconomy,theproceedscome from an invisible trade in favours, influences and connections up to the highest level.

Likeeveryotherindustry,ourpoliticalindustry has a monopoly of its own recruitment and entry requirements. The strengths and defects in the systemareshowcasedbytheperformanceofthe leaders of today especially our imperious state governors. In all fairness, the system has also thrown up a few good men and women.

Fromthismixedbagofpossibilities,thequestion that therefore arises is this: Are the captains of thepoliticalindustryaspecialinteresteliteorjust strange bed fellows? Are they recognizable by certain features beyond their garish costumes andhumongousSUVs?Isthereaunityofpurpose, a solidarity of ways and means or some esprit de jouer among them as political players?

Let us make no mistake about it. Politics everywhere is about the allocation of pork and portfolios of patronage among contending political elites. But in admitting this truism, there is an overarching moral question. Where does enlightened self interest stop and the pursuit of the public good begin? The Nigerian collective mind is haunted by the imbalance between the instant prosperity of political office holders and the abject poverty of the general populace who vote at elections. Worse still, the poor quality of social service delivery to the public is a constant glaringindictmentofthequalityandcompetence ofthosewhojostleforpublicofficesinthecountry.

For the political leadership of the country, therefore, there is a pressing burden in this appointment season. It is that of appointing ‘fit and proper’ persons to ensure the highest level of service delivery to the public in all spheres of government responsibility.

Currently,ourseasonalpoliticalappointments tend to replicate the same embarrassing incompetence that the public has come to associate with government presence in our lives. That has fuelledatraditionofpublicapathyandcongenital cynicismaboutgovernmentamongthepopulace.

But there is a way out. Appointments to strategic government positions in areas that drive service delivery and the overall efficiency of the state must be guided by merit. Politicians should appease themselves with private sector support and patronage. The core of national trained manpower and technocracy should fill the positions that drive a functioning republic. This should be the guiding spirit of this season of mass appointments into key public offices. The current crowding of the entrances of the corridors of power in a mass quest for mostly unmerited government positions (‘jobs for the boys and girls’!) should be abandoned.

Let the core machinery of the state be run by the best among us while politicians can reward themselvesinotherwaysforenablingandsustaining a functioning republic.

Tinubu

the story has changed. Both the employee and the employer are required, under the CPS, to save towards pension. The savings are invested and they yield decent returns. In essence, pension is now reliant on actual savings and payment of retirement benefits is no longer at the mercy of budgets. Only the retirees coming from under the old defined benefit system are still tied to budgetary provisions, but there is a sunset clause which will kick in with the payment of the last employee on that scheme. A transition phase, managed by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), was put in place to cater for this category of retirees.

What has happened over the last two decades, therefore, is that the pension industry has moved from negative to positive. Pension assets are now well over N15 trillion. The industry has become a major subsector of the economy, funding public infrastructural projects via government securities, and this is to say nothing about the number of fund administrators, custodians and employees that now operate there, or the impact of the regular payments of different benefits to millions of contributors. We are enjoying stability and predictability under the contributory scheme, although retirees under the old defined scheme cannot say the same thing because of the revenue crisis.

It is fair to say that the harm to the pension reform did not start under Buhari. The first major misstep was excluding the armed forces and the intelligence agencies when the Pension Reform Act, 2004, was re-enacted in 2014. The excuse for the exclusion was that because of the nature of their job, their identities needed to be protected. This makes perfect sense. You cannot have the sensitive information of the operatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) stored with a private Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). The best way out was to allow them to have their own

JUNE 12 MEMORIES

Where were you on June 12, 1993? I was in Ogbomoso for my NYSC. Actually, I was spending the weekend with my cousins in nearby Ilorin. I could not vote in the presidential poll, which 30th anniversary is tomorrow, since I was registered in Lagos. I initially supported Alhaji Bashir Tofa, candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), because the Social Democratic Party (SDP) fielded a Muslim-Muslim ticket. After watching his TV debate with Bashorun MKO Abiola, the SDP candidate, I felt like an idiot. The gap was clear, sentiments apart. I switched my support to Abiola instantly. My friend, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made fun of me. Abiola won. Election was annulled. And Nigeria went into a crippling six-year crisis full of sorrow, tears and blood. Reminiscences.

PFAs and remain under CPC but they were returned to the defined scheme.

This suggested that the issue was not just about protecting the identities of the operatives but principally to revive the troubled but “juicier” old scheme. The CPS is seen as yielding low returns (which could be true but I will come to this shortly). The defined scheme does not require contributions from the employees, most of whom will retire with full benefits. That, in my opinion, has led to the frenzied campaign to exit the contributory scheme. With the exclusion of the military and intelligence agencies granted in principle by Jonathan even before the PRA 2004 was re-enacted in 2014, the police force too began to agitate for exit, claiming to also have “special circumstances”.

As a form of compromise, Jonathan approved that the police should have their own PFA but still operating the contributory scheme — which was what he should have done for the military and intelligence agencies in the first place. The police agitation did not stop. The next move was that they came out clearly saying they must exit the contributory scheme and return to the defined system. All kinds of bills were sponsored thereafter, but they all failed because the case was weak. In July 2012, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who was then the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), had to write to Mr MD Abubakar, then inspector general of police (IGP), to perish the thought.

Mr Boss Mustapha, who has just left as the SGF, also wrote to the current IGP, Mr Mohammed Adamu, in July 2022 when the latest round of lobbying started, maintaining that police would continue under the CPS. He reminded Adamu that the White Paper on the report of the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalization of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies (the Oronsaye Committee) had barred Federal Government retirees from opting out of the CPS. Nonetheless,

the lobbying intensified at the National Assembly, culminating in the passage of the Police Pension Board Bill on June 6. The House of Reps had quietly passed it before the Senate. Under Buhari, the retired heads of the service and permanent secretaries had also, through presidential fiat, opted out of the CPS. Mr Abubakar Malami, as attorney-general, countered a previous legal advice from his office which had said an exemption was illegal. Anybody familiar with government workings knows how easy it is to get the legal advice that would favour you. It is one of the several malaises injuring Nigeria and pushing us into endless judicial liabilities all over the world. But I digress. Common sense dictates that we should not disrupt a system that is yielding so many positive results, but if we really had common sense, Nigeria would not be like this in the first place. The argument of the police, and other agencies who are trying to exit or have exited the contributory scheme, is that pension accumulation is low under the CPS. They say what they get as lump sum payment when they retire is not juicy enough and the subsequent annuity or programmed withdrawals are pittance. Also, they would rather not contribute one kobo towards their own pension. Rather, the employer should take full responsibility. Ironically, I have no argument against this. I myself would like to get a good pension when I retire. That is rational choice. Why should any normal human being prefer N100,000 to N150,000 except “village people” are on her case?

However, the law already takes care of all these concerns and complaints. Employers are allowed to contribute 100 percent on behalf of their employees. Also, employers are not restricted on how much they can pay as “lump sum” for gratuity when their employees retire. It is an open cheque. The

And Four Other Things…

REMOVAL PALAVER

The removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu appears to be fait accompli, at least judging by the way the unions have reacted so far. They have shelved proposed strikes and seem to be in a mood for jaw jaw. I’m aware there are those opposing the policy purely for political reasons, but it seems the arguments for and against the removal of the subsidy have become so familiar that they have become jaded. We’ve been saying the same things for 40 years, so there is hardly anything new to say. The major difference today is that we just cannot afford the bill. We have a debt of N77 trillion. If we were awash with money, we could debate whether or not to subsidise petrol. Simple.

JUNE 12: IN DEMOCRACY, WE TRUST...

blunders it covered, considering that the elections it organised in March, this year, were, to cast them mildly, catastrophic, without electronic transmission of the results nor an uncontested overall outcome, the courts being up till now reviewing the complaints of key political, aggrieved, figures of the process.

June 12 being celebrated as democracy day reminds us that much is yet to be done to take us to the Holy Grail. One of the key deliverables that must be met, as soon as possible, is the emergence of a powerful, ethical, with character, competence and capacity, credibility, class of new leaders poised to transforming politics as we know it until now as a dirty and fraudulent, corrupt, project to the great loss of Nigeria and other African nations.

In the midst of this darkness still clogging its societal prospects, let us not be pessimistic. Lighting up a candle is the urgent action to maintain hope in the spirit of what mobilized the Nigerian people following the June 12 disaster when all Nigerians coalesced with a motto: Never again!

Out of that chaos started off the current, soul-searching and pragmatic, evidence-based, attempts at democracy

consolidation. We have a long way to go, but, like a Chinese proverb posits, “the longest journey begins with a first step”. That is where one should heed the calls following an in-depth academic and empirical research by Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, the former Nigerian Minister of Education and World Bank Africa VicePresident, the new FixPolitics Movement, started off in Nigeria, now reaching my own Senegal, before being deployed on a Pan African level, comes in not just as a response to Nigeria’s democratic deficits but to the whole of Africa’s...

The future is not of doom and gloom despite the hard times we are in. It is bright. For, in democracy, we trust, and yes, while the whole continent of Africa is watching, Nigeria has no other option, but to put its democratic ambitions on track. We can do that!

•Gaye, a Senegalese Author and media practitioner, former Director of Communication of ECOWAS, coined the concept Nigeria, Democr acy Day, in many international newspapers, on May 29, 1999, as he acted as the Media Adviser for the Transition to Civilian Rule in Nigeria. He is the Convener of FixPolitics Senegal.

NORTHERN SWEEPSTAKES

Left to some northern politicians, the next senate president and speaker will be Muslims and northerners. That means the top five in the nation’s hierarchy will be an all-Muslim affair. I do not know how some politicians think, but the last thing on their minds appears to be national cohesion and promotion of diversity in our multi-cultural society. They care about personal or group benefits above the overall peace and unity that we badly need in Nigeria. As far as they are concerned, Nigeria can go to blazes — as long they can achieve their personal goals and ambitions. Sadly, if trouble starts, we will all suffer the consequences as we have seen in the last eight years. Selfish.

National Pension Commission (PenCom), which regulates the pension industry, has said this a million times. Retirees can get lump sums and active workers can get some benefits too. So, what problem is the National Assembly trying to solve? Approving all these exits and piling up more liabilities on a government with already strained finances and a fiscal blackhole is not smart, anyway we look at it.

If we were a country where common sense had any impact on policy making, someone in the National Assembly would have asked: how much will this new bill add to public expenditure? Where will the money come from? Nigeria currently has a debt of N77 trillion. We are using almost all our revenue to service debts and this is likely to get worse down the line. The last thing is to add to the debts without thinking of the revenue. Yet, we are creating new agencies every day and making new laws that will worsen things. Where the money will come from is nobody’s business. We are never tired of creating problems for the present and future generations. That is how we are wired.

My conclusion is that if the police and National Assembly staff, or other public servants, want improved pensions, there is no need to pull out of the CPS. The law allows their employers to scale up their own contributions and to also provide sizeable gratuity as lump sum payments. This will still be cheaper on the public treasury. But when public agencies know that exiting the CPS is easy if they can play the right game with the lawmakers, it is just a matter of time for them to sponsor bills to be exempted too. I, therefore, appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to work out a compromise in the interest of all stakeholders. This is one of the biggest and most consequential reforms in the last 24 years. We must protect it. Undermining pension reform will hurt everyone: if not now, then later.

EMEFIELE’S EXIT

I had just finished writing my article for the week when news broke that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had suspended Mr Godwin Emefiele as the CBN governor. Let’s be honest: it was always going to happen. It was just a matter of when. Minus the political differences between Tinubu and Emefiele, every new president would always want a new CBN governor because of the need to align ideas. There is still a debate on if a president should be able to suspend a CBN governor since the bank is supposed to be politically insulated. I won’t be surprised if there are fresh legal challenges after Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi abandoned the case over his suspension in 2014. Watching.

Tinubu

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Rodri’s Strike Hands Man City Treble, Ends Champions League Title Drought

Manchester City’s long quest to win the Champions League finally ended in 1-0 triumph against Inter Milan in Istanbul as Pep Guardiola’s side completed the Treble last night.

After winning the Premier League and FA Cup, City emulated Manchester United’s triple trophy haul in 1999 as they became only the second English club to achieve the feat after Rodri’s crisp 68th-minute strike settled an attritional final.

Guardiola’s all-conquering side were never at their best against a brilliantly organised Inter and had to cope with the loss of Kevin de Bruyne to injury in the first half.

But the massed ranks of City fans inside Ataturk Stadium did not care about that as they joyously celebrated the greatest night - and season - in the club’s history.

And for Guardiola, it seals his status as one of the managerial greats as he added a third Champions League to the two he won at Barcelona, the last coming in 2011.

This was never the walkover many predicted and City had to survive a few scares when Federico Dimarco’s header bounced off the bar and Ederson made a stunning late save to deny Romelu Lukaku but ultimately this was all about the victory.

The Champions League had brought suffering to City and Guardiola - especially when they lost to Premier League rivals Chelsea in the 2021 final - but all the pain disappeared just before midnight on a sultry night in Istanbul.

City survived late anxiety, especially when Inter substitute Lukaku headed straight at Ederson with the goal at his mercy, but there was an explosion of joy on the pitch and in the stands at Ataturk Stadium as they finally secured the giant trophy that has remained so elusively beyond their grasp for so long.

Guardiola said, whether it was fair or not, that his time at Manchester City would be judged on whether he was able to bring the Champions League to the club. Now that judgement can be made.

The Catalan, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, will now be an iconic figure at City as well as Barcelona.

Manchester City players celebrating Manchester their first-ever Champions League their first-ever victory last night last

Enyimba, Rivers Utd in NPL Winner- Takes-All Battle to Crown NPL Champions

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Rivers United and Enyimba International have so much at stake this afternoon as curtain falls on the title deciding Nigeria Premier League Championship Super 6 Playoffs in Lagos.

Both teams are tied on the top of the log on eight points apiece with the Elephant of Aba ahead on goals difference.

With N100million prize money plus ticket to CAF Champions League on the line, it certainly promises to be a bruising battle this afternoon at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena at the Onikan Water front in Lagos.

Aside Enyimba and Rivers United, Remo Stars on six points who have a date with Bendel Insurance are waiting in the wing to profit from any slip that may happen should both Enyimba and Rivers United play draw.

The Ikenne club can still emerge champions despite trailing the front runners should the unexpected happen in the fixture between Enyimba and Rivers United. That miracle can only happen if draw specialist, Bendel Insurance whose

unbeaten 21-game run ended against Enyimba last Friday succumb to defeat to the Ikenne team.

This is the first time in a very long while that the Nigerian topflight league is going down to the wire to decide the winner. It is a great testimony to the beautiful work that the Gbenga Elegbeleye-led Interim Management Committee has done this season to turn around the NPL.

Before last Friday, Rivers United were temporarily at the top until Enyimba put up a commanding performance to beat Sunshine Stars 3-0.

On Friday, the Match-day 4 high noon clash had pitched for the first time this season, Group A winners, Rivers United and Group B table toppers, Bendel Insurance.

With both sides drawing their Match-day 3 games, coming into their Friday schedule, the first 45mins was cagey until Maurice Chukwu put Rivers United in front in added time, with the last kick after clinically dispatching his strike into the roof of the net off a corner kick which Bendel Insurance failed to clear.

Not to be deterred, the Benin Arsenal took the battle to the defending champions but had nothing to show for it despite the introduction of Vincent Augustus, Imade Osarenkhoe and Efe Aghama.

Like they did in the first period, the Stanley Eguma led side again scored late into the second half after a counter attacking run paid off with two substitutes, Ukeme Williams and Onoja Joseph combining with the unmarked Onoja Joseph slamming home a cut back from Williams.

Divine Nwachukwu, on a day he received his Super Eagles call up rose the highest in the box to nod home a cross from Vincent Augustus in what will only serve as a consolation for the boys in yellow.

The 2-1 defeat ensured a halt to Bendel Insurance’s 21 match unbeaten run in the 2022/23 NPFL season.

It also saw Bendel Insurance lose a match in the NPFL for the first time since they lost to Rivers United in 2019. It was the first time they faced Rivers United since the defeat at the Sharks Stadium in May 2019.

How They Stand (After Match-day

THE PERMUTATIONS FOR THE WINNER

SCENE 1

*If Remo Stars defeat Bendel Insurance by a lone goal, the Ikenne team will end up with 9 points.

*Should Enyimba vs Rivers Utd end in a draw, Remo Stars will be second on the log and grab the CAF Champions League slot.

SCENE 2

*I Remo Stars beat Bendel Insurance 2-0, either 1-1 or 0-0 draw between Enyimba and Rivers Utd will end up with Remo Stars winning the league title.

SCENE 3

If Remo Stars beat Bendel Insurance, and there’s a winner

between Enyimba and Rivers Utd then Remo Stars will be 2nd on the log.

SCENE 4 If Bendel Insurance beats Remo Stars 2-0 then the possibility of the Benin Arsenal picking the slot to the CAF Confederation Cup is sure as the third placed team on the final log.

SCENE 5 If Remo Stars draw against Insurance, the Kunle Soname Boys will pick the third placed slot and the ticket to the CAF Confederation competition with both Enyimba and Rivers United qualifying for the CAF Champions League.

Swiatek Overcomes Muchova to Win Third French Open Title

Iga Swiatek maintained her recent grip on the French Open by fighting past Karolina Muchova to win her third Roland Garros title in four years.

The top seed was the heavy favourite to beat 43rd-ranked Muchova, but had to dig deep to win 6-2 5-7 6-4.

Czech player Muchova, 26, broke for 4-3 in the decider, but Poland’s Swiatek, 22, finished strongly to triumph.

Swiatek, who has now won four Grand Slams, is the first woman to defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007.

“It wasn’t an easy match. It

was a pretty intense last few weeks,” said world number one Swiatek, who dropped the lid off the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen seconds after collecting the trophy.

“I am just really happy. I never really focus on the records. I just do my best every day.”

Muchova - told to quit last year by doctors because of injuries - showed remarkable resolve to fight back from a set and 3-0 down, not only making a contest of what had been a one-sided match but moving to within two service holds of a first major title.

However, after immediately

being unable to back up the break as Swiatek levelled for 4-4, Muchova ended up losing in one of the cruellest possible ways by producing a double fault on her opponent’s first match point.

Swiatek instantly dropped her racquet and dropped to her haunches, bursting into tears on the court before hugging Muchova when she came around the net.

As Swiatek ran up to the stands to celebrate with her team - like she did after winning 12 months ago - Muchova sat in her chair contemplating what

might have been.

Muchova received a rapturous standing ovation when she went to collect her runners-up prize, which led to her being overcome with emotion.

“It was so close yet so far. That’s what happens when you play one of the best in Iga,” she said.

Swiatek, who has won a seventh title in 16 clay-court tournaments, had not dropped a set at Roland Garros this yearnor in any of her three previous major finals - until Muchova took the match into a decider.

Iga Swiatek swept aside Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to win the women’s singles event of the 2023 French Open on Saturday afternoon

Kwankwaso to Ganduje

“I heard that he (Ganduje) said he would’ve slapped me, but I’m here. He was just confused. These are all my boys politically. They can’t even look at me straight in the face if we meet ” – Presidential candidate of NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, dismissing the threat by former Governor Ganduje to slap him.

SIMON KOLAWOLE

SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com,

Killing Pension Reform Softly and Steadily

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the Senate concurred with the House of Reps in taking the extremely backsliding step of passing the Bill for the Establishment of Police Pension Board. Senate President Ahmad Lawan would later boast that President Muhammadu Buhari signed more than 100 bills in four years. He waved that in our face as if it was a contender for Guinness World Record. That usually happens when you take quantity for quality and do not understand the harmful impact of some of your actions on national economic health. By exempting the police from the contributory pension scheme (CPS), the lawmakers have continued in the path of taking us to the next level of fiscal crisis. It did not start with the Police Pension Board. A few hours to Buhari’s departure from the Presidential Villa, he had signed one of Lawan’s “100 bills” — the National Assembly Service Pensions Board (Establishment) Bill — into law. The law also exempts the employees of the National Assembly from the contributory pension scheme. Essentially, the National Assembly has kick-started the death of the revolutionary pension reform

Police IG, Alkali Baba

launched by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004. If we stand by and fold our arms, the outcome will be more devastating than the pension crisis that Nigerian retirees lived with for decades before the reform by Obasanjo. We are heading for the abyss.

ADAMA GAYE

GUEST COLUMNIST

That Nigeria has a serious leadership problem is known all over the world, but it seems we are moving from one low to another in many aspects. At least, if you cannot improve upon an idea, don’t destroy it. If you cannot make pension reform better,

don’t make it worse. When Nigeria ran the defined benefit scheme (DBS) — which placed the entire pension responsibility on the government — it worked until we ran into a prolonged revenue crisis that meant budgets could no longer be funded. Retirees saw hell before their death. The introduction of the contributory system spread the burden of pension across board and ended the era of waiting for insufficient budgetary releases. The amazing thing about Nigeria, for me, is how we try to fix what is not broken. When public pensions were the sole responsibility of the government, we were left in arrears of about N2.5 trillion as at 2004, by some estimates. Retired public servants were frustrated. Some regretted ever serving their country. You would not blame them. The truth, however, was that Nigeria had a revenue problem and it always so happened that pension payment was never a main concern. With a revenue crisis, some items would always fall off the priority list. Unfortunately, pension was often one of such items for us. The liabilities predictably accumulated and the retirees were dehumanised.

With the 2004 pension reform, however,

Continued on page 38

June 12: In Democracy, We Trust...

The fate of Nigeria’s decaying democracy is staring at us.

Nobody can escape the numerous holes disfiguring it while all kinds of anxious questions are also at our feet. Because history is back with a vengeance. Asking: what have you done so far since the Nigerian nation teetered on the brink of its demise when it fell flat on her face 30 years ago?

On this day, on a fateful June 12, in 1993, while all Nigerians, across all geographies and her Diaspora, were bracing for the advent of a great, sunny day, on our long-battered land, heralding the maturing of a new, strong, democratic culture, a brutal curtain, an iron curtain, fell on us with the annulment of the very transparent presidential election held that year.

We had thought, naively, that “militics”, the military version of civilian rule that long was in charge of the destiny of the leading African country would deliver on its promise -a peaceful transition to

power from them to a new, civilian, leadership brought about by what was one of the most competitive polls in recent history!

Observers from around the world, voters, the media, academics and the ordinary citizenry had come to the conclusion that Moshood Abiola, the media and industrial magnate turned politician, had roundly defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa, in a two-horse race hailed throughout the nation as fair and just.

When the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida declared null and void the election, the whole country was literally in turmoil. Its image dented. The world is looking down at Nigeria as the sick nation of an Africa that was already going south. And no wonder that Babangida was welcomed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit, held a few days later in Cotonou, Benin Republic, was humiliating for the most populous and wealthy of all member states making-up the 15 nations

community...I witnessed it all in my then capacity as ECOWAS’ Communication Director.

The blow was terrible. Since then, Nigeria has been fighting to restore its lost democratic credentials. To be true, progresses have been recorded, as testified by the end of formal Khaki, military, rule even though, dressed in Agbadas, two of its leading representatives, namely Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, occupied the highest seat of the land as presidents during the past 30 years along other civilian rulers.

The road has been rocked with all sorts of hurdles, but being the everresilient nation, one must observe that Nigeria has come a long way from the brink. And despite its still lingering democratic shortcomings, it is justified to salute Nigeria’s recovery -at least in words and papers- in its embrace of democracy, rule of law, freedom of expression and opinion, media pluralism and trade unions voices.

That more and more citizens are

feeling the need to get involved and speak up, provide further comfort, regardless of the many travails it is still facing, including with the lack of acknowledgement thus far that nothing can be achieved to entrench democracy therein as long as the citizen is not at the centre of its deployment, the fact is that we no longer live in a time of vertical, authoritarian, leadership.

Let us be blunt: Nigeria could, and must, have fared better, especially on the economic and social fronts in light of the fact that democracy without justice and shared-prosperity is an empty shell.

What missed further, and has been strikingly highlighted, is the failure of its institutions to meet their promise to roll-out a credible supervision of the democratic proposition for such a great country.

Witness only the utter tre ason by the Independent Electoral National Commission (INEC), including the various

Continued on page 38